"In time we saw the magnitude of the change she brought, it was a moment of pure awe and no small amount of fear. We thought "what if she turned, became our enemy" but I am glad to say that such a thing never happened even if we had a fight or two in those lovely days..."

Anonymous Diary.

Warfare studies, the first class in the day and Professor Alexander was already dreading the class he was assigned, the man could only sigh in defeat as he got up in the early morning. The sun was barely out he walked alone in his home.

"Why?! Why in the name of all that's holy and sacred they let that maniac in! She killed Knights and a Prince for god's sake!" he spoke out loud to no one as he prepared his breakfast and cold tea.

As the food and tea calmed his nerves, Alexander laughed as he said to himself "Nothing to worry about you old fool, she's just a barely adult woman who lead what any historian would call a rebellion and killed a member of royalty only to get away with it by siding with the Arch-Duke" he laughed some more as the sun rose and he got into his bath "Nothing to worry about someone with the Blessing of a Goddess who has gone on record both in spoken word and text and more than a few stone tablets that she does not care about other races bar her "children"

And so Alexander did what his dead parents would call a sin, he sent a message to the Academy nurse and asked for her most potent nerve-calming potion and the thing plopped on his doorstep without delay, sipping the sugary drink was enough to calm his mind and spirit and off he went. For he had a class to teach

Gods help him on it.

---

William was giddy, Elated even! so much to do on the first day he couldn't help himself, from talking with the teachers to eating the meal that gave the special buffs early in the recess.

So many people to talk to! If he was remembering correctly Lucrezia was to sit by Richard's side and she raised a ruckus about it wanting to sit with the Prince and was the very first interaction with the protagonist and Lucrezia.

"I just got done talking with the woman in charge of the living quarters, whoever was meant to stay with you decided to go to another room. It appears you won't have a roommate any time soon Lu" Saa'ryu said as she finished her lean breakfast, William nodded and dug in as he devoured loaves of bread and cold meat with vigor. He noticed Saa'ryu giving him a queer look and asked

"Something on my face? Is it the mayo?"

"You are naked Lu," Saa'ryu said with a snicker "I don't know where this nudist thing came from but you could at least put on a shirt before eating breakfast right? It feels like I am watching one of those adult-themed illusionist shows..."

William felt his face go red and bolted to get a loose shirt he was using as pajamas "Listen Lu, you should check the grand cathedral of Saal'Xhir. the priestesses there will know what to do with someone with Battle Lust" Saa'ryu said and finished her meal "I will scout ahead with my sisters if anything happens to send the usual signal" and she disappeared into the morning mist.

"You should go, there's only so much we can do to hold off the urges before they get the best of us," Lucrezia said.

"You do know the things they will have us do, are you sure about this?" William fired back.

"Nothing worse than what I've seen in your memories..." Lucrezia sighed "No wonder you took this all in relative stride, your brain was all but rotten to its core, hells had you been born here you would be made a high incubus for sure!"

William cracked a smile "A joke? who are you and what have you done to Lucrezia?" she groaned in an annoyed tone but said nothing else as William did his morning routine and got ready for class.

He couldn't deny his "roommate" thanks to early access to high-speed internet his tastes were nothing short of deviant and degenerate, he tried to keep a lid on things after he moved to NY but like any drug, it was hard, very hard. Like an itch just in the back of his skull that demanded to be scratched every day, still, he did a good job on pacing and moderating himself when it came to his consumption of such content.

That Lucrezia was taking a metaphorical and literal walk through these memories was something he was still trying to come to terms with it, He tried finding solace in the fact he was seeing her naked every day but even then it was downright embarrassing every time he went to talk with her and she had that look. Half shame and disgust half want and hunger to lose herself as he often did before getting a reign on things.

Maybe this was why the Greater Blessing was so potent on him? It knew William nursed those desired deep down but would not act upon them for personal reasons and it sought other ways to make itself know?

He couldn't tell and only talking with the woman in charge would elucidate him on the nuts and bolts of his particular blessing.

Putting aside his musings about his situation regarding sex William decided to get ready for class, after all, it would be bad for the leader of a duchy to arrive late on his first day of school!

