The next day, the boys left their rooms and headed toward the training grounds. But as soon as they arrived, they stopped in surprise. Instead of Princess Alexia, it was Captain Edward standing there, staring at the massive crater left by the explosion from the day before — the one caused by Enea after that mysterious golden flash had struck him.
"Nothing ever goes right for us…" Andrea sighed.
Edward turned toward them. "You're here. Come closer."
They obeyed.
"Captain Edward, where's Princess Alexia?" Michael asked, confused.
"The princess was tasked by His Majesty to restore order in the city — together with General Howard."
The boys' eyes lit up. "The General's back?!" Hector said excitedly.
"Yes. Just in time to clean up the mess your companion made. So forget about training with him."
"That explains why you're here," Alexandre commented.
"Exactly. Since both of them are busy, the task has been passed on to me."
"Lucky us…" Andrea muttered under his breath.
"You should be annoyed, boy," Edward replied with a faint smirk. "Because I'm not like your previous instructors. I'll train you properly... but you'll suffer like in hell."
Hector swallowed hard. "Is that really necessary?"
"You can quit if you want. But know this — your friend has awakened his powers and will undergo a different kind of training. If you don't push yourselves, you'll leave him behind. Or worse… you'll never be able to reach him."
His words hit home. The boys lowered their gazes.
"So, if you don't want to be dead weight to him… you'd better give it everything you've got."
Leon stepped forward, irritated. "Dead weight? I don't think Enea would ever see us that way."
"Oh, he would," Edward shot back. "But don't take my word for it. Keep slacking off, and we'll see how proud of you he'll be."
Leon clenched his jaw but had no reply.
"He's right," Andrea said suddenly, surprising everyone. "Even if we don't like him, I'm sure he can make us stronger."
Edward nodded. "That much, I can promise."
"Then I don't care about the price. I'll pay it."
"What are you saying? Pay the price just to take orders from him?" Leon snapped.
"I only won yesterday because my opponent let his guard down," Andrea replied. "We're still not strong enough. And if Enea managed to awaken his power, it means he worked harder than any of us. We were the ones who wanted this path the most…"He stepped closer to Edward. "That's a good reason to call us dead weight. And I don't want to be one."
The others fell silent, reflecting on his words.
"Andrea… since when can you give motivational speeches?" Michael said jokingly.
The others chuckled softly while Andrea blushed. "I don't even like them, but it was needed to make you understand."
"And you did," Michael admitted, then turned to Edward. "Train me however you want."
"Me too," said Alexandre.
"Same here," echoed Hector.
Leon sighed. "Guess I'm in too…"
"Good. Then grab your weapons and try to bring me down. That'll be your first training."
"Yes, sir!" they shouted in unison, drawing their weapons.
...
Alexia walked through the castle corridors with a weary expression. "I need some rest…"
As she passed near the training grounds, she noticed a crowd of soldiers gathered, staring at something in shock.
What's going on…?
She approached — and froze.
The boys were covered in bruises and cuts.
"Andrea! We need to hold out until the others recover!" shouted Leon, one of the few still standing.
Alexandre, Michael, and Hector struggled to get up but couldn't.
"Not even halfway through the day, and you're already wrecked?" Edward said dryly.
Andrea wiped blood from his lip. "You've no idea how much I'm looking forward to the day I make you cry in the infirmary."
"Talk is cheap. But in action, you're still at zero," the captain replied coldly. "Keep it up and you'll be the ones going to the infirmary so you can see your friends."
"We'll see about that!" Leon shouted through gritted teeth.
They were about to attack when a voice cut through the tension.
"Stop, all of you!"
Alexia stepped forward, her presence commanding. "Captain, don't you think you're overdoing it?"
"I'm only doing what's necessary to make them improve, Princess."
"To me, it looks a bit too much."
Suddenly, an arrow flew toward Edward. He deflected it effortlessly, his gaze landing on Michael — who was standing again, bow in hand.
"Thank you for your concern, Princess… but we don't need your help," Michael said.
Alexandre and Hector also stood up, aching but determined.
"See, Princess?" Edward added. "They're the ones attacking me. I'm just responding as I should. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a training session to finish."
Alexia glared at him coldly. "I don't like your methods."
"You'd better get used to them."
She looked at the boys, standing tall and defiant despite their injuries. Then she sighed and walked away.
Edward watched her leave. "Good… let's continue."
Andrea dashed forward, ready to strike.
"Come on, entertain me a bit more," the captain murmured.
...
Later that day, Andrea lay on a bed while a maid tended to his wounds.
"I swear, the moment I get strong enough, I'll make him run naked through the entire castle!" he grumbled.
The maid chuckled softly. "Maybe you're exaggerating a little…"
Andrea sighed. "You're right. Sorry."