Chương 21: Chapter Twenty-One: The Kenhoro Officer Academy

"You're here," grumbled the grizzled captain as Serena once again found herself standing in an ethereal fog that stretched endlessly into the darkness.

"You've committed a cardinal sin," the captain said, his voice muffled in the unnatural expanse.

"There will be a punishment." Serena's thoughts were full of Amelia, and she felt anger rise within her. Was she still drunk? She was probably still drunk.

"For falling for a woman? A human?" she snapped at the elusive man, who didn't react at all to her outburst.

"Too late… You must protect the girl…" the captain intoned, removing his captain's hat to reveal messy grey hair and the edges of an aged face. Serena paused, realising this dream figure was human.

"I'm heading to the ice-lands to do my part. As for you…" The human battered the side of his hat, knocking dirt and dust loose. The rhythmic beating of his palm against the brown leather sent shockwaves throughout the space.

"... The pair of you must go to the desert. The old temple…"

"Why!? What if I refuse?" she challenged the old captain's ramblings.

"I wish there were another way, but you must. To keep her safe…" The captain turned into white mist and vanished, leaving only the frothing fog that covered Serena's vision and wrenched her into the waking world. As she became conscious, she peeled open one eye before closing it in pain. What a terrible hangover! What a thoroughly idiotic demon she was to drink so much! She tried to remember how much she'd drunk, but just imagining more alcohol made her feel queasy.

Serena groaned before forcing herself back to unconsciousness, where hopefully the next time she woke her head wouldn't be throbbing as much. When she once again stirred awake, she realised there was something warm and soft wrapped in her arms. This felt a lot nicer than her agonising hangover and if she focused on it, the pain lessened slightly. She squeezed the thing in her arms, causing it to make a squeak. How amusing. She squeezed it again and it made another cute noise. Serena felt a warm hand hold hers.

"Mmm… morning," Amelia whispered.

"Hungover," muttered Serena, not liking the aftertaste in her mouth.

"Heal me, please… before I throw up." She didn't have to ask twice, and soon magical warmth rippled through her body, wiping away the awful pressure in her head. She no longer felt parched or tired. The general ache throughout her body vanished, and Serena felt like she could run a hundred klicks.

"Your magic is truly wonderful," Serena said, blinking her eyes open. Now she saw why Amelia felt so warm. Both their upper bodies were devoid of all clothing, and Serena was wrapped around the girl. She snapped her eyes down, breathing a sigh of relief when she saw they still had their trousers on. What had happened? With her head no longer splitting, she could cast her mind back to the night before. She started counting the bottles of loqua they had drunk. Two… four… six… seven hells, how much had they spent!?

The pair of them had gotten one last bottle and then stumbled back to their room, only just keeping up appearances until the door was shut behind them, after which they had thrown themselves at each other in drunken passion. Kissing. There was a lot of kissing. When had the clothes come off? Serena couldn't quite remember. She propped herself up on one arm and ran a hand over Amelia's stomach.

"How are you doing?" she asked, surprising herself at how smooth she sounded. With a bitter realisation, she noticed she felt pride at the events that had transpired. There was something so validating about having someone throw themselves at her with passion and desire. To make things even more satisfying, this wasn't just a fling; it was Amelia. It was her girlfriend. Serena internally cringed at the next thought, but couldn't deny it was a part of how she felt about the situation. Her conquest.

"Mmm…" groaned Amelia, rolling onto her back. Her left arm covered her eyes and her right hand lay under the blanket, placed on top of Serena's hand.

"I smell of alcohol…" she mumbled.

"So do I," Serena said, turning her head and smelling herself.

"When you drink so much, you sweat it out when you sleep. We'll probably have to get new sheets and wash up…"

"Uh, no need. Here," Amelia said before casting a spell Serena had seen the day before. It was Amelia's cleaning spell. Immediately, Serena felt clean as every iota of dried sweat, dirt, and alcohol was magically cleansed from her body. She ran her tongue around inside her mouth and found the spell also cleaned her teeth. She no longer felt the urge to go to the toilet.

