As the travelers' eyes adjusted to the sunlight, they found themselves transported to the center of a vast square. Enrico wasn't unfamiliar with such a square; he had been to the Magic Association Center in Newna City with Professor Victor before. The Magic Association Center there also had a similar teleportation magic circle.
However, the square before them was much larger than the one in Newna City. From the front of the square, one could see a series of palaces in the distance. That should be the Royal Castle. On the left, a towering observatory indicated the Magic Association Center of the capital, Sophien, led by the Archmage Naga. On the right, a row of buildings with pointed roofs suggested a close connection with the divine, serving as the center of the Church.
Perhaps alerted by the teleportation magic circle, a cavalry unit could be seen approaching from afar.
The cavalry unit marched in two columns along the sides of the square avenue, with uniformed knights atop horses, showcasing an imposing presence with their synchronized marching rhythm. Enrico could roughly guess that this should be the Royal Knights joined by Jerry's older brother.
Sure enough, as the cavalry unit approached, it became apparent that both the long shields hanging from their horses and the chest insignias on their saddles were embroidered with the double Pegasus emblem of the Royal Sophien.
The cavalry unit slowly lined up in a single file in front of everyone, then dismounted in unison, drawing their swords. In the rising sunlight, the swords sparkled with a dazzling golden light. Following the commands of the two captains on either side, all the knights simultaneously performed the knightly presentation ceremony.
After the ceremony, the knights sheathed their swords. At this moment, the captain of the left cavalry unit walked directly to the princess, kneeling before her and offering the royal presentation.
Kate, who had already positioned herself to the side, promptly grabbed Enrico and Jerry by their collars, pulling the two uncouth commoners behind her. Bertina also cleverly stepped aside.
"Respected Princess, the King is currently presiding over state affairs in the main hall. Please allow the Princess to rest for a moment, as His Majesty will receive you shortly," said the knight captain, bowing before slowly retreating to the cavalry unit.
The five knights led their warhorses towards the travelers, kneeling on one knee with hands crossed in front of their chests.
Enrico was unsure of what was happening but saw the princess approach a horse. With a swift kick on the knight's interlocked arms, the princess gracefully mounted the horse as the knight lifted her.
Similarly, Kate selected a horse, but instead of stepping on the knight's shoulder, he performed a knightly salute, receiving a nod from the knight who then stood up. Kate swung onto the horse.
Seeing each other, Bertina and Jerry decided it was safer to follow the princess's example.
Having worked in the town's general store and often taken care of customers' horses, Enrico had acquired good riding skills. After observing Kate's gesture towards the knight, Enrico, as usual, opted not to use the stirrup. With a smooth leg swing and a hand pressed on the saddle, he gracefully mounted the horse. The observing knight nodded in approval.
Once everyone was mounted, the knights rode in unison, protecting the group as they moved towards the imperial city.
Passing through the Triumphal Arch, the central avenue, and the Forbidden Palace gate, the center of Sophien's highest authority—the Royal Palace—came into view.
Dismounting from their horses, the group ascended the white marble steps. Two bronze Pegasus statues stood on either side in front of the palace. Forty-eight marble columns supported the entire palace, each adorned with intricate reliefs depicting the Glorious Battle and Victory Day. The white marble palace was crowned with a gold-inlaid representation of paradise. The twelve main pillars at the center featured the insignias of the twelve main gods representing the divine realm. Voices of discussion echoed from the depths of the hall, resonating low and profound. The knights had already left the palace, and under the guidance of the princess, the group, surrounded by palace officials and maids, arrived at a side hall.
The side hall opened into an exquisite courtyard through eight large French windows. Sunlight flooded the room, highlighting a row of sofas along the edges. The sofas were adorned with sable fur throws and camel hair cushions.
Feeling utterly exhausted, Enrico bent over, sinking into the sofa. The soft fox fur and camel hair enveloped him, creating a sensation he had never experienced before.
"Comfortable, truly comfortable. I've never felt this way before."
"So, this is the royal grandeur," Enrico thought.
Observing Jerry and Bertina, who seemed equally delighted, it appeared to be their first experience with such royal treatment. The three of them were, after all, different from Kate, who, being a noble, was familiar with and indifferent to everything around her.
Enrico, completely relaxed, buried himself deep in the fox fur and camel hair, relishing a happiness he had never felt before.
After a while, four palace maids pushed in a silver cart with a variety of pastries, and in the middle, a silver pot containing an unknown beverage.
