When he got up the next morning and went to the bathroom, Aaron was also awake. Together, the two men got ready for the day, while Cale took great care to ensure that his appearance was clean and well-groomed. He was combing his hair while the High-Magician tried to button his shirt sleeve with one hand. Seeing that he looked a little lost, Cale stood up, put his comb down on the dresser to his right, and came to stand next to Aaron. Without a word, the two exchanged glances before Cale reached out his hands to announce his intentions.

"Thank you", Aaron murmured softly and held out his arm so that Cale could straighten his shirt. Cale expertly fastened the three buttons on the sleeve and reached for Aaron's other arm as if by reflex. "That's..."

Aaron fell silent as abruptly as he had begun to speak, while Cale was already smoothing the fabric on the sleeve, pulling it taut and repeating the movement. Then his hand slid up to the narrow ribbons on the shoulder that hung loosely. They were used to attach the official cloak of the High-Magicians to the shirt - a task Cale knew only too well and which was always tedious to do alone.

After a few minutes of practiced movements, Cale absentmindedly smoothed the shirt until his fingers reached the collar and carefully arranged it as well. Only when he noticed Aaron's gaze did he pause and hastily withdraw his hands.

"Sorry, my paternal instincts kicked in."

"It's fine", Aaron replied with a weak smile and turned to the mirror. In the reflection, he noticed that Cale was watching him, so he turned to the host. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing. It's just mesmerizing to watch you", Cale confessed with a broad grin on his face.

In fact, he had to think about how stern Aaron looked in his uniform and how fragile he really was. Even in the past, he had been cautious what he was doing in front of Aaron, but now he no longer behaved this way in his presence. His cold gaze and neat uniform were just a facade, because Cale had long known the true side of the magician.

"The uniform suits you well."

"Do you think so?", Aaron replied with a surprised undertone and turned back to the mirrir to look at his appearance. "I'm not sure. Someone like you would suit it better."

"Certainly not. You look like a high scholar who has nothing to fear in it. I would look like a soldier squeezed into clothes that are too tight. It would be strange."

"You're exaggerating. Haven't you seen Rangar in his uniform?"

"Can you even call that an uniform?", Cale interjected with a raised eyebrow, causing Aaron to break into a broad grin.

"I've ask myself that question as well. I'm sure it would suit you. With your light hair and blue eyes, the uniform would be a good color match."

"When my hair and eyes are black, we'll talk about it again", Cale replied simply, patting the man twice on the shoulder and walking past him through the door.

Without comment, Aaron followed him into the hallway, down the stairs, and stood next to him at the front door. Cale slipped on his shoes before reaching for his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. Leaning against the wall, he watched Aaron sit down to tie his shoes - who risked a quick glance at Cale.

"Will you come visit us at the Magistrat?"

"Certainly, although I can't give you a date at the moment. However, your colleagues and you are welcome in my home anytime."

"You are too kind. I will keep that in mind."

"Please give our best regards to High-Magicians Castero and Vonstetten."

"Of course", Aaron replied politely, standing up, taking one last look back into the room, and then stepping back so that Cale could open the door. The two men stepped outside and were greeted by a fresh breeze and a side wall. Cale closed the door and followed Aaron onto the street.

"Well then", Cale began, smiling at him. "Be careful on your journey home and don't overdo it."

"I will. Good luck with your training and take good care of your daughter", Aaron replied politely, bowing one last time. "And once again, thank you for everything you've done for me over the last few days. I really owe you."

"Don't worry about it", Cale said, holding out his hand, so Aaron could see it and stand up. He took Aaron's hand and shook it before they said goodbye.

"Goodbye."

"Until next time, High-Magician Aaron Thopas."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

With that, they parted ways. Aaron ascended into the sky and disappeared, while Cale headed west. He walked through the streets a little faster than usual and had to suppress his broad grin. It had been incredibly nice to be able to talk to Aaron for so long. Even if Aaron couldn't remember anything, it was pleasant for Cale to hear his voice and observe his occasional helplessness. Cale missed his people, and one of those people was clearly Aaron.

With long strides, more flying than running, Cale bounded along the path, leaving the city through the western gate by the river and heading for the training ground. He was striding along when he spotted a horse in the distance and sensed Sir Freigoud's mana. He slowly slowed his pace, holding his weapon with one hand, while his gaze remained fixed on the swordmaster. When he was only a few meters away from him, their eyes met.

"Good morning, Duke of Freigoud", Cale greeted the man politely. What surprised him, however, was that Sir Freigoud gave him a dry, dismissive look before greeting him.

"Good morning, Sir Adenia."

With a bow, Cale walked past the man who was usually always happy to see him when he showed up at the training ground. Was he upset because he had skipped training yesterday?

