Yarin's POV:
Not everyone could beco a general like my dad in their late twenties. For a soldier who didn't rely on their family's influence and earned their military rank through hard work, becoming a second lieutenant in their early twenties was indeed impressive. I wonder if this new combat class instructor was outstanding or his family connections played a role.
But that was not my concern right now. I didn't need to attend Sivir Academy for now; I had soone to teach combat.
At noon, I encountered an unexpected figure, Benson. As the Lead Mobile Patrol Unit, I figured he was here to report to Mom.
He was a weathered man, known for being quite hot-headed in his youth, and he even had so history with Mom.
But those youthful exploits had long turned to dust with ti. Now, he was silent and solemn, always furrowing his brows, appearing lost in thought. He looked like a middle-aged office worker who had never realized his ambitions, nothing like the intelligence head feared by countless high-ranking officials and nobles.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness," he greeted .
"Afternoon, Mr. Walton," I nodded in response. "Mom is in a eting with the Minister of Finance, and it will take a while. If you're not in a hurry, you can wait in the living room. Bertha just prepared so hot tea and snacks."
Benson didn't say anything, nodded in acknowledgnt, and then left.
Benson liked Bertha, and Bertha liked Benson, I could tell. What could have kept them from making it official all these years? Perhaps it was because Benson's job was so dangerous, or Bertha was dedicated to serving the royal family, but either way, it was always sad when two people in love missed their chance.
In the afternoon, it was ti for combat class. Could you guess who my teacher was? It was the retired forr Lead Mobile Patrol Unit, Chekov. Now serving as the captain of the Royal Guard, he also taught so martial arts.
One afternoon of training had sweating profusely, completely exhausted, lying on the rough ground of the training field, panting.
"I feel like I'm not making any progress." I sighed in frustration. "Today, I still couldn't get past you. It's like nothing has changed since the beginning."
Chekov sat beside , casually enjoying an ice cream, like a retired old man with nothing better to do.
"That's perfectly normal, Your Highness. You're not so once-in-a-century martial genius. If you could break through my lifelong defense in just a month of practice, I wouldn't need to be a captain or a teacher. I'd just retire to the countryside."
Since I had awakened, I always felt this sense of urgency pushing forward. Any hint of stagnation made restless.
"Am I hitting a plateau this soon?"
"Don't talk nonsense, child. You haven't made any progress at all. How can you speak of a plateau?"
"... Thank you. I don't feel comforted at all."
"I'm not trying to comfort you, Your Highness. I'm just stating facts. Learning martial arts is like crossing a desert; you must walk through pain for a long ti before you might see a hint of an oasis. But don't forget the principle of 'looking back from atop the mountain,' when you see hope, it only ans there's an even longer journey waiting for you."
"Are you like this too?"
"Of course, I'm not a genius either, and I started martial arts quite late, not until my twenties. How can I compare to kids in their early teens? So, I've always been a step behind others. You're still young; youth ans infinite potential. You have greater prospects than I do."
Chekov was an amiable old man. Even though he was the captain of the Royal Guard, he didn't need to use strict thods to control his subordinates. Those guards followed his orders willingly; I suppose this was due to the wisdom and experience he had gained over the years, sothing not easily comprehended by outsiders.
One day, after school, Heller, Cynthia, and Eden hurriedly rushed back to the palace. When they saw , they asked in hushed excitent, "Do you know who we t today?"
I was perplexed, "Who?"
"Eden's combat class instructor, it's an elective class for high school seniors, and I snuck a few peeks from outside."
"So, you saw him. What's got you so worked up? Is he really handso, or is he bizarre- Jooking?"
"He's definitely handso, but that's not the point. The point is his identity! You'd never guess who he is!"
I had no idea what kind of person had them so agitated, "So who is he? It's not soone from the Belladonna, is it?"
"Definitely not! This instructor's na is Gapes Balotte! Balotte! He's Lily's older brother! He's the brother we've never t, the one who lived with Lily's father in the Shadow Pack!"
I believed my mouth looked big enough to fit an entire apple.
We hurriedly went to ask Mom to confirm, and she said, "It's true, your uncle ntioned it to . Have you kids not t Gapes yet? Rod really likes him; he's a good kid."
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