Returning to his room, Lance was taken aback by the unexpected comfort that awaited him. The separate bathroom was filled with steaming hot water, and the main area of the room was softly illuminated by six white candles, casting a luxurious glow. Aunt Xili, ever the respectful caretaker, was already present, ensuring everything was to his liking, "Master Lance, should you need anything during the night, please don't hesitate to call for me. Though I must admit, I'm a heavy sleeper, so you might have to call out twice. And tomorrow, I shall arrange for a new personal maid for you…"
Lance found himself momentarily lost for words, the drastic change in his treatment stark and somewhat bewildering. Merely executing a perfect rune in public had pivoted his world entirely, highlighting the stark pragmatism of his surroundings.
"This world operates on stark realities," Lance mused internally, his head shaking lightly in disbelief at the swift turn of events. He addressed Aunt Xili, "Thank you, but there's no need for a personal maid."
However, Xili was insistent, shaking her head with determination, "This comes directly from the lady's orders. It is imperative that we find a suitable and dedicated maid for you, young master."
The 'Madam's' direct intervention made Lance inwardly scoff, but he chose not to voice his skepticism. Instead, he politely dismissed himself, opting for the solace of a hot bath. As he relaxed in the comforting warmth, the accumulated fatigue from the day's events and the mental strain from the spell inscription began to wash away, ushering in a wave of drowsiness.
Lance understood the importance of rest, especially given the recent exertion and the subtle toll it took on his mental faculties. Acknowledging that rapid gains could not be achieved overnight and that proper rest was essential for sustained progress, he retired to bed immediately post-bath. Sleep claimed him swiftly, a much-needed respite for both body and mind.
…
At the crisp dawn of 5:30 AM, Lance was roused from his deep slumber by the regular alert from his chip. Moving with practiced efficiency, he swiftly dressed and splashed his face with cold water, instantly dispelling the remnants of sleep and sharpening his focus for the day ahead.
The castle at this early hour was a realm of tranquility. Save for the dutiful soldiers standing guard and the early-rising kitchen staff beginning their daily routines, the vast halls lay in restful silence. As Lance navigated through the quiet corridors, the gentle morning light, filtering in from the sea, painted the ancient stones with a soft, life-infusing glow.
"Nice weather!" Lance murmured appreciatively, making his way to the kitchen. There, he quickly grabbed some dry bread, earning surprised looks from the kitchen staff, and downed a cup of steaming milk. With a nod of thanks, he stepped outside, leaving a wake of murmurs behind him.
"Was that really Master Lance just now?" one of the thinner chefs queried, his disbelief evident.
The head chef, a man who had served in the castle for eight years, wore an expression of equal surprise, "In all my years here, I've never seen the young master rise this early. It appears the events of last night hold more truth than rumor. Master Lance may indeed be on his path to becoming a formidable wizard!"
The mere mention of 'wizard' brought a collective sense of reverence to the room. Although the servants of the Viscount's castle had been more exposed to wizardry, thanks to Wizard Amman's presence, it did nothing to diminish their awe or their envy of such power. A second-level wizard was an exceptional rarity in the entire Hussar Kingdom; aside from Amman, only one other enshrined in the royal family held such a title.
The realization dawned on them. "If Master Lance becomes a wizard, our territory could boast the presence of two such formidable beings," the slim chef pondered aloud, a hint of pride in his voice.
The room filled with a shared silence as they considered the implications. Two wizards within one domain? Such a reality was typically reserved for the royal family of the Hussar Kingdom alone. The prospect of their territory harboring similar strength sparked a mixture of pride, excitement, and wonder among the castle's early risers.
…
Navigating away from the kitchen, Lance decided against an immediate visit to the Moonlight Tower where Wizard Amman resided. Understanding the wizard's morning routine, Lance preferred to avoid interrupting Amman's early experiments, as wizards are notoriously private during such times. He planned to make his way there once the morning had progressed a bit more.
Strolling through the castle, he found himself at the martial training grounds. A few dedicated soldiers were already there, practicing with wooden swords, their movements a dance of discipline and strength. Witnessing their dedication sparked a thought in Lance's mind.
"Fox, have the results of the three swordsmanship analyses been completed?" he inquired, curiosity lacing his voice as he watched the soldiers' routine.
[Fox] immediately replied: {The analysis of the three swordsmanship styles has been completed. Would you like to review the results now?}
"Display the analysis results immediately," Lance commanded internally, eager to understand the potential benefits of each swordsmanship style.
