Chương 35: Chapter 28. Sarah's Monthly Progress

Sarah Dreadnaught's Point of View. It's been around 1 month since my training with my Father and John began. It has been a time of great growth in my life. My Skills have grown by leaps and bounds since the beginning, no doubt this is due to my Father's teachings. But the most important growth I find, is with my Fiancé, John. After spending some time planning with my Mother, we were able to slowly win John over.

It started simply enough, to make him emotionally attracted to me was a matter of spending more time with me. So, my Mother began the plan of our 3-month training schedule. With my more serious training happening in the morning, the rest of the day he would be by my side starting with a daily lunch break. An oasis for John from the harsh training classes of his mornings. That was the first domino for our plan to capture him.

The 2nd was to foster reliance of me through our teamwork against an insurmountable enemy, that being my Father. The 3rd was to find a way for John to move past his feelings for his old world, it seems we're moving in the right direction for the plan. The first day I was able to repeat the words I had said in his memories and stop him from feeling guilty and worthless! A huge victory for me!

In our lunch breaks, his attitude towards me has relaxed considerably, to the point where my flirting is drawing better and better reactions! Soon I'll be able to enact my small dream of holding his hand across the table as we speak. Slowly I'll break down his walls and then we'll.... Oh, my! I'm starting to drool, moving on... In terms of teamwork and reliance on each other, It's been slow moving, but we have been getting better at it day by day. To the point we were able to land a good strike on Father yesterday.

We've become more used to each other's thoughts and movements, so much so that the original stiffness of our first attempt is but a distant memory. He's even begun to trust me with his back as he strikes at Father! It seems that myself being a necessary part of his day-to-day life has grown well. As he doesn't even begin to eat his food before I arrive to our lunch date.

Unfortunately, I have been forced to make him wait longer each day, as my sparring with Father takes longer and longer for either of us to land a decisive blow to one another. However, as a benefit, the look of awe and respect from John that I have gained, has motivated me to better myself more and more! And likewise seeing how far I have come works as motivation for him! As he has told me himself! What a perfect combination we are for each other! Now for the 4th part of my Mother and I's plan.

Gaining Allies have been slow moving and I have had to make compromises I assumed I would need to make at some point. Simply put, I have promised Anna, John's Exclusive Maid, my aid in gaining John's affection and eventually a Marriage with John. Which shouldn't be too difficult seeing as Anna is a hardworking woman, as well as quite a beauty. In the Royal Academy when I was a freshman, I heard many a rumor of a green haired beauty with eyes the color of dark emeralds.

Who would've thought that eventually that beauty would become my Fiancé's Exclusive Maid? Let alone my Fiancé unintentionally making her fall for him? So many emotions went through my mind when I first saw her face that first lunch date. Anger, jealousy and happiness that someone else on Gaia could understand why John was so special to me. After speaking to her for a good amount of time and explaining my role as his First Wife was thoroughly understood. I gained a valuable Ally and Friend.

And as luck would have it, a second Ally was made. John's Summon, Paula the Dark Pixie, perhaps she had formed a small crush on John? Regardless having 2 people so close to John, like Paula and Julia is perfect. It seems that most of my preparations before facing the Hero Party have started coming to fruition. Soon it will all come together, and I can look back on all the hard work I've done from the comfort of my honeymoon suite with my Husband by my side. However, now for the present.

I currently am on my way to the inner field of the Palace, to continue my lessons with my Father. As I reach the field, I see my Father sitting and meditat... No wait he's napping. I decide to use a bit of my childhood training and begin walking towards my Father with the silence and serenity of a still lake. Once in reaching distance, I prepare to scare my Father awake." BOO!"" WAH!" My Father made a funny voice and I begin to chuckle loudly.

It feels good to get back at him a bit, for the harsh weeks of training, let alone all of the strikes he made against My Love during sparring... However, the figure of John rising from a strike I thought knocked him unconscious, did make my heartbeat faster. While lost in thinking of John, my Father began to speak." Sarah, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't scare your father awake."" I would appreciate it if you could stop being so tough on John! Hmph!" I show my displeasure to my Father.

My mind understands that he is simply granting John's request. But can't he be a little less strict!? The anger floods my mind and I speak." You use such high-level Techniques, that every time he gets close to striking you. You simply confuse him with either a Spell or footwork, to strike him in the same spot over and over again!"" I'm simply granting his wish! Besides, it's not like I'm bullying him!

His Dynamic Vision and Physical Ability are already making it hard to hold back against him with just my Sword Skills. If I don't use Magic and footwork, I'd have to resort to using my more dangerous Sword Styles. His growth is astounding. I shudder to think what he might be like if he trained from a young age." My Father answers to my selfishness with a serious assessment of John's growth. I responded a bit happy that others had noticed the same thing as me." Yes!

It's true, during the first day he couldn't match my speed and all of his movements felt awkward. But now he's nearly as fast as me! And his Sword Technique has grown by leaps and bounds! His Mana is also nothing to scoff at! His Control and Tempering of his Mana is finally leaving his incubation phase and now he's starting to make huge leaps in his Magic Ability!" My Father looks at me with a stoic look in his eyes. And simply replied. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve.

Read this novel on Royal Road." I know... I'm the one fighting him everyday..." My Father's seriousness killed my excitement, and we begin to train. I take out a dulled halberd from my Magic Storage and take my stance. My Father does the same except he takes out a training sword. He begins to count down to the start of our sparring session." 3... 2... 1... GO!" / THUMP! Shing! Woosh! Clang! Woosh! Boom! / As soon as he finishes, I kick the ground hard leaving a small hole behind as I launch myself at my Father.

