A flicker of surprise crossed Kaede's face the moment she became aware of the unfamiliar aura emerging behind her. It was subtle but unmistakable, a ripple in the air that set her senses on high alert.
Without hesitation, her hand shot up, gripping the whip with practiced precision. At a staggering speed, she began to rotate it in a wide arc, the magma snapping through the air like a living thing.
From the swirling motion of the whip, droplets of molten magma began to descend. They fell like burning rain, each drop sizzling as it struck the ground with a hiss. Kaede's eyes narrowed, focused, as the fiery assault carved lines of destruction across the battlefield.
Grievous and his clone wasted no time. With equal swiftness, they retreated, their movements smooth and calculated. The two figures melted into the shadows, seeking a moment to regroup.
'Two spells linked together,' Grievous mused, watching Kaede's fluid motions. 'It's truly amazing how seamlessly she blends offense and defense.'
As Kaede ceased the whip's rotation, a faint shimmer surrounded her. New shields materialized, glowing with an ethereal light, encasing her like a fortress. Without pause, she launched forward, her footsteps barely touching the ground.
Meanwhile, Grievous was already preparing his counter. He summoned six distinct groups of Shadow Arrows, each one coalescing from the darkness at his command. Being within the Shadow Ring amplified their power, and the arrows surged toward Kaede like a storm of black death.
Her attacks were a dance of intertwined spells, elegant and fierce. She deflected the Shadow Arrows with ease, sending them scattering like leaves in a gale. But then, a chill ran down her spine the same ominous aura had returned, this time doubled.
Grievous and his clone suddenly appeared behind her, silent and deadly. The armor that protected Kaede could not withstand the relentless hail of arrows raining down from her rear. The two halberds struck with brutal force, stabbing through defenses with savage precision.
In mere moments, the four shields shattered into fragments of light and energy. The halberds and the remaining arrows pierced Kaede's back, and she began to fade, her form dissolving like mist at dawn.
Grievous exhaled slowly as the simulation ended. The giant marble platform beneath them vanished, leaving only the empty expanse of the Shen Basin.
"Only fifteen percent left," he murmured, eyeing the residual Shen energy. "And the clone still holds twenty six percent. That was a swift skirmish, not even two minutes."
He considered the factors that led to his victory. "The advantage was the Quick Jump. Kaede was caught off guard by sudden movements. But that would never happen in a real confrontation. Any such move would raise a magician's caution instantly."
Grievous' mind traced the intricate dance of strategy and counterstrategy. "I may be clever, but that does not mean others are fools. Magicians, especially, are masters of tactics."
Since absorbing Kaede's memories, Grievous' understanding of magic and its practitioners had grown exponentially. Each fragment of her life was a precious gem of knowledge, illuminating dark corners of his own ignorance.
Though Kaede was not a high ranking magician, her experiences were enough to elevate Grievous to her level in magical prowess. His intelligence combined with the ability to sift through and retain memories had become his greatest asset.
'Still, something feels incomplete,' he thought, rubbing his temples. 'As if my subconscious did not utilize all possible strategies. To truly grasp her strength, I must face Kaede herself.'
The simulation's disappearance left a quiet void. Grievous whispered under his breath, "She is undeniably strong. But her fatal flaw lies in facing me. I know her movements now, yet the real Kaede will be a far better opponent than any simulation could be."
Opening his eyes in the real world, Grievous allowed the words to slip out softly.
"I can fight her in the forest near Lord Hyde's estate. No magicians dwell there, just monsters. It's a fitting place to test my skills."
Although the opportunity was ripe, Grievous felt the weight of mental exhaustion pressing down on him. Endless hours of thought, breaking through ranks, managing two bodies, it all drained his resolve.
His strength of mind was formidable, but even the strongest falter without rest. He acknowledged this.
"It's time to rest," he admitted quietly, retreating from the mental battlefield for a while.
The world outside awaited, but for now, Grievous would gather his strength.
---
Quietly, Grievous closed his eyes, allowing the gentle weight of the feeling of exhaustion to settle over him like a soft cloak.
The world outside seemed to have faded, leaving only the steady rhythm of his breath as he slipped into a deep, continuous, dreamless sleep. Time lost meaning, and the hours folded silently around him.
