John Ericsson's Point of View

  It's been a month since that night I decided to be a bit more selfish. After drying our tears, we had dinner with everyone and feeling refreshed, we took on the next day. It's been 3 days since I actively thought about the Mana Control. Everyone was right when they told me it gets easier by the day. After the first week, I regained my ability to move as I wished, that made my Swordsmanship class smoother and smoother by the day. I've been sparring with Crest and Paul longer and longer. I even landed a blow on Crest for the first time last week! I was so excited! Our sparring sessions are done with the training sword and without using my Mana Blade so I can focus on my Swordsmanship. I still can't match Paul in Skill, but with my physical abilities being enhanced from the Paladin Job Class I'm able to catch him off-guard from time to time. Yesterday, I was finally able to beat him for once. He took it well and looked happy, but I sensed a burning sensation to get the win back. He proceeded to beat me 3 times straight before the end of class, that kid is great with a sword.

  Sparring Crest is a different beast entirely. When it comes to Paul, his inexperience causes us to have very close matches. Granted, this is only when we don't add in things like Job Skills, when we do, in terms of raw Mana, my Holy Mana is better. Paul has way more experience when it comes to his Mana Blade and fighting though. Crest however, is someone I can't seem to get to move without my Mana being an active player in the sparring match. No matter what Idea I have, its blocked. No feint gets through, no thrust, no cut, no slash. Worst of all, Crest and Warrick keep hitting the same spot on my stomach. I look like I'm being dyed purple from the source being my solar plexus.

  Crest continues to instruct me on the forms of Swordsmanship I should be using and under his guidance, he told me that I should be able to handle more Advanced Forms and footwork. Those will now be the new focus of my training, now that I've Mastered the Basic Techniques he taught me. I still continue the homework he assigns me every day, with more and more added on each day. By the time I go to bed my arms are so sore, It's hard to sleep, my hands are so calloused that adjusting the blanket shocks me awake. But the results are great. When sparring with either Crest, Paul or Warrick I'm able to put up more and more of a fight. Landing a hit on Crest or Warrick is a different matter entirely though. Ah Warrick... I suppose before Warrick, I should talk about Aqua's class!

  A week ago, I finally finished the 2 books Aqua had brought for me. I gained a deeper understanding of Summoning Magic; Paula now takes less Mana to Summon. I've also been practicing my ideas with her Ability. Some work, others don't. I have learned something interesting about Summoning Magic though. It seems High Level Summoners are capable of combining with their Summons, at least that's what Paula mentioned. Paula and I can't do it unfortunately. And there's nobody to learn from for this, so for now it's just something to experiment with since we have no idea how to go about doing it. Now for the true immediate gains I've had. They were in my White Magic Spells! I learned a whopping 5 Spells from the White Magic book! I know, seems like a letdown, but apparently most books are only for certain Classes, since I'm a Paladin and use Holy Magic, White Magic books are only so compatible since Paladins are capable of a lot more than just White Magic. So, I'm super lucky! The Spells I learned are as follows!

  (Scan) Which allows me to scan an enemy for weak points and their basic stats, but it seems it can't show Jobs or Skills or their effects on the person yet. Apparently it can grow to be used as a way to see someone's current status. Like if they're sick currently or what kind of Status Effect is afflicting them. 2nd was (Shell) which is like (Barrier) but for Magic Attacks. Seems It was useless when I cast it on Sarah that one time. She didn't seem to be bothered by it though. (Reflect) which allows me to reflect back all attacks for 30 seconds. Apparently, the timer will grow longer as I Temper my Mana and use the Spell. 4th was (Regen) Which for 5 minutes will continually heal me for small amounts if I take damage. And finally, 5th and the one I like the best! (Dispel) Which will remove benefitable enhancements people cast on themselves though Magic! I might not have gained any Buffing or Debuffing Magic, but now I don't have to worry about my opponent having any! All in all, I think the best Spells I learned are (Dispel) and (Reflect).

  Now that I finished the required reading, Aqua's classes will consist of practical use of my Spells to make myself more accustomed to my Spells, and Mana Tempering to strengthen my Abilities overall as a Magic User. So far, I have been using the Spells as much as possible. Apparently, once a certain level of Skill with a Spell is reached, I won't have to chant, I'll only need to think of the Spell and Channel the Mana for it and I'll be able to use it. AKA Chantless Magic! I look forward to acquiring that Ability. It will open up many possibilities. Also, I've noticed in the past week, when I use the Spells, I have an easier time Channeling the Mana for the Spells. It seems that I'm becoming Adept at using Magic. Or so Aqua tells me.

  Another new wrinkle to Aqua's class now, is the introduction of clashing our Mana against each other. Apparently, this is a good way of Tempering Mana. The only downside being you need a partner with similar quality Mana for it to be safely done at my level. Aqua's Mana is way more abundant and higher level than mine. She equips certain accessories to bring her Mana to my level, so she doesn't immediately overtake me. So far, I haven't won even with the handicap she has given me. It seems Warrick passed along the message to both Crest and Aqua and they are both happy to cooperate with my request. And boy on boy do they cooperate with me.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  And now for Warrick's class... I was able to get to that 5-minute time he set... If only I was warned what was to follow. He is only granting my selfish request, but a warning would've been nice! More or less Warrick has become the drill instructor from hell, which I guess is fitting for a Demon King. Whether it be him cutting through my Mana Blade and cutting the training sword in half, bombarding me with Spells when I try to pull away from his sword's reach. Or disrupting Sarah and I's coordination when we both spar him, Warrick has taken his role as our teacher very serious. But again! Every day, a bit longer, every day, one more sword strike to cut through my Mana Blade. Warrick is quite proud of Sarah and I's progress.

