A/N: Shout out to Shenfara, Zirix, and Loli Shotacon for PRing the chp! Hoping to have a chp out tomorrow so you guys aren't left hanging from the cliff for too long :P Sunday at the latest. Enjoy!

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“Alright, for today we’re going to do something different. Today, you will spar against both your father and mother. Leslie, if you would do us the honor and go against him first.”

“Of course, Dylan~ Honey, make sure to be careful while we fight okay?”

While the two casually spoke, Leslie walked into the sparring area. As usual, she looked gorgeous. It’s just that today, instead of her usual dress, she wore a tunic with some pants. The clothes were tight fitting and showed all her curves. Ryther, who stood across from his mother, couldn’t help but show a bitter expression on his face.

“Umm…. Teacher? Is it really alright to go against my mom? Can I just go against dad first?”

*Snap*

’Eh? Did I hear something just snap?’

“Oh lord, he just did it. Rosland, don’t you think we need to stop this fight before your wife kills your son?”

“We have healers on standby, he’ll be fine~. He needs to learn how scary his mom is anyways. She’s doted on him way too much. Just thinking of how loving she was to him…Kuh…. This should be a good lesson huhuhu….”

Ryther’s senses began to roar that his life was in imminent danger.

‘OI!! I think I just heard something very dangerous?!?!’

“Oh dear beloved disciple~ Just to give you a clear warning, but do you know what your mom’s nickname was during our time in the military?”

’Shit, I really have a bad feeling about this now….’

“Um….no I don’t teacher… Wha…What was it?”

“Eh…. Nothing too extravagant or anything, just, the Berserker.”

“……”

As Ryther slowly turned back to his mother, he noticed that she had already materialized her soul weapon. In those delicate hands of her, a mammoth of an axe was gripped. The axe was double edged, with intrinsic runes around the edges and a large ruby in the middle. The shaft of the axe was about a foot and a half in length with some leather wrapped handle.

What was most frightening, however, was the blazing aura that emanated from Leslie.

“Oh dear honey… It seems like momma has failed in correctly teaching you….It looks like I’m going to have to start the lesson from the beginning..hu hu hu…”

…..At that moment, Ryther made the most logical decision that the majority of people in that situation would have chosen: Run for dear life.

“OI!!! TEACHER!! DAD!! SOMEONE CALM MOM DOWN!!!”

As the two adults watched Ryther run for his life from Leslie, hints of a smile appeared on both their faces.

“Ahh… this reminds me of the day the three of us first met Rosland. I think you said something similar to young Ryther and then got beaten up so badly no one could recognize your face for a week.”

“I think I was more afraid of Leslie that night than when we fought outnumbered against those damn Haegoons in the borderlands. Ah, also remember that time you snuck into the female bathroom to peak at the girls and got caught by her?”

“Oh man…. I think I was in the hospital ward for two weeks because of that. The torture training we received was nothing compared to it… Oh there was also that time we met those thirty orcs while on a squad patrol remember?”

“..That was the first time I’ve ever felt sorry for orcs…. The commander didn’t even send anyone else to get rid of them once they made fun of Leslie…”

At that moment, a thunderous boom sounded throughout the area. When the two turned to the area the sound came from, all they could see was a large sandstorm in the area. With a sigh, Rosland motioned toward the personnel who had been waiting off to the side and watched as they rushed forward with a stretcher.

“Well it looks like I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to spar lil’ Ryther. Anyways, since you’re free now, how about we go get some drinks?”

“Sounds good man. You sure you can drink right now though? You should be working.”

“Baah, screw it. When do we ever get the chance to grab a drink? The providence won’t fall apart if i’m not working for a couple hours and even longer for Ryther to wake back up.”

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After his teacher graciously (?) let him rest for a day, another exercise was added to Ryther’s training regime: spars. Each day, he would have to face a different type of weapon. Sometimes it would be a spear, other times it would be a halberd; he even fought against a whip user. Every day, he would have to learn the hard way the strengths and weakness of each weapon and the best way to handle them.

The opponents would also differ each day. Sometimes it would be his parents, other times some of the guards. Dylan even invited some masters that he knew over to spar with his disciples. At first, many of the guards and guests were hesitant to attack the child, since he was so young and the son of the Provincial Lord, but once they saw his eyes, all those thoughts faded away and their respect for him grew.

