On the second day of training, the skies were cloudy and looked like they might rain, but they never did.
Rex woke up sore from the exercises he did the day before. His muscles protested as he stretched and got ready for another day of being a humble student.
The pain was worth it, though, because every minute spent training was a minute spent building trust and finding weaknesses.
He got dressed and went downstairs, where he found that the inn was already busy. The Starlight family sat at a big table, eating breakfast and discussing their plans for the day.
Mara moved back and forth between the kitchen and the common room, serving food and drinks quickly and easily.
When Rex walked in, their eyes met briefly, revealing a conflict within her. This internal struggle seemed to be battling against something else—something she likely hesitated to voice.
He nodded at her a little bit and then went to get some cheese and bread for himself.
"Rex!" Lily's happy voice called out. "Come sit with us!"
Helena looked up at her daughter when she asked that, and Rex saw her eyes get a little tighter. That's interesting for Rex to see because it made sense that she wanted to protect Lily.
The youngest child, still innocent and still learning about the world, deserves protection.
Rex said politely, even as he walked over to their table, "I don't want to intrude on family time."
"That's not true," Elliot said with his usual warmth. "Now you're part of the training group."
"And that's enough to make you almost like family."
"Hardly," Diana said, but it wasn't very serious.
"Okay then... don't mind if I do." Rex sat down at the end of the table, making sure he could see everyone without looking like he was staring.
Evelyn was watching him again, and her sharp eyes missed nothing, but she didn't say anything.
"How are you feeling after yesterday?" Helena asked in a friendly but judging way. "Not too sore, I hope?"
"A little," Rex said with a sad smile. "But it's a good kind of sore, the type where you want to feel more of it."
"The kind that means I'm really learning something too."
Elliot said, "That's the spirit."
"We'll be working on more advanced techniques today."
"Do you think you're ready?"
"Heh... I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
There was more light conversation during breakfast. Elliot talked a lot about his past adventures, and he did so with such enthusiasm that it seemed like he never got tired of telling them.
Diana sometimes jumped in to correct him on tactical details he had missed. Lily asked questions with big, curious eyes. Evelyn mostly stayed quiet, eating her food and watching.
Rex noticed that Helena observed her family with a blend of pride and something else—perhaps weariness or the feeling of being alone while trying to appear content.
That was his point of view. That was what he needed to get started.
The group left for the training grounds after breakfast. The morning session was all about combination attacks, which taught the volunteers how to put together basic moves to make them look like real combat techniques.
Rex teamed up with the same big farmer from yesterday, a man named Thomas who was eager but slow. They practiced the drills while Elliot moved around, giving them feedback and support.
Elliot said, "You're picking your skills up faster than most," as he watched Rex do a surprisingly clean combo.
"Do you have natural talent, or have you been practicing on your own?"
Rex said, "Just paying attention to what you teach and trying to picture it when I'm not training."
"People don't value mental practice enough," Helena said as she appeared next to her son.
She had been watching from a distance, but now she moved closer. "Many students don't realize how important it is to understand the theory behind each movement."
Rex looked her in the eye and said, "Theory and practice work together... it's probably like magic too, I guess?"
"Like... knowing the rules makes the execution work better?"
Helena's face changed to show real interest. "Exactly."
"Many people don't see the connection. Magic and combat are very similar because they both need mental discipline and physical action."
Rex said, "I'd like to know more about that."
"That is, if you have the time. I know you're here to teach people with actual magical aptitude, but understanding the principles might help even someone like me."
"Someone like you?" Helena said it again, a small smile on her lips. "And what kind of person are you, Rex?"
It was a second test, and she was excellent at those, so Rex really needs to be careful about it.
"I don't know... but... I guess someone trying to be more than what he was born to be," Rex said honestly.
Well, as honestly as someone like him could do.
"I don't possess any special skills, a noble origin, or magical abilities. But I'm curious and want to learn... so maybe that's enough for me."
Helena looked at him for a long time. "Being curious and willing to learn is often more important than having natural talent... without discipline, talent is wasted."
"So maybe I do have a chance."
"And maybe you do too." She pointed to the side of the training ground. "Come. I'll teach you some basic ideas about magic."