I use a large horizontal slash with the blade of the halberd, my Father dodges. I quickly channel my Mana and fire a Wind Blade at my Father. He blocks the Wind Blade with his sword. I proceed to use a blast of wind behind me, to push myself forward towards my Father. He takes a simple stance preparing for an overhead swing. I begin to lower my body and center of gravity, quickly gaining on my Father.

I use the cornerstone of my Magic Spearman Job and enchant my halberd with a Dark Attribute Spell and thrust my halberd with great force. My Father channels a Dark Flame onto his blade. A favorite ability of his from his days as a Demon Warrior. Our weapons clash, a dark sphere of Demonic Mana forms around us as our Mana begins to fight for dominance over each other. / Boom! / Before long, the clash is over. I get sent flying back and landing on the ground. A crater formed where I landed.

My Father was pushed back slightly, but stood nonetheless. Through this past month, I have gone from being beaten in 3 strikes to being able to go head-to-head against him and actually gain ground! But even with all of that, I still get blown away, my Mana simply not of the same quality, despite all of my Tempering. My Father instructed me to continue Tempering and continuing to fight him in this way. Apparently Magical Weapon-Based Jobs like ours can sharpen their Mana through repeated use in battle.

So like iron sharpening iron, we continue this never-ending Mana Battle. However, I need to set it up or I'll simply be struck down by my Father before using an Enchantment Spell on my halberd. That is how my days have started for the past month. Hundreds of battles have taken place, and my Skills grow day by day. After 50 more sparring matches, my Father told me to rest as my lunch date is coming up. As I was resting.

I began using Water Magic to freshen up as I thought of a certain man's smile, I would be seeing it soon after all. After I had finished, my Father's Butler, Zack, had arrived with 3 letters in his hand. After bowing to us, Zack began to talk about the letters." Good afternoon Your Majesty Warrick and Princess Sarah."" Zack, come on, I've told you already. We've been Friends for years, this isn't a public setting you can speak casually to us!"

"Seriously Uncle Zack, it feels so distant to call me" Princess Sarah". It feels wrong to call me that." Zack looked at our reactions. and breathed a sigh." Alright, alright, you both win. Warrick, we just got mail from little Cynthia. Sarah, we have received 2 letters carrying the seals of Duke Clearfield and Viscount Ashblade." I smiled involuntarily at the letters. I wondered why my Friends took so long to send letters or visit. I hope they explain themselves well!

I began to read the letters as my Father was handed Cynthia's letter. Asha's letter read as followed.

Dearest Sarah I am writing you this letter in good spirits. I had heard from the news that you are finally healthy and well. I apologize for not visiting you while you were ill. After you had fallen ill, I had been turned away multiple times by the Palace Guards. Eventually, I was forced by my Father to return back home. I prayed every night for you Sarah, hoping you would pull through this illness. But along with your health, I heard that you had gained a fiancé.

How the anti-romance Princess of our school days, accepted a fiancé is a story I cannot wait to hear. After sending this letter I will be setting out to visit you in the Palace. Do please bring your fiancé, Sir Matthew to our meeting, I have much to discuss with you and him. Signed, Your friend forever. Asha Clearfield.

It seems my sickness had affected her deeply; I'll need to give her a strong hug when she arrives. Most likely she is a few days away. I must prepare for her. Onwards to Sharon's letter.

Dear Sarah Sarah, I've received word that you are well now. I would have visited, but I was bound by my Father's training. I was finally able to beat my Father in a sparring match, so he gave me permission to visit! I'll be setting out to visit you in a day or two. I hope we can have another sparring match like the old days! P. S. I heard you got a fiancé! Matthew, I believe his name is. I wonder if he's strong? If it's ok with the both of you I'd love to have a sparring match with him as well. P. S. S.

I would also love to hear how the love hater Princess managed to get a fiancé! He must be strong to win you over! Your Friend forever. Sharon Ashblade.

It seems Sharon hasn't changed much from her time in the Academy. It took a long time for her to open up to me, but once I did, that mask of ice she wears to deal with arrogant aristocrats, falls away and she's as excitable as a child. It seems she was very worried for me, seeing as how she must have trained so hard in order to beat her father. A man, so Skilled, he was given a Noble Title for his Martial Achievements.

Seeing as how both Asha and Sharon live about the same distance from Blackstone, and their letters both arrived today. It seems they will be here in a few days! After finishing my letters, in a happy mood for my reunion with my Friends. I turned to my Father who was also very happy. I asked Father what Cynthia's letter said, to which he replied." Ah! Sarah! Great news! Cynthia and Thomas will arrive in Blackstone in a few days! Also, they want to meet John!"" Asha and Sharon were worried sick about me.

They are on their way to meet me, also they wish to meet with John as well!"" Hmm! It seems our week will be busy! I guess we will need to confirm if John is up to meeting everyone! I'll leave it up to you, Sarah!"" I will see to it, Father!"" Good! Who would have thought you would be introducing John, as a Fiancé to Both Friends and Family at the same time!?" I froze! I had just realized, while it is true our relationship is improving. I haven't broached the topic of our Engagement to see how John felt about it!

Why do I feel so nervous now? in my confusion, my Father spoke to me." Well, now since our morning training is done, why don't you talk to John about it today at lunch? Also, inform him that in 4 days you both will have a rest day! See you in the afternoon, Sarah! Zack, follow me! My Family is coming home, I need to prepare a good meal!" As my Father left.. For some reason, embarrassment started to bubble up inside of me... No! Sarah Beth Dreadnaught, you literally kissed this man 3 times!

You even stuck your tongue in his mouth! This is child's play for you!..... For some reason, the pep talk did nothing to stop my cheeks from being dyed red, then it was even worse, when remembering that we are to go on a real date to the city on our rest day.