Chapter 74. Advanced

“Ken. Time to get up! I can’t believe after all these years you still can’t get up in the morning without someone pampering over you.”

“Morning Clare! What can I say? I like to be pampered.” Ken replied with a smile as the pair got up and ready to start their day.

“I hope that Thallan isn’t like Nolan and shows up to teach the lessons like he is supposed to do so.” Ken said as the pair grabbed breakfast at the dining hall while greeting the horde of students that kept on coming up to chat and girls would try to confess their feelings to Ken.

After breakfast, the two joined a group of students who are above master level and headed to the training facility.

“So Thallan would only train those above master level?” Ken asked one of the students as they arrived at the facility.

“Correct! The hero’s lesson can only be attended by those that have reached at least master level in 2 different elements.” The student replied happily.

“Only elemental magic? I guess he is an elf afterall and favors elemental magic over physical enhancements.” Ken commented as he chatted with the students while waiting for Thallan.

“Good morning everyone!” Thallan Silvyr, the handsome flashy elf hero with spiky blonde hair and bright blue eyes, said happily.

After greeting the students, Thallan noticed the guests and suddenly, the hero blinked in front of the pair.

“Princess Clare! Ken! Welcome to Nafluica!” Thallan greeted the pair happily and started chatting to see why the pair was in Nafluica.

“Morning Mr. Silvyr! We are here in hopes of getting some private training from you.” Ken said politely after exchanging greetings with the hero.

“You don’t have to be so formal and I don’t take private training requests. But I will gladly help you as much as I can during my lessons here!” Thallan replied as he began their lesson.

After two hours of giving the students helpful tips and training strategies, Thallan ended his lesson and left the training facility as the students thanked the hero.

“Hey Thallan, can I have a word with you.” Ken shouted as he chased after the hero.

“If you are trying to persuade me to give you private lessons. Just give up now.” Thallan replied, knowing exactly what Ken wanted.

“Yeah, I understand you aren’t interested in giving any private lessons. I just want to speak to you about the hero Valentina.” Ken said as he gauged at the hero’s reaction.

“What about Valentina?” Thallan asked, showing much more interest than anything else Ken had said so far.

“Over my winter break, I spent almost a month training with her and got to chat a little about her past relationships.” Ken answered slyly.

“Just the two of you?” Thallan asked with a hint of jealousy.

“Oh no, I was there with Cecilla. The other Yelwreak princess I am with. My princess is pretty nosy and was gossiping about Valentina’s love life and your name came up.” Ken replied, formulating a plan on the fly to get Thallan to train him.

“So what did Valentina say about me?” Thallan asked curiously.

“From what I gathered, I’m sure the two of you were lovers at one point but it would seem she harbors some strong negative feelings towards you.” Ken replied as Thallan pondered at his words.

“You are right we were lovers indeed and it did end on a sour note.” Thallan replied as Ken took the opportunity.

“I am on pretty good terms with Valentina and Cecilla is even closer to her. If you want to let us know what happened between the two of you. Maybe I could help get the two of you back together!” Ken offered.

“You really want me to train you that badly?”

“I am here in Nafluica solely because I wanted guidance from you to see if it would help me speed up my advancement to holy level. I attended the regular lessons yesterday and unfortunately I don’t think any of the professors here could offer me anything I didn’t already know. If I can’t train with you, then this trip is pretty much over for me.

I saw from the ways Valentina looked when your name was brought up, there is obviously some unfinished business. If I could help you two out while also getting some private training from you, I feel like that would be a win-win situation.” Ken replied honestly as Thallan listened.

“Very well. Come to my private training facility tomorrow, I will let you two train with me if it’s only for a day.” Thallan replied and disappeared before Ken could thank the hero.

“I need to learn how to teleport like him! Did you see how fast he was able to teleport away?” Ken said excitedly, happy that he was able to talk the hero into at least one private meeting.

“I hope you can help him with his love life issues or else I doubt he would do more than one session with us.” Clare replied, trying to calm Ken down as he fanboyed over the hero’s teleporting ability.

“Clare. I never promised I could resolve anything! I promised I would hear him out on what happened between them and I will obviously do what I could.” Ken replied, brushing away her worries as the pair spent the remainder of the day going to different lessons and chatting with the regular students.

“Morning Thallan! Thanks for having us.” Ken said happily as the pair arrived at the hero’s mansion with a servant who was sent to the academy to bring the pair over.

