To Bellmory

It was a hectic day.

For Vince's training today, Raine brought him to a secluded area of the city where there was a lake.

The water was crystal clear, revealing a rocky bottom that shimmered under the sunlight. Raine made Vince walk underwater and reach a certain time limit.

It made Vince wonder if he was training to become a city guardian or preparing to evolve as a water creature.

But then, he knew Raine couldn't be training him the wrong way. After all, she was the captain of the city guardians, so she must know how to improve his skills. It was also evident to him that yesterday's training had improved his agility. It had improved the overall state of his body, and he felt better than before.

Having completed vigorous sessions in the water the previous day, Vince found the water no longer unfamiliar. While walking underwater, which was only 30 meters deep, he discovered another perk of being a demon.

He could hold his breath underwater for 15 minutes, and he could stretch it to 20 minutes if he practiced good breathing techniques efficiently. It was far more than a human could manage without needing to breathe.

"You said the entry exam is next month. Does that mean you'll be training me for the rest of the month?" Vince asked Raine while taking a break.

They were by the lakeside. Raine was sitting on a chair she had brought with her, and Vince was standing while eating a peach. Fiona was perched on a branch of a tree three meters away, also eating a peach.

"I mean, I'm not complaining. I'm just wondering if you have no work to do since you're the captain of the demon city's guardians."

"Let's just say I took a vacation," Raine smiled. "There isn't much happening in the city lately, and I have a capable vice-captain who's very reliable when it comes to the city's affairs. Lily will report to me every few days, and if there's anything urgent, the city chief will summon me. For now, let's focus on your training."

'Being a city guardian captain sounds like a lot of work,' thought Vince.

"Once you become a city guardian, you'll learn everything you want to know about my work."

"Okay…"

Vince had read about the benefits of being a city guardian. He would become an elite soldier of the kingdom and receive a big salary, plots of land, a monetary reward upon admission, and a house (though he wouldn't need it if he married Raine, it would still be good to have a house of his own). On top of that, people would look up to him, and he would no longer be shunned.

Somehow, upon realizing this, Vince started to think that being a city guardian wasn't that bad.

But… it would be quite dangerous, right?

Hey, he wasn't being a coward! He just wanted to live his life to the fullest and avoid dying early. What was the point of getting isekaid if he was going to die young?

After a few hours of walking underwater, Vince finally achieved the time limit Raine had set for him.

But the day's training didn't end there. Raine also made Vince run through a forest with a steep slope and muddy ground. Of course, everything had a time limit to put pressure on him.

It was already three in the afternoon when Raine decided to call it a day.

Vince was more than relieved when he heard it. His clothes were marred with dirt and soaked with sweat.

Fortunately, he managed to change into a fresh set of clothes because Fiona had packed a few in a small bag. He realized it wasn't too bad to have a sassy cat as his pet servant.

After the training, Vince asked Raine if he could go to his parents' house to send them the prize money of the Selection. Of course he wouldn't give all the money to his parents, but only half of the reward. He needed to keep some for himself too. 

Raine didn't mind, but she told him to be home by dinner because she wanted to have dinner together. She mentioned feeling a little sad that she missed dinner with him yesterday due to official business.

"Do you think I'll be awakened soon?" Vince asked Fiona while they were riding a local carriage.

They were heading to the town of Bellmory, far south of Demon City. It was where the Rosen family's house was located. Bellmory was a town where middle-class families resided.

Before the Rosen family had fallen, they had owned a manor in the capital, but Vince's father had to sell it and buy a small house in Bellmory, where houses were much cheaper.

Fiona sat beside Vince, eating peanuts.

She said, "Maybe yes, maybe not. I can't guess, Master Vince. But you seem to be doing well these days. Although you don't have your memory, your body seems a lot better now that you're training under Lady Raine's mentorship."

Talking about his 'lost memory,' Vince found it odd that Fiona hadn't done anything to help him regain it. During the Selection, he remembered Fiona saying they would find a solution to his situation. Not that he wanted the old Vince to come back, but wasn't this cat supposed to be doing everything to help her master regain his memories?

Noticing the look Vince was giving her, Fiona narrowed her eyes. The peanut she had just put in her mouth poked against her cheek.

"What's with that look, Master Vince? I hope you're not planning to take me to the pet servant establishment."

"Why not? I don't see any reason to keep you when there are plenty of servants at Raine's manor. Besides, you're not even cute for a pet."

Fiona's pupils dilated, and a low hiss escaped her mouth.