Two Years and twenty two days, with twelve minutes has passed since the arrival of Tesla to the Academy.

  Researching, studying and patenting all knowladge and inventions him, Nuville and Norien made.

  Not to mention almost failing some classes if not for Savick's tutoring, she made Tesla speak and provide information in a cohesive manner.

  And luckily for the three researchers, though mostly for Tesla, she acted as a body guard as well.

  For Nuville and Norien having a bodyguard was a bit useless.

  Two of the served in the army and did not really stop training their body, however Tesla was the definition of a weak frail child stuck in the mine, often forgetting to sleep, eat and rest, focusing instead on researching stuff.

  But it seems peace was only present in the academy.

  Academy itself is an interesting institution, it is part of the Empire but it is an independent power, even the military branch of it is independent.

  In the past it was situated quite far from Cerillia but as the city grew it became much larger and formally joined the Empire as an independent state.

  It has it's own laws, army, regualtions and ministries.

  Due to that it allowed to stay quite stable even with the Empire in turmoil, since if something went really badly they could pull the only bridge leading to it up and become an isolated island in Cerillia.

  Basically, these sorts of ideas and rules allowed the academy to become a bulwark of stability.

  There was a caveat to this power, Academy was forbidden from teaching anyone that was not a subject or a citizen of the Empire and it's soldiers only had power inside of the Academy not outside.

  The first issue could be easily dealt with by providing "Temporary citizenship" but the second part, was and still is an issue that is impossible to deal with.

  It was quite common for thieves, students and angry professors to take items from the academy go to the city, give it to someone and then report it as a lost item.

  And due to academies army not being able to do any sort of investigation outside, they had to trust the word of the person and buy a new item.

  This in turn made a lot laws and rules, disallowing any taking of items from the academy outside of it's designated area, or copying the content.

  In fact it has gotten so bad that, this was the reason why Empire made a patent office and even ownership office, that protected the rights of artists, writers, scientists and mages.

  However outside of the academy in the city of Cerillia, people were protesting.

  Which was not surprise, since Empire's laws strictly say that all subjects voices are protected, no matter their meaning.

  This allowed for a quite an opened minded society to flurish, however these protests were not only directed at the government but also the Church of the Moon.

  It has gotten so bad that some churches have formed their own council, (one of them being the church owned by Father Luka).

  As for the reason, the church has refused to elect a new Pope and started to round up all people who protest against the church and putting them in prison for being "cursed"

  This in turn made the government of the Empire furious, since the Pope is the formal voice of not only believers but also could hold leaders and countries accountable, without him there was no power that could make a country take responsibility.

  Not to mention rounding up citizens of the Empire was also a no go, that is why city guard was deployed to ensure that the people who go to these protests don't accidentally walk into Church's property and get snatched away.

  In short it was a mess, priests, nuns and churches had to take sides.

  Cities were forced to overwork their guards and some even went into complete lockdown.

  And the Inquisition, which seats in the northern mountain range.

  Well it has to choose to either continue to stay neutral or denounce the actions of the church.

  Sadly it seemed like a simple answer of "Get rid of them" will not work, as long as the inquisition stays silent.

  It was a weird feeling today, since soon enough Tesla will graduate and considering his skill, he will become a researcher and still continue his studies.

  But the lingering feeling of self doubt and the shaking of his arms only increased.

  It only happened in public and outside of his lab.

  With everything that is going on in Cerillia, Tesla was instructed to leave the academy grounds only if necessary and always have someone to protect him.

  Luckily Savick was already filling that role up, and it also allowed her to leave and see the city instead of doing paperwork in her office.

  With both of them going around the city in a carriage, they had one destination that has to be visited.

  For each month, Tesla visits his old home, to both help and talk with Luka and there he spends around a week or so.

  But with the protests and what not, it was decided that he will only be there for three days.

  The importance of Tesla grew and because of that, the simplicity of visiting his family was slowly being taken away from him.

  It seems that the church has become a much more popular place for people to visit.

  After all when Tesla arrived the cafe was full and the workers were working in full swing.

  But Luka was not seen whatsoever.

  "Ah!" one of the cafe workers noticed the carriage. "Tesla, Luka is waiting in the garden, he has something to show you so go there quick, alright?"

  an unexpected turn of events but Tesla did not mind.

  Entering the garden, Tesla and Savick were greeted with colors of all kind and a beautiful pond, not to mention a tree that grew red leafs. "What do you think?"

