The air around the training field still carried the echo of clashing steel and sharp breaths.
After a long silence between me and Darius, I finally spoke.
"Mr. Darius…"
He turned his head slightly, eyebrow raised.
"Hm? What's wrong, kid?"
"I… want to learn combat,"
I said, forcing the words out before hesitation could drag them back in.
My voice trembled for a moment, but I stood firmly.
"Can you teach me?"
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"I thought you'd never ask, Caelus."
He folded his arms, eyes narrowing, not with doubt, but with a strange seriousness.
"Of course, I'll teach you everything I know. But before we start, you should understand the risk. Combat isn't a game."
"I'll take the risk,"
I replied without pause.
"Teach me everything, Teacher."
That single word, 'Teacher', hung in the air longer than I expected. Darius's gaze softened, then brightened with something close to pride.
"Your eyes say it all,"
he said.
"I like that."
He tilted his head.
"Still, why are you so interested in combat? I heard you're aiming to be a magician."
"Even a magician must survive,"
I answered simply.
"If my magic ever fails me, I still need a way to fight. Bare hands, blade, anything. Strength is a foundation… not a luxury."
Darius chuckled.
"Good answer. You already understand what most rookies never do."
He gestured at the field.
"Notice how every mage here carries a dagger or short sword? That's their last line of defense if spells fail."
Now that he mentioned it, I realized he was right. The mages around us weren't just a fragile scholars, they were fighters too.
How can't i noticed it before? I just become reckless.
I need to fix it.
"Alright,"
Darius said, cracking his knuckles.
"No more talking. Let's see what you've got."
We descended from the balcony and stepped into the open yard.
Dozens of mercenaries paused to glance at us before returning to their drills.
"First, the basics,"
Darius barked.
"One hundred push-ups, one hundred sit-ups, one hundred squats, and ten kilometers of running. Now move!"
I nearly fell backward.
"W-What?"
He grinned.
"You heard me. Go!"
Hours passed,
or maybe it just felt like that. My lungs burned, my arms shook, my body screamed for rest. Sweat stung my eyes as I gasped for breath.
This body… it's so weak.
I hadn't realized until now how fragile this ten-year-old frame truly was. In my old world, I wasn't that athletic, but this was pathetic.
Still, I pushed through.
I wouldn't waste this opportunity.
When I finally collapsed, the ground felt like heaven.
Darius crouched beside me, shaking his head.
"Good job finishing it, but… wow, you're a disaster. I thought the leader's son would have a better foundation."
"Guess I disappointed your expectