The scorching sun continued to rise as the training area is engulfed by a storm of energy.
The training intensity of the North can be considered as one of the most extreme as the Oliver family does not have the capacity to give a better quality education and training methods equally to all citizens.
They decided that hard work will be the balancing factor for all of their efforts.
"Haa! Haa! Haa!"
The soldiers continue to do their training despite the heat. Some even went and trained half naked.
In order to survive the harsh Northern environment, you need a strong body, a quick mind, and good combat abilities.
-
Leon is on a separate training room with Uncle Dylas and some of the family's warriors.
It was a designated special training room for those who are members of the Oliver family.
There are many young men and women of Leon's age who are undergoing training in this facility.
There are even children at the tender age of 5 and 6 who are doing some simple training in this room.
Leon is currently doing his training with Uncle Dylas's guidance.
"Little Leon, do not mind the smug looks that those kids give you. They have been here since they were toddlers while the current you now is still a rookie. The experience gap can be great. You do not have to feel ridiculed." Uncle Dylas told Leon in order to warn him of what is coming.
"There is no problem Uncle. I am used to having these types of looks. Even when I was in the Royal Castle, I often get those looks of ridicule from random strangers that I do not recognize. You don't have to worry Uncle." Leon says with a smile.
"Hahaha! You really are like your mother after all. You know, your mother, she was quite difficult to approach in her younger days. We thought she was in an entirely different world compared to us. She was beautiful, smart, and strong. She was almost perfect. There were only a handful of people who can get along well with her. Many would gossip about her." Uncle Dylas told Leon.
"Yes, my mother can be often mistaken to be a grand person who needs magnificent salutations and deeds to be recognized. But mother is a very tender person at heart. She was a simple mother, for me at the very least." Leon reminisced his days with his mother.
"Anyway, Little Leon. Today, we will be working on regaining your stamina. Without stamina, you will burn out of gas quickly whenever you want something done." Uncle Dylas explains Leon's training routine.
"I noticed that you have difficulty breathing when you do something that needs a lot of work. This can be due to your lungs not being able to catch up to your pace. It was not trained for these types of activities and have gone static so you need to let your lungs adjust to your current routine first. Now, follow my lead." Uncle Dylas let Leon follow him.
Uncle Dylas started with some running routines to increase Leon's stamina.
Leon continued training with Uncle Dylas until the end of the day.
"Little Leon, I recommend you to do only some basic training routines for the next 2 weeks. It will help you adjust gradually from your current lifestyle. Just take slow for now Little Leon." Uncle Dylas told Leon considerately.
"Okay Uncle, I will follow your advice." Leon acknowledged Uncle Dylas's words.
It can be unproductive to rush things, especially when you think it's an urgent thing to do. You are prone to being injured when you rush things.
"Hmm, it is sundown now. The soldiers will be dismissed soon. You better head home earlier Little Leon, it gets cold here fast. I will call a coach to bring you home." Uncle Dylas told Leon.
"See you tomorrow Uncle, I will continue to be in your care" Leon said smilingly.
"Che, you cheeky kid, you are just like your mother. Alright, I will be going to the manor starting tomorrow. I was just teasing you today by calling you out here. Hehe, see ya! Haha" Uncle Dylas walks away laughing.
Leon is unable to believe what he just heard, he was called to the soldier's training camp just to be made fun of.
"How childish of you Uncle!" Leon shouts at Uncle Dylas's back.
Dylas just waves Leon off as he goes out of the training camp followed by the other warriors.
Leon is left with the other children of the Oliver family, they were also just dismissed from training.
"Uwaah, what is this bad smell! It smells as though a pig just made a mess in here!" Someone suddenly shouted.
"Ahahahahaha! A pig just made a mess! A pig just made a mess!" Another one laughed at the comment.
The other young men and women of the family who saw the scene laughed as well.
"H-hey, I don't think it is right to make fun of someone just because they are different." A soft, and mellow voice rebuked the earlier comments.