{OK!} responded [Fox], as it began to outline the findings:
{[Basic Military Swordsmanship in the Hussar Kingdom] is a general-level swordsmanship. Prolonged practice can marginally enhance physical capabilities. According to calculations, executing this swordsmanship 400 times can increase physical fitness by 0.1, strength by 0.1, and agility by 0.1.}
{[Spirit Fox Swordsmanship] is an elite-level swordsmanship. Sustained training significantly boosts physical fitness. According to calculations, performing this swordsmanship 300 times can enhance physical fitness by 0.3, strength by 0.2, and agility by 0.3. Prerequisite for learning: mastery of basic swordsmanship skills.}
{[White Tooth Swordsmanship] is an incomplete elite-level swordsmanship. Despite its incomplete nature, long-term learning still contributes to physical fitness enhancement. According to calculations, practicing this swordsmanship 500 times can increase physical fitness by 0.2, strength by 0.3, and agility by 0.3. Learning prerequisite: mastery of basic swordsmanship.}
The attributes and potential improvements offered by the three swordsmanship styles were laid out clearly before Lance. The White Tooth Swordsmanship, acquired by Poirot during his mercenary days, understandably possessed incomplete aspects due to its fragmented learning sources. However, both this and the other two complete swordsmanship forms held promising prospects for improving Lance's physical condition and combat capabilities.
"The prerequisite for Spirit Fox Swordsmanship is the basics. It appears I must start from the ground up," Lance concluded, deciding without hesitation to commence with Basic Military Swordsmanship.
A visualization materialized before his eyes, a shadowy figure expertly maneuvering a sword through various movements. With [Fox]'s assistance, Lance was able to deconstruct each action within the Basic Military Swordsmanship, aiming for rapid acquisition and proficiency.
Securing his belt, he stepped confidently onto the martial arts field. The presence of Lance drew curious glances from several soldiers, but he paid them no mind. Selecting a wooden sword from the rack, he found a clear space in a corner of the field and commenced his practice.
The Basic Military Swordsmanship of the Hussar Kingdom, though widely known and used primarily for introductory training among recruits or militia, was not particularly esteemed for its combative strength. Its primary purpose was physical conditioning through six foundational moves: the horizontal split, vertical split, diagonal split, straight stab, upward stroke, and block. While straightforward, the key to their effectiveness lay in executing them with precision, ensuring the exercises served their intended physical benefit without causing injury.
As Lance executed a horizontal slice, a simulated sword's breeze echoed through the quiet morning air, his movements fueled by concentrated effort.
{Attention! There is a mistake in the horizontal split. Please raise your elbow half an inch and lower the angle of the blade by three degrees…} [Fox] promptly advised, guiding his corrections meticulously.
This real-time feedback, a luxury unbeknownst to most, set Lance apart. Many soldiers grappled with internalizing the nuances of swordplay by mere observation, but Lance, bolstered by [Fox], received instant adjustments, enabling swift mastery and the development of correct muscle memory.
Fascinated by this new training method, Lance dedicated himself to the sword's art. Acknowledging his initial lack of physical prowess, he was determined to rectify this shortcoming. Spellcraft did not preclude the necessity of physical conditioning; indeed, history recounted eras where Sword-Wielding Wizards thrived, blending martial prowess with arcane might. Each mage of that esteemed school wielded capabilities mirroring those of gold-level swordsmen, a testament to the integral role of physical fitness in the wizarding realm.
…
{Attention! There was a mistake in the horizontal split, increase the angle of the blade by one and a half degrees…}, instructed [Fox] promptly, pinpointing the error in Lance's form.
Undeterred by the beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, Lance immediately adjusted his stance, keen on rectifying the mistake. The dedication was palpable in his focused gaze and swift response to the feedback.
{The horizontal split is up to standard!} informed [Fox], once Lance corrected his posture, echoing the approval three consecutive times as Lance replicated the correct form with precision.
A slight smile curled the corners of Lance's mouth, acknowledging the burgeoning potential of the [Fox] chip. Remarkably, under its vigilant guidance, he had managed to master the exacting standards of the horizontal split in under an hour—a testament to the technology's efficacy.
Now, it was just a matter of repetition, reinforcing the muscle memory associated with the correct movements until they became second nature.
The soldiers who initially eyed Lance with curiosity eventually lost interest, seeing him tirelessly repeat the basic forms. Assuming he was engaged in rudimentary practice, they dispersed, leaving him in a bubble of concentrated solitude. Unperturbed by their departure, Lance continued his practice, embracing the solitude as he honed his skills.
…
Four hours into his diligent practice, nearing midday, Lance emerged from the martial arts field drenched in sweat, feeling the intense soreness pervading his muscles—a testament to the morning's hard work.
As he entered the castle, he noticed the Viscount engaged in a discussion with Griffin. Opting not to interrupt, Lance made his way directly to the kitchen. It seemed the head chef had grown accustomed to Lance's occasional forays for sustenance, as a spread of exquisite dishes awaited him, prompting a grateful sigh from the young noble.
Post-lunch, feeling refreshed after a shower and dressed in clean attire, Lance exited the castle under the escort of a soldier. Strolling along the beach, he witnessed two distinct groups rapidly exiting the castle, their movements swift, heading in opposite directions: north and south.
The speed at which the horses carried their riders quickly shrank them to mere dots before vanishing from Lance's sight. In his heart, he offered a silent prayer for their success. These were the groups discussed in yesterday's meeting in the Viscount's study: to the south, Poirot leading a team to eradicate the Frost Land Monster within the taiga, and to the north, a more formidable assembly spearheaded by the Viscount and Griffin, tasked with confronting the dire threat posed by the savage orcs in the northern mountains.