Count Barth Highwand, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
His voice carried such weight and intensity that it made Abel’s heart skip a beat.
“I am Count Barth. Abel, son of my vassal knight Walter Ray, thank you for reporting in. I won’t waste time with pleasantries. Let’s get straight to the point: how proficient are you in healing magic?”
“Yes. According to my father, I have the capabilities of the Third Rank.”
“What about other forms of magic?”
“Water and mineral magic are about Second Rank. As for fire magic, I was only taught heating and fireball spells.”
Abel told a few lies.
One should hide their true abilities.
Abel recalled his past life.
In black companies, a few people reaped the rewards with minimal effort, while everyone else was subjected to extreme overwork.
The worst part of such places was that if you showed even a little competence, you were mercilessly buried in work.
And the pay was still low.
Revealing your abilities in that kind of environment only puts you at a disadvantage.
For now, Abel intended to just observe and form a plan later.
Thinking that being a child would earn him some leniency was a naive hope.
He had seen many apprentices, barely ten years old, being worked hard from morning to evening.
Especially in a knight order which was a military group, there was no telling what kind of duties might be forced upon him.
“How about the sword? Can you enhance your body with magic?”
“I can, to a degree. I learned the Offensive Sword Style from my mother, and the Swift Defense style from my father. I’m still a beginner.”
The man sitting to the Count’s right, his uncle who looked to be around forty, spoke with open contempt.
“He’s the son of a coward who fled the battlefield, Father. There’s no point expecting anything from him.”
His tone was completely dismissive.
It was like a sharp gust of icy wind swept through the room.
“Berle. I have already forgiven Walter’s misconduct. It’s over. There’s no need to bring it up again.”
Somewhat unexpectedly, Count Barth reprimanded his eldest son, Berle.
Perhaps it was simply a difference in thinking between grandfather and grandson.
The Count rang a small bell.
Shortly after, Butler Keifard who had guided Abel here earlier entered the room, opening the door.
He was carrying something in a grand, ceremonial container decorated with gold and silver.
The Count spoke.
“Abel. It’s difficult to recognize you as a proper member of the Highwand House. However, now that people know your father was Walter Ray, there are many who will be aware of your lineage.”
Berle made a sour expression.
“Therefore, you will be treated as a very distant relative. But let me be clear; there will be no special treatment. The Empire is currently at war with the Kingdom of the True King. Last year, several large battles broke out in the Central Plains. We are short on manpower due to wartime conditions. That’s why I’m giving you a chance to rise through the ranks. Prove yourself.”
At the Count’s signal, the butler respectfully stepped forward and presented something to Abel. It was a necklace with a medal.
There was also something resembling a badge of honor.
“That medal bears the crest of House Highwand. The badge on your chest signifies that you are a squire hired by the castle. You must wear both at all times.”
Abel obeyed the order, putting the medal around his neck and pinning the red badge to his clothes.
“I will be leaving here as early as tomorrow. I’ll be assisting His Majesty the Emperor and His Highness the Crown Prince in the Imperial Capital. Berle will also soon head to the battlefield, leading the troops. I’m entrusting the castle to my grandson, so you too must become capable quickly and serve well. That is all. Do you have any questions?”
“None, my lord. I may be unworthy, but I will give it my all.”
Thinking the conversation was over, he bowed.
Assuming he could now leave, Abel turned to exit the room but was stopped.
His disagreeable uncle Berle spoke.
“I am the commander of the Highwand Knights. Just in case, I’ll have my sons assess your abilities. We’re heading to the training grounds.”
…Ugh, I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
With growing unease, Abel followed Berle.
Berle’s sons and even his daughter came along as well.
Apparently, strangers were going to test him.
What on earth would happen?
They walked through the castle.
From above, the castle probably looked like a square.
It felt like he was being dragged along, and they led him into the courtyard. The floor was paved with stone.
There, a few knights and squires were in the middle of training.
A man who appeared to be the eldest son spoke up.
“I’m Lopez, vice-commander of the Highwand Knights, and son of Commander Berle. Since this is just training, offensive magic is off-limits. Abel, what weapon are you best with?”
After thinking for a moment, Abel decided to only show the Swift Defense style.
If he used the Offensive Sword Style, it might turn into a serious duel.
Better to keep it simple…
“A sword and shield. I use the Swift Defense style.”
“Pick whatever you like from over there.”
From the training armory, Abel picked out a wooden sword and a shield.
Lopez, on the other hand, brought out a long spear.
Though it was made of wood and lacked a blade, being a training weapon, it seemed to be made of oak, making it heavy and solid enough to be considered dangerous.
His build, by modern standards, was easily close to two meters tall.
A broad chest.
Arms and legs like logs.
His muscles were incredibly well-developed, like forged steel.
He was undeniably a giant of a man, with a remarkably trained body.
Even with a wooden weapon, a blow from someone like that could easily crack a skull.
“I prefer spears and clubs. Let’s begin.”
Without hesitation, Lopez suddenly brought his spear down in a vertical strike.
Abel hurriedly blocked with his shield.
The impact was tremendous. He dropped to one knee.
Cold sweat ran down his back.
If he hadn’t blocked it, he would’ve been seriously injured.
Abel hesitated, unsure of what to do.
Then, the shaft of the spear swept up from below, slipping under his arm. And with tremendous force, it flung him aside.
…Huh?
Before he knew it, Abel was flying through the air.
He couldn’t regain his balance and hit the ground, rolling over twice.
A jolt of pain struck him.
