Three months had passed away since Sloane along with the others had adapted to the air around them.
The training grew harsher every passing day. From running to sparring, from hunting to strategies, from studying to researching, as well as making weapons, and much more was thought on daily basis. Even history and geography were thought according to the military. There were different professors for every subject but the commander was in charge of teaching military tactics and training. Although he was younger than others.
They would be together during their five-minute break from training.
Sloane knew that looking for a female knight other than her would be difficult. She only saw a female assistant of the Valentino Knights' commander. Her name was Patricia Ainz Lorenzo. She was quiet and observant. Though about five years older than her she easily befriended Sloane. She was of average height and slim yet built. She had brunette hair yet her distinctive feature was her sharp amber eyes.
-"I am glad that I have a female company now. Being surrounded by men everywhere around is suffocating." she said relieved. She belonged to a family of physicians and herbalists who specialized in medicine and yield a large amount of medicine and medicinal herbs on their lands.
Sloane knew the Lorenzo County was with the aristocratic faction but she was grateful that she and the young assistant were not at odds with each other.
It was true she was the only other female other than Patricia. And all her companions were male. She sent a letter once a month and received two in exchange from Yulia and Cecile.
She missed Cecile more often since she used to take care of chores as her maid. But for a knight survival of the fittest is everything. There is no guarantee for life over death which is always at the door.
"Next! Time to practice self-defense." Laurentius called out. He was a man with a well-built body in his late twenties. He was the former colleague of Sebastian who participated in many of the wars against many kingdoms. He had short ebony hair and stern grey eyes. And had a notably big scar across his face which she heard from Patricia that he received from a Nethilorian soldier during the Nethi-Atlantan war that prevailed to be direr than any other battle they battled before.
"Kuh!"
"Stand up! What have you been doing these past years? You call this your defense? If this is all you've got then you are as good as dead meat."
"I apologize Sir." The knight quickly stood up.
"Once again!" He continued.
"You are lousy as hell. Go run forty laps around the academic grounds and after that thirty sit-ups."
-"His aura is menacing."Jack thought pitifully watching the young soldier receiving his punishment.
"Who's turn is it next?"
"Sir!" Sloane stepped up from one of the lines of the knights.
"Is it you shorty?"
-"Shorty? How impulsive. I am taller than an average woman for my age yet I am being called that? Me?"
"What's your name?"
"Sloane De Nirvana, Sir!" She replied out loud.
"So I am looking at the army's youngest strategist?" His lips curled to a sarcastic smile.
-"I can tell he's looking down on me."
"What's more important if you face head-on with an enemy?"
"Devise a quick strategy through your surroundings."
"Correct? But how? If you were unarmed what would you do?"
-"If I were unarmed? I rarely part with my sword so it's not much from experience in this life but in the past..."
"Fight them as if they were in my domain."
"Good thinking. Now elaborate it."
"If one is unarmed he can use anything as a weapon. The trick is when and how. If one were to even use their own body, they should know the vital points of a human body."
"Excellent deduction. But your enemy isn't necessarily a human."
"L-lord Sebastian?" Sloane looked at the tall figure approaching them.
"Greetings General! The heavenly Sword of Atlanta."
"No need for formalities Lauren."
"What brings you here today, sir?"
"Just here for observation." He looked at surprised faces around him.
"Continue."
"Y-yes Sir!"
-"I've never seen Sir Laurentius get flustered."Sloane looked at him with awe.
-"Of course Lord Sebastian's presence is intimidating. But I never felt like that around him."
They started the duel. Sloane's talent was to move swiftly maintaining her tempo anywhere.
But that wasn't the case this time. He kept up with her since the beginning of the match.
No matter how she tried to get through him she could barely hit his vital points she pinpointed.
"There!"
She was about to inflict a blow on his nape.
"Too slow."
"Huh? What the-"
-"Why is everything upside down? Don't tell me!"
She realized that she was hanging downward.
She saw the shocked faces of her fellow knights who looked at her with mixed emotions.
"Lauren. You can let go of her now." Sebastian did not look pleased.
-"I...lost?"
He let go of her leg which caused her to fall on her head.
-"Oww! I bumped it hard."She rubbed her head getting rid of the small bump that appeared on the spot that hit the ground.
"Are you alright?" Nine whispered carefully not to get caught.
"I...think so." She replied painfully while rubbing her head.
"Train them well so mistakes won't repeat the second time."
"Yes my Lord!" He bowed.
Everyone bowed down as he left.
"This week you will focus on polishing skills and improve your defense. And no one is allowed to rest for more than two minutes."
"Yes, Sir!" They replied at the peak of their voices.
"I'm exhausted!"Sloane threw herself on the bed which was hard as a rock.
" Here. Take this ice pack."Patricia said putting it on her head.
"Were you hurt anywhere else?"
"Just bruises and scratches from regular training, it's no big deal." Sloane sat up taking the small bag from her hand.
"Is he too harsh to you?"
-"Of course he is. I didn't experience anything like this in the past life even then I was the commander of the royal knights."
"Well, it seems a bit too much for a twelve-year-old." She looked at her.
She showed concern for her. Her eyes were filled with sympathy.
"He's like that with everyone. I am quite used to it."
"Well, Lauren is a bit too strict regarding the training. But he is good at heart. He worries about his students more than anyone else."
Sloane's eyes widened with something that sounded unusual.
"Miss Patricia. Did you just say, Lauren?"
"Pardon? Yes, I did. Is something wrong?"
"No one can call him by his nickname other than Lord Sebastian."