The morning sun streamed through the castle windows, illuminating the training hall where Rynhara's next lesson awaited. She stood in the center, her fans clutched tightly in her hands, as Astraea and Selara circled her like hawks.
"Today, we combine your weapon work with magic," Astraea announced, her violet eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Your fans are not ordinary weapons—they are conduits for your mana. Let's see how well you can channel."
"Wait, what?" Rynhara blinked. "You mean I can use magic through these things?"
"Exactly," Selara said, grinning wickedly. "Magic-augmented fan strikes. Very few warriors can pull it off, but lucky you—you have the potential."
Rynhara groaned. "Why does everything I do have to be so complicated?"
"Because you're you," Kaelira called from the sidelines, where she was balancing a tray of teacups as part of her combat maid training. "It's your curse or blessing, depending on who you ask."
Astraea waved her hand, summoning a series of glowing targets that floated in the air. "Focus on one target. Imagine your mana flowing into the fans. Strike when you're ready."
Rynhara closed her eyes, feeling the faint hum of power in her core. She pictured it flowing up her arms and into the fans. The edges of the weapons began to shimmer faintly with a rainbow-colored light.
When she opened her eyes, she slashed at the nearest target. A burst of wind followed her strike, shattering the target into sparkling fragments.
"Not bad," Astraea said, clapping her hands. "Now let's try combining elements. Add lightning to your next strike."
"Lightning?" Rynhara frowned. "I barely know how to use that on its own!"
"Figure it out," Selara said, smirking. "In battle, you won't have time to complain."
Gritting her teeth, Rynhara concentrated again. This time, as she swung the fans, arcs of electricity crackled along the edges. The resulting strike not only destroyed the target but also left a scorch mark on the floor.
"Oops," Rynhara muttered.
Astraea raised an eyebrow. "We'll work on control later."
As the training continued, Kaelira's loud voice broke the focus.
"Excuse me, Princess! While you're out here playing with fans, I'm perfecting the fine art of balancing tea!"
Rynhara glanced over to see Kaelira wobbling precariously with the tray, trying to avoid spilling its contents.
"What are you doing?" Rynhara asked, laughing.
"Part of my maid training," Kaelira grumbled. "Apparently, being a combat maid involves serving tea with precision."
As if on cue, one of the teacups slid off the tray. Kaelira lunged forward, catching it in midair before flipping back to balance on one foot. She landed with a smug grin, the tray perfectly intact.
"Show-off," Rynhara muttered, though she couldn't help but be inwardly impressed.
"Thank you!" Kaelira said, bowing dramatically.
After a grueling morning of training, Astraea called for a break. Rynhara collapsed onto a bench, her fans resting beside her.
"You're improving," Astraea said as she handed Rynhara a flask of water. "But there's still much to learn. Tomorrow, we'll focus on teleportation spells and how they can enhance your combat style."
"Teleportation and combat?" Rynhara groaned. "You're trying to kill me, aren't you?"
"What? Of course not. Not yet anyway." Astraea said, smiling faintly. "I'm trying to make you unstoppable."
Before Rynhara could reply, Tiamora appeared, her regal presence commanding the room. "How is she progressing?"
"She's a natural your majesty," Astraea said. "Her natural talent is undeniable. You could even say shes a genius,."
Tiamora nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at her daughter. "Good. Because tomorrow, I have something special planned for her."
Rynhara's ears perked up. "Special? What kind of special?"
Tiamora smiled enigmatically. "You'll see."
As Rynhara left the training hall, the castle staff gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves.
"She's come a long way," one maid said, polishing a silver tray. "I'll admit, I had my doubts when she was first introduced."
"She's still rough around the edges," added a butler, adjusting his bow tie. "But she's got potential. The Queen wouldn't waste her time otherwise."
"And those weapons of hers," another staff member chimed in. "Have you seen how they glow? She's going to be a force to be reckoned with."
"She's terrifying," muttered a cook, shuddering. "But in an oddly inspiring way."
Later that evening, Rynhara sat in her room, staring at her fans. They still glimmered faintly with magic, a reminder of how far she had come.
"I'm becoming a walking arsenal," she muttered.
Kaelira popped her head in, grinning. "Don't forget to add 'terrifying magic prodigy' to the list."
Rynhara smirked. "You're not jealous, aren't you?"
Kaelira rolled her eyes. "Please. I'd rather stick to stabbing people and serving tea."
As the two laughed, a rare moment of camaraderie was made as they prepared for whatever challenges the next day would bring.