I Got Isekai’d, Well Shyt!

’Fine! I’ll show you, Father. I’ll show you that I can be more discreet and cunning. If I want the Kingdom under my control, then I’ll need to find a way to control them.’ Marcus thought to himself as he pulled his hand out of his father’s grasp.

”Fine. Whatever. It’s not like it matters anyway,” Marcus said with a scoff.

”It does matter. Our lives depend on it. And there is another issue.”

”What?”

”First, the nobles are beginning to question your leadership skills and abilities. They fear you’re too reckless. Secondly, it is your cousin’s birthday. So to quiet these rumors, I’m having you come with me and we’re going to be nice and respectful to all the nobles and that little brat. And if anyone questions you, you will tell them that it was all a mistake and that you didn’t know what you were thinking. And you will be friendly to your cousin. So your uncle and the other nobles can see that you are not a threat.”

Marcus looked at his father in surprise. He thought he wasn’t allowed to go near his cousin. But now he was going to go with him to the palace.

That was one of the main reasons he snuck into the Serpent’s Labyrinth. He wanted to capture a Crystal Python. And what made them tricky to find was their natural ability to be transparent. The only way to see them is if there was a bright light which would make some of their scales reflect a little bit.

Marcus found one and was able to capture it.

The Crystal Python is an uncommon monster and they are a very valuable alchemy ingredient. But more importantly, they were venomous. Marcus had big plans to sneak the Crystal Python into the palace in hopes of having it attack the Prince on his birthday.

’Perfect! I can make sure my gift from the labyrinth can kill him. Now I can make sure Albert can sneak the Python inside the palace, without waiting to get an update from him. I just need to make sure this doesn’t get traced back to me.’ Marcus thought to himself as he tried not to smirk.

”Whatever,” Marcus said.

”I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

”Like how you disappointed me? Tsk! Fine, I promise that I will be the model noble during my time at the palace... Now, will you let me go?”

”I will. But don’t think I won’t have my men watching you,” Alaric warned.

”Whatever,” Marcus said, annoyed as he turned and walked away.

As soon as Marcus was gone, Alaric rubbed his temples.

”Damn brat. I don’t know why I sacrifice so much for you,” Alaric muttered.

***

Quinus was training with Lady Nelumbo.

She was teaching him the basics of sword fighting. Mathew only likes to train those who have mastered the basic forms of self-defense and can wield a weapon without hurting themselves before training them in mana channeling.

”Now, remember, always keep your stance firm. Don’t lose your balance. Balance is important. Your Highness.”

Quinus was sweating and panting a bit as he was halfway through his training.

”Yes, ma’am.”

”Good. You’re picking it up quickly. And you have good form. Remember to keep the tip of the blade pointed forward. It’s going to help you when you parry. And always keep an eye on your opponent. Don’t look at your weapon, don’t look at the floor, but look at their eyes and their stance.”

”Yes, ma’am,” Quinus said as he did a set of exercises that involved him swinging his wooden sword three times before going into a defensive stance.

”And always have your back straight. If you don’t, it will make you tired faster. It’s easy to let your form get sloppy when you’re tired, so never let your form slacken,” Nelumbo instructed.

Quinus was sweating a bit as his arms and legs were aching from the constant swings and the exercise.

’Fuck me! I wish I had done something in martial arts before I was reincarnated. This sucks,’ Quinus thought as his almost 5-year-old body was being trained by a 32-year-old woman who had the body of a fitness trainer.

Once Lady Nelumbo was satisfied with this set she then instructed Quinus to do his cardio session with horizontal swings and then followed them up with vertical swings. He repeated it several times.

”Don’t stop. Keep your feet moving. Move your hips as well. That will help you keep your momentum.”

But even with Quinus’s internal complaining, he was surprised by how natural it felt to him to wield a sword.

’Huh, I’m actually enjoying this. Maybe my body has a gift for swordsmanship or something?’