William joined the mass of fellow students as they walked towards the classrooms, lively chatter around him as he soaked the atmosphere and relaxed, his worries leaving his mind for the time being. He had a smile on his face that persisted until he found himself in the familiar fork that lead to today's class and found Kaine waiting for him snacking on dried meat.

"I was half ready to teleport to your room since you took so long, only for me to feel a poke in my side and a letter saying I would lose my manhood if I did it so," He said with a scowl "Tell your maid I ain't a peeping tom and she should not joke about stuff like that"

William laughed "Wouldn't want to deprive the Arch-Mage of being a grandfather, would we? How are we doing in this fine morning, Kaine?"

Kaine narrowed his eyes "Don't you start, I already have to deal with rumors about us and it is extremely annoying" he sighed "I am fine, minus the threat. Reading the diary and trying to improve my domain over the time aspected mana, a nasty mix of both faith and regular arcane that demands too much for too little and I am finding it hard to optimize the output for a simple time warp spell"

"You should try the fast forward aging spells first, they will build the foundation for the renovation spells later as your domain over the river of time increases," William said.

"I know, I know...It's just frustrating not being able to grasp after the eleventh try. I know I am not bad at spell shaping nor do I lack when it comes to knowledge on employing divine forces for spell weaving and crafting..."

And so they went talking about the ins and outs of Time Magic as William tried to steer his friend to the most optimal direction, Kaine often would ask esoteric questions on the nature of time shaping and how William even knew the things he did and all William could do was say he had read the book first.

Kaine wasn't buying but he decided to not raise a ruckus about it, his thirst for magical knowledge and friendship with William blunting his suspicion. Before they arrived at the classroom Kaine said.

"Lucrezia your blessings are flaring up a lot, you should get that looked" and William nodded, but got into class as William took a short pause by the entrance and saw the familiar yet not room, Richard was already in his usual place by the window fidgeting around as a few girls tried making conversation with him.

The third Prince was up high, the place the protagonist was assigned to empty, William shot him a smile as Kaine straight up teleported to the young's man left side and sat down with a plop.

Not favoring the dramatics, William walked to his new friend and sat down with the grace of a Duchess "Morning Richard"

Richard looked like he saw a ghost, a wraith, and a banshee dancing in the rain as he turned pale as ash and spoke "Uh-uh Hello Lady Lucrezia! Shouldn't you be sitting bes-besides the prince?"

William pointed to the little chart by the blackboard "This is my place my friend, and please, Lucrezia is fine as I said before"

Richard nodded weakly and said nothing else as William watched familiar faces file in one by one until the one he was expecting came by the door her face flushed from running late together with embarrassment. She looked at the chart and found her name placed by the right side of Arthur's.

Fast as a lightning bolt she walked up and sat down, William had a smile on his face the entire time as he watched her fidget around, Richard finally off from whatever had spooked him earlier spoke "You know her? that's the daughter of that famous mercenary company who challenged the Red Dragon last year, her name is..."

"Hope" William finished Richard off as he stared at the protagonist, now her person called Hope.

A fitting name indeed.

---

"Welcome, Welcome I am sure you are all very excited for your first day in the Academy for those who just got here, or you are excited for the start of the classes for those who got in early...I am Professor Alexander, in charge of your warfare studies" Alexander took a deep breath and spoke fast "We will cover from ancient warfare in the days that predate the imperium, to history and battle tactics of our allies and many enemy nations. Some of you might become generals and commanders one day and it is my job to make sure no one in this class repeats the Massacre of Hua'Tekeu"

The class was quiet, good Alexander thought to himself as he employed his meager magical skills into a simple spell to write on the blackboard as he continued to speak "Page 10 of your history books if you would all be so kind"

As the spell worked its magic Alexander took a long hard look at his students, the Prince was sitting together with the Arch-Mage's son and a... Hmm, he knew that girl from somewhere but couldn't quite place it, opening the attendance booklet he saw her face and name: Hope Morgan Fritz! daughter of the leaders of that one mercenary band! to think the Prince would let an upstart peasant sit beside him.

