Aaron looked around the grand hall of the princess' palace.
Though it was not the main palace, it was still very beautiful and elegant.
He started thinking back to the time he last walked in such places without the others. With only him and an attendant just like today.
He once enjoyed roaming the palace grounds. Even though their schedules and training were strict. They were still granted permission to move around the palace grounds.
But at some point, he can barely remember, he had lost his desire to it.
He even felt repugnant towards it.
Maybe because he had seen Luna throw up a lot of times after coming out of the palace. He started disliking it after seeing his friend in such a state a lot of times.
And now, though it is not as repugnant as it was back in Circinus Kingdom, he was still not that at ease in being inside.
With a sigh, he decided to focus on where they are going.
A few hours after Richard left, they were called to the palace to begin their punishments.
He started wondering just what kind of person the princess of this kingdom is. Will he be able to handle her? At the same time, he was not a good teacher. He was not fond of verbal teaching, sometimes it was better to just do it than have to explain it.
But flying is a different matter entirely.
It is something he won't simply show.
He needed to understand them first and to let them understand what flying truly entails.
Just like how explosive a fire ability is once one loses control.
Just like how water ability could kill a living being from the inside out.
Just like how lightning could pulverize an entire army.
Just like how ice could completely hinder and attack a whole kingdom.
Just like how the earth could swallow everything it desires.
Wind can cut a whole forest in half.
The wind has its negativity once it reaches its peak.
If fire can burn, water can drown, the earth could burry, lightning could electrocute, and ice could freeze their owners. Wind can also harm its owner.
Because high-level skills could harm the user in different ways.
Flying is a high-level skill and it could betray its owner while high up in the air.
Without proper control and understanding, one will fall to their demise.
When he heard that this is what the princess wishes to learn, he was completely skeptical.
He plans on watching her for a week or so to see her understanding before he will decide on what to do.
"We are here," the attendant speaks up, snapping him out of his thoughts.
When the door opened, he saw a young lady, about the same age as him, sitting elegantly while sipping her tea.
Her silver-gray hair was tied into a ponytail. She is not wearing a dress, despite the attire when training, a shirt and leggings with boots, it didn't diminish her elegance a bit. Instead, it brought a different air to her.
He gave a proper bow, "I greet her highness, the princess."
She smiled and put down her cup before gesturing to the sofa opposite her.
He sat down and looked at her.
"I suppose a greeting is proper here," she commented.
Her voice was soothing like the wind that blows in the spring.
"I am Princess Genevieve Louise Blakewell."
Aaron stood up to give a kiss on the back of her hand, "It is my pleasure to be the princess' trainer. I am Aaron, an adventurer from the group Astral."
She nodded her head.
He returned to the seat while she continued sipping on her tea.
"I was informed that you are capable of flying, is that correct sir Aaron?" she asked.
"That information is indeed correct, your highness," he replied respectfully.
And before he could react, in the blink of an eye, Genevieve was already beside him.
She leaned forward with her eyes shining brightly.
The portrayed elegant lady moments ago was gone, instead, it was replaced with an excited child who seemed to have found a favorite toy.
"Princess!!"
Aaron moved back to keep some distance between them just as the attendants surrounding them called her.
She turned to them almost with a pout, "Fine!!"
He took that chance to stand up and give even more distance between them.
He is under punishment, he has no desire to add another to his plate.
Then she looked back at him.
Ended up frowning when she realized that he had stood up, "Why did you stand?"
"I think it is more appropriate to talk on the opposite sofa, your highness," Aaron gestured at the sofa she was sitting on moments ago.
Once again, the look of a tantrum showed on her face.
"Sit down. I am still asking you a question."
Aaron looked at the attendants asking for help.
Luckily, these attendants aren't people who look down on him.
They shook their heads in exasperation before pulling Genevieve up and guiding her to her seat moments ago. It was only then that Aaron once again sat down. But he was more vigilant this time.
Since she moved without ill intent a while ago, he did not expect that she would be so fast.
It seems just as the brothers are talented enough, the princess was not lagging either.
He can see the aura surrounding her that has reached the aura of someone at the age of mid-twenties.
"You are gifted, your princess," he commented.
It was not uncommon for him to compliment someone as he sees they are worthy of the compliment.
Genevieve grinned, her gray eyes brightening even more.
"Right? That is why you don't have to worry. Even before the year ends, I would have learned how to fly already and you won't have to teach me anymore."
Aaron's lips turned into a straight line after hearing her words.
He can tell that she has the talent but to hear her confident words, he did not like it.
"Very well then princess, please lead me to the library of the palace," Aaron decided to just end this conversation here.
One of the few people he dislikes is those who are overconfident. Because overconfidence might end up becoming the cause of your death.
No matter how talented or strong you are. You must always have a part in you that have the thought of you might fail or you may be facing someone stronger than you.
She furrowed her brows in reply, "But flying should be done outside."
"For now, allow me to understand you better, your highness," he replied.
He was smiling but somehow Genevieve could feel that it was not as sincere as moments ago.
Despite that feeling, she nodded her head in agreement with his request. Though she felt that it was unnecessary because when he sees how capable she is, he would surely be amazed instead.
Aaron and Genevieve walked along the same hall that he walked on moments ago. But this time, he felt duller due to how Genevieve acted.
He can tell that she was very much willing to learn. To enjoy her ability more just like those five whom he had met in the Dark Forest. Even the enthusiasm and desire to know more to improve oneself has similarities.
Just that, the confidence they have was all combined with this princess.
And he knew that he could not handle this type of person.
After stepping inside the library he started looking for books regarding the wind's ability.
Though wondering how he will understand her by collecting these books, Genevieve remained silent.
That is until he made her sit in front of all these books.
"Why am I here?" she asked him.
Aaron smiled again, that same smile that was filled with indifference.
He asked the attendants for parchments before putting them in front of her.
"Here princess. To understand you more, I need to know just how much you know about the wind ability," he said still respectfully.
"I… don't need that though," she said with reluctance.
She barely studied before, because she can achieve everything by just watching those who are teaching her that abilities were never a quill type of learning to her.
She touched the books and peered at them while flipping the pages a bit.
"Even so, your highness…"
When she looked away from the book after hearing his voice was farther than it was before.
And was stunned to see him sitting by the window that was already opened.
"…I need a report from you about the wind ability as a whole. Without it, I won't teach you anything about flying, your highness."
"But you are tasked to teach me."
She stood up while looking at him with an indignant look.
"Yes, your highness. I am here to teach you how to fly. But the king himself has tasked me to teach you in any way I see fit."
"Then see what I am capable of instead of making me do this," she pushed the books in irritation.
"You can throw a tantrum, your highness. But unless you give me a report I won't teach you how to fly."
She wanted to rebuke but Aaron free fell backward.
"!!!"
Most of them were in shock, the library was on the third floor.
Genevieve rushed to the window only to see him gone.
She stomped her foot in irritation before looking back at the books. Murdering the pitiful books in her mind.
She hates studying at a table the most.