The next 2 days were fairly routine. There were only 2 differences, 1st was Asha, she became another student in my classes with Aqua. While Aqua taught us, I noticed Asha staring like she was around a celebrity. I asked her about it during a short break after clashing Mana with Aqua, Seems Aqua is who young Magicians of Diablos aspire to be like. The more I know, I guess? The 2nd difference was Sharon, she began learning with me and Paul in Crest's classes. Seems they both already know each other. Sharon's father is one of Crest's subordinates. With Sharon now a part of the class, I had an extra person to spar with, which is nice. Until Sharon tried striking my head with an overhead slash. Thankfully I dodged it. After that, we all had a long lecture from Crest about proper safety during sparring sessions. Paul seemed annoyed at the interruption to his practice.

  Then we would all go and spar Warrick. So far, Warrick's winning percentage stands at 100%. He praises my growth, even though I can never land a blow on him. Being seen as the weakest link, as I'm the rookie of the bunch, Asha and Sharon voiced their displeasure with me. Believing me to be quite arrogant for not wanting their help from a few days before. To this, I agreed that it was arrogant, but as I said, I didn't want anyone involved in my fight to begin with. This angered them more for some reason? While I was butting heads with Asha and Sharon, Sarah came between us and simply offered them the chance to fight Warrick together as a trio. They agreed to Sarah's idea. Warrick beat them quickly, even though they took the fight quite seriously. The one who lasted the longest was Sarah. Then after that, Sarah asked me to spar as a duo against Warrick. I agreed to it. Going at full throttle, we lasted longer than when Sharon and Asha fought, but still lost.

  While I was recovering from a strike to my stomach, Sharon and Asha approached me. Asha looked irritated again, but before she could say anything, Sharon spoke to me.

  " Why didn't you fight like that with us? I mean you were completely different!"

  " Because we just started fighting together, I don't know your habits as well as Sarah's. With Sarah, I can tell when she wants to attack or pull back and use Magic, then I move based on her movement. In a way Sharon, you're just like Sarah. But since you don't possess Magic, when Sarah would pull back and cover herself, I can attack in that moment, with you I have to cover you with Support Magic while everyone else attacks. Warrick can tell we aren't comfortable with each other, so he waits for those moments of awkwardness and takes us out."

  Sharon had a difficult look on her face and mumbled to herself, something about " Not asking me to help" I felt a migraine coming on as I told her.

  " Of course you didn't ask. However, if we are a Party, we need to cover each other's weaknesses in battle. Otherwise, we fall apart. Add onto that, the responsibility I hold, needing to protect you both as I don't want either of you to die in 2 months, it's no wonder why Warrick has beaten us to a pulp. I am trying to understand both your habits to know when support will be needed and when to attack."

  To this, Sharon looked to her side, her face was red. Maybe this sounded too much like a scolding? But it doesn't matter. The best case would be if she leaves because of it. But I get the feeling that isn't going to happen. While Sharon was thinking on something, Asha stepped forward. It didn't take long for me to tell another confrontation was about to happen. Where did the Proper Lady from the first meeting go? While I lamented, Asha spoke.

  " If that is what you have to say about Sharon, what about me, John?"

  Oh, a question instead of a confrontation? Well, no reason not to answer.

  " Since you lack speed and Abilities in close combat, 1 of us had to stay back and protect you from Warrick as a precaution, since you're our Spellcastor. However, you're too stubborn for your own good and decide to meet Warrick head on, leading to your defeat. Sarah is the one closest to Warrick's Skill in bladed combat. After her is Sharon, so It falls on me as the most logical person to do it. However, I thought when Sarah and Sharon pulled back, I could go and keep the assault going. However, they both rushed forward with me. Leading to the collapse of our backrow when Warrick easily dodged our strikes. This is why I didn't truly argue when you called me green. From what I understand about my Job Class, I should be able to fight at any range effectively. Unfortunately, I'm still far too green and need more practice. But that opens another complication as I'm not allowed to do more than what is asked of me from my teachers. So, I'm stuck learning while doing, during our spars with Warrick."

  It was Asha's turn to mumble under her breath, but I wasn't in the mood to answer to it. Something about. " First time" and " Observant" regardless. From my answer, both Sharon and Asha looked at me. Asha with surprise on her face and blushing for some reason, proceeded to ask me to walk them through my day of training. So, I did. Once I finished explaining what I do in a day, they all had looks of horror on their faces. Sharon proceeded to ask me a question.

  " John, how much sleep do you get in a day?"

  " When I started, by the time I finished my homework, I got about 4 hours of sleep a night. As I have improved this past month, I've been able to move it to an extra 30 minutes."

