"How did it feel?"

"Like normal? It wasn't even difficult." Hawkins nodded, this eyes cast low in thought.

"Intriguing. I'll ask Yuna to request guidance from Prince Chike." I tried to smother my sneer.

"Why? It's unnecessary." I said.

Hawkins furrowed his brow. "Hardly, the Prince shares the same magic as you." He added with a one-sided grimace, "well—magic as in capabilities."

"Yes, Yuna mentions it constantly, she reminds me not to compare myself to him especially from what I hear through gossip. But if no one is stuck or hurt, why should we bother someone who is busy?"

Hawkins' expression softened, "that's because Elenice asks about progress."

"Why? She shouldn't concern herself with her busy schedule."

"She might want you as Prince Chike's bodyguard."

I inhaled slowly, closing my fists to calm the ache of sweat slicking the creases of my palms. "Why?"

"You two share the same magic. I told her it wasn't her decision."

I nodded vaguely, "I don't want to be with the Prince. I'll serve him if I must though…"

"You don't need to explain yourself, Raymond." Hawkins said, "I understand you two didn't get along. I'm not going to make you feel guilty for not wanting to be around someone who hurt your feelings." He paused for a moment, "Raymond, stand on your left leg." I did, weighing towards my right. "Why didn't you tell me that you're off balance?" Hawkins said, kneeling in front of me, he took my hands.

"I didn't want to. We would have to see Prince Chike again, and I really don't want to do that."

"I know, but you need to see him, you're two inches grown! Are you in pain?" I looked away from the squeeze above my elbows.

"Raymond…"

"It's fine, honestly, can't we just have someone else look at it?"

Hawkins shook his head, "hardly, Chike made this device himself, it could be dangerous for someone else to poke inside."

"After the guard test! I really want to do the guard test. I'm sure we can think of something in the meantime." Hawkins tilted his head, his expression taut with dissatisfaction. "Very well, come, let's find something to prop you up and continue lessons. I want you to practise more circle magic, then a bit with the sword and finally your weapons."

I arrived for Yuna's lessons later than usual. The levelled piece of wood attached to my foot-plate made the pain from earlier nearly nonexistent. But I stumbled when fighting and Hawkins made me stay to practice longer.

As the week continued I found a nervousness settling my heartbeat into a mesmerising thud. I hid it from Yuna and Hawkins well enough but the night of the gala I was biting at my lips. I wore a fine black suit ordained with silver buttons and trim, with a white shirt underneath. My pants were fitted and I wore black socks to hide my leg and soft, leather shoes.

I tried not to shy away and hide behind Yuna and Hawkins, but when the doors opened I sank behind them and grasped her sleeve. She wore a dark blue blouse with high waisted black pants clasped by silver buttons and blue pointed heels clacking quietly against the ceramic tile. Her shawl of crystals chimed when she looked down at me, the blue swatch of makeup and jewellery made her look different and beautiful. But her expression was genuine and concerned.

Hawkins wore a grand black suit that was tucked into his shoes that were perfectly laid against him. His outfit was fastened together by six gold buttons down his front and embroidered into the hems, with cords and a brooch of Anshel Keep's sigil engraved by green crystal above his heart. It held a long, green cape to his shoulders, stopping around his hips which shimmered patterns of leaves and lilies seemingly hovering above the dark-green fabric. His hair was slicked back and trimmed, long ears decorated by a cuff link, he had been growing out a beard in recent years which had been shaved closer to his strong jaw.

The hall was a sea of people, and it made my heart leap with fear. It was loud, with High Shields stationed at the doors and between the large windows darkened by dusk and green curtains. The ceiling was tiled with mirrors that reflected bright crystal-light into the room. I didn't look at the sea of people around me, I only clung to the sweet perfume of Yuna's scent. She grasped around my shoulders, while I focused on blocking out the noise around me, I could smell stew underneath the overwhelming miasma of stronger perfume drowning Yuna's, the contrite unease settled even deeper when someone passed me.

"Raymond?" I pressed my nose farther into her arm, hugging it against me. "Do you want to leave?" I shook my head.

"I want to stay—but can I keep close to you?"

"Of course." She said, I listened to her speak with nobles, the banal lull of trade-talk almost a hum of normalcy. Especially since I could feel curious glances and whispers pointed in my direction with a constant.

