Owen descended from the carriage to sit by the fire with Relo, as darkness enveloped the surroundings.
"Relo, is Onyx Lake Town that small town by the Eagle Forest on this road?"
While jotting down mysterious calculations in his notebook with a quill, Owen engaged in conversation with Relo. It seemed he, too, was leaving his hometown for the first time, curious about the outside world while his knights bustled around. The knights were clearly robust.
Relo, somewhat reserved, had never conversed so closely with a noble before.
"Yes, there are many hunters in Onyx Lake Town. They venture deep into the Eagle Forest for hunting every year, and many have perished there."
Relo's words conveyed both reverence and fear for the Eagle Forest.
Owen, unfazed, said, "I've heard that this forest, spanning Glan and Xylan Duchies, is an inexhaustible source of high-level biological specimens, a key collection site for the Glan's Academy of Natural Science. I've always wanted to see it, and today my wish is fulfilled! Even just crossing the edge takes two days to reach Saint Glan Fort. It's huge!"
Relo quickly cautioned him, "The Eagle Forest is very dangerous, filled with powerful magical beasts and perilous plants. Legends say evil wizards hide within."
Owen seemed unbothered.
Stumped by his notebook exercises, Owen frowned in concentration, not continuing the conversation.
After a moment of silence, Relo turned to Owen, asking cautiously, "What are you doing?"
Owen looked up, proudly displaying his notebook to Relo.
"Studying the foundations of mathematics. I'm a scholar researching natural laws. To obtain the title of Natural Scholar from the Glan Natural Science Academy in three years, I need to deduce natural laws using mathematical foundations and develop strong academic works in natural law. This knowledge is worth a lifetime of study!"
Owen was clearly proud of his scholar status.
Intrigued, Relo's curiosity about the profession of scholars grew.
Looking at the notebook's cryptic calculations and formulas, Relo asked, "Does every scholar study these mathematical foundations?"
Expecting Relo's question, Owen's smile widened.
"No, there are also scholars who study natural specimens, human mysteries, alchemy, etc. But one thing is common: in the realm of scholars, knowledge is power!"
He then raised his right hand.
Suddenly, a palm-sized fireball rose in his palm, floating mid-air, even emitting a 'whoosh' as it burned.
Feeling the intense heat of the fireball, appearing out of nowhere, so real and not an illusion, Relo exclaimed in shock, "Magic!"
Extinguishing the fireball casually, Owen corrected, "Only the ignorant call it magic, deeming it a mysterious supernatural force. In the field of scholarship, this is merely the most basic manifestation of natural law, a low-level zero-grade academic spell derived from mathematical foundations."
Astonished, Relo had his first real encounter with the fabled magic.
Seeing is believing; this world not only had gods but actual magic!
"Master, the tents are set up."
In a short time, the knights cleared a space and set up tents. The middle-aged knight leader handed some exquisite butter bread to Relo, instantly endearing him to Relo.
It seemed knights were not so aloof and unapproachable after all.
Savoring the butter bread, its crisp buttery flavor melting in his mouth, Relo experienced a taste he never knew before, thrilling every taste bud.
The female archer, sitting next to Owen, smiled at Relo, "That was a real fireball spell, entirely self-taught by the master. Once he graduates from the Glan Natural Science Academy and receives professional guidance, he'll master truly powerful magic, capable of destroying a fortress with a wave of his hand. Impressed by the master's skill?"
Her embellished story, though ignorant of magic or scholarship like Relo, showed their shared naivety.
"Uh-huh," Relo mumbled, still chewing the bread.
Owen didn't correct the archer's use of 'magic' this time. For a scholar, such correction seemed pointless, and he handed more bread to Relo.
Only after Relo was thoroughly full, showing immense satisfaction, did he realize his manners and sheepishly thanked them.
"Ha ha ha!"
The knights' hearty laughter eased Relo's initial awkwardness.
The reverence commoners had for knights, an innate sentiment, now had a chance to be demystified as Relo interacted closely with real knights, naturally prompting him to ask a long-held question.
"I've always heard from my father that knights can cultivate fighting spirit. What exactly is fighting spirit?"
The knights, previously laughing at Relo, grew serious, including Owen, who turned their attention to the knight leader.
The middle-aged knight, chewing on jerky, explained calmly to the naive boy, "Knights, also called warriors, have various ranks like scholars. Only at the level of a Charging Knight can true fighting spirit be cultivated. For lower-ranking knights, a strong body and sturdy armor are more reliable."
Owen added, "There are five levels for knights: Apprentice, Official, Charging, Earth and Sky; paralleling the five academic levels of scholars: Enlightenment, Natural, Adept, Transcendent, Sage. The strength of a Charging Knight is roughly equivalent to an Adept Scholar."
"No."
The knight leader shook his head, "Generally, a fighter of the same level struggles against a mage of the same level."
"Ah!"
Relo realized his ignorance.
"If I could become a Charging Knight in my life, ah, how great that would be."
The young knight, gazing at the roasting meat over the fire, daydreamed wistfully.
"Ha ha, the Charging Knight rejected thrice by Lina!"
Another young knight teased, and they started a playful scuffle.
The female knight and the knight leader, accustomed to this, merely smiled lightly. Owen took the opportunity to resume studying his mathematical foundations, his diligence earning Relo's admiration.
Despite his privileged life, he was still so diligent. Not all nobles were as miserly and greedy as the baron of Onyx Lake Town.
No wonder there were so few magicians in legend; those nobles who didn't know how to enjoy life were always the minority.
That night, in the Eagle Forest, Relo spent an unforgettable evening with these noble knights.
(End of Chapter)