A week had passed since Scarlet arrived at Duskveil, and life in the territory had set. . Ryan had fully embraced his daily responsibilities, balancing his training, time with family, and managing the estate.
Ryan's day began promptly at 6 o'clock each morning. He rose from bed, greeted by the cool morning air. After freshening up and doing some light stretches to wake up his body, Ryan stepped outside to enjoy the quiet peace of the early hours. The estate was calm, and the sound of birds chirping made for a pleasant backdrop as he completed his morning exercise.
Once his routine was finished, Ryan headed to the dining hall for breakfast. His parents, Roger and Helena, were already seated at the table, along with Scarlet, who had become a familiar presence at their family meals.
"Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad. Morning, Scarlet," Ryan greeted them as he took his seat.
"Morning, son," Roger replied with a smile. "Another busy day ahead?"
Helena smiled warmly. "Morning, Ryan. You seem refreshed today."
Scarlet, still a bit shy, nodded her head slightly. "Good morning, Ryan."
As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. They discussed their plans for the day, with Helena mentioning the growth of the herbal gardens, while Roger shared a few humorous stories from his knight training sessions. Ryan, in turn, talked about his upcoming training and his plans for managing the estate.
After breakfast, Ryan left for the training grounds, where he dedicated time to honing his swordsmanship. He practiced the northern sword flow, a precise style passed down through generations. His movements were fluid, each strike of the sword carefully controlled as he worked on improving his technique.
After finishing his solo practice, Ryan joined the elite knights for their group combat training. These knights were skilled but not yet at their peak, and Ryan had arranged for an experienced instructor to provide them with advanced lessons. The instructor, a seasoned warrior, had already begun shaping the knights into a more formidable force.
Ryan had also introduced a contribution points system for the knights. Each knight earned points based on their performance, effort, and results in training and battle. These points could be exchanged for rewards such as better equipment, rare resources, or other benefits from the territory.
"The harder you work, the more you'll be rewarded," Ryan reminded the knights as they trained. "It's up to you to make the most of the opportunities here."
The knights nodded in understanding, motivated by the new system as they pushed themselves harder during their drills.
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By midday, Ryan returned to the estate for lunch. The meal was simple but satisfying, and Ryan spent the time talking with his family about the morning's activities. After lunch, he took some time to attend to his responsibilities as the future head of the Duskveil territory.
In his study, Ryan reviewed reports on the estate's current state—crop yields, trade routes, and the flow of resources through the fiefdom. He browsed through records and made notes on areas that could use improvement. His mind was always working, thinking of ways to strengthen the territory's economy and security.
"Hmm," Ryan muttered to himself as he studied a report on local farming practices. "If we introduce some of the advanced irrigation methods I remember from my past life, we could improve crop production by at least 10%."
He quickly wrote down a proposal to introduce new farming techniques, as well as plans to encourage more trade with neighboring regions. The territory had the potential to thrive even more, and Ryan intended to make it happen.
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In the afternoon, Ryan decided to take a break from his duties and spend time with Scarlet. He took her to the nearby river, where a group of children around their age were playing in the water and laughing. Ryan stood back, watching with a smile as Scarlet hesitated at first but soon joined the children, splashing and running alongside them.
Though she was still shy, Ryan could see that Scarlet was beginning to loosen up. The joy on her face as she played with the other children warmed his heart. It was a stark contrast to the fearful, guarded girl she had been when he first met her.
Ryan leaned against a tree, observing the scene with a satisfied smile. Scarlet was starting to find her place here, and it made him feel that everything was falling into place.
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As evening approached, Ryan returned to the estate for his magic practice. In a quiet spot on the grounds, he focused on strengthening his spells. Today, his practice involved rock-type and non-attribute magic, both essential for defense and versatility.
Standing with his arms outstretched, he recited the incantation for a rock spell. "Terra surge!" A large boulder rose from the ground, hovering in the air before gently settling back down. Ryan smiled at his progress. His control over earth magic was improving, and he could feel his connection to the elements growing stronger with each practice session.
After his magic practice, Ryan enjoyed a light snack, a refreshing way to end the day's training. He then returned to the dining hall for dinner, where his parents and Scarlet were already waiting.
As they ate, the conversation flowed freely once more. Helena talked about her magic research, while Roger shared stories of the knights' progress. Ryan listened. Even Scarlet, who was normally quiet, shared how much she had enjoyed her day by the river.
"How about you, Ryan?" Helena asked with a gentle smile. "How was your day?"
"Busy but productive," Ryan replied. "The training went well, and I think the contribution points system is motivating the knights. I'm also working on a few plans to improve the territory's crops and trade."
Roger chuckled. "Sounds like you've got everything under control. Keep it up, son. You're doing great."
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Later that night, Ryan retreated to his room. Before turning in, he picked up a book on advanced magic and began reading, letting his mind wander through the pages. There was always more to learn, and Ryan was determined to master every aspect of his power.
As the night grew darker, Ryan eventually set the book aside, his eyes growing heavy. Lying down, he closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the day slowly drift away. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he allowed himself to rest, ready for whatever came next.
to be continued....
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