"That's… ridiculously helpful. With that and your healing, would you ever need to eat, sleep, or change clothes?" she asked. The utility of such a powerful cleaning spell couldn't be understated. The regular cleaning spells she knew about only assisted normal cleaning rather than completely replacing it.

"Maybe… even so, I want to keep eating delicious things, sleep in comfy beds, and try out pretty dresses," Amelia said, her voice sounding more wakeful.

"Also, look what you did!" Before Serena could say anything, Amelia threw the blanket down, exposing her naked chest and… The teeth marks that had bruised one of her breasts. Oops. Serena felt herself swallow nervously. Was that her? It must have been her, right?

"Was that me?" she asked, cupping Amelia's breast and lightly rubbing it.

"Yes, it was you," Amelia said with a sigh, but the corners of her mouth teased upwards as she removed her arm and made eye contact with Serena.

"The tongue was nice, but you were too tipsy to control your teeth, stupid demon." Amelia put both hands behind her head and gave Serena a sly grin.

"Are you enjoying groping me? I won't lie; it's kind of relaxing."

"Ah, sorry," Serena said, removing her hand as a small amount of golden light with blue flecks healed the bruise away. That was a shame; she was going to ask if she could kiss it better. Before she could do anything else, Amelia turned to her front and exposed her back.

"Make it up to me," she said.

"How?"

"Give me a massage," Amelia said, her voice muffled by the pillow.

"Not too firm but not too soft." Serena obliged, running her hands up and down Amelia's back. The human wasn't muscular, but she was slim enough Serena could identify the different muscle groups and begin to massage them with varying levels of pressure while making adjustments based upon the cute noises coming from Amelia.

"Mmm…"

"Ah…"

"Right there…"

"Ahhh!" The last was squeaked out while Amelia violently wriggled underneath her. It turned out that Amelia's sides were ticklish. How adorable! Serena filed that bit of knowledge away for future use before apologising and resuming the massage in a more acceptable way. Five then ten minutes passed, and Amelia's breathing became slow and soft. Another five minutes and Serena was sure she had just massaged her girlfriend back to sleep. That was a good thing, right?

She leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the base of her neck.

"I'm going to wash up," she whispered before carefully clambering off the bed and heading to the washroom. With Amelia's magic she didn't need to clean herself, but that still didn't stop her enjoying the satisfaction of a hot shower and the fragrance of the fancy soaps the inn had provided them. As hot water rained down on her back, steaming the room up, Serena ran the events of the night over and over again in her head. Things they had spoken about, the stories and jokes they'd shared.

The warmth of each other's bodies when they returned. On more than one occasion, Serena caught herself smiling happily to herself like an idiot. You've become a rather smitten demon, haven't you? she thought to herself. Her thoughts then turned to her dream. She ran it over in her head. Something was so familiar about that human captain. Had she seen him in a book somewhere? Perhaps during a lesson in the academy? Was he the embodiment of the ship itself reaching out to her, or something else?

She would have to bring it up again with Anathor. This wasn't something she could just ignore. She finished up, drying and dressing herself before returning to the bedroom to find Amelia propped up on the side of the bed, hugging a towel that covered her chest.

"Morning," Amelia said with a smile. She hopped off the bed and passed Serena.

"You smell good," Amelia said before opening the door and exclaiming, "You've made it so warm and steamy for me! Thank you!" The blond hair vanished through the doorway and, not long after, the sounds of a sweet melody could be heard. Serena listened for a moment, appreciating the talents of her girlfriend before collecting herself. She had a few things she wanted to get done today. Serena tidied up the bedroom, before arranging some spare blankets and pillows into an impromptu futon.

For now, she wanted to make it look like they hadn't slept in the same bed. After redecorating, she pulled the cord to get the receptionist's attention. A minute later, there was a polite knock on the door.

"Reception," a voice sounded from outside. Serena opened the door, making sure to swing it wide enough that the attendant would see the futon. She stepped outside, closing the door behind her.

