Aiden felt everyone's gaze upon him. He didn't hesitate over his answer; he spoke almost instantly and automatically as he realized the question was addressed to him:
"I want to."
Sebastian, excited, slammed his hand on the table:
"Excellent—then you begin your training."
Evander chipped in, "I can be your personal trainer at home."
Sebastian tapped him on the back of the head, "Sure—if you want him to be as weak as you."
Vivienne stood and moved to Aiden's side.
Evander snapped back, "What are you saying? I'm the strongest here right after you."
"No—you'll be the one training him," Vivienne replied.
Lucian intervened, "Grandfather, why didn't you train me?"
Sebastian looked at him and asked, "You began training at age five and practiced with your father and Evander—they are both the strongest. Besides, I train with you sometimes. What's the problem?"
Evander added, "Count yourself lucky, boy. It's fun to train with him now and then, but if you do it too often, he won't enjoy it and will really push you hard."
Vivienne, having just reached Aiden, said, "That's exactly my concern. I want Marcus or Evander to teach him."
She then winked at Aiden and addressed him, while everyone listened:
"Aiden, honey, are you sure you still want this?"
He shook his head and replied, "I like how fast they run and how strong they are—Lucian can do that too. I want to be like them."
Before Vivienne could respond, Sebastian jumped in, "Alright, agreed—but I will be his trainer. He must make up for those two lost years."
Vivienne gave him a disdainful look, then turned back to Aiden:
"Very well—who do you want as your trainer?"
He looked around at the excited faces of Sebastian, Evander, Tobias (who didn't really want to get involved), Marcus (who seemed indifferent), and Dorian (who watched with interest):
"I want grandfather."
Vivienne forced a smile, admitting defeat, "Alright."
Sebastian beamed, "From today you are a fencer."
Vivienne returned to her seat. Sebastian, thrilled, leaned toward Aiden, "Tomorrow we'll go to your first training."
They talked a bit longer, and after dinner they all returned to their rooms. Vivienne tucked Aiden into her bed and told him stories until he fell asleep; he was too excited and anxious to fall asleep easily, so she helped him calm his mind.
The next afternoon, Sebastian took Aiden with him and spent some time together. As the training hour approached, they traveled to the institute.
The impressive academy, surrounded by various fencing practice boards, had two floors. One floor was the size of three or four typical city buildings, and overall the academy was twice as large as anything in Aiden's residence.
Inside, staircases on either side led upward. A straight corridor ran to the far end, with four doors opening onto individual training halls. The corridor walls were painted light orange at the base and yellow above, and trophies and medals were displayed along the walls.
Aiden walked next to his grandfather, not knowing what to think—his nerves were frayed. He anxiously scanned the corridor. They reached the second floor, similar to the first but with fewer awards.
They stopped at the last door on the right. Sebastian opened it and Aiden, shyly, stepped inside.
He saw children dressed in sleeveless training shirts and shorts designed for maximum freedom of movement. All were younger—around five years old—yet in stature and height they were not far from him; he was noticeably smaller than his peers.
Sebastian approached the coach—a blond man in his thirties with an average face, wearing a dark training uniform—and offered his hand in a firm grasp. He placed Aiden's hand in the coach's and gently nudged him forward, "This is my grandson, Aiden."
The coach looked at Aiden, "This will be your trainer from now on, and you will address me as such."
He smiled, "Hi Aiden. You'll join my group today and learn alongside them. You're not far behind—everyone here started training a month ago. You'll catch up quickly. Don't worry, and if you have questions, just call out: 'Coach!'"
Aiden nodded, already more relaxed but still tense.
"If you get thirsty, there are water bottles over there and a restroom," the coach pointed to a row of clay cups and to a partition at the back of the hall where the toilets were hidden. "Feel free to use them."
Aiden nodded again.
The coach told him to line up at the back. Aiden joined the end of the row, standing out in his light blue T-shirt and long trousers.
Sebastian exchanged a few words with the coach, then sat on a bench along the wall and watched.