"Madam Anshel." A young girl came up to us, from my hair I could see she wore the same outfit as me, the Tower of Hope sigil rested on her belt. "Master Nada." She added, the first to regard me by name. "I'm Aerit Tristee, I'm a relative of Leo Tristee." I looked up at her, her features were soft, rounder, but still pretty, her eyes were a stable brown and her hair a wild mass of curls that was a brilliant auburn against her peachy skin. She reached a hand towards me, her expression a regard of kindness that warmed my chest and ears.

I pulled away from Yuna to shake Aerit's hand, grinning at the wide smile that crinkled her eyes. "Are you sixteen?" I nodded.

"Awesome! I'm nearly seventeen, I'm still in training but I hope that eventually I'll be able to heal for one of the major houses that will fund expeditions into the south-east."

"Why would a High Shield be necessary for that?" I asked, shocked that she could hear me from how quiet my voice sounded.

"To protect the nobles who are establishing their stake, they'll need a healer to help with…well, healing and possible exorcisms." Aerit hadn't dropped her smile, or the intrigued raise of her brow. "Are you participating for glory, money, or how to learn magic?"

I shook my head, listening to Yuna hum, her thumb rubbed against my fingers squeezing into her elbow. "I want to travel around the world," I said. "Leave Deunite if possible." She inhaled with awe.

"That's amazing! What if you can become a Traveller?" Aerit said.

"What's that?" I asked, leaving Yuna's side a little more.

"Your Ladyship?" A blond man had approached us, he wore a plain yellow and white suit, he looked exhausted but pleasant with his respectful bow to us. "Could I have a word?"

"Ah—I am a companion for Master Nada momentarily, if you would like to donate or inquire about trade; speak with my Bonded."

"Your Ladyship, it's rather important, and will only take a moment." Yuna's gentle grip tightened momentarily, her posture protective while she looked at the man. I tugged at her arm, gaining her attention.

"Yuna, I can walk with Aerit to the foyer, my feet hurt anyway." She looked down at me, her brow furrowed before she looked around the room. Possibly finding Hawkins speaking with someone.

"Alright, I'll return in fifteen minutes. Recruit Tristee," she straightened, "consider this an official request that will aid in your station being granted. Keep Master Nada safe and comfortable, do not allow anyone else to take your station."

Aerit bowed, her eyes wide and her voice shaking when she spoke. "Of course, Your Ladyship." I let go of Yuna reluctantly and limped through the busy hall and past jealous onlookers who overheard what was said.

When we were out in the hall; I breathed deeply. Enjoying the cool air and with a glance towards Aerit—who looked around us nervously—led her to one of the small foyers. I sighed audibly when I sat and slowly eased my leg out rubbing at my hip.

Aerit stood by the door, her arms crossed behind her back while she stared at the middle of the room. I looked away from her as I adjusted back onto the couch, rolling my shoulders and neck. When Aerit didn't come away from the door yet; I glanced at her.

"Would you…care to sit—with me?" I asked, offering the other couch to her.

"Shure!" She cleared her throat, "sure." She repeated, walking quickly to the black leather and sitting stiffly on the edge. Aerit didn't speak even when I could feel the question from earlier linger between us.

"Recruit Tristee?" My tone was barely above a whisper.

"Aerit." She grinned.

"What is a Traveller?"

With a shuffle back she eased, "it's a mage hired by Rutharian state-houses, known as Guilds. Since humans are more susceptible to demons they have people walk around the continent looking for demons to kill and to help people."

"Is there a lot of fighting?"

Aerit shrugged. "I'm not sure."

She paused awkwardly. "Master Nada?" I looked up briefly. "Are you the Ghost of Anshel Keep?"

"What?" I asked, she bit at her lips, looking at the door before she popped her knuckles.

"It's what the outside calls you, since the Anshel family hasn't released your name; people started calling you a ghost due to your white hair."

"The guards don't gossip?"

"Hardly! Baron Anshel treats 'em well enough that anyone gossiping outside of the mansion is nearly nonexistent. The only gossip I hear is that they wish you good progress with your lessons." The guards were respectful towards me, often hesitant to engage. There were incidents of terrors where they would enter my room and attempt to calm me, but only a few had succeeded. Eventually, they learned that bringing Hawkins and Yuna instead was best. Over the years that slight apprehension hadn't wholly left, I still felt my heart stutter when approaching a waiting guard, even when they bowed deeply and remained in my sights.

"They're kind." I said, "to me."

"That's good! Most of them really like their jobs. Leo loves working at Elwood Manor, he talks to His Highness Prince Sigurd…he seems dedicated."

I grinned softly. "I wouldn't know. Only Yuna goes to the manor on weekends to see him."