  At my answer, the looks they gave changed. They looked behind me as Sarah walked up behind me. She wrapped her hands around my chest from behind me and started to speak.

  " Sharon, Asha. Do you both understand why I suggested we try fighting Father separately now? Add together that he has just started using a sword and Magic a month ago, he practices to the point of exhaustion. And yet he subsists on 4 hours of sleep and continually clashes Mana with my Mother and works on his Spells. Then he trains basic swordplay with Crest and Paul. And finally, he has to put it all together and spar my Father for a few hours. Yet he improves. And is still trying to work harder."

  Asha and Sharon looked at Sarah and me, then each other. They proceeded to speak in unison.

  " We're sorry!"

  " As long as you understand."

  Both Asha and Sharon bow to me to show sincerity and Sarah began to squeeze and hug me. After that, the day went fine. I continued my routine. I was about to begin my sword swings as usual, only this time Anna and I were joined by Asha and Sharon, Anna seemed irritated because of it. When I asked why they were here, they said "we're just confirming things" I simply did the work. Sharon said my form was great. Well, I guess that counts for something. I went to bed after finishing my practice.

  The next day I was able to sleep in because it was a rest day. I was awoken a few hours after I would usually. Anna prepared a breakfast of savory porridge. Like rice porridge made with chicken stock. After thanking Anna for the meal, she prepared an outfit for my date today, along with handing me a pouch with coins made of gold silver and bronze. I asked if this was the currency of Gaia, Anna then proceeded to give me a breakdown.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  " Yes, Master, this is the currency that everyone on Gaia uses. The value from highest to least goes as follows, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and then Iron coins."

  Anna then proceeded to explain the value of the coins to me. Which was complicated to a degree, but it seems that an Iron coin is worth about 10 cents back in my world. each coin after is valued at about 10 coins of the previous coin. A bronze coin is about 1 dollar, a silver coin is 10 dollars a gold coin is 100 dollars, and a Platinum coin is 1000 dollars. With this knowledge, I was brought to Sarah who was waiting at the front gates of the palace.

  I saw she was dressed differently than before. Her long white hair was flowing behind her back down to her lower back. she wore a thin navy-blue dress, I assume because of the heat. The dress, which showed off her curvaceous figure, Complimented the color of her white hair and purple eyes. She looked really good. She noticed me staring as Anna and I approached. I greeted her with excitement in my voice.

  " Good morning, Sarah! Thanks in advance for showing me around BlackStone today!"

  She returned my greeting. But I could tell she was waiting for me to tell her something else. Since I had an inkling, I spoke.

  " That dress you are in makes you look fantastic! Did you pick it out yourself?"

  To my words Sarah smiled confidently. She then answered my question after a moment.

  " I picked it out together with my Mother! You also look nice, John, the white outfit you were given also suits you. You look dashing! It also highlights the bracelets of Scarlet and Julia!"

  After receiving her answer, she complimented me. I heard a huff from Anna behind me. Seems she was glad her work was being praised. I was informed a carriage would come to pick us up and drop us off. While we waited, Warrick and Aqua came by to say hi. Aqua greeted us first.

  " Hello everyone! I see you both are getting ready for your date! John how do you like my Daughter's dress?"

  " I think its lovely, it really makes her hair and eyes pop!"

  Aqua, satisfied with my answer, let loose a big grin. Warrick then approached and began to speak to me.

  " John, I'm glad you have been acclimating to Gaia well. But before you go out and have fun, I wanted to chat with you for a moment, alone."

  Agreeing to what Warrick wanted, we went a distance away from the girls who were speaking amongst themselves. Once we reached a decent distance, Warrick began to speak.

  " John, I've been wanting to speak with you regarding your wish to take on more training. I mostly just allowed Aqua and Crest to dictate it, seeing as I'm simply the sparring partner for you at the end of the day. But I've noticed a sense of frustration from you for the last few days."

  " Yes, I do feel like I'm not growing fast enough, if I'm being honest with you, Warrick. everything is slowly improving, but I just have a feeling like it isn't enough. No matter how much I try to experiment with my Holy Magic I can't seem to gain anything from it. So, I'm stuck learning the basics. All the while, the Hero might have already unlocked his best Abilities to fight you."

  " Yes, I assumed so. To that I think a reality check is necessary. John simply put, you are growing at an extremely fast rate, you're like a sponge who can never absorb enough water. Since Aqua and I can't find any books on Holy Magic, I can understand your insecurity. However, as a piece of advice, I don't think Holy Magic is so simple as to write down."

  " What do you mean?"

  " If you remember correctly, the hint you were given for Holy Heal was about feeling, correct?"

