After finishing the introductions, everyone but Anna took a seat. Anna stood against the wall behind me. Hopefully we can eat together in private when not in formal settings. The meal was full of savory meats and crisp vegetables, the most eye catching of which was a green boar the size of a horse with 4 heads and 8 legs. When I asked what it was called, I was told it's known as a growing boar. It seems that this subspecies of demonic boar mutates every year, growing heads and limbs. Apparently, 4 years is the perfect age to slaughter it. Its strength is also outrageous, able to raise whole villages in a day. It tasted like high quality pork from my world, safe to say, there wasn't anything left of the boar when it was all said and done. Seriously the way Demons pack food away is something to behold.

  Once the lunch was over, Tommy and Cynthia both talked to Sarah about what has been going on in their lives while she was resting. It seems outside of his job and sleeping, Tommy spent every waking moment researching any disease that showed similar symptoms to Sarah's Curse. I felt bad that I simply showed up and cast a few Spells and all was right as rain. Cynthia continued to study, trying to complete all work for her school term so she could run back here and be with Sarah.

  * Grip.*

  After Sarah had been enlightened on what her siblings were up to, they asked about what she has been doing since recovering. Before she spoke, she looked at me briefly and grabbed my hand under the table. When I looked back at her with a questioning gaze, she was smiling like she just received a gift. Seems handholding is an important part of her story. She started filling them in on the training sessions she began having with Warrick and I. Speaking of which, where are Warrick and Aqua? I asked if anyone knew, Trish answered me.

  " My Master and His Highness are currently meeting with multiple Nobles. Many wish to pay their respects to Princess Sarah, for her Engagement. They will be busy until dinner."

  With my question answered, I returned to my role as a squeeze toy for Sarah's hand. After finishing explaining about her training, Tommy simply looked at her with a faraway look in his eyes and began to speak.

  " Ah I see, Father is beginning to train you as well. Good luck and good fortune to you, Little Sister, you'll need it for when he gets serious."

  " Wait, Tommy! you were trained by Warrick too!?"

  I couldn't help but speak up at this piece of news. Tommy looked at me with a smile and spoke.

  " Yes, another word would be survived, I survived his training sessions... I assume he's still going easy on you both, but once you reach a certain point, the difficulty of the lessons increases. He'll always just be a little stronger than you, not enough to truly hurt you, but always enough that he is out of reach."

  Tommy looks as if he is recounting a horror story as he speaks to us. After snapping out of his daze, Tommy continues his speaking.

  " As for the training, he has trained us Brothers when he had the time. Al, Andy and I fought him separately, then as a team. Once we all could land a hit, he'd hold back less and less, and we'd be back to square one."

  " Yes! I understand that feeling!"

  Sarah and I both answered to Tommy's statement while Cynthia giggled at our reaction. Ah the ignorance of youth.. In time it will go away if the pattern of Warrick's training continues. After bonding over shared sparring stories, Tommy was tapped by Cynthia. His eyes lit up like he remembered something. He began to speak.

  " So, Sarah. I think it's time to discuss what Cynthia and I are truly curious about. How did this Engagement happen?"

  My hand was gripped tight. I look at Sarah and her face is masked crimson... These sisters are more alike than I thought. In time, the grip lessons, but her face stays red. Sarah starts to look determined, and she begins to speak.

  " As a consequence, to John not properly being in control of his Magic. We both visited the memories of each other. John who was on a determined mission to save me, only saw 2 of my memories. That day Father, Mother and Al marched to war over a decade ago and left Cynthia and I here at the Palace. And the memory I have of acquiring the Curse. He destroyed the Curse and saved me."

  * grip. wiggle...*

  Sarah looked at me with a warm smile on my face, as did everyone in the room.... Wow, even Trish is smiling at me. Embarrassed, I scratched my head and waited for Sarah to continue speaking. While waiting, I was shocked to feel her fingers interlocking with mine. She continued to speak while gripping my hand tight.

  " While he was busy saving me, I spent time in his memories. At first, I had no idea why I was there. But as I saw more and more of John's memories, I realized he was here to help me. During my time there, I saw many things. Through it all, a desire to keep him by my side was born. After I awoke, Mother saw how I looked at John and asked what I thought of him. After telling her, we both persuaded Father to declare that we were Engaged, as a Reward for the good deeds he had done. I jumped at the chance to have him. Since my feelings are currently stronger than his. I'm in the process of making him fall for me. So far, I seem to be doing a great job. I hope I can have both of your Blessings when our Wedding finally happens!"

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  By the end of her speech, Sarah had the look of a confident hunter on her face... I suppose she told no lies. Tommy and Cynthia both looked at Sarah in surprise at her explanation. Cynthia Spoke quite loudly afterwards, surprisingly.

  " So, Sis, you were the main person pushing for this Engagement?"

  " Yes, that is right, Cynthia. I love John Ericsson!"

  * Tighten!*

  I believe I'm starting to hear my hand cracking with how hard Sarah is gripping it. Tommy just looked like he saw a person grow up finally. Cynthia was darting her eyes between Sarah and I. Sarah was looking cool as a cucumber to her sibling's surprise. It was at that time that Anna had stepped forward. She began to speak.

