The next few days slipped by quickly at the estate.
Every afternoon, Callista came over to teach Alaric everything he needed to know about the Royal Academy. She went over the rules, the layout of the massive campus, and which noble factions to avoid.
His evenings were spent with Vanessia. Using his "memory loss" as the perfect excuse, he asked her countless questions about Thiaman. He learned about the major trading guilds, the powerful matriarchal noble houses, and the delicate political balance of the kingdom.
Now, it was his last day at the estate. Tomorrow, he would leave for the Academy.
But right now, he had to survive the courtyard.
"Focus!" a man hissed, swinging a heavy wooden practice sword straight at Alaric's head.
Alaric ducked, the wooden blade cutting through the air just inches above his hair. He immediately stepped back, raising his own practice sword to block a quick follow-up strike to his ribs.
Clack!
The impact sent a dull ache up Alaric's arm.