A far cry from the usual noble scum of the earth that walked these hallowed halls.

Going down the list of names Alexander couldn't help but pale, Of course, he had to pick the class that had the granddaughter of one of the most powerful necromancers alive! Castra-Cam looked like a morose lass who had lost her lover and been kicked out of her house, her face so white he was seeing her undead veins blue as the day sky.

The son of House Amenora, Hector was flanked by two younger women and looked half asleep, Alexander had heard rumors the young man was blessed by Saal'Xhir and disowned from the austere house that had made so many warriors who fought and died for the kingdom. Another more pressing rumor was that the Amenoran fields were turned into a camp of debauchery and marry-making by him on orders of his goddess.

Unlike the more famous known field that had the marvel of magic that could undo death and allow training of the best and brightest in a safe environment where they could push themselves to the max without fear of the Long Queue, the Amenoran fields were regular training grounds that the Amenorans donated to the Academy and would have many a knight train there.

All of this was not his problem Alexander thought, his salary came for teaching and grading. Not worrying about what his students were up to after class.

Lady Raffa Ironheart was also in his class, rotten luck that he would get someone whose entire house was under scrutiny for being pro-Godless. A foul movement of ner-do-wells who wanted to be 'truly free" by escaping the many Spheres of Powers of the divines, the All-Father being chief among those as according to their manifest "One should not rule over free will"

The Silverbrand kid looked downright terrified when Alexander looked in his direction, plenty of the non-noble students in his class had uneasy expressions as well, and with good reason.

Lucrezia Wulfgrem.

Impeccably dressed, with beauty and ferocity that matched that of the northerners, those azure eyes had a smile on them as she read the textbook, Alexnader noticed the woman lacked an arm and was reminded of the reason for it. He also remembered the previous incident where she nearly butchered those young paladins of Uumaries on Academy grounds.

Furiae indeed, a fitting name for the madwoman who was sitting beside the peasants and merchants. A point in her favor Alexander thought to himself, he had no love for nobility and the gods knew he had to more than once employ his magic to dodge their childish wrath, from Professors with egos the size of a planet to kids and young men and women who never had an authority figure in their lives.

Alexander then clapped and began explaining the battle that lead to the massacre, how a tribe of Kitsune was using a chained higher devil together with a sleeping Summer Spirit to empower themselves and claim a huge piece of the southwest lands belonging to the Royal Family. Those women were able to overpower the small Knight patrols and smaller nobles of the area before High Commander of the Royal Knights Ser Hermes was deployed to deal with the issue.

A born madman, Ser Hermes was brutal and cunning, slowly starving the insurgents and dealing major blows on their morale with the execution of POWs and non-combatants. When his men dared to question his methods he sent them at the front of the charges against the rebels.

All came to a grisly end when a young squire saw the man killing kitsunes who had surrendered and had the women executed on the spot together with their families, not being able to contain his grief the squire prayed for any god willing to help to smite the man down.

Alas, it was not the Divine who harkened the call, but the unholy fire of the hells who spewed out a higher devil to free its brother and together the processed to slaughter Knights and Kitsune both, only when a small army of mages, priests, and paladins marched towards that those fiends were banished back to the hells and the few survivors could barely speak after the sheer horror they witnessed.

The surviving royal knights, fearful of losing their position blamed the surviving kitsune for the slaughter. It was only when a High Priest of Martius was called to commune with the dead that they learned of the real motives.

Ser Hermes's name was blacked out from the list of High Commanders, the survivors who conspired to keep their crimes clear were judged by Morugarius and either banished or killed.

As for the rebels, it was later found out the sleeping Summer Spirit was causing them to rebel, via its powerful influence it planted thoughts of rebellion and rage in the tribe's mind for unknown reasons, the whole area was marketed as off-limits by the royals at the time and thus this dark chapter on the Kingdom's history was closed.

"So" Alexander clapped "How would you deal with this particular conundrum class? I want everyone here to write me a short essay on it, emphasis on the short as you will both read and debate with your classmates after it, you have 10 minutes" he tapped on the desk and the students began their work in earnest, for a short few minutes Alexander felt at peace, his mind calming from the fact he had both a Royal and Combat veteran who had killed more people than the Knights behind the prince sitting just a few meters from him.

