Postknight Chronicles

After making that notation, the man steps out of the shadows. It's Captain Colins. He enters Tedric's house.

"I didn't expect your arrival to be this soon," Tedric said with a smirk. "Well, you are a captain for a reason, after all."

Colins grinned and stepped inside. "Oh, it's been too long since I've been here. Would you mind if I stayed for dinner, Elezabeth?" he asked, his voice cheerful.

"Of course! I'd love to have you join us," Elezabeth said, her excitement clear as she wiped her hands on her apron.

"Well, that sounds great," Colins said with a relaxed smile. "So, Tedric, I just saw that kid you were talking about at HQ."

"Did he know you were following him?" Tedric asked, his grin widening.

Colins chuckled. "Nah, he didn't notice. I wasn't stalking him, though. As your sister said, I was undercover. I just came here to get some rest for the night."

Tedric narrowed his eyes, his tone sharpening slightly. "Oh, really? Just remember, if you spy on our house again, I'll report you. And don't think I've forgotten about our last fight."

"Okay, okay," Colins said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I got the point. I'll respect your privacy next time. But you know, in investigations, you can't rule anyone out as a suspect. Spying is one of the most essential tools for understanding people's thoughts."

Tedric sighed, his expression softening. "Fine, I get it. But how long are you planning on staying here?"

Colins leaned back in his chair, his expression serious now. "As it's a top-secret mission, I'll need to stay here until it's completed. You know, Ted, you're the only truly faithful friend I have."

Tedric raised an eyebrow, his tone becoming more casual. "Alright, enough with the flattery. You can stay as long as the investigation is going on."

The conversation shifted, and they spent the rest of the evening chatting and enjoying their dinner.

Before Colins retired for the night, he smirked at Tedric. "You know, Ted, you could've easily been a top Rank A Postknight if you hadn't become the head instructor here."

Tedric chuckled, shaking his head. "Hah... I'm not one for wandering off to bizarre places. Caldemount, Mailie, and the nearby villages are enough for me. Plus, teaching is far more rewarding than running off to battle."

Colins nodded with a grin. "Alright, I'll head out early tomorrow and be back around 8 PM. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Tedric replied with a yawn, stretching as he made his way to bed.

---

Meanwhile, in Solis's room...

Solis lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts racing.

"I have to get stronger," he murmured to himself, clenching his fist tightly. "I can't just rely on my speed. If I want to climb the ranks to S-class, this isn't enough."

---

The next day, around 5 AM...

Solis was at the training grounds, drenched in sweat. He had already completed several rounds of the exercises Tedric had suggested, and the physical strain was starting to take its toll.

"Oh, God! This is even harder than I thought," Solis muttered, taking a brief break. He wiped the sweat from his brow and took a few deep breaths.

Just as he was catching his breath, a familiar voice echoed from behind, startling him.

"Ah, I didn't expect you'd take this seriously," Tedric said with a chuckle.

Solis spun around, his eyes wide. "Instructor Tedric! What are you doing here?"

Tedric shrugged nonchalantly, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I come here every day to practice. You know, I strongly believe in the saying that 'practice makes perfect.' Even though I have a secure life here as your instructor, I still want to be ready for anything. And getting rusty isn't an option."

Solis stood frozen for a moment, mesmerized by the depth of Tedric's words. His respect for his instructor grew even more as he realized the dedication and discipline Tedric applied to everything in life.

"Umm... Sir," Solis began, gathering his thoughts. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, go ahead," Tedric replied, his tone encouraging.

Solis hesitated, his voice thick with emotion. "Can I... become a legendary Postknight? Like Commander Cassius?"

Tedric's gaze softened as he looked at the young boy, sensing the passion and determination in his voice. He placed a hand on Solis's shoulder.

"You can become anything you set your mind to, Solis," Tedric said with a reassuring smile. "But remember, it's not just about reaching a certain rank. It's about how you carry yourself, the strength of your will, and the lives you touch along the way."

Solis's eyes shone with determination. "I'll do whatever it takes. I won't let anything stop me."

Tedric nodded approvingly. "Then you're already on the right path."