The maids gently placed the cart in front of Enrico.
Uncertain of what to do, Enrico hesitated.
The princess said, "Feel free to choose whatever you'd like to eat."
In truth, these pastries were novel to Enrico, who hailed from a small town, and he had never tasted anything like them before. He wanted to keep all the pastries, but that might be impolite. After careful consideration, he chose a plate of what appeared to be extremely soft sponge cake.
Enrico savored the sponge cake, allowing its velvety, sweet taste to melt on his tongue.
At that moment, a chamberlain in a royal blue court dress entered, conveying the king's invitation.
Everyone stood up, and Enrico reluctantly bid farewell to the sofa.
Following the princess, they traversed the hall and walked through an exceptionally long corridor. They halted in front of a massive arched door, which slowly swung open. Inside was an enormous domed hall, illuminated by a bright yet soft light.
Directly ahead, a platform consisting of seven steps divided the hall distinctly into two sections. On the central throne sat the king and queen.
To the left of the king, on a slightly lower throne, sat the young prince.
On the right, an empty throne awaited the princess.
On both sides of the platform stood a group of ministers. All eyes were fixed on the newcomers entering the hall.
The princess approached the platform, bowing to the king. Enrico quickly followed suit, imitating the princess's gestures.
Laughter erupted from the ministers, who were pointing and chuckling. Even the three royals on the platform wore amused expressions, and the prince couldn't contain his secret laughter.
When Enrico glanced around, he found his companions staring at him. The princess on his left glared at him, and he felt three fingers jabbing him from different directions. Suddenly, the princess in front extended her heel and stomped hard on his toe. The onlookers couldn't help but burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Enrico, realizing he had focused solely on the princess's actions and mimicked her every move, hastily straightened himself. Observing his surroundings, he noticed that Bertina and the princess shared the same greeting, perhaps a feminine gesture. Kate's gesture resembled that of a knight, and he decided to emulate Jerry.
Feeling embarrassed, Enrico awkwardly copied Jerry's posture.
Observing Enrico's clumsy display, the other four deeply regretted bringing him along. His actions were now a source of embarrassment in the royal palace. Enrico had no idea that this small mistake would lead to him being referred to as one of the "Six Shames of the Magic Association," alongside his two teachers, Victor and the princess, for tarnishing the sacred image of magicians.
The princess quickly introduced Kate, Bertina, and Jerry, attempting to compensate for the severe damage to their image. She exaggeratedly claimed they were interns from the Magic Association who had passed the intermediate magician assessment ahead of schedule. The journey through the Enchanted Forest was indeed part of the intermediate magician assessment. They had also undergone training under Princess Chris, making them rare magical talents.
When introducing Enrico, the princess unabashedly labeled him as the private property of Princess Chris. She openly disclosed the details of the contract between him and Chris, emphasizing the distinction between him and the other three.
After hearing the princess's introduction, the king, queen, and prince became particularly interested in Enrico's identity. They were well aware of Chris's personality and believed that only she could orchestrate such eccentric affairs.
The ministers harbored doubts about the abilities of the four young individuals due to their relatively young age. Even with exceptional talent, mastering magic required cumulative effort over time. It was an art that couldn't be rushed. Moreover, given the significant responsibility of the upcoming mission, all participants needed to possess both the capability and strength to undertake such a task.
"I propose to test the strength of these four individuals, with your Majesty's permission," a knight spoke up.
The king, considering the proposal, shared concerns about the young age of the four individuals. Despite being aware of his sister's character, he couldn't be certain of her disciples' capabilities. His daughter, although officially a disciple, had primarily been taught magic by the Grand Mage Naga, not her aunt. Uncertain of the true extent of his sister's magical prowess, the king had only heard from Naga that she was formidable. Now, his daughter claimed that the four young individuals were strong. If this wasn't the case, it would not only damage the princess's reputation but also negatively impact the current diplomatic mission.
The princess was equally anxious. Her impulsiveness to rectify Enrico's unfavorable impact had led her to exaggerate the capabilities of the three others. In truth, she knew little about their strengths.
The king glanced at the princess, noticing her hesitation. Aware that his daughter lacked confidence in her assessment, he hesitated to respond.
It was Kate who stepped forward confidently, expressing her willingness to undergo the test.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to accept the test," Kate declared, taking bold strides.
The king, though somewhat reassured by Kate's confidence, felt the need to caution her. "Very well, young one. Your courage is commendable. However, as a qualified knight, courage alone is insufficient. Do you recognize the knight standing before you?"