Six hours later, the first light creeping through the curtains stirred him awake. He blinked slowly, gathering himself, before stretching his limbs with deliberate ease. The quiet creak of the bed frame accompanied his movement as he swung his legs to the floor and rose to his feet. His gaze fell immediately on the pocket watch resting on the table nearby, its golden face reflecting the soft morning light.
"Today, Mr. Carmion will come to give Edmund his first history lesson," Grievous said softly, his voice low and steady.
He glanced again at the watch, calculating the time with care.
"And after that, Edmund has an appointment with Ms. Mondelana for lessons in noble etiquette."
There were two hours left before Mr. Carmion's arrival, and breakfast would be served in about half an hour.
The day ahead was already filled with purpose. By nightfall, Grievous had to begin his training with Kaede, preparing to hone his use of spells and to plan how best to wield his abilities at different moments. The weight of responsibility pressed against him, but he welcomed it. Discipline was necessary.
Slowly, the morning hours slipped by. The soft clatter of breakfast preparations echoed through the halls as the household stirred to life.
After sharing the meal with his family, Grievous and Edmund set out together for a walk in the nearby city. The crisp air carried the scent of blooming flowers and distant smoke from the bakeries.
The city lay near the palace, close enough for convenience but far enough to offer a change of scenery. Grievous decided to travel by carriage with Edmund, allowing the boy to savor the experience. The carriage wheels hummed against the paved road as it moved steadily forward.
Edmund's excitement bubbled over.
"Dad, Dad, we're going for a walk!" he exclaimed, his bright eyes shining with anticipation.
Grievous smiled warmly, returning the boy's gaze.
"Yes, we are," he replied gently.
Sitting opposite Edmund in the carriage, Grievous observed the boy's eagerness with a quiet fondness.
The city they were approaching was the heart of Lord Hyde's fiefdom. Known as Eldoria, it took its name from the vibrant Eldoria flower that spread across the region. Its petals were a soft purple, often seen scattered along the winding streets and hanging from market stalls.
Though not vast, the city held a charm all its own. It spanned roughly sixteen square kilometers, a modest size that led residents of larger cities to dismiss it as little more than a village. But to Grievous and Edmund, it was a place full of life and stories waiting to be discovered.
Grievous turned to Edmund with a clear, firm tone.
"We'll just take a quick look at the city and take a walk for a bit."
He paused, then added with a promise in his voice.
"Then we'll return to the palace."
Edmund nodded eagerly.
"I promise that I will take you to the city after a while, as Zeravera's festival is already approaching."
The mention of the festival brought a spark to the boy's eyes.
The Festival of Zeravera was a special holiday in the Kingdom, held every year in the seventh month of the lunar calendar.
It celebrated the legendary hero Zeravera, a figure etched deeply into the Kingdom of Baraza's long heritage. Stories of his courage, particularly the tale of how he defeated the fearsome Spider Monkey, were told and retold in song and legend.
Traditionally, during the festival, cakes stuffed with fiery dates from the western part of the Kingdom were served. The rich sweetness of the dates balanced delicately with the warmth of spices, a treat only available during this time. Alongside the cakes, grape juice mixed with snowy honey was poured freely, its taste both refreshing and sweet.
Music filled the streets, and the air was alive with celebration.
Edmund's face lit up at the thought.
"My father is the best," he said happily, his voice full of admiration.
Grievous smiled quietly at the boy's innocence, keeping his deeper thoughts carefully locked away.
'I don't want to create a ruthless person who would bite me,' he thought with a measure of cold calculation.
'Instead, I will craft a useful and easy-to-control piece.'
He knew the power of subtlety, the art of influence honed through years of experience.
A master of disguise and performance, Grievous was an old actor at heart. His control over facial expressions and the smallest movements of his eyes had become second nature. Such skills allowed him to mask his intentions completely. Even a seasoned magician would struggle to discern his true thoughts without reading minds.
As the carriage rolled closer to the city gates, Grievous allowed himself a brief moment of reflection. The path ahead was long and fraught with challenges, but for now, the gentle bond he shared with Edmund was a balm.