Alex boarded the carriage early in the morning and headed towards his destination which was six hours away from Dunvale.


    He aplished what he came for. Buying the necessary equipment for Soul stone refinement and once he returns with plenty of them, Alex finally would be able to increase his SE using the stones alone.


    "Did you spend a good night, sir?" The coachman asked as he rode the carriage out of the town''s territory.


    "Yeah, kind of. The food was to my liking."


    The driver smiled, "I knew you would like it. That inn is run by my sister-inw after all."


    Alex raised his brows, "Surviving in this city must be tough."


    The coachman sighed, "Well, you can say she has now adapted to the surroundings after her husband''s death. After all the responsibility of her children lies on her."


    Hearing about that, Alex was reminded of hisst life. He had also turned numerous married women into widows. Although the gang he worked for never actually cared about them, if possible, Alex used to provide some funds if he found them unable to afford their living.


    ''Haah...these days I am thinking a lot about my past. Not good...'' Shaking his head, he decided to take a nap, given he didn''t have much sleepst night.


    ---------***--------


    It was the first day of Edric joining the training camp under Aborne''s mentorship.


    He arrived at the location yesterday and was given a small quarter to sleep in. He brought some pairs of clothes and his weapons along, since here, he would be mostly covered in armour.


    In the morning, someone came to fetch him; the usual morning routine cycle, they said. It consisted of around five miles of jogging around the forest, through the obstacles. Then came basic exercises and light sparring that allowed everyone to lighten up their bodies before breakfast


    There were seven trainees working under Aborne and the one holding the duty to guide them through these morning rituals was a knight under Aborne''smand.


    There was a long wooden table—more like a thick nk made into a table—on which Edric and the others were eating their first meal in silence.


    They were offered high-caloric breakfast since until night, they wouldn''t be getting anything.


    Edric has been taught by Amanda—she was quite stern about it—to eat mannerly when sitting with strangers since one day, Edric would be a knight. And a knight is the symbol of discipline and manners.


    Amanda is a good teacher but her way of teaching bes quite harsh from time to time.


    ''Well, that shows how much she cares about me...'' Edric smiled thinking about his beautiful lover.


    "Cadets, attention!" Hearing themand everyone stopped eating and instantly stood from their seats with their postures straight.


    From the head side of the table, a figure of a red-haired man with broad shoulders and towering height emerged. Every single person was aware of the Knight Commander''s identity, and seeing him for the first time in person had some of them hold their breaths in anticipation.


    Aborne stood with his hands folded behind him as he eyed the trainees, "Although it''s unexpected, we need to leave for an urgent task."


    "A huge horde of beasts have escaped the veil... all of them being the wolfkin."


    Edric''s brows drew closer upon hearing that, which didn''t go unnoticed by Aborne, as he added, "They carry such blood lust that they even allowed some of theirrades get sacrificed so they could cross the veil and head towards a specific region situated in the west."


    Edric''s eyes widened as he silently mumbled, "The Steelhound."


    Aborne nodded, "It seems they are here for revenge."


    Edric clenched his fist—this has to be rted to thatbyrinth. There is a saying that the wolfkin can share the memories with theirrades/kin of moments before their death. And the one who killed that wolf was Alex. And the ce they are heading to is...


    "We are leaving for the Steelhound''s territory today. Pack your bags."


    -----------**----------n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Amanda was told to report to the Capital in three days, and since she was allowed to leave the Academy on her own ord, she decided to first visit her hometown and spend some time with her family.


    Her father—Count Hades Lockwood''s territory was situated near the western border. The capital was in the centre of the kingdom, and it would take her almost the same time to travel from home to the Capital and the Academy to the Capital.


    Her mentor was Devon so even if she arrives a littlete, she doesn''t think he would get offended.


    She was currently having lunch with her family members. She has one younger sister and an elder brother—the possible sessor of the throne.


    Her family is quiteid back, not like the strict noble houses which adhere to etiquette and norms.


    Amanda was currently slicing the apple pie which her mother had baked when she heard her father asking, "When will you be leaving?"


    Amanda raised her brows, "Am I being a burden?"


    Her little sister giggled, and her elder brother sighed, "It''s not that, Amy. Father is just asking casually."


    "I don''t think so..." Amanda said, her tone a little serious, as she added, "I have noticed that father is being a little too stiff after I came here."


    Hearing that, Lord Lockwood didn''t say anything immediately and kept his gaze locked on the food.


    His wife, Kaira, asked, "Dear? Is there anything we should be concerned about?" Just like Amanda, she also has light green hair and a pair of almond-shade eyes.


    The man of the house remained silent for a moment before he shared, "She ising."


    "Who ising, Papa?" The youngest one in the family asked curiously.


    Hades looked up and informed, "Your eldest sister, Sasha...ising home."


    *CLANG*


    The spoon from Amanda''s hand fell to the table as she stared at her father in disbelief.


    The mother of the youngdy had a simr reaction since she never heard anything from her husband regarding her eldest daughter.


    Hades continued, "She will be joining the summit which would happen during the solstice and most probably wille home-"


    "There is no need for her toe home." Amanda, unnaturally emotional, stated in a shaky voice. Her hands were clenched in a fist as she stared at the table and stated,


    "She doesn''t need toe here. She doesn''t need to see us since she doesn''t desire a family." The raw anger one could sense in her voice signified what she felt for the eldest sibling of the family.


    Her elder brother said, "Lily,e with me." The youngest one was still confused; however, hearing her brother''s words, she didn''t resist.


    However, before getting up from the chair, she tugged  Amanda''s sleeve before whispering, "Please don''t cry, Amy."


    Amanda slowly nodded as she somehow extended her lips in a soft smile before telling her, "I won''t. Don''t worry."


    Once Lily was taken away, thedy of the house red, "Why didn''t you tell me anything about it before?"


    Hades heaved a sigh as he wiped his hand in a towel before informing them, "I got to know about it yesterday from Devon when he sent a letter to notify me about Amanda''s internship. He mentioned that the Holy Maiden would be participating in the summit as well, this year."


    "And she didn''t say anything about us, right?" Amanda asked in a low tone.


    Hades extended his hand and held Amanda''s as he said, "You need to understand, honey. She''s no longer just your sister; she now carries the hope of this world. In times of worldwide crisis, there is only one Holy Maiden the people look to. This life wasn''t her choice… it was a blessing, a responsibility ced on her shoulders."


    "And she abandoned us...for the sake of her duties." Amanda asked, tears flowing down her eyes, "She could have sent a letter at least once in a while to ask how we are doing...or are we even alive. But no...not even once she cared about us. She just got up one day and started behaving like she doesn''t know any of us."


    Hearing that, thedy of the house was about to say something while shaking her head, however, she paused when her husband held her hand firmly and wordlessly stopped her.


    Amanda suddenly got up from her seat, and just as she was about to walk away, her father asked, "Where are you going?"


    Amanda paused before rying her intentions, "I am leaving for the Capital today."


    "But Amy, it''s already evening. Why you-"


    "I will go with her," Suddenly the only son of the family stepped forward and told them, "I will take Amanda to the Capital."


    The head of the family heaved a sigh, before he gave his assent, "Okay, you two can go."


    Amanda wiped her tears and gave a thankful nod to her brother before making her way to her room.


    She doesn''t want to stay idle anymore—she knows it would only lead to overthinking. It''s better to exhaust herself with a full day''s work, to stay so drained that she can forget about the woman she once called her sister.


    ---------**--------


    A/N:- She...ising.