Respectfully, Kate replied, "Your Majesty, I certainly recognize Sir Pastin, the esteemed leader of the Royal Knights. He holds the honorable title of Grand Knight, a distinction second only to my father. I hold him in the highest regard, next only to my father."
The king, satisfied with Kate's sincere and respectful tone, continued to caution the young aspirant, "Young one, your courage is admirable, but as a knight, you must understand that courage alone is insufficient. Now, let me remind you that you are about to face a test from Sir Pastin, the Grand Knight of the Royal Knights."
With pride and excitement in his voice, Kate responded, "Of course, Your Majesty. I am well aware of Sir Pastin's esteemed position. He is the most noble among knights, holding the revered title of Holy Knight. Besides my father, he is the knight I respect the most." Kate's voice trembled slightly due to his excitement.
The sincerity and deep respect evident in Kate's words pleased both the king and Sir Pastin. Kate continued, "Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to undergo the test administered by Sir Pastin. It would be the greatest honor of my life."
Upon hearing Kate's words, the king, considering the situation, decided that it would be too heartless to deny her request. He believed that Sir Pastin wouldn't embarrass the young knight excessively. Thus, he declared, "I hereby decree that Kate, the apprentice knight, will undergo the test administered by Sir Pastin, the Grand Knight of the Royal Knights. Let us approach this with a spirit of mutual improvement, reflecting the noble demeanor of knights."
With the proclamation, the ministers stepped aside, creating a clear space in the middle of the hall. Court mages positioned themselves at the hexagonal points, erecting a magical defense barrier. Two senior mages stood beside the king, and an invisible magical wall shielded the royal members.
Kate and Pastin moved to the left and right sides of the hall, respectively, choosing weapons from the attendants holding various arms. Unintentionally, both selected narrow, piercing swords. It seemed this would be a duel of swift blades.
Observers with knowledge of martial arts couldn't help but question whether Kate was overly confident. Facing a Holy Knight like Pastin in a swordfight was deemed foolish. Choosing a weapon with longer reach, like a dragon lance or a combat spear, would have been more advantageous. Considering Kate's proficiency in magic, a longer weapon would be more effective than engaging in close combat.
Pastin might have shared this perspective, as he suggested Kate change her weapon. However, Kate declined the proposal.
With both parties prepared, the king stood up to personally announce the beginning of the test.
Kate took several steps back, creating distance before softly chanting an incantation.
Pastin showed no intention of attacking during this moment.
A series of consecutive fireballs were launched towards Pastin.
This classic tactic against melee warriors posed no threat to Pastin. However, he refrained from using high-level sword techniques or shockwaves to win the duel. He wanted to genuinely assess the young knight's abilities.
Consequently, Pastin skillfully evaded the incoming fireballs.
Suddenly, a wall of fire rushed forward.
"A combination of consecutive fireballs and a fire wall, a very orthodox offensive method. The power and density of the fireballs are commendable. The swift transition between consecutive fireballs and the fire wall indicates a proficiency reaching that of an intermediate mage," Pastin acknowledged Kate's skill to a certain extent.
Suddenly, amidst the gasps from onlookers, Kate thrust her sword out from the raging firewall.
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Although Pastin was surprised, he effortlessly blocked the sword, swiftly deflecting it with a flick of his wrist.
"The thrust was cunning, perfectly executed with a reverse grip. Seems like a solid foundation in swordsmanship. And holding onto the sword without letting go—impressive wrist strength for someone of his age. The transition between magical attacks and sword strikes is remarkably swift, almost simultaneous," remarked Pastin, gaining a better understanding of Kate's swordsmanship.
The two engaged in a back-and-forth duel, with Pastin becoming increasingly astonished. Observers, including the king and princess, were equally amazed. They noticed that Kate could seamlessly combine magic and martial skills. Although the spells she used were limited to basic and intermediate fire-based magic like consecutive fireballs, firewall, fire rain, and explosive flame, the combination with her proficient swordsmanship made the battle surprisingly intense, far from an uneven match.
Pastin found himself appreciating the young knight he sparred with. Kate demonstrated the ability to use both magic and sword techniques simultaneously, with flawless coordination. It seemed like a well-honed skill.
As the fight progressed, Pastin grew more excited. An enthusiast of martial arts, he enjoyed challenging opponents he hadn't encountered before. Forgetting about the initial intention of the test, he unleashed more of his abilities. Initially, Kate managed to hold her ground, but as the battle intensified, it became increasingly difficult for her.
