While heading out of his door, Daron asked in his mind.
'So, you can adjust my appearance?'
[That is false master Daron. I am merely able to temporarily hold down the effects of the changes in your body that were directly a result of the main system initiating. However, you will need to find a long-term solution, since this sort of reversing changes to the host uses up a lot of energy. Although this energy is usually replenished on its own at a speed where I can run at full capacity forever and then some, the additional strain on it due to this reversing effect will mean that I will run out of power within 12 days at which point I will enter sleep mode where I must stop the reversing effect and recover energy. Based on the current speeds of energy accumulation, it will take me about 8 days of non-stop sleeping to recover the spent energy. Before you ask, this energy already has a detailed explanation on what it is. However, this information has been locked from access even to me, and I have been prohibited from analysing it in any way.]
'By who?' Daron asked with suspicion.
[this information has also been restricted.]
'Tch. I can already feel the future plot of my story coming from that person who did this to me. But not that I can do anything about it anyway.'
'Back to the main topic. So, you are saying I need to find a proper solution?'
[Yes.]
'Well, why don't you use the times I am alone to stop the reversing effect. According to your description, even when fully activating everything except the reversing thing, your energy will still accumulate slowly. So just switch the effect off when you are sure no one is watching, and back on when you notice someone.'
[That would be highly risky, in case someone sees you, a lot of trouble will follow.]
'True. But then, why don't I just get something to dye my hair black?'
[That is a great solution. Calculating. 3 probable ingredients found.]
'Good, I will check those later. As for my right eye… We'll get to that when we get to that.' Daron thought as he continued to walk towards the servant's dining hall.
Along the way, he went past a lot of people, and reached the dining hall, which was on the ground floor of the servant's building, just like his own room.
Walking into the dining hall, he realised that it was rather large with around half of the ground floor devoted to this singular place, with noises of plates and utensils clashing continuously echoing around, with people walking, talking and eating everywhere. He could see that nearly 200 people were present in this single location, with some leaving and some entering nonstop.
Daron silently moved to where the food was being served and took a plate and some food before turning around to find a spot to eat at. Soon, he found the area where only knights in training were eating, devoid of any normal servants and maids.
Sirious came in with an analysis of everything.
There were 5 tables where the knights in training were seated, each with space for around 10 people. The further table from where he was where those in the prime of their live; between 20 and 30 years old were seated.
Following them, there was another table for those older than 35 who did not seem as enthusiastic about life as the furthest table.
Following that were two tables of a mix of people randomly aged, and Daron did not quite get the system behind their seating.
The last, and closest table to him was a table full of new recruits who were all below the age of 16. Naturally, none of the tables were full, with every one of them having a few extra empty seats. However, this table only had 4 people, and since he too was a new recruit, possibly the youngest on the entire castle, he decided to go with the new recruits.
As soon as he was nearing the new recruit's table, many of the knights in training seated in other tables took a glance at him. However, noticing his intention to sit with the new recruits and not bother them, thy decided to ignore him.
Daron quietly sat down and looked around at the 4 other people on the table, who were all looking at him with strange expressions.
"Hello there." He spoke before almost bursting into laughter from the joke he unintentionally made. "I am Daron, a newly appointed knight in training. I currently know nothing, so I look forward to working with you guys."
The other four simply nodded before introducing themselves one at a time.
"Fey"
"William"
"Rachel"
"Tom"
Once the introduction was complete, everyone got back to eating. Around 2 minutes of complete silence later, Rachel was the first to speak as she put down her fork.
"So, how did you become a knight in training? Is your family very rich and offered money or does your family have a lot of connections?"
Daron looked up at the red-haired little girl and said, "Neither. I am an orphan from the church. I got in after winning the competition to become the young lady's personal guard. However, Sir Zack told me I need to become a Novice Knight of the Second rank at the least to gain that position, and he had given me 1 year to do that."
"What?! You want to be the young lady's personal guard?" The fork from Fey fell into his plate as he muttered to himself.
"Wait, did you say Sir Zack has given you only 1 year to become a Novice rank knight?" asked Rachel in shock.
"Yes."
"Impossible! No one can do that. Judging from the presence you are giving off; you should be a normal civilian. Normally, it takes a whole year to just awaken one's Internal Energy, and another year to reach rank 1. Another 2 years are usually required to reach Rank 2!" Exclaimed Tom, trying his best to suppress his voice so as not to disturb the other knights in training on the other tables.
"What is Internal Energy?" Daron asked in excitement. He knew that this knowledge was the beginning steps to becoming a knight, and getting one step closer to leaving this town.
"You don't even know that?!" Rachel asked in bewilderment and exasperation combined.