Alden's mind was a storm of unease. The peaceful life of a young master had been shattered, replaced by the harsh reality of a world filled with power, peril, and intricate connections. The safety within the castle walls was no longer enough; he now longed for knowledge. This thirst for understanding was sparked by the uncertainty and hidden threats that seemed to close in on him.

The next day, after finishing breakfast, Alden had a mission. Over the past two years, he had spent countless hours exploring the castle, memorizing its intricate layout. His wanderings often caused disruption, earning him the exasperated attention of the castle staff. Today, his destination was clear: his brother's study.

Alden knew nothing of schools like those back home in this world. Here, noble children were tutored privately. His brother, Augustus, had a personal mentor since the age of five. Alden didn't know what Augustus had been taught, so he decided to sneak into his brother's study.

He gently pushed the door open and slipped inside. The room was filled with the scent of aged parchment and polished wood. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with books and scrolls, each promising a wealth of knowledge. A large oak desk dominated the room, its surface cluttered with quills, ink pots, and parchment.

Alden quickly moved behind a wooden shelf, where he could remain hidden while observing everything. He didn’t have to wait long. Soon, Augustus entered the room, followed by a tall man with sharp features and a kindly yet stern expression.

"Good morning, Master Augustus," the mentor greeted, his voice smooth and steady.

"Good morning, Teacher," Augustus replied, taking his seat at the desk.

"Today, we will start a new lesson about the basic principles of just governance."

Augustus interrupted, "Teacher, yesterday we toured the barony to show my brother our estate, and my father mentioned mages and knights. Can you tell me more about them?"

William paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Ah, yes, the Orders of Mages and Knights. These are crucial elements of our world, and understanding them is essential for a future Baron like yourself, Augustus."

He pulled another scroll from his pouch and unrolled it on the desk, revealing intricate symbols and diagrams. "The Orders are large organizations that oversee mages and knights. They wield significant power and influence across the world."

Alden leaned in even closer, his curiosity burning. This was the knowledge he needed to understand the magical elements of this world.

"The Mage Order," William began, pointing to a symbol resembling an eye surrounded by runes, "is responsible for all matters related to mages. They regulate the circulation of resources and magic techniques, controlling access to magical knowledge and artifacts to ensure that only the worthy can harness their power.

He glanced at Augustus, ensuring he was following. "Mages are trained in various schools of magic, each focusing on different aspects such as elemental control, healing, enchantment, and more. The Order not only trains mages but also monitors their activities to prevent misuse of their powers.

Mages are essential in many aspects of life, from healing the sick to enhancing agriculture and defending the realm. However, their power must be carefully monitored. Though immensely beneficial, magic can be dangerous if misused."

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

"Mages are classified by their mana cores," William continued.

"They absorb mana from their surroundings and channel it into different nodes of their body. A novice mage possesses a single mana core at the base of their spine. As they advance to apprentice mage, they develop a second core at the sacral node below the navel. They possess the power to wield immense destruction at the higher circles."

Augustus nodded, his eyes wide with fascination. "And the Knights, sir?"

William smiled. "The Knight Order oversees the martial artists of our realm." he continued, pointing to a sword and shield symbol. Knights are not just soldiers; but formidable practitioners with similar strength as mages. Their training is rigorous, focusing on vitality and constitution. Their martial technique focuses on filling their reservoirs with inner energy."

"Knights are classified based on their totem marks. An Iron Knight possesses the strength of one totem mark, equivalent to the power of three elephants, drawing their energy from their skin reservoir. Your father, a Bronze Knight, has two totem marks, his strength amplified through his muscle reservoir, equalling the power of ten elephants. As you can see, both mages and knights are incredibly powerful."

William's expression grew more serious. "Mr. Charles from the Hunter Order is an example of this power. If he wished, he could have his own barony, but many pursue strength and knowledge over political power."

Augustus looked thoughtful. "So, knights and mages work together?"

"Indeed," William replied. "There are specialized groups within the Order of Hunters where mages and knights combine their skills to tackle the most formidable threats. These threats often include rogue knights and mages, powerful beasts, and other supernatural phenomena that require martial prowess and magic."

Alden's mind raced with this new information. The existence of such organized and powerful groups made the world feel even more intricate and dangerous. Grasping these structures was crucial if he was to ensure his family's safety.

"Why are these Orders so important, Teacher?" Augustus asked, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"Because," William said, his tone serious, "they maintain the balance of power within our realm. They ensure that those with extraordinary abilities do not misuse them and that our realm is protected from supernatural threats."

“Teacher, what about beasts? Uncle Charles was talking about hunting a pair of Illusion earth beasts.”

William thought for a moment and sighed, “Mr. Charles is indeed powerful, hunting earth beasts with illusion powers. An incredible feat indeed.”

He looked at Augustus expectant gaze and said, “Beasts are magical creatures; they have powerful physical constitutions like knights and mana like mages. The lowest in the hierarchy are tier-one Mortal beasts. The ones Mr Charles killed were tier-two earth beasts. It was good that they were just illusion beasts; otherwise, it would have been difficult for Mr. Charles's party.”

“Are they really that powerful?” Augustus asked.

“Yes, extremely,” replied William.

“What is the use of killing those beasts?” Augustus continued.

"Beasts possess valuable cores, that both mages and knights can harness," William explained. "These cores are a crucial resource, offering immense potential for enhancing one's abilities."

Augustus's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can a person wield mana and inner energy?" he asked eagerly.

William's expression softened “Yes, achieving this is feasible but demands immense resources and beast cores. Such resources are beyond the reach of small territories, and hunting the creatures is perilous without a powerful group."

Seeing Augustus's eyes dim, Sir William sighed inwardly. “Don’t worry Augustus, your family has an Earth-rank martial technique, ‘Lion’s Inferno.’ With dedication, you can become a Bronze Knight, and who knows, you might even exceed your father's accomplishments and become a Silver Knight."

He leaned back, signalling the end of the lesson. "Tomorrow, we will delve into the basic principles of just governance."

Augustus bowed his head. "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher. I will strive to exceed my father's achievements."

As Augustus left the room, Alden stayed hidden, processing everything he had heard. This new insight was a significant advance in comprehending the intricacies of the world he now inhabited. He knew he had to be cautious, methodical, and above all, relentless. The safety of his family depended on it.