Tenebris Renasci: A World of Magic and Gunpowder

Over the next few days, the Daname mansion returned to Business as usual.

With Lance home, he took over Marcus and Alexander's training from Elise, who spent the majority of her time out of sight. 

Lance's training was different from Elise's.

While she focused more on skills and technique, Lance focused more on speed and agility.

Marcus as always, excelled at the training Lance provided.

If he said run the diameter of the mansion grounds in two minutes, she'd do it in one and a half. 

When he asked her to hop over the gates that surrounded the mansion, she'd do it effortlessly and without fail until he said stop. 

On top of that, she used essence techniques to enhance herself allowing her to move at incredible speeds.

But while she excelled, Alexander struggled immensely. 

When asked to run the diameter of the mansion grounds in three minutes, he did it four and a half. 

If he was asked to flip over the gate, he would hop up and crash on the other side. 

Seeing his son failing so badly, especially when the Western empire was breathing down the neck of their kingdom, troubled him.

It was exceptionally frustrating because Alexander obviously had the potential and skill to excel in the training. 

But there was something off about him, It was like Alexander was distracted by something. 

Whatever it was, it caused him to have minor slip-ups time and time again. 

At first, Lance thought it was because his son was only six, but he quickly ruled that out as his son was clearly intelligent and self-aware. 

Alex understood new concepts almost immediately, and whenever Lance had pointers to give on Alexander's performance, he would apply those concepts the next time around.

Lance thought it could have been because of Marcus revealing she was a girl, but that was quickly ruled out because Alexander actually seemed more comfortable with Marcus now than when he thought she was a boy.

After each training session, Alexander could be seen following behind Marcus, eating with her, sleeping with her, and generally never leaving her side.

Marcus for her part became extremely protective over Alexander, even arguing with Louise on several occasions when she insulted Alexander or made a rude comment.

Lance then came to the conclusion that perhaps Alexander just needed the right teacher. 

Someone who could help Alexander reach his full potential, the question is who could that be?

Realizing he needed to find a teacher best suited for Alexander, Lance decided to head back to the front and talk with Napoleon.

The reason was simple.

Napoleon was head of the Nova family and leader of the strongest Pathfinder house in the Hakshi world.

Conveniently Napoleon also owed Lance several favors, not only for all the pathfinder's Napoleon lost him, but also because he kept watch of his daughter.

He couldn't say no, the only problem would be sneaking his son to a literal war front without alerting his wives or Alexander himself.

— — —

Alexander was quietly sitting with Marcus in the courtyard, when his father began approaching him, dressed in casual clothes, armed with a revolver and sword on his hip. 

Raising his head from Marcus' lap, Alexander looked at his father curiously.

"Alex." His father said with a calm tone. "Come on, we're going on a little adventure."

An adventure… I have a bad feeling about this.

Alexander was skeptical of his father's intentions, the past few days had been nothing but grueling training, and Alexander had no doubt that this was more of the same.

"Can I go, Mr. Lance!" Marcus said excitedly, "I want to go on an adventure!"

Lance chuckled as he crossed his arms. "You sure?" He asked curiously, "it won't be cake and rainbows." he said in a cautious tone, clearly attempting to detour Marcus from coming.

Marcus nodded. "That's fine, if Alex is going then I wanna come too." She said with a wide and confident smile.

Alexander's father forced a smile, a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. "Ahh, you should be preparing to enter an academy in a few weeks, I already picked out your school."

Alexander's expression fell slightly.

Damn, I forgot she's almost ten…

Marcus perked up. "That's all the more reason I should come, Mr. Lance, So I can spend more time with Alex." She explained.

"Lance there you are." A voice said in slight relief.

Turning to see the origin of that voice, the trio were greeted with Olivia stepping into the courtyard with a Warm yet mischievous smile. 

"My love, what do you need?" Lance asked, his tone softening. 

"Well, I was hoping you could take me out on the town this afternoon." She said with a widening grin. "It's been a long time since we last went out, and I've been craving a BIG adventure." She said with a wink.

Lance and Alexander's eyes widened as Olivia put her hands behind her back. 

Marcus chuckled to herself softly meanwhile. "Oh isn't that convenient, Mr. Lance was just talking about taking Alex on an adventure."

Olivia looked to Marcus with a raised eyebrow, she then looked back to Lance, her smile faltering slightly. "Oh, you didn't mention anything to me about heading out, where are you going?"

Lance gulped audibly as sweat began trickling down his forehead. 

Forcing a smile, Lance gestured a hand towards Alexander. "Uhm… I just wanted to spend a little one-on-one time with Alex, it's been a while since I saw him, you know."

Olivia nodded. "Alright, but there's no reason why I can't come either right? I mean I haven't seen you in a while either." She said with a finger pointing to Lance's chest, "Besides, we should go out as a family, I'll get Erica ready too."

