The next few days passed really fast since Zaos's worries decreased in a certain sense. Maybe it was due to the fact that he got more relaxed, but he was starting to make a lot of progress with his research on the symbols. Perhaps he should start the second phase of his research, which was to try to come up with new types of healing spells.

"I am more or less finding the pattern of the meaning of some symbols, but considering that this is a language, the meaning behind the message in each spell still is quite complicated," Zaos muttered to himself. "I can always try to mix all the symbols without thinking too much about it, but since the ancient language doesn't make any sense compared to the one we use in this day and age, I doubt that I will make any real progress just by trying to rely on luck."

Zaos knew that understanding and experiment were two important steps when it comes to researching weird unknown things. However, the second step seemed a bit far away… if he only could find a follower of the demon god that could translate the language to him. Still, why would one of them help him? Since the king didn't approve his research, Zaos couldn't even bring one to his home either.

While Zaos was troubled with those questions, Ameria was making a lot of progress with her training. Zaos confirmed that she had more talent when compared to him. Still, that wasn't weird since Zaos was busy learning the ancient language, and he wasn't training his skills as much as before. Suddenly, the gate of the castle opened and someone who hadn't shown up for a week finally appeared… that someone was Drannor.

"Hey… sorry for not coming lately," Drannor said, showing a forced smile.

"What did you do during the last week?" Ameria asked after she suddenly stopped her practice.

"Focus on your training," Zaos said.

"Well, I was visiting some friends," Drannor said. "The other squad leaders wanted to hang out with me, and thanks to it, the last week had been pretty busy."

"They just wanted to hang out with you?" Ameria frowned.

"I think so," Drannor said. "Still, even though they never mentioned that, we always ended up meeting some girls while we walked around the city."

Ameria looked at Zaos, and he just shrugged. His friends were using the blockhead. Since he was famous, friendly, and from a famous family, a lot of girls were interested in Drannor. Not to mention, he was probably the most good-looking boy among all the twenty squad leaders. Zaos was probably in the middle of the ranking. Although his father had a good appearance that would attract girls and he had his mother's eyes, the fact that Zaos was cold and rarely smiled made him look pretty average.

"We were planning to go out on the next seventh day to the nearest lake. Do you guys want to come?" Drannor asked. "Everyone was pretty excited to go."

"Define everyone," Zaos said.

"All the guys were really into it," Drannor said.

Of course, they were. They spent three years in a place where females were scarce, and now they had the chance to see girls around their age in swimsuits… they were at a phase where their hormones do their thinking for them.

"What about, Zaos?" Drannor asked.

"Not interested," Zaos said.

The seventh day was the only day of the week where he could interact with his younger sister, so he wouldn't ignore her no matter what.

"What about you, Ameria?" Drannor asked.

"I don't know if mom and dad will let me," Ameria furrowed her eyebrows. "Even if they do, they will probably send dozens of guards with me, and that would be bothersome."

"Well, I am sure we can do something about your safety," Drannor said. "I mean, we are all survivors of some difficult battles. Maybe I can convince His Majesty to let you come with us. Do you want me to talk with your father as well, Zaos?"

"I don't need my father's permission if I want to swim in a lake," Zaos said.

"Ah, that is right," Drannor said and then smiled. "I need to talk with your mother for permission."

Zaos frowned when he heard that. After all, Drannor wasn't the type who makes that kind of joke. In the end, even Ameria laughed a little. Although that irritated him a little, Zaos decided to forget about it.

"Don't bring this topic to my father and mother," Zaos said.

Although Zaos made a mental note to be a bit more pleasant at the next party, he didn't want to be more friendly while spending a day off with kids who had hormones in their heads instead of brains. In the end, soon, Zaos would hear that despite his words, the problem hadn't been solved. Drannor left to talk with the king about the trip, and when he returned, he came with some bombastic news.

"His Majesty said yes, you don't have to take a single guard with you," Drannor said.

"Really? How did you convince him?" Ameria said, surprised.

"He said that as long as Zaos and I are there, it won't be a problem," Drannor said.

"You and Zaos?" Ameria asked. "He didn't say you or Zaos?"

"Yep, he said that as long as we both are there, he won't have to worry," Drannor said.

"Drannor… I have been overlooking all the annoyance that you have been causing to me until now, but now you have done it," Zaos said and then got up.

"Come on, don't be mad," Drannor said. "You can bring that friend of yours."

"Zaos has friends aside from us?" Ameria said, surprised.

Zaos began to massage his forehead. Ameria was visibly surprised, but all he could hear was sarcasm due to the anger. Besides, why would he bring his little sister to a trip where half of the people would be kids that can't actually think with their real heads?

"Didn't you know?" Drannor asked. "Zaos gets along really well with the daughter of one of the maids of his house."

"Really? I kind of want to meet her now," Ameria said.