I had six months to prepare before the next enrolment period for the knight’s academy, from what I heard from dad there was a different test for each Feles that enrolled, so not even dad knew what the test would be, so being prepared was the best thing to do.

The knight’s academy was the best place any Feles could go to get combat training and general studies, such as battle tactics and history.

It was where I needed to go if I wanted to become Tigra’s Guardian, but they were the best of the best. I would have to work hard to reach those ranks, passed a normal knight, proving myself to everyone, earning even the king’s acknowledgement as the strongest, with Larana by my side I was certain I would be able to do it.

The knight academy was where those who wanted to become royal knights also went into. I would even have to be better than them.

Dad had been one of the best at the academy, passing with ease and impressing a young prince that became king. I had heard from mum that dad had been King Alton’s Guardian when they were younger.

I had smiled when she told me. I was following in my dad’s footsteps by wanting to protect Tigra and become her Guardian, well mainly because she had asked me too. I didn’t mind since I had no other plans.

The first week of my training with dad was hard. Dad would wake me up at 5am on the dot to start with laps around the castle. It was always how we started my training, warming up the body and building up stamina. Dad wanted me to do twenty laps in total, but I couldn’t get that far without stumbling over panting.

I thought I would get quite far being naturally good at running, considering the number of times Tigra and I had run away from Gual and her two other guardians, but I was sadly mistaken. Trying to run around the whole castle was too much, it was so freaking huge, completely different than running around through the corridors inside the castle.

“You’ll do better tomorrow.” Was all Dad would say when I felt like I had failed at it.

“I can keep going.” I’d argue wanting to please him.

Dad would shake his head. “You could keep going, but then you would be unable to continue on with tomorrows training.”

“But…” I sat on the floor out of breath.

“Alex, trust me.” He’d kneel down and look me right in the eyes. “I was trained like this with my dad. I know you can do this, sometimes it can take time before you see yourself improving and I know the frustration you will feel as you progress.”

“Okay.” I nodded. I had to put my faith in dad, after all his training wasn’t that hard I guess, I just struggled to complete the tasks he wanted me to do.

“Now get up, you know what is next.” Dad ordered.

“Aye sir.” I jumped to my feet.

The failed running was always followed by the training with the sphere.

Dad always started at level 1, building me up through the numbers, having me sustain each level for at least five minutes. It wasn’t hard to get into the rhythm, not just seeing the spheres swift movements with my eyes but sensing them as they moved around me.

Each time I felt like I was getting better, faster, until I got to level 8, where I would slip up and get hit, by either the electro sphere or pyro sphere. It frustrated me that I couldn’t get passed level 8; it was just too hard to keep track of that many.

Tigra gave me a lot of support, often coming to watch me when she was up. She had no idea how early I was coming out here to train, but it was always worth it when dad said I was finished for the day and I could go play with Tigra.

-

Through the second week and third into the fourth week and I still wasn’t progressing how I thought I would. I needed to keep going, to see the proudness on dad’s face. I fell over again. I had reached halfway through the ninth lap around the castle; I’d gotten further today, much better than eight.

I kept thinking back on how I’d gone from level 2 to level 8 in a single day with the sphere training. I just didn’t understand why I wasn’t progressing as fast as I did then, perhaps whatever affect Dumah had over me had worn off, but I had yet to discover why I had reacted like that to him.

“I thought I might find you out here.” I heard the voice of King Alton. I looked over at him and dad from my place, laying on the ground.

King Alton was carrying a little baby Album Tigris. It cuddled up to his chest, fast asleep.

“Alton.” Dad looked at the king.

“King Alton.” He teased.

“You’re not usually up this early.” Dad ignored his tease.

“Little Loki woke up, so I decided to give him a walk around the grounds, seems to have done the trick.” He smiled fondly at the little cub in his arms. “Plus, I’d heard someone was up early doing laps.” King Alton looked in my direction. “Well, half a one.” I snorted at his comment, he had no idea how hard this was, but I continued to listen to them chatting.

“He’s actually almost reached his tenth lap,” informed dad. “I told him to stop but he wanted to finish the lap.”

“You were the same,” commented King Alton.

“He still has a long way to go before he is ready for what is coming.” Dad looked at his friend as he said those words.

“Unlike your son you were training the second you could walk,” commented King Alton.

“That was my dad, going against the usual clan traditions. I wanted Alex to be a bit older to understand his training better than I did,” responded dad.

“You trained harder than most of the younger Feles,” mentioned King Alton.

“This world grows soft, unaware of the darkness.” Dad looked at King Alton. “Even you.”

“You’ve warned me already, just drop it,” he sighed. “I’ve been training my offspring early to prepare, unfortunately some take it more seriously than others.”

“You’re talking about Hunter.” Dad wanted to verify.

“Yes.” He nodded. “He is so naturally talents that he neglects the advice of his tutors.”