"We'd like some coffee for the room and something simple for breakfast. Does the kitchen have any soup prepared?" Even though Serena was fully healed, she still felt uncomfortable eating something too harsh on her stomach. It was probably a psychological thing; her mind was used to treating the stomach delicately after a night of heavy drinking.

"Ah, the cook has prepared a choco broth that should be ideal for hangovers. Would two portions be sufficient?"

"Yes, and some bread and butter to go with it."

"Of course. We've just had our morning delivery. We have some fine sourdough with a traditional honey glaze that would pair well."

"Good, and coffee?" Serena was wide awake without a glimmer of tiredness. Even so, if she could start the morning with a decent coffee, she would.

"We have beans from the mountains of Shiloh, and the fields of Yamen. We also have a brand of Dacian coffee, although many of our customers find it too harsh."

"Nothing from Jimar?"

"I'm afraid we've run dry, Speaker Halen," said the attendant, his voice sounding sympathetic.

"The next delivery is scheduled for the weekend. We could find some on the market, if you're willing to wait?"

"No need, Shiloh is fine. Bring a pot and two cups. Some biscuits as well." Serena much preferred the bitterness of Jimari coffee, especially for handling hangovers. However, this time, she wasn't actually hungover, so the smoothness of Shiloh coffee would be acceptable.

"Very well. I'll return in fifteen minutes." The attendant clasped his hands together and bowed before walking away. Serena watched him go before returning to the room and relaxing on a chair. Amelia appeared from the steamy bathroom, combing her wet hair.

"Help me with these tassel things," Amelia said, turning her back to Serena, who stood up and helped tighten the clothing properly.

"What's that about?" Amelia said, gesturing to the impromptu futon.

"Don't want the attendants thinking we shared a bed, for now at least. It's best to at least try and pretend we're two Speaker friends."

"Ah, sure," Amelia said, a moment in silence passing before she spoke again.

"Do you really think we can keep it a secret for long?"

"Seven hells, no." Serena finished helping dress Amelia and rotated the human to face her.

"But it would help to warm them to the idea somewhat slowly. I figure people like Tomes will figure it out pretty quickly." Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Will the crew take it alright? It won't cause any problems with the uh, ship command?"

"No." Serena shook her head. Her officers and crew were better than that.

"Their loyalty is greater than any bias they may have. As long as I don't try to sail off to join the Karligard Navy, they won't mention it much."

"But I'm not even from Karligard!" Amelia protested.

"Best you pretend to be. This morning I'll take you over everything I know about the country, so you should be somewhat able to pass as a native. Although if you're ever asked anything you don't know but feel like you should, you can brush off your ignorance as a result of you spending most of your time travelling."

"Right, but won't the Karligard authorities eventually look into it?"

"By then, you'll hopefully be a citizen of Cascadia and a sanctioned Speaker."

"Mmm, alright! So, what's the plan for today?"

"First, breakfast and coffee," Serena began. As if on cue, a polite knock sounded at the door. Serena opened it to find the attendant with a tray of food and coffee.

"Ah, thank you," she said, taking it from him. She closed the door and set the tray on the table.

"Is that butter!?" Amelia whispered excitedly.

"Yes, now let's eat." They both sat at the table. Serena poured them both a cup of coffee from the pot.

"These are beans from Shiloh. They're considered far smoother and less bitter than Jimari coffee. I think you might find it more pleasant." Amelia took a sip, and Serena made a few adjustments to the human's posture and the way she was handling the cup.

"Purse your lips and take a small sip; it's important to be able to drink like this without making any slurping noises. At least, in polite company." Serena demonstrated, and Amelia spent a moment copying her, eventually being able to drink the coffee without any noise.

"Well, I feel like a proper noble lady now!" Amelia exclaimed.

"What about the soup? Is there a fancy way to eat that I need to learn?"

"Normally, soup wouldn't be served to ladies in high society. If it ever is, it's only consumed a spoonful at a time. Dipping bread and butter would be shocking to the stuck-up bitches you find around some tables." Serena shrugged, buttering a piece of bread and dipping it into the choco soup.

