Elias cleared his throat gently, catching Axelius's attention as he sipped on his fruit juice, his legs swinging idly under the chair. "Young Master," Elias began, his voice smooth and formal, "I came to inform you that there will be a mock battle held in celebration of Lady Vivienne's successful mission."
Axelius raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-sip. "Oh really? A mock battle? When's that happening?" he asked, sounding more curious than concerned.
"It is scheduled for noon today, young master. All Dravenhart children are expected to attend and... participate," Elias replied, his hands clasped neatly behind his back, his expression calm and composed.
Axelius set his glass down on the table with a soft clink, leaning back in his chair. "Wait... participate? Like, actually fight?" He raised both eyebrows, disbelief clear on his face.
Elias nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes, young master. It is tradition for the Dravenhart family to demonstrate their abilities in times of celebration. Lady Vivienne's success is considered a great honor for the family."
Axelius scoffed, leaning forward with his elbows on the table. "Heh, I see. So... I have to fight? Against who?" he asked, suspicion in his tone.
Elias hesitated for a moment, his eyes glancing toward Axelius with a hint of caution. "I must also inform you, young master," he began slowly, "since you do not currently have a tamed beast, you will be excluded from the Beast Battle segment of the mock battle."
"So what, I just watch from the sidelines?"
Axelius clicked his tongue, looking away with mild irritation. "Tch, so I'm just supposed to sit there and clap while they show off? How boring," he muttered under his breath.
Elias straightened his posture, his hands clasped behind his back as he continued, "However, young master, while you are excluded from the Beast Battle, there is an exception."
Axelius raised an eyebrow, still leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. "Exception?"
"Yes," Elias confirmed with a nod. "You will participate in the hand-to-hand combat segment. Weapons are allowed, and it is a tradition to showcase not only one's beast but also their combat abilities."
A smirk crept onto Axelius's face, and he leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Hand-to-hand combat? Weapons? So... I get to punch someone?"
Elias blinked, slightly surprised by the enthusiasm. "In... a manner of speaking, yes, young master. It is a demonstration of skill and discipline."
Owen, who had been bouncing around the table, chirped in, "You? Fighting? Are you even strong enough to hold a sword? You might fall over from the weight!"
Axelius shot Owen a glare. "I'll show you, you blue jelly. Just wait. I'm gonna make those fancy little sword swings look like child's play," he boasted, clenching his fists.
Elias cleared his throat, drawing Axelius's attention back. "Your opponent, as I mentioned before, is Young master Cedric," he repeated, his expression calm and composed.
Axelius leaned back, crossing his legs. "Right, Cedric...Cyruz twin," he muttered, scratching his head. "I guess I'll have to come up with something special for him."
Elias offered a slight bow. "If you require assistance with training or practice, I am at your disposal, young master."
Axelius waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, I'll think of something. Besides, it's just a little sparring match, right?"
Elias's eyes shimmered with a hint of caution. "Even sparring matches in Dravenhart tradition are... quite intense, young master."
Axelius raised an eyebrow, his grin not faltering. "Good. I wouldn't want it any other way," he replied confidently.
Owen groaned loudly, bouncing in frustration. "You just got here and you're already picking fights! I swear you have a death wish!"
Axelius only laughed, stretching his arms with a loud yawn. "A death wish? More like a wish for some fun. Besides, I've been through worse, remember?"
Owen huffed. "You bit a guy! That's hardly the same!"
Axelius shrugged. "Hey, it worked, didn't it? since it's later..."
Axelius's grin widened. "Perfect. Looks like I'll need a good breakfast before I knock Cedric off his high horse."
Elias chuckled, a rare hint of amusement showing. "I shall make sure the kitchen is informed."
Axelius leaned back, his hands behind his head. "Man... this place is starting to get interesting," he muttered under his breath.
Owen groaned. "You're going to get us killed, I just know it..."
Axelius smirked. "Nah... just a little fun, Owen. Just a little fun."
Axelius jumped down from his chair with a grin, reaching over to grab Owen. He lifted the small blue slime and plopped him right on top of his head. "Alright, lead me to where the training area is," Axelius commanded with a confident smile.
Elias bowed slightly. "Of course, young master. This way, please," he said, turning and walking down the grand hallway.
As they walked, the decor of the mansion gradually shifted. The elegant carpets and crystal chandeliers gave way to sturdy stone walls and iron sconces holding bright, flickering flames. The windows became fewer, replaced by heavy wooden doors with reinforced steel frames. They descended a spiraling staircase, and the sound of clashing metal and grunts of effort began to echo through the stone corridors.
