Phantasia: The Princess Knight

Berlin

The sun was about to set and Alicia still had not found a shelter for the night. "If I don't find a place soon, then I'll end up having to sleep outside all night. But that's not the best idea..." Alicia was a little confused as to what to do. He continued walking forward in hopes of finding a place to use as a shelter. Just as the sun was almost completely setting past the mountains in the distance, Alicia saw a huge old tree with a large wooden door installed inside.

Alicia was surprised to see such a thing. He wasn't sure if he should go and knock or not, but with the circumstances and how not good it was to spend the night in the forest with no place covered to protect himself. He gripped the sheathed sword in his hand and slowly walked to the door. He will reach out and knock on the door when ...

"Can I help you, little lady?" An old voice sounded from behind him.

"Geeh!" Alicia almost jumped from her tattered clothes. He turned around and saw who was talking to him, to see a blue-robed old man. He had a long white beard and white hair that reached his waist. On his head was a long pointy blue hat with a circular beak like a magician's hat.

"Hoo! Sorry, little lady, I didn't mean to surprise you. I've seen you walk to my door with a sword in your hand. I thought you were here to rob me!" The old man said in an amused tone. But when his gaze fell on the short sword in the girl's hand, he raised his eyebrows and asked. "Where did you get that sword?"

Hearing the old man's question, a faint smile appeared on Alicia's face as she subconsciously rubbed the sword in her hand. "I-It was given to me by a boy named Blake Roseland. He gave it to me so I could protect myself for the next three years. I plan to return it to him when I see him again. In three years' time, I told him that I would go and take the bodyguard test!"

While humming, the old man stroked his beard and asked: "Why do you need to protect yourself little miss? Don't you have parents to do that?"

"No... I have been alone for as long as I can remember. I have to escape into the forest or I might be sold by the Village Chief. If I hadn't risked my life to kill two people who came to my run, but this morning to take me away and sell me to a brothel. I'll probably be much worse than I am now." Alicia was feeling a little sad. Ever since he came to this world, he had difficulty after difficulty. But at least he meets Blake, a young boy who aspires to be a true knight. He was like a light shining in the darkness of the night.

As Alicia was deep in thought, she did not see the light that flashed in the old man's eyes. A hint of anger could be seen on his face for a split second before returning to smile. "Once, you're having trouble. So what brings you to my place?"

The old man looked at Alicia with great amusement. 'She doesn't look like a normal poor girl. She speaks very well and seems to be an honest girl. To be this young and have to kill another human being is not easy. Yet he still had an expression of determination in his eyes. Despite being a little lonely and sad she still continued to look forward.' Thinking for a moment, he shouted: "Little lady, this old man has a spare bedroom and is only here occasionally. You can stay here while you train. If I have time, I will also help you with magic and swordsmanship. I may look like this but I also know how to use a sword."

Alicia's eyes began to glaze over. All the pressure from what he was facing suddenly exploded from him with the old man's kind words. Tears streamed down his face as the dirt and dried blood mixed in. The old man looked at her and smiled faintly. Even though she had a steadfast look, she was still a child. The old man stepped forward and patted his head. "My little girl is called Berlin! You can call me Master Berlin from now on! From today on, you will be my student!"

Alicia nodded her head as her tears continued to fall. He sobbed: "Master Berlin my name is Alicia!"

"Good! Now dry your tears, Alicia! Night had arrived and the demonic beasts would come out in droves. It's best to get inside somewhere safe." Berlin stroked Alicia's head once more before bringing her to the door in the tree.

Berlin then waved his hand and the door opened inwards to reveal a long spiral staircase that descended deep into the ground. The entire hallway was lit by a bonfire that adorned the walls all the way down. It did not give the feel of a gloomy old tree but more of a comfortable feeling as if it was a new home.

Alicia followed the old man down the stairs. Even though the old man was very kind to her, he kept his guard up. This did not escape the attention of the old man. 'Good very good! He's wily. He had been holding the handle of his sword all this time. His eyes always look around him. He has what it takes to be a knight! Just with this vigilance alone!'

When they reached the bottom of the stairs. There's another door. Berlin did the same as he did to the door above and waved his hand. The door opens to an open area outside of it. When Alicia stepped up, she could not believe her eyes about what she saw!