The lesson went on as the instructor also wanted them to be ready once they became a squire who would have to serve a Knight.
In many cases, being squire could even be a lifetime if you really lack the talent to learn how to manifest Aura. It wasn't that surprising at all since being a Knight was simply not that easy.
Even Baron Howard doesn't have an official Knight within his territory. At most, he had several sword masters, mercenaries, or those at the level of Aura Initiates working for him.
"You need to learn how to act whether you are in the heat of battle or at a royal banquet." Lady Stephanie said.
She then demonstrated the proper way to greet someone of higher rank. "When addressing a noble, you must bow at a 45-degree angle, keep your back straight, and maintain eye contact. Let's practice. Pair up and take turns greeting each other as if you were meeting a baron or a count."
Hayden wryly smiled at this but he accepted his current reality. In any case, learning this might be helpful once he starts dealing with other people.
Thankfully, his Lens could help him record this basic information in case he had forgotten it.
The students paired up, some awkwardly mimicking the bow while others struggled to keep their backs straight.
The Lens highlighted the subtle nuances of the bow—the angle of the torso, the placement of the hands, and the duration of eye contact. It seemed overkill to use his Lens for this simple task but since the Lens barely used his stamina with this basic task, he didn't mind using it.
One student raised his hand after a few moments. "Lady Stephanie, what if the noble doesn't acknowledge us? Do we just keep bowing?" He seemed to have some idea about this matter and wanted to confirm what he had learned.
Lady Stephanie's lips twitched into a faint smile. "A good question. If the noble does not acknowledge you, hold the bow for three seconds, then rise gracefully. Do not fidget or show impatience. Remember, dignity is key."
Another student, a girl with blonde hair, asked, "What if we're wearing armor? How do we bow then?" She seemed excited about asking this.
Apparently, she was fascinated by the armor worn by a few Knights serving high-ranking nobles, so she was curious about it.
"An excellent point," Lady Elara replied. "In armor, a full bow is impractical. Instead, you may perform a slight nod of the head while placing your right hand over your heart. This shows respect without compromising your readiness for battle."
Hayden absorbed every word, the Ocularis Lens storing the information for future reference. He felt that mastering these simple etiquette would be just as important as mastering the sword.
***
After this class was the Reumish Language class. It was held in a cozy room filled with bookshelves.
Messer, the instructor, was a soft-spoken man with gentle behavior.
He began the lesson by explaining the importance of language in the life of a Knight.
"Language is the foundation of communication, without it, you cannot lead, negotiate, or inspire. Reumish is the official language of the Austere Kingdom, and mastering it is essential for any aspiring Knight."
He handed out sheets of parchment with basic phrases written in Reumish. "Today, we will focus on greetings and introductions…
This was quite a boring class but it could certainly help them learn how to use various phrases and other basic stuff.
Once again, Hayden allowed his Lens to absorb all of this information to help him.
After that, the History class was held in a small hall with various paintings depicting famous battles and even some legendary or important Knights and Magicians that had served the Kingdom to its prosperity.
Hayden had already absorbed the various books within the Manor, so he was curious whether there would be something else he had to learn.
After all, the books in the manor should have the same history being taught in the Academy.
"Let's see…" Hayden muttered.
Sir Schwarz, the instructor, seemed to be in his fifties. After introducing himself to the class, he immediately started to show his enthusiasm in storytelling.
"History is not just a record of the past… It is a guide for the future. Learn from it, or you are doomed to repeat its mistakes."
He pointed to the painting showing the Battle of Silver Plains.
Hayden's Lens immediately showed information about it and it was certainly an important moment in the kingdom's history.
"This battle was fought over a hundred years ago when the Austere Kingdom was on the brink of collapse because of the internal conflicts of the past régime. The Knights of the Kingdom led by Sir Reis the Bold, held the line against an invading army. If not for his overwhelming strength that crushed the enemies, that evil cult who had been controlling some nobles from the shadows would've taken control of this Kingdom."
Then, a student behind Hayden raised his hand and asked a question.
"What happened to Sir Reis after the battle?"
"Sir Reis was gravely wounded in the battle but he lived long enough to see the enemy retreat and he died shortly after. His last words were, 'Protect the kingdom and its people.' A true Knight to the end."
Hayden doubted that that was the last words of the Knight but he knew that the history must've been written as such to inspire young people to be loyal to the Kingdom.
It was a simple technique commonly used by the victors of the war.
***
In the meantime, while the students of the Academy were peacefully attending their classes, Master Sabin, the other retired Knight who had established this academy with Headmaster Mensa had finally returned…
"Old Mensa, I heard that there was an interesting student who saw through your flawed Dawn Swordsmanship…" Sabin laughed as he seemed to be more excited than Mensa himself.