"Huh? Training? Big brother wants to train? Can I watch?" Lily asked with sparkles in her eyes as she blinked cutely at her mother.

"Ufufufu~ Maybe, but only if you promise to behave."

"I will." The little princess nodded excitedly and Vivian gently stroked her daughter's hair before shifting her gaze back to Aster.

"What's the training schedule going to be like?" Aster asked, and Vivian slowly lifted her teacup before replying.

"Hmm. Well, since most demons have an affinity for fire magic, and the tournament will largely consist of fire-based combat, I've decided that Hallie will handle all of your fire resistance training."

Hearing this, Aster blinked in surprise. "Um, fire resistance?"

"Yes, dear. She'll also teach you basic fire spells so you don't embarrass yourself in front of all the beautiful demon girls in the arena when someone suddenly tosses a fireball at your pretty face." Vivian said teasingly and Sara snorted while drinking her tea.

While Cara tried not to giggle, Lily couldn't help but smile toothily at her big brother.

Meanwhile, Aster simply rolled his eyes, but a smile was also tugging at his lips.

He was slowly getting used to his mother's teasing, so he reacted in the calmest way possible before returning his attention to what Vivian was saying.

"Next, Cara will train you in spiritual defense."

"What's that?"

"It means that she will teach you how to use your spiritual energy to protect yourself from spirit beasts."

Hearing this, Cara placed a hand over her chest and bowed slightly. "I'll do my best, Your Highness."

Vivian nodded in acknowledgment before continuing. Next, Sara will be responsible for teaching you how to awaken your spirit root and how to make use of your spirit magic. She'll also teach you how to sense corrupted spirit beasts in case Vulcan decides to be insane enough to release spirit beasts in the tournament arena."

"You're kidding, right?"

"I wish I were." Vivian smiled softly but the expression on her face clearly showed that she meant what she had previously said.

Seeing this, Aster tried his best to remain calm.

Although he had never seen a corrupted spirit beast before, but from what he had heard, he couldn't help but think that corrupted spirits in this world should never be messed with.

"Oh, and finally," Vivian went on, "Your weapon and hand-to-hand combat training will be handled by none other than the Captain of my Jack-o'-Lantern Legion."

Vivian paused dramatically before revealing his name. "His name is… Captain Ripper."

"Captain Ripper?" Aster repeated with a puzzled look on his face.

Just hearing the name made Aster imagine a towering pumpkin knight ripping monsters apart with a glowing scythe in one hand.

"He… sounds friendly." Aster swallowed a huge chunk of saliva and Vivian tilted her head innocently. "Oh my. Is something wrong dear? Do you not want Captain Ripper? Or…" Vivian paused as her lips slowly curled into a devilish grin.

"Or would my little dragon prefer a certain female spirit instead? So you can spank her butt as much as you want?"

PFFFFFT!!

Sara choked as her tea burst out of her mouth like a geyser and Cara whipped her head toward her sister with a puzzled look on her face.

Cara couldn't understand why the queen had made such a statement, but she found it very strange that her twin sister reacted the way she did.

Meanwhile, Sara inaudibly stuttered some incoherent words before whistling to herself while staring at the ceiling as though something exciting was happening above them.

On the other hand, Aster simply dragged his palm down his face before giving his mother a sideways glance. "Seriously.... Mom, it's still too early in the morning for you to be teasing us like this."

Vivian giggled and puffed out her chest proudly. "Ufufufu~ Mama will tease her little dragon whenever she wants."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever makes you feel happy." Aster rolled his eyes before flashing a wink at Sara who was still feeling surprised by the fact that Vivian knew what the two of them had been doing during their sparring session in the training hall.

But Vivian didn't allow this feeling to last long because her next words swiftly pulled everyone's attention toward her. "Alright dear, as you can see, your training will be intense, difficult, and tightly packed. So if you ever feel overwhelmed, you're free to cancel any session at any time."

"Nah, that won't be necessary." Aster shook his head softly. "There will be no need for me to cancel any of the sessions because I'm pretty sure I can handle the very tight schedule."

Hearing this, Vivian's eyes softened with pride.

"Okay dear, but don't worry too much about your training. Most of your training will be focused on increasing your stamina and aura capacity."

"Why?"

"That's because most young demons will be focused on using the toughest combat technique or the flashiest spell, but if their current aura capacity is unable to match their abilities, they'll be worn out and exhausted before the match is even over."

Aster nodded his head in understanding.

If he could build up his stamina and aura capacity before the tournament, he would be able to last longer than any other demon in the competition.

"But what about you? What are you going to be teaching me?" Aster asked and Vivian smiled mysteriously.

"Well, since you asked me to teach you how to read and write the common language of Evermore, that's exactly where we'll begin."

"Oh."

"But… If you can awaken a certain trait before the tournament… Mama might consider teaching you something very important."

"Like what?"

"You'll know when the time is right~" she replied and began to hum happily.

Sighs

"Why am I not surprised?" Aster sighed softly as he placed his palm on his face once again.

"Oh, you're not surprised?"

"No, I'm not."

"Oh, is it because you love Mommy so much?"

"Yeah, I guess I do."

"Ufufufu~ my dragon prince is the best." Vivian winked happily but before Aster could say anything, his attention was suddenly attracted by Sara.

"Um~ Your Highness!"

"Yes, Sara?"

Sara leaned forward eagerly. "Don't forget! You and I still have to hunt a jackalope together."

"Oh yeah, that's right. I didn't forget. When are we going?"

"How about later today, after breakfast?"

"Oh, okay. But does that mean I'll have the training for my spirit root awakening before or after the hunt?"

"It will be after, Your Highness."

"Ohh!! A hunt? I wanna go too!" Lily cheered from her seat.

"Ufufufu~ Not today, my little dragon. But maybe next time." Vivian gently patted her head and the little princess stared at the ground with a cute pout.

"Aw, shucks."

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