"Likewise. We’ve heard a lot about you, my lady," Caleb said. "So of our mbers admire your bravery, and how you’ve chosen to walk this path despite everything. It takes real guts to stand against the tide."
"Indeed," Mateo chid in, a bit more theatrical in tone. "That you would train, endure hardship, and willingly walk the thorn-strewn path—even though you’re an esteed noblewoman? That’s truly admirable."
They looked at the way kids look at festival fireworks—wide-eyed, almost like I was sothing rare. They were practically glowing.
’H-help. They’re blinding.’
"Haha..." I let out an awkward laugh, unsure what to do with this sudden attention. I scratched my cheek, glancing to the side.
Alessio sighed, rubbing the back of his neck like this was just another Tuesday.
"That’s enough, you two."
"Yes, sir!" the two of them responded imdiately, snapping to attention with a discipline that was honestly a little scary. One word from Alessio and they were all business again.
It was such a stark contrast, I couldn’t help but stare.
’I thought people who worked behind the scenes like this would be dull and serious all the ti... Turns out they have their own personalities.’
A small smile crept onto my lips.
Then I turned toward Alessio, giving him my best hopeful, wide-eyed look.
"Even if you make that face," he said flatly, not even pausing, "you’re still training today. Start with your warm-up, then run 25 laps."
"Ugh..." I groaned, shuffling away like a puppy that had just been scolded—limp and completely devoid of spirit.
As I dragged my feet across the yard, Alessio watched go with a small, barely-there smile on his face.
Caleb blinked.
Mateo leaned in, whispering as if he’d just spotted a unicorn.
"Did you see that?"
"A smile. From His Highness. A real one." Caleb’s voice was hushed, like he was witnessing a divine miracle.
Their eyes sparkled again, this ti directed at Alessio.
The sparkle, the shimr, the boing, as if their admiration physically bounced through the air and smacked into Alessio, made his face shift, all warmth vanishing like it had a eting elsewhere.
"You two look like you’re itching to join the run. Make it a hundred laps."
"PARDOON?!" they yelped in unison, their voices cracking with disbelief.
Alessio didn’t even dignify it with a response. He simply raised the whistle to his lips—and blew. Sharp. Ruthless. Final.
The sound sliced through the air like a guillotine of doom.
The gleam in his eyes wasn’t just a warning—it was the kind of look that said, ’Run like your life depends on it. Because it might.’
The two n whined inwardly, their spines straightening on instinct like chastised schoolboys.
’This is it... we’ve flown too close to the sun,’ their faces seed to say in silent despair as they took off at a reluctant jog, like betrayed puppies forced into cardio exile.
* * *
I wiped the sweat from my brow, panting as I drank from the canteen Alessio had handed earlier. My breath ca in shallow bursts, legs unsteady after what felt like the world’s longest twenty-five laps.
"Huu..." A winded sigh escaped as I collapsed onto a bench near the edge of the training yard. My arms hung limp at my sides as I leaned forward, trying to catch my breath.
Alessio returned, calm as ever—completely unfazed by the heat or the exhaustion radiating off in waves. He reached into the folds of his coat and handed a folded piece of parchnt.
I blinked. "What’s this?"
"Your new identity," Alessio said. "Caleb arranged it. If and when we return to the Empire, you’ll use that na while working at the palace—just until things settle."
I stared at the docunt, my hands frozen mid-air. The elegant, stamped seal glinted faintly in the sunlight, mocking the racing thoughts in my head.
’Work at the palace?’
"When are we returning to the Empire?" I asked, firr than I expected.
"Once your training is complete," he said matter-of-factly. "Only after we return to the Empire and locate the book will you be able to begin learning to control your Nullifier ability."
That word again—Nullifier.
I glanced down at the ring on my finger.
I could use magical artifacts freely now—just by not resisting them. It barely took any effort anymore.
Before, it had been tough. I’d overthink everything, get anxious just trying to make them function, mostly because I wasn’t used to them yet.
But now... I was slowly getting the hang of it.
Alessio continued, his tone steady and calm. "According to the Imperial Informant Unit, there’s an ancient manuscript hidden sowhere in the lower archives of the Imperial Library."
"An ancient manuscript?" I echoed.
"It’s called Verses of the Void—written centuries ago by a Nullifier. Supposedly, it contains techniques not just for controlling the ability, but for unlocking its full potential. We’re still narrowing down its exact location."
"...So there’s no easy manual out here, huh?" I muttered dryly.
He arched an eyebrow. "You already have a rare gift. Don’t expect shortcuts."
’Fair enough.’
But before I could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps reached us—followed by two very familiar groans.
Caleb and Mateo finally appeared at the edge of the training yard, their hair plastered to their foreheads, soaked with sweat. Their clothes were darkened in patches, and each of them looked one breath away from collapsing.
"One hundred laps... that’s just... cruelty..." Caleb wheezed.
"I can’t feel my legs..." Mateo mumbled, clutching his knees and swaying slightly.
I blinked at them, then glanced at Alessio.
"Right. I was wondering why they were running with earlier. Was that a punishnt?"
"They got a little too chatty for their own good," Alessio said, unbothered.
I could only stare, pitifully, at the two elite officers—who’d earlier introduced themselves with all the polish of seasoned professionals, theatrics and sparkly eyes included—now reduced to panting sses.
Caleb’s eyes drifted toward the folded parchnt in my hand.
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