13th of Aprílios (April), Lochéra (Tuesday), 834 (Year)

Apollo woke up feeling lethargic, he felt his arms and legs twitching from yesterday’s strenuous activities, but this was good, in his opinion, it meant progress were being made.

He got up to the sound of faint chatter somewhere in the estate, he could vaguely distinguish Ares’s voice and another feminine voice, ‘Sounds familiar’ he thought.

“Must be that new servant”, a blonde warrior came to mind.

Apollo opened the curtains to his extravagant room and peered outside the window. He saw a tranquil estate that was in its usual atmosphere.

“Another beautiful day,” he remarked.

A sudden surge of ambitious thoughts filled his tiny bones and he decided to increase his progression by completing another round of exercises to start up the day.

“…f-four..f..five..sii..x” exclaimed the enthusiastic boy as he got up from his push up stance, it was only a couple of days since he couldn’t do five push ups but now he could do six!

Apollo gave himself a nod of approval before changing into one of his casual attires, he felt that it was time for some food and just as he opened the door, a scent of wheat entered his nostrils.

“Breakfast, young master?” offered a polite wall holding a bowl of freshly made porridge and a glass of milk in the other hand.

“Alfred do you always stand outside my door?” remarked Apollo as he took the bowl in his hands and walked past him towards the courtyard.

He always wondered if Alfred was a stalker in a previous lifetime, but he soon extinguished that thought as he himself had horrible experiences from stalkers, a vicious smile lurks in his mind.

“Yes, it is in my best interest to be ready at all times at the behest of yours truly; even if I have to wait outside your door”, he proudly replied following Apollo.

The boy could only roll his eyes at the man’s serious statement, he lowkey felt bad for Alfred as he can’t imagine how boring it must be to follow a mere six-year-old all the time.

He wondered what goes on in this butler’s head, he asked curiously,

“H-how….is the Argon….family keeping?” as he ate mouthfuls of the delicious porridge.

Alfred was inwardly stunned by this question, “All is well young master, ” he said feeling suspicious.

“Right, that’s good and all but don’t you ever wish to visit them or anything?” pointed the unhurried boy with a spoon.

“Nonsense young master, I am fine here in your gracious presence, I would be in distraught if I were away from the young lord” he said in a sincere tone.

‘What bullshit is this guy preaching’ thought Apollo, he just wanted to see if he misses his family since Alfred has always been by his side for all he can remember; he didn’t expect him to preach horseshit loyalty.

‘Wait… maybe he thinks I'm doubting his loyalty to stay by my side?’, he stared at the unassuming man and felt that this was the case.

“Yes… I see, ” he turned around shaking his head.

“By the way, is grandfather here today?” he asked, resuming his carefree act of eating whilst walking.

He wanted to resume his training in the arts of swordsmanship as he felt the need to get ahead of the other trainees that would attend the military institution.

“No, unfortunately your lordship has left the estate not long ago to visit his grace Count Tyranir”

“But..my training…” pouted Apollo dejectedly,

‘Where else can I receive free lessons?…. oh wait’, Apollo stopped in his tracks and turned around once again,

“Hey Alfred, you said you would teach me the sword, right?”, a bright gleam shone in his eyes.

“That’s… right, although I also said that you need to build up your bod-“ he peered into the boy’s eyes and instantly knew what he wanted.

“Yes! You did right!” Apollo ignored the latter part of what he said.

“… I will teach you in his lordship’s absence, ” he sighed.

Alfred felt that although Apollo needed some sort of foundation to start training, he knew that the boy would pester him if he continued to deny tutelage, besides, he was going to teach him the Heimarch sword art in the coming week anyways.

‘He might as well start sooner than later’ he thought.

“Good! don’t take back what you said Alfred, we will start later” remarked Apollo cheekily,

‘Who knew acting like my age would procure results?’ he laughed inwardly.

