PREPARATIONS

When the morning started to liven up inside the palace, Elia, Inai and Fennel gathered to discuss how to prepare Lady Aelia’s defense in the audience with the king. Most conversations revolved around proving that Aelia would still be useful being a slow learner, and even though she was unlikely to become a powerful guardian, she could still be of use for the kingdom. Her lack of motivation could be managed like they had always done, by using strategies based on rewards and punishments. And finally, if Aelia apologized, they might manage to prove that the conversation with Lord Ataoro was just an anomaly that won’t repeat itself in the future.

Although Miss Elia guided most of the conversations, Inai and Fennel managed to contribute considerably, since they had just spent the whole night reading about the rules and guidelines that applied to guardians. The team leader was impressed, and even though they didn’t mention their all-nighter and avoided any comment that could suggest they had been working behind her back, Miss Elia could sense they had done some kind of research on their own. She could also notice how both Inai and Fennel were hyped in an unnatural manner, since exhaustion could be clearly seen in their eyes, but it made sense since they both probably hadn’t slept properly due to their worry of their current situation. She couldn’t blame them.

After each team member was assigned their tasks, in order to prepare for the audience, as well as maintain everything working smoothly throughout the week, they proceeded to prepare Lady Aelia’s daily training session with Lex. To Miss Elia’s surprise, Aelia was ready long before she was used to. Her face was serious and filled with energy and concentration. It was probably the first time she had seen her so determined to work, making her wonder if they actually had a chance to survive the audience with the king if they managed to fulfill their plan.

On the other hand, Fennel had been thinking non-stop about his own plan to help Aelia. As the support team arrived at the training dome, and started preparing everything for the training session, Fennel was looking for a discreet way to speak to Aelia.

As Inai installed the circular screens inside the observation cabin, Fennel gathered Aelia’s five training orbs, and entered the dome. Lex and Aelia had just arrived too.

“Lady Aelia, how are you doing? I heard about what happened yesterday.” Greeted Lex in a formal but deeply concerned manner, that could be felt more through his voice than his expression.

“I’m still recovering sir, but I’m ready for our training.” Responded Aelia with functionality.

“You seem to be in higher spirits than I expected.” Observed Lex without changing the neutral look in his face, but now with a slightly impressed voice. “However, today we’ll have lighter training to make sure you recover properly. Both physically and mentally. I’ve had students freeze many times before, and it really takes a toll on a guardian’s minds and body.”

“Are you talking about Lady Akais?” Asked Aelia with curiosity, knowing the only other guardians Lex had trained were Lady Akais, who was about 7 years older than her, and Lord Aras who was still just a child. It wasn’t common for Aelia to freeze, but she knew Akais had a fame of being far more unstable.

“Yes. She’s had quite a rough time too.” He responded. “Believe me, I know being a guardian is hard, so please know you have my respect and my sympathy.”

Aelia wasn’t prepared to see Sir Lex opening up in such a way before their training session, since most of the time he focused solely on progress. However, it seemed like yesterday’s news had him worried, and gave him a chance to show his softer side.

“I truly appreciate it sir.”

“As your combat instructor, I’m obliged to proceed without any changes until I’m given new instructions.” Continued Lex. “But I also genuinely want my students to succeed, so have in mind I’m rooting for you Lady Aelia.” Lex looked to the side, noticing how Fennel was standing from afar with the training orbs around his arms, trying not to interrupt their conversation, but was clearly listening. “We’re done with talking. Do what you must”

Fennel rushed awkwardly towards Aelia as if trying not to interrupt, and placed the orbs in the white ground of the dome, right in front of her.

“Thanks, Fennel.” Said Aelia with a smile, showing a subtle hint in her eyes and eyebrows, of being moved by Lex’s words.

“Lady Aelia.” Greeted Fennel with a soft bow. “Please make sure you meditate properly after today’s training.”

Even though this wasn’t something he was used to hearing before a training session, Lex considered it to be a thoughtful advice to help Aelia deal with her troublesome situation. On the other hand, Aelia understood this was a stealthy way of telling her to meet up in The Haven after training.

***

As the training came to an end, and Aelia left to meditate, Fennel entered the dome to gather the orbs. Lex was sitting down, making the regular maintenance procedures to his lance, and Miss Elia had already left, leaving Inai and Fennel to take care of the cleanup.

As Fennel gathered the orbs, he got close to Lex, and for the first time since he had entered the palace, he approached him to start a conversation.

“Sir. Would you mind if I ask you for advice?” He asked.

Lex wasn’t used to being talked to by researchers, other than the support team leaders from the guardians he trained. For this reason, he couldn’t avoid showing surprise. This was evident not through his facial expression, that was as neutral as it always seemed to be when he wasn’t fighting, but through the seconds of silence where he stared at Fennel without a single word.

“Please do.” He finally replied.

Fennel had gotten nervous and was overthinking after the uncomfortable stare that seemed to last forever.

“R-right. Since you have been training guardians for so long, I was wondering if you knew how we can help Lady Aelia improve before her audience with King Lenno.”

“You’re telling me you want me to tell you how to improve Aelia’s parallel thoughts within a week?” Responded Lex politely, with a new question. “I wish I knew that myself. Training a guardian to develop parallel thoughts is a long-term process that can’t be hurried.”

It was just as Miss Elia had told him yesterday.

“I understand the urgency, but it’s unlikely that she’ll manage to make any significant changes in such a short time.” Continued Lex, as he looked down to his weapon, scrubbing it with what seemed to be an elegant yet simple piece of cloth.

“And is there anything else she could improve in order to impress Lord Ataoro or the king?”

Lex looked at Fennel, intrigued and refreshed by his uncommon approach. It was genuine and almost childlike, making him feel an almost instinctual need to help him out.

“Well, I’ll tell you something.” He began. “What’s your name, kid?”

“Fennel, sir.”

“Listen Fennel. I believe you’ve heard Lord Ataoro mention it before. But he values greatly the skill of a guardian controlling their bodies as they are channeling their thoughts during a fight.” Said Lex, as Fennel placed the orbs on the floor and took out his notepad from his pocket to take notes. “It actually requires a lot of concentration and training, but it might be more manageable than strengthening her fifth parallel mind in a week. In any case, it’s not an easy task.”

“And what about her test to advance to her sixth parallel thought?” Asked Fennel, remembering how Aelia had failed her test practices with Lex, as one of her orbs turned off intermittently as she fought.

“It will be near impossible for her to pass it without full control of the five ones she already has. My fighting style for that test was designed and optimized to suppress anything a guardian can throw at me, unless the five orbs are working together in harmony. Four orbs and a half simply won’t make the cut.” Stated Lex as he lowered his chin and closed his eyes. “And I would never hold back against my students during a test.”

“I agree.” Replied Fennel. “But in order to pass the test, Lady Aelia needs to land a single clean hit while using her five orbs. Is that right?”

“That’s right.”

“Could you tell us how Lady Aelia must fight you, sir?”

“Bold question.” Said Lex as he let out a subtle smile. “Fine. I can’t give you answers, but I’ll give you a tip.” He continued. “Lady Aelia will have to figure out why I’m using a lance for this test, and not any other weapon.”

Fennel stopped to think about this. Since he had been observing and thoroughly studying Aelia's training sessions since day one in the palace, he seemed to have an idea of what this meant. All that time trying to figure out what was going on during the sparrings, was starting to pay off.

“I think we can work with that. Thank you very much sir.”