The Serene Life of Lord Ashford

Chapter 7: From Novice to Knight

After a short while, William emerged from the manor, dressed in plain white clothing.

"Good morning, Sir Rockwell."

"Good morning, my Lord. We shall commence the knight training," Rockwell greeted him.

"Very well, I'm prepared for training!" William declared with determination.

Acknowledging William's readiness, Rockwell nodded and proceeded to guide him through the practice of the knight breathing technique. Following Rockwell's instructions, William focused on adopting the prescribed breathing style, purposefully inhaling and exhaling to enhance both his physical and mental capabilities to their fullest potential.

The knight breathing technique served as the fundamental practice for all knights, forming the basis for further progress and advancement. Through consistent practice of this technique, a transparent spherical entity known as the aura core or spirit seed slowly forms within the center of a knight's chest, resembling the size of a human eyeball. The aura core plays a crucial role in enabling knights to harness battle aura, serving as the vessel that contains and channels this powerful energy.

 At present, William's strength is on the verge of reaching the level of a Junior Knight, which can enable him to tap into the potent energy of battle aura. This stage marks a crucial milestone in a knight's journey of growth and development.

Individuals possessing battle aura, regardless of their social status as commoners or serfs, could be recruited by nobles to become retinue knights. The hierarchy of strength among these knights encompassed various tiers: Junior Knight, Intermediate Knight, Senior Knight, Black Iron Knight, Bronze Knight, Silver Knight, Golden Knight, and Sky Knight.

Each tier marked a significant advancement in power, with the Sky Knights being held in the highest regard. They were known to have longer lifespans and the ability to temporarily harness their battle aura to fly.

It is said that Roland StarWind, the founder of the Kingdom, was a formidable Sky Knight. In a daring display of valor, he bravely faced a monstrous serpent-like creature with multiple heads, which had terrorized an island in the middle of a vast lake atop the central highland. His heroic victory led to the establishment of the ancient city of Asseylum, and the lake was subsequently named Miral Lake due to its mirror-like surface, reflecting the stars in the night sky. Asseylum City, deriving its name from the concept of refuge and protection, flourished over time to become the proud royal capital of the StarWind Kingdom.

Next came the strength training regimen. The initial exercise was known as knight steps—an intensive workout engaging the entire body, with a primary focus on the quadriceps, glutes, lower back, and core muscles. This routine involved transitioning from a half-kneeling position to standing, and then returning to the kneeling position using the opposite leg.

Knight steps served as a comprehensive workout, and it was followed by wall climbing, somersaults, punching practice, rock lifting, and several laps of running.

"Push through! Don't give up easily!" Rockwell encouraged William and Vince, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.

Despite the intense soreness and fatigue pulsating through his limbs, William mustered his resolve and pushed himself to maintain his running pace. He persevered until the completion of the sixth lap when his strength was entirely depleted.

"Remarkable improvement! You managed three more laps than last time," Rockwell commended with a rare smile.

Rockwell couldn't help but feel amazed. William's performance had far surpassed his expectations. Rockwell had heard rumors that William's stamina was lacking, as he had struggled to complete more than three laps in previous training sessions since he was 14 years old. However, witnessing William's current level of endurance and determination, Rockwell began to question the accuracy of those rumors. It appeared that either the rumors were false, or William had found a newfound motivation and drive during this particular training session.

Suppressing his surprise, Rockwell quickly moved to William's side.

"Very well done! Maintain your speed, feel the limits of your body, and then push through them with all your might!"

After an intense hour of training, they took a break to rest and regain their strength. The maids thoughtfully served them warm milk, slices of bread, and perfectly grilled lamb chop.

Meat and milk were crucial for replenishing and strengthening their bodies. Although the slightly undercooked lamb chop offered a new taste experience to William, he welcomed the opportunity to enjoy this nourishing meal, knowing it would benefit his overall well-being.

Prior to practicing the knight breathing technique, William would also regularly partake in a cup of exquisite, pure, and natural Blue Rosewater, a unique concoction of House Rosenberg. The long-term consumption of this rosewater proved to be highly beneficial for the training of knights, as it helped to calm their minds and maintain proper hydration in their bodies. Its reputation extended beyond the realm of knights, as it was also sold as a luxury item coveted by wealthy women for its skincare properties.

"My Lord, the rest period has concluded. We shall now proceed with swordsmanship training," Rockwell announced, wielding a longsword in his hands. He handed William a single-edged blade with a subtle curve at the tip—common weapons among knights.

A longsword possessed a straight, double-edged blade with a cruciform hilt, designed for two-handed use. Its swings and slashes exerted tremendous impact, characterized by aggression and strength. It served as the primary weapon for Black Iron Knights and those of higher ranks.

Rockwell imparted his knowledge of sword skills. The three fundamental techniques—chopping, stabbing, and blocking—were practiced diligently. Throughout the training, Rockwell acted as a sparring partner, defending against William and Vince.