"Fantastic work, Mr. Lucas. That was an impressive spell," Katerina said, recovering from her initial shock.
Meanwhile, Aislyra's heart swelled with hope.
Seeing the sheer power behind a basic spell cast by Lucas, something tangible took root inside her.
'Big Sister… your sacrifice was not in vain!' she thought warmly.
Just then, the tunnel created by the light arrow began to close, the training field slowly restoring itself to its original state.
Lucas, naturally intrigued, glanced at Katerina, who immediately picked up on his curiosity.
"This training field is reinforced with a special magical barrier," she explained. "It allows the area to repair itself automatically, as long as the damage isn't too severe."
Lucas nodded thoughtfully before asking, "I've seen these barriers a few times now. What kind of magic do they fall under?"
"There are many types of magical barriers," Katerina replied. "They can belong to nearly any school of magic.
"But both the barrier surrounding the palace and the one protecting this room fall under General Magic.
"Essentially, any magic that isn't associated with other Original or Derived Magic is classified as General Magic. The spells themselves don't have much in common—except that they tend to lack a direct connection to any element.
"For example, the magic Lady Alberia used to shrink her letter, as well as the teleportation circle we used to reach the Seal Tree, were both General Magic spells."
Lucas's eyes lit up with interest. "Will you be teaching me General Magic as well?"
"Yes, but for today, let's focus on mastering the basics of Light Magic."
And just as Katerina had said, the next few hours were spent learning and refining three additional Light Magic spells:
Light Rain: Creates a large number of small light arrows that materialize a few meters above the selected target(s) and rain down on command. Each arrow is weaker than a Light Arrow, but since they attack in large numbers, they cover a much wider area.
Light Daggers: Forms sharp, weightless daggers of pure light. When thrown, they track their target and explode on impact. (Lucas's current favorite.)
Light Shield: Generates a stationary shield of solidified light in front of the caster, blocking attacks. It cannot be moved, and while it can shatter smaller projectiles, larger attacks may break through.
Yet, despite the hours of training, Lucas didn't feel even remotely tired—a clear sign of the immense mana reserves his new body now possessed.
"That concludes today's magic lesson."
Katerina gave a satisfied nod before adding, "Tomorrow, in addition to your etiquette lessons, we'll begin covering General Magic as well."
She then smiled slightly and bowed.
"You've done an incredible job, Mr. Lucas. Learning four spells in a single afternoon is a remarkable feat—even if they were just basic ones."
Lucas rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.
"That's only because I had an excellent teacher. Thank you, Katerina."
Then, after a brief pause, he added, "Also… using magic with this body feels as natural as breathing. My lack of knowledge is the only thing holding me back."
A faint smile flickered across Katerina's face as she reassured him.
"There's no need to worry, Mr. Lucas. At this pace, within a year, you'll likely master most of the spells Lady Alberia knew."
Hearing that, Lucas couldn't help but smile.
But before he could fully process her words—
"Well, I guess it's my turn now."
Aislyra approached, grinning mischievously.
Lucas's stomach twisted slightly at her expression—it didn't exactly inspire confidence.
But before Aislyra could drag him into whatever horrifying self-defense training she had in mind—
She glanced up at an old wooden clock, positioned above a second door Lucas hadn't paid much attention to until now.
"Actually, seeing the time… I think we should eat first."
The clock read 12:30 PM.
And now that she mentioned it—
Lucas finally noticed the growing hunger gnawing at him.
"Would you do us the honor of preparing the meal, Katerina?" Sequoria asked with a playful smile.
Katerina bowed slightly. "With pleasure."
With that, the three women moved toward the secondary door.
Lucas, still trailing behind, wondered to himself—
'I wonder what the cuisine of another world looks like?'
The moment they passed through the door, they entered a two-room area:
One side was a small but elegantly designed kitchen, and the other featured a large, dark wooden dining table.
Katerina quickly set the table, and before Lucas could react, he was guided to the head seat—a clear symbol of his new position as queen.
Aislyra and Sequoria sat on either side of him, while Katerina vanished into the kitchen.
As Lucas glanced around, he turned to Aislyra.
"Is this the palace's dining hall?"
He was fairly sure it wasn't, but he still asked for confirmation.
Aislyra shook her head. "Obviously not. The real dining hall and kitchen are much larger.
"But when my sister and I train here, we eat in this room instead.
"Unfortunately, the palace chefs tend to complain when we don't eat in the main hall."
Lucas chuckled at that.
After a few minutes, Katerina returned from the kitchen, pushing a small cart carrying three plates.
She elegantly placed a dish in front of each of them before stepping aside.
Lucas lowered his gaze, carefully examining his meal.
It was some kind of roasted bird, roughly the size of a quail, with a side of golden-brown roasted potatoes.
It looked incredible.
Hesitant but curious, Lucas took a bite.
The moment it touched his tongue—
His eyes widened.
It was delicious.
Rich, perfectly seasoned, and far more flavorful than he expected from a world with such a medieval aesthetic.
Before he knew it, the entire plate was empty.
Less than a minute had passed.
He sat back, slightly stunned.
'Okay… that was way better than I thought it'd be.'
As soon as Lucas finished his meal, Katerina stepped forward, a soft napkin in hand.
Before he could react, she gently wiped his face.
Lucas's face flushed slightly.
"Did you enjoy the meal, Your Majesty?" Katerina asked in her usual composed tone.
"Y-Yes, it was excellent," Lucas replied sincerely, though still a bit flustered.
Katerina nodded approvingly. "I'm glad you liked it."
A couple of minutes later, once everyone had finished eating, Aislyra abruptly stood up from the table.
She turned toward Lucas with an excited grin.
"Alright, Your Majesty, it's time for your first combat lesson!"
That grin sent a chill down Lucas's spine.
He had never been in a real fight before. He had never even practiced a combat sport.
But—
He needed to learn.
If he wanted to protect Aislyra—if he didn't want to be caught helpless like during the attack this morning—he had no choice.
With renewed resolve, Lucas slapped his cheeks lightly, then stood up from his seat.
"I'm ready!" he declared.
Aislyra's grin widened even more.
Lucas was not sure if that was a good or bad sign.
The four of them returned to the training field, resuming their previous positions—except this time, Katerina and Aislyra switched places.
Aislyra stretched her arms and cracked her knuckles before turning to Lucas.
"Before we begin your actual self-defense training, there's a spell you need to learn first.
"But don't worry—it's very simple."
Lucas nodded in understanding.
"Alright," Aislyra continued, "Do you remember how Katerina had you concentrate your mana into your hands when casting Arrow of Light?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now, instead of focusing the mana in your hands, let it flow freely throughout your entire body.
"But this time, try to make it circulate as quickly as possible."
Lucas closed his eyes and did as she instructed.
At first, nothing happened.
Then—
A strange sensation spread through his body.
It felt as though his entire being was warming up, yet he didn't feel hot at all.
Aislyra smirked.
"I can tell by your expression—you've activated it.
"Now try running. You'll understand immediately."
Lucas hesitated for a second.
He still wasn't fully accustomed to this new body, and running didn't sound like the best idea.
But he trusted Aislyra.
So he pushed off the ground and sprinted forward.
And immediately—he felt it.
His speed had increased exponentially.
It was as if his entire body had become lighter, stronger, faster.
Even the weight on his chest, which had plagued him all day, now felt insignificant.
Lucas grinned in amazement.
'This is incredible!'
Then, in a moment of curiosity-fueled stupidity—
He looked down.
His smile vanished instantly.
His chest had definitely not gotten smaller.
And with the speed he was moving at—
The two massive 'weights' were bouncing more violently than ever before.
Lucas's entire brain short-circuited.
His concentration snapped—
His foot slipped—
And he face-planted into the ground.
He skidded forward, dragging several meters across the floor before coming to a stop.
For a few seconds, Lucas just lay there, stunned.
Luckily, he wasn't hurt—most likely thanks to the barrier woven into his clothes.
But as he lifted his head, his eyes locked onto Aislyra standing over him.
Her arms were crossed, and her gaze was anything but forgiving.
"…You deserved that," Aislyra said in a cold tone.
"For looking at my sister's body in such an naughty way."
Lucas groaned internally.
"I have no excuse."
Aislyra narrowed her eyes, as if contemplating punishment.
Then, after a few moments, her expression softened slightly.
She extended a hand toward him.
"But I suppose you've figured out what kind of magic I taught you?"
Lucas took her hand and stood up, dusting himself off.
"Yeah… it enhances physical performance, right?"
Aislyra nodded in satisfaction.
"Exactly. It's part of General Magic, known as Physical Enhancement."
Aislyra grabbed the broadsword she was carrying on her back as she continued, "It increases the user's physical strength, making them faster, more durable, and more resilient to attacks. Unlike most spells, it doesn't require verbal activation.
