The morning came before the sun had risen.
Clobber's internal clock, set with precise accuracy, pulled him from his sweet dreams as the first hints of dawn barely kissed the sky.
His eyes cracked open, and his mind slowly began to shake off the remnants of sleep. It felt as though some invisible force gently urged him awake, banishing any lingering fatigue. Without hesitation, without even a second of doubt, Clobber swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, ready to greet the new day.
His training routine always began at dawn, no matter the weather—rain, wind, or even lightning never interfered with his schedule. Every morning, as the first light of day broke across the land, Clobber would rise, wash up, prepare himself, and then set out for the day's practice.
His first activity each morning was always a set of basic warm-ups to get his body ready for the intense training ahead. This habit, rooted in the knowledge he had carried from his past life, was something he'd always adhered to. Warming up before training not only made the practice more effective, but it also helped minimize the risk of injury.
As he slowly adjusted his breathing, Clobber would focus his mind, clearing away distractions and centering himself. He would then enter a meditative state, the calmness of his mind blending perfectly with the stillness of his body.
Next, he would start his swordsmanship drills. Over and over again, he would repeat the same moves, each one drilled into his muscle memory. Sword practice, to Clobber, was a conversation with himself. Each swing of the blade allowed him to feel how his muscles responded, how his body controlled the weapon. The subtle changes in his movements built up over time, much like the slow but persistent force of water wearing down stone.
With each session, he could feel his control over his body becoming more precise. Not only did he begin to sense every muscle's movement, but he also learned to command them with incredible accuracy—controlling the force, the rhythm, the tempo.
This deep control over his body didn't just enhance his skill with the sword; it was also improving his overall physical strength. Every training session brought a tangible sense of growth. It was as if an invisible energy was flowing into him, making him stronger, more capable. This gradual increase in power was addictive for Clobber. It convinced him that as long as he persisted, kept pushing himself, he could eventually surpass his limits and reach greater heights.
Now, having successfully broken through to the realm of a formal knight, Clobber understood that his journey didn't end with swordsmanship alone. To truly grow stronger, he needed to delve into the mysteries of fighting spirit, aura, and their practical uses.
Fighting techniques, the amount of aura he could wield, and how to apply it—all of these would be the next key areas of focus in his training.
As of now, Clobber had already mastered the Golden Blade Technique and could now integrate it with his sword practice, breathing in sync to increase his aura's total capacity. In fact, compared to when he first broke through, his aura reserves had increased by nearly ten percent.
In short, there was only one way to sum it up:
The future looked promising.
Clobber's training routine had reached a stable point. If he continued in this manner, his strength would steadily grow. He estimated that in about a year's time, he would be able to fully cover his body with aura. This would mark a major breakthrough in his training and signal that his first aura transformation was on the horizon.
Once he completed this transformation, Clobber would be officially promoted to the rank of Great Knight—a monumental leap, and the long-term goal he had worked tirelessly toward. Becoming a Great Knight would bring him even greater power, opening the path to more advanced levels of strength.
After finishing his training for the day, Clobber tossed his sword and towel to the two young servants who had been waiting nearby.
These two boys had been assigned to him by Baron Daniel. They were knight's attendants—non-official members of the Dragon Breath Knight Corps who would serve alongside Clobber during his tenure there.
In fact, most knightly orders had such attendants as part of their structure. These attendants came from noble families or wealthy merchant households, and their primary job was to take care of the knights' daily needs.
They not only attended to the knight's personal comfort but also cared for their warhorses, ensuring these loyal companions remained in peak condition. On top of that, they were responsible for maintaining the knight's weapons and armor, making sure everything was in perfect working order for battle.
Perhaps the most important duty of an attendant, however, was to carry the banner of honor—a symbol of the knight's rank and status. This banner represented the knight themselves, and carrying it was a duty that no attendant could shirk.
The two attendants assigned to Clobber were both from wealthy merchant families in Crownflower City, and had received strict knight training from an early age. They had passed the certification for Intermediate Knight Attendant, which was a respectable rank. Their families, being vassals of the Goldrose family, had pledged loyalty to them, making these young attendants both capable and trustworthy.
Clobber knew that these attendants had been carefully selected, not only for their skills but also for their family backgrounds, which ensured they could be relied upon during his time in the knight corps.
The attendants, who came from relatively good backgrounds, were usually full of ambition, eager to climb the social ladder. And, of course, their families were in a position to provide some support.
Take the two attendants assigned to Clobber by Baron Daniel: Will and Sam. Both came from wealthy merchant families, where money wasn't in short supply. What they truly desired was a ticket to the upper echelons of society.
To that end, they had done everything in their power to get their direct family members into the Goldrose family as attendants, hoping that one day they could follow a member of the Goldrose family, make their mark, and, in time, be granted the title of nobility.
This was why, when Clobber woke up that morning, he found the two young attendants already waiting at his door.
They were there to make a good first impression on their future lord.
And to be fair, Will and Sam's families were as wealthy as they came. Just look at the gear they wore.
Their polished chainmail glistened in the dim morning light, the metal shining brightly. Over that, they wore gray cloaks embroidered with the Goldrose family's emblem. They each had a steel helm—a real iron helmet, not some cheap imitation.
Both attendants carried long swords, sheathed and hanging at their sides for close combat. And slung across their backs were small, kite-shaped shields made of wood and leather, bearing the same Goldrose insignia.
On their feet were brand-new deerskin boots—so new, in fact, Clobber wouldn't be surprised if they'd been crafted just the night before.
The first meeting between master and attendants was uneventful. Will and Sam swore their loyalty, and Clobber accepted it, then followed them to the training grounds to begin his morning exercises.
After some time spent observing, Clobber had developed a certain level of trust in Baron Daniel. He knew that the people Daniel sent his way would be reliable. Plus, Clobber really did need attendants to take care of him so he could focus solely on his training.
However, Clobber wasn't the type to trust just anyone easily, especially when they were strangers he'd only met recently. So, despite accepting Will and Sam's service, he wasn't about to hand over full control to them.
Instead, he would assign them only minor tasks—things like running errands and dealing with less important matters. The more significant duties, such as overseeing his food, were a different story.
Clobber was well aware of the dangers of food poisoning. How many heroes had fallen due to being poisoned? He would never take such a risk, especially when it came to the most crucial tasks.
When it came to his food, Clobber was extremely cautious. He only trusted experienced, reliable individuals to handle such responsibilities. And among all those around him, the old knight Foster was undoubtedly one of the most dependable choices.
Foster had cared for Clobber since he was young. With his vast life experience and meticulous nature, Clobber trusted him completely. It was only by leaving these vital matters to Foster that Clobber could ensure everything would be handled without a hitch.
Stretching as the sun peeked above the horizon, Clobber groaned, feeling the familiar protest from his stomach. It was time for breakfast.
After a high-intensity training session, his body needed proper nourishment to recover.
With that thought, Clobber set off toward the hall, his steps light and purposeful. As he walked, he couldn't help but admire the beautiful scenery around him, his mood lifted by the peaceful morning air.