"Today's going to be a fun day" He heard a feminine voice speaking. Alexander raised his head when he saw a pair of azure eyes staring at him with such ferocity he almost was taken back, she smiled at him and went back to writing, and yet Alexander couldn't help but shiver as he saw her mouth display a maddening grin.

The first hand went up, ah yes Alexander knew the young man who was about to speak. Thadeus Shatter-Spear, from the off branch of the Shatter-Spear house and cousin to Arthur. A master with the spear even when compared to the Queen herself, alas the young man lacked the curse of the Rage-That-Dwells so he had to make do with a Greater Blessing of War.

"A smaller task force headed by High Priests of both the Undying and Morugarius plus a Spirit Whisperer of renown would've been the right choice in this particular juncture, Of course dealing with the Former Commander would've been done outside of public light as to not shame the Royal Knight's name and the Royal Family. One would only need to look for the weak link in his troops to confess the crimes of his commander"

"And yet they found ways to bend the Oath and nearly put the blame on the rebels! surely you can't believe for a second that if anyone talked the Commander wouldn't find out about it and dispatch his goons to silence the witness! Your father is the Current High Commander Thadeus, you know how much power he commands over the Royal Knights and the staff at the Palace!"  Ironheart spoke in outrage and fury, her face red as she poked the lion with her words, Thadeus smiled at her and placed his hand on the desk, Ironheart huffed and spoke now facing Alexander.

"The Oath that binds the Knights is flawed Professor, we have many a case in our history where both noble and knight with ill intentions abused its loopholes to perpetuate evil! Surely the Royal Family could place more oversight in the process by delegating the upkeep and monitoring of the Oath to other War Gods who are in alliance with the Kingdom"

"And bring another reform of 760 to the populace? Did you forget what happened then?" A dwarf lass spoke her voice deep and loud "Steinheim remembers! Legions of Knights marching towards our home and the Shogunate with steel forged by our brothers and sisters! Had it not been stopped by the revolt from the 4 houses against the King of Madness we wouldn't be having this conversation right now!"

"That was almost 1200 years ago All-Father above let it go already" someone spoke from the back and the dwarf barked a nasty insult towards them. Alexander released a sigh of relief, ah it felt good hearing youngsters getting passionate about his class!

"I am noting down every answer, even the ones you are giving to your classmates!" Alexander spoke when there was a lull in the talking and he was met with a few nods as the discussions picked up steam again. From the elves in the background talking about mustering in more help from the local Spirits to the Magi and Beast-Folk with a myriad of local and not-so-local traditions that could and would in a few cases solve the issue.

"...I am just saying, I know an elder back in the Principality that could summon Lëordan" Spoke one of the elves, a short demure girl with skin that looked more like tree bark around her arms and cheeks, ah Alexander recalled the instructions from the Dean. It was a half Dryad!

"What's he going to do? that thing is half crazy thanks to the Summer Spirits. Lëordan is liable to burn everyone to cinders then disappear into the night" Another dwarf spoke, "Nay I must agree in part with the Ironheart woman, the Royal Knights enjoy too big of liberty on their dealings and Oath, now I am not saying the Royals would need to do another reform but their needs be a system in place to better screen any would be High Commander..."

"Not with the right Rituals, Lëordan can be appeased and even talked to should you employ the rituals of the Bloodmoon from Afaak'Vur and Mhanc's Plea" Alexander froze up as the room went quiet, the one speaking didn't even bother raising her head from her desk, taking notes as she spoke.

"...These are highly esoteric rituals Lucrezia, I doubt even the most learned Druid or Spirit Whisperer could employ both of them to commune safely with Lëordan, And even then you are dealing with a belligerent Knight Commander who's dead set on killing the insurgents via any means necessary" Kaine spoke from his seat, hmm Alexander thought to himself. First name basis? maybe the rumors were true...

