Knight Training (2)

[You have learned the Steelguard Military Swordsmanship (Basic) skill]

[You have earned 5 EXP for this achievement]

[Your existence becomes more relevant...]

[You have finished a cycle of the Steelguard Breathing Technique. Your attributes grow slightly. You have earned 1 EXP]

"This is it for today", Sir Rudolph said, seeing that Greem's arms were trembling from exhaustion, to the point that it was shocking that Greem did not show any sign of discomfort on his face.

The looks of soldiers who had witnessed the training session had completely shifted from their usual selves to motivated spirits. These eyes burning with passion, with an iron will to serve the Steelguard family...

'How many years have passed since I last saw those eyes in these lads?', he thought with nostalgy and excitement for the future, 'To think that a single training session would allow us to see so much of the young master who is usually reserved and secretive...'

"Great job, young master!"

"You are impressive, young master!"

"Cheers for the lord!"

The rough voices of the soldiers resonated in the training hall, causing the servants to start gossiping as well. 

[Your reputation in Marsaskala is spreading...]

And obviously, the system took notice of it.

However, Greem merely nodded in an icy gaze. The feelings he was going through were too novel, and too despicable for him. He could finally understand what pride, gratitude and nonsensical will to meet other's expectations meant. And he rejected them all. He was a demon, and he knew that the moment he gave in to this human nature would be the moment he would cease to be himself.

Sometimes, his body would involuntarily show his state to others. He would find his lips curved, which was called 'smiling' for humans. Sometimes, he would feel pain, which was very uncomfortable. 

But this training session answered many questions, as well as replaced some of the worries he originally had.

The path of knighthood was limitless.

Using the breathing technique with his knowledge as a shadow demon who used mana as easily as thinking, he discovered the essence of life force, the energy used by knights. Although as a preparatory knight, he could only sense life force through the breathing technique, he realized that it was just another form of mana. 

All beings possessed mana. From trees to humans, including those without magical affinity, mana was a ressource present everywhere.

Acolytes possessed a magical core, a mutation that allowed them to store and use mana. 

Knights were different. The internal energy they spoke of and refined through the breathing technique was mana condensed in their flesh, blood and bone, enhancing every cell of their body. They could not use mana, but mana was still present in their body, allowing them to break through human limits.

This meant a lot. This meant that as long as he grew stronger and more familiar with 'life force', he should be able to reach realms that were thought impossible to reach for regular knights. 

"Young master, your bath is ready", Albert said in an excited voice, unable to contain the fiery passion in his eyes. 

Albert was probably the one who had looked after the young master the longest, so he was the most surprised. As a beginner rank acolyte, he had also gone through intensive studies. He knew what impressing a knight entailed. 

'He was a genius all along', Albert came to this conclusion, 'Who would have thought?'