Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 76: Training

"Dahn, you've certainly made a name for yourself! By tomorrow, everyone at the Magic and Martial Arts Academy will probably know your name. Tsk, tsk, tsk, the hero who defeated the orcs-what an enviable title!"

Defeated? Nonsense! That's not how it happened! I barely managed to escape! Early in the morning, Dahn, reclining on a soft, spacious bed, thought to himself, yet a proud smile graced his face.

It had been ten days since he arrived at the Magic and Martial Arts Academy. During this time, Dahn had gradually become familiar with the environment where he would be living for a long time and had made many new friends. However, only Langiro and Babu, who had grown up alongside him, were permitted to enter Dahn's bedroom.

Dahn's bedroom was difficult to access due to his previous kidnapping. To prevent their son from facing similar dangers again, Antonio and Kliya, who had hurriedly met their son for a few days before returning to Rutania, had left two family knights with eighth-tier fighting energy to protect him.

Gurian and Marcellus, two formidable warriors who had previously trained Dahn, were designated by Antonio and Kliya to ensure Dahn's safety. Now, these two knights stood faithfully outside Dahn's bedroom, vigilantly monitoring everyone approaching him.

"Dahn, your father is quite generous! He actually provided you with two eighth-tier guards! Tsk, tsk, tsk, even the prince studying at the academy probably has guards of this level!"

Langiro remarked as Dahn was being dressed by his personal servant, Nuskah, preparing to attend class with his friends.

"That's what you call reaping the rewards after enduring hardships. Langiro, if you're envious, you should take a trip to the Naglan Prairie. Your father will surely send you two formidable family knights!"

Dahn replied with an even prouder smile as he stepped out the door, with Nuskah carrying his school supplies, and Gurian and Marcellus gripping their sword hilts, closely following Dahn toward the academy's lecture hall.

As a prestigious institution with numerous elite students, the Bylins Kingdom's Magic and Martial Arts Academy has a large area designated for student dormitories. However, these accommodations are not uniform; they are differentiated based on family background, financial capability, and innate talent.

Several students share a room, while a group resides in a building-this is the treatment for commoners and the children of impoverished nobles. Those of medium nobility or students with high potential receive individual rooms but not separate buildings. In contrast, royal members and descendants of high-ranking nobles enjoy dormitories resembling vacation villas.

As the son of a provincial governor, Dahn, despite lacking remarkable achievements, is afforded the best treatment at the Magic and Martial Arts Academy due to his sixth-tier fighting energy, which surpasses that of his peers. Meanwhile, Langiro and Babu can only access slightly inferior accommodations.

Dahn, however, does not care about all of this. On the contrary, he would prefer to share a dormitory with Langiro and Babu. Yet, due to the insistence of his loyal guards, Dahn reluctantly abandoned his plans.

Nevertheless, although Dahn cannot reside in the desired communal dormitory, it does not hinder his ability to interact and visit his friends. Every morning, Langiro and Babu appear at Dahn's single-room dormitory, and in the evenings, Dahn stays late in Langiro and Babu's rooms.

Perhaps every child who has just left their parents' care experiences this phase of infatuation with newfound freedom, a phase that seems meaningful until they grow older and begin to reminisce about the time spent with their parents, longing for the constraints that once limited their freedom.