"It is as the Arch-Mage's son says it, you are liable on having the insurgents summoning a known individual who cares not for laws and rules and he would kill the High Commander and his Knights without a second thought, to entertain such a notion is nothing akin to High Treason and Subversion of state power!" Spoke another voice, that of a tall woman called Cadence de Levouis, the Levouis were known to be an ancient noble family with ties to Uumaries and cadence was no exception, as she was dressed as the Uumaries church demanded all their followers to do it and on her breasts the holy symbol of the Goddess.

"And? Hermes was nothing but a wild dog that needed to be put down" Lucrezia said as the room got even quieter.

"Lëordan wouldn't stop with Hermes, every Knight guilty or innocent under his retinue would be burned in Spirit Fire..." the Dryad spoke her voice trembling.

"Nothing a Priest of the Undying can't solve, they can speak with the dead after all" Lucrezia fired back "The Kitsune wasn't the guilty here, the Summer Spirit was, they were mind-controlled victims"

"Why yes, let us kill honest men and women of the kingdom to save a bunch of forest-dwelling peasants who bound a demon-" Cadence started but Lucrezia cut her off "Done under the influence of the Spirit, again the tribe was Innocent and to diminish them as "forest-dwelling peasants" is unnecessary"

Cadence huffed "Heretic scum I will not entertain your inane ramblings any longer!" the noble got up and walked up to Lucrezia as Alexander was ready to call her out but Lucrezia got up faster.

The northern Duchess towered above Cadence, her cape was by her chair so her armless torso was plain to see for the entire classroom, gasps and other sounds came from the classroom as both stared each over off for a solid second.

From the corner of his eye, Alexander noticed Kaine pulling a crystal from his person and readying himself to jump, then he heard Lucrezia speak, her voice was cold as ice and hard as steel.

"Tell me Cadence de Levouis what do you plan to do hmm? Slap me in the face? challenge me for a duel with one of your father's knights? Spread gossip perhaps?" She had a wolfish grin on her face and Alexander was reminded of an old friend of his.

Gods above she have Battle Fever!

His mind went into overdrive, details that once were not seen now plain to his eyes, the Royal Knights behind the prince trembling in fear, Kaine ready to jump and start the fight, the Silverbrand kid slowly opening the window for a tactical retreat.

"Your little friends in plate cried when they squared up against me, will you do the same?" Lucrezia teased the young woman more "Does getting ousted as a corrupt good for nothing slave trafficking scum who deserves nothing but to have her state burned by Friede and her head put on a pike hurt your feelings?

"That is enough Lady Lucrezia, Lady Cadence please return to your seat at once" Alexander spoke as Cadence turned back and walked back to her seat huffing in rage, Lucrezia turned to him and bowed before sitting down.

alexander felt chills run down his spine, yes he was right to be afraid early in the morning. This young woman was a born killer ready to spill blood for the dark gods she was with no doubt worshipping!

After the drama had ended Alexander resumed his class and continued to engage his students in little debates to see how well they were versed in the art, Lucrezia on her part remained silent as did Cadence.

10 minutes before ending the class Alexander decided to flip the tables so to say and let the students ask the questions, most were met with non-answers, only a few wishing to engage with their fellows. He sighed but admitted that after that round of drama and the fact it was early in the morning meant they weren't in the best place for it.

Until someone levied a question towards her.

Dkhar Var, an Orc whose family was tied to major mines across the country was the daughter of what most would call "the humble empire" An enterprise between Orcs and Dwarves who strived for fairer working conditions in the mines of their countries, together with the support of Queen Malphas they managed to establish trade reforms that made the lives of virtually every miner in the kingdom better.

Dkhar got up and pointed to Lucrezia "Tell me, Duchess, why have you forsaken the ancient traditions of holding higher nobles hostage and decided to kill the Prince, Yes I have heard what the King has said about it but surely you could elucidate on your reason for such an act"

Lucrezia smiled again as the bell run and Alexander began packing his stuff "Alright everyone, I will have the grades ready next week, until then!" the man-made a swift exit from the class as he watched his colleague the morose woman Emmilie enter the classroom, he stared at her dead eyes for a full second before shaking his head, nothing could phase the woman in the 10 years they knew each other.

But Lucrezia might.

