There is something Valarie understood by witnessing Alex's battle: she can never judge a person based on their past performance.
She watched him closely during the battle because of Amanda's confidence in him. She wasn't sure why but that girl, who only shows signs of being interested in anyone else other than Edric if the person is good with what they do, was suddenly showing such great enthusiasm toward the silver-haired.
It wasn't like Valarie was completely oblivious about Alex, given she often comes in contact with Celestria. Although she is not on that good terms with the Princess, unlike how their fathers are, Valarie still is on friendly terms with the blond Princess. That's why Valarie comes across Alex once in a while and also has watched his fight once or twice before.
However, never in her wildest imagination could she have assumed that the same shy boy who used to become submissive whenever someone glared at him had the strength to not only go against an enemy way above his league but also come out victorious.
The way Alex withheld that much pain of getting sliced at every corner of his body, and also how he never compromised the calmness which he showed throughout the battle against Aiden, made her dumbfounded.
And that sword rebound...was just phenomenal. Last she didn't know whom she witnessed using such a refined technique where, despite having an unfavourable weapon, they were able to wield it with such precision.
From a general perspective, the wow factor of that technique was the sudden rebound of the sword after hitting the ground, but there was more to it. The way Alex turned the sword mid-air and directed it towards Aiden's mid-section rather than bringing it towards his throat—which would have been easier but naturally, illegal—showed that he holds such strength to manipulate his attacks to his will.
Truly admirable.
Valarie used to think that only Edric was worthy of her respect, but no. There is someone else as well, who has the perseverance and attitude to become a knight.
As such, after Valarie got the word that today Edric was leaving the academy for a raid, she decided to tag along so she could get some training done.
She couldn't allow herself, the daughter of a Commander Knight, to fall behind her peers because of her laziness. If she wanted to walk shoulder to shoulder with such fine warriors, then she must train harder from now on.
As such, now she could be seen walking along with Edric toward the Hunter's guild.
....but what she didn't expect was to meet the silver head here as well.
"It might become really messy if you introduce him to raiding without having an instructor around." En route, Alex was walking a few meters behind and gave the duo some space to get done with their conversation.
Valarie knew that Alex was no newbie warrior and had the guts to take risks for the sake of victory, but for someone who was attempting his first raid, Alex needed some mature guidance. Although she didn't suspect Edric when it came to protecting others, Alex wasn't going there so he could just get himself protected by Edric.
"You think the Instructors would have allowed Alex to raid a labyrinth when he has spent his previous two years surrounded by books?"
Edric's question was met by a shrug, as she responded in a matter-of-fact tone, "They have already witnessed what Alex is capable of. Do you think they would have stopped him?"
Edric heaved a sigh, "They will never allow a student who won the first battle after entering the academy to just get started with raiding without getting trained for six months, at least."
Valarie...can't refute that. The Professors have become a little too cautious these days. Although it was said that the pedagogy would change within due time, thanks to the realisation that dawned upon the Headmaster regarding how things were going downhill with the current teaching system.
However those changes would need some time to show effect, and, "Alex doesn't have such patience, from what I have observed recently," Edric uttered
"You know I can hear you, right?" Alex asked in a tired tone.
They are chatting too loudly to even call it a secretive discussion. He was not that far behind them because it was dark in the forest...
Edric was startled hearing that as he turned toward the fellow student and assured, "I wasn't badmouthing. As a warrior, eagerness to get on with real battles is a virtue."
With his eyes falling, he added, "It's just...bringing you there without any professional support makes me a little anxious...that what if..."
"I die out there?" Alex's blunt question stunned Edric as, with wide eyes, he stared at Alex and heard him continuing, "You don't need to worry about me. See, I got no one worrying for me, nor is there someone waiting for me back in the academy. So just-"
Valarie jumped in, "Wait a second...aren't your parents alive? They work in the capital right?" Valarie has heard about them from Celestria before. The reason why Celestria got in contact with Alex was because of them.
Alex shrugged, "Well that relationship didn't last long. They got tired of me and just got rid of all the threads that connected us."
Edric was, just like Valarie, dumbfounded hearing those words. They both have loving parents, so they know the importance of familial love. And here, Alex was abandoned even though his parents were still alive.
"Anyway, shall we get going? Staying here could be dangerous." Alex urged. He really didn't want to get sympathy for this. He only told them about it so Valarie doesn't end up misunderstanding something and starts nagging him.
She can get really annoyed in no time.
Edric didn't say anything to that other than a slow nod before he urged Valarie to keep moving just like the other two.
Silence ensued between the three after that. Valarie was too shocked to speak a word, about which Alex was inwardly thankful, and Edric still couldn't believe that after getting disowned, Alex had the courage to keep moving forward rather than wailing about his loss.
If his family had said that they wanted to sever ties...Edric didn't know how he would have continued to survive. They give him very strong emotional support in times of crisis. And here, even after losing his only support, Alex was showing such an uncaring front to not make others worried about him.
'Whatever happens now, I will ensure his safety, even at the cost of my own life.' Edric swore with his fist clenched.
The trio soon crossed the jungle and reached a city which was still lively even at this late hour.
This city was known for its bread and raid. The city was situated years ago, when the land was getting devoted to the academy.
The King of that time, deemed necessary for having a raiding center nearby for both purposes; responding to any emergency situation and to provide the students with the opportunity to gain some real life experience through raiding.
Although the relationship between the Guild and the Academy is not on good terms anymore, students are still allowed to raid the labyrinth if they could provide the fees.
Entering the guild, Alex was met by a scene just out of fantasy. And the first thought he had was,
'I am so gonna have fun here…'
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A/N:- Thanks for reading. Do you like the pace? This story is moving hastily towards that final arc, that's why there won't be many chapters for Slice of Life.
Anyway, drop a review and some comments, if you like the story.