After releasing the arrow, Sylvia’s first instinct was to look down, when Mikel lightly tapped on her jaw, making her head look up.

This time surprisingly her shot didn’t fall flat on the ground. Rather…

Sylvia’s eyes went wide as they trailed the familiar arrow’s trajectory up in the air.

It whizzed towards the dancing droplets as if it had a mind of its own, casually slicing through the air and only stopping when it met its target.

Ah~~ Sylvia stared, her lips parting subconsciously, taking in a big breath of air.

“Slave gal! You hit it! You hit it!”

“Umm…”

“But that’s cheating!!! My uncle helped you! Slave gal that doesn’t count.” The small kid pouted and kicked a stone nearby.

Sylvia’s eyes rolled inwardly all the way to the back of her head. Yes! Yes! Your uncle’s motive was to help me. Hmph.

But she swallowed her grievances and quietly mumbled. “As you wish, your highness.”

The little boy immediately perked up. “Good slave girl.” 

He flashed a bright and beaming smile which in the future would surely break several hearts.

“Ok, now we start the competition.”

Sylvia nodded. She quickly recreated the stance she had used earlier and once again pulled out the bowstring and arrow.

She then carefully aimed for one of the droplets in the sky and then released the arrow in one swift motion.

Peng!

The arrow instantly flew forward slicing through the air like a beast unleashed.

Sylvia was already happy with this result. She never expected her aim to be perfect. 

After all, she had never touched a bow and arrow before.

Just doing this was fun and empowering and she enjoyed the feeling of it.

However, her eyes that had casually trailed the arrow once again bulged out like a boiled egg.

Splash!

Her arrow met its target the second time in a row and that too, it was not a stationary target but a moving one.

A small smile surfaced on Sylvia’s lips as she excitedly took out another arrow from the quiver on the ground nearby.

She quickly aimed for a water drop and released the third arrow.

Peng! Splash!

Once again, the arrow perfectly reached its target.

Sylvia felt an exhilarating joy. She had never felt like this in a long time.

This was the small joy of satisfaction that one received from a task well done.

Considering that her life had been absolutely horrific lately, this small joy made her very happy.

She took out another couple of arrows and shot them out, taking her time and playing with it as if she was playing with some children’s toys.

Her elegant and mesmerizing face shone brighter than usual painted with an unbridled glee all over it.

“Slave gal! How are you so good?” Even Cassius couldn’t believe his eyes.

Mikel and Theodore, who were busily discussing something on the side, had seen the display from the corner of their eyes.

They as well turned towards her and gawked at her in surprise.

As experienced as they were, they knew how difficult it was to master something like archery.

Not many people can do what Sylvia had just done and those who can were all outstanding geniuses.

Mikel’s eyes gazed at her with an unfathomable glint as the man tried to analyze her every behavior.

Not only their group, but a few other people standing near them had also noticed Sylvia.

Feeling the several pairs of eyes on her, Sylvia grew a bit uncomfortable and coughed awkwardly.

“Just beginner’s luck, your highness.” She flashed a small smile at Cassius.

She realized that she had inadvertently stood out without meaning to do so.

So in order to quickly rectify this mistake, she raised her bow once again to shoot another arrow, but this time missing her target purposefully.

She put on a sad face and bowed, admitting her defeat to Cassius. “Your win, your highness.” 

“Tch. Tch. My skills are not that good after all.”

As she continued with the act, she felt a pair of eyes fervently gazing at her and looked up, only to see Mikel’s lopsided grin.

Oops! Sylvia immediately looked back down. 

She could tell that the big devil had somehow managed to catch on to her small act.

But the oblivious little devil excitedly grinned and jumped in glee. 

“Don’t worry slave gal. You are good too.”

“I will practice with you every time I come to visit.” 

He assured her as if he was a powerful guild master who had accepted Sylvia under his tutelage.

Sylvia, however, was too busy to react, her mind still lingering on his last few words… 

Every time he visits huh? Her years ahead suddenly felt long and tiresome…