Cale had to force himself not to look back, because he knew the man was staring at him. Instead, he walked over to the square and put his things down at the edge as usual before grabbing his weapon and doing some warm-up exercises. Sir Freigoud appeared behind him. Cale paid him little attention, not wanting to seem like an intrusive man who was only participating in this exercise because of him. But when he looked around, he realized how few of them were present today. Since he hadn't been there yesterday, he wondered if something had happened.

Just as Cale began to perform a few turns followed by powerful strikes, Sir Freigoud approached him. With feigned surprise, he stood up straight and looked the man straight in the eye.

"Zod...", the man began suddenly. Cale was pleasantly surprised that Sir Freigoud addressed him by his first name without Cale having to ask him to. At the same time, however, he wondered why he did so.

"Yes? How can I help you?"

"Does your daughter walk to school on her own?"

"Ahri? Yes, she goes to school alone every day. Why do you ask?"

"Yesterday, the son of a nobleman who attends our children's school disappeared."

"By the gods", Cale muttered. "I didn't know that. My daughter didn't tell me anything."

"Understandably, the teachers kept it quiet since they don't want to scare them. So please don't let her walk through the city alone... there's no trace of the boy", he explained to Cale with a grim look. Instinctively, Cale understood why the mood was somber and why many of the swordmasters were absent. They must have families of their own to look after and keep safe. "If you like, your daughter can join my son Benjamin."

Cale sat up abruptly, completely taken aback by the sudden opportunity that had presented itself. He had only seen Ben once before, and if Ahri was near him, nothing should happen to him until they had found the root of the problem.

"If you don't mind..."

"Your house is almost on the way, so it wouldn't be any trouble."

"In that case, I'd be delighted", Cale replied politely and thanked the man with a bow. "I'll talk to my daughter about it tonight."

"Good", Sir Freigoud said in a cool voice. Cale straightened up and noticed the man looking around searchingly, as if that wasn't all that was weighing on his mind. He recalled the letter he had received yesterday from his guardian, Mamoru.

An invitation from the king.

Sir Venlan must have informed Sir Freigoud and King Leonhardt that the swordmaster of Karekama was in Bellator. Barely a day had passed when Cale received an invitation to a public concert in the neighboring state. The spontaneous invitation seemed a little strange to outsiders, but it was obvious to Cale that the king wants to use the time to talk to him. Due to Aaron's presence, he had not yet had the opportunity to discuss it with Ahri and the Eldest, because refusing was not an option.

"I would like to ask you a personal question, if that is all right", Sir Freigoud finally began. Now it made more sense why the man had offered to have his men accompany Ahri to school as well. He wanted something from Cale and probably suspected that Cale would refuse his request if he did not receive something in return.

"Of course, anytime."

"It's about Karekama."

Cale put on a suitably grim look at this statement, even though he had known for a long time that this was inevitable. Since Sir Freigoud was careful about who heard him, it had been more than obvious.

"I see. So you know."

"I was taken aback when I heard the story from Sir Venlan, even more than the High-Magician arriving here the day before yesterday. Do you have the sword with you?"

"Always", Cale replied calmly.

"I'll be blunt and ask you straight out: have you ever used your full power against me?"

"No, I haven't."

"If you used Karekama, how much difference would it make to your current abilities?"

"Sir Freigoud, why exactly are you asking me something so obvious?", Cale replied deliberately in a dismissive tone, because he wanted to avoid Sir Freigoud getting the idea that he would use Karekama.

"Admittedly, it scratches my ego to know that I am not worthy of you using your real weapon against me."

<So that's why Ben has this habit.>

"Please don't take it personally, but I don't use Karekama against normal people."

"I understand", the man said, with an expression as if he had lost a pet. He looked down at the ground, somewhat depressed, so Cale sighed and prevented the man from turning away from him.

"Sir Freigoud, I can see that you are taking this personally. Do you remember what I told you back then about the real north?"

Immediately, the large man perked up and nodded in agreement.

"Karekama has the power to cause as much damage on its own as in the real north. It's really not something that should be used even for training, and I only use Karekama in exceptional circumstances. I am not the swordmaster who wields Karekama, but the swordmaster who protects Karekama", Cale explained calmly, letting go of the muscular man's arm. "I may not have used Karekama against you, but believe me when I say that you are a challenge even for me. You are definitely among the strongest swordmasters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."

"I see", replied Sir Freigoud, as if he was not yet satisfied with this answer. Cale, on the other hand, left it at that. "Please excuse me if I asked you something unnecessary."

"Not at all. I can well understand how fascinating the 3rd Swords are to outsiders. How about we drop the subject and focus on why we came here?"

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