"Given we're in private and meant to be hungover, we can be excused." She bit into the bread, enjoying the flavours of the butter and choco melding together in her mouth. Amelia copied her, and a very unnoble moan of happiness erupted from the human as she munched on the bread.

"Oh my," Amelia said between mouthfuls, "I'd forgotten how good butter is. Please tell me you also have cheese…"

"Yes, but it's not common in the East. You'll find that it's popular in Centralis and the North."

"Mmm…" murmured Amelia. Both of them continued eating and sipping coffee. Serena did her best to give Amelia a rundown of Karligard, its government, people, and culture. She missed plenty of areas, but if Amelia tactfully slipped in a tidbit or a reference here or there, she could plausibly pass as a native who spent most of her time travelling. After a few minutes, the bowls and cups were empty, and they both sat back, satisfied.

"Right," said Serena after taking a moment, "we're going to the Kenhoro Officer Academy."

"Why?"

"I need to speak to someone there, and we can make use of their private training rooms to give you another lesson. Time to have you swinging a wooden sword." Amelia's eyes sparkled.

"Really!?" she beamed.

"I get to swing an actual weapon!?" Serena snorted at that. It was strange seeing the human get so excited over swinging a sword when Amelia was herself a walking weapon.

"Yes," Serena replied, keeping her thoughts to herself.

"We'll go through your katas with the sword movements and introduce you to some basic three-step drills."

"Is this the academy you graduated from?"

"No," Serena said, shaking her head.

"But as a Speaker, I'm entitled to use the facilities how I wish. My academy was based in the Three Sisters."

"Three Sisters?"

"The sister cities of Asamoto, Asamaywa and Asamino. They're right next to each other and are so connected that they are basically one huge city. I grew up there and entered the Asamaywa Officer Academy for my training."

"Will we ever go there? To the Three Sisters?" Amelia asked, her eyes brimming with hope.

"Of course," Serena said, nodding.

"It's where the main family holdings are."

"Cool! I can't wait!" Serena stood up, grabbing and sheathing her marble sword in her belt, an impromptu solution while she didn't have a scabbard for it.

"Let's go," she said. The pair of them went down to the reception. She found Amelia a rainhat, courtesy of the inn, and also found herself one that fitted her horns. Serena had Amelia tie her hair up so her blond hair didn't stand out from the native Manwese demons. Before they left, Serena found that morning's broadsheets and cast an eye over the news. The main headline was again talking about Admiral Zhao's progress, while in a corner of the paper was a small article titled Highguard Hotel Raid.

Skimming through the text, Serena was relieved to find neither she nor Amelia were named. The events of the café battle were not mentioned at all. Someone had put a blocker on the papers, forbidding them to report on it. Was that interference from Centralis Intelligence, or the Greatlord of Kenhoro? Leaving the inn, they caught a tram into Central, and then hopped another one to get to the north side of the city where the academy was.

The building was isolated, with a large expanse of green grass and a wall of trees protecting it from the busy city around it. It was an enormous square-shaped building similar to the inn. However, unlike the inn, which had a garden in its centre, this building had an arena and training ground. Each corner of the academy had a pagoda-like structure reaching upwards, where the faculty would reside.

At the back, there was a raised structure between the two corners where the most important offices and libraries were located. The gates were open and so Serena and Amelia stepped through. They didn't get far before a pair of gate guards intercepted them.

"Hail!" they called, their neat black uniform with silver buttons giving them a somewhat formal look.

"The public cannot bring weapons onto the ground; who are you?" The guards eyed them suspiciously, but not so much that their hands hovered on their weapons. Serena raised the rainhat so they could see her face clearly.

"I am Speaker Halen, here to meet the grandmaster and make use of your training facilities, if they are available." Serena reached over and tilted Amelia's hat.

"This is Speaker Thornheart, an employee of House Halen whom I am teaching the sword." The guards glanced at each other and had a hurried discussion. Serena heard one of them mutter, "That's really her, I saw her photo in the news." A few moments later, they turned back towards the pair.

"One of us will guide you to the grandmaster, but you'll need his permission for a human Speaker to enter the grounds." For a moment, Serena thought about challenging the guard but decided against it. It wasn't an unreasonable request, and they were just doing their job.