She grinned with a polite nod, allowing the silence to settle around us plainly. It was still awkward, I could tell how she looked at her nails then around the room that she was trying to find another topic of discussion. I looked down at my lap as well, trying to filter through the frustration of my beating heart and the low pain in my leg. Yuna and Hawkins were always easy to speak with, they were always finding topics at hand, schooling, my interests, my ideas and thoughts on opinions that could be established or expanded on.

But this person was a stranger, a kind one. But I didn't trust the kindness in her eyes immediately. She could just act exactly like Prince Chike too, vain, selfish, hostile. I found myself unable to find the words and I wished to be alone. But Yuna has given her an order, and to deny a Shield; even one-in-training would be detrimental to her. With a slow inhale I pushed a bang aside.

"I know, we aren't supposed to ask about the nobles we guard…" Aerit began, "but I feel awkward sitting here, and I don't want to hold you hostage."

"Yuna wouldn't mind your friendliness. Ask away?" Relief settled aside the nervousness, Aerit sighed before it was cut off by a quick nod.

"What are your expectations for the guard test?"

"I have none." I said, "I haven't trained specifically for it."

Her brow raised slightly, "interesting, are you excited?"

"Nervous, it will be the first time I'll be away from Hawkins and Yuna."

Aerit hummed again. "That must be a lot, how about the gala? Are you enjoying it?"

"Not particularly, it's noisy and there are a lot of smells."

"Oh entirely! And so many adults gate-keeping friendships, I heard this—" I raised my gaze higher when she stopped. "I—shouldn't gossip."

I leaned forward, "can I hear it? I love when the cooks gossip." Aerit smiled.

"Well, I heard that some noble is paying their way in, honestly. They want to wiggle up to Prince Sigurd's side too, which is nigh on impossible because Prince Sigurd will only see the best of the best."

"Isn't the gala supposed to filter them out?" I asked.

"Ya'd think, but some nobles have found a loophole to just plop their 'pwecious wittle fwowers' in and expect 'em ta bloom without—" she raised her first hands for emphasis, "any training! Can ya believe that?" I shook my head.

"I've had training from Hawkins and Yuna to be good enough, but it's been four years and I'm barely of age and barely feel qualified to join this test. Paying my way into the elites seems detrimental at best." Aerit nodded.

"Exactly, and if it weren't bad 'nough, they get mad when they lose their chance. I think Baron Anshel might need ta do somethin' 'bout it too! Or our guards will be a bunch of cowardies only init for the pretty wallets!" I found myself easing the more her accent reigned over her words, a quiet smile had spread across my lips as she gestured too. "I understand the money is well off, but especially as a healer—it's just irresponsible!" She tutted sharply.

"I concur, the Prince needs the best to be by his side. Meandering through will have the Prince's life forfeit. He doesn't deserve that." It left me a little nauseous saying that.

Aerit scoffed, "he doesn't need any protection, His Highness is apparently a vicious fighter." She shrugged, "anyway, what's it like—living in Anshel Keep?"

"Quiet." I said, dropping my shoulder in slow ease.

"Did the Barons teach ya?" I nodded.

"I have private lessons with them most of the time. Occasionally, I will have tutors."

"Yer so lucky; sparing under the Queen of Blades."

"Yuna?" I huffed, "what do you mean?"

Aerit looked at me, a confused smirk pulling at her lips. "Ya…don't know?" I shook my head and shuffled back into the couch. "Master Nada, ya live with one of the most skilled blades-woman in the kingdom. There're stories of her parents training her before she could even walk—although those might be exaggerated—she is mighty with a blade."

"I've never seen her pick up a sword. Hawkins trains me." I said.

"How come yer even cooler now! Ya train under the General-Commander of the Deunite Kingdom, live with and learn under Yuna Anshel, and possibly even have an understanding of magic better than anyone our age could dream of!" Her words settled into my beating heart, she didn't seem truly envious, more amazed that she had met me. Aerit's eyes and expression sparkled with awe.

"Can you perform circle magic yet?"

She scoffed loudly. "Of course not, it's too dangerous right now." I hummed. "'Ave ya?"

"No," the lie was automatic. "I haven't tried it yet, Hawkins and Yuna have warned me of it temporarily."

A soft, but sharp knock startled us. Aerit stood and walked to the door, opening it to Yuna and Hawkins. "Kiddo." Hawkins said.

"Recruit Tristee, it's an honour to have another of your House in the program. Congratulations are in order for your cousin as well." She inhaled until her breath stuck, her eyes were wide and with a slow nod she looked down at me. "Are you well enough to return to the party, Raymond?"