Liana narrowed her eyes at Javier, her voice calm but resolute. "Young master, you're holding back. You're not even using your full power."
Javier smirked, twirling his blade casually. "Why should I? It's just exercise, right? No need to go all out. Besides…" He stepped closer, eting her gaze. "What if you get hurt? I don't want to wound my future wife."
A faint blush crept across Liana's cheeks, but she quickly masked it with determination. "Young master, I won't stop until you take this seriously."
Javier sighed dramatically, tossing his head back. "Haaa… fine. Ready?"
Before Liana could react, Javier activated his gravity magic. The air thickened instantly, pressing down on her with overwhelming force.
"Gngh...!" Liana struggled, unable to lift a finger as her knees buckled slightly. She glared at him, her resolve firm despite the pressure.
Liana strained against the imnse weight, her body frozen in place. The ground cracked beneath her, and her eyes widened in shock at the power.
"Y-Young master…" she murmured, helpless.
Javier strolled toward her, hands in his pockets, wearing a calm, mischievous grin. He deactivated the skill, and the crushing weight vanished. Before Liana could react, he pulled her into a warm embrace.
"I don't want to hurt you, Liana," he said softly, resting his chin on her silver hair. "This sparring session is just to keep our skills sharp. There's no need to take it so far that soone gets hurt—especially you."
Still catching her breath, Liana glared at him with annoyance and concern. "Young master…you're holding back too much. If you fight like this, what will happen when a real enemy appears?"
Javier chuckled, stepping back slightly but keeping his hands on her shoulders. "If it were a real enemy, I wouldn't play fair. I'd use my Gravity Skill, freeze them, and let my puppet knights handle the rest."
Liana frowned, regaining her composure. "Relying on skills alone won't guarantee victory. What if the enemy counters your magic?"
Javier smirked, tapping her nose playfully. "Then I'll deal with it. I'm not just a noble with magic—I've got brains, brawn, and tricks up my sleeve."
Liana sighed, shaking her head with a faint smile. "You're impossible, young master. But I suppose that's what makes you so…unique."
Javier winked, his eyes gleaming. "And don't forget charming."
Her cheeks turned pink, but she quickly looked away, mumbling, "Let's continue our training…"
Javier laughed, stretching his arms lazily. "Alright, but let's keep it light this ti. I wouldn't want to scare you off."
Liana narrowed her eyes and summoned another Earth Golem with a flick of her wrist. "We'll see who scares who, young master."
As Javier turned to her, his playful deanor shifted to a rare, warm smile that softened his sharp eyes.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the forest. A group of five hulking wolf-like beasts with glowing red eyes and jagged fangs erged from the trees.
"Young master! Get back!" Liana shouted, instinctively stepping in front of him, hands glowing with magic.
But Javier didn't move. Instead, he casually glanced at the monsters, his expression calm. "Hmm, looks like the forest wants to join our sparring session," he said, amused.
The beasts charged, snarling loudly. Liana's heart raced, but before she could cast a spell, Javier raised a hand.
With a chilling crack, the air temperature plumted. In an instant, shimring ice erupted around the monsters, encasing them completely. They froze mid-attack, their ferocity halted.
Javier's hand remained raised as cracks ford on the icy prisons. Liana watched in stunned silence as the ice shattered, reducing the monsters to glittering fragnts that scattered like snowflakes.
Lowering his hand, Javier turned back to Liana, his smile lingering. "What do you think? Neat trick, right?"
Liana blinked, her voice caught in her throat. "Young master…that wasn't just a trick. That was…absolute precision."
Javier shrugged, his playful tone returning. "Well, you did ask if I wanted to show you another one. I couldn't resist."
Liana stared at Javier, a mix of awe and concern in her eyes. "Why do you always hide this side of yourself? You could've wiped them out the mont they appeared…without effort."
Javier tilted his head, his gaze soft but unreadable. "Because, Liana, there's no need to flaunt power unless it's necessary."
She shook her head, trying to regain her composure as the frozen shards of the monsters glittered in the sunlight. "Young master…why do you act like you're not capable of this?"
Javier, his playful smirk replaced by a genuine smile, shrugged. "Why show off my power? It's easier to pretend I'm the useless youngest son. If everyone thinks I'm just a spoiled noble, they leave alone."
"Your talents could benefit many—your family, the household, the people—"
"Too much trouble," he interrupted, raising a hand. "Look at Marcellus and Cedric—endless responsibilities. No freedom, no peace. That's not the life I want."
Liana's expression softened, though worry lingered. "And what life do you want, young master?"
"One where I can do what I want, no strings. Just , a Pekko to ride on, and maybe…" His voice lowered as he looked at her. "Soone I care about by my side."
Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she turned away. "You're impossible, young master."
Javier chuckled, his mischievous deanor returning. "But that's why you like , isn't it?"
"Co on, we still need to clear this area before heading back," she said, inspecting the frozen battlefield.
"Sure, but don't expect to clean up too much. I'm only here for the 'exercise,' rember?"
Liana rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a smile. Javier dusted his hands off, turning to her. "Liana?"
"Yes, young master?" she replied, maintaining her composure.
"Let's stop this sparring session. I'm hungry."
Sighing playfully, she said, "Fine, young master. Let's head back to the estate."
A cheeky grin spread across Javier's face. "This is why I love you, Liana."
"Really? You should grow into an adult first before saying things like that."
"I an it!" he declared. "You'll be my wife when I turn eighteen—just seven more years!"
A faint blush crept onto Liana's cheeks, but she quickly turned away. "Yes, yes… Now let's go," she said briskly.
"Seven years, Liana! Better start preparing yourself!" he called out, playfully.
"Keep talking, and I might leave you behind," she retorted, though her smile betrayed her amusent.
"Lianaaaa…" Javier whined playfully.
She paused, raising a brow. "What now, young master?"
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"Chuuuuuu!" he said, leaning forward, pointing to his lips.
Liana sighed deeply, pinching her nose in exasperation. "Really? In the forest?"
"Chuuuuuu!" he repeated, grinning wider.
Caught between annoyance and amusent, she leaned in and kissed him quickly. "Happy now? Satisfied?"
Javier laughed, delight sparkling in his eyes. "Hehehehe…"
"Honestly…" she muttered as she resud walking, the blush on her cheeks revealing her feelings.
Javier followed, his steps light and his expression smug.
(End of Chapter)
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