Axelius's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Wow... I didn't even know this part of the mansion existed," he muttered, adjusting Owen on his head.
"I wouldn't expect you to, young master," Elias replied. "This is the Dravenhart training grounds—where the guards, knights, and even some of your siblings practice their combat skills."
They finally arrived at a massive set of double doors, engraved with intricate symbols of beasts and swords. Two guards stationed outside straightened up immediately, saluting Elias and Axelius. With a nod from Elias, the guards pulled the heavy doors open, revealing the training area beyond.
Axelius's eyes widened in amazement. The space was enormous, stretching out as far as his eyes could see. High stone walls surrounded a vast courtyard filled with all kinds of training equipment: wooden dummies lined up for sword practice, straw targets riddled with arrows, and sparring rings where knights clashed with heavy weapons. Groups of soldiers trained in perfect sync, their movements sharp and disciplined. The clanging of metal against metal filled the air, along with the shouts of instructors barking orders.
There were also separate sections—a stable with powerful-looking beasts in iron cages, their eyes sharp and watchful. Some were training with their tamers, massive creatures lunging and retreating with practiced precision.
"Whoa... this is like... a mini army base," Axelius whispered in awe, his eyes scanning everything with growing excitement.
Elias smiled faintly. "It is the pride of the Dravenhart family, young master. Every warrior here is handpicked and trained to protect the family and its interests."
As Axelius struggled to hold up the longsword, Owen almost toppled off his head. "Whoa! What are you planning now, Axel? In the four days we've been here, all you've done is eat and sleep. You didn't even exercise! You don't stand a chance against Cedric if you keep this up," Owen nagged, his little slime body wobbling with each shake.
Axelius only smirked, handing the sword back to Elias with a shrug. "It's a shame you can't see, Owen," he said smugly. "I'm just getting started."
Without missing a beat, Axelius pointed at the next weapon on the table. "That one," he ordered, eyeing a steel spear with intricate engravings along its shaft. Elias obediently passed it to him, watching closely as Axelius gripped it with both hands.
"Hnghh—!" Axelius groaned, his small arms shaking as he tried to lift the spear. He managed to raise it off the table, wobbling dangerously before setting its blunt end on the floor for support. He gave it a little swing, nearly tipping himself over in the process. "Okay… maybe not that one either," he huffed, handing it back to Elias.
Elias took it gracefully and placed it back on the rack. "Would you like to try another, young master?"
Axelius nodded eagerly. "Yeah, give me that… that axe right there," he said, pointing to a short-handled battle axe with a wicked edge.
Elias hesitated for a moment, but he picked it up and handed it to Axelius. The young boy gripped the handle tightly, testing its weight. His knees wobbled slightly, but he managed to hold it up. "Now we're talking," Axelius grinned, giving it a small swing. The weight dragged him forward, nearly pulling him off the stool.
"Careful!" Elias said quickly, stepping forward.
"I'm fine!" Axelius snapped back, steadying himself. He took a few more experimental swings before nodding to himself. "Alright, put this back too. Next!"
Elias placed the axe back and reached for the next weapon—a sleek, curved saber. He handed it to Axelius, who eagerly grabbed it. Surprisingly, this one felt lighter. He swung it in the air, the blade cutting cleanly with a satisfying swoosh. "Not bad… not bad at all," Axelius muttered, his eyes glinting with excitement.
Owen bounced lightly on his head. "Axel, are you really thinking of fighting Cedric? He's huge compared to you!"
Axelius's grin only widened. "Who said anything about Cedric? I just want to try everything. You never know what you're good at until you try."
Owen huffed. "I still think you're nuts."
Axelius ignored him, handing back the saber to Elias. "Alright, bring me the next one. I'm going to try them all," he declared confidently.
Elias raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "As you wish, young master," he said with a bow, reaching for the next weapon in line.
One by one, Axelius tested every single weapon on the table. Maces, flails, staves, even a heavy warhammer that nearly sent him crashing to the floor. Each time, Elias patiently handed him the next one, and Axelius tried it out, determined to find something that suited him best.
When they finally reached the end of the table, Axelius panted slightly, wiping his brow. "That… that was a workout," he admitted, leaning on the stool.
Elias chuckled softly. "You certainly have determination, young master."
Axelius straightened up, the glimmer of excitement still in his eyes. "Well, I gotta know what fits me best, right? I can't just sit around and do nothing."
Owen sighed from atop his head. "Yeah, but you might want to, I dunno, train those noodle arms of yours first."
Axelius scoffed. "I'll get there." His eyes scanned the training grounds, already plotting his next move.