In the courtyard,

Four female individuals were chatting with each other,

“So…. how do you find it so far, my new servant?”, Ares eyed a fair woman with bright blonde hair in a bun, the bluest of eyes with smooth delicate skin donned in a gown resembling attire imitating those of the servant class.

“It is fine milady…. but..” hesitated Joan as she inspected her attire looking seemingly uncomfortable.

“Its just…tha-“

“Speak”, Ares demanded calmly observing Joan with her brow raised.

Joan bit her lips and decided to gamble with her newly appointed master,

“I would like to serve your Lady as a personal guard rather than an attendant”, Joan looked into her eyes with courage and a slight sense of fear.

She did not like the premise of being an ordinary servant, she felt that it was somewhat unsuitable for her, she knew that she could be more useful as a combatant rather than a picturesque trophy. After all, that was why she joined the soldiers in the first place.

The other two servants looked at her accusingly, ‘how dare she disrespect the young lady,’ thought one of them, the other fell into deep thought.

“Oh?....”, smiled Ares in an amused way, “You know, I could have just left you there in the barracks right?”

“Lady Ar-“, Joan tried to say, but she was stopped with a raise of Ares’s hand.

“Are you aware of the benefits of serving me as an attendant? And you are already having thoughts of throwing it all away?”, questioned Ares with a domineering tone.

“For what?, as my personal guard? Last time I remember it was me who defeated you in that courtyard, so what right do you have being a guard if you are weaker than me?”, mused Ares.

‘That’s right! Who do you think you are?’ thought Rosa with a smirk, one of the servants.

“I-I…” muttered Joan but she couldn’t refute Ares’s words, now she felt disgustingly low as she felt that she tried to bite the hand of the person that took her in. She felt ashamed and couldn’t help but hang her head down.

“Alright, if that is what you desire, then so be it,” laughed Ares, she liked this new servant of hers more and more.

Joan looked up in surprise after hearing Ares’s approval, she thought that she would’ve been rejected and could only wait for punishment after all, she’s heard of all the abuse such nobles would inflict onto others.

“….”, she was speechless to say the least

“Well?”, questioned Ares snapping Joan out of her thoughts.

“My Lady, I thank you for your mercy!” she immediately kneeled in front of Ares, she swore “I will do what is absolutely necessary to protect your lady Ares!”. She saw Ares in a new light, almost putting her on a pedestal of all things important.

“Good, report to Drebin, show him this token and ask for equipment” she tossed Joan her noble stamp.

“Go! Return with haste” ordered Ares.

“Your will is my command”, Joan took the stamp and stood up with brilliance which suited her courageous temperament before heading towards the barracks.

Rosa looked at her back with indignant, ‘What a foolish bitch, just you wait’ she thought maliciously before looking at Ares with her usual reverent attitude.

Just as Joan was about to exit the courtyard, she bumped into Apollo and Alfred, one was eating a bowl of porridge as he walked whilst the other was holding a glass of milk following the boy like a guard dog, ‘what an odd sight’ she thought.

“Young master Apollo”, she bowed waving her thoughts away.

Apollo looked at the woman in front of him and he couldn’t help but think that she was truly a sight to behold, she reminded him of popular celebrities back on earth, ‘No, she’s actually much prettier than them’ he thought upon closer inspection.

“Hello! Say, aren’t you my sister’s new servant?”, he explained, putting down his spoon.

“That is indeed the case young master”, Joan humbly replied, not informing him of her new promotion.

“Joan was it?, I enjoyed your performance against my sister yesterday, Someday I hope we can spar too” exclaimed the young boy. He figured he could beat her in a spar in a couple of years or so.

Joan looked at Apollo in surprise, she found it odd that a six year old would challenge her to a spar, ‘wouldn’t that be as easy as trampling on a defenseless baby?’ she asked inwardly, she wouldn’t dare say it as she did not want to disrespect the boy.

She also felt that the man next to him was a dangerous entity that she could not afford to anger, she perceived an eerie aura around the man called Alfred. She felt like an ant facing a mighty predator.

“If that’s the case, I will be available anytime should your lordship asks for me” she bowed once again.

