As days passed, Arkhen showed his talent and hardworking, leaving everyone behind.
But Grace was also competitive and kept up with Arkhen. Unlike Maryl, Grace was serious and focused on getting stronger. She was always on par with Arkhen in training.
Both of them also produced great chemistry and always sparred with each other since other students were too easy to beat for them.
"Arkhen, let's go and participate in Steel Hazard Tournament. We can meet other geniuses there and improve ourselves," Grace said with an excited expression.
"Haha, sure. I wanted to go there but had no means," Arkhen said with a laugh.
The other students and seniors saw Arkhen and Grace together as some of them cast their envious and hateful gaze toward Arkhen.
'Toad lusting after a swan.'
'Fucking eyesore.'
As a group of noblemen saw Arkhen and Grace leaving the academy, one of them turned to a silver-haired man looking in his early twenties, "Balthor, didn't you say that Princess Grace was going to get engaged to you? Haha, from the look of things, I doubt that would happen."
Balthor had a cold glint in his eyes filled with killing intent until Arkhen and Grace went out of his sight.
He then swept his hands and quickly grabbed the neck of the guy who spoke. "Diron, if you want to die, then say it clearly."
"Akh…Aegkh…R-Release me," Diron said as he struggled to breathe. A chill crawled down his spine as he saw Balthor's expression. "I-I was just jok..aekh…joking."
Balthor released his neck and left the group.
"Damn, he is really angry. But his engagement is not official. It was just discussed by his parents. I heard they brought it up to Emperor."
"Oh? Do you know what did they reply with?"
"I doubt they got a reply yet. But balthor's family is second most powerful after the Royal family, after all. They will consider it."
"Duh, even if they are one of the three major Duke families, the Royal family is still way more powerful. The difference between most powerful and second most powerful is big here."
"Guys, whatever their reply may be, one thing that's for sure is that there's no way a commoner like Arkhen would get together with princess Grace."
"You are all overthinking. They might be just friends. We all know both of them are a league above other students, so they are always training together."
…
"Arkhen, let's go to Talon Lake. I want to eat food there."
"Sure, haha. Princesses like you wouldn't have tasted the food there, right?"
"Yes. Such dishes are considered low-class in noble areas, but I want to eat them. I have seen them a few times when passing by, and they look so tasty. Today, I am going try out all of them."
…
"Are you sure we want to do this? You've never drank wine before, right?"
"It's fine, hehe. I want to try," Grace grinned as she and Arkhen sneaked out again to roam the outer kingdom to enjoy. "We practice all day, so we should also have fun at night at various places. Come on. We'll return before twelve."
…
"What are you spacing out for?" Grace said, waving her dark silver sword with dark gold patterns towards Arkhen as she saw him entering a dazed look.
Arkhen snapped out of his reverie and smiled, "Nothing. You are looking more beautiful today."
"Oh really? Haha," Grace chuckled.
"True. That new dress you wore in the morning was really gorgeous."
"Alright, Alright, enough with flattery, haha. Come on, let's fight."
…
As time passed, Arkhen was improving more and more, and his existence soon attracted the attention of seniors and other nobles.
Faster Learner, a Talented Steam power user, and most of all, physically strong and well trained. He had a solid foundation built on his training since he was small.
In the past year, Arkhen and Grace were always together…as friends.
The most they did was hold hands when escaping from troublesome situations they landed when going to shady areas.
Saturday and Sunday were the best days for them as they enjoyed Saturday night by going out to visit various places and Sunday the whole day by trying various things.
They went to watch dramas, eat various food, tried alcohol, pubs, dance bars, and other places where someone like Grace wouldn't normally go. She really had a lot of fun with Arkhen.
One time, they even went to watch a porn film at night, incognito. Completely covering themselves in long robes and masks, they went and watched it.
"Damn, I really watched it, haha."
"What do we do tomorrow?" Arkhen asked with a smile filled with slight excitement. He was also having a lot of fun with Grace in this world.
"We'll go to Kashan Mountain Town," Grace said as she grinned. "There's a small Mercenary Meet, so I already asked permission to go there. Aside from that, I want to explore that town as well."
"Alright. Mountain Towns are built differently and have their own specialty. I am also curious."
…
If some of Grace's friends asked her about Arkhen and her, she would just wave her hand before speaking with a chuckle, "Come on, we are just friends. Our training schedule and level of training are different from yours. Haha, you all are too weak."
"Well, as long as you understand," Maryl said as she looked at her sister. "Falling in a hopeless love will hurt you more, so better stay in control. Don't let him get any ideas as well."
"I know. He never behaved like that with me. We are just friends," Grace said while rolling her eyes.
"But seriously, you two are always together, so people get doubts."
…
In the royal palace, Grace stood in front of her parents, Emperor Vanis and Empress Lorail.
"What is it, father, mother?" Grace asked curiously. She didn't know why they called her right before her first term-ending practice test.
"You are going to Nightmare Lands tomorrow, so I thought of testing your skills for a bit, personally," Empress Lorail said with a smile as she manifested her graceful, slim sword in a long V-shape.
"Haha, alright."
Grace chuckled joyfully and also manifested her sword as mother and daughter started sparring in a Veil Barrier.
Emperor Vanis was watching with worry lingering in his eyes.
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