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Diluc stirred his coffee, taking a long sip as the sun finally began its ascent over the grapevines outside. It was about time. Diluc huffed, though he turned a softer smile on Adelinde as she swept into the room with a tray of piping hot food. He had been out late again last night, though he had foregone his usual Darknight Hero activities in favor of balancing the Dawn Winery’s books and putting together the next set of orders they needed for the coming months. The more he did when he had free time, the less all-nighters he had to pull.
“Good morning, Adelinde,” greeted Diluc as the head maid settled the tray in front of him. “Please let Elzer know that I will take the mail after lunch today; I have a morning guest today.”
Adelinde blinked, pursing her lips a little as she straightened.
“Understood, Master Diluc. Should I tell the chef to make up a second tray?”
Diluc took a quick sip of his coffee before shaking his head..
“That will not be necessary, Adelinde. My guest is still adjusting to processed foods, and it’s better if he has a breakfast his stomach is familiar with,” explained Diluc. “When we come in for lunch though, I will request a second meal be made for him.”
“Very well, Master Diluc.”
Adelinde curtseyed and slipped from the room. Diluc picked up his fork and started into his breakfast, though he kept one eye on the window outside. The sun was inching its way over the mountains, just as inefficient as the Knights of Favonius, and painting the rolling hills in swaths of bright colors. It was like the kaleidoscope his father had shown him as a kid, placing it gently in his hands and guiding it to his eye, that indulgent smile on his face as his son squealed over the gorgeous colors.
Diluc smiled softly, slicing through his adventurer’s breakfast sandwich and bringing the luscious combination of egg, ham, and toast to his mouth. It would be far too rich for his guest, and would likely throw off his stomach for the whole day, but it was also the only thing that could keep Diluc running on zero hours of sleep in the past twenty-four hours. And he still had another eighteen hours before his bed called.
Well, at least a few of those hours would be spent in good company.
As always, Razor had impeccable timing. Diluc had just set down the last of his letters when a fierce pounding started on the door. Explaining how to knock was more complicated than he had expected, to be totally honest. But, at least it was clearly and recognizably Razor’s touch. And he wasn’t gnawing the doorknobs anymore.
“Come in, Razor,” called Diluc, rising from his seat as the young wolf boy effortlessly poked the door open. “You’re right on time.”
“Sun high, but not overhead,” replied Razor, puffing out his chest with gusto as Diluc shrugged his heavy black coat off and hung it by the door.
“Well done,” praised Diluc, and Razor practically beamed up at him. “Next, I’ll teach you how to read a clock.”
Razor’s nose scrunched up in silent protest, and Diluc patted his head briefly. His claymore hung just out of sight as he stepped out of the house.
“Now then, we’ll start behind the house today,” he decided. “Agility training takes priority.”
Razor straightened, hefting his claymore over his own shoulder as they crossed the smooth cobblestoned path around the house.
“Razor very fast.”
“Now you need to be nimble,” stated Diluc. “You need to be able to start and stop a movement on a dime, to wield your sword fully instead of only swinging it. Trust me, this will make your attacks much more powerful.”
Razor perked up, and Diluc smiled as he saw the training dummies Elzer had set up already.
“Razor will become strong,” promised Razor, shifting to his ready position as he took in the scene before him. “Strong like Myaster Diluc.”
Diluc bit back the warmth glowing in his chest, and inclined his head with a thoughtful hum.
“Then we’ll run extra drills today.”
Razor nodded eagerly, hefting his sword over his shoulder as he started towards the training dummies, and Diluc leaned against the pillar nearby as his apprentice got into position. He was eager and had already built up most of the muscles, he just needed control now. And that was something Diluc had to learn the hard way. Better to teach what you are not talented in.
And Diluc knew Razor would catch up in no time. Someday, this kid would probably surpass him. And, when that happened, Diluc would be right there to witness it…
Razor let out a roar, leaping for the training dummies as a thrum of lightning ran through his bones, and Diluc smirked.. It looked like another good day.