"Very well," she said as she turned to Amelia.

"Wait outside. Don't run off. If anyone tries to make you go anywhere or do something, use my name." Serena thought for a moment.

"If that doesn't work, beat them to a pulp, but avoid Speaking if you can help it."

"O-okay! I'll be waiting!" Amelia gave a quick thumbs up before skipping back outside the gates and leaning against the entryway.

"Keep an eye on her," she instructed the remaining guard.

"Don't try anything funny. She's a capable Speaker."

"Y-yes, Speaker Halen!"

"Let's go," she said to her guide. She was led through the grounds into the depths of the building. As she walked, she saw trainee officers striding about, chattering and carrying heavy books. It wasn't until she passed a few instructors who recognised her, with one or two giving her salutes, that the students started casting looks in her direction and whispering amongst themselves.

"Who's that?"

"She must be important if Instructor Won saluted her…"

"Those horns are familiar…"

"Is she a new instructor?" They left the gossiping students behind and Serena was led up multiple flights of stairs and through several corridors before stopping at a large ironwood door. A brass plaque on the front simply read Director. The guard rapped his knuckles against the solid wood.

"It's open," came a gruff voice from within. The guard opened the door, and Serena could make out an office that was best described as chaotic neatness. It reminded her a little of Tomes' quarters.

"Speaker Halen is here to meet with you, Director," the guard informed him.

"Mmm? Is that so? Well then, let her in and return to your post."

"Yes, Director." The guard bowed and left Serena to her own devices. She stepped into the office, greeting a pair of crimson eyes and large bull horns that looked terribly familiar.

"Grandmaster Gu, it's a pleasure," Serena greeted, clasping her hands together in a tidy bow.

"I believe we last met at my graduation in Asamaywa?"

"Mmm… come here, Serena. Let's have a look at your hands…" The grandmaster motioned for her to approach and Serena walked over to his desk. The old demon took her hands in his own and examined them with a thoughtful expression.

"Your military life has kept you busy…" he murmured, turning her hands this way and that.

"I see you've kept your skills, even improved them. What aura can you manifest under Narean now?"

"I… am just breaking into blue, grandmaster. I have reached it twice. Once under my control and the other… not."

"Mmm… Narean can be demanding, can he not? You must train your will and determination as much as the sword itself."

"Yes, grandmaster."

"Still, to lose such an awful talent like yourself to my brother! A terrible tragedy! Can I not convince you to spend a few semesters here as an instructor?"

"I apologise, but my military duties take me elsewhere currently."

"Gah! You're wasted in the military, you know that, don't you, Serena Halen?"

"I… I'm comfortable where I am."

"Well then," Grandmaster Gu sighed, reclining into his chair.

"For what purpose have you visited me?"

"I-" Serena began, but cut herself off. She organised her thoughts before beginning again.

"There was a recent battle in the city centre. I trust you're aware of it?" Someone of the grandmaster's skill would have easily detected the Spoken Words from yesterday. Grandmaster Gu nodded slowly.

"There were two trainee cadets who died," Serena said carefully.

"I believe it was one Trainee Meng and one Trainee Yin." The Grandmaster stared at her for a moment before opening his mouth.

"Yes, two of ours."

"They… died following my orders. They died doing their duty." Serena took a breath.

"Through you, I would like to use my Speaker's Privilege to communicate an official commendation for them both. I would like to recommend a bronze eagle each and, if possible, if you are amenable to it, for them to graduate posthumously as commissioned officers." The Grandmaster was silent for a dozen seconds, and Serena had to make a conscious effort to avoid swallowing awkwardly.

"You… feel guilty over their deaths?" he asked her in a quiet voice.

"I cannot deny it… I do," Serena muttered. The Grandmaster was quiet for another period before sighing. The demon reached into a pocket and put on a pair of spectacles. He fumbled around his desk, finding a pen and paper.

"You really should consider becoming an instructor. The military isn't for you, Speaker Halen. Now then… how would you like to word this? Best be polite; the Greatlord will be reading it."

