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"I was granted the ability to choose others: Frey and Thomas." As soon as General Alexander finished the announcement, he grabbed the duo and attempted to lead them through the crowd, which had burst into a round of clapping and made way for them, but the duo remained rooted to the spot – looking back at Elero.

"What about her?" Thomas asked as the clapping died down. Most of the students turned back to General Marble, who was continuing down a line of announcements.

"General Alexander…" Frey said. "I thank you for choosing us but we planned to stay together, all three of us." Frey bowing his head a little and forced Thomas to do the same.

"I wouldn't worry about her," Alexander reassured them. He pointed back to the Generals with a smile. "She was already accepted by another mentor so she should be-"

"Unfortunately," General Marble said after a pause. Alexander's grip on the two youths went slack and he casted his head down. "I essentially have to remake the entire Knights' Academy's schedules and practices and deal with a terrorist organization. With the added workload, I will be unable to take on any disciples this year. I apologize and ask for your understanding."

Elero cupped her hand over her mouth and inhaled, preparing to yell out a complaint. General Marble seemed to notice just when she was yelling as he shook his head ever so slightly at her. That one motion and the weight it carried pushed Elero's shoulders down. Even among the disappointed sighs of the crowd, her single curse rang like a gong in Frey's and Thomas's ears.

"Why are we not worrying about her?" Frey asked, followed by a quick by, "General."

Alexander stood in silent contemplation for a few moments: "Because General Marble was going to make her his disciple." He let out a long sigh: "Damned shame, but it couldn't have been avoided."

"I don't understand," Thomas said, not sharing the others' defeated looks. "Doesn't that mean she can train with us now? Is that too much to ask of you, General Alexander sir?"

Elero walked over to them on her legs, still reinforced with life essence. She alternated her gaze between her two companions, her only two companions, while trying to smile. A pang shot through both Frey's and Thomas's hearts as they felt her envious gaze, one she had tried and failed to hide.

"Congratulations to both of you. I hope you get much stronger." She wiped her eyes with the tattered sleeve of her bloody shirt and took a shaky breath. The life essence around her legs made her shake as she tried to keep herself together both physically and mentally.

"General Alexander, please," Frey pleaded, uncaring of the heads turning their way. "You, as both a Knight and a General, know how much it matters to be a team; more than I do I reckon. Let our teamwork grow under your mentorship."

Elero waved her hands at them: "It's fine. I can train on my own, like always. I'm kind of used to these kinds of situations with my poor luck anyway."

Alexander sighed: "Frey, Thomas, my new disciples, please quit your bitching." Thomas and Frey keeled over as if they had been punched in the gut, but they hadn't seen Alexander move. They only saw the regret written across his face. "I'm sorry. It's the second time today I've let my disciples down. I'm ashamed both as your new mentor and a knight but teams change with time. People die, get reassigned, or have a kid after they won a tournament and are never seen again."

"What do you mean?" Thomas asked. "She's right there. She's not being taken away or leaving. Elero, say something to back yourself up, will you?" By now, most of the students were turning towards the group, specifically to Elero. Their many unsettling, pity-filled looks made Elero's fists curl up tight until her knuckles turned white.

"Let's continue this elsewhere." Alexander said. In a flash of gold, the group found themselves away from the crowd. Nausea forced Frey to nearly keel over, but he stood his ground. Elero's face had drained of color, but not because of the sudden movement. Alexander slapped both Frey and Thomas at the back of their heads, making them flip and land on their asses. "I'm sorry Elero, but I think it's better for these idiots if they see it for themselves. Please take a practice swing."

Elero drew a wooden training sword and winced as her sore, wounded limbs moved. "What's the point of this?" Frey asked. "We've seen her swing a sword before. She charged through the Knights' Academy and beat up dozens of people."

Alexander sent him a glare: "There are different types of strength. There is intellect, physical, mana, skill, even luck; anything really. Each type of strength comes with its own weaknesses and strengths. Now shut up and watch."

Elero raised the wooden sword up high, her legs shaking. Then, she swung down towards the ground. The sword flew out of her grasp. She collapsed. Her breathing turned rough and uneven, coughing as if she was still inhaling the Academy's smoke.

"She's exhausted." Frey argued. "How does showing that accomplish anything?"

Alexander remained silent while he stared down at Elero, waiting for the coughing fit to end. If either Frey or Thomas went to help her, he kicked them. They could only watch as she tried to push herself up. Her arms just shook and her face reddened with a mix of effort, rage, and shame. She cursed again and again and again, avoiding eye contact.

General Alexander crossed his arms: "Did you know that you were doing this to yourself?" Elero didn't respond, still trying to get up. Her hair matted to her forehead, where veins bulged out. "What kind of goal is pushing you? Why have you been slowly destroying what's left of your body?"

"How long have you known about me?" She wheezed. She finally managed to sit up and sent a nasty glare his way.

Alexander didn't even blink as he relayed: "Since the moment I saw you fight. Your technique is too perfect for someone your age."

Elero took out a water sac and downed the last of its contents, down to the last green drop. "So you can't fix me either? Can't you talk to the Generals to help me?"

"Fix?" Alexander scoffed. "I am the greatest Knight in the kingdom, little girl. There is no fix. You want to know why? It's how you train your body. No healer can help you. Just stop."

"I have a healer, Mr. Lich. When he gets here and helps me, I'll be fine. I know what my training is doing to me but I need to get stronger."

"Until then, I won't accept you." Alexander continued, pushing Frey's face into the dirt for the third time. "What if you die before that happens? Do you even care? I want to train knights who will show up at death's door in order to get stronger. If I train you, it'll be like shoving you through the door. I advise you to drop out of the Knights' Academy."

He glanced over to the crowd across the flat mountaintop. "They're calling me. There's a chance you guys won't see each other for a long time. Use this time to say your goodbyes." The group went to argue but the General disappeared in a puff of golden life essence.