  " Yes, that's true."

  " I think that's the trick of it. Feelings. Think, you gained 5 spells in a few weeks' time, but Holy Magic remains so elusive to you. It's the only answer I could think of. I don't mean to pry, John, but, the death of your Parents... I think Holy Heal was given to you, as an answer to the wish of healing your Parents during the event. In a similar vein, I think only when an appropriate feeling is born, Holy Magic will answer. The only thing I fear for, is if this insecurity gives birth to a weapon, you aren't ready for. Paladins could level armies with their Magic, John. And point blank, while you are growing, you aren't ready for such destructive Magic yet."

  His explanation made sense to me. I agreed with him. so, I spoke.

  " So, I just need to sit and wait for a dire situation to happen, Warrick?"

  " No, I don't think that's the case. I think you can figure out Spells while practicing, you just need to channel your Mana with the correct feeling. So far, you've been channeling Mana in the hopes that something happens, right? Think about an actual effect you'd like to have. For instance, Paladins have strong Support Magic. Try thinking about wanting to move faster or hit harder! That's just something to think about later, for now enjoy the date with Sarah. You both need a day off."

  " What about you, Warrick?"

  " Aqua and I will never have a day off until we retire. Thankfully, the only " work" we have today are meetings with Duke Clearfield and his Wife. Also, Baron Ashblade and his Wife."

  Feeling bad that they only came because of their daughters' wish to train and fight with Sarah. I tried to apologize, Warrick stopped me and spoke.

  " Don't worry, John, I've known Duke Clearfield for a long while, he is a Close Friend. And Baron Ashblade is an old sparring buddy from our days as students at the Academy."

  At his reassurance, a thought popped in my head, and I rushed to ask him quick!

  " Wait, Warrick. Asha's mother is the one who's a member of the Clearfield Family line, right? Who is the Duke of Clearfield then?"

  Warrick looked at me surprised, then he answered.

  " Relax, incest is illegal in Diablos. Duke Clearfield is a childhood friend of mine, as well as a childhood friend of his Wife, Penelope. Oh, the Duke's name is Adam, by the way. Adam is from a Viscount Family. They are relatively Low-Ranking as Nobles, but his Family, the Piper Family, are known as virtuous people. Which as luck would have it, is the exact kind of image a Family who is the recent victim of an idiot son's betrayal of his Country, desperately needs."

  Warrick smiles as he looks at Aqua. He continues to speak with a grin.

  " You see, Adam and Penelope always had a thing for each other, but Penelope was Betrothed to a close family friend. That friend joined with Dardus and left. So, seen as so bad a partner, her partner left his Country to avoid her, as well as being attached to the name Clearfield, Penelope was seen as " damaged goods". The Clearfield Duke at the time tried desperately to match Penelope with anyone of a similar Ranking. Aqua and I, growing sick of the way Penelope's father was treating her, approached the Duke and " politely" suggested he marry Penelope and Adam together. We threw in a few bonuses of course, only if Adam were to be given the Title of Duke of Clearfield. Mostly giving them the Crown's backing as long as Adam was Duke."

  I was stunned at what I was hearing. I turned to Warrick and tried to see if I had it right.

  " So, for the sake of your Friends, you blackmailed a Duke into marrying his daughter off and giving his Title to his son-in-law, for the benefit of his house, by backing it as a King."

  " Politics, am I right?"

  Warrick smiled at me and winked. But another question formed.

  " If that's the case, how come Sarah only got to know Asha in school?"

  " Do you have any idea how big the workload size of a King and a Duke is? Even more so when your Country is at war?"

  " Fair point."

  Warrick remembering where the chat derailed, continued.

  " As for Baron Clark Ashblade, he was a Commoner who entered the Academy through hard work and smarts. We battled for the top spot in the Academy many a time. We became Good Friends through that. In fact, I offered him the job of being my Bodyguard so we could stay near each other. He turned me down to go back to his village and Marry his childhood sweetheart. Can't blame the man, I would do the same if it meant I would marry Aqua. Anyways, we met back up during the war, due to his Achievements that I was a witness to. I gave him a Barony so we could keep in touch, and he could provide for his Family without risking his life on a battlefield. Then he went back to fighting anyways. Stubborn bastard at times, I swear!"

  Warrick sounded annoyed, but he was all smiles. After finishing the chat, we walked back to Sarah, Anna and Aqua. Before long, the Carriage arrived, Sarah and I entered and began to leave the Palace Gates. we were waved goodbye to, then began to talk to ourselves. Maybe if we were a little more focused on the outside, we would have noticed a figure following us the whole way to the city...