Leon heard this interaction from behind him. As he looks back, he saw 3 little girls, about the age of 8 or 9 frolicking behind him.
"Ahh! He just looked at us! Ruuuun!" The 1st girl ran as she shouted.
"Waahh! Wait for meee!" The 2nd girl followed the 1st.
The 3rd shy and soft spoken young girl stayed behind the other two.
"Hello young Lord. I am sorry for the embarrassing things the other two girls just did. They are quite naughty." The 3rd girl told Leon.
"It is fine. I am used to this anyway." Leon spoke curtly.
"Oh, young Lord. I am Lily White, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." The little girl named Lily introduced herself.
"I am Leonvolt Machia Oliver. Just call me Leon. Shouldn't you chase after your friends?" Leon asked Lily.
"They are not really my friends. I just got dragged along with them because they are my neighbors. I don't like their way of playing Big Brother Leon." Lilly told Leon.
"Big Brother Leon?!" Leon is flabbergasted by this sudden honorific.
"W-why? Did you not like me calling you Big Brother Leon? Then perhaps, I'll call you Young Lord Leon then." Lily asked Leon tearfully.
"N-no, I am fine being called big brother, it was just so sudden. I was a bit shocked." Leon explained.
"Mm." Lily replies with a nod.
"I wanted to ask, are you that soft spoken Lily? You can try to be a bit louder." Leon asked Lily.
"Yes, I am sorry if you are annoyed by my speaking Big Brother Leon. This is just the way that my voice works. Even if I shout, it sounds soft too." Lily explains, shy by her distinct speaking characteristic.
"No, it is not a problem at all. I think your voice is cute. It complements a kind person like Lily well." Leon compliments Lily.
"C-cute. I'm not cute at all big brother. I am just a little bit shy." Lily embarrassingly retorts.
"You are too modest, Lily. Anyway, do you want to go home together? I can bring you along, the coach have just arrived." Leon offers to Lily.
"There is no need big brother. My house is just around the place over there. We live near the training camp so that I will not have any difficulties." Lily explains to Leon.
"I see. I'll be going then. I'll be seeing you around, Lily. Good night." Leon gets inside the coach.
"Bye bye big brother Leon. See you." Lily waves goodbye to Leon.
-
Oliver Manor, Head Office
Lord Oliver is currently having tea while looking out of his office window.
He saw Leon jump off the coach with slight difficulties.
"Little Leon must be having some stiff muscles after that bout with Smith Junior. That boy Dylas is still so childish when he is so much older. He even brought Little Leon to that exasperating place." Grandma Elizabeth, who is currently inside the office together with Lord Oliver, spoke.
"Hmm, Little Leon must know and see the hardships of a soldier. Those people can only be considered as cannon fodder for the Royal army, but in the North, they are more valuable than gold." Lord Oliver said.
Grandma Elizabeth also nods in agreement.
In fact, Lord Oliver somewhat agrees to the Guard Captain's methods.
He, as Leon's grandfather, wanted Leon to be closer to the other warriors and peers of the branch families.
The hidden purpose of Leon's training is to let him build rapport and trust within the family.
Leon is still just an outsider in the eyes of the many Oliver branch families. He was an Oliver who was a former member of the Royal family.
They may be relatives, but to them, he does not hold a very big importance in their current lives.
Lord Oliver hopes that Leon will be able to establish his reputation starting with these groups as they are a very integral members of the territory.
Gaining their support and approval would make things much easier when Leon begins taking over his official duties.
Above all, Lord Oliver wanted Leon to fit in.
Many of the Oliver branch family children, undergo their training from an early age. They are well acquainted with other children of the younger generation.
Leon can begin his journey by surrounding himself with these people.
Someone knocked on the door as they were talking.
"My Lord, this is Bart."
"Come in." Lord Oliver acknowledges the call.
Bart is the main assistant of Lord Oliver. He is also the Head Butler of the Oliver Manor.