“I’m not sure what I can teach you in private that I haven’t already done in the group lessons at the academy. But having the two of you join my training today while chatting doesn’t sound terrible so we will see how it goes and if it will continue beyond today.” Thallan replied as the trio got ready for training.

“So Thallan. I know your fighting style is to use teleport for both defensive movement and offense while attacking with lightning magic. Why have you decided to use lightning instead of an easier element to conjure?” Ken asked curiously.

“Because it’s flashy and makes me stand out.” Thallan replied simply as the training continued.

The day passed quickly and after a day of training, the pair joined Thallan at his mansion for an extravagant dinner as the hero shared his story.

“We met as students while at Dragonspire. I was a year older and we were both top of our classes and got much coverage similar to how the two of you are currently. We started dating when I was 20 and a well known regular at the open tournament. We were madly in love and both advanced to holy level in our mid 20s and that’s when we got married.”

“Valentina is your wife?” Ken asked in shock as he interrupted the hero as Thallan let out a small smile.

“Due to the fact that we were both of common birth, the journey for us to reach the top was filled with obstacles. From the moment I realized that I could beat a few of the top 10 in my late 20s, I was only matched against the top 4 heroes in every single tournament for the next 10 years where I was facing off against the strongest that I simply couldn’t and will never be able to beat.” Thallan continued as Ken apologized for interrupting.

“I know the system is rigged and because I didn’t have the talent or ability to reach the top like Zishell. I ended up getting frustrated and my relationship with Valentina soured. Over the next 10 years, I started doing anything I could to build relationships with royals and nobles. I have done things that I wish I could take back just so I could get the people in power to give me that opportunity.

Everything I did eventually paid off and I was finally given the opportunity to fight against the 7th ranked elf hero at the time and by then, I was more than strong enough to beat the two elves that weren't Zishell and easily took over one of the spots. At the same time, I also set Valentina up against the other elf hero and we both ended up making it to the top 10 in the same tournament over 20 years ago.

While I was elated to finally be given the chance and the life changing opportunity to become a hero. It was on that day she told me it was over between us.” Thallan said softly as the pair listened.

“I was confused, angry and more than anything else, hurt by her words at the time. I couldn’t understand why after everything I did, she would choose to end our marriage. Of course, over the 20 years apart, I have realized how much I had negated her, how much I have hurt her with some of the things I did because they benefited me at the detriment of our marriage.

Since we became heroes, we have to remain in the kingdoms we vowed to protect and I haven’t had many opportunities to apologize to her and it would seem she really hasn’t forgiven me even after all these years.” Thallan finished as Ken wondered what he could say to cheer the hero up.

“Well, Cecilla and Clare will no doubt take those spots from the two of you in the near future. Once that happens, you two won’t have to be living in two different kingdoms!” Ken said jokingly as Clare gave him a glare and elbow to the ribs.

“I am sure they will. Both of the Yelwraek princesses have extraordinary talents and potential. Once they reach their peak, both Nafluica and Hatharal will no doubt want one of the princesses to be its hero so they could deepen the connection with the Yelwreak kingdom. I doubt they would face the obstacles that Valentina and I did.” Thallan replied with a smile as his mood improved with Ken’s joke and returned to the cheery, flashy appearance he normally puts on.

“If you two were together for that long, do you have any kids or were you two too busy training for a family like some of the other heroes?” Ken asked, trying to change the subject.

“We had a son when we were in our 20s. He lives in Yelwreak with his family and they are the only reason I still have seldom contact with Valentina. One of my granddaughters is about your age and attending Yelwraek Academy, I’m definitely not letting you near her.” Thallan replied with a laugh as the trio chatted about other topics late into the night.

“Do you want me to teleport you two back to the dorm?” Thallan offered as Ken and Clare got ready to leave and head for bed.

“No need. I tracked the route on the way here. We are within my teleport range. I just need to know if you are willing to let us come tomorrow.” Ken replied with a smile to the shocked Thallan.

“I feel sorry for every kid your age. To think they have to be compared to someone with your talent. I will see you two at the same time tomorrow” Thallan said as he shook his head while waving goodbye to the pair.

