The soldiers walked out of the training area looking exhausted. Ender blinked in surprise and walked in curiously.
"Oh hey, son-in-law! How are you?" Jaxyn greeted warmly, putting the swords away.
"I'm good, how are you, King-?" Ender began.
"Just Jaxyn is fine! We're family now," Jaxyn patted his shoulder, walking over to put more swords up. "And I'm great, thanks for asking!"
Ender helped him put the swords up. "So...why did those guys look so tired? Early morning training?"
Jaxyn laughed. "Well, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I lead their training... I have to keep the soldiers sharp so they can protect my family in case my best isn't enough."
"Sir, I'll contribute to that. I want to help protect Arcadia, and I'll do what I can to-" Ender began.
"Ender," Jaxyn interrupted seriously, stopping walking. "You're surely aware that your abilities, while advanced, aren't enough for the threats that face our kingdom... Magic is used very strongly here, and also by my wife's enemies. While most people like my daughter... There could always be someone out there that has ill intent towards her. Regardless, without trying to give any offense, my point is that if you want to stand a chance in protecting her, you need to step up your game significantly."
Ender stopped walking and blinked in surprise. The final blow to his ego.
Jaxyn stopped too and glanced over at him. "Ender? Are you okay?"
"I just...I guess I had a false image of myself..." Ender said quietly.
Jaxyn frowned and set down the swords he was carrying, walking over and pulling him into a hug. "I wasn't saying that to hurt you. Rather, I meant it to inspire you to train harder. You have many amazing achievements, Ender. You just weren't in an environment where you had the mentors you needed. You have a lot of potential."
Ender awkwardly patted his back. "Uh...thanks...?"
Jaxyn pulled away. "Sorry, I'm a hugger... Anyway! My point is, if you want, I can show you a thing or two."
Ender blinked in surprise. "I never pegged you as a fighter..."
"I'm not a warrior who actively seeks conflict anymore... But if I need to, I can intervene," Jaxyn stated.
"Anymore?" Ender asked curiously.
Jaxyn smiled sheepishly. "Did I say that? Uh...don't worry about it. It just suffices to say I'm a different person than when I was younger. Anyway... Would you like my help? If not, I'm going to go get some hot chocolate-"
"I do want your help," Ender said quickly. "Uh...not that I'm against your hot chocolate. I can wait-"
Jaxyn grinned. "I never thought I'd have the opportunity to train the next king! This is awesome! Let's get started right away."
"Are you sure? You said-" Ender began.
Jaxyn used magic and knocked Ender down before he could finish his sentence or realize what was happening. "Slow reflexes... We'll need to work on that."
Ender winced and rubbed his head. "I guess I should've seen that coming..."
Jaxyn pulled him up and smiled, joking, "There's no 'I guess' about it. Anyway, now that I've got your attention, let me see your form..."
And so, Ender somehow endured a training session with Jaxyn. Perhaps what got him through Jaxyn's vigorous training was the fact that Jaxyn saw his abilities as inadequate to protect Arcadia... If Ender wasn't good enough to protect his wife, he had to fix that. Jaxyn could teach him what he needed to know, so he'd endure Jaxyn's vigorous training with a goal in mind... Be able to protect Arcadia better by improving his skills as a warrior.
