Gathering Wives with a System

Chapter 672: Althea’s History

Isaac nodded.

Althea happily joined the combat, and her expression became noticeably more serious as she drew her rapier.

Isaac glanced at the weapon with some curiosity before speaking. ”You used a different weapon during the Trial when we first met.”

”I don’t have a fixed weapon. I use everything,” Althea replied, adjusting her grip.

Isaac raised an eyebrow, his expression showing genuine surprise. He also used every type of weapon, so he knew exactly how difficult it was to become proficient with all of them, especially when each weapon required a different style of movement and technique.

Seeing his expression, Althea gave him a wry smile. She seemed to want to say something, but after a moment, she decided against it and quietly took her position.

Isaac could guess what she had been about to say. She had likely learned to use every weapon because her Talent was not particularly powerful, and rather than relying on a single strength, she had chosen to compensate by mastering as many things as possible. It was not exactly an uplifting explanation, so Isaac understood why she had decided to remain silent.

They began training soon afterward. Alice joined them as well, and the three of them moved across the training area while their weapons repeatedly clashed.

They attacked, defended, retreated, and moved back in again, gradually increasing the intensity as they became accustomed to each other’s movements. Time passed without them noticing.

”You are good,” Isaac said as he retreated several steps, breathing steadily.

”I should be the one saying that,” Althea replied, taking a few deep breaths herself. ”How are you able to keep up with me? I have been training with instructors who came from the military of our kingdom, so I have had plenty of proper combat training. I know you have powerful skills and a strong Talent, but your stats are sealed right now, and you are not using any skills. How can you still fight this well?”

”Our master is also strong.” Isaac shrugged.

”Our master? You mean the maid?” Althea repeated, turning her head toward the side of the training area where Eleanor was standing.

Althea clearly did not mean anything insulting by the word. Maid was simply Eleanor’s official position, and she had said it without any particular intention behind it.

Isaac almost burst out laughing. He quickly covered his mouth and coughed when he noticed Eleanor giving him a cold stare, then suddenly became very interested in observing how brightly the lights around the training area were shining.

Eleanor snorted when she saw him pretending not to notice her. She then turned toward Althea and said, ”Isaac and Alice are talented. That is why they can learn so much from my little teachings.”

”You are being humble, Master,” Alice said.

Eleanor merely shook her head.

Althea fell silent for a while after hearing that exchange, seemingly thinking about something carefully before finally looking toward Eleanor.

”Could you help me with my training while we are travelling? I will pay you, of course,” Althea said.

”You want me to help you with training? Would you really like that?” Eleanor asked, clearly surprised.

”Yes. Would that be okay?” Althea asked.

Isaac looked at Althea with a strange expression. He had never seen someone willingly walk into the mouth of a trap before, and he even felt a little sorry for her.

If this had happened in the past, Eleanor might have refused immediately because far too many people had wanted to learn from the Sword Maiden. However, things were different now, as Eleanor did not have many disciples and was actively looking for more people to train.

Thankfully for Isaac, he and Alice had been busy recently, so they had not been able to receive much training from Eleanor. That was one of the reasons Eleanor had started searching for more disciples, which had eventually led to Averon and Isla becoming her students.

Now that Eleanor had come along with Isaac and the others, Averon and Isla had been spared from her attention for the time being. Isaac suspected that Eleanor was simply searching for new ’victims.’

”Okay,” Eleanor said with a nod.

Althea smiled. Eleanor soon changed into her training gear, while Alice decided to continue training with them and Isaac sat down at the side of the training area.

After a while, Charlotta brought some refreshments for him. Isaac accepted them with a small nod and thanked her before returning his attention to the training.

The two of them continued watching the training. Since this was Althea’s first day, Eleanor was going easy on her.

At least, that was what Isaac considered going easy. From anyone else’s perspective, Althea looked like she was being thoroughly worked over, as Eleanor gave her almost no opportunity to rest and constantly corrected her movements.

Surprisingly, Althea did not complain even once. Even Charlotta watched the training without looking shocked or concerned, as though seeing her mistress being pushed to her limits was perfectly normal.

Isaac ate another piece of the refreshment before glancing toward her. ”What do you think about the training?”

”Miss Eleanor is quite good. I suspected it already, but she must be someone with a wealth of experience,” Charlotta answered after watching the two women for a moment.

Isaac made a strange expression. He had subtly been asking whether Charlotta thought Eleanor’s training was excessive, but the woman had completely missed the point of his question and simply praised Eleanor’s abilities.

He sighed inwardly and looked back toward the training area. He was about to say something else when Charlotta spoke again.

”Thank you, Lord Isaac.”

”Hmm?” Isaac turned toward her, his eyes showing his confusion. He had no idea why she was suddenly thanking him.

”My Lady has always been alone. Her circumstances have been complicated, so she never really had people around her who were close to her age. That is why she is really enjoying her time right now,” Charlotta said. Her expression softened as she watched Althea training.

”Always alone? I know she might not have been treated well after her Talent awakened, especially since it was only an A-rank Talent, but wouldn’t she have been treated normally before that? She is still the third princess of Florathi,” Isaac said in a low voice. The others couldn’t hear him since their attention was on combat.