“Alright! Don’t let me down when the time comes down, farewell” beamed the young boy as he strode past her going to where Ares was.

Joan watched the back of the fleeing youngster and couldn’t help but think, ‘Why does he act like he can defeat me?’, she was truly puzzled, however, she just banished the thought and carried on towards the barracks.

Noticing the familiar ‘twin’ that was walking towards her, Ares called out “Well, if it isn’t the little rat, are you here to beg me to talk to father about your attendance at that new institution?” she mused observing the ‘slivery bastard’.

“Nonsense, my dear sister, I was just expecting to watch another spectacular beat down from grandfather, its just a shame he wasn’t here to teach you” smiled Apollo as he sat down beside Ares finishing his meal.

“Well, that’s a surprise, I was sure you would beg me to do so”, she smiled not taking to heart what he said after all she did call him a rat,

A Tit for Tat.

“Anyways, I wouldn’t have done anything even if you begged me to discuss it with father, besides you need it, you’re too weak. I could probably send you flying with a single punch” she taunted.

Apollo didn’t refute, in fact she could probably do so with her freakish strength, he often wondered if she had a sex change as her fiery temper definitely did not suite her soft appearance.

“Why did Grandfather go meet father?” he asked whilst drinking a mouthful of milk that Alfred handed him.

“How would I know?” she said dejectedly, she wanted to tease her younger brother more, but she felt that he was ignoring her again.

“Although, he did have a peculiar expression when he left, something about some sort of discussion” she added.

“Is that so?” he fell into deep thoughts, ‘Could it be..?’

Apollo felt that it had something to do with what everyone was hiding from him, something big was definitely going on. He looked at Ares and couldn’t be bothered asking her about it, he felt that this sister of his was a bit useless when it came to actual information, she was too entranced on being burden free. Although he couldn’t say much as he was also a carefree person.

Anyways, he didn’t want to be stepping out of boundaries by blatantly asking the businesses of the family as a six year old.

“Oh right, I have a personal guard now” exclaimed Ares proudly.

“Is it Joan?” assumed the boy uncaringly.

“Yes….how did you know? I just promoted her now, at first I wanted her to become a servant, but I suppose it couldn’t hurt to have her as a guard since she asked for it” she remarked unconvincingly.

“Well, who else could it be but her? Besides, she seems capable”

“That’s right! Now I have my own Alfred” she laughed, taking a glance at the motionless butler nearby.

“Really? Well, Alfred could probably send her flying with a punch” retorted Apollo, returning her past jab at him.

Well, if they really fight, Alfred will probably kill her in a matter of seconds thought Apollo, he believed in his personal aide. Although he hadn’t seen him fight, he could tell that Alfred is an extremely capable veteran, a crouching tiger if you will.

“Humph..cheeky brat” Ares clicked her tongue, this time it was her turn to not refute what was said.

Apollo dismissed her remarks and returned to the main building where he prepared for the arrival of his tutor.

He took out the book Timothy gave him and began revising prior to his teachers' arrival. He didn’t wait long before he finally arrived, Apollo simply greeted the man with proper diligence and ushered him to sit in the great hall.

“I see that you are working hard” smiled the elder as he sat down taking out his old spectacles for reading.

“As expected of my most talented student,” he praised.

Apollo didn’t say much and just humbly carried on with his studies. Throughout the lecture, he would ask several questions that he couldn’t make sense of and Timothy would patiently answer to the best of his abilities, he was truthfully astounded on his progress but he was already used to it.

After all, he always felt that the boy in front of him had long surpassed his previous students of similar ages in terms of academic education. In fact, he was proud since its not everyday that he could teach such a promising student, perhaps in the future the young boy could praise his teaching efforts and what accomplishments he made because of it, he longed for that day.

At the end of the two hour lecture, Timothy looked at Apollo with a smile, “Any other questions boy?”

“Yes, I do teacher” sighed Apollo, closing the book.

“I’m all ears boy”.