Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 21: One step at a time (1)

1007 AF Whitemonth

Day 67

The day had come for Arial to leave for the Knight Training Academy, situated just behind Dagur Hill.

An academy with two hundred years of history

The Academy was built by one of Alan descendant a second son of Avar Alan.

history books and paintings depicted him with a fierce countenance, a lock of hair fallen across one eye.

In history and paintings of him he is depicted to have a just stature, extraordinary corpulence, and fierce countenance; his forehead has a lock of hair fallen across one eye.

He is described to have of such great strength of arm that no one was able to draw his bow, the Luminest Bow which he himself could bend when his horse was at full gallop and when he is at his heyday.

He was not eligible to have lands for all the lands belong to the successor of the House of Alan.

Instead of the other brothers who chose to follow his older brother, Adranius stormed off the castle and wander the land.

Adranius adventured across the land, and even went into a pilgrimage to the Holy Cities and upon his return at the age of forty, he constructed the school to teach the code of his forefathers, of chivalry and heroic endeavors.

Help the people and vanquish evil. That is the motto.

Some said he once sailed the Dark Sea and became stranded on the Land of Shadows, and it was during that time the idea came to him to build an academy of knights.

Why he did it nobody was quite sure, but rumors claimed he had witnessed terrifying and deadly things in the Land of Shadows known to scholars as Novus Gaia, a term coined by the First Generation.

The Academy grew as word spread and its reputation flourished year after year.

Then any noble sons who have no claim to the lands, unlanded sons, began joining the Order of Knight.

Sons of nobles came and went, signing their names in blood and pledging to help the people at any cost and vanquish evil.

Fareon the Brave, Greta the Gallant, Selia the Fool, and many more famous knights passed through the Academy.

Those who were deemed strong and talented were sent to serve the Emperor of Vern Empire.

Of course this would only happen if the Knight also consents to the arrangement. Because the Knights of the Academy swear no fealty towards any Kings.

But once they swore their oath, their honor would not let them broke their oath

They protected all, whether it was the blond-haired Emperor of Vern, the blue-haired Princess of Renasia, or the voluptuous Zettel royalty.

When their training was finished, the men were given a choice to serve kings, or to return home as a knight.

A Knight at least has the respect of the people.

Rather than live in the shadows of their older brothers or serve them, many nobles son join the Knights order but only a few is acknowledged by the Academy to be a true Knight of the order.

Arial held much respect for the knights.

During the Great Slaughter in his past life, the knights took charge and tried to drive back the Demon Army, though unsuccessfully.

Many of them died, but many more lives were saved; innocent men and women, children, the elderly.

It is the nobles and the Kings and Queens, their drama of betrayal and trickery sent this world into blood and death.

Arial felt a strong sense of pride at finally being able to sign his name among theirs.

To join those illustrious names, signed his name in blood and return home and protect the Wall. It will also help if he makes some allies in the Knight Order.

"Father, why did you buy so much?" Arial said, examining the mounds of armor and weapons his father had given him.

His father has bought many items from the traders from Central Market. There is a breastplate, gloves for Lisa, there's greaves, new cloths swords, blades, dagger and bow.

"It's not like we can carry all this."

"My son is becoming a knight! You will be well prepared," his father beamed.

"I really think you should watch your spending," said Arial, shaking his head.

Lisa and Kyle, who were accompanying Arial to the Academy, sat beside him quietly, unsure of what to say.

"Kyle, come here," Arial said, beckoning him closer.

"Yes, milor- Arial"

Arial wrinkled his nose.

Since they had joined the nobility, he had asked Kyle countless times not to call him "milord". Arial despised the term, although he couldn't blame him.

Their society had a strict hierarchy.

Nobles were respected, while peasants and slaves bowed their heads.

He told Kyle that nothing had changed, he could address him as he always had. His father Daniel had been reluctant at first, but upon Arial's insistence he had relented.

"Which one do you like?" Arial asked, showing Kyle the weapons.

"Whichever you choose, Arial" Kyle said modestly, his head down.

"No, that won't do. Choose."

Kyle looked up at the weapons and Arial smiles.

Kyle looked through the assortment of weapons and pulled out a blade and shield, and a single dagger.

A good choice, Arial thought. He had watched Kyle trains many times, and knew he was more suited to a small blade than a sword.

A blade and sword technique seems the same but it is very different. Only high level swordsman can use freely both weapons without confusing the technique.

The fact that Kyle chooses the shield must be because he couldn't quite use internal energy that proficiently.

He handed the weapons to Kyle.

"Thank you, Uncle Aries, Aunt Julia," said Kyle, bowing awkwardly.

"You're very welcome. I'm proud to see Danoba producing its own knights," Aries beamed.

"Your turn, Lisa," said Arial.

Lisa jumped up and examined the weapons, and quickly chose a long blade, followed by a short dagger, and slung a bow and arrows behind her back.

Unlike her brother, Lisa was not timid, and was one of the smartest people Arial had ever known.

In his previous life they hadn't become friends, because Lisa had died during the harsh winter of 1005 AF.

This time around, Arial's father had given away food and blankets to all the villagers, and Arial had made sure that the Lethe's received extras.

Other than that, Arial who knows what will happen to Lisa always come and check her and whenever she felt cold he would transfer hot energy to stream the hot energy inside her.

Lisa is his hope.

Saving her life was proof that things could be changed.

Arial knew why she chose both of the weapons.

Arial had noticed during their training sessions that Lisa was proficient in dual-handed techniques.

He had described her as an all-round fighter, so her choice in weapons didn't surprise him at all.

She is able to use daggers, swords and bows with natural skill, and had a good grip on the basics of cultivating internal energy.

She had talent that surpassed her brother, and the strength of her energy flowed through her.

"Thank you, Uncle Aries, Aunt Julia," she said, nodding in respect, a twinkle in her eye.

The group was about to head to the stables to choose their horses, but Arial pulled his parents aside.

"Father, you should hire some attendants to take care of the house, a maid to clean, a chef to cook."

"Why, are you sick of my cooking?" his mother teased.

"No mother, I just worry about your health. Now that the bakery is staffed you can cut back a little and enjoy your life. Help father govern the city from the house."

"My cute little son," she pinched Arial's cheek. "You worry too much. Be careful. Don't anger the Senior Knights and don't pick a fight."

"Yes, I know, I know," Arial said, annoyed at being treated like a child. Though, he supposed he was a child, technically.

"Arial, come on," said Lisa, grabbing his arm and dragging him to the stables.

After they had chosen their horses, Arial rode with Kyle and Lisa to the city gate. Their parents were already waiting for them.

Kyle and Lisa ran to their parents and hugged them tightly. Arial's mother handed him a neatly wrapped package, with a very familiar scent.

"Bread?" he asked.

"With meat fillings, your favorite," his mother said, smiling at him.

Arial placed the package carefully in his knapsack, which was already stuffed with food and other miscellaneous items.

It seemed more like they were going camping than training.

"Arial, behave yourself there, all right? Don't wander around too much," his father said sternly.

"I never wander around," Arial said.

"Oh, really? I remember when you were five, you wandered across the village. In the creek, in the hills, by the river, and the villagers swore they even saw you in the forest!"

Ah, yes, thought Arial, his face reddening.

He had gone to the forest to test some moves. He'd also killed a wolf, but had had to leave it behind; it would have raised too many questions.

"All right father, I will not wander around." Arial kissed his parents and climbed up onto his horse.

"Son, may the Light guide your way."

"So it shall be," Arial nodded.

Arial watched his parents standing side by side, waving and smiling proudly, and his determination burned again.

'That smile, I'll protect it' he promised himself

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