The training room's atmosphere was intense. Parents and students alike lined the room to watch father versus daughter. Nerissa looked at the sword in her hand. She was only slightly pleased that her father was willing to go all out and use his best weapon against her. That meant he had some degree of respect for her skills as a warrior. Looking around, her friends were close together on one side of the room. She hoped all would go well for her.

Hercules stood anxiously by his mother. His arms were crossed tightly against his chest as he watched the two prepare for their fight.

"Hercules, you're too tense," Alcmene's soft voiced reached him.

He glanced down at his mother as she tugged his arms apart and forced them to his sides. She reached up and pinched his cheeks slightly.

"Mother," he protested, trying to escape her clutches.

She smiled at him, knowingly.

"You're worried that she may leave. But, how do you think she will feel if she looks over at you to see you so worried? Show a little confidence in her, give her a smile. That would better aid her."

Hercules sighed and was about to remind her that they weren't together when Alcmene put a finger to his lips.

"I know, you swear you're just friends. Even as a friend, this is important."

Accepting his mother's words, he gave her a small nod. Glancing up, he caught eyes with Nerissa. Keeping his mother's words in mind, he gave her a quick thumbs up and a smile. Warmth spread through his chest as she smiled back and nodded at him. Daring to look down at his mother, he found her wearing a smug smile. He just shook his head at her.

Jason stepped out of the crowd, his face grim.

"Balian, Captain of the Corinthian Guard, and Nerissa, Daughter of Aphrodite, are you ready?"

Balian and Nerissa faced each other across the training space.

"Yes, Sire," Balian responded.

"I am ready," Nerissa followed.

Jason looked wistfully at Nerissa, who just gave him a grin. He sighed.

"Commence."

Neither opponent moved. Nerissa stood casually, waiting for Balian to strike. The older man held his sword out, scrutinizing her.

"Are you not going to take this seriously?" he asked he daughter.

She smirked.

"Who says I'm not?"

Balian moved toward her. Nerissa watched his movements, but didn't change how she stood. In the blink of an eye, the man charged. Nerissa dodged to the side. Within the same movement, Balian turned and swung his sword downward, but Nerissa blocked with her own. Metal grated on metal as they crossed swords. To the fighters watching, it was clear that Balian's strategy was to tire Nerissa down, but the girl was purposefully keeping herself from letting him.

Iolaus leaned toward Hercules.

"It is kind of like watching their personalities. Balian's flaring anger while Nerissa accepts each insult."

Hercules nodded.

"The only problem is that his strikes, like his insults, will wear her down eventually."

Nerissa seemed to sense that as well, because she changed tactics then. Dodging a lunge, the girl spun around her father and moved behind him. When he attempted to follow her, she ducked low before kicking his back. Undeterred, Balian regained balance and slashed at her. His sword caught her just under the eye, creating a shallow cut. Flinching for only the slightest moment, the girl retaliated with a slash to her father's left arm. The man growled before taking the offensive again. This time, Nerissa had a harder time against the brute force attacks. Her friends shifted uncomfortably as they watched, unable to do anything.

Balian found an opening in Nerissa's stance during his onslaught, kicking her legs out from under her. The girl hit the ground hard, her sword dropping out of her hand. Her father stood above her with his sword pointed at her chin. The room was silent as Balian smiled triumphantly.

"You lose. You haven't learned anything."

He frowned as Nerissa smiled at him.

"Actually, I've learned a lot since day one. First day of training, don't spread your legs too wide after subduing your opponent."

Balian's eyes widened as his legs were kicked out from under him by knocking out his right leg. She could hear Hercules and the others let out cheers of approval. Nerissa turned her head in time for the sword to pass by her head, mere centimeters from causing serious damage, and rolled backwards to her feet. Grabbing her sword, she stood over her father, grabbed his sword, and crossed them over his neck, holding them there with the edges pressed into the training room's floor.

"I'm pretty sure you just lost, Father."

The man's face glowed red, but he said nothing. Jason stepped forward and hooted.

"The winner is Nerissa!"

The girl smiled with relief, pulling the two swords away and tossing them to the floor. She reached down and helped her father to her feet. The man looked at her seriously.

"That was a dangerous move you pulled."

Nerissa shrugged.

"Because you chose swords, of course. But I was quickly taught that letting your guard down just because you think you've won is dangerous. It was close, though."

Balian grunted, but had a soft smile as he extended his hand to her.

"I'll beat you next time you are in Corinth."

Nerissa's face lit up as she instead hugged her father.

"I look forward to it!"

The girl glanced over at Hercules, who wore a huge smile on his face, as she hugged her father. After letting him go, Nerissa yelped as she was tackled by Iolaus and Lilith with congratulations. Many of the cadets followed suit, feeling as if she proved how much all of them have been learning. Jason pushed through the crowd and gave her a long hug.

"I'm so proud of you," he told her, pulling away and patting her shoulder," But I should probably talk to your dad, too."

Nerissa nodded.

"Probably."

As he moved off, she spotted Hercules hanging back by his mother. As she made her way to them, she was taken off guard as the blonde dashed to her and pulled her into a hug, spinning her around once.

"You used my move!" he declared.

Nerissa laughed as her feet touched the ground once again.

"I did. Thank you for wiping the floor with me for weeks at a time when I got here."

Hercules gave her a smug look, pouting his lips out as he smirked.

"I could still wipe the floor with you, if you'd like."

"Oh, could you?" she bantered back.

As the two laughed, Alcmene came up with a smile.

"Congratulations on your win," the older woman told her.

"Thank you."

Balian had to leave not to long after the fight, but most of the other parents stuck around for dinner before heading back home. Nerissa, Iolaus, and Jason stayed with their friends as they said goodbye to their families. Once Hercules and Lilith were on their own again, the group went back inside.

"You're right, Herc," Nerissa told him," Your mother really is pretty great."

The male gave a sheepish grin as his other friends agreed.

"Hah, thanks. She said we should all come up for the next break."

Jason rubbed his chin in thought.

"When is that? It isn't a holiday, is it?"

Lilith shook her head.

"No, just some time off."

Everyone waved their good nights to Nerissa as she parted for her room. Hercules held her back for a minute. He looked at her seriously.

"So, since your father has acknowledged you as a warrior, what is your goal now?"

Nerissa thought for a moment before shrugging.

"I guess…just get better. Maybe now I've avoided the life of a noblewoman, but now I need to worry about my mother. I can't really imagine a life past turning twenty-one. I have a little over a year to just be me and do what I want. As long as my birthday isn't problematic, anyway."

Hercules didn't know how to respond. He didn't know what felt like to make decisions and goals in short bursts. Everyone else at the Acadmeny know where they were going and what they wanted to do. Nerissa now only had a year of freedom before her mother would marry her off to someone. If they didn't want her to do something, her options would be limited.

"How…does the future not crush you?" Hercules asked in amazement.

Nerissa smiled.

"Because I have to pay attention to right now. And I love where I am right now. I have more friends than I ever thought I would. More than I thought I could. I want to enjoy my time here."

Hercules nodding, at least understanding that reasoning. After parting ways with her, Hercules lay in his bed and stared up at the ceiling. Glancing down, he looked at Jason to see that he wasn't asleep just yet.

"Jason."

"What, Hercules?"

"Tomorrow, I want to talk to you about Nerissa's birthday."

Jason was quiet for a moment before responding.

"Yeah, sure."