Bond of Training

The dawn wind was sharp enough to sting skin. Noel drew his cloak tighter as Akari and he crossed the stone steps toward the training yard. The fortress’s inner courtyard had been cleared of snow, its pale flagstones ringed by racks of spears, swords, and practice shields. Soldiers were already gathering, their breath fogging in the icy air.

Murmurs rose as eyes turned their way. Akari drifted at his side, her flame a soft glow against the frost.

Seren stood waiting, crimson cloak snapping behind him, and beside him towered the wolf spirit. Barkley’s fur shimmered faintly with a rocky sheen, his amber eyes calm and piercing all at once. A few paces away, a tousle-haired young knight adjusted his breastplate, his eager posture setting him apart from the more subdued veterans.

Seren’s voice cut through the chatter. “This is Lord Noel Velrath, and this is Spirit Akari. As Sir Noel refused his inheritance, he has allowed the use of just 'Noel.' The Spirit Akari was also generous to let us use 'Akari' without any title unlike a little pet I know," Seren laughed as Barkely lightly chomped his cloak. "They will train with us from today forward. Treat them as you would any other recruit.”

A ripple of whispers followed, quickly hushed. Noel thought he heard one word repeated - spirit - spoken with reverence. His own name, by contrast, drew skeptical glances.

The tousled knight from the other day stepped forward with almost boyish enthusiasm despite being as old as Seren. “I am Caldris Torven Maerholt, knight under Captain Seren! It’s an honor to meet you both!” His bow was stiff but heartfelt.

A gruff soldier muttered from the line, “Seren’s dog bows again.” Snickers followed.

Caldris straightened and seemed to have no care about the insult. His loyalty shone all the brighter for it, though Akari wondered at the strange devotion. Seren, ever composed, gave no sign he heard besides slapping the shoulder of the back-talking soldier really hard. The soldier fell face first, everyone laughed, and drills began.

Noel was handed a wooden practice sword and ordered into formation. The first exercise was simple: swings, stances, shields. But, simple did not mean easy. The other soldiers’ movements were crisp, their timing honed by years. Noel’s grip slipped, his shoulders burned, his footwork lagged. He tried harder, sweat chilling against the cold air, but he remained clumsy compared to hardened men.

Seren called the next order. Running laps around the yard, full gear. Noel’s lungs screamed before he reached halfway. By the time he stumbled across the finish, he was trembling.

Across the yard, Akari trained with Barkley. Her flames flared bright at first - wild, uncontrolled bursts that scorched the ground. Barkley growled low, a sound not of anger but of command.

“Too much,” he rumbled, his voice like stones grinding together. “You are pouring out everything without balance. Fire that burns too fast will only leave your partner's ashes.”

Akari's flame flickered unsteadily. “The faster the better in life or death, right?”

“Strength without control is wasted effort. Feel your core. Your fire comes from within, not only from what you throw outward. Touch it. Guide it. You must always have power saved to protect your bonded partner first above all others.”

He pressed his massive head close, and through him she felt a channel - an awareness of the pulse of mana inside her. It wasn’t the roaring blaze she expected, but a steady ember. Tentatively, she let it flow. Her next spark of fire burned smaller, gentler, yet steadier.

She sparked in surprise at this secure feeling.

Barkley gave a low, approving rumble. “Better. Do not exhaust yourself chasing power. Master yourself first. Then our god will answer.”

...

Caldris shifted Noel to magic drills. Akari and Noel learned that the over-friendly knight was actually the new head of the magic knights. A circle was drawn in the dirt, and Noel was ordered to channel. He raised a hand, but only faint sparks crackled before dying.

“You lack focus,” Caldris noted. “Every noble is gifted a staff or wand upon maturity or graduating from the imperial academy. Where is yours?”

Noel clenched his jaw. “My... family never blessed me with one.”

Some soldiers snickered while others gossiped. A noble without a focus? How pitiful.

