"Children are the most malleable during their latter physical growth period, which for most lasted until they were ten to fifteen years of age, depending on race. Those who missed out on training during these golden years, usually paid for it later in life, when they found their potential growth more limited because of laziness during their youths." - Professor Doctor Mallard McFowler, PhD, world renowned expert on therian physiology and medicine.

Despite how Ying Xiao spent her early years without any proper training, it was ironically the hellish years she suffered under the magistrate's son's ministrations that had truly brought her potential out. Cal had learnt the hard way, that for Blood affinity mages to truly push out their potential, constant injury and pain were often needed as a catalyst.

The horrible torment Ying Xiao faced on a near-daily basis in those two years had evoked her potential as a blood mage as effectively as the first three decades of the civil war had done for Cal herself. What was left was pretty much to properly condition the girl's physique, and impart actual fighting techniques to her.

Her physique had grown well this past year, and as fighting techniques go, just the fact that Shi-Huang used his actual weapon instead of a training weapon was proof enough. Her skill with the halberd had improved greatly, and Cal considered taking her on her trip for the next year, for more hands-on training.

After another hour, she took over for Shi-Huang and spared with Ying Xiao herself. Where Shi-Huang sparred more carefully with her and patiently imparted skills slowly, Cal was far more direct. Her lessons were often accompanied by pain and injuries, and Ying Xiao was a bloody mess by the time they called it a day.

Even so, not once had the girl asked for a break, or even lost her drive to fight on. Her stubbornness really reminded Cal of her old self.

Together they walked towards Aideen's mage tower after they bid their farewells to Shi-Huang and his wife. When they reached Aideen's tower, Cal opened the door, which was unlocked as usual - Aideen never locked her door - and led Ying Xiao in.

They found Aideen by the dinner table, where she was making herself a sandwich out of the cold cuts and cheeses kept there. She waved at Cal and Yong Xiao nonchalantly when she saw them arrive.

Ying Xiao's face blushed red and she covered her eyes with her hands, while Cal just shook her head, because Aideen was completely naked other than for a towel draped over her shoulders.

"Before you ask, no. Ain't nobody gonna be telling me not to strut around naked in my own tower when I feel like it," said the Unliving woman, half in jest.

Cal just shook her head some more and helped herself to some of the food as she pulled Ying Xiao over to a seat and told her to eat.

"Care to give her a quick fix?" Asked Cal as she munched on her own food. In response Aideen just flicked a finger, and in seconds the many cuts all over Ying Xiao's body vanished as if they had never existed.

"T- thank you," Ying Xiao stammered. She still kept her head down while she ate, as despite her past, the girl was still young, and very shy. The polar opposite of the ancient pervert who sat naked across from her.

"Take it easy, girl," Aideen said with a smirk. "You'll get it when you grow up later."

"Anyway, what's up, Cal? I imagine you got something you want to ask, else you'd be hanging out with the family."

"As a matter of fact, I do have a favor to ask," answered Cal after she washed down her food with a mug of cold ale. "Do you happen to have a mercenary acquaintance who is good at healing? I plan to bring Ying Xiao with me next year, and a healer could aid with her training for that time."

"I have several in mind, yes. Where do you plan to head out to next year?" Asked Aideen in return as she shamelessly leaned on the back rest of her seat.

"Ptolodecca, to the Dunes of Navata, then to the Caliphate before I return in winter," answered Cal.

"Oh, that makes it easy then. Giorgio should be around Ptolodecca come spring, he should be available, and he'll be a good guide for the Navata and Caliphate too," answered Aideen immediately. "Don't worry about him declining. I'll talk to him myself. Got some people I'd like to introduce to you in Ptolodecca anyway."

"I'll thank you beforehand then for the favor," said Cal. "I'll likely be away during early winter, so if the kids come by, let them know I'll be back by the second month or thereabouts."

"Sure thing, easy. Taking the family to visit the grave like you mentioned earlier I assume?" Asked Aideen.

"Yes. It'd be the first time all of us gathered together, so it'd only be appropriate to pay dad a visit," replied Cal with a faraway look on her face. "Come to think of it, the last time I visited was just before I embarked on my travels… the time sure flies by…"

"It'll be… your fifth year on the road soon, is it not?" Aideen queried. "Time does fly when you take things as they come, and find contentment in what you have."

"That it does, indeed," replied Cal. She then looked to the quiet - and still slightly blushing - Ying Xiao, who had silently nibbled on her food with small bites all this while. "You will need to express yourself more, Ying Xiao. I hope our trip next year will help a little with that."

"Yes, Shīfù. I will endeavor to improve myself," answered the young girl in an - for Cal - overly serious tone.

"You're going to the caliphate next year, if I didn't hear wrong?" Chimed in another voice suddenly from the stairs. Before long, Kino the bard had descended the stairs, clad only in a sheer negligee that made Ying Xiao blush again on sight. "Aww, what a shy little girl~" Kino teasingly said when she saw the girl blush red.

Then she walked over to Aideen and gave the Unliving woman a kiss, straight on her lips, which they held for a good half minute or so, and just made Ying Xiao hide her face from them.

Both women giggled at the sight of the fiercely blushing girl as they separated, while Cal just shook her head some more. She was quite used to how Aideen was, but it was clear that even after a year in Paradise, Ying Xiao wasn't.

"Anyway, mind an extra tag along for the trip?" Asked the half-therian bard as she helped herself to some food and beverages. "Won't be a burden for you, promise."

Cal looked at Aideen and queried with her eye, which the Unliving woman returned with a slight nod, well within her expectations.

"I don't see why not, feel free," she said in reply to Kino's question.