Brooke's Priority
Chapter 8's

Fourth priority. Teaching Grace how to survive.

I knew it would be hard to have Grace learn to wield a sword or practice martial arts. He can get hurt if there is no strong determination from within him (physical injuries while training are natural. The only difference is how to respond to it). The difficult practice would eventually make him give up.

Now maybe I can.

I started to feel confident after seeing Grace yell out in anger yesterday. I need some more bait to make Grace realize the importance of having a power to defend herself. Looks like I'll have to ask Alex for help to make fun of me even more rudely in front of Grace.

Speaking of Alex, he just looked at me without saying anything yesterday. I thought he was going to call me crazy and laugh out loud. He knows how to behave in certain situations.

“Brooke.”

Lucas called. I just walked a few steps out of the room.

“Good morning, Oppa.”

Lucas returned my greeting but he was more interested in seeing what I was wearing.

“When did you buy that outfit?”

Lucas watched the cloth pants, the white shirt and the boots I was wearing. I intend to go to the park to train with the wooden sword.

“I told Reevi to buy it,” I replied. “I'll go to sword practice with Haley.”

“Let me see you practice.”

I'm nodding. I don't mind that Lucas helped me convince mom to be allowed to learn how to hold a sword.

“Why haven't you joined us for breakfast?” Lucas asked me afterwards.

“I'm waiting for Dad's reaction for the next few days.”

“Reaction Father?”

I wonder if father will call me to his study and remain angry because I started practicing the wooden sword after being locked up in the warehouse. I deliberately persevered to do the exercises in the park that everyone could access.

“If Dad gets angry, what will you do?”

“Swash from home?” i'm kidding.

“What?” Lucas took me seriously and looked worriedly.

“I was just kidding,” I said as I grabbed Lucas' hand and hooked it in my arm. “I was thinking of joining and breakfast with a shameless face.”

“Basic. Never do that.” Lucas smiled with relief.

I promised and took Lucas to the park hand in hand. Lucas said he had heard what happened yesterday from Alex and Alyson. Lucas told me to ignore the conversation. Now, whatever I do will have the full support of Lucas.

I saw Alex talking to Haley.

“The outfit turned out to be a good fit for you,” Alex said.

I don't think it's a compliment and look at him suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”

“I'll see you practice.”

“Go.”

I don't want to deal with him. Afraid my mood is broken.

“Yes! I'm older than you. You can't talk politely?”

Alex looks at me annoyed.

I ignored him and talked to Lucas. “Oppa, expel him.”

Shortly after I gave Haley my name, I thought about making up with Alex. I even had Reevi prepare a meal or whatever Alex liked. But, while I was in the barn, Alex came to visit me and laughed with happiness. He lured me to escape the warehouse as I told him my bullshit. I decided to make up with Alex.

“Alex, you have to go to the academy,” Lucas suggested.

I took a short breath hearing it. I want to enter that academy. The place where you were taught political science, history and survival lessons.

“Just show me your ability, the most beautiful madman in the region,” Alex told me. He showed a mocking smile and emphasized the new call to me.

Fucking kid. What people who are just starting to practice can show. If only there was a gun.

In this world, firearms have not been found. I was disappointed that I couldn't show my shooting skills.

Haley then gave me a wooden sword and without asking she had already prepared a large enough wood.

“After swinging the sword into the air a hundred times, hit this wood from both sides a hundred times each.”

I nodded in understanding. I immediately tied up my short hair and started swinging the sword.

“Preserve your horses,” Alex gave me advice.

I feel Alex is paying serious attention to my first practice since my release. Alex is more chatty than Lucas. Haley can't even say anything anymore because Alex interrupts her.

So tired.

I lay my body on the grass and looked at the blue sky above me. I feel so tired. But I was encouraged to train my stamina even harder.

“I don't think you're as bad as how you talk.” Alex came closer and squatted down on my right side.

“That's a compliment or an insult?” I asked Alex.

“Just enter the academy.”

My eyebrows are raised next to. “Academy?”

“There was only one daughter there. You just need to rack your brains for the exam and talk to your dad.”

“He's great,” my comment. I was amazed to hear that there was only one girl there. Another thing that amazed me about what Alex said just now is that Lucas didn't stop Alex from suggesting that. They must have discussed this before. They seem very close to sharing their problems.

“Examination yes,” mumbled me slowly. I got up from a lying position and sat on the grass.

“Lucas can definitely teach you about the exam. Isn't it more important to worry about how to persuade your father?” Alex looked at me in wonder.

“Then I have definitely entered the academy,” I flick my fingers. “Mblem finished.”

“Wah, you have indeed gone mad,” Alex clapped. “Lucas, your sister is out of her mind.”

Lucas just sighed. “She just can't be stopped.”

I agree with Lucas. I can't be stopped. The list I made had to be made no matter what. I can't back down just because I'm worried about my father's response. After all, I will do many unexpected things ahead.

One of the unexpected things turned out to be buying twin clothes to wear with Grace. I endured the fatigue after training and complied with Grace's request (i couldn't refuse a cute sister's invitation like her). I also invited Alyson to come with us because I was easily bored when shopping.

Alex had asked me to fight because he was not invited to leave.

“Lucas only does not come, why do you have to come?”

That's how I said in a high tone to him. I don't care what he says after that. Luckily, Lucas immediately pulled him away to take afternoon classes at the academy.

“Thank you for coming with us, Alyson,” I said kindly. I decided to try to be friends with him.

“I'm also happy to be invited to go together.”

Alyson was very shy and somewhat timid. I could see less confidence from him. I came to think that Grace who was friendly to everyone but innocent suited befriended Alyson who was shy but quite sensitive to the situation. I can count on Alyson to stay near Grace while traveling north.

Do I need to teach Alyson too? So Grace has a friend practicing later.

At the moment I thought of that possibility, the horse carriage that was taking us stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. I was surprised and opened the window blinds and looked around. My eyes accidentally looked at a man wearing a black hood and standing in a narrow alley. He left a mysterious impression.

Who her?

*****