He clenched his stomach and quickly scrambled to his feet.
His head was flushed with anger.
…That bastard…!
A violent, feral bloodlust awakened inside Abel.
That monstrous strength was definitely the result of magical body enhancement.
Lopez leveled his spear toward him in a ready stance.
Abel recalled the mock battles he’d had with Walter and Ayla.
…What should I do?
I’ve never fought against a spear before…
Abel held his ground in the basic Swift Defense stance with his shield forward.
Lopez let out a shout and launched another attack.
A thrust aimed at Abel’s feet.
It was fast.
The legs were a weak point when using a shield.
Abel’s shield was only large enough to cover about half his body, so if he defended low, it would leave his head exposed.
Still, he had to block it.
He caught the spear with his shield.
As expected, the next move immediately targeted his face.
Abel threw himself sideways, dodging the spearhead.
And without pause, he closed the distance in a swift step forward.
He tried to rush in and land a blow with his wooden sword, but Lopez spun his spear and struck with the butt end instead.
Abel blocked it with his shield, but the sheer force sent his body flying backward through the air once more.
This time, however, he had anticipated it and managed to brace himself without falling.
With that bit of breathing room, his thoughts started to clear.
—No good, no good.
Getting angry won’t help.
I just have to play along.
He’ll get bored soon enough.
Abel continued to block the attacks with his shield and wooden sword.
The assault was fairly intense, but if he focused solely on defense, it seemed manageable.
After a while, Lopez lowered his stance.
“Is defending all you can do?”
“Yes. Your attacks are too strong; there’s no opening.”
That’s what Abel said, but it wasn’t quite the truth.
The big man’s attacks were certainly fierce thanks to his brute strength, but that also made them somewhat unrefined, driven mostly by raw power.
Compared to Ayla’s precise and sharp strikes, Lopez’s technique had openings one could exploit.
That said, Lopez’s strength was very real. So even if he got into sword range, what came after that was still a problem.
“Alright. I’ve got a good read on your level. You’re about third rank in the Swift Defense style. Still, it’s impressive that you managed to react to my attacks at all. I never expected much from a healing mage with a sword.”
“Um, Sir Lopez, may I ask what style you practice? I don’t know much about spears, so I apologize if it’s a basic question.”
“Hmph. I follow the Single-Spear Style. I’m fifth ra,k.”
Lopez answered confidently.
In any field, there were plenty of first and second-rank practitioners.
But once you got into the advanced fifth rank, their numbers dropped sharply.
As for the sixth rank….even among warriors or mages, Abel had never seen anyone at that level aside from his mother, Ayla.
In that regard, Lopez was certainly impressive.
But still, Abel couldn’t help but compare him to Ayla and Walter.
The battle-hardened, relentless tactics they used had a certain weight that couldn’t be measured by the rank system alone.
In contrast, Lopez’s spear felt more like the strength suited for a match than a battlefield.
Of course, Abel kept those thoughts to himself.
“Now then, next. Monke, spar with Abel.”
Berle tried to have his second son Monke spar next, but Monke flatly declined, saying he had injured his arm.
“Kashe, you don’t need to do it.”
For some reason, Berle addressed his daughter Kashe, who seemed more than eager.
The girl with purple eyes was already holding a wooden sword and practicing swings, so she looked visibly disappointed.
“Why not! Father, I want to spar too!”
“Kashe, don’t get ahead of yourself just because you can use a bit of magic. A noble lady should focus on learning proper manners.”
“There are female warriors and knights too!”
“Those are exceptions. They’re oddities, even among women with magical talent.”
Kashe glared at her father.
Her purple eyes flashed sharply.
But Berle ignored her.
It was the kind of attitude that said he had no time to waste on children.
Sensing that protesting would be useless, Kashe turned on her heel in frustration and ran off somewhere.
Hot-tempered, no doubt…
The test seemed to be over.
Everyone looked as though they were about to leave.
Unable to resist, Abel asked about the one thing that had been on his mind.
“Um… I once met a female knight named Ise Ark. Do you happen to know what became of her? Did she… fall in battle?”
At the mention of Ise Ark, both Lopez and Berl frowned.
Had he said something wrong?
“Ise is alive. Do you think someone tied to the Demon race would die so easily?”
Lopez spoke irritably.
Meanwhile, Monke was smirking with a mean-spirited look.
“Why don’t we have Abel serve as Ise’s squire? I’d love to see if he has the guts for it. After all, every one of her squires ends up quitting. Can’t blame them though…outside of combat, Ise is useless, and she won’t get close to anyone.”
Lopez glanced at his father, as if seeking his opinion.
Berle had a nasty grin on his face.
“Hmph. An excellent idea, Monke. Just like his father, this one has no resolve to risk his life for the count’s house. Being Ise’s squire will be the perfect test of grit. A fitting match… though he’ll probably give up right away.”
…A mistake.
Abel clicked his tongue inwardly.
He had asked out of simple curiosity, only to end up with this result.
Of all things, to be assigned as Ise’s squire…
“Lopez, I leave the rest to you. I’m busy.”
Berle cast Abel a mocking, scornful look, then left without another word.
He clearly had no further interest in Abel.
After a brief discussion, Lopez and Monke also left, leaving Abel to the attendants.
They didn’t even bother to say goodbye.
It was clear they had no intention of looking after him.
In fact, there was even a hint of outright hostility.
Abel let out a sigh, alone.
What would become of him now?
Everything only seemed to grow more uncertain.
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