"Lyridon doesn't have an official military?" Elianne Sahmbri asks us incredulously.

I shrug, sipping my tea. "Nope. Don't need one. We've got some powerful mages and some of the best education in the world," I explain. "Anything combat-related is left to various free lance guilds. We just defend our own."

"If everyone builds a wall around their house, as they say," Calantha chimes in. "Your dad didn't tell you any of this before marrying our mom?"

"Well, no. Then again, I suppose he's never liked the Noreidahn military, so it makes sense that he'd be excited about moving to a country that's never needed one..." She trails off, persing her rosy pink lips at me.

"What?"

"You're not holding your pinkie up like a lady should," She gripes.

"Don't pay attention to my fingers," I snap. "Pay attention to the lesson. Anyway, like I said, Lyridon doesn't need a military because of the powerful freelance mage guilds. We're allies with the only countries that could actually pose any degree of a threat to us, like Noreidah and Agiyerra.

"Since you're going to school this fall like Calantha and me, you need to pick where you're going. Combat, expoloration, or scholar guilds are your choices if you want to study magic."

Elianne wrinkles her nose. "Combat sounds borish. A lady of my stature would never dirty her hands with it - and without a military, I expect that the training is all the more difficult to compensate."

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Calantha shakes her head. "All three categories have some degree of combat training. It's very important to hone your magic, as well as to be able to defend yourself. As nobles, we're targeted more than anyone else. Even Iantha, who doesn't give the air or appearance of a noble has been attacked for ransom on occasion."

"I kicked their asses. Because of combat training," I inform Elianne, smirking at her scowl.

"I just don't understand how you can feel safe without a military, though. Or how the country functions."

"Like I said. Everyone looks out for their own. And even people who don't make careers out of their magic are required to take a basic level of combat training. That janitor over there?" I jerk my chin to where Mr. Arkel is contentedly cleaning a recently vacated table. "He'd wipe the floor with you in two seconds flat. He even gives me a run for my money and I was in the top ten of my class last year.

"We don't need a specifically government drafted military, because unity is built into our very essence from childhood. We're raised to rely on and look out for each other. Everyone has their own achievements, sure. But at the end of the day, if someone tried to kill me and Mr. Arkel was around, he'd jump to my aid and vice versa. It's just Lyridonian culture."

"What, are there no bad people in this country?" Eliane laughs sarcastically.

"Gee, what tipped you off? The fact that Calantha mentioned me getting attacked for ransom?" I roll my eyes. "Obviously there are still bad people in Lyridon. They just generally get what's coming to them. Combat guilds bring criminals to the various mini councils for trial and sentencing. Very few criminals get past the guilds and the people they target."

"You don't have to be so rude. How about you go to Noreidah and let me sass you when you have questions?" Elianne huffs.

"Alright, you two," Calantha sighs. "Don't worry, Elianne. You'll see how things work soon enough. I know it can take a lot of adjusting when you move to a completely different country, but you'll be fine."

I understand the unspoken probably, but let the conversation lull. I don't particularly like our new step sister, but family is still family. I'll watch out for her to the best of my ability.