“And Tigra?” Dad questioned.

“Her games with Alex have made her stamina and instincts very good.” King Alton smiled.

“Dad!” I called over. “Can we go home now.” I just laid there.

“I’ve had to pick him up every day this week.” Dad shook his head. “I told him to stop when he couldn’t go any further, but he just pushes it until he can’t walk.”

“Sounds like you.” King Alton patted dad on the back. “Let me. He is still too young to really know what he is fighting for.”

“I did at that age,” protested dad.

“He is not you.” King Alton came right over, kneeling down in front of me. I stared at him, the king kneeling, I was quite shocked. “Now Alex, do you have something you want to become stronger for.”

I answered quickly remembering my promise to Tigra. “To become Tigra’s Guardian.”

“A goal is good.” He nodded. “But do you know what it means to protect what is precious to you.” I shook my head. “Okay, think of something precious to you.”

“My foam sword.” I smiled at my answer. “The one Tigra got for my birthday.”

He laughed a little. “Yes, I guess that is precious, but I am talking about something living, like another Feles, someone you know.”

I had to think about it. “Someone I know.” I looked over at dad. “Dad.”

“Yes,” nodded King Alton.

“Tigra, mum.” They were all I had.

“Now imagine that they are in danger, being attacked or even taken away from you.”

“No.” I shook my head, not wanting too, it made me feel sad.

“You would do anything you could to save them wouldn’t you.” I nodded. “But to save them you need to be stronger than the one who hurt or took them away.”

“Stronger to save them.”

King Alton held out his hand, while still holding baby Loki strongly. “To protect what is precious to you, you need to become stronger.” I took his hand. “You may not understand completely what this truly means, but one day you will and only then will you unlock true strength.” He helped me to my feet. “Now, you must finish this lap, if you are to save Tigra.”

“Save Tigra.” I took a step forward.

“Picture your goal in front of you, see the danger and beat it by finishing this lap.”

“The danger.” I could see Dumah, he was the danger. I didn’t know why, but I just knew he was. I walked past King Alton and began running again. The king’s words that day would stay with me forever.

I finally reached ten laps for first time, it made me feel amazing, it wasn’t impossible. “Yes.” I cheered.

“Well done.” Dad came up from behind me with King Alton.

“I’ll even protect you one day.” I looked at dad determined.

“I don’t doubt that.” Dad smirked. “Thanks Alton.”

“No thanks needed.” He smiled back. “I need my future son-in-law strong.”

“Son-in-law?” I repeated.

“What have I told you about that,” snarled dad.

“It’s where your clan belongs.” King Alton argued.

“I told you to forget about that.” Dad was not happy. “We as a clan simply protect, nothing more.”

“You keep saying that,” he sighed. “But you can only protect for so long.”

“We will protect as long as our clan exists,” disagreed dad.

“Better keep me safe then Yamato.” King Alton smiled. I couldn’t tell if he was mocking dad or not. He then turned his attention to me. “I’ll check on you again some other time Alex.”

“Okay.” I really liked the king; he was kind and inspired a lot of confidence in everyone.

“I can’t wait to see what kind of Feles you become, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on my future son-in-law.” I stared at the king confused again.

“Alton!” hissed dad.

He laughed. “Bye Alex.”

“Bye.” I waved him off as King Alton left.

“Shall we head home?” asked dad.

“No.” I shook my head. “Next is the sphere right.”

“Very well,” nodded dad. “Think you can do better today.”

“I do,” I answered confidently.

“Good.” Dad pulled the sphere from his pocket.

I finally progressed in practise with the sphere, remembering the king’s words, allowing them to guide my will. Dad stood there watching, waiting to see if I would improve on the sphere training too.

“Level 9” Dad called out a new level, finally I had made it to the next one.

“Yes.” I jumped in the air avoiding three at once.

“Not bad Alex.” Dad let out a little laugh.

That day I managed to reach level 10, avoiding them for a short period of time before I couldn’t do anymore, I felt prouder than ever now I had progressed on two things in one day.

I sat on the floor exhausted from my days training. Dad sat down with me as the sphere returned to a single sphere and to him.

“I am so proud of you.” Dad ruffled up my hair.

“Dad,” I moaned.

“I suppose Alton was helpful,” commented dad.

“How long have you known the king?” I asked.

“Since I was your age,” answered dad, seeming to think of his past.

“Why aren’t you his Guardian anymore?” I inquired.

“I retired as his Guardian so I could be with my family, you and your mother.” Dad was quick at responding to my questions. “Being a Guardian is a full-time job, with only a handful of days off.”

“Oh.” I wasn’t sure what he meant by full-time job.

“I am still an advisor to Alton,” continued dad.

“Advisor?” I repeated.

“I give him advice on whatever he asks me,” replied dad as he stood up. “Let’s call it a day.” He held out his hand, I quickly grabbed hold of it, and we headed off home together.