8 Chapter 8 (1/2)

”Raargh!” A voice of frustration resounded from within a dense forest.

Two shadows were moving around, it looked as if they were dancing but clearly that was not the case since there were sparks flying around them and some trees around the duo have been cut down in half cleanly while most had deep cuts on them...

-●-●-●-

Alexis for the umpteenth time slashed his sword at his Master who seemed to have a cocky smirk on his face...

”That's enough!” Philip said as Alexis fell to his knees.

”Well... you are getting better!” He complimented Alexis who was gasping for air, trying to more oxygen into his lungs to make up for the debt...

Philip, although he wouldn't admit it, knew that the brat who he taught and trained everyday for the past three years had grown into him.

Alexis stared at his master while his muscles ached. Every single day since the time he had completed his studies, Alexis would have to undergo intense training.

”Thanks... Master...” Alexis replied between deep breaths, he had gotten taller standing at four feet and one inch, Alexis was easily taller than his peers. His crimson red hair reached his back since he hadn't taken a haircut in three years.

Some of his baby fat too has reduced under Philip's rigorous training, Alexis now had muscles, they weren't big enough to call him ”buff” but they were there.

This was thanks to his Master's special training which targeted strength over mass, hence why Philip himself wasn't a buff old man and seemed lean and very fit for his age.

”Alexis, I got some news yesterday...” Philip said as he looked at Alexis who has recovered from his tiredness.

”What kind of news Master?” Alexis asked him as he walked over to him.

”War” Philip simply said and shrugged.

”War?” Alexis asked him, that was indeed bad news but he didn't really care about it since it doesn't directly involve with his family's safety.

”Yes, War between the Satellians and the Republic...” He said once again, adding more information.

Alexis was puzzled...

”But Master, last time you told me that they struck an Alliance against our Empire... what happened between them?” Alexis replied and looked at his master waiting for the answer.

”*sigh* it's a long story” Philip sighed and massaged his head, ”A while ago, the Republic sent in an army into the Kingdom of Enleitz, it numbered around two hundred thousand and this army breezed through the small country only to be stopped by us.” He paused and continued,

”The only reason we sent in our forces was because the Kingdom begged for help and also because Enleitz served as a buffer zone against the Republic, therefore, your father ordered the Imperial army to 'help' the kingdom... normally the Republic would retreat once the Empire sends in their forces but this time they fought against us and ended up attacking reinforcements from the Satellian Empire...” He finished his speech and looked at Alexis who was deep in thought.

”Even if it was friendly fire, why would they declare war on something that common?” Alexis asked.

”Friendly fire? Interesting choice of words...” Philip said while Alexis had the decency to smile sheepishly...

”Normally, both sides would reconcile and form a bigger army but in this case, the Satellian force of over fifty thousand was decimated even after they proved themselves to be from Satellia...” he continued with a grave expression.

”...Master” Alexis called him out.

”What is it brat?” He asked his protege.

”Do you think the Republic was framed?” Alexis asked him with a serious face, If he was correct with his suspicions then there was only one suspect and they have some bad blood with the Republic...

”Heh, do you think so lowly of me, brat? Ofcourse I suspect that too and since the Republic is already known as an aggressive nation, the hatred of the masses is targeted at them...” Philip concluded and closed his eyes.

”The main suspect is the Kingdom of Ritzburg!” Alexis said, he didnt want to drag it around and quickly said so since he was annoyed at how much this old man actually talks...

'Maybe that's why he is always so serious, because he knows that once he opens his mouth, he can't stop talking!' Alexis thought and had to stop his laughs.

”Pfft!” He couldn't hold it in, Philip raised an eyebrow and whacked him in the head.

”Get ready, Today you'll be training till midnight!” He said with a smirk, seemingly satisfied seeing Alexis' face turn pale.

-●-●-●-

”Annalise, how are you dear?” Aurelius asked his wife who smiled at him gently.

They were in bed with a bundle inbetween, inside the bundle was a baby... right after Alexis had left, Annalise found out that she was pregnant, this news immediately made her happy considering how she was depressed for thr entire week missing her son who she won't be able to see for six years...

”I'm fine, the maids make looking after her easier than when I was with Alexis, at first I was still a bit depressed but now i have another bundle of joy!” She said and smiled at the sleeping face of her two year old baby daughter.

Aurelius too couldn't stop himself from smiling, the stressful days were over since the enemies of the empire are fighting against each other leaving the Empire safe and sound, he could now be a responsible father to his daughter who he would spoil...

The couple eagerly waited for the day to introduce their daughter to her elder brother who would be returning in three years.

-●-●-●-

”...Master...mercy...” Alexis croaked, he was way too tired and thirsty for some water, even a drop wouldn't mind, he just wanted to savour the cold liquid in his throat.

Philip slid the longsword on his hand back into its sheath and took out a bottle of water from thin air and started drinking it.

Alexis felt extremely irritated seeing this but stayed quiet and patiently until Philip threw another bottle at him.

He then like a crazed animal eagerly grabbed the bottle and drank the water.

”Ahhh” he moaned in satisfaction as his thirst was quenched.

Alexis then entered the river and cleaned himself, he felt more comfortable since back in the capital he would have to get into the bath with a maid.

It was not because he was aroused or anything but because to Alexis, bathing was something he did alone and was something he used to do in privacy...

While Alexis was in the river, he used water magic to swirl around him at a high speed, he then scrubbed himself with a scented stone he had brought with him.