He was a partner, a childhood friend, and is the most trusted right hand man of Lord Gregory Oliver.
When Gregory was named the next head of the family, Bart was immediately trained to be the best butler he could become, to support his lifelong friend, the new lord of the North.
"Bart, where is Little Leon?" Grandma Elizabeth asks the head butler.
"Madam, the Young Lord is currently having a bath after his training earlier this day. It seems that he may have some fruitful ideas on how to pursue his current plans." Head Butler Bart spoke of his thoughts.
"Oh, is that so? I guess that kid Dylas did something to be able to encourage the young man like that. But why the flat tone Bart? Is there something bothering you?" Grandma Elizabeth asked Head Butler Bart.
"Madam, my Lord, I have just heard the Young Lord speak of the Polarizing Herb." Bart told them.
...
"Oh, I think this may become a worrying issue indeed." Grandma Elizabeth knew the problem right away.
"Yes, what are your thoughts on this Bart?" Lord Oliver asks.
"If I may, I would like to advice the Young Lord to hold on this thought for now. We still do not know the extent of damage that the Polarizing Herb would have on the human's inner Shell." Bart answered with his thoughts on the subject.
"That is in a way, quite a fact. The trends all throughout the years pertaining to the Polarizing Herb was a diminished ability to control the Inner Shell, albeit there is no such issues when looking at the Outer Shell. It seems that it may have a significant effect on the internal body." Grandma Elizabeth also determines where the problem lies.
The Polarizing Herb is a very great medicine for reducing fat, excess body mass, toxins, and many more.
Unfortunately, it also slowly wipes out the accumulated Shell Energy stored within the body.
Even with these side effects, it is still a widely sought after commodity by those rich noblewomen. It allows those prima donnas to maintain their youthful countenance and brandish themselves on parties.
These women do not need to worry about not having the power to protect themselves, they have their own guards for that.
They only wish to please themselves, their husbands, and the people around them.
With or without Shell energy, their strength lies in their social abilities.
"Let us put this conversation on hold until we get to hear it from Little Leon himself. We will make a decision then." Lord Oliver suggested.
A moment shortly, Leon arrives in the Head Office.
-
A moment earlier, inside the carriage.
As Leon arrived home, he immediately jumps off the coach and excitedly dashes inside the manor.
Leon spots Head Butler Bart who was about to greet him.
"Grandpa Bart! Grandpa Bart! Do you know where grandma is? I need to ask her about an herb called the Polarizing Herb." Leon spoke excitedly overflowing with energy. It seems he just used Shell energy to quickly arrive inside the house.
"Uh, g-good evening Young Lord. Forgive me for not responding too quickly, I was a bit surprised by your overflowing energy. The Madam was it Young Lord? She is having a chat with the Lord in his office right now. Will you be coming?" Head Butler Bart asks.
"I will! Uhh....." Leon was just about to dash forth when he noticed a foul smell emanating around him. He looks at Head Butler Bart to see his expression.
There was no expression of disgust to be found in the butler's face.
"I think I will head in there as soon as I get to get a proper wash. Please prepare a bath Grandpa Bart." Leon self-consciously said.
"As you wish Young Lord." Head Butler Bart went ahead to prepare Leon's bath.
...
A few moments go by, and the Head Butler Bart went back to report that the bath is ready.
"Young Lord, the bath is ready. I will also go and inform the Lord and Madam that you will be visiting them in the office. Dinner will be ready soon as well." Head Butler Bart said to Leon.
"Grandpa Bart, as always, thank you very much for your help." Leon gratefully thanked Head Butler Bart.
"As I should always do to serve the masters of the house, thank you very much for your compliment Young Lord." Head Butler Bart accepts the praise calmly, befitting a man of solid experience.
Leon then heads in to take his bath.
Head Butler Bart, noticing that Leon is already getting busy with his bath, then heads towards the Head Office.
Leon, who has finished his bath, also followed him shortly.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I am home!"