Chapter 140

At the Xander Manor, when Athena entered, Nelson greeted her with a warm smile. “Lady Athena, there you are at last,” he said.

Athena smiled apologetically. “Sorry, I’m late–things have been hectic lately. It won’t happen again.”

Nelson gave her a knowing smile. “It’s okay.”

He couldn’t help but notice how much Xander had changed since Athena started coming around–no longer cold and distant, and even smiling more often. It was all thanks to her.

Nelson led Athena toward the inner courtyard but suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Staring at the agile figure not far away, he gasped in astonishment. “His Highness can actually perform swordplay again.”

Athena followed Nelson’s gaze and saw a figure in black moving through the courtyard, his movements fluid.

The longsword in his hands left afterimages, its palpable killing intent making the air hum with the sword’s resonance.

Leaves whirled violently around him, the breathtaking scene making Athena’s eyes widen in awe.

Though she knew nothing of martial arts, she could even tell that no one could match Xander’s skill.

And Xander wasn’t even fully recovered yet. If he reached his peak, none could stand against him.

Suddenly, Xander’s gaze turned icy. With a flick of his wrist, a hidden projectile flashed toward Athena’s face. The dart skimmed past her hair.

With a sharp thunk, it embedded itself in the trunk of a tree.

Athena broke out in a cold sweat. When she turned, she saw a venomous hornet pinned to the tree by the needle.

Nelson gasped, “Oh my, that hornet is vicious. Its sting won’t kill you, but it’ll leave you swollen for weeks. Thank goodness His Highness acted in time.”

Realizing Nelson was trying to smooth things over for Xander, Athena quickly bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xander sheathed his longsword with a flick of his wrist–the blade flew straight into its scabbard without him even glancing at it. He looked only at Athena and said, “It’s okay.”

As he spoke, he was already standing right in front of her.

Athena was still marveling at how effortlessly he’d sheathed his sword.

‘He didn’t even look–how is that possible?’ she thought in awe. ‘That’s just incredible.’

At that moment, Xander loomed over her. In an instant, an overwhelming, domineering aura surrounded Athena. It was so powerful that she felt completely defenseless. She didn’t even dare meet Xander’s eyes.

Xander looked down at her; Athena only reached his shoulder.

He was naturally much taller than most men, and though Athena wasn’t short herself, she seemed almost petite standing before him.

Athena steadied herself and quickly held the herbal medicine out before Xander. “Your Highness, this is my new prescription. If you take it for another seven or eight days, your illness will be completely cured.”

The hands in front of him were far from delicate–in fact, they were rather rough. Yet to Xander, they looked just right. He never cared for dainty, fragile women; he found them dull.

Athena was straightforward and unpretentious, though there was one thing about her that irked him. Every time she looked at him, she would lower her...

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“Very cave my life in prius far as ‘wach jo has to protect yourself, along in gara di har Rapaland, fouter calf,” in a commanding tone. With that, he turned and strode toward the training ground.

Athena was a little stunned. ‘I never asked for any reward,’ she thought. ‘And his way of repaying me is really...’

“Well, hurry up,” came Xander’s impatient voice from ahead.

Athena called out quickly. She hurried after Xander to the training ground. The training ground was filled with weapons of all kinds.

Xander made a beeline for the table of concealed weapons and said to Athena, “Pick one that catches your eye.”

Athena stared, momentarily overwhelmed by the dazzling array of concealed weapons before her.

She examined them one by one, then nervously picked up a throwing knife and glanced at Xander. “Your Highness, is this one okay?”

“A throwing knife?” He gave it a brief, appraising glance and nodded. “It’s okay.”

Then Xander picked up a throwing knife and said to Athena, “Watch closely.”

Athena quickly widened her eyes as Xander, with a flick of his wrist, sent the knife flying into the wooden stake. It embedded itself all the way to the hilt. The sheer strength and explosive power made Athena’s blood race.

‘I’m really too weak. If I could master hidden weapons like this, maybe I could finally protect myself,’ she thought.

Xander said to her, “You’re a doctor and a woman. Swordsmanship isn’t for you. It takes too long to master. Hidden weapons suit you better. From now on, you’ll practice here.”

Before Athena could respond, he pointed to the bows. “You’ll need to learn archery as well.”

Athena’s eyes widened as Xander picked up a bow without another word. With a strong pull, he drew the bow and let the arrow fly. It struck dead center.

“Hidden weapons are for close combat. Bows are for distance and for delivering a finishing blow. If your hidden weapon misses, aim an arrow at your enemy’s back,” he instructed.

Whoosh–another arrow flew. This time, it split the previous arrow right at the bullseye.

Athena felt her blood boil with excitement. Xander was teaching her how to protect herself. No one had ever thought of her so completely before.

Seeing the bright light in her eyes, Xander chuckled, “Don’t think it’s that simple. It’ll take at least a year or two to really master it.”

“It’s okay. No matter how tough it is, I want to learn,” Athena replied, her voice ringing with determination.

She only learned medicine because her master forced her to.

Her master used to say, “Your life is very hard. If you don’t learn some medical skills, you might not survive.”

She gritted her teeth and learned, though it was tough at first. If she couldn’t remember the herbs, her master would rap her on the knuckles. She often cried because of it.

But once she finally got it right, her master would reward her with a piece of candy.

Now, with Xander teaching her hidden weapons and archery, Athena felt this was what she truly loved.

Chapter 140

Xander seemed very pleased with her progress. “Same rule as before–come to the manor every three days,” Xander instructed.

Athena felt an indescribable excitement. She understood why Xander set it at three days.

Martial arts required persistence; ideally, she should come every day.

But Xander was busy with official duties, and she didn’t want to trouble him daily. Three days were already more than enough.

Athena nodded emphatically. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Now, I’ll show you how to throw a knife. Watch closely,” Xander said, demonstrating for Athena. “Bend your arm, keep your hand near your chest, and release it with a snap toward the target. Make sure your hand, eyes, and body move as one. Stay calm.”

With a swift motion, he sent the throwing knife flying–it embedded itself solidly in the wooden stake.

Athena’s eyes went wide. Xander gestured for her to step forward and handed her the knife. “Your turn. Give it a try.”

The throwing knife was about the length of her palm, razor-sharp with a satisfying heft.

Athena replayed his movements in her mind, took a deep breath, and threw the knife. Predictably, the knife veered off and landed on the ground.

She thought Xander would tease her, but instead, he gave her an approving nod. “Good form for a first try. Go again.”