A month has passed since Nathaniel had started his training, He had surely grown stronger, developing his, body and his swordsmanship
' ' Hm. That child... His way of weilding a sword... It makes it seem like he has prior experience. ' '
The Knight commander muttered to himself before continuing
' ' Stop swinging those swords, A hundred laps around the fields. What use is knowing how to swing a sword if you can't reach the target?! Move! ' '
The knight shouted as each of the squires began to jog and run across the muddied fields, how hard could it truly be anyways?
huff.. huff.. huff..
The child was struggling, each breath a challenge as he panted and panted, the mudied grounds of the knight's fields made it challenging to efficient lift one's legs to march
yet..
He continued nevertheless, It was painful, verily.
Though it did not matter for the goals he had set were far greater.
' ' Hah... This is a pain ' '
Nathaniel muttered to himself, his legs ached for rest, ached for him to stop yet he continued, the afternoon passed... and..
He finished, yes he was last but it was a great achievement for someone so young
'I'm finished...'
The day passed in a flash, it was midnight, he was supposed to be asleep yet the child refused.
Once again he began to meditate, allowing the mana in the air to enter his body as he inhaled..
Slowly he gathered more now with more control over his body...
His body burned, it was painful, he was not ready. He was not trained.
It was dangerous yet he could not give up not he endured and kept steady, He was the Eternal flame was he not? He could not be stopped by such a weak fire.
' ' Grrk-! ' '
Nathaniel coughed yet he continued, he clutched his chest enduring the pain until... it slowly subsided...
' ' Hah... Hah... ' '
He began panting heavily before putting his hand above his heart...
' ' I can feel it.. ' '
' ' The first circle is here ' '
A small circle glowing with an azure hue encircling his heart, filled with mana it would be his key to unparalled strength.
But first, he needed to test the extent of his mana.
The child stood up, walking towards the bookshelf, taking a book
'This book... A rudimentary explanation of first circle spells, it will suffice
He began to read, reading for hours until he began to understand how this world's magic was supposed go work
' ' Is it based on willpower?... Since people chant in order to cast magic... It's inefficient unless... It strengthens the mind to focus on casting the spell. ' '
The child took a breath before opening his palm
'Focus on the fire alone, a bright glorious flame which gave birth to my identity. My Eternity.'
Sparks appeared... before.. a small flame ignited
'It's weak but at the very least it's there... I'll have to build up my mana every day... Though I have an idea..'
Nathaniel stood up placing the book back in place
'Mana.. Is in the air, always in the air.. so, what if I circulate mana each time I breathe? would that not be efficient... even if it's... just a small portion of mana it'll still help'
Nathaniel smirked as he began to inhale the mana, he could feel a fraction of the mana entereing his body..
'At least with a circle I can feel the mana more clearly... Even move it..'
He sighed, he was relieved things had worked out, it was time he rest
Soon enough, 6 years passed.
'14 yearsold huh.. To think I've hit the 2nd circle... It was harder than expected.. '
...
Nathaniel look past the window, he had grown to be a great 6th grade knight, and even a 2nd circle mage, though his parents would now know of this.
The child slowly walked across the hallway, Going to his Father's office
' ' I greet the Family Patriarch ' '
He'd say adressed his Father with a bow.
The Noble Lord looked at his son before speaking.
' ' Speak, what do you want. ' '
The lord would say in a commanding tone, It was filled with a sense of authority that even Nathaniel could shiver
' ' I wish to be sent to the commoners, to work as an adventurer before I come to the Academy. ' '
The lord sighed, he was contemplating it, Edward Van Atkins, yes a powerful Swordsmaster yet, He'd rather keep his son safe.
' ' Tell, why should I send you our, to risk your life instead of training inside this cradle already given to you. ' '
This sentence alone made Nathaniel shiver, yet he did not show. It was clear Edward was using his aura to make Nathaniel back away, It was cleark he was testing the child.
' ' For a Knight must experience the real world, A knight cradled in the safest castle... would that not make him blinded from the suffering of the people he should protect? A knight must know how the people live in order to understand and shield them from their troubles. ' '
The child stated, Adamantly he remained standing, remaining unyielding.
The lord sat silently on his deck...
After a while with a face that could be bordering a small smirk said;
' ' Fine, Go on. Experience the world with your eyes and return in 2 years. You must be 3rd circle by then. Do not return prior to that achievement. ' '
The lord stated, he was seriously stating that if the Child did not achieve sucu things in 2 years, he would not return.
Thus with a Nod, Nathaniel left. No longer a child but a drifting soul searching for adventure
To be Continued