The following morning, Seraphina awoke before sunrise. Years of assassin training had made sleeping late nearly impossible. Even after transmigrating into a noblewoman's body, her habits remained unchanged.
The room was still dark when she opened her eyes. For several moments, she stared at the ornate ceiling above her. Silence surrounded her.
No missions, targets, and encrypted messages. She didn't have to witness daily blood shed. It was a strange life, peaceful
At least for now I am safe. I just need to be careful from now on.
The memory of last night's conversation lingered in her thoughts.
"If this change is genuine... then don't stop."
Kael's words had been simple, yet they carried weight. More importantly, they suggested something unexpected.
He wasn't trying to expose her, at least not yet, but he was watching and observing. Waiting to determine whether this new behavior would last. Which meant she still had room to maneuver.
A soft knock came from the door.
"My lady?"
A maid entered carrying a silver tray.
Breakfast...?
Seraphina immediately noticed the young woman's nervous posture. Even after yesterday, the servants still seemed cautious around her.
That would take time to fix.
The maid carefully set down the tray.
As she turned to leave, Seraphina suddenly spoke. "What is your name?"
The maid froze, and her eyes widened. "My... my name?"
Seraphina nodded. The girl looked completely bewildered. Apparently the original owner had never bothered learning servant names.
"My name is Lily, my lady."
"Thank you, Lily."
The maid nearly dropped the tray. Then she hurriedly bowed before rushing from the room. Seraphina blinked in confusion. Did she really frighten people that much? The reaction was almost amusing.
After breakfast, she decided to explore the estate. The inherited memories provided a rough layout, but actually seeing the place was different.
The Lycanis Estate was enormous. Far larger than many towns back on Earth. Gardens stretched across several kilometers. Private lakes reflected the morning sunlight. Training grounds occupied an entire section of the property.
Everywhere she looked, luxury and power were on display. The Lycanis family clearly lacked nothing. As she walked through one of the garden paths, she heard a familiar voice.
"Again."
A child grunted, then a wooden sword swung through the air repeatedly. Seraphina paused. Beyond a hedge, she discovered a small training field.
Aiden stood alone in the center. Sweat covered his forehead. His tiny hands gripped a practice sword. Nearby, an instructor watched silently.
The boy continued swinging. His movements weren't perfect. But they were disciplined, remarkably. Especially for someone his age.
The instructor finally spoke. "Enough."
Aiden lowered the sword. His breathing was heavy.
The man frowned. "Your stance is improving."
The boy's eyes brightened.
Then the instructor continued. "But your strength remains lacking."
The excitement immediately vanished and Aiden lowered his head. The sight irritated Seraphina. The instructor wasn't wrong. But the child was clearly trying his best.
The man eventually departed, leaving Aiden alone. The boy remained standing in the field, he continued practicing. Even though the lesson had already ended.
Seraphina watched quietly. The wooden sword nearly slipped from his hands. His arms were shaking, yet he refused to stop. The future emperor's determination had apparently started young.
Eventually, Aiden noticed her. His movements froze. For a brief moment, uncertainty appeared on his face. Then he quickly lowered the sword.
"Lady Seraphina."
The formal greeting felt strange. She wasn't much older than the original body's age. Yet he addressed her like a distant adult.
"Good morning."
Aiden blinked, she wasn't supposed to greet him first.
"Good morning."
The silence that followed became awkward.
The boy looked unsure whether he should stay or leave.
Seraphina glanced toward the practice sword. "Training?"
Aiden nodded. "Father says I must become strong."
The answer made sense.
As heir to the Lycan Dominion, weakness wasn't an option. Still, the boy couldn't be older than eight. Even children in powerful families deserved a childhood.
"Do you enjoy it?"
The question surprised him. Nobody had ever asked before. At least according to his expression. After thinking for a moment, he answered honestly.
"Sometimes."
A very childlike answer.
Seraphina smiled.
Then her gaze drifted toward the practice sword. An idea formed, a dangerous one. Back on Earth, she had mastered dozens of combat styles.
Knives. Firearms. Close-quarters combat. Swordsmanship.
If nothing else, she understood training.
"Show me."
Aiden tilted his head.
"Show you?"
"Your swordsmanship."
The boy hesitated, then nodded in the end. He raised the wooden blade. His stance settled. The sword moved, it was fast. Much faster than she expected.
Whoever trained him clearly knew what they were doing. The fundamentals were solid. The problem wasn't technique, it was confidence.
Every strike stopped just short of its full potential. Every movement contained hesitation. Fear of making mistakes, and fear of failure.
When he finished, Aiden looked toward her expectantly, waiting for criticism.
Instead, Seraphina walked into the training field.
"May I borrow it?"
The boy handed over the sword.
The moment it entered her hands, old instincts returned.
The weight.
The balance.
The grip.
Familiar.
Comforting.
For a brief moment, she felt like Ghost Reaper again.
Not a noblewoman.
Not a villainess.
Just a warrior.
Without warning, she moved.
The wooden sword sliced through the air.
One strike.
Two strikes.
Three.
The weapon became a blur.
Her movements flowed effortlessly.
Precise.
Efficient.
Deadly.
The years disappeared.
The battlefield returned.
Muscle memory took control.
When she finally stopped, silence filled the training ground.
Aiden stared.
His mouth hung slightly open.
Even several nearby servants had stopped walking.
Everyone looked shocked.
Right.
Perhaps she had overdone it.
A little.
The boy's eyes sparkled.
"That was amazing!"
The excitement in his voice caught her off guard.
Children really were simple sometimes.
"You think so?"
Aiden nodded rapidly.
"Can you teach me?"
The question made her pause.
Teach him?
The future emperor?
The child destined to execute her?
The irony was almost laughable.
Yet when she looked into those hopeful golden eyes, refusing became difficult.
"Maybe."
Aiden's smile widened.
The sight nearly blinded her.
For the first time, she understood why people spoiled children.
That smile was dangerous.
Far too effective.
Unfortunately, their peaceful moment didn't last.
A voice suddenly interrupted.
"What is happening here?"
The familiar deep voice instantly changed the atmosphere.
Both turned.
Kael stood nearby.
Several officers accompanied him.
Apparently, he had arrived sometime during the demonstration.
Wonderful.
Just wonderful.
The Alpha's gaze moved from the sword in her hand to the excited child beside her.
Then back to her.
Aiden immediately straightened.
"Father!"
Kael approached slowly.
His expression revealed nothing.
Yet Seraphina recognized that look.
Assessment.
Observation.
Calculation.
The same look predators used before making decisions.
"What were you doing?"
he asked.
Aiden answered before Seraphina could.
"Lady Seraphina was teaching me swordsmanship!"
The declaration echoed across the training field.
Several officers nearly choked.
One looked horrified.
Another appeared fascinated.
Kael's eyebrow lifted slightly.
Only slightly.
But enough.
Apparently, the idea of Seraphina teaching anyone was shocking.
Aiden continued enthusiastically.
"She's really strong!"
The officers exchanged glances.
One of them quietly muttered:
"Impossible."
Unfortunately for him, Kael heard it.
So did Seraphina.
The Alpha remained silent.
Then he extended a hand.
"The sword."
She handed it over.
Kael weighed it briefly.
Then looked directly at her.
"Show me."
Seraphina's stomach sank.
Of course.
Because fate apparently enjoyed creating problems.
And now—
the most powerful werewolf in the galaxy wanted a demonstration.