Chapter <b>825 </b>


    After returning home from the apprenticeship ceremony and banquet, Violet turned to Carissa and said, “I can’t shake the feeling that this whole apprenticeship ceremony was a farce. I wasn’t even a good apprentice myself, and now I’m supposed to take on students–students who are older than me and from the Mystic Army, no less! If I can’t teach them well, won’t I just be dragging you down?”


    Carissa took Violet’s hand and motioned for Rafael to head back inside. She wanted to take a stroll with her friend in the garden.


    “If you really don’t want to do it, then just pretend the ceremony and banquet never happened. You can remain their instructor. As for whether you teach well or poorly, there’s no need to worry. A mentor can only guide. The rest is up to the individual. Your skills are excellent, and you can certainly keep them in line. If they struggle to learn, that’s on them, not you.”


    “It’s just… They’re court officials. Teaching them martial arts in the way of the martial world might not be appropriate,” Violet replied.


    “The king naturally wants the Mystic Army to grow stronger since it serves as a barrier for the city against threats,” Carissa exined.


    Violet murmured, “If it’s that important, how can he trust you to manage the Mystic Army?”


    “Because he knows there are conspirators yet to be uncovered, and he’s aware that none of them are from the Hell Monarch’s household.”


    Carissa didn’t delve deeper. They had already discussed this in depth before.


    “In the end, he wants us to help flush out that person. If that conspirator does manage to incite trouble, we can fic! back and protect him.”


    “Still, when the threat is gone, the tools used to deal with it might be put away or forgotten,” Violet said lightly.


    “When the threat is gone, it will be time for peace. We’re not greedy for power. Once the time is right, we can take the apprentices back to Meadow Ridge and enjoy a carefree life,” Carissa replied.


    “You’re right, Meadow Ridge really is wonderful,” Violet said, recalling the carefree days she had spent there, filled with joy.


    The capital might be prosperous, but it was riddled with schemes and deceptions.


    “I do have my selfish reasons,” Carissa admitted, looking apologetically at Violet. “I want you to teach them martial arts because I’ve noticed Yuvan trying to get closer to Barrett. He may be looking to infiltrate the Mystic Army. Even though I’m themander, the Royal Guard, Garrison Unit, Capital Guard, <b>and </b>Crown Guard have all operated independently in the past. I can’t expect them to bepletely loyal to me right away. N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    “That’s not the problem, though. The issue is, as their superior, they won’t tell me who they associate with or discuss things in front of me. But as their mentor, you’ll be different. You’ll have <b>a </b>different approach. When you’re giving them lessons, there will be breaks. They’ll chat, and you can listen in. You’ll get a sense of whether anyone from Yuvan’s household has contacted them.


    “Also, since you’re officially their mentor, you’ll have some authority over them. If somethinges up, at


    Chapter 925.


    least you can shout at them to pull back from the brink I’m not worried about Michael, but for Max and Alistair, we’ll have to see,” Carissa said.


    The challenge suddenly felt more significant, and Violet found herself quite pleased.


    “With that goal in mind, I can take on this role of mentor with a clear conscience. You know me, Carissa- I might not be a qualified teacher, but as a spy or eavesdropper? Now that’s my specialty! After all, Winona has a whole team dedicated to this for <b>me</b>.”


    She added, “Of course, it’s not under the direct banner of Skywing Spire. Everything we’re doing right now. has nothing to do with them.”


    Carissa nodded. “For now, your main focus should be on Barrett. His brother–inw, Oliver, is someone Yuvan is trying to win over. With Celeste gone to the Southern Frontier, I suspect she’s already gotten


    close to Oliver.”


    Π


    “Leave it to me!” Violet nodded firmly, then added, “But Barrett might not even want to learn martial arts. He doesn’t have to take the exam this year.”


    “He will,” Carissa replied with a smile. “He’s currently the Crown Guard’smander. If he doesn’t improve his martial arts skills, he’ll struggle to hold onto it. Plus, he won’t <b>need </b>to formally apprentice with you to train. So, he’ll definitelye.”


    Violet frowned. “Asking me to teach him martial arts makes me a bit queasy.


    Carissaforted her, “You’ll be teaching a big ss, not one–on–one, so you won’t have to deal with him. alone. Don’t worry. It won’t be too nauseating.”


    “For the sake of the bigger picture, I guess I’ll just have to endure it. Ivy can give me something to my stomach,” Violet said with a grin.


    Carissa took her hand and said, “Thanks for your hard work, Vivi.”


    settle


    Violet pulled her hand away and yfully pped the back of Carissa’s head. “What’s with that? Don’t say stuff like that!”