The Crown Prince Thinks I'm a Guy

Days as Trainee

Now, here comes the long days that spanned my life as an assassin trainee.

Frankly, it was mostly repetitive. I would train my body from the first signs of morning until the sun had fully awoken. In the afternoons, I would study with the other trainees. I would eat a meager meal and live a simple life. Ever since I had agreed to Eva's invitation, we had signed a small contract. I would try it out, and I would even live temporarily inside the Order, but I won't be forced to undergo the inauguration unless I truly wanted to.

"You seem to be keeping at it," Zepherin called out from behind me. I finished my morning training by landing a particularly heavy punch at the combat dummy. It released a puff of dust but didn't break apart.

I panted a little as I turned towards her. It was slow, but she was gradually getting closer to me. She probably still didn't forgive me for my harsh words at that time, but I suppose she could still tolerate my presence. After all, Eva also oversaw my own training.

"How's life as an apprentice?" I asked, wiping at my sweat with a towel.

"... Stupid," she murmured, acting not very much like the energetic girl I had first met in the corridors. Looking away, she spat out, "The others seem to like me, but I could sense their anger. After all, I did steal away the head assassin from her duties."

I have heard about that rumor. It seems that if a trainee would be inaugurated by the head assassin himself, the head would have to step down temporarily in order to train the child seriously. It was a great honor for a trainee to have the head as his mentor, but... It couldn't be helped if there were negative reactions, as well. After all, the empty seat of power would only cause internal chaos.

I stared at the white-haired girl. In the two months I have been training here, the girl had slowly become reclusive. She had contained her messy hair into a neater high bun. Her cheeks lost the few soft touches of youth, and even her body turned more muscular. She was still very much a small child, but all of her original energy had disappeared, and a serious aura had enveloped her.

"... Are you really alright, Zepherin?" I cautiously asked. "I mean, I know you're trying your best to hasten your time as an apprentice so Eva could return as head, but... it's not okay to overdo it, either."

She glared at me. "Are you suggesting I am weak, trainee?"

I flinched at her obvious portrayal of power. I sighed. "No, of course not, apprentice assassin. I only mean that there are right times for certain things, and I believe it would be best if your training wasn't too hastened."

"Ha!" She stomped her foot in anger. "I think that's just the very case!"

I sighed inwardly, thinking, 'What a child... I was only worried for her health.'

"What is this?" I heard a deep, womanly voice call out to us from the hall. Eva soon came into sight, wearing a plain, white dress that she could never be able to wear if she was still the head assassin. With her violet hair held up elegantly, she looked much like a very young woman. She looked at us both in quick succession. "Are my trainee and apprentice having a quibble?"

I bowed. "No, head assassin. It seems like we simply had a misunderstanding."

"What?" Zepherin countered. "To me, it was very clear. Mentor, this child has been belittling me; telling me I was too hasty with my training or whatnot!"

I huffed before slowly straightening up again. Eva looked at us curiously. I muttered, "As I've said, head assassin: a misunderstanding."

Eva hummed a bit, which only succeeded to annoy the only child in the room. Finally, Eva said, "Well, we don't have time for this. Zeph, Assassin Vincentus has requested for your presence in the labs. I believe you might only be 12 minutes late if you start running now."