Watching this unfold, Enleico and Bertina began preparing their respective magic specialties.
In a sudden turn of events, a chilling sword aura accompanied by a wave of flames engulfed Kate. It happened so swiftly that the protective mages and the magic barrier surrounding the combatants were caught off guard. The two senior mages beside the king, although ready with water-based magic to extinguish the flames, found themselves helpless due to the unopened magical barrier.
In this critical moment, Enleico, fully prepared, extended his hand. A semi-transparent magical shield resembling a shield enveloped Kate, the one engulfed in flames. It was the unique magic "Chaos Crystal Wall" taught to Enleico by the demon race.
As the "Chaos Crystal Wall" made contact with the protective magical barrier, radiant symbols on the crystal wall glowed intensely. The magical barrier was abruptly shattered, and Enleico felt a severe, electrifying and scorching pain throughout his body. The "Chaos Crystal Wall" instantly enveloped Kate, and there was no steam or aftermath of extinguishing as with typical water-based magic. Kate, now covered in burns, collapsed to the ground. Simultaneously, Enleico also fell to the ground, trembling with a pale face. Waves of intense pain surged through him, as if he had been shocked and scorched. It seemed he needed to inquire about this with the demon Moust.
However, no one noticed Enleico's pained expression. All attention was focused on Kate, lying in the center. Bertina, prepared for such a situation, immediately applied a potent healing solution to Kate.
All of this happened just as the hurried high-ranking priest arrived.
To the astonishment of everyone, Bertina's magical prowess worked miracles. Kate's wounds rapidly healed, and the burn marks swiftly faded. In no time, Kate regained consciousness.
Pastin's internal unease eased slightly. He helped Kate up and said, "You're the most promising knight I've seen. One day, you'll surpass me."
Relieved, everyone returned to their positions, only now realizing the precarious situation of Enleico.
King ordered to have the two injured individuals taken to a resting room. Bertina and Jerry promptly excused themselves. Dealing with the injuries of Kate and Enleico was Bertina's specialty.
After the farewells, the king turned to the courtiers, asking, "What are your opinions on these four young individuals? How do you assess their abilities?"
Pastin stepped forward, expressing, "I highly acknowledge Sir Kate's strength. We witnessed his simultaneous use of magic and martial skills, a feat unheard of among knights."
"Don't forget about Enleico. Despite his peculiar behavior, he managed to break our barrier. Although he ended up injured, his strength should not be underestimated," remarked one of the mages responsible for the protective barrier.
"And the young girl using magical miracles. The magic she employed has the healing properties similar to the light magic used by our priests. Surprisingly, its effectiveness surpasses even advanced light magic," added the high-ranking priest.
Except for Jerry, who didn't have the opportunity to showcase his abilities, the courtiers unanimously expressed high praise for the abilities of the four young individuals.
"Have you all noticed that the magic and special abilities they used are unheard of and unseen by us?" the queen reminded.
"Yes, indeed. It seems that Aunt Chris is truly a genius," the young prince exclaimed. "But how should we assign their tasks? Dealing with others is one thing, but that Enleico—bringing him on a diplomatic mission might lead to embarrassment."
After hearing the prince's words, recalling Enleico's embarrassing display, everyone burst into laughter.
"That clumsy fellow can be conveniently handed over to the mercenary group, let that uncouth rustic teach him some manners," the princess suggested.
And so, the next day, when Enleico woke up, he received an official decree from the king himself, instructing him to report to the mercenary group.
Carrying his luggage and following the guard's directions, Enleico arrived at the mercenary camp located on the western outskirts of the capital. The mercenary camp was indeed situated in a beautiful area. A low hill covered with towering trees, but unlike the dense and eerie primeval jungle of the Dreamy Forest. Upon crossing the hill, a meadow adorned with vibrant flowers unfolded before him, accompanied by a small river passing through the camp.
The leader of the mercenary group was a middle-aged mercenary named Joe, quite renowned in the mercenary world. However, just as the princess described, this person truly resembled a country bumpkin. Wrinkles covered his face, making him look much older than his actual age. His hands were rough with calluses, and his crude manners initially made Enleico uncomfortable. However, Enleico had no right to judge others. During the time he was unconscious, details about the spectacular duel had spread throughout the city, and the bigmouth had made sure to publicize Enleico's embarrassment. Consequently, Enleico had become a celebrity overnight, known everywhere as one of the "Six Shames of the Magic Association" and for his unique status as the princess's private property. Enleico even contemplated changing his name and surname.
Soon, Enleico adapted to the situation. He realized that including Joe, the mercenaries were actually good-hearted folks, much like the friendly uncles from the small town.
After settling in, all members of the mercenary group gathered. In preparation for the upcoming diplomatic mission, Joe planned to conduct special training for the mercenaries.
The first course of training was running.
Seated on the grass, the soft greenery felt like a luxurious wool blanket beneath Enleico's feet, gently extending towards the slope behind him. Despite it being morning, he felt a sudden urge to take a nap.
Joe stood atop a large crate, its contents unknown to everyone.
"Little brats, your lives might depend on how fast you can run. For mercenaries, keeping your life intact on the battlefield is true bravery. Now run!" Joe shouted at the lazy mercenaries.
After his words, Joe opened the massive crate, releasing a dozen ferocious dogs. Enleico's drowsiness instantly vanished as he witnessed these dogs with their piercing green eyes, attacking ferociously. The mercenary camp turned chaotic, with mercenaries running for their lives.
After a morning of running, Enleico, with tattered pants, returned to the camp, narrowly escaping one persistent dog. The camp was a mess, with mercenaries sprawled everywhere.
Observing the dispirited mercenaries on the ground, Joe called out, "Alright, get up! You rabbits, your lunch is here."
All the mercenaries were herded to the river to catch fish.
Approaching the river, Joe waded into the shallow water, just knee-deep, intensely staring at the water surface. Suddenly, he lunged forward, hands swiftly cupping together, catching a lively fish.
With a satisfied smile, Joe returned to the riverbank, tossing the fish back into the water with a flick of his wrist.
Facing the group of mercenaries, Joe briefly explained the basics before letting them go fish on their own.
The river echoed with the sounds of splashing and commotion as mercenaries flipped and jumped to catch fish.
After two hours of fruitless efforts, a exhausted Enleico returned to the riverbank. Very few mercenaries seemed successful in catching fish. Weakened by hunger, Enleico lay down on the ground.
"Dinner's ready, dinner's ready!" Joe shouted, banging two pots.
"Didn't expect there to be food; they're playing tricks on us," Enleico thought. Dragging his weary body, he approached the two large pots.
Everyone hungry gathered around the pots. Upon lifting the lids, a pungent herbal aroma filled the air. The green concoction resembled a mix of roots, leaves, and various unknown plant pieces. Two pots of bubbling concoctions emitted bubbles.
Joe looked at the mercenaries and said, "What's the matter? Don't want to eat? Go catch your own fish then."
Desperate, Enleico forced himself to swallow a bowl of herbal concoction, unable to bear the pungent smell. In his mind, he couldn't help but reminisce about Bertina's culinary skills and the delightful memories brought by her delicious cakes.
After a brief rest post-meal, Joe's voice echoed from afar, "You brats, now that you've eaten and drank your fill, it's time to release the dogs."
In the distance, the dogs started barking wildly. Enleico quickly got up.
Escape.
Every day, the training routine remained the same.
Chased by dogs in the morning.
Fishing at noon.
If no fish were caught, eating grass.
Chased by dogs again in the afternoon.
After over a month of running training, ordinary dogs could no longer catch up with Enleico. His fishing skills had also greatly improved, and he rarely resorted to eating grass lately.
Joe noticed a substantial increase in everyone's running speed and considerable endurance. They could easily run dozens of miles without breaking a sweat.
For the next two months, the mercenaries were to be trained in appropriate combat skills.
To the delight of all, after announcing the end of the running training, at someone's suggestion, a feast was organized that evening. The mercenaries gathered around a pot for a hotpot dinner, made with locally sourced ingredients like fish and dog meat.
Seated in a semi-circle on the sunny side of the slope, the mercenaries enjoyed the feast. Several bundles of neatly stacked long spears were placed in the open space in front of them. Joe picked one and demonstrated various maneuvers, twirling, thrusting, sweeping, and striking in different directions.
Enleico had never imagined that a long spear could be used in so many ways.
Because, historically, the long spear has always been the most basic equipment for infantry—a weapon used by the lowest-ranked soldiers. As long as a soldier shows a bit of combat potential, after completing three months of basic training, their superiors would transition them to become either a shortsword-and-shield wielder or a heavily-armored infantry using a polearm. If there were exceptionally talented individuals, they might be selected for sword or halberd training to become a swordsman or halberd warrior. Only the least promising soldiers would be issued a simple long spear, typically serving as border guards or miscellaneous personnel within the army.
