“A knight’s sole duty isn’t only to defend the kingdom. It is to serve his kingdom and his constituents. Unity makes the people stronger. That was the idea this kingdom was founded upon” 

A fit man dressed in dark red and blue armor gruffly spoke while moving heavy boxes with his two apprentices: Betto and Tev. “ Always remember that every time you pick up your blade.”

“Yes, Sir Alain.” Betto and Tev muttered as they placed the last box on a nearby horse-drawn carriage. 

The weight of the box caused the carriage to bow slightly downwards. The shipment owner hopped off the horse to personally thank the trio for helping him load the boxes and was quickly off on his way. This was different from most stories of knights. Tales of knights always told how they were always courageous in battle, but moving heavy boxes seemed the furthest thing from battle, glory, and honor.

“Another citizen needs our help. Let’s move.” Sir Alain commanded before launching himself to the next person in need, followed by Betto and Tev.

 Despite carrying heavy armor, he still outpaced both of the new apprentices on the first day. Jumping around, completing errands at breakneck speeds. Betto and Tev were beaten and battered by the middle point of their day.

“What does this have to do - with - being knights? Tev huffed, lying, all the air from his lungs being pulled out. “ I thought - we’d be seeing adventure.”

“I feel like my legs are going to fall off.” Betto croaked as he lay on top of his best friend. “Maybe all knights went through this training?”

“Well, I don't see any other knights doing this!” Tev barked, “Besides, we don't have our third party member! Parties are supposed to be in groups of four!”

“We are almost at our patrol time. Do you intend to keep on whining?” Sir Alain interrogated, leaning down at his two apprentices on the ground. “We have one more task before lunch. The magic shop requests our presence.”

“Magic shop?” Betto asked, bringing his head off the ground. “Can’t they cast magic to complete their errands?”

“It’s just an introduction.” Sir Alain said as he picked up both of them and dragged them to a nearby store named Cons Stella Scion. “Good morning, Madam Magia!” He proudly greeted, his gruff voice transfiguring into a happy, gleaming, and a voice full of life. So much life that it could resurrect the dead.

“Where was this voice the entire time?” Betto and Tev thought in their heads.

“Alain? Alain Magnus?” A high-pitched voice flew over the counter cover in books, odd totems, and plants. 

The sounds of loud crashing quickly followed the voice, and following the crashing was a witch who looked no older than Tev’s Mother, wearing a messy witch hat and silvery white hair. 

“Ah, hello Alain, I recognized your voice.”

“Hah, it’s Sir Alain Magnus now.” Alain chuckled with the witch. “Madam, my first two apprentices. Betto and Tev.”

“Betto? Tev?” Madam Magia asked as she looked at them with a magnifying glass in her hands.

  Her enlarged eye peered into their souls behind the glass. Shifting characters moved around the glass, analyzing the two boys who stood in front of her.

“I didn’t know you were qualified to become a party leader.” She taunted while observing the two newbies. “Well, what brings you here today?” The curious witch questioned him in return.

“I just wanted to show my new apprentices,” Alain said while placing his hand on his neck “and visit an old friend.”

“I’m not your friend! I’m almost old enough to be your grandmother!” Madam Magia scolded while hitting Alain in the head. “On the topic of apprentices, here’s mine!”

  The young-looking witch pulled a young girl with icy blue eyes and hair into the room. The girl was older than Betto and Tev herself. She quickly diverted her eye away from them.

“Introduce yourselves to each other!” The witch encouraged.

The girl’s stare was just as cold as her eyes, hair, and the nearby snow-capped mountains. A freezing aura surrounded around her. The trio felt the cold trickling down their spines and froze. After taking some moments to exchange glances, Betto decided to take the bait first.

“My name’s Betto. Betto Viento-” Betto introduced, extending his hand before being abruptly cut off by an icy spell.

“She’s not quite the talker, huh?” Alain asked Madam Magia as the girl walked away from them. 

“She was assigned here by the Terra Kingdoms Magic Association. I haven’t talked to her much myself.” Madam Magia added. “All I know is that her name is Sophie, and she talks in whispers. Probably shouldn’t talk to her much outside of the shop.”

“Oh. Well, we’re off to lunch now.” Alain stated, turning around with Tev to leave the shop. “Take good care, Madam!”

“You too!” Madame Magia replied as she waved goodbye to them.

“Could someone help me out?” Betto asked, still encased in the ice.

“Okay, okay. I’ll melt you out.” Tev muttered as he melted the ice around Betto.