A week had passed since the nightmare in the forest cottage—since Marcous’s escape, since the Order’s shadow lood.
Seraphina and Lyra had been gone most of that ti: coordinating with city guards, helping families reunite with their rescued daughters, quietly hunting leads on the cult.
Today, though, they were back.
Seraphina stood in the center of the grass in her usual light armor, sword held casually at her side. Lyra leaned against a nearby tree, staff propped beside her, chewing her lip nervously.
Ai faced Seraphina, katana gripped in both hands, stance low and surprisingly steady.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"You’ve been practicing," she observed, voice calm but curious.
Ai grinned, a little proud. "Maybe."
Seraphina didn’t smile back. She simply raised her sword.
"Then show ."
She moved.
Ai blocked.
The clash rang out—steel on steel, sharp and clear. Seraphina’s strike had been fast, controlled, aid at the shoulder. Ai parried, pivoted, and countered with a clean slash that forced Seraphina to step back.
Seraphina blinked.
"Not bad."
Ai bead. "Told you!"
They circled each other.
Seraphina attacked again—three quick jabs, testing. Ai deflected the first, dodged the second, and t the third with a solid block. Her footwork was cleaner than before, her breathing even, her eyes focused.
Seraphina’s lips twitched. "You’ve improved. A lot."
Ai lowered her katana slightly, catching her breath. "How are the girls?"
Seraphina’s expression softened, just a fraction.
"We got most of them ho. The younger ones... they’re with their parents now. The older ones too. But..." She exhaled. "It’ll take ti. A long ti. So of them... they’re not the sa anymore."
Ai’s grin faded. Her grip on the katana tightened.
"I see."
She looked down at the grass for a mont, then lifted her head with a small, determined smile.
"But... I’m glad we saved them. Even if it hurts now... they’re alive. They have a chance to heal."
Seraphina studied her for a long second.
Then she smiled—small, genuine.
"Yeah. They do."
She lifted her sword again.
"So. How did you get this good? I haven’t trained you in a week."
Ai’s grin turned smug. She lifted her chin proudly.
"My husband taught ."
Seraphina blinked.
"Your... husband."
"Mm-hm!" Ai nodded enthusiastically. "Shiki’s been drilling every day. Forms, footwork, breathing... everything."
Seraphina’s brow arched.
"Oh? And can you handle this?"
She moved—faster this ti.
Ai yelped, scrambling to block the sudden flurry of strikes. Seraphina’s sword was a blur—precise, relentless, forcing Ai back step by step.
"W-wait! This is unfair—!!"
Seraphina smirked. "Training isn’t fair, little kitten. You think the Order will go easy on you?"
Ai gritted her teeth, parrying wildly. "That’s—different—!!"
Lyra clutched her staff, bouncing on her toes.
"S-Seraphina-san! Be gentle! Please don’t hurt her—!!"
Seraphina laughed—short, sharp.
"It’s just training, Lyra."
She feinted left, then struck right. Ai barely blocked, stumbling.
"See?" Seraphina said. "You’re getting sloppy when you’re flustered."
Ai puffed her cheeks. "I’m not flustered!"
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed playfully.
"Oh? Then what’s that on your throat?"
Ai froze.
Seraphina’s sword lowered slightly, tip pointing lazily toward Ai’s neck.
There—right at the base of her throat—was a dark, unmistakable love bite. Red-purple, fresh, shaped perfectly like teeth and lips.
Ai’s face exploded scarlet.
"Th-that’s—!!"
Seraphina’s smirk grew wicked.
"Sir Shiki’s work, I presu?"
Ai squeaked, hands flying to cover the mark.
"N-no—!! It’s—!! It’s nothing—!!"
Lyra gasped, eyes wide. "A-Ai-san... is that...?"
Ai spun in a frantic circle, katana waving dangerously.
"I-It’s not what it looks like—!!"
Seraphina laughed outright—rare, genuine amusent.
"It looks exactly like what it looks like."
Ai’s embarrassnt hit critical mass.
She let out a tiny, mortified scream—and then attacked.
Her katana flashed—faster than before, movents sharp and furious. Seraphina’s eyes widened slightly as she was forced to parry, then retreat, then parry again.
Ai was a blur—slashes, spins, thrusts—all fueled by pure, red-faced mortification.
Seraphina blocked, blocked, blocked—then finally stepped back, raising a hand.
"Enough—enough! Truce!"
Ai stopped instantly, chest heaving, face still beet-red.
Seraphina sheathed her sword, grinning.
"I stand corrected. You’ve definitely been training."
Ai lowered her katana, panting.
"...Don’t tell anyone about the mark."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"Too late. Lyra saw."
Lyra squeaked and hid behind her staff.
Ai groaned, burying her face in her hands.
"I’m going to kill Shiki..."
Seraphina chuckled.
"You might want to thank him first. Whatever he’s teaching you... it’s working."
Ai peeked through her fingers, still flushed.
"...You think so?"
Seraphina nodded once.
"I know so."
"Who’s training going?"
All eyes snapped toward the voice.
Shiki stood suddenly beside Lyra—hands in his pockets, signature smug smirk on his lips, like he’d materialized from the shadows.
Lyra yelped, jumping back in surprise and fear, nearly tripping over her staff.
"A-Ah!!"
Ai’s eyes lit up. "Shiki!"
Shiki waved a hand casually, smug smile widening. "Hey, kitten."
Ai ran toward him, stopping in front of him with a happy bounce. "Shiki! She said I’ve improved! Doing good! All because of you!"
Shiki’s hand ca up, petting her head gently, fingers ruffling her ponytail. "Ohh... you do know how to make happy, kitten."
Ai bead up at him, cheeks still pink from earlier embarrassnt. "Really?"
Seraphina crossed her arms, watching with a raised eyebrow. "How long have you been there?"
Shiki shrugged, still petting Ai. "Long enough to see my wife overwhelm you."
Ai giggled. "See? I told you!"
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, *What? How could I not feel his presence?"
Seraphina then shook her head, smirking. "She’s got potential. But don’t get cocky, little one."
Lyra peeked out from behind her staff. "S-Sir Shiki... you scared ..."
Shiki chuckled. "Sorry, Lyra. Force of habit."
Ai tugged Shiki’s sleeve. "Shiki, want to spar with ? Show them more?"
Shiki’s eyes glead. "Tempting. But I think you’ve earned a break." He leaned down, whispering in her ear. "And maybe a reward later."
Ai’s face turned red again. "Sh-Shiki!!"
Seraphina rolled her eyes. "Get a room."
Lyra giggled nervously.
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END OF Chapter : 54 : TRAINING & BLUSHING
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