"Have a seat," Thomas instructed. Edward, having received his father's permission, took a chair at the dining table.
He glanced at his sisters and step-mother, who looked at him with concerned eyes. Soon, his mother spoke. "Edd, are you okay?" Mary asked.
Mary served as Edward's stepmother, and she hailed from a humble background. Her father, Sir Peter de Brewes, was a first-generation knight who had risen from commoner origins.
Thomas married Mary after the death of his first wife, Alice in 1326.
Alice Hales was Edward's mother and the daughter of a well-known English Knight named Sir Roger Hales.
"Yes, Mother. I feel better now," Edward reassured.
"But you should still rest. I'll make sure the doctor visits regularly," Mary suggested.
"It's fine, Mother. I'm actually feeling quite well. But if you think it's best, then okay," Edward responded.
Mary nodded, and then the family began their prayer, which lasted about a minute. Edward, previously known as David, didn't really have a strong belief in God. He had read about different faiths from various times and concluded that the most popular religions were often those followed by the most powerful people—like the Greeks, Romans, Arabians, Italians, and more. However, even though he didn't believe much, Edward still pretended to pray, as going against religious beliefs during the Middle Ages could have serious consequences.
"Edward," Thomas called.
"Yes, Father," Edward responded.
"I will be returning to the capital next month. I came back because they said you were seriously ill. But now that you've recovered, I'll be going back to my role as Earl Marshal and Principal Advisor in London in about two weeks. Is there something you wish for?" Thomas inquired.
"Well, I'd like to resume my education," Edward replied.
Thomas, Mary, Margaret, and little Alice(Edward's younger sister) were taken aback by the request. While Edward was born a nobleman and heir to the earldom of Norfolk, he hadn't been able to complete his formal education due to his health. Nobles usually began basic education by 7 or 8 and started advanced studies around 12. But Edward hadn't even completed his basics yet.
"Are you certain?" Thomas asked, a faint smile on his face.
"Yes, I want to finish my basic education," Edward affirmed.
"Very well. I'll arrange for some tutors to start teaching you tomorrow. Be ready," Thomas announced.
"I won't bring any shame to our family, Father."
After the evening meal, Edward felt a sense of curiosity stirring within him. Eager to acquaint himself with his new surroundings, he embarked on a tour of the castle. His first stop was the grand hall, a space where he had just partaken in dinner. It was a room of considerable significance, serving as the hub of the castle's activities. Here, feasts were held to celebrate both joyous occasions and important meetings. The hall was also reserved for formal gatherings and events that required the presence of the castle's occupants.
Venturing further, Edward explored the culinary heart of the castle—the kitchen and its associated areas. However, these functional spaces were housed in a separate building, strategically situated apart from the main castle structure. This precautionary measure aimed to minimize the risk of fires, a threat that could ravage the entire castle if unchecked.
As Edward's tour continued, he came upon a mid-sized chapel nestled within the castle's walls. This sacred space held significance as a site for religious services attended by the earl and his household. It was a place where prayers were offered and solace was sought in the midst of the medieval way of life.
Turning his attention to the residential aspect of the castle, Edward encountered an assortment of chambers and apartments. Foremost among them was the lord's chamber, the grandest abode within the castle's confines. Alongside it, the family members had their own chambers—though less opulent than the lord's quarters, they were adorned with textiles and furnishings that spoke of their noble lineage.
Curiosity sparked conversations as Edward learned about the accommodations for guests. These chambers were a step above the regular quarters, offering larger beds, finer textiles, and superior furnishings. Designed to host visitors of importance, they reflected the hospitable nature of the castle's inhabitants.
Intriguingly, tucked away in one corner of the castle were quarters for the numerous servants who tirelessly served within its walls. Privacy was a concept that seemed foreign here, as communal toilets, known as Garderobes, catered to the workers' needs. These Garderobes were equipped with stone seats featuring central holes, through which waste dropped into a designated pit or chute built into the wall. The task of cleaning and maintaining these facilities fell to the castle's servants, who ensured that hygiene standards were upheld even in the face of challenges.
