The next few days saw Seraphina diving headfirst into her training of the Shinster Knight Method. She was determined to become a proper knight before the year's end.
Sir Aldric was of great aid to her as he guided her through a series of specific body movements designed to help her body improve and better adapt to the flow of aura.
The Shinster Knight Method also had its own series of movements that were designed for it. The first section focused on training one to become a knight, purifying their body, and preparing it to be able to handle aura.
The difference was that this method trained her body to be able to use that aura to increase her speed and agility, focusing on key body parts that would improve those key aspects of her capabilities.
As such the movements required were often very stamina-taxing and movement-oriented, but she did them without stop or break regardless as she wished to grow.
Each day, she practiced the movements with precision and dedication. Whenever she made a mistake or error she would start over and do it again, she did them until her body ached and she could feel her body burning.
The movements were fluid, almost like a dance, and they required a level of focus that Seraphina had never experienced before. As she moved, she could feel the faint tingling sensation of aura beginning to flow through her body.
"Remember, Seraphina. These movements are designed to purify your body and prepare it to properly channel aura. You must be patient and persistent, even missing a day can hinder it."
Sir Aldric said during one of their training sessions, his words of advice stuck with her as she pushed through the suffering.
As she continued her training, she began to notice a strange phenomenon happening at the end of each of her routines. Blackish goo began to seep from her skin during her practice sessions, leaking from her pores.
They were the physical manifestations of the impurities within her body being purged, it was not only an unsettling sight but it was also disgusting. The goo smelt terrible, and the texture was like tar.
It would take her a good hot bath to properly wash it off and get the scent to stop, every night it had become a regular routine after practicing to scrub the impurities off her body.
After observing her progress, Sir Aldric informed her father, Davian, about the need for purifying liquid to aid in her training. Davian was proud of his daughter's dedication and rapid progress, he didn't even hesitate to provide the necessary liquid and the best he could get at that.
"Seraphina, this is purification liquid, it is used by knights of all ranks to cleanse the impurities in the body. This will help expedite the process of becoming a knight, you will need to soak in it every night. It will be painful, but it is essential if you wish to make rapid progress."
Sir Aldric explained as he handed her a vial to show her what he was talking about. The other doses would just be handled by the servants who prepared her bath for her.
That evening, Seraphina prepared for her first soak in the purifying liquid. The bathtub was filled with the viscous shimmering white substance, its surface reflecting a moving white glow.
She took a deep breath and stepped into the tub with her bare body, bracing herself for the pain. As soon as she immersed herself in the liquid completely, allowing it to soak into her pores, she felt a searing pain shoot through her body.
It felt as if her skin was being peeled away, layer by layer, and a fire was burning through her flesh. She clenched her teeth and grabbed the sides of the bathtub, refusing to cry out in pain as the black goo of impurities began to leak from her body, mingling with the purifying liquid.
The pain didn't last very long and the process itself only lasted about ten minutes before the liquid stopped working. But the amount of impurities that had been expelled from her body left the liquid a black color.
Afterward, she would wash herself with clean water to clean herself before going about her night.
Each night, she repeated the process, soaking in the painful liquid and enduring the agony as her body was purified. It never got easier, the pain never lessened, and it was just as painful every single night.
The days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned to months. Each session left her feeling drained, but she could feel the difference in her body over time.
She was becoming stronger, and when she practiced, she could feel the aura flowing within her much clearer than before. Her body no longer had as many blocks or limits as it did when she started.
Physically she was improving rapidly, she looked better, felt better, and every aspect about her physically and even mentally was better.
During the day, she continued her training with Sir Aldric, her movements becoming more refined and perfected as she did. The aura within her began to flow more freely, responding to her will even when she wasn't practicing the techniques meant to refine it.
She could feel it coursing through her veins, a powerful energy that she was slowly learning to control. It was slowly changing her, reshaping her body to its will; reshaping her heart and organs.
One morning, about two months into her new training regimen, Seraphina woke up to find that her body felt much lighter. The black goo of impurities no longer seeped from her pores as heavily as it did before. Instead, it was only a thin film, a sign that she was nearing the completion of the purification process.
When she told Sir Aldric about this, he was very surprised and even praised her.
"You're making remarkable progress. Your movements are becoming more refined, and your control over aura is improving. How do you feel?"
Sir Aldric remarked as he observed her.
Seraphina paused to consider his question. She could tell she was getting better, but she wasn't satisfied with just improving under close watch. She wanted to go out and practice, and gain experience.
She didn't want to be a flower in a greenhouse.
"I feel... stronger. More in control. But..."
She paused, hesitating for a moment before she continued.
"But I know I lack experience. I want to go out, I want to gain experience."
Sir Aldric paused for a moment and seemed lost in thought. Eventually, he nodded, agreeing with her.
"Indeed. The path of a knight is one of continuous learning and growth. Never becoming complacent and always striving to improve. It was my mistake, the Duke wanted you to be safe so I didn't want to put you in danger."
He shook his head and then looked her directly in the eyes.
"Danger is what you need to grow properly. You're growing at a rapid pace, much faster than any normal person, you may even be a genius. But even a genius will fail in the face of experience; you need that."
"I will speak to your father, I will have you enter the forest nearby as a training trip."