  There is also Anna, my Maid. She has been training with Trish, Aqua's Exclusive Maid, since the 2nd day of my classes. It seems a fire has been lit in her, whenever I ask her why she's working so hard, she just says. " It's for the future, Master." It's left me scratching my head more than once. I have to say the highlight of my day is the afternoon meals I have with Sarah and the Meditation I have after. Sarah is someone I truly care for, if it's Love, I'm not at the level Sarah has for me, but I know I feel a sense of peace with her by my side. It's with these feelings in my mind, that I prepared myself to speak with Sarah again today. I arrived at the lunch date first today. Sarah showed up not to long after me. I hear her voice in a calm tone not too long after I sat down.

  " Sorry I'm late, John, my Father and I's sparring sessions have been taking longer and longer recently!"

  " It's no problem at all, Sarah. I'm just happy you're here!"

  " Is that a look of affection in your eyes for me I see, John?"

  She's been getting bolder and bolder with her flirting with me lately. I'm beginning to think I should fight back, here goes nothing!

  " Is it wrong for me if I do? Have it, I mean?"

  Sarah, apparently not expecting a counterattack, blushed red to my words. She began to stutter her reply to me.

  " N-n-n No I-I-It's fine I p-p-p-prefer it that way!"

  Note-to-self, do this more often. Sarah began to play with her silvery white hair in an attempt to calm herself down. I simply watched her. I feel like I know where this relationship is heading, but at this point, I kind of just want to enjoy our relationship a bit longer. It's in these quiet moments, where I feel like the answer to my question is slowly forming easier than I thought it would be. Sarah began to speak after calming herself for a few moments.

  " John, I have 2 things to discuss with you today!"

  " I'm all ears, Sarah, what would you like to talk about?"

  I smile at her as I await what she has to speak to me about. Apparently, the smile was a bit much, she seemed to be staring at me, focused on my face. After having her fill of my smile, she began to speak.

  " 1st and foremost, our first rest day has been set. It will be 4 days from now! So, we can finally go on that date and explore the city together!"

  " Great! I can't wait! But will it be a problem for you to visit the city? I mean, the Princess just strolling through the city seems like it might be a bit too dangerous. Don't you think?"

  Sarah had a sharp look in her eyes as I asked my question. She proceeded to answer in a confident tone.

  " Maybe a month ago. But now I'm better than I ever was before! Also, you could think of it as good fortune if someone were to try something. Ever since Peter, we know that there is an interloper somewhere in Diablos. If I were to cross ways with someone, seeking to do harm to a Royal Family Member, there is a possibility they may be connected to the one who brainwashed Peter!"

  " Hmm I see. I guess I'll just have to do my best to protect you if something happens then. Sarah If something happens, do take care of yourself. I may be able to heal you, but there's no telling what we may run into."

  " Nonsense! We will always be protecting each other from now on after all! Why do you think we are sparring Father together? It's so our teamwork will be flawless by the end of our training! We will conquer any threat that comes our way, together!"

  Sarah looked at me with a sincere look in her eyes. All I could do was nod my head to her. After that, the food came. We dug into our lunch as we were both famished from all the work we had done in the morning. After finishing our food, I remembered there was another matter to discuss with Sarah. So, after jogging her memory, she proceeded to blush as she spoke.

  " Well, you see.... It seems my Elder Brother Thomas and my Younger Sister Cynthia are coming back Home in 2 days."

  " That's great Sarah! I'm sure they were worried sick about you!"

  Sarah's eyes darted around before landing back on me. She took a breath and began to speak again.

  " Well John, you see.... They are coming to see about me.. But also, my Friends Asha and Sharon are as well, on the same day."

  " Even better! Again, they should also have been worried sick about you!"

  " Yes, you are correct, but... I'm not the only reason they want to visit."

  " What other reason is there?"

  To my question Sarah pointed at me, then she spoke in a somewhat embarrassed manner.

  " They want to meet my Fiancé!"

  Seeing what she was so fussed about, I couldn't help but laugh. She proceeded to get embarrassed at my laughing at her. So, to calm her I spoke softly.

  " It's ok. I'll meet anyone you want me to. I trust you, Sarah."

  Sarah hearing my words, looked at me wide eyed. After a few seconds. She began to speak to me.

  " Are you really alright? Meeting them under the terms that you are my Fiancé?"

  " Yes, I am ok with it. To be completely honest with you, Sarah. I don't know if I Love you the same way you Love me... Yet! That is. But I have the feeling similar feelings to yours will develop in me. I'm ok with that, I don't want to force anything though. So, for the time being I want you to hold true to your promise of making me fall for you. In return, I'll play the part of your Fiancé until it's no longer an act. Deal?"

  Sarah looked at me in disbelief. It didn't take long for me to see a similar look in her eyes as in the Throne Room after the announcement of our Engagement. And without any warning, Sarah launched herself across the table to me and tackled me. The kiss came quickly. Could I have dodged her? Possibly, but I didn't want to. After a period of time, Sarah, huffing and puffing, lifted herself into a straddling position on me. When she caught her breath, with her purple eyes locked on me and her cheeks dyed red. With her hand on my chest to balance herself and the other cupping her face, she said one word while licking her lips.

  " DEAL!"