“Since most of the heroes look so young. I always forgot just how old they really are. I guess they have all had a full life worth of stories already. Only your uncle Zishell, Julius and Frederick are of noble birth right. Now I just have that much more respect for Siveril! To get to where he is without even the potential to reach holy level. After I reach holy level, I have to revisit all of my mentors and get them to tell my all the stories!” Ken commented as the pair laid in bed.

“Don’t get caught up in other people’s life when yours is still in danger.” Clare warned.

“I know! You don’t have to tell me twice!” Ken replied as he hugged the elf princess tightly so the pair could begin their nightly activity.

“Time to get up Ken.” Clare whispered into the young man’s ear.

“Morning Clare!” Ken replied as he yawned and the pair got ready for their last full day at the kingdom of Nafluica.

After getting dressed and having breakfast at the academy dining hall, Ken teleported the pair to Thallan’s mansion one final time for their last private lesson.

“Morning Thallan! Thanks for having us this entire time.” Ken said sincerely as he greeted the hero.

“You know Ken. The reason I haven’t done any private training is because I didn’t want anyone to see beneath my flashy persona. However, talking with you two and hearing feedback actually made me feel the most relaxed I have felt in 20 years. So I want to thank you for always listening to this old man’s endless rambling.” Thallan replied.

“It was our pleasure! I will definitely talk with Cecilla and see what we can do about Valentina and hopefully get the two of you reunited.” Ken replied happily as the trio started the final training session.

“Sappy personal issues aside. I’m sure you have grown tired of hearing this but you are without a doubt the most talented and gifted person since Zishell and Julius and I don’t think anyone else has even come close. Unfortunately, I don’t know how it’s possible for you to reach holy level in such a short time but that’s not because you don’t have the talent, it’s due to my lack of abilities. If you have a chance to go train with Zishell, Julius or Osmar, you might be able to improve at the pace you are looking for.” Thallan offered as the trio wrapped up the last session of training.

“You were of great help Thallan! My ability to teleport faster is thanks to your hints and tips! I have always thought that combining basic elements to use advanced magic is not practical for combat since it takes longer but you have shown me that it’s possible to refine it and get to the level where only the benefit of having a stronger attack is possible with enough training! Once I reach holy level and get out of this mess, I will refine my magic as well and maybe go for a flashy style like yours.” Ken said happily as the trio arrived at the dining hall of Thallan’s mansion to enjoy a final meal together.

“It took me decades to finally get my lightning attacks on par with the speed the top tier can cast their basic elemental spells. However, the flashiness is good to get the crowd excited and when you eventually reach the top, you will understand that putting on a show is just as important as having actual abilities.” Thallan advised as the trio enjoyed dinner and sat around to have one final conversation as the night moved along.

“Thanks for everything Thallan! I know I’m still far from holy level and my deadline is coming fast but I will figure something out! I will see you at the tournament in a month!” Ken thanked Thallan one final time. As the hero waved goodbye, the young man grabbed Clare and teleported back to the academy.

“Like how fast I can teleport now? Lowered my cast time down to under half a second!” Ken asked proudly.

“Not really useful in top tier combat right? In that half a second, while sure you can beat any of the students like Luke or I if we were to fight. Against the likes of a hero, you might as well be taking an eternity.” Clare replied as Ken frowned.

“Clare! I’m barely a fifth way to holy level after non-stop training and I only got about half a year left! You need to encourage me instead of making me feel like it’s an impossible task!” Ken complained as the pair reached their room to turn in for the night.

“I’m saying you should start thinking about a plan b and which continent we should move to, how will the weather be, how easily can we sustain a life, how likely will we run into locals who might rat us out.” Clare replied as the pair showered and got ready for bed.

“Clare! I have always run away from what I felt was something I don’t want to deal with, always wanting to take the easy route. I never wanted trouble and only wanted to live a simple life. But I am trying to change! Trying to show the world that I am not just some random nobody who got lucky because I happened to get a few princesses to like me. I want to show the world what I am capable of!” Ken replied while staring into Clare’s deep blue eyes.

“That’s why I am worried about you. You have been trying so hard lately. Giving everything you have trying to get stronger, spending all of your time training. I just don’t want you to over do it and end up getting hurt instead.” Clare replied.

“Thanks for worrying about me! As long as I have you girls on my side, there is nothing to worry about! If worse comes to worse, we will just go into hiding. No setback would make you any less beautiful!” Ken replied with a smile as Clare gave in to his sweet talk and the pair enjoyed a passionate night.