Irvene's point of view
We entered a study room prepared for Vaughn. It's comfortable enough inside, although the papers that stacked on each other could be seen. This scene reminds me of Brother Mavien's study room. It seemed that I should get used to it.
We sat on the couch except for Vaughn who sat in front of us and there's a table in front of him. He checked the papers on the table and started our discussion.
"According to their information, the seventh-level students were especially good in magic and bore the best aptitudes that came from Soul'e Magic High but they lacked on many aspects," Vaughn said.
"What that might be? Experience? Although it could be gained throughout the years," Sid said.
"That might not be. Although, those students have only started enhancing their skills when they got into Soul'e Magic High and didn't start at a very young age like us, they only focused on magic aspects. They aged thirteen to fourteen years old when they started to focus on magic aspects and fighting skills while we were trained from physical aspect first before we were taught magic skills," Meryll said.
"That's what makes them different from us. Most of the people were enhancing physical skills together with magic skills since the outcome could be seen in a short time. Then, when their magic was depleted, they would be at a disadvantage since they couldn't fight properly," I said.
"Then what would be the best thing to do?" Sid asked.
"We'll have them gain great control of their own body without the use of magic," Vaughn uttered.
"Then the harder the training, the better it would be. It's best to implement the training we were used to, but alter it a little," Sid said.
Our discussion continued about the things we should prepare for the training and set it up on their outdoor training grounds. It took us a lot of hours to finish the training grounds we chose and then, head to our own rooms to rest and wait for tomorrow.
Morning came and we immediately had breakfast earlier than them and head out to the training grounds. Not long after, all of the seventh-level students were all here.
They were numbered, sixty students. The new members numbered twenty and they just got accepted after the recent Magic Battle Competition. This was indeed quite many compared to the ten to five students accepted each year since the seventh level students appeared. Based on the information, it was just implemented six years ago and my father, the late Ruler was the one who comes up with this idea.
"As you can see, our General made us built these physical training grounds located here on outdoor training grounds. Starting today, you would practice here during the morning and then your regular routine during the rest of the day!" Sid said.
Ren Dewfield who was standing in front of the seventh level students spoke. "How do we practice in this training grounds, Sir Salford and won't we separate the senior ones to the newly admitted students?" he asked confusedly.
It seemed that Ren Dewfield led the seventh-level students before since he was the one who often manage them.
"This practice didn't need to separate each of you and training was simple. Start at the red line and pass through it in the shortest time possible," Vaughn said.
"Wasn't it too simple..," Ren uttered.
Vaughn interrupted.
"Without using any kind of magic," Vaughn said.
I could already saw their confused gazes but only chose to listen to our conversation with Ren Dewfield.
"What are you waiting for? Don't waste any time and start!" Ren shouted.
The training grounds we set up were a field with muds at the starting line and a long ladder which one needed to climb that leads to an empty field at the other side, but we set a magic spell that would release rocks every ten seconds. When they crossed that twenty-meter empty field, swinging sharp blades would welcome them. It would swing with a constant time and one would need to analyze when it was the right time to cross each swinging blade.
That outdoor training grounds were filled with blades and traps from then on.
Ren Dewfield was the first to cross and it could be seen that he was having a hard time crossing each blade and rocks. He passed each of them safely but at half of that death-seeking practice grounds, a pretty huge rock hit his head that made him unconscious.
The whole place was filled with gasps and worries, but a light appeared and brought him to the starting line and his body which were filled with scratches and torn clothes were gone like nothing happened.
I chanted a healing spell when we built that and one would find himself at the starting line when heavily injured and also the finish line had one. Another thing, I made sure that no one would be able to use magic the moment they stepped on the red line.
Ingrid Welsey ran and stepped on the red line with Elliza following him. I almost forget that Elliza, the former Student Council Vice President was also chosen to become a seventh -level student, a future Black Knight under the Black Sword General.
I also saw the Henry, Rose, and Diana with their hesitant gazes in front of the red line. Our teammates during the final competition were also here. We're so busy yesterday that I forgot to talk to them.
Ren Dewfield looked among the rest of the students. "What are you waiting for? Move!" he shouted.
All of them walked with hesitant gazes while walking, but increased their paces when they felt Vaughn's cold gaze.
The students fell in line and waited until it's not crowded to the mud field area.
The training we set up was big enough for all of them to train. The four of us walked near the training area and guided some of the students. We're giving them a bit of advice and hints about the training ground we made since it's their first time but they need to analyze it themselves for the rest of their training days.
The training became much harsher under the heat of the sun. Although it's the first day of training, they're doing good and that was to be expected since they were the best students of Soul'e Magic High.
Afternoon came and their physical training ended. Although they were healed the moment they got to the starting line, I could saw their tired expressions.
"Physical training ends today, rest well and go to the meeting hall later at two in the afternoon," Vaughn said.
"Yes, Black Sword General!" they shouted.
The four of us left the outdoor training grounds and went to Vaughn's study room. Lunch was already prepared and we started eating while discussing about the students.
The afternoon practice would be the same way they train when we're still not here. The students were separated according to their skills. We learned that the Black Knights didn't only consist of warrior class students. There were also mage students. The warrior classes were group together while mage classes were then trained together.
Black Knights were grouped according to the main classes. It seemed that most of the students chosen were the ones that focused on the main class. Some of the sub-classes were archer, priest, assassin, battle priest, druid, and necromancer. The students that focused on the sub-classes then belonged to the main class such as the sub-class archer was considered a warrior class.
Afterwards, the afternoon training started. Meryll and I trained the mage class while Sid and Vaughn taught the warrior class.
***
Three weeks had passed and the seventh-level students were doing great and had improved compared to the first time we met them.
Everything went smoothly until a notice came. Ren Dewfield brought it to me. A magic spell was chanted to the Soul forest and they would know when a person arrived, thus Ren Dewfield went outside and gave it to me.
It stated that it's a letter from the Ruler. Brother Mavien was tasking me to do the second task already. Then, I needed to leave the Black Castle for now since the next task would be to the Spirit Mining Forest which was located to the north, near Soul'e Castle, while Black Castle was located in the South.
I have to work separated from them again. That made me sighed deeply. It's time to work again!