If anyone asked Ryther whether he enjoyed this period though, he would answer in absolute certainty that it was the most hellish of times. Indeed, every time he sparred there were determination and resolve in his eyes; they were just to survive and go to bed as soon as possible. Every night he would discover a new muscle in his body as it protested against him in pain every time he moved. His only comforts during those days were his relaxing baths and playing with his younger brother Rem.

On the fateful day that changed Ryther’s life, he had finally received a rest day. At that moment the estate was bustling with activities as people ran all over the place carrying several things. All the staff were hurrying to make sure everything was perfect for the event this evening. Later on in the day the whole estate would be packed with important dignitaries as the celebration for Rem’s first birthday was held so Ryther headed out early with a couple of guards to buy a birthday gift for his brother.

In the Estrada Kingdom, it was a custom to throw a huge celebration for a child’s first birthday as the majority of infant deaths occurred within the first year of birth. It was thought that if a child could get through this phase, there was a high likelihood that they would grow up to be adults without any incidents. With how common people who had healing capabilities are, there was a low death rate due to injuries and disease.

Even though the sun had risen not too long ago, the streets were crowded as people went about their business and the merchants sold their wares. Even though the people wouldn’t be able to participate in the celebration, many were in a celebratory mood and spoke amongst themselves about it. As Ryther saw so many people happy for his little brother he was also in a good mood and thanked the High Gods for Rem’s good health silently in his head.

For the rest of the morning, Ryther strolled from merchant stall to merchant stall while looking for an appropriate gift for Rem. A couple of the civilians recognized him as he walked around and would both greet and congratulate him for Rem’s first birthday and he would, in response, smile and thank them.

It was just around noon when he finally found a suitable gift. At one of the open stalls Ryther spotted a necklace that had a pendant that was shaped in the word family. Even though it wasn’t the most fancy of necklaces in regards to design or materials, it immediately caught his attention. The merchant, noticing that he was looking at the necklace, immediately brought it forward and showed it to him in closer detail.

“Young master, this necklace was created by a renowned artist in the East. It took me months of waiting just to get this from him. As you can see, the artist put great emphasis and effort into the design of the pendant and it came out flawlessly. If young master desires, I could sell this to you at a jaw-dropping price of two platinum...”

Ryther couldn’t help but shake his head when he heard the price. In their world, the currency system went from gold, to platinum coins, to jade slips. Twenty five gold coins equaled a platinum coin and fifty platinum coins equaled a jade slip. Two platinum coins was quite the sum of money as it could feed an average family of four for a month. Even though there was indeed great detail made when carving the pendant, the material itself wasn’t that great and wouldn’t fetch nearly that much. Still, he had indeed taken quite a fancy to the necklace and decided to buy it.

“Two platinum? Are you kidding me sir? You think I’m some idiotic noble son that knows nothing?! This thing isn’t even worth eight gold coins! You dare try to swindle me?!”

“You-young master, how would I dare?! Ho-how about this, just for you I’ll sell it for fifteen go-gold coins!”

Even though the merchant’s panicked reaction amused him for a bit, Ryther still felt guilty for messing with him.

“You know what, since I do feel bad for accusing you let’s do this sir. If you can get these four words carved onto the pendant and back here right now I’ll give you a platinum coin.”

The merchant immediately nodded his head and rushed off with the necklace. After only a fifteen minute wait, the merchant burst through the crowd and arrived back. Once he got his breath back, he straightened himself out and with a smile displayed the necklace for Ryther to see.

“How is it, young master? Is it to your liking?”

On the back of the pendant, there was a character at each corner and in the middle. Ros, Les, Raia, Ry, Rem. At the sight, Ryther nodded his head in satisfaction.

“It’s perfect, sir. Thank you. As promised, here is one platinum coin.”

At the sight of the platinum coin, the merchant eyes shown. It had only cost him eight gold coins even including the engraving just now but in the end he received a platinum coin for it. As Ryther and his guards left, he continued to bow and thank him for his business.

While making his way back to the estate, Ryther whistled in a good mood and inspected the necklace once again. It really did encompass his care for his family and his hope that they’d always stay together, just like those four characters.

As if to mock those thoughts of his, however, multiple bells rang. Startled, Ryther immediately began to count how many times the bells went off. Once, twice, three times. Immediately, his face along with the guards that accompanied him paled.

At once, the contingent simultaneously sprinted back to the provincial lord estate. Even though it was rude, they yelled for everyone to get out the way and pushed those who reacted too late away. The civilians who had also heard the bells knew what they meant, and also caused a commotion as they gasped and started to panic. Three bell rings only meant one thing.

It was an enemy invasion.