  "It is, truly magnificent." stunning would not be able to describe the beauty of the garden.

  "I took really good care of it, so I would be very dissapointed if it was not actually good." he went to the tree that provided shade for a stone circle "see this tree, it was a pain to grow and transport here, it made want to destroy everything in sight, luckily it was able to survive so good news." he looked at Savick. "I heard you are the personal bodyguard for him."

  "Yes sir."

  This was the first time Luka saw Savick, but he got reminded of his past, a past he never wished to remember. "pull out your sword kid."

  Savick was worried a bit, but went along with it.

  "hmm..."

  "is something the matter, sir."

  "I guess those muscles are not for show, come here, oh and Tes." he looked at his son "sit down and don't get involved."

  with silence he sat down.

  "Tell me, are you skilled enough to protect my son." He went to other side of the stone circle

  "I believe that my scars and body are proof of my readiness"

  He looked at her. "but is your spirit ready?" Luka took his cane and took it by the lower end. "do not worry, I will not go all out."

  Savick already knew of the cane, since the head of it looked like a hammer and the lower end was covered in leather, in short, unless you were blind or did not know weapons it was clear that Luka always had a weapon at his hand.

  "You may prepare yourself in anyway, use any weapon and wear any armor, your goal is simple" Luka took off his robe revealing a loose shirt and pants. "make me fall." he was completely relaxed "and as an added benefit for you, I will keep my clothes loose." he smiled with a face that a proud parent would give their child.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  "I apologize but I fear I must ask this." her sword was still sheathed "why do you wish to fight me, let alone in the age you are at?"

  "because I need to confirm, if you are worthy of protecting my son and if you are not then I will make you retire."

  Tesla stood up immediately "LUKA!"

  "Tesla sit back down, you and Jean are too important for both me and eachother." he looked at Tesla "and also I need an excuse to fight." whether or not Luka's statement was true did not matter, for he was too greedy.

  Tesla was scared for Luka, after all he is old and not in a best form while Savick was the complete opposite.

  Trained to the bone, capable of using any weapon given to her, winner of several competitions and scarred from countless battles.

  And yet, Luka stood there waiting for her to get ready.

  While Savick, was preparing, checking her armor, weapons from swords, knives and an extendable baton to a pistol she would use if things would go wrong.

  And in front of her Luka yawning but not complaining.

  She prepared the last of her items and unsheathed her sword, a bastard sword that had no insignia of it's smith and could be use with one and two hands.

  Her stance was simple, a sword was lowered to the ground so she could swing up, a single attack would be enough. At the very least that is the hope.

  She charged first, faster than wind and swung with all might.

  Luka simply moved to the side and tried to kick her.

  A miss.

  Savick swung again now from behind Luka.

  He bowed and with a barehand grabbed her sword and pushed it towards her, hurting her.

  She let go of the sword.

  Throwing knives followed, and grabbed her sword again followed by a swing.

  A single step forward.

  She retreated, observing him and circling him like a hawk.

  Luka was silent.

  She moved in again, Luka prepared to dodge.

  Sword was clenched and with a single strong move.

  It flew.

  Luka dodged fast, and in a split second she had a baton in her right arm and another dodge followed by a loud bang.

  Savick drew her pistol and shot with it, and hit the coward who dodges, but at the cost, since it would take too long to reload she used the moment to throw the pistol.

  Another hit and using her last knife she stabbed him in the leg.

  Surely this will make him fall.

  Retreating back to get her sword back she saw that he stood there with a knife lodged in his thigh.

  He took it out and threw it, towards her.

  Dodging it she advanced preparing to stab him.

  A single step and a kick to the stomach followed from Luka.

  "is this all you are capable of, circling around and dodging." he prepared his stance.

  Gripping his hammer with a single hand he swung at the floor where Savick laid.

  Rolling moments before impact, she saw that the ground turned to dust.

  "Is this what the strongest soldier is capable of, is this what is winning wars on the front lines!" He swung again and again, each time Savick dodged. "Is this!" he was filled with anger "who DARES TO PROTECT MY SON!"

  Savick could no longer dodge and as her last ditch effort she tried to block the swing.

  Her sword that was her pride and joy, was destroyed like a twig.

  And with grief and anger stabbed Luka in the his palm and stole his weapon.

  With the last of her strength, and with the last of her will she swung at his legs, before falling to the ground from exhaustion.

  Luka has fallen, looking up at the sky he wondered when was the last time he saw it's beauty.

  "SAVICK!" Tesla yelled out. "PLEASE WAKE UP."

  Standing up Luka came up to him. "She is unconscious." Luka took her in arms "Take her stuff, we will put her to bed."

  Tesla did not even hesitate, with his hands full of her equipment, he walked with Luka to his old room where Savick will rest until she awakes.

  After putting her down and taking off all the armor she had on her Tesla had one question. "...why?"

  "hm?"

  "don't 'hm' me, you almost killed her, and was ALL OF THIS EVEN NECESSARY! OR WERE YOU JUST LOOKING FOR A FIGHT."

  Luka eyes avoided him. "It was not necessary."

  "So you just wanted to hurt another person, again."

  "What?"

  "You think I don't know, I studied for 2 YEARS where I was required to study history." weak punch followed from Tesla "I know what you did, I KNEW that all those books were wrong AND yet you DO THE SAME THING, YOU LET ANGER AND CRUELTY OVERSHADOW YOU."

  "Tesla... I-I did not know"

  "Know what!?" he punched again "That lying to me for 2 years is normal, that hiding away your emotions is painful" Tesla breathed out with tears overflowing his eyes. "I can understand wishing to hide away BUT HURTING MY FRIEND AND USING ME AS AN EXCUSE!" After what felt like an eternity Tesla finally calmed down.

  Luka's eyes burned. "I am... truly sorry."

  "You are apologizing to a wrong person, and if you are gonna apologize to somewhat you could at least look them in the eyes." Tesla left full of emotion, bashing the door to his room in anger.

  "TESLA WAI-" sighing he felt defeated. "...I am so sorry..."

  Silence, weak lamp light, warm blanket and a soft pillow all that surrounded Savick.

  As she tried to stand up she felt weight on her leg, Tesla rested his head on the bed, sleeping in a half sitting position while having his ass on a wooden chair.

  "Don't worry he is sleeping." Luka as if also waiting for her to wake up spoke up.

  "I noticed."

  "right..." he looked at her in the eyes "firstly Tesla told me that you were his friend, so I apologize" he bowed "I doubt it will prove anything but I am trully regretful of our first meeting being the way it was."

  Savick looked at her injuries, they were healed to perfection. "I see..." she looked at Luka "How much?"

  "Don't, I only used it so that Tesla would forgive me."

  "To think that the Sinner of the South would have a soft side."

  "so... you know."

  "Difficult not to, especially after the duel." she looked at Tesla "Why did you take them in?"

  "I wanted to become a better a person."

  "so you adopted two ex-slaves and acted as their foster father."

  "How do you?"

  "He told me." her hand reached for Tesla's hair, long and soft like a mattress with color reminiscent of ebony "he looks up to you, even after finding out what you did." she caressed hair more "desiring to make you proud and capable of change."

  "if only... I am still the same, yesterday was the proof of that."

  "do you truly think so, or is it just your self-loathing speaking."

  "Look at you, I would could have killed you."

  "Yet you did not, you held back and the entire duel only started because want a safe environment for your sons, though I don't know what happened to the sibling."

  Luka's mind understood why she was skilled, she is not the strongest but she is the most observant. "He left for the Archipelago, I gave him my past and have not heard from him since, if he will begin to hate me for what I have done then I will not blame him."

  "So you sacrificed your him to give Tesla a better future? or is there more to this story."

  "There is more."

  "Do you regret it?"

  "Every day." Luka noticed that she was still caressing Tesla's hair. "Are the two of you... you know..."

  "Together? no we are not."

  "Then why are you-"

  "I am jealous of his hair, all he does is take a shower with soap and shampoo. He doesn't even take any special care for it, yet it looks better than what most female students have on campus."

  "Still doesn't explain why you are petting him like a puppy."

  "Am I not allowed to or are you just an extremely overprotective father."

  "..." Luka looked tired "Second part."

  "Well he is an adult so get in your lane, oh and another thing." Savick carefully stood up not to wake Tesla up and bowed towards Luka. "Will you allow me to continue protecting him?"

  Regret resurfaced on Luka's mind. "You won the duel, just make sure he does not die." Luka turned around preparing to leave.

  "Thank you for the duel."

  A single small bow from Luka was a response.

  Savick turned to a window where sun was soon to rise from the horizon.

  Preparations are to be made and walls will need to be build.

  For the Rivers will freeze and Seas will sceam.