Turning his gaze outward, Edward studied the castle's external structure. Solid stone walls enveloped the castle, fortified with defensive features such as crenellations—commonly known as battlements—and arrow slits. These walls were the first line of defense, guarding against potential attacks that plagued the medieval era.
The main entrance, marked by a gatehouse, beckoned further exploration. Often equipped with a drawbridge that could be raised to restrict entry, the gatehouse boasted additional defensive mechanisms like portcullises and murder holes. These measures underscored the importance of safeguarding the castle's inhabitants.
Square towers punctuated the walls strategically, offering commanding vantage points for archers and guards. These elevated positions allowed for vigilant surveillance, keeping potential threats at bay. The walkways atop the walls were lined with battlements, providing a secure pathway for defenders to patrol and maintain watchful eyes.
Having gained a comprehensive understanding of the castle's layout and defensive architecture, Edward concluded his tour for the day. He retired to his chamber, reflecting on the multifaceted world he now inhabited, ready to embrace the night's rest that awaited him.
Blowing out the lamp, Edward opened the window, inviting the moonlight to fill his chamber. This day marked the beginning of a journey he could never have foreseen in his previous life.
With determination, he set a goal for himself: to complete his basic education within the next 10 to 12 days. His aim was clear—to demonstrate to his father that he was capable of assuming the role of regent during his absence.
As thoughts of his newfound responsibilities swirled in his mind, Edward eventually succumbed to sleep. For 7 uninterrupted hours, he rested, until he was gently awakened by a servant at 6 in the morning
.As the second hour of his waking passed, Edward received a summon from his father to join him at the training grounds. There, he caught sight of a conspicuously tall man, easily towering over 5 feet 10 inches. This individual stood by Thomas's side, creating a marked height contrast that emphasized Edward's own relatively shorter stature.
"Father, you've summoned me," Edward acknowledged.
"Yes, indeed. Allow me to introduce you to your inaugural tutor," Thomas responded, his gaze shifting toward the towering figure.
Edward's anticipation grew as he thought, "So, this is the beginning," his head nodding in acknowledgment.
"Here stands Ser Walter Manny, esteemed keeper of the queen's greyhounds. His exceptional talents have earned him a unique role—to educate you in the ways of both warfare and chivalry," Thomas announced, his tone carrying weight.
Ser Walter Manny displayed humility, "Your generosity honors me, my lord."
A surge of recognition coursed through Edward. "Wait, is this the same Walter Manny, the renowned Baron and Admiral of the Northern Sea?" he excitedly wondered.
Regaining his composure, Edward extended his gratitude, "I eagerly anticipate learning under your guidance, Ser Manny."
Walter replied with a nod, signifying the initiation of their instructional journey.
After Thomas departed to attend to his duties as an Earl, Edward's training commenced under the guidance of Ser Walter Manny. At the outset, Walter demonstrated a series of swift sword maneuvers with his Longsword, imparting a foundation for Edward's training. Swiftly transitioning, he handed Edward a Falchion, a weapon more commonly associated with the common folk due to its affordability and versatility beyond warfare. With meticulous care, Walter laid the groundwork for Edward's education in Grips, Stance, Strikes, and Parries—a fundamental bedrock for mastering sword techniques.
Edward swiftly grasped the principles, translating them into fluid movements. "These instructions are manageable for a man of my age, and it's a bonus that my above-average IQ hasn't diminished with my transition," Edward reflected, his thoughts intertwining with a sense of self-assuredness. He remembered that in his youth, his intelligence had been measured at 140-145, a fact he held onto as a point of pride.
Suddenly, a 'ding'-like sound rang in his head and an almost transparent blue screen appeared in front of him!
+1 Martial !
Status:
Name - Edward Plantagenet
Age - 11
Title - Heir of Norfolk
Martial - 3
Diplomacy - 1
Intelligence - 2
Reputation - D
Wealth - £2,100
Skills - Appraise (Lv. 1)
Level - 4 [98/400]
Edward was taken aback by the sudden appearance of a bunch of English words in front of him.
He did seem to remember a few moments from his previous life when one of his students made him play an online game where similar screen had appeared. He quickly set his thoughts aside as he saw Walter looking at him curiously for why he suddenly stopped practicing.
Edward noticed a red cross at the edge of the screen and tried to click it.
The screen faded away and Edward started practicing again. Soon, Walter just regarded his action as a child's play and let the boy continue his practice.
Walter, taken aback by the rapid progress his student displayed, couldn't help but feel a swell of accomplishment as an exceptional instructor. However, despite Edward's evident understanding of the techniques, the reality remained that he couldn't yet translate this prowess onto an actual battlefield. His physical form posed limitations—he stood at a height no taller than 5 feet 2 inches, his frame underdeveloped and lacking in muscle. Despite being in the throes of growth, his physique didn't keep pace with his age. Recognizing this disparity, Walter resolved to tailor a new regimen for Edward, one intended to gradually enhance his physical capabilities.
The new routine began with a kilometer run, accompanied by 5 pushups and 15 squats for the first few days—a foundation to be incrementally built upon in the future.
As his 2 hours training ended, Edward went back to his room and asked a servant to get him some water. His mind again wavered back to the screen and he tried to remember the term, his students used for it.
'It was something like Station? Or was it Static? Stature? Status-
The blue transparent screen appeared once again!
Status:
Name - Edward Plantagenet
Age - 11
Title - Heir of Norfolk
Martial - 3
Diplomacy - 1
Intelligence - 2
Reputation - D
Wealth - £2,100
Skills - Appraise (Lv. 1)
Level - 4 [122/400]
'Now, now, here you are.'
After pondering over the details for about 5 minutes, Edward had learned about most of the things this screen could provide him.
'First, the main elements of the status were quite clear: Name, Age, Title, Martial, Diplomacy, Intelligence, Reputation, Wealth, Skills. '
'When clicked on a single element, the status screen would expand.'
'For example:'
Name - Edward Plantagenet
Dynasty - Plantagenet
Branch - of Norfolk
Father - Earl Thomas Plantagenet
Mother - Late Countess Alice Hales
"Similarly, for martial, it would show the skill level which is currently 'Basic', Battles as well as Duels which are zero and Training which shows 'Swordsmanship'."
"For Diplomacy, skill level of 'Basic' . Yep, that's it. Status seems kinda biased, doesn't it."
"For Intelligence, IQ which is 142 and Education which has 'Ongoing Basics'."
"For Reputation, Public Perception of 'Somewhat Negative'. "
"For Title, Realm - Earldom of Norfolk, Barony - 9, Knights - 159, Soldiers - 854."
"For Wealth, Net Worth - £2.1 Thousand, Currency in 2023 - £1.287 Million, Sources - Salary, Gifts, Agricultural Revenue and Estate - Hunting Lodge(Segrave), 72 acres farmlands."
" For Skills, a list would appear with only one element, Appraise, listed which would further expand to show Skill Level of 1, Description - 'Assessing a human's information' and Exp - 0/100."
"The only unexpandable element was that of 'Level' and that seemed perfectly fine as well because there wasn't much to expand to a progress bar."
Edward also noticed that when the second time he opened his status, he could see that the exp has increased. He assumed that this must be because of the fact that he trained.
"Water, Milord."
"Come in."
As the servant kept the glass on the table, an idea struck Edward's mind. He thought of using Appraise on the servant and suddenly a different screen appeared in front of his eyes.
Status:
Name - Gregory
Age - 27
Title - Assistant Butler
Martial - 4
Diplomacy - 10
Intelligence - 7
Reputation - E
Wealth - £11
Skills - Organisation(Lv. 5), Discretion(Lv. 3)
Level - 9 [45/900]
Every information of the servant was available readily. Even though the servant took his leave, the status screen didn't fade away with him.
As Edward eyed the servant's status screen he found out many details about him. He came to know his name which he was unaware of. Even his job was written alongside the title element and his skills as well as wealth. He noticed this man was higher than him in every aspect except Reputation and Wealth which should be quite obvious. He was also of a higher level which must be because he lived more than twice, as Edward has lived.
He closed the screen and pondered about the progress he could make with the help of this status screen of his.
God knows who made this masterpiece but lord he did an excellent job doing so.