"Well, uh... you can... er... use my back-up for now." The kind head mage-knight handed Noel a simple wand. "Who cares about those cheapskates?"

Noel tried again with a focus, but the air only fizzled. Frustration surged - until Akari floated closer, watching with worried aura. She brushed her flame against his arm, almost unconsciously.

The next moment, a jet of light burst from his hand, stable and strong. Gasps rippled across the yard. The training dummy was completely incinerated. Noel staggered back, stunned.

Seren’s eyes narrowed. “Do it again. But this time, apart.”

Akari floated to the other side of the training area. Noel tried. Nothing. Not even a spark.

They tried again, this time with Akari halfway. The fire from the wand blazed instantly.

Noel’s chest tightened as realization sank in. “So I can only cast when she’s close…”

Seren’s expression was unreadable. “It may be strength - or it may be a chain. Time will decide.”

...

When the sun reached its peak, Seren called a break. Noel collapsed against the wall, sweat soaking his tunic. Akari settled beside him, her flame dim from effort. Barkley padded over, lying down with a heavy thud, while Caldris eagerly fetched water for Seren and everyone by conjuring in droves with his unique focus.

The young knight winked at the two amazed by his magical strength. "Graduated at the top of my class. I even beat your brother out of the top spot, Noel. Let me tell you, that guy was a real jerk! He would try and bully Seren all the time. At least when your sister beat me up in magic duels she wasn't rubbing it in my face afterwards..."

Noel sipped in silence. Akari noticed his eyes wandered to Seren, who stood quiet, gazing across the courtyard.

“Captain...” Caldris muttered. "Sorry, he always gets like that during this time."

Seren gave him a brief look back before speaking. “It hardly matters. They should know who commands them.”

Noel and Akari straightened, curious.

“I came to the north six years ago after my graduation,” Seren said simply. “I'm from the south. My family left, but I remained.”

Akari had noticed that Seren did look different from a good number of the natives here. His skin was a darker peach compared to Noel's pale skin. He also had blond hair the color of straw compared to lighter shades. The captain also had a crimson cloak he wore draped over him like those old greek pictures. The little flame wondered if the south was similar to coastal towns on Earth.

“Why did you stay?” Akari asked.

“Duty.” His gaze darkened and flicked to his wolf partner, who lifted his head slightly. “I was sponsored to attend the central capital’s academy after bonding with Barkley. I was posted here to assist your grand-uncle. My family moved here after some circumstances but left after the battle last year, ” His eyes shifted to Noel. “I remember your elder siblings at the academy too. Talented, every one of them.”

Akari saw Noel’s hand tighten on his chest. When Caldris mentioned them, it was in a shallow way. The tone Seren used was very cold. He rarely spoke of his family, but Seren’s next words cut deeper.

“Your grand-uncle never forgave your father and the capital. He believed the north was robbed when your mother was sent to marry a central noble. My family thought the same when I chose to stay here. That the people of the North stole their son to fight until a senseless death.”

The words sat heavy between them. Noel looked away, anger and shame tangled in his chest.

Akari whispered, “That’s not your fault.”

He managed a strained smile and whispered. “I know. But, I cannot help but think of them when they haunt me even here.”

The afternoon drills stretched on. Noel pushed until his arms shook. Akari practiced again and again under Barkley’s stern watch. By the time Seren finally dismissed them, exhaustion clung to every step.

As they turned to leave, the captain’s voice stopped him. “One more thing.”

The captain’s crimson cloak swayed as he stepped closer. “Noel, tomorrow you will meet Mira. She will find you a staff, wand, or both. Whatever you need to succeed. Even if your magic is bound to Akari, you cannot go into battle empty-handed. Every mage should rightfully have one.”

Akari could see Noel perked up, surprised by that word, mage.

The wisp gave Noel a supportive spark of encouragement. “Let's get the best one!” she exclaimed.

Their first steps as soldiers had left them battered, but a spark of something had begun to kindle - something fragile yet unyielding.