Chapter 10: Trials of the Dukedom
Kain woke up to the soft light filtering through the heavy curtains of his new room. The Duke's estate was unlike anything he had ever experienced—luxurious, refined, and far more expansive than his home village. Despite its grandeur, the estate had a coldness to it, mirroring the strict demeanor of Duke Venroa.
After rising from bed, Kain instinctively checked his stats, his mind activating the virtual toolbox he kept hidden from the world. He'd spent the last two years honing his skills, and now, they were at a point where even the nobles would take notice.
Strength: 19
Agility: 18
Endurance: 19
Swordsmanship: Advanced
His progress was satisfying, but it also meant greater scrutiny. The nobles already had their eyes on him, particularly the Duke, who seemed eager to push him into service. Kain smiled to himself—he would play their game, but only for as long as it suited him.
There was a knock at the door. A servant appeared, bowing low.
"Master Kain, the Duke has arranged for you to begin your training today. The instructor awaits you in the eastern courtyard."
"Thank you," Kain replied, his voice steady. "I'll be there shortly."
Once the servant left, Kain dressed in the attire provided—a simple but finely tailored training outfit. As he adjusted the leather straps, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. The child staring back at him was striking: dark hair that contrasted sharply with his pale skin, and eyes that seemed far too intelligent and calculating for a seven-year-old. It was a face that had begun to draw attention, especially here among the nobility. He knew he stood out.
With a final glance at his reflection, Kain headed out.
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The eastern courtyard was alive with activity. Knights sparred under the watchful eyes of instructors, while young nobles, many around Kain's age, practiced their techniques. Kain felt their gazes linger on him as he approached. Word had already spread about the commoner with extraordinary talent.
At the center of the courtyard stood a broad-shouldered man with graying hair tied in a loose ponytail. His armor gleamed, and a long sword hung at his side. The man's expression was hard, his eyes sharp as they assessed Kain.
"You must be Kain," the man said, his voice a low rumble. "I'm Sir Garrick, the Duke's combat instructor. I'll be overseeing your training."
Kain nodded. "It's an honor, Sir Garrick."
"Hmph. We'll see about that." Sir Garrick's eyes narrowed. "The Duke has high expectations for you, boy. He believes you have potential. But potential means nothing without discipline."
Kain felt a flicker of irritation at being addressed as "boy," but he hid it well. Sir Garrick was clearly testing him, and Kain knew better than to rise to the bait. Instead, he gave a polite smile.
"I understand. I'm ready to learn."
"Good." Sir Garrick gestured toward a row of practice swords. "Choose your weapon. Let's see what you can do."
Kain walked over, picking up a sword that was well-balanced and suited to his grip. As he turned back, he noticed Aria watching from the sidelines, her arms crossed, a faint smirk on her lips. She was still in her noble dress, clearly not meant for combat today, but her presence added another layer of pressure. Kain wasn't about to let her see him falter.
"Your task is simple," Sir Garrick said, stepping back and drawing his own sword. "Defeat me."
Kain blinked. That was it? He had been expecting drills or some kind of basic instruction, but Sir Garrick clearly had no interest in holding back.
Without another word, the instructor lunged forward, his blade flashing toward Kain's shoulder. Instinct took over, and Kain parried, the clash of metal ringing through the courtyard. The force of the strike sent a tremor up Kain's arm, but he held firm, his mind quickly analyzing Sir Garrick's technique.
"Fast," Sir Garrick grunted. "But not fast enough."
He pressed the attack, his movements fluid, each strike calculated to expose a weakness in Kain's defense. Kain dodged and blocked, his footwork keeping him just out of reach. It became a dance—one that Kain knew he couldn't win just by being reactive. He needed to take control.
With a quick sidestep, Kain spun out of the range of Sir Garrick's next swing and countered, aiming for the older man's side. Sir Garrick deflected the blow with ease, but Kain wasn't finished. He shifted his weight, bringing his sword up for another strike.
Sir Garrick smirked. "Better."
Their blades met again, and this time, Kain poured more of his strength into the fight, testing the limits of his body. Despite his young age, his stats had pushed him far beyond the normal range for a child, and it showed. He felt the power behind his strikes, the agility in his movements. Sir Garrick was strong, but Kain knew he could hold his own.
For now.
After several minutes of back-and-forth, Sir Garrick finally stepped back, lowering his sword. "That's enough."
Kain stopped, breathing hard but steady. He hadn't landed a clean hit, but he hadn't been overwhelmed either.
"Not bad," Sir Garrick said, his voice carrying a hint of approval. "You've got talent, I'll give you that. But you're still rough. There's much to refine."
"I'm ready to improve," Kain replied, his expression serious.
"I hope so." Sir Garrick sheathed his sword and turned to the rest of the courtyard. "You'll train with the others tomorrow. But for now, I have one more lesson for you."
Kain frowned, confused. "What lesson?"
Sir Garrick grinned, a rare expression from the otherwise stern man. "How to survive the nobles."
Before Kain could ask what he meant, he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. A group of young nobles, led by a tall boy with an arrogant smirk, walked over.
"Ah, here we go," Sir Garrick muttered. "Meet Lionel, the Duke's nephew."
Lionel stopped a few paces away, looking Kain up and down with obvious disdain. "So, this is the commoner everyone's talking about?"
Kain held his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. "Yes."
"Hmph." Lionel's eyes flicked to Sir Garrick. "I hope you're not wasting too much time on him. My father says he's just a distraction. Not worth the effort."
Sir Garrick raised an eyebrow. "Your father isn't the one running the training sessions, Lionel. I am."
Lionel's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. "I suppose we'll see if he's really worth anything. But I wouldn't get my hopes up."
With that, Lionel turned on his heel and walked away, his entourage following closely behind.
Kain watched them go, his jaw tight. He had expected some resentment from the nobles, but now that it was right in front of him, it was harder to ignore.
"Don't let him get to you," Sir Garrick said quietly. "Lionel's always been a pain, but he's all bark and no bite."
Kain nodded, but his mind was already working. He would show Lionel, and everyone else, just how wrong they were about him. He wasn't here to be dismissed.
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