  " Master, I regret to inform you, but it is time for you to begin your exercises and Meditation."

  " Ah... I see."

  To Anna's words, Tommy and Cynthia were surprised. So, I explained the current plan of fighting the Hero Party and they allowed me to depart. I suppose now the family can truly chat amongst themselves. As I left with Anna, Tommy wished me good luck and Cynthia bowed to me and started to speak.

  " Mr. John! Thank you for saving Big Sis Sarah!"

  I smiled and replied.

  " I'm glad I could help. Enjoy dessert you earned it working so hard at the Academy!"

  * Grip.*

  As Anna and I walked down the hallway, I felt my hand being held... I looked down to see Anna's hand holding mine. In surprise, I could only say her name. She looked at me and coyly said.

  " Can't I? I mean, no one is looking after all."

  " But I'm Engaged to Sarah."

  " Princess Sarah has already given me permission to do this!"

  To my protest, I was shocked again. With no real way to reject her, I gave her permission to hold my hand. Anna's face lit up like a kid in a candy store. Her smile was very captivating, but I decided to hold that compliment to myself.

  We walked to the field I spar with Crest and Paul in. And I began my homework. After working up a sweat, I finished the work. I'm beginning to be less and less drained as I go through the sword techniques Crest has laid out for me. Anna handed me a clean towel to wipe myself off with, since I swung my sword under the hot sun. After refreshing myself, I begin the 2nd stage of my practicing. My Mana Blade sets. It's gotten to the point where I hardly need to concentrate to use Mana Blade, but it's still not instantaneous enough for Warrick or Crest to give me a passing grade, so I continue to work at it.

  After finishing my sets, I was feeling drained, so I sat on the ground to recover for a bit. Anna again walked over to me, bringing what looks like a bottle in her hands. She hands it to me and begins to speak to me.

  " Master, your skills are improving at such an amazing rate!"

  Surprised at the sudden praise, I didn't speak for a moment and took a sip of what was actually water. Anna just simply watched me, it seems she is waiting for my input.

  " Thank you for the praise, Anna. But I still feel like it isn't good enough. I don't think I can be satisfied from the rate I'm going. However, when I ask about increasing the workload, everyone tells me that I'm already on the extreme end of training. What do you think about this, Anna?"

  I decided to turn this into a conversation. Since it seemed Anna has a few thoughts on what I just said. She began to speak with a serious look in her eyes.

  " Master! While I understand when you compare yourself to Princess Anna or King Warrick or Aqua or General Crest, you feel like it's not enough! But you must understand, Princess Sarah is someone who has received not only harsh training from King Warrick and Aqua, She is also one of the most talented of her siblings! As for King Warrick, Aqua and General Crest, they are powerhouses of this Country! Even with that, at times you have been able to put them on the back foot during your sparring. You are already in the top 1000 fighters in this Country from being able to do that! Have more pride in yourself! You are my Master after all!"

  She has really taken that "Be honest to me!" advice quite seriously. As I sat there stunned, Anna bent down and took my hands in hers and began to speak in a softer tone than before.

  " I know you may feel like you may never catch up, but in time you will. I have seen it with these eyes of mine. If you can't believe in yourself, believe in the trust we all have for you! Whether it be the Royal Family or I, we all see your potential."

  She's soothing me like I'm a child. I guess this is what Anna will be like as a mother? I feel her children may all turn out to favor their mother at this rate. Regardless of my thoughts, I begin to answer to Anna's reassurance.

  " Ok Anna, I'll believe in you."

  The smile she showed me after my response nearly left me spellbound. While dazed, a thought popped in my head. So, I asked a question.

  " You mentioned me being in the top 1000 Fighters in this Country. Is there a Ranking?"

  Anna while still holding my hands, looked surprised at my question. After a moment she began to answer my question.

  " Yes, we use a letter based Ranking System. The weakest tier is F, then E, D, C, B, A and then the highest is S. the other countries use the same Ranking System as well. I suppose now would be a good time to mention that every nation also has a nationwide Adventurer's Guild. They use the Tier System to Rank Monsters as well as difficulty of their Quests."

  " Are you a registered Adventurer, Anna?"

  " Yes Master, during my school days I was a C-ranked Adventurer. My Abilities at my Graduation of the Royal Academy were most likely B Rank though."

  " You went to the Royal Academy as well? I suppose I have much more to find out about you, Anna."

  " In time, Master, we will be together for a long time after all."

  Anna winked at me as she said we will have more time together in the future. After finishing the conversation with Anna, we walked to my Meditation spot, and I began to focus. In my trance, I felt the presence of those eyes again. This time they were closer. I felt like they were looking at me from below, but who knows if I'm right or not? These Meditation sessions always boggle my mind. The sensations are so strange. In any case, I finished my Meditation and spent the rest of the day relaxing. Sarah joined Anna and I as I was reading a book on the different species of animals in Gaia. After a fun dinner, where everyone was quite jovial at the return of 2 family members. I went to bed thinking today was a good day and awaited meeting Sarah's friends tomorrow.