---

Kaine stashed his Magi-Tech staff as his spells told him the Royal Knights wouldn't fly off the handle, nor that noble who was trying to goad Lucrezia into a fight, he relaxed as Arthur gave him weird look.

"What?" Kaine asked.

"You know Kaine rumors are going around" Arthur started and Kaine sighed, that his childhood friend would know of that spoke of how bad the gossip had spread, he wondered if Orthus was also being a victim of the same treatment, and Richard as well.

"Empty gossip, you know I am devoted to magic and the arcane in body, mind, and spirit" Kaine replied "Lucrezia helped me while I was staying at her place and I owe her an immense debt"

"Even after she Killed your Sister's Fiance?" Arthur asked in that particular tone where he didn't know if Kaine would get mad or not, ever the considerate thanks to his innate mind magic it seems, of course, Kaine had weaved many a defense against such spells but not of suspicion from his friend, on the contrary, it was thanks to Arthur gifts that he had such a mastery of defending against it.

Kaine got closer and whispered "Never liked him, or his cronies or your brother you know that! didn't you tell me your magicks were telling you Galius was up to no good? that your father made it public his dealings with the Terrors beyond the stars was telling enough..."

"And yet there's more to this isn't it?" Asked Arthur "But I can sense you won't speak of the matter so soon, mayhaps later" Kaine felt his spells ping a short-range hop in his direction, Ah yes he thought. Lucrezia's Magnetism let her boost her inner strength to do quite the amazing feat when it came to sheer mobility without employing outward spells, still, he should teach her a teleportation spell sooner or later, can't go wrong with one after all.

"Kaine, the Diary" Lucrezia spoke and he complied "Watch it, I have some notes inside and I don't wanna lose them. No don't remove them either" She nodded and he noticed for a split second how she was staring towards Arthur...No not him but the girl beside him.

It was gone in a flash, but Kaine was savvy to these things, he hummed and spoke "Next class is Magical theory, what you need the diary for?"

Lucrezia was already making her way (this time with a regular walk instead of a jump) to her desk as she spoke "A surprise"

From the corner of his eye he saw the Class Representative get up and walk to the blackboard, A tall dragonkin from the southwest, the young looked prim and proper with an austere face that demanded respect. He spoke in a clear and loud tone

"Everyone! Today's class will be a practical one! Professors Emmilie and Themitrocles will meet us in the first warded arena!" Excited noises erupted as people began to pack their things and file out of the class.

Kaine had a nagging feeling on the back of his head, not one to trust prattle such as gut instinct and other hearsay Kaine would normally put such thoughts out of his mind, but this time he couldn't, the way Lucrezia stared at that girl...

Figuring something was up with the lass Kaine decided on what had never failed for him before, the direct approach, He saw that she was tailing Arthur and his two Knights. her long red hair dancing in the windy halls of the Academy

Not a moment had passed he decided to make his move, Arthur of all people approached her! Gwenarius be damned he was right! something was off with her! he put a spring into his step as he caught the two of them speaking.

"...Daughter of the war heroes from the Crimson Yeager company? What an honor! your name?" Arthur asked in that suave way of his before noticing Kaine coming to his left "Kaine, so glad you joined us, this is-"

"Daughter of the merc band that won some unwinnable battle in the last war against Grannarius yes yes, she was about to tell you her name" Kaine was short and to the point and the girl nodded as she spoke with a soft voice.

"I am Hope Morgan Fritz, It is an honor to meet you Master Kaine" She bowed and Kaine had to hold his sigh "Just Kaine is fine, I may have a title but I am no noble at heart and these blue blood know"

Arthur laughed "Don't mind him, Hope, Kaine is ever tactless but beneath the facade, he is a good friend!"

Kaine smiled, ah Arthur and his tendency of trying to make his friends look better than what they were, A curse from his empathic tendencies.

"Quite the first day wouldn't you say? I wasn't expecting an open debate this early in the morning" Arthur said and Hope nodded "Indeed, Warfare isn't the most excitable topic in the curriculum but Professor Alexander seems eager to impart knowledge!"

