"Good to see you, Ilfa," Aldes greeted, forming a faint smile.
He took one step forward, leaning his face closer to the woman. The faint fragrance from Ilfa's red hair lingered in the air.
"You are beautiful as always. I might trouble you from now on."
Ilfa stood frozen. Her eyes widened, both eyebrows raised slightly. Her mouth opened just a little.
"Ald... Aldes..."
Her face turned red. She lowered her gaze to the white stone floor, then let out a long sigh.
"You are truly strange."
Martius and Klaus looked at each other. Their expressions tightened into something sour.
"Another one joined the group," Klaus said, glaring cynically at Martius. "I hope he is not hypnotized or something."
Hearing that, Martius chuckled and shook his head slowly.
"Am I that low?"
He glanced briefly at Aldes.
"He is the weakest of all candidates. Why would I do that?"
Klaus raised one eyebrow and laughed lightly.
"Let time answer that."
He then cleared his throat and clapped his hands loudly. The sound echoed sharply against the stone walls.
"Alright. Alright."
The training session began.
Klaus taught the basics of regulating magic energy. The original memories of Aldes's body responded automatically. He immediately remembered how to use his power.
Aldes focused his mind. He channeled the warm magic energy into his palms, then pushed it down into both of his legs. A faint blue light wrapped around his body.
His feet slowly lifted off the floor.
He hovered steadily in the air.
Klaus observed him from a distance. The white-haired man nodded slowly.
"Not bad," he said.
On the other side of the room, Martius fought against Ilfa. They trained at normal intensity. The sound of clashing metal rang sharply.
Martius's sword burned with red fire. Heat spread instantly through the surroundings. He slashed toward the right side of Ilfa's body.
Ilfa lowered her stance, then jumped upward to evade. She landed right behind him.
Without turning around, Martius twisted his wrist and thrust his flaming sword straight backward. The tip of the blade scraped against Ilfa's armor.
Sparks fell to the floor.
Meanwhile, Aldes continued focusing.
He began to understand how his telekinesis class worked. It manipulated space to allow flight and levitation. He could also release pressure waves and enhance his body for high-speed movement.
This class was extremely advantageous for a close combat fighter like him.
The first training session ended. They rested for ten minutes.
Aldes stepped to the edge of the room. He picked up a glass from a silver tray brought by a maid. Cold water flowed down his throat.
He then ate a few wheat biscuits to restore his energy.
The break ended.
Aldes placed the glass back on the tray. He stood straight and clenched his fists, preparing for the next session.
Martius walked toward him, a faint smile on his lips. His boots echoed against the stone floor.
He stopped, then turned his head toward the eyepatch man nearby.
"Klaus. Let me train with him."
Aldes's face hardened. His leg muscles tensed against the stone floor. He prepared for the worst.
Klaus raised one hand. "Martius, are you sure?" he asked with a furrowed brow. "He just returned to training after a long time."
A long time?! You bastard Aldes. You were that lazy?!
Frustration filled Aldes's chest.
Suddenly, fragments of past memories flooded his head. Moments of wasted time surfaced one after another. Sleeping. Drinking wine. Doing nothing.
Aldes closed his eyes briefly, his head throbbing.
Wait... I realize something.
Will my memories surface if there is a trigger?
Like the training earlier—I immediately remembered how to use my magic.
And when Klaus spoke just now, the memory of Aldes's laziness appeared instantly.
Martius laughed loudly. His voice echoed throughout the circular room.
"Hahaha. I am just joking."
He lowered his hands casually.
"I know. I know."
His gaze shifted to Aldes, sharp and condescending.
"My pride is not that low."
Martius sighed, then turned around and walked away slowly.
"Develop quickly. So I can beat you up later."
Aldes tilted his head slightly. His jaw clenched tight.
His ego was provoked.
In an instant, Aldes focused energy into both of his legs. His body dashed forward, closing the distance immediately.
He leaped to Martius's chest level and twisted his waist mid-air.
Martius glanced from the corner of his eye. A wide grin spread across his face.
"Oh?"
Aldes's right leg struck hard.
Martius blocked it with a single open palm.
The impact echoed sharply throughout the room.
"Not ba—"
His words were cut off.
Aldes used Martius's palm as a pivot. His body spun mid-air with precision.
His left foot shot out.
It aimed straight for the side of Martius's neck.
Martius reacted instantly. He raised his left arm and blocked the second kick.
This time, the impact was stronger.
Martius's body was pushed back one step. His boots scraped harshly against the stone floor.
Aldes remained suspended in the air.
Without hesitation, he aimed both palms forward—directly at Martius's face.
Telekinesis energy flared.
A blinding blue light burst inches away from the red-haired prince.
Martius's eyes widened.
His right hand moved like lightning. He grabbed the collar of Aldes's uniform.
With overwhelming force, he threw him to the side.
Aldes's body was launched away.
But he stayed calm.
He refocused instantly. A stream of blue energy resisted the momentum.
His boots touched the stone floor.
He skidded back two meters
then stopped.
Standing firm.