After having breakfast Claude plan to test his combat prowess and the things he learned from the grand library.
He'll began to practice his swordsmanship and magic. Typically like applying practically and perform them for real.
While walking through the hallway he recalled the things he experience and firm his resolved that in this life he will sure to be able to protect himself.
To do all that he needs a space to perform them. Practicing to his chambers might destroy his precious expensive furnitures.
"That's right! We have a training grounds here in the palace."
With a determined glint in his eyes, he continued to strode through the opulent corridors of the Archducal Palace.
The weight of his heritage, as the sole heir to the Archduchy of Riviere, rested lightly upon his shoulders.
His mind, however, was focused on something far more tangible which is the thrill of combat.
"Can't wait to test my swordsmanship and magic today." He muttered to himself.
Claude's voice echoing softly in the silent hallway. His anticipation grew with each step, a mixture of excitement and nervous energy coursing through his veins.
As he rounded a corner, he came across a knight, his armor gleaming in the dim light.
The knight, a seasoned warrior with a stern expression, stood guard at the entrance to the training grounds.
"Excuse me, Sir Knight."
Claude approached him, his voice filled with respect.
"Could you perhaps guide me to the training grounds? I'm eager to begin my practice."
The knight, recognizing the young noble, nodded and smiled.
"Follow me, Your Highness. I shall lead you to the training grounds."
At his side is Sir Aldric, a seasoned knight with an air of quiet strength.
Clad in a modest set of armor emblazoned with the crest of the Archduchy, Sir Aldric leads the way to the training grounds.
Despite his stoic demeanor, he casts a careful, assessing glance toward the young heir.
"Your Highness, I trust that you're feeling stronger today? I know the fever was relentless."
Claude nods slightly.
"Yes, Sir Knight. It was... not pleasant. I'd forgotten how frail sickness can make one feel. Still, I tire more easily than before."
Hearing that, Sir Aldric nodding thoughtfully replied.
"A recovery like yours requires patience, Your Highness.
The body needs time to regain its full strength. Pushing too hard could undo your progress."
Claude thought for a moment the gave a determined look and replied.
"I'm aware. But as the Archduchy's sole heir, there's no room for weakness.
My father expects me to be ready for the responsibilities awaiting me."
But in fact, Claude just want to test his skills after being inspired by the books he read in the grand library.
Sir Aldric glancing at Claude, as admiration fills his gaze.
"Your Highness, you have already shown resilience. No one would expect you to return to your duties so soon.
After such an ordeal, I'm sure even your father the Archduke would understand."
'No that's not it.'
Claude want to say it but decided not to. He just want to test my skills and see if his current abilities can protect himself.
He just swallowed his words and let the mist understanding.
Claude with a faint smile answered.
"It's kind of you to say, Sir Knight. But I must be strong, if not for myself, then for those who depend on me."
Sir Aldric bows slightly as they near the training grounds.
"Your strength of spirit does you credit, Your Highness. But remember, strength lies not only in action, but in knowing when to rest."
As they reach the training grounds, Claude pauses, looking out over the field where knights are sparring, the clash of steel filling the air.
He draws in a steadying breath, nodding to himself.
"Perhaps you're right, Sir Knight. This time, I'll listen."
Upon hearing that, Sir Aldric smiled approvingly.
"A wise decision, Your Highness."
****
"Phew... That was tough." Claude murmured.
He can feel the deep loyalty of Sir Aldric and his love for the archduchy.
Now that Claude is here in the training ground, he can hear many swords clashing and shouts of determination.
When he entered the hall, all of them was stunned and silence descended throughout the hall.
In unison, all of them bowed and greeted the young master of the Archduchy.
"Greetings, Your Highness Claude."
Claude nodded with a smile as a response.
He looked around a bit and can see that even the training grounds is very wide and has many structures around it.
It has weaponry, barracks and more. The quality of everything is really the finest materials.
The equipment used in well maintained and everything is new because after one time use they'll used a new one.
The Archduchy only allows it's people to use new high quality equipments. The use one will be returned and fixed even if it only has been once.
That can be said that the Archduchy is extremely wealthy that everything here in the training grounds is new.
That can be said to the foods as well.
The canteen in the training grounds has it's own hired chefs that cook their meals whenever the time they needed.
The chefs in the training are separate party compared to the main palace where the Riviere stays.
After looking around Claude step for a moment and asked to lead him to a quiet place where he can train alone.
****
"Now I can focus on my experiment."
Claude now is in a private training area designed for the Riviere descendants.
It's quite more luxurious than the other but Claude thinks it's normal because only the family members are onl allowed here.
Claude then sat on the ground crossing his feet together and closed his eyes.
He concentrated and try to feel the mana around him as well as the aura within his body.
As a magic swordsman he should have them both.
He doesn't know but he can draw them out naturally like he's used to it. Probably because the original Claude has done it many times.
The mana gathered around him while the aura within his body. The aura and mana in him are not seperate matter moving together but mixed together at one.
They are moving as one but because of the different vibes of energy, it feels different like moving on a separate matter.
As he circulate his energy around he can feel that he had no core like the one he read in the grand library.
It that book, it was mentioned that a person who can wield aura or mana has core energy stored in their body.
The core energy is formed in the heart and as long as the user grows stronger. They'll eventually form a new one and placed it to somewhere within their body.
But Claude has can feel that he doesn't have energy core.
'It's here but not visible.' Claude thought.
With a sudden realization he remembered that Riviere has no core energy because they practice different cultivation.
According to the book he learned. The Riviere's don't place their core energy at one place but spreads then throughout their body.
It means that their body is also their core energy.
With that realization, he can now feel his core energy. He can feel that he himself is the core energy and the power swirling within it s strong.
It's so powerful that it feels like he's in a deep waters. This means that he can wield more energy since his aura and mana capacity is vast.
After an hour he then stood up and picked up the wooden sword in the sword stand in the corner and try to channel his energy to the sword.
With a shining golden light glowed in the wooden sword. Claude was now sure of it.
Claude's body is proficient wielder of sword and magic. He just needs to recall and make his body move according to the original Claude.
With that, he can unconsciously perform what the original body learned and make it his own.