The next morning arrived far too peacefully for Raiden's liking.

The sun peeked lazily over the walls of the Goldheart estate, the air was crisp and calm.

Worst of it all? There was no training scheduled for Raiden which was surprisingly confusing for the young boy.

Sir Leonard had looked Raiden squarely in the eye after Miss Hilda's treatment the previous evening and said, in his usual, terrifying calm tone. "You will rest tomorrow, young master. That's an order."

An order. Not a request. One from his teacher nonetheless.

Raiden had tried to protest, of course — but the man had walked away before he could even form a sentence.

Now, sitting at the breakfast table with his family, Raiden poked absently at his plate.

No running laps. No sparring. No dramatic defeats or small victories. Just… rest.

He hated it. Raiden and calm days? Those words were like words and opposites. He couldn't stay without causing mischief or training and by now, almost everyone in the family was aware of this fact. But mostly mischief. Training was still new.

"Is something wrong, Raiden?" his mother, Lady Elise, asked, sipping from her teacup. She placed it down and gave the boy one longing stare as though the questions she sought was written deep inside of his eyes.

Raiden gave her a weary look. "I think Sir Leonard's broken me, Mother. I can't function without training now."

Kent chuckled from across the table. "You? The same person who used to run away from training? That's new."

"I didn't run away, I just… relocated strategically," Raiden defended, puffing his cheeks.

Lord Cedric lowered his newspaper slightly, his lips twitching. "Strategically relocated, hmm? You mean hiding in the pantry?"

Raiden groaned, face-planting on the table. "You're all against me."

His father chuckled. "Son, you've earned a day off according to your trainer. Rest before you turn into another Leonard."

Raiden shot upright. "I don't want to rest! Resting is boring! I'll lose all the progress I've made!"

"Progress?" Kent teased, smirking. "You mean the progress of touching Leonard's leg before getting kicked halfway across the courtyard?"

Raiden glared at him. "You're just jealous because I almost won. And if you think it's easy, you should try it. I'll bet that you'll pass out if he kicks you. There's levels to endurance and I can boldly say I surpass you."

Kent laughed. "If that's what we're calling it, sure. You surpass me in endurance? Sure thing."

If only Kent knew how true those words were, he wouldn't chuckle so boldly.

Raiden crossed his arms, pouting. The teasing wasn't new — but the sheer boredom of the day gnawed at him more than anything. He needed something to do.

Breakfast was fast and soon, they'd all dispersed, all of them scattering to do what they did in their free time.

And that's when an idea hit him.

His eyes widened with a spark of mischief. The usual sparkle it revealed before something went wrong.

He rushed off to find Kent who was getting ready for his daily warm up, his eyes still sparkling with enthusiasm.

Kent noticed immediately. "...Whatever you're thinking, stop thinking it."

Raiden smiled too sweetly. "Kent, brother dearest, how about we go out today?"

Kent raised a brow. "Out? As in… around the estate?"

Raiden nodded innocently. "Exactly! A walk. You've been training too much, and I need fresh air. You need it too."

Kent sighed. "Fine. A short walk, and then I go back to training."

"Perfect!" Raiden said, hopping off his seat. "You won't regret this!"

Kent had no idea how wrong that statement was.

A few minutes later, Kent found himself standing in front of the ornate double doors of their father's office. The place was usually reserved for family meetings or serious discussions.

He frowned, turning to Raiden. "Why are we here?"

Raiden, trying his best to look nonchalant, replied, "Just trust me. You'll see."

They stepped in. Lord Cedric sat behind his large desk, going through a few reports. When he looked up, the faint amusement in his eyes already told them he suspected something.

"Ah. My sons. What brings you here so early?"

Raiden clasped his hands together dramatically. "Father, I have a humble request."

"Oh?" Lord Cedric leaned back. "This should be good."

Kent folded his arms. "I already regret coming."

Ignoring him, Raiden continued, "Since Sir Leonard has given me the day off, I thought I'd make the best of it by going out into the city!"

Cedric's brows lifted slightly. "The city?"

Raiden nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! I've trained so hard lately — I deserve some fresh air beyond these walls. And I'll have Kent with me!"

Cedric chuckled. "I see. And who will be guarding my two very important sons while they wander off into the city?"

Raiden grinned. "That's the best part! I want Sir Leonard to come with us."

Kent turned to him in disbelief. "Wait, what?!"

"Think about it," Raiden said quickly. "We'll be completely safe. No one would dare mess with us if he's around!"

Kent pinched the bridge of his nose. "Or us, if he's around. Raiden, you realize you just asked to spend your day off with the man who nearly kicked you unconscious yesterday, right?"

Raiden waved him off. "That was training! This is… exploration."

Cedric chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the scene. "Well, if you can convince Sir Leonard to go with you, I won't stop you."

Raiden blinked. "Wait, really?"

Cedric nodded. "Really. But I doubt you'll succeed."

Kent sighed. "Father, you're encouraging bad ideas again."

"I'm encouraging growth," Cedric corrected smoothly.

Just then, the office door opened.

Sir Leonard entered, as composed as ever, a faint trace of travel dust still clinging to his cloak from his previous day's mission. He bowed respectfully. "You called for me, my lord?"

Raiden's eyes lit up like a festival. "Perfect timing!"

Leonard glanced between the brothers. "...Should I be concerned?"

Cedric smirked. "Depends on your patience."

Raiden stepped forward with dramatic flair. "Sir Leonard! My teacher! My mentor! My bringer of pain and bruises!"

Leonard blinked slowly. "You're stalling."

Raiden coughed. "Right. So! I was thinking… since you gave me today off, maybe we could—uh—head out into the city together! Just for a little while! You know, as… teacher-student bonding!"

Kent hid his face behind his hand. "Oh gods…"

Leonard stared at Raiden for three long seconds. The silence was thick enough to slice through with a sword.

Then... "No."

Raiden's mouth fell open. "Wha—what do you mean no?!"

Leonard's expression didn't change. "I mean no."

Raiden spluttered. "But—but Father said if you agree—"

"I do not agree," Leonard interrupted flatly.

Cedric looked mildly entertained. "You see, Raiden, I didn't forbid it. Sir Leonard did."

Raiden turned to Kent. "Say something! Help me convince him!"

Kent raised his hands. "I'm not getting between you and him. I like living."

Raiden stomped his foot. "But why not? I've been training nonstop! I deserve a reward!"

Leonard folded his arms. "Your reward is the rest I ordered you to take."

"That's not a reward, that's torture!"

Leonard tilted his head slightly. "Would you prefer more training instead?"

Raiden froze. "...You play dirty."

Leonard allowed himself a faint smirk. "You're learning."

Kent couldn't hold back a snicker. "You walked right into that one."

Raiden glared at him. "Traitor."

Leonard turned to Cedric. "If there is nothing else, my lord, I'll resume my patrol."

Cedric nodded. "Go ahead. And Leonard—try to be gentle next time."

Leonard's eyes flicked briefly toward Raiden. "No promises."

He turned and exited the office with silent steps, leaving Raiden fuming in his wake.

Raiden slumped into a chair dramatically. "I can't believe this! Even on my day off, he finds a way to ruin my fun!"

Cedric smiled faintly. "He does have that effect."

Kent sighed, clapping a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You should be grateful he didn't agree. You'd have been doing 'light warm-ups' the entire time."

Raiden looked betrayed. "What'd you say, Kent?"

"Hey, I'm just saying. You'd come back more exhausted than you already are."

Raiden crossed his arms, sulking. "I just wanted to see the city again. It's been forever."

Cedric studied him for a moment, his tone softening. "Raiden, the city isn't going anywhere. You'll get your chance — but first, focus on your foundation."

Raiden groaned. "You sound like Sir Leonard now."

"Thank you," Cedric said with a grin.

"That wasn't a compliment!"

Kent chuckled, heading for the door. "Come on, little brother. If you're that bored, come watch my training instead."

Raiden blinked, then jumped to his feet. "Fine. But I'm criticizing every move you make."

"I'll take that as a challenge."

Cedric chuckled quietly as the two brothers left, the faint echo of their bickering fading down the hallway.

Outside, as they walked toward the training grounds, Kent glanced at Raiden with a grin. "You know, one day your persistence might actually work."

Raiden huffed. "One day, I'll convince him to let me go outside. You'll see."

Kent laughed. "I'll believe it when I see it."

Raiden's grin turned sly. "Oh, you will see it, big brother. You'll see it soon."

"Let's go, Raiden." Kent restated. "My training with Captain Baren can't be stalled."

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