However, if the same long spear could be used as demonstrated by Joe, ordinary spear infantry could become a formidable force.
Lost in thought, Enleico watched Joe perform intricate maneuvers with the spear. Suddenly, Joe twirled the spear and, with a flick of his wrist, turned it into a shooting star, aiming it at the mercenaries. The mercenaries scattered to avoid it. With a "thud," the spear pierced through a large tree, its sharp tip emerging from the other side, the shaft quivering.
Once the mercenaries calmed down, Joe seemed to have achieved his intended effect. In the following weeks, these individuals should willingly practice using the long spear.
"Kids, do you know why the most commonly used weapon for mercenaries is the long spear?" Joe asked loudly.
If it were the old Enleico, he would have answered that mercenaries, being outside regular military formations, had limited combat effectiveness and thus weren't deemed worthy of advanced weapons. However, observing Joe's skills, it was clear that a mercenary force with such strength could be beneficial for achieving victory.
"Because the long spear is strong!" one mercenary shouted loudly, echoing Enleico's thoughts.
"Idiot! If the long spear were strong, the entire army would consist of spear infantry, and spear infantry wouldn't be the most useless unit in the army," Joe retorted sternly. Seeing the mercenaries looking puzzled, he continued to explain, "Being a mercenary is a dangerous profession, and winning battles doesn't hold much significance for mercenaries. The most crucial thing for mercenaries is to survive on the battlefield. Therefore, when mercenaries choose a weapon, they're not considering the combat performance of the weapon but rather whether using that weapon is safe."
Seeing the mostly confused mercenaries, Joe pulled out another long spear, thrusting it forward a few times. He continued, "You all saw it— the primary attack method of the long spear is the thrust. Among close combat attack methods, thrusting keeps the distance between opponents farthest apart, making it the safest method. And the long spear can be used like this." Joe then bent his arm, leaned forward, and, with a spin, swung the spear in an arc, sending it flying towards the same tree like a shooting star. The long spear once again pierced through the trunk.
"Do you see? Could you use a two-handed longsword like this?"
"Long spears have another advantage that no other weapon can compare to. Do you know what it is?"
Seeing no reaction from the mercenaries, Joe shook his head. "Looks like there isn't a smart one among this bunch."
He raised his voice and shouted, "Alright, if you can diligently practice spear skills, I'll tell you after training."
Every mercenary stood up, walking to the pile of spears to pick one. Enleico also stepped forward to choose one.
The spear in his hand differed from the four he bought before entering the mountains. This type of spear had a shaft made of durable red sandalwood, providing strong elasticity, unlike the previous ones with hardwood shafts. The spearhead was slender and long, measuring one foot eight inches. It explained why it could easily pierce through a tree trunk. The spearhead was crafted from high-hardness, cold-forged stainless steel—hard and sharp, although not as wear-resistant as the ones forged using the thousand-layer folded iron method. Clearly, it was a long spear designed specifically for combat.
In the following weeks, Enleico practiced spear skills alongside other mercenaries under Joe's guidance.
Joe taught them several basic attack and defense movements—straight thrust, upward and downward jabs, left and right sweeps—demanding repetitive practice. Solo drills, paired drills, group sparring, breaking down individual movements for practice, and combining all movements for training. Without the captivating performance and persuasive speech earlier, this monotonous training might not have been bearable for anyone.
However, without such training, Enleico would never have known the profound knowledge hidden behind these seemingly simple movements. For example, the straightforward thrust appeared simple, but to thrust from different directions at various body parts required considerable skill and subtle control of force. Several times, Enleico believed he had mastered the thrust technique, only to discover further applications during actual combat. Techniques for jabs and sweeps, crucial for effective defense with a long spear, proved even more challenging to grasp.
During each practice, Joe would have the mercenaries attack him. Despite numerous exercises and in-depth studies of their coordination, every time, Joe effortlessly jabbed or swept their spears away. Although Joe explained the intricacies of power and technique in long spear usage many times, regardless of Enleico's understanding, even when he could make other mercenaries' spears fly into the air within a few moves, the outcome remained the same in sparring with Joe.
After weeks of training, Enleico became proficient in the use of the long spear. Although he had previously learned swordsmanship from Kate, who recognized Enleico's combat talent and kindly suggested introducing him to her father for further martial training, Enleico had already developed a deep love for magic. Consequently, he declined Kate's kind offer.