"Could've done with it without the show that Uumaries prude pulled off, gods above and below its barely 9 in the morning and she was already picking a fight" Ironheart spoke from the side "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Hope, my family often works with your parents and they always do a stellar job whenever we hire them" She gave Hope a smile and a handshake.

Hope's face went red "Hehe Thank you, It's my dream to have my band of heroes like mom and dad one day, explore the world and help those in need..."

"Well should such a dream turn into a reality, I will not hesitate in hiring your and yours" Ironheart spoke as she turned to Kaine "Master Kaine If I may impose you with a question?"

Kaine rolled his eyes as he heard a small laugh from Arthur "Ask away" he said.

"Cadence de Levouis is known to be a master in the field of pure mana spellcrafting, some say she would even be made high magus of the corps your parents are in charge, and yet Lucrezia ahem Duchess Lucrezia didn't flinch even when staring her down, if you don't mind me asking, is the Duchess that powerful?"

Kaine looked at the woman in question, her hair tied in a ponytail and coat hanging from her shoulders as she talked with Richard a good few meters ahead of him and this motley crew he had gathered, He also noticed that quite a few eyes were on him as well, the Orc woman that got her question cut off, the dwarves and more importantly Hope was waiting for him to speak.

"No one in that room would be able to stop her, not even me," Kaine said what he felt was the truth unless someone had some hidden Greater Blessing and could warp her away to a volcano or the middle of the ocean.

"A tall claim mage, you fought together with her?" Dkhar came up and spoke to Kaine.

"Yes, we raided an ancient ziggurat for artifacts, and I witnessed her in the battle against Galius" silence blanketed the group as Dkhar hummed "Here I thought Orthus had thrown the fight to breed with the woman, you can never tell with the people who were blessed by the Whore"

Ironheart tapped her forehead "So it was true the rumors of her being blessed by Saal'Xhir... no wonder many were talking about how she seduced the Orc Prince before the fight"

"The smell would be on her person for days, nay she did nothing of the sort" Dkhar spoke with conviction "Which means we have someone with Battle Lust on the Academy Grounds, a dangerous combo especially with Uumaries followers everywhere ready to fight. I am expecting at least a dozen dead by the end of the week"

"My parents often spoke of Battle Fever but I have never heard of this Lust variant" Hope spoke as she turned to Dkhar "How does it work?"

Dkhar walked next to her "Well I can't say for humans or the other folk, but orc warriors will deny themselves the pleasures of the flesh for 2 years to nurture the Lust and if done correctly they will enjoy great bliss on the battlefield, I can only assume with Saal'Xhir's blessing that effect was compounded into something far stronger and faster..."

"But she still would need to deny herself pleasure yes?" Ironheart asked and Dkhar nodded "Assuming the procedure is the same for Humans, yes"

Their talks changed the subject after that, with both newcomers asking Kaine about his newfound magic power over the flow of time and dealing with a Goddess who was known to be a pain in the rear, Then the topic of Blessings came up and Hope dropped a bombshell on them.

"I don't know what god granted my Blessing, every ritual and magical spell gave me a blank response" Kaine nodded as he was until a few months back in the same place "If you want help just ask"

"Gonna have Lucrezia there find out will you?" Dkhar said with a smile "Your stories paint her as almost divine, with the answer for every question and problem at the tip of her fingers and lips. Odd thing that wouldn't you say?

"Yes, but I trust her nonetheless" Kaine spoke firm and with conviction.

"I can see that mage, Let us hope your friend can help young Hope here then" as soon as Dkhar finished talking they reached the first warded arena where magical spells were usually taught. Kaine saw Lucrezia summon her arm and snap her fingers as Saa'ryu appeared out of thin air making the people around her gasp in awe and terror, the maid had a heavy box on her hand.

"Is that a Gods Diviner stone Kaine? Why would Lu-" Arthur began talking as everyone froze

"Ye gods! Did the lass listen to us from here?!" Dkhar spoke as her face went from green to gray

Ironheart narrowed her eyes then Kaine heard the clarion call.

"Kaine!"

With a smile he pulled his Magi-Tech staff and warped to her side, he couldn't wait to see what she was going to do next!