Two warriors

It's been about a week since I returned home. I've slipped back into the usual rhythm of things at the castle, but there's one notable change — the so-called "soldiers in training" behind the castle. The land there is mostly grass and stretches out toward the sea, providing plenty of space for their drills in magic and hand-to-hand combat.

I find myself watching them more often than I care to admit. It's not that I have a vested interest in warfare or becoming a strategist, but there's something captivating about seeing these cadets. I've heard rumors that there are several other camps across the Demon Kingdom, training youths and middle-aged men and women alike, but I haven't bothered to check them out. This group, this camp right behind the castle, is more than enough to entertain me.

Out of everyone, though, two individuals have caught my eye.

The first is a male troll. His name escapes me for now, but he's impossible to miss. Whenever he spars, I can feel faint tremors within the castle. It's no wonder, given his size. His body is a hulking mass of muscle, towering over everyone else, but what surprises me most is his speed. You'd expect someone of his stature to lumber around, but he moves with surprising agility. Those legs of his, thick and muscular, carry him with a swiftness that's almost unnatural for his kind.

Then, there's the other one — a demi-human woman. She's younger than the troll, probably not much older than my sister in appearance, though I know better than to assume anything about age in this world. What stands out the most about her is her tail, furry and sleek, flicking back and forth with each movement she makes. But it's not just her appearance that has me intrigued; it's her combat style. She moves like water, flowing effortlessly between stances and attacks, never faltering. And her magic? It's leagues ahead of anyone else here. The way she manipulates elements, particularly wind and water, is masterful.

Right now, I'm standing in a spare bedroom, looking out over the training grounds. The demi-human and troll are sparring again, and as always, their battle is a sight to behold. It's not that these two are the strongest — in fact, everyone here is strong in their own right — but they stand out to me for some reason. Maybe it's their consistency. Or maybe I just like watching them.

Just as I was engrossed in their sparring, the door creaked open behind me.

I turned to see Lirein, my caretaker, standing there. Her expression was calm as usual, but her words were like a cold splash of water.

"Aurora is looking for you, Aiden."

Aurora!? I immediately felt a surge of panic. Don't get me wrong — I don't hate my older sister, but there's something about the way she dotes on me that makes me incredibly uncomfortable. It's like she sees me as her personal teddy bear, constantly pulling me into suffocating hugs. And it's not just the physical affection; it's the mental strain of having the mindset of an eighteen-year-old man trapped in a eleven year-old's body. My sister, a twenty year-old woman, constantly throws herself at me in ways I can't properly respond to. Not to mention, it's infuriating that my… well, let's just say that certain parts of me are completely unresponsive in this child's form.

I cleared my throat, trying to push those thoughts aside. "Thanks for the heads up," I muttered, giving Lirein a grateful nod.

I cautiously poked my head out of the door, glancing around to make sure the coast was clear. And then, in an instant, I found myself face-first in something soft and all too familiar. My face was buried in the unmistakable softness of her chest.

It was Aurora.

...

..

.

Back on the grassy land, the sounds of battle echoed louder as a few unlucky ones hit the ground, defeated but not disgraced. Those who were still standing fought with unmatched ferocity. Trolls, orcs, demi-humans, and elves—all races clashed in a display of power, magic, and raw strength. The mix of combat styles created a chaotic yet strangely beautiful scene.

Toward the edge of the group, the troll and demi-human continued their battle. The two fighters had clearly earned respect among their peers, as others stepped aside to watch them duel.

The troll swung his massive fist, missing the demi-human by inches. His voice came out in a low, rumbling tone between breaths. "He was watching us again today."

The demi-human didn't stop moving, her body flowing with the motion of her shortsword as she countered. "I know," she said, her tone almost casual despite the intensity of the fight. "At first, I thought I was imagining things, but now… there's no denying it."

For a moment, they locked eyes, neither of them striking as they caught their breath. Then the troll grunted, lowering his fists slightly. "What do you think the prince sees in us?"

The demi-human smirked, pushing back a strand of brown hair with her free hand. "Who knows? Maybe he's just curious. Or maybe we're more interesting than the others."

"Interesting?" The troll let out a deep, rumbling laugh. "We're just soldiers-in-training. What could a prince possibly find in two nobodies like us?"

She shrugged, her sword still at the ready. "Maybe that's exactly why he watches. We fight because we have to. This isn't just training for us—it's survival. He probably sees something in that."

The troll paused for a moment, considering her words. Then, with a grunt, he charged forward again, fists swinging as they resumed their battle.