The knight training grounds sprawled over a much larger area than the guard’s training grounds. It was also fortified by a large boundary wall with the entrance to the field guarded by two knights in full armor.

When Alaric neared the entrance with a clear intention of entering it, the knights attempted to stop him.

However, a voice from inside bellowed, “Let him inside, he has the lord’s permission.” The knights merely shrugged and permitted him to enter the training field.

Alaric surveyed the area and endeavored to identify the owner of that commanding voice but couldn’t spot anybody nearby who wasn’t engaged in some form of training.

It was during these moments he felt powerless in this new body. Somebody was employing stealth or possessed an immense perception skill that enabled them to monitor the whole ground.

He did notice a small enchanted object on the opposite wall of the entrance. Perhaps it is some type of communication device.

Alaric disregarded it for now and proceeded to explore the fields. His first impression of the knight training grounds was that it seemed a lot more organized and prestigious. Whereas the guard’s training ground felt more rugged, this field appeared more professional.

There were no kids in the area play-fighting with wooden swords or wandering around. Here, men sparred with real swords and shields while donning heavy armor.

“Alaric, over here…” Rowan called out when he spotted Alaric. He, in turn, strode over to where his friend was with a smile pulling at his face.

“Come, I’ll give you a brief tour of the area.” Rowan tugged Alaric by the arm, eager to show him around. First, they arrived at the mounted combat area where knights were trained to fight on horseback.

The large oval field featured riding paths, straw dummies, and elevated targets. He observed knights on horseback practicing jousting against a rotating dummy. They wielded lances, swords, or bows to strike a target while riding.

A group of mounted knights drilled under a strict instructor. These included trotting, galloping, and abrupt halts.

Overall, Alaric was impressed by the sheer discipline of the knights. He had no desire to master mounted combat, but he could clearly understand the advantages during small-scale wars.

After spending some time observing the knights execute their various maneuvering moves, they continued to the duel area a.k.a ‘The Pit’.

This area dwarfed the sparring grounds of the guards. It was packed with sand and bordered by raised stone. He noticed many knights in full armor locked in full-contact duels with real swords. Off in another section inside the ring, some practiced with blunted swords and wooden weapons.

Off to the far side stood the horse training stables. It reeked of hay, horses, and steel. It was the area where the war horses were housed, groomed, and trained.

The few war-horses currently in the paddocks appeared menacing due to their larger bulk compared to regular horses. He imagined how they would appear when they were fully armored.

After some time, they proceeded to the precision range where the knights honed their skills with ranged weapons such as knives and javelins. Rows of targets adorned the precision range at various distances where many knights hurled daggers or javelins.

The precision drills looked nothing short of amazing to Alaric.

Off to the far side, knights armed with bows and crossbows unleashed volleys at specific points on targets as swiftly as possible.

Beside the precision range lay the strength and conditioning area. Large men slammed shields against weighted dummies on one side. Knights donned weighted iron gauntlets and chainmail suits while perfecting their sword drills and performing their exercises.

“What do you think? They are putting in some work, huh?” Rowan asked Alaric.

“They sure are. But we will surpass them.” Alaric chuckled to which Rowan simply nodded.

“Come, let me show you something interesting.” Rowan guided Alaric to a large indoor area off to a separate section of the field. It was the ‘Strategy Hall’ reserved for knights to study strategy and tactics.

When Alaric and Rowan entered the large hall, a few sets of eyes scrutinized them briefly before disregarding them.

The large hall had a few rooms. The largest room served as a resting area where the knights could lounge after completing their daily training. A few aged men occupied this area.

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Another room brimmed with maps, chalkboards, and game pieces. It was a room dedicated to practicing tactical war games and battlefield strategy. The final room focused on studying the layout of fortresses, siege plans, and formations.

Both the rooms were filled with knight captains and knight-lieutenants. They were probably discussing some important strategy. Alaric yearned to study the maps and the layout of the fortresses and siege plans; however, he couldn’t do so directly without appearing awkward.

No kid enjoyed such things. Besides, the senior knights would probably shoo them away.

Perhaps I will inspect the area when there are fewer people. There was nothing else for them to accomplish in the Strategy Hall. So, Alaric and Rowan departed the area to commence their training for the day.

***

1 year later

Alaric couldn’t fathom how the previous year zipped by in the blink of an eye. It seemed like only yesterday to him when he commenced training in the knight training grounds.

Over the past few months, he and Rowan had forged a few friendships. Initially, the young squires disregarded either of them. One was a simple commoner whereas the other one was a bastard.

However, when Rowan began flaunting his skills and started defeating some of the talented squires left and right, many of the squires came flocking to him.

Of course, the majority that sought to make acquaintances or form friendships were of non-noble birth. The minor nobles were too proud.

Later, when Alaric demonstrated his talent, some of Rowan’s new friends overlooked Alaric’s status to befriend him as well.

Gareth and George were two of their closest friends now who were both 12 and commoners. Typically, the four of them trained and sparred together.

“Who’s next?” Alaric twirled his wooden sword after defeating a sparring partner. He was not yet exhausted and yearned to continue his winning streak of two wins.

When he glanced at Gareth, the older fellow raised his hands in mock surrender and said, “I’m not fighting you, freak.” He stuck out a tongue. “I’d much rather duel Rowan.” He gestured at Rowan immersed in his own sparring session off to the side ring. “At least, it would help me save face.”

“You sure? I will go easy on you.” Alaric smirked.

“Uh uh. Spare me.” Gareth went off to the side and started practicing with his sword.

“I simply don’t understand how you can be so strong even without access to mana,” said George. “But you won’t defeat me today, Alaric.” He entered the ring and assumed his stance.

Unlike Gareth, George was a full head taller with a longer reach. It was challenging for Alaric to strike at him unless he employed his subtle energy.

Alaric lunged at George when both of them nodded they were ready. The bigger guy easily deflected his strike and counterattacked. Alaric parried the strike. His blow felt heavy, almost as strong as Rowan's.

However, Alaric had adapted to it by now. His body was fortified significantly by the root chakra energy. His emotions and willpower were tempered by sacral chakra energy.

“You will become a monster when you awaken the system,” George muttered as he defended himself from another attack. “I wonder how many mana skills you’ll be able to acquire.”

Alaric ignored the comment and focused on any tells that might indicate when George became serious or shifted his fighting style. And, he was glad that he did.

George adjusted his stance but instead of attacking outright, he kicked at Alaric’s knees. Years of combat experience sharpened Alaric’s intuition for such moments of trickery and deception.

He dodged the kick and delivered a kick of his own. When the knights sparred with each other, they didn’t adhere to the usual dueling rules as nobles did. The primary goal was to incapacitate your opponent.

George dodged the blow as well and channeled a portion of his mana into his sword arm to strike faster. Alaric barely parried the blow, and then another chained mana strike.

He was being pushed back but was yet to be injured. Sweat beaded his body and a smile crossed his face.

Yes, this is the feeling I crave. He kept deflecting, parrying, and evading the strikes, just barely.

He was growing tired and began to slow down as well. George, on the other hand, was still sustaining the same pace. With one powerful blow, the older kid nearly disarmed Alaric.

He managed to cling to his sword only because he infused a drop of root chakra energy into his palms. It was just enough to prevent his hands from going numb.

“Come on, go easy on me a little bit…” Alaric protested, switching his wooden sword to the other hand. He rotated his wrist to ease the pain of the strike a little bit. However, he didn’t lower his guard.

“Don’t listen to him….” Gareth shouted from the side. “He is faking it.”

“I’m not going easy on him, junior or not,” proclaimed Geoge. “I’ve seen him in enough sparring matches to know he can quickly pull a fast one on his opponents.” He flashed a predatory smile.

Cunning bastards. They know me well. Alaric wasn’t that irritated. In fact, he was even enjoying it. However, that didn’t mean he would let them off the hook.

“By the gods.” Alaric feigned surprise. “Both of you are bullies.”

“Cut the crap.” George activated his boosting skill and charged at Alaric. He cycled another drop of root chakra energy and narrowly dodged the strike.

However, George followed up with another strike and landed a hit on his stomach. The pain radiated from his stomach to his chest, but he summoned his willpower to keep his emotions in check.

He locked eyes with George, who looked a little surprised. “Is that all you’ve got, big guy?”

George bellowed and lunged at Alaric, aiming the sword at his head. Alaric deflected the sword with a roar.

However, the power of the strike forced his sword back. Both of them were locked in a battle of attrition, but George was quickly overpowering him. Instead of contesting in a battle of strength, Alaric loosened his grip on his sword as he sidestepped.

His sword hit the ground, and George lost his balance for a moment. However, in that small window, before George realized what had happened, Alaric planted his feet firmly on the ground and delivered an uppercut to George’s chin.

His fist throbbed with pain as it connected. George’s head snapped back, and he stumbled backward onto the floor.

Alaric stepped forward and offered a hand to help his friend up. George rubbed his chin with one hand, grasped Alaric’s palm with the other, and pulled himself up.

“Why do you even bother fighting him? Only Rowan can defeat him,” Gareth remarked from the side.

“I enjoy it. Besides, I get to learn how not everything is about strength, speed, or technique,” George admitted.

“That was a great fight,” Alaric complimented him. The squires who witnessed their spar started clapping and cheering for both of them.