"I don't think I need to explain why this will be useful for your training, do I?"
Lucas shook his head, signaling his understanding.
"Ice Sword—dull blade."
A blue magic circle formed beside Aislyra. A moment later, a large sword made entirely of ice emerged from it—its edges blunt rather than sharp.
Planting her usual broadsword into the ground, she grabbed the ice sword instead and pointed it at Lucas.
"Your training for today will be simple," she said matter-of-factly. "I'm going to attack you with this sword, and your only job is to dodge.
"Keep Physical Enhancement active at all times. It will help you adjust to my sister's body and get used to moving at enhanced speed."
Lucas's stomach dropped.
"…Will it hurt?" he asked hesitantly, already breaking into a cold sweat.
Aislyra grinned mischievously.
"If you manage to dodge everything, of course not.
"But if you get hit… a little, yes. But don't worry! I'd never leave a mark on my sister's perfect body!"
Without any further warning, Aislyra lunged forward.
Lucas barely had time to process what was happening before the ice sword slammed into his stomach.
A sharp wave of pain shot through him.
His vision blurred for a moment.
Then—he crashed to the ground.
Gasping, Lucas clutched his abdomen, groaning in pain.
'A LITTLE BIT?! THAT WASN'T A LITTLE BIT!!!'
He barely had time to catch his breath before Aislyra raised the sword for another strike.
His survival instincts kicked in instantly.
Lucas forced himself up, ignoring the lingering pain.
This time—when Aislyra swung—he moved.
The sword whistled through the air, striking only the ground.
"Are you trying to kill me?!" Lucas shouted, unable to hold back anymore.
"Of course not. Can't you see? You don't even have a scratch."
"That's true, but IT STILL HURTS! IT HURTS A LOT!"
Aislyra tilted her head innocently. "Didn't I warn you?"
Then, without missing a beat—
"Anyway! Enough talking! Let's continue!"
She charged forward again.
The training continued for at least four hours, during which Lucas spent most of the time getting thoroughly beaten by Aislyra.
Sometimes, he was caught off guard.
Other times, he was distracted by the sheer weight and movement of his own chest.
And far too often, he simply struggled to adjust to the reality of performing physical activity while carrying two massive burdens—each larger than a watermelon—on his torso.
But—
Slowly.
Gradually.
Lucas began to adapt.
By the final hour, he was dodging more than getting hit.
His movements became sharper, smoother.
The weight of Alberia's body—the foreign speed of Physical Enhancement—began to feel more natural.
Then—his body finally gave out.
Completely drained, Lucas collapsed onto the cold training floor.
Aislyra exhaled, wiping sweat from her forehead.
"That should do for today," she said, satisfied.
Meanwhile, Katerina approached, kneeling beside Lucas.
With practiced ease, she sat him upright and pressed a cool glass of water to his lips.
"Are you alright, Mr. Lucas?" she asked calmly.
Lucas gasped for breath.
"Y-yeah…" deep breath "…I'm just…" deep breath "…completely out of breath."
After one last deep inhale, he managed a weak smile.
"Thanks for the water."
Aislyra crossed her arms, nodding in approval.
"Well done, Your Majesty. You probably have more potential in hand-to-hand combat than my sister."
Lucas, still catching his breath, managed to reply—
"T-thanks… but… I need a minute."
And with that—he immediately passed out.
A few minutes later…
When Lucas finally came to, the first thing he saw was—
Katerina's calm face, gazing down at him.
The second thing he noticed—
His head was resting on something soft.
His brain froze for a moment.
Then realization hit him all at once.
'Wait… is this…?'
His face flushed bright red.
"S-SORRY!!!"
He shot up instantly, sitting upright.
For a moment, a part of him regretted it.
Katerina's thighs were… really comfortable.
But Katerina remained completely unfazed.
"Don't worry. Assisting you in all situations is part of my duty."
Then, with her usual calm loyalty, she added—
"If you wish, I can serve as your pillow whenever you'd like."
Lucas paused.
Then quickly diverted his gaze.
"…I'll think about it."
A small smirk formed on Katerina's lips as she nodded.
Just then, with the grace of true nobility, Sequoria approached the group.
Her sparkling smile left no room for debate.
"Well then, I'd say it's time for a nice family bath."
Lucas froze.
His brain stalled.
'Wait. Hold on. What did she just say?'