Lance found himself cornered, his plans to sneak off with Alexander were unfolding rapidly. 

"Oh, it'll be so nice to go out with everyone, we could go for dinner, maybe visit a few shops…" Olivia began rambling on about the places they could visit and the things they could do.

Lance then sighed as he placed a hand on Olivia's shoulder. "My love, I was thinking this could just be a little outing with me and my son, you know, same when I took Felix and John out." He began to rub her shoulder. "Now it's Alex's turn."

Olivia looked up to Lance with a downcast expression, a frown crossing her lips. 

She glanced over at Alexander, who looked back at her with a curious expression.

Olivia looked back at Lance and sighed. "Fine," she said softly, "but can you at least give me ten minutes of your time before you go?" She asked, taking a small step closer to Lance, "it'll be quick, I promise."

Lance smirked as he placed his hand on Olivia's other shoulder. "Haven't you had enough?" He asked teasingly.

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Three years Lance, you've been gone for three years, that's a lot of time to make up for." She said with a grin.

Lance chuckled as he raised a hand to Olivia's head, he then gently ruffled her hair. "Okay, meet me in my office." He said softly.

Alexander frowned almost immediately. 

Oh god…

Marcus raised an eyebrow curiously. "What are you guys talking about?" She asked curiously.

Olivia gave Marcus a smirk as she narrowed her eyes. "We're going to spar a little, that's all."

Marcus laughed, "I didn't know you liked to spar Mrs. Olivia."

Olivia laughed, "Oh yes, but I never win, Lance just has too much stamina." She said with the shock of her head.

Alexander's face scrunched up at every word Olivia uttered, regretting all the life choices that led him to this point.

Lance slowly shook his head as he began pushing Olivia out of the courtyard. "Alright my love, that's enough." He said softly, before turning to Alexander. "Wait for me at the stables, I'll meet you there as soon as I'm done."

Alexander groaned as he slowly nodded. "Sure father."

"Can I come too, Mr. Lance?" Marcus asked.

Lance sighed. "Fine Marcus, just get going you two." 

With that, Marcus and Alexander were left in the courtyard.

Alexander was distraught, shuddering at the thought of what his father and Olivia were about to do.

Marcus meanwhile was excited, already hopping down from the bench. "Come on Alex." She said with a grin, reaching her hand out for him.

Alexander accepted Marcus' hand and descended down the bench. 

Hand in hand the two began to make their way towards the stables.

While they walked, Alexander couldn't help but focus on what his father could possibly be up to. 

An adventure he said, could it be Like hunting monsters maybe?

Thanks to studying with his mother, Alexander knew monsters existed in some capacity.

However, most resided on the demon continent, and even then there was very little published about them, as only the Ambur military made contact.

It could be traditional hunting…

But that would require either bow or gun training, which Alexander had neither of.

Alexander sighed, he was truly in the dark about what his father had planned for him.

Suddenly Alexander felt Marcus's grip tighten around his hand. Looking up, Alexander saw Marcus staring at him worriedly. "Something wrong?" She asked, her tone caring and soft.

Alexander shook his head. "No, I'm fine." 

Marcus narrowed her eyes. "I don't like when you lie to me, Alexander." She said in a slightly stern voice. "I know something is bothering you, I've seen that look before."

Alexander sighed as he and Marcus exited the mansion, "I'm just thinking about what my father is planning." He answered honestly, "I know I've been disappointing him with my training, so I have a feeling it's something to do with that, but I don't know why he called it an adventure, I assume that implies we're going somewhere and doing something adventurous, but… I'm concerned as to what that could entail." He explained, his tone filled with concern and worry.

Marcus looked at Alexander with a wide smile, yet there wasn't a single thought behind those beautiful blue eyes of hers. "What does that mean?" She asked.

Alexander looked to Marcus with a confused expression, before his eyes flickered with realization.

I've overloaded her young mind with my rambling… damn it, Alex! Pull it together man!

"I don't know where my dad is taking us," Alexander answered with a sigh. "And I'm scared that it has something to do with my poor training."

Marcus slowly shook her head. "Don't worry Alex, I'm sure your father isn't mad about your training." Marcus said reassuringly, "And I think that this adventure is probably to help with your training, so whatever it is, it'll be good, I know it."

Alexander nodded. "I hope so."

As they finished talking the duo reached the mansion gates, where the guard tipped his cap and opened them. 

Stepping past the gates the duo approached the stables, where they heard the faint sounds of whispering from behind one of the carriages.

"Ben I don't know about this, it's clear lord Lance has you stationed at his mansion for a reason."

"I know, I know, but those bastards killed my friend and Elise's sister, I gotta go to the front, to do my part."

Realizing they were stumbling into a conversation, Alexander turned to Marcus and put a finger to his lip. He then pointed towards the carriage as she crouched down. 

Marcus nodded as she followed Alexander's lead.