The air in the hidden dungeon beneath the tavern was damp and heavy, the faint glow of flickering torches casting long shadows along the stone walls. Zeron stood in the center of the makeshift training area, his small hands clutching a wooden practice sword. His shoulders were tense, and his gaze flickered nervously to Lucien, who leaned casually against the wall, spinning his own wooden sword in one hand.

  "Relax, kid," Lucien said, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You look like I just told you Malgor’s your dad."

  Zeron’s grip tightened on the sword, his voice barely above a whisper. "I… I’m not supposed to be doing this."

  Lucien rolled his eyes, pushing off the wall and striding toward Zeron with an exaggerated swagger. "Yeah, yeah, you’re not supposed to learn how to be a Shadowblade. Blah, blah, blah. Rules are just for people who don’t know how to break them right." He winked. "Lucky for you, I’m a professional rule-breaker."

  Zeron hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. "What if Malgor finds out?"

  Lucien let out a bark of laughter. "Oh, please. Malgor doesn’t even remember which end of the sword to hold anymore. I’ll deal with him if he gets his knickers in a twist. Now stop worrying and show me what you’ve got."

  Zeron swallowed hard, stepping into an awkward stance. The wooden sword felt unwieldy in his hands, his fingers slippery with sweat. His movements were stiff and uncertain. He swung hesitantly, the blade cutting a weak arc through the air.

  Lucien immediately burst into laughter, doubling over and slapping his knee. "Was that a swing or a nervous handshake? I’ve seen dead branches hit harder!"

  Zeron’s face flushed crimson, and he lowered the sword. "I… I’m sorry."

  Lucien straightened, wiping a tear from his eye. "No, no, don’t apologize. This is great. I haven’t laughed this hard in weeks." He stepped closer, nudging Zeron with the tip of his practice sword. "Okay, shy boy, lesson one: stop being such a coward. Confidence is half the battle."

  Zeron looked down at the ground, his voice trembling. "But I don’t know how to do this. I’ve never fought anyone before."

  Lucien’s grin widened. "Good thing you’ve got me, then." He tapped his own chest dramatically. "Master swordsman. Shadowblade extraordinaire. Overall amazing person."

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  Zeron glanced up at him, unsure whether to laugh or roll his eyes. "You really think you’re amazing, don’t you?"

  "Think?" Lucien repeated, mock-offended. "Kid, I know I’m amazing." He spun his practice sword with a flourish, striking a ridiculous pose. "And you’re lucky to have me as your teacher. Now, let’s fix that pathetic excuse for a swing."

  Lucien positioned himself behind Zeron, placing his hands over the boy’s to adjust his grip on the sword. “Hold it like this. Firm, but not too tight. It’s a sword, not a stick you’re about to beat someone with.”

  Zeron’s face turned redder as he nodded. “O-Okay.”

  “Now,” Lucien said, stepping back and circling Zeron like a hawk, “plant your feet. You’re not dancing; you’re fighting. Your stance needs to be solid. Right foot forward, left foot back. Like this.” He demonstrated with exaggerated precision, grinning all the while.

  Zeron mimicked the stance, his movements uncertain.

  Lucien sighed dramatically. “Well, it’s better than before. Not by much, but hey, baby steps.”

  Zeron frowned, adjusting his footing. “Is this better?”

  “Eh, I’ve seen worse,” Lucien said with a shrug. “Now swing at me. And don’t hold back. Pretend I’m one of those idiots who was picking on you yesterday.”

  Zeron hesitated. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Lucien laughed, loud and carefree. “Hurt me? Kid, you could swing full force and I’d still have time to yawn. Now swing already!”

  Taking a deep breath, Zeron stepped forward and swung the practice sword with more force than before. Lucien blocked it effortlessly, the clash of wood echoing in the room.

  “Not bad,” Lucien said, tone still teasing. “Still terrible, but not as terrible as before. Try again.”

  They continued for what felt like hours, wooden swords clashing in sharp bursts. Lucien’s commentary never stopped—biting, cocky, but never cruel. Beneath the swagger, he was watching every move, every improvement.

  Zeron’s swings grew sharper. His feet more sure. His shoulders less hunched.

  Finally, Lucien stepped back, raising a hand. “That’s enough for today. You’re not completely hopeless anymore. Just slightly tragic.”

  Zeron wiped sweat from his brow, chest rising and falling. “Thanks, I guess.”

  Lucien clapped him on the shoulder, his grin as wide as ever. “Don’t mention it. Seriously, don’t. If Malgor finds out, we’re both screwed.”

  Zeron nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the exhaustion weighing on his limbs. “I won’t tell.”

  Lucien glanced toward the stairs leading up to the rest of the compound. “We’ll keep this our little secret, then. Meet me back here tomorrow night. Midnight. And every night after that. We’ll turn you into a proper shadowblade yet.”

  Zeron’s eyes widened. “Every night?”

  Lucien shrugged, flashing that same cocky grin. “Unless you’d rather keep being terrible. Your choice, half-breed.”

  Zeron hesitated—then nodded. “I’ll be here.”

  “Good,” Lucien said, turning toward the stairwell that led to his quarters. “Don’t be late. I hate waiting.”

  Zeron watched him go, the wooden sword still in his hand. The air in the training hall was still, but something inside him had shifted. A flicker of purpose. Of belonging. Of fight.

  Midnight lessons with Lucien might just be the start of something he never believed he could have.

  A sword, a secret, and a spark of defiance.

  Zeron’s first step into shadowblade training may be clumsy, but it’s real — and it’s his. Midnight lessons, forbidden techniques, and a cocky mentor who might just be the only person still betting on him.

  If you enjoyed this chapter, drop a comment, theory, or insult worthy of Lucien himself. ??

  And don’t forget to favorite if you’re walking this path in the dark right alongside them.

  Make sure you tune in next Tuesday.. you wont regret it. ;)