Chapter 56 - Good Boy

"And also, your mother will be accompanying you instead of me." As Geraldine said those words, she could see the excitement on Alexjin's face. 

"Thank you, master, I always wanted to bring my mother to other places and let her enjoy the view and other food. It will be fun if all of us go on a journey," Alexjin said with mixed emotions of happiness and excitement, "I can't wait to go."

"About that, I won't be able to be with you as I have something else to do that's why I'm letting your mother accompany you instead. The next fight may be in the next two weeks or a month and will be held in the main city Zuron, the place is different from the rest but rest assured, your mother will guide you. Use the remaining time to train, you did well," Geraldine stands up and leaves the living room to go back to her room.

She has been killing herself by making mana pills so that they'll have extra money for Alexjin to spend. She's also continuously taking poison and feed the eggs as she planned on hatching it as soon as possible.

She knows that her family will also be there and base on the events that happened in the past. His oldest brother is the winner and he asks to be one of the Emperor's knights but he was held back as he is the heir of the Duke, so he asks one of the Emperor's daughter's hand in marriage.

"Alexjin must win, I want to see the disappointments in your eyes, father and brother," She murmured while clenching her fist as blood draws out from her skin, she let the blood flow to the shells of the butterfly eggs as they absorbed it with hunger.

Geraldine could hear the pulse from the eggs and the glow inside can be seen, "My babies, can't wait to meet you someday," she smirked while caressing the shells. 

Geraldine also has additional plants planted on her mini garden underground, the screen that she used to prevent the pollens from escaping has been removed. 

The place becomes toxic as the air you breathe is poisonous and if some random person went inside, there's a huge possibility that his life won't last long.

That is also the reason why her room consists of a magic barrier that makes Alexjin and Aurelie unable to enter her room as it's also for their protection.

For the next two weeks, Alexjin has been training vigorously with the guidance of Geraldine. They are currently on the open field behind their house with a scarecrow.

"I see that you're doing well with that sword," Geraldine complimented him while looking over to the sword she gave him.

"Yes master, I think I adjust quite well but sometimes it's draining my mana till dry," Alexjin removed his palm on the sword and it returns back to its tiny size.

"Well, for today, we will use the wooden sword back but this time, you'll use two swords," Geraldine handed him two wooden swords and step back.

"I notice in your last fights that you are mostly on the defense side and would only attack full force if you see an opening. You're lucky if you'll be able to find it before your opponent slit your throat but there's a possibility that you'll be defeated very easily." Geraldine went and grabbed a wooden sword and both are facing each other.

"And you didn't do what I've teaches you," She lifted her sword and aim it in his head, "I've told you before, the offense is the greatest defense."

As soon as she said those words, she attacked him non-stop using a single wooden sword. She didn't hold back and showed him the side of her that he hadn't seen.

Alexjin couldn't attack back and focus on defending himself and his body isn't used to holding both swords, which added to his confusion on his movements.

It didn't take long before one of Alexjin's swords flew away and Geraldine's sword is in his neck.

"When using a double sword, always remember that when one sword attacks, the other follows. Don't give your opponent the chance to breathe. Remember my words," Geraldine whispered and stepped back, "Take your sword, we'll be doing this for the whole day."

****

It's been 25 days since the last competition and there's still no news for the main event.

Geraldine is in the market buying food supplies with Alexjin.

"Alexjin, could you buy some milk and butter?" She said and Alexjin immediately followed and went out of the store and goes to the next one who sells those products.

Geraldine chuckled at how people who watch the competition don't recognize Alexjin, even though that after a week that they've arrived, his town's name where he lived has been out to the public but no celebration occurs as they didn't know where is his house.

The town's gossip focused on the Baron's son, Niso Guansa who is lucky to stay alive after what he's been through but he's still bedridden as his body cannot heal faster even if he takes much medicine and treated by the best medical staff.

This makes Geraldine think that the spear that the man uses is something that makes the wounds heal much slower than normal.

"Ah!" She shivered while shaking her head aggressively as the appearance of the spear makes her remember the days when she was turned to one.

After buying all they need, they packed their stuff on the cart and were about to go home when they saw a man putting posters on the walls and people are coming by to look at them.

"Alexjin, could you look at what has been posted?" She asked while sitting in the cart.

"Yes, master," Alexjin immediately went away and was covered by the crowd of lookers, it took a while before he came back with a ripped poster and gives it to Geraldine as he hopped on and started their ride back home.

"So the competition will start after seven days," She said after she read what the poster says.

Alexjin remained silent and sighs heavily, it is evident on his face that he's a bit nervous. He was confident before that he can win the final competition but when he's practicing with Geraldine. He loses his confidence especially when he always loses to her.

Alexjin never thought that a girl like Geraldine has a skill in swordsmanship. It is rare in the Empire that a woman is skillful in terms of using a sword and other weapons as they are mostly good at using magic. This also makes him wonder again about the background of Geraldine and what is her real identity.

"You need to prepare the stuff you needed tomorrow for the journey, I'll prepare a carriage for both of you. You need to arrive there after three days as there's a party for the fighters," She said as she kept on reading and she also knows how the event has been organized.

"Master, I don't want to go to any parties and mingle with them," Alexjin pouts as he tried to make a sad face to Geraldine but she brushed it off.

"Well, if you'll be late you can skip the first event but you cannot skip the last party before the competition. It's also a way to see your opponents but I bet they are all nobles. I know you didn't want to attend and just straight up goes to fight but there are things that we need to take responsibility for," She smiled while trying to make him understand. 

Geraldine knows that he'll be having a hard time once he entered the circle of nobles but it's also a practice for him when he'll enter the palace after a few years.

"Just think of it as part of the training, ignore them, and if they will try to bring you down and insults your origin. Just take revenge in the arena and showed them who's the boss," Geraldine shrugged as she folds the poster and put it in her bag.

Alexjin didn't say anything and just nodded his head, the ride home is silent as Alexjin is thinking of what will gonna happen knowing that Geraldine won't be by his side.

When they arrived, he held Geraldine who about to go down, "Master, it will be hard for me without you by my side but I will do my best to make you proud."

"Good boy," Geraldine patted his head with a smile.

****

Geraldine is currently in his room and opening her drawers and some boxes as she was finding her gown and pieces of jewelry that she brought with her. She will give it to Aurelie when they go to the party and she also remembered that she packed some expensive male clothes she steals from his brothers before coming to Bagyoo town.

"Ah, I found it!" Geraldine sighs with relief and places the clothes into her bed while trying to match the color and fashion of the clothes.