Taking a break.

"Nyx?" Cassandra called out to Nyx.

Nyx who was in her thoughts, turned to Cassandra giving an apologetic smile to her.

"I'm sorry, Aunt." She apologised for being absent-minded in the middle of the meeting.

Cassandra shook her head hearing Nyx's apology before replying to Nyx.

"It's okay. So what do you think about the new terms?" She asked, sliding Nyx the papers of the new proposal by Delta Energon.

Nyx nodded as she took a closer look at the terms of the contracts.

After a couple of minutes, Nyx closed the file before looking at the representative of Delta Energon.

"It's all good. I have no problem with the terms. I agree to the terms proposed by Delta Energon on partnering up with them to construct 5 new nuclear power plants in Country X. It benefits both Delta Energon and the Prince Industries." Nyx said to the representative.

The representative nodded in satisfaction.

After talking more about their partnership, both Nyx and Cassandra signed the contract with Delta Energon.

Soon the meeting ended, Nyx and Cassandra were alone in the meeting room after the meeting.

"You have been going in and out of your thoughts ever since you arrived here, Nyx. Is something the matter?" Cassandra asked her niece as she saw the troubled look on Nyx's face.

Nyx sighed, hearing her aunt.

Messaging her left shoulder with her right hand, she replied to Cassandra.

"You know aunt Cassie? I'm tired! For 15 years I have been working hard for myself, for my safety and my future. Don't you think I deserve a real break? Yeah, sure I've taken some time off once in a while but does that even count? When I take a break from work here, I find myself busy working at Nameless. If it's not Nameless, then it's the Prince family. Now that I'm reflecting on how I've lived the last 15 years? Even when I was taking a break, I was busy working on something! I never truly had a break from everything... So I desperately desire a break right now! I feel like I'm burning myself out..."

Nyx turned to Cassandra.

"Aunt Cassie, I've decided! I'm going to take a break from everything. No work, whether it's Nameless, the Prince family or the Prince industries. For the next two weeks, I'm not going to work. I will laze around all day, eat all of my favourite foods, watch movies and spend my time with you!"

Cassandra laughed hearing Nyx.

"And here I thought it was something serious! Come one, let's go home then we will order some Chinese food and watch some dramas as we bond." Cassandra got up from her seat as she ruffled Nyx's hair.

"Hey! Not the hair, aunt Cassie!!!" Nyx pouted shielding her head with her hands as she got up from her seat.

The two, Aunt and Niece left the office as they discussed various topics about what they will do for the next two weeks.

~~~

At a private island in the Caribbean.

Sabastian was gazing at the horizon as the sun was setting.

"Isn't it beautiful?"

He heard a familiar melodic voice beside him.

Sabastian replied without turning.

"Yes, it is..." He smiled with a shrug.

There was a moment of silence before Onyx, who stood beside Sabastian spoke up.

"So, how far have your recovered?"

"I'm almost fully recovered... I'm planning to go look for another of your mercenaries."

"Is that so? If you're going after one of my mercenaries so soon, I guess you're fine."

Sabastian turned to Onyx.

"For years, I was so obsessed with creating a new sword art, trying to perfect my swordsmanship. I made a big mistake..."

"What would that be?"

"I skipped the basics..." Sabastian was embarrassed to admit to his sister.

Onyx had a look on her face that said, 'took you long enough!'

Seeing his older sister's expression, Sabastian blushed even more.

Onyx laughed seeing her brother, so embarrassed.

"Hahaha!"

After a minute, calming herself down.

Onyx turned away from Sabastian to the horizon, where the sun was setting.

"I won't ask you how or when did you learned such advanced sportsmanship, Sabastian. It was almost perfect that it was hard to take notice of such weakness in your sword. I'm truly surprised that you were able to last this long with just your speed and deep understanding of your sword, my brother! Your extraordinary talents hid the weaknesses in your sword. I doubt any other have noticed such a big weakness, but they might have found it strange! It would take a few sparring sessions against you before anyone notices such flaws." Onyx said to Sabastian as she took a sip of her drink.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Sabastian asked his sister.

"If had told you, would you have come this far? My little brother, even with an incomplete sword, you were making progress. Albeit rather slowly. I heard about the trial from Ken. You attained sudden enlightenment in mid-battle. So tell me, my little brother, would you have reaped that sudden enlightenment if you had learned the basics before?"

Onyx shook her head, showing an expression of envy towards Sabastian.

"You have a talent that even I envy of... Sabastian."

"..."

Sabastian remained silent as he nodded in understanding.

He now understands why Aurora, Onyx and Aaron didn't tell him about his obvious flaw in his swordsmanship.

Scratching his head, Sabastian turned towards the ship where several men were busily unloading the crates from a ship.

"Thank you for lending me your island, sis. My organisation is still young, I don't have much reach outside of Country O for now." Sabastian changed the topic from his Swordsmanship.

"I'm astounded, Sabastian! Astounded that your 'young organisation' is dealing with the Pardoned cities. It won't be long before your organisation branches out from Country O." Onyx said as she narrowed her eyes in thought, looking at the men unloading the crates.

From medical supplies and equipment to ammunition and guns, raw materials and slaves, if Sabastian had not explained to her how he acquired them, she wouldn't have agreed to lend her help.

There are many mysteries to Sabastian, she never asked for answers from him.

As long as his intention does not go against the principles she taught to him, she will help Sabastian.

If Sabastian ever goes against those principles, then it is her duty as his older sister to set him straight!

Sabastian spoke up, turning to Onyx.

"I thought about it, about my future... The Heilige family wouldn't let me go! They will do their utmost best to stop me from leaving and force me to discard my path of swordsmanship... You know, sis? From young, I've always dreamed of becoming a Sword Saint one day... I wanted to be a unique Sword Saint, different from all the Sword Saints of the past. But when I learned that I have to shed blood to become one... I-I found myself lost... Haha, look at the irony! All I've ever wanted to become a Sword Saint, and now that I know how to become one. I don't want to become Sword Saint. So I've decided. If I cannot become the Sword Saint, then I will create a new legend and become as respected as the Sword Saint!"

Onyx gazed into her brother's beautiful ocean blue eyes.

"It won't be easy."

"I know."

"The Heilige family will become your enemy."

"I know."

"You have to discard familial bonds."

"I know, sister."

"Father and Mother will never forgive you!"

"... I know..."

"Still, you will march on ahead knowing what lies before you, huh..."

"Yes... Because that's the person you raised me to be..."

Onyx gave a sad smiled to Sabastian.

"I never intended you to follow my footsteps, Sabastian. You're my precious brother, all I wanted you to be happy and live a carefree life."

Sabastian shook his head before replying to Onyx with a smile on his face.

"How can I live my life carefree and happy, knowing how much you sacrificed for me?"

Onyx didn't reply to Sabastian, she only stared at her brother for few minutes before turning back.

"Let's go inside, our glasses are empty..." She said to Sabastian as she walked towards the stone castle.

Sabastian followed behind Onyx towards the castle.

"Since you're in good shape, let me train you until I leave in a couple of days."

Sabastian stood still frozen hearing Onyx.

Onyx turned her head back to Sabastian, forming a smile which Sabastian was very familiar with it.

Seeing that smile, a chill run up his spine and his body jerked for a moment.

Sabastian unconsciously took a step back.

"Train me?"

"Yes, I will train you until leave."