"It won't make you a mage, but it may help you understand some battles."
Rex trailed her as she left the main group, aware that Elliot was observing them with approval and Evelyn was keeping a watchful gaze on them.
And this was going excellent for him. This was a completely innocent excuse to spend time alone with Helena and discuss education.
They sat down on a fallen tree at the edge of the clearing. Helena pulled out a small notebook from her robes and started drawing diagrams.
She said, "Magic is about manipulating energy at its core," and her voice sounded like that of a teacher who had been doing it for a long time.
"Most people think it's about having a gift, words, or gestures. Those things help, but they aren't the most important."
"Understanding flow is the key."
"Flow," Rex said again, leaning in to look at her drawings.
He could smell her expensive floral perfume from close by. "Fuck! She smells so nice that I want to attack her right now," he said in his mind.
"Like water?" Rex asked, trying to remove his bad intentions.
"Like everything else... energy moves through the world in a certain way."
"Magic is about seeing those patterns and figuring out how to change them." She looked at him. "Combat is the same way too."
"The energy, momentum, and intent of your opponent. A good fighter can see those patterns and use them."
"So instead of fighting against the flow, you go with it," Rex said with a thoughtful look on his face. "That's really deep."
Helena looked happy. "It takes most students weeks to get that idea."
"I'm surprised and also impressed that you got it right away."
"I had a great teacher." He stopped for a moment, then carefully asked, "Do you miss it?"
"I mean teaching. Shouldn't you be going to school or an academy instead of traveling around giving basic lessons?"
The question came out just the way he wanted it to. For a brief moment, Helena's face showed something raw beneath the polished surface.
"I taught at the Royal Academy for fifteen years," she said in a low voice. "Before I broke up. It was fulfilling work."
"Why did you stop?"
"Things changed... like responsibilities to the family, and some people in my social circles didn't like that I was there because I was no longer married." Her tone was carefully neutral, but Rex could hear the bitterness underneath."
"When Elliot decided to become an adventuring hero, it seemed like a good chance to try something new."
Rex said softly, "But following your son around isn't the same as having your own purpose."
Helena's eyes quickly turned to his, sharp and judging. "That's a brave thing to say."
"I'm sorry if I went too far..."
"You didn't." She shut her notebook. "You're smart, Rex."
"More than you let on, and for me... that's interesting."
"Is it interesting in a good way or a bad way?"
Helena laughed, and it changed her face in a real way. "I haven't made up my mind about that yet."
"Ask me again at the end of the week."
They went back to the main training area, and Rex noticed that their private talk had lasted almost an hour. Long enough for the other volunteers to finish their morning drills and then go to archery practice with Diana.
[RELATIONSHIP STATUS: LILY VON STARLIGHT - GRATEFUL AND TRUSTING]
[DESIRE LEVEL: 12/100]
[OBSERVATION: SUBJECT SEES YOU AS HELPFUL MENTOR FIGURE]
[WARNING: SUBJECT IS YOUNG AND IMPRESSIONABLE]
[RECOMMENDATION: MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE BOUNDARIES]
Eight percent from one talk. And it's not that bad, but the system was right that this process had to be slow.
Helena was too smart to hurry and too experienced to fall for obvious flattery. He had to be patient and really interested, even though he was playing with the situation.
There was more training in the afternoon, but there was also something unexpected. Lily came up next to Rex while he was practicing his archery stance with Diana watching.
Lily asked with full curiosity. "Hey, Rex! Can I ask you something?"
"Of course," he said, lowering his head.
Diana looked at them for a second but didn't say anything. She then went to help another student.
"It's about magic," Lily said, looking unsure. "Mom taught you some theory this morning, and I was wondering if you could help me with something."
Rex said, "I'm not really qualified to help with magic because I don't have the skills for it."
Lily said, "That's exactly why I want your help~!"
"All of my other teachers already know magic. They explain things in ways that make sense to them, but sometimes I need someone who thinks like a beginner so that I can understand it more!"
It was a reasonable request and a wonderful chance for Rex to use it.
Rex said, "Alright."
"What are you having trouble with?"