THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

David, Luna, and Mariana stepped out of the grand castle gates, the cobbled paths giving way to the bustling streets of the inner circle. This area, reserved for the elite, radiated opulence with its towering buildings, pristine avenues, and finely dressed residents. The trio moved steadily, their cloaks drawn tight to blend into the crowd.

The transition from the polished elegance of the inner circle to the lively chaos of the outer segment was marked by a shift in the air. The scent of roasted seafood, sea salt, and spices wafted through the streets, mingling with the sound of merchants hawking their wares and children laughing in alleyways. Here, the buildings were simpler, their facades weathered but warm, reflecting the spirit of the common folk.

Mariana turned to David, her eyes sparkling with pride. "This," she exclaimed, gesturing grandly to the bustling market, "is the heart of the county. Its people. This is where life truly thrives."

David couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm, a thought crossing his mind. Despite her noble upbringing, Mariana genuinely cared for these people. It was evident in her demeanor, in the way she greeted passing vendors and stopped to admire handcrafted trinkets. She was at ease here, as if this was her true home.

Their walk soon turned into a culinary adventure. They strolled through the market, stopping at stalls selling skewers of sizzling monster shrimp, bowls of glowing sea jelly, and fried fly squid. Mariana, ever eager, convinced David and Luna to try everything.

"It's not every day you get to taste the sea's treasures, you know!" she teased, handing Luna a stick of fly squid.

Luna sniffed it hesitantly before taking a small bite, her face lighting up in surprise. "Not bad," she admitted, though her expression remained guarded.

The commoners recognized Mariana despite her disguise, though none addressed her formally. A quiet reverence followed her, as if this was not her first time among them. The vendors smiled warmly, and a few children waved shyly as she passed, their gestures reciprocated with subtle nods and winks.

As they stopped at another stall, Luna, still chewing on the fly squid, asked casually, "So, Mariana, have you known your uncle for long?"

Mariana smiled as she handed David a glowing sea jelly skewer. "All my life," she replied. "Uncle Nicalo practically helped raise me after my father passed. He's always been my guide and my fiercest protector."

David seized the opportunity to probe further, careful not to appear suspicious. "Has he been acting... different recently?" he asked, his tone light, as if it was an idle curiosity.

Mariana paused, her gaze thoughtful. "Not really. He's always been a bit of a recluse. Swordmasters often go into seclusion to train, and Uncle Nicalo is no exception. Lately, though, he does spend even more time in his quarters. I thought it was just his way of preparing for the ceremony."

Her words tightened the knot in David's chest. He forced a smile, his mind working rapidly. Seclusion could indeed explain some behavior, but the oppressive aura he had felt from Count Nicalo was not something a mere human could generate.

"Don't let him intimidate you, David," Mariana added suddenly, her tone light-hearted but sincere. "He might seem stern, but he's really a sweet soul at heart."

Both David and Luna grimaced inwardly, sharing a fleeting glance. The Count's oppressive mana and demonic nature were anything but sweet. Still, neither could afford to reveal the truth—not yet.

As they continued through the market, David found himself observing Mariana more closely. Her interactions with the people, her genuine smiles, and her warmth were disarming. She was undeniably noble, yet her heart seemed rooted here, among the commoners.

And yet, David couldn't shake the sense of impending danger. Count Nicalo's sinister presence loomed over their every step, and the clock was ticking. For now, though, he chose to play along, hoping that this excursion might yield more answers.

As they meandered through the bustling market streets, Mariana turned to David, curiosity lighting up her eyes. "David," she began hesitantly, "how are you so strong? Is it a skill you have or something you trained for?"

David smirked, deciding to tease her. "Luck," he replied simply, a mischievous glint in his eye.

Mariana's face fell, her expression softening into one of disappointment. "Oh," she murmured, looking away. "I suppose luck really does favor some more than others."

Realizing she'd taken him seriously, David let out a hearty laugh and slapped her on the back, startling her. "I'm joking!" he said with a grin.

Mariana staggered forward, spinning around with wide eyes. "David!" she exclaimed. "You're a brute! Who treats a lady like that?"

David shrugged nonchalantly, his tone turning slightly serious. "If you want to get stronger, you've got to toughen up. You've got no battle sense."