"Ah." Serena felt a burden lift from her. She couldn't resurrect the dead. No one could. What she could do was give the fallen a little honour and something for their families to ease their grieving. Over the next few minutes, she worked with Grandmaster Gu to word the recommendation properly.

"Thank you for your assistance, grandmaster," Serena said, standing up after signing the final version.

"There is one other matter I wish to cover."

"What is it?"

"Is the academy's private training grounds for instructors free for use? I have another Speaker with me, someone I've promised to teach the sword. With your permission, I would like to make use of them." Officially, Serena didn't need the grandmaster's permission. She even had the right to eject any non-Speakers from whatever training session they were in, but that was not a power she would abuse, especially in front of someone she respected so much.

"Another Speaker? This wouldn't be a certain Miss Thornheart whose name I've been hearing here and there?"

"That… would be correct. I have employed her under my name for House Halen. She's an excellent healer and has taken an interest in the sword."

"Oh?" The grandmaster's bushy eyebrows rose.

"Does she have any talent?"

"It…" Serena thought about the question a little longer.

"It's hard, she's an amateur in the sword, but being a Speaker, her constitution far outstrips even the most talented non-Speaker. It's too early for me to tell if she has any real talent."

"What's her disposition?"

"She's compassionate, excitable and optimistic. However, she is a little naive," Serena said, giving a blunt and honest overview of Amelia's personality.

"Mmm… so unsuited for the military?"

"That may be so, but she's not in the chain of command. She's merely in my employ."

"Have you ever considered sponsoring her for the swordsmanship courses here? Being human, she won't be able to become an officer. I'll never turn down a soul that's passionate about the sword, even if they're a human Speaker." Serena gave the grandmaster a smile.

"You haven't even met her, and you're already trying to pull her into your tutelage?"

"Tsk!" The grandmaster clicked his tongue.

"I've lost one talented Speaker to my brother! Before I know it, he'll take another!"

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline for now," Serena said, inclining her head as she politely refused the man. She tried to imagine Amelia as a student, her blond hair bouncing in a sea of horns as she rushed to class. It was... surprisingly easy to picture, actually. Nevertheless, she couldn't envision a pathway that would end with Amelia attending an academy. Not yet, anyway.

"Stubborn…" mumbled the grandmaster.

"Very well. I'll let you use one of the private training halls. Only… I'd like to watch the session. You can't get me excited over a prospective talent in my halls and then deny me the opportunity to witness it myself, right?" Serena took a moment to think. It was a fair request, and she had no real reason to deny it.

"Understood," she said.

"What training hall is free?"

"Ah," the grandmaster waved his hands dismissively.

"I'll come with you to get her, and then we'll go together and find a hall. Where is she now?"

"I left her at the gate with the guard. They weren't willing to let a human Speaker onto the grounds without your permission."

"Damn straight," the grandmaster snorted.

"We're at war. Can't be too careful. Come on then, Speaker Halen. Let's get these old bones moving." The old demon clambered up. His clothing hid his body, but Serena could tell from his movements that underneath he possessed an iron body that would rival any younger demon's effort. Together they left the office and returned to the gate. There, they found the gate guard sweating nervously. Amelia stood nearby, idly kicking rocks and pebbles and whistling awkwardly.

"Uh, hello," she said.

"A little problem…" Serena took a moment to mentally prepare herself.

"What's happened?" Amelia gestured to the side and Serena turned her head to see a demon encased in the ground. Earth magic had been used to wrap him in stone, leaving only his head sticking out. Serena grinned before taking her time to pace over to the grumbling demon.

"Serena!" the trapped demon begged.

"Tell her I'm not an assassin! This is very humiliating!"

"Hrmph!" Amelia folded her arms, looking away.

"You might not be an assassin, but you're definitely a weirdo! What kind of strange man tries to give a young, innocent girl like me alcohol in broad daylight? Creep!" Serena tapped her foot against the stone encasing the poor demon.

"Why did I never think to do this myself?" she pondered out loud.

"So, what can we do for you, Officer Adachi?"