Joe, however, also noticed Enleico's martial talent and frequently provided him with additional guidance. This accelerated Enleico's progress in spear skills compared to others. Yet, he soon realized that Joe's teaching methods were entirely different from Kate's. Kate excelled at explanations, thoroughly detailing the principles of offense and defense before allowing practical exercises. During practice, Kate maintained a steady pace, ensuring Enleico practiced the learned skills as much as possible. There was no immediate onslaught, unlike the training methods of knights, such as the one in the courtly test.
In contrast, Joe was entirely different. Once the practice began, he immersed you immediately in an atmosphere of impending danger. While he rarely thrust a spear into the mercenaries' bodies, he sometimes did so – as evident from the wound on Enleico's backside. Still, it was the harsh sweep across the ribs or a forceful blow to the head that mercenaries often received. Each practice for the mercenaries was as intense as an actual fierce battle.
Of course, this was how it felt for the mercenaries. For Joe, it was all just a game. His greatest joy came from beating the mercenaries to the ground or relentlessly chasing them. During practice, Enleico often felt that Joe resembled Kris, the one from the Enchanted Forest.
On this particular morning, after everyone had breakfast and rested briefly, they each picked up their long spears and headed to the open space behind the mountain for spear practice. Joe was already waiting there, with several longbows, bundles of arrows, and a dozen straw targets standing at a distance.
Joe ordered the mercenaries to stick their long spears into the ground and come forward empty-handed.
For the past few weeks, Enleico hadn't let go of his long spear. Now, it felt quite unfamiliar.
As they gathered around Joe, sitting in a circle, ready for the day's practice.
Joe picked up a bow from the ground, its curved frame almost forming a half-moon shape. He took three arrows from the bundle, nocking one on the string and sticking the other two into the ground. Turning towards the target, Joe drew the bow, took a careful aim, and released. The arrow flew, hitting the bullseye. Bending down, he picked up the other two arrows, repeated the process, and even though the subsequent shots didn't hit dead center, they still found their mark on the target.
After shooting three arrows, Joe turned back and said, "On the battlefield, if you want to stay away from danger while effectively harming your enemies, aside from using magic, you have to rely on bows and arrows. Of course, except for one who can use magic among you, the others don't have this ability."
Listening to Joe's words, everyone looked at Enleico because they knew he was the only mage among them. Enleico found it amusing, considering he actually couldn't use magic. But who would believe that?
Joe continued, "I'm going to teach you archery. Actually, there's not much to teach; it's all about practice. Initially, I'll correct your movements, give you some pointers, and then it's up to you."
Although Joe claimed there wasn't much to teach, in reality, there was much to learn about archery. It took Enleico several days of Joe's explanations to grasp the basics of archery.
Starting with the types of bows, they were categorized as hunting bows, longbows, and battle bows. According to the bow's manufacturing method, they could be divided into light bows and heavy bows.
Different bows not only had their own usage methods but also required entirely different maintenance methods and precautions.
Obviously, Joe had immersed himself in archery for a long time, understanding the performance of bows and arrows like the back of his hand. Through him, Enleico learned a lot about bows and arrows, even mastering the craft of making them. Joe didn't force all mercenaries to learn arrow crafting but shared the knowledge generously with those interested. Unfortunately, in the kingdom of Sofien, where the atmosphere was dominated by knights and magic, archers were often overlooked, and most military forces, including mercenaries, were not equipped with bows and arrows. Consequently, very few people were interested in archery.
Following Joe's guidance, Enleico used the spare spear shafts during breaks to craft his own bow. Since he used the hardened purple sandalwood treated with wax, its elasticity was far from comparable to normal purple sandalwood used for crafting bows. However, given that it was initially a spear shaft, it gained an advantage in terms of length, allowing Enleico to create a durable longbow. Due to differences in arrow length between the longbow and the arrows Joe provided, he had to craft dozens of arrow shafts himself.
With his custom bow and arrows, Enleico could practice archery separately from the other mercenaries, having his own training ground and target.
The subsequent exercises focused on improving arrow speed and accuracy. The other mercenaries formed ten teams, each with one bow and three hundred arrows. Each round consisted of ten individuals shooting their arrows. Joe recorded the hit rate, and after each person finished shooting, the next person would run up to retrieve the arrows and continue the cycle.
Enleico occasionally practiced archery with the other mercenaries during their breaks, using the bows and arrows provided. Different bows indeed required distinct methods of use. The longbow offered much better shooting stability than the battle bow, but it had a slower rate of fire and was more challenging to aim. In contrast, the battle bow excelled in aiming accuracy and convenience, although it lacked the range and precision of the longbow.
Most mercenaries found it strange that Enleico, being a mage, enjoyed archery. In distant combat, archery didn't offer any advantage for a mage. The attack range of arrows was limited to 100 to 200 meters, whereas magic could effortlessly reach targets four to five hundred meters away. Additionally, many magic spells included large-scale attacks, making them a nightmare for lightly armored archers.
For heavily armored shield-bearers and infantry with strong defense, arrows lacked the power to penetrate their shields and armor. At a greater distance, arrows couldn't even pierce the armor of ordinary knights. Once knights closed in on archers, their formidable impact was beyond what archers could withstand.
As a result, although the Kingdom of Sofien had a certain number of archers, they mainly served as a limited auxiliary force to fill the gap in offensive power between knights and infantry due to different attack speeds. There were even several occasions when the military considered completely eliminating the archer class. If it weren't for the legendary hero in the Battle of Victory Day, who was known to be an archer, the archer class would have vanished from the army long ago. However, Enleico had no knowledge of the name of that hero, as the hero was one of the three heroes of the Kingdom of Kaoqi and hence not publicized in the enemy state of Sofien. Enleico was quite familiar, though, with the two heroes from his own country who participated in that battle – Sir Bosos of the Temple Knights and the Grand Mage Mekaton. The exploits of these two heroes were celebrated every year during the kingdom's festivities.
After completing all the training, there were still two weeks left before departure.
Joe decided to teach everyone some skills that only mercenaries would use. Among them, off-road and tree-climbing training revealed Enleico's outstanding performance, astonishing all the mercenaries, including Joe. In their minds, mages were typically weak in physical fitness and clumsy in movements. However, Enleico excelled in both concealment and trap-making skills, surpassing even Joe, thanks to his ability to use magic arrays.
Trap-making class proved to be a challenging experience for Enleico. During the assessment of mercenaries' trap-making skills, Joe instructed each mercenary to create a trap, and if Joe discovered it, the mercenary would fail. Most traps were relatively rudimentary, easily discernible at a glance, and Joe exposed them one by one. Some traps were intricately crafted, and although Joe noticed them, he pretended not to and skillfully avoided them. Enleico's traps, in addition to being cleverly designed, incorporated magic arrays, making them nearly impossible to detect even by the experienced Joe. Inevitably, Joe stepped into one of Enleico's traps. Of course, in the following days, Enleico received special attention from Joe.
After nearly half a month of training, which turned out to be the most relaxed period, most mercenaries finally acquired knowledge about survival on the battlefield. When Joe announced the end of training, almost all mercenaries crowded around him, eager to know the significant difference he mentioned earlier regarding the long spear.
Joe glanced at them with a tilted head and said, "Haven't you ever thought about it? Among all weapons, the long spear is the most cost-effective. Saves money, understand?"
Upon hearing this answer, everyone couldn't help but laugh and sigh.
With only three days left before departure, during this time, Joe conducted some special training for the mercenaries, especially Enleico. Surprisingly, the training focused on court etiquette. What shocked everyone even more was Joe's identity. When Joe introduced himself as a noble and a member of one of the oldest noble families in the Kingdom of Sofien, except for Enleico, none of the mercenaries believed it.
Enleico found it unsurprising due to his experience with Miss Chris. To him, Joe being a noble was not hard to grasp, considering Joe resembled a noble far more than Miss Chris. Moreover, Enleico later discovered a family connection between Joe and Miss Chris. Joe's aunt was the late Empress, who happened to be Miss Chris's mother.
The three days of court etiquette training were challenging for Enleico. At the request of the king to prevent him from embarrassing himself during the mission, Joe provided rigorous and special etiquette training.
During the training, other mercenaries gathered to watch and made loud remarks. They proclaimed that to maintain the glorious image of the Kingdom of Sofien, strict requirements must be imposed on Enleico, one of the six disgraceful members of the Magic Association. Having experienced some embarrassing incidents in the past, Enleico couldn't argue and had to endure the mockery. Through the hardships of etiquette training, Enleico finally understood why both Miss Chris and Joe, with noble backgrounds, chose to abandon such prestigious titles – being a deranged mage and a fallen mercenary. The cumbersome court etiquette was sometimes a form of torture.