"Battle sense?" Mariana repeated, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Is that some sort of skill?"

David shook his head, a small chuckle escaping him. "No, it's not a skill or a power. It's muscle memory—the instinct you develop after countless hours of dedicated training. It's about learning how to adapt without relying on mana or aura."

Mariana's jaw dropped slightly, her expression incredulous. "Who would be that stupid? We've been given these God-given abilities for a reason!"

"That's exactly the problem," David replied, crossing his arms. "You rely too much on those abilities. What happens when you run out of mana in the middle of a fight? Or when your opponent uses something to suppress your aura? Strength isn't just about power; it's about preparation."

Mariana fell silent, digesting his words. For the first time, she seemed to genuinely consider the flaw in her approach. After a moment, she looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with determination. "Then teach me," she said firmly.

David raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. "It's not something you can learn in a day, Mariana. It takes years of discipline and training."

Mariana clasped her hands together, her tone turning pleading. "Please, David! I'm not asking for years—just give me something to start with. I'll do the rest."

David sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine. But where are we going to find an opponent? You can't exactly learn without someone to spar against."

Mariana's face broke into a wide grin as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, shiny badge with an "A" symbol etched into it. "I know the perfect place!" she declared, holding the badge up triumphantly.

David arched a brow. "What's that?"

"It's my access badge to the Adventurers' Guild," Mariana explained, already leading the way. "They have sparring arenas, practice dummies, and even ranked matches. We can train there!"

Luna let out an exasperated sigh, muttering under her breath. "This is going to be interesting."

David followed reluctantly, his curiosity piqued despite himself. The prospect of stepping into a place brimming with skilled adventurers and fighters was intriguing—and it might just give Mariana the perspective she needed.

As they made their way through the bustling streets, the towering spires of the Adventurers' Guild came into view, promising a new chapter of challenges and revelations.

****

The trio entered the bustling Adventurers' Guild, their cloaks drawn low to keep a low profile. But despite their attempts at subtlety, murmurs began rippling through the crowd. Adventurers paused mid-conversation, their eyes widening as they recognized Mariana.

"Is that...?"

"It's the Flaming Blade!"

"The Level A adventurer! What's she doing here?"

David glanced around, catching the excitement sparking in the eyes of nearly every guild member. The whispers grew louder, some filled with awe, others with nervous energy. He leaned toward Mariana, smirking. "Seems like you're pretty popular around here."

Mariana shrugged nonchalantly, though a faint blush crept up her cheeks. "It's nothing. They're just overreacting."

"Sure they are," Luna quipped dryly, adjusting her hood.

As they reached the front desk, a well-groomed male receptionist greeted them, his uniform immaculate and adorned with the guild's crest. When his eyes landed on Mariana, he straightened up instantly, a wide smile spreading across his face.

"Ad Arcana et Immortalis," he intoned, reciting the guild's motto with practiced ease. "How may I assist the Flaming Blade today?"

Mariana removed her hood, revealing her identity to the stunned crowd. She handed over her badge, her tone calm and direct. "I'd like to request a ranked match," she said, sliding the badge across the counter. "With 500 Terran gold as the wager."

A hush fell over the guildhall. The room, which had been filled with the hum of conversation moments ago, became deathly quiet.

"Did she say five hundred gold?"

"She's putting that much on the line? Who's the opponent?"

The receptionist's hand trembled slightly as he picked up the badge. "A-ranked match… with a wager of that size?" He cleared his throat, his professionalism returning. "Very well, Lady Mariana. Please wait in the lounge while we make the necessary arrangements."

David's eyes swept over the crowd, noticing how their gazes shifted between awe and envy. He leaned closer to Mariana. "So, Flaming Blade, care to explain this little nickname?"

Mariana chuckled, her tone light but laced with pride. "It's just what they call me here. My blade earned its reputation in a few battles."

Luna snorted, crossing her arms. "A few battles? The way they're gawking at you, you'd think you saved the kingdom."

Mariana grinned but didn't reply. Instead, she motioned for them to follow her to the lounge, where the real excitement was about to begin. David, however, couldn't shake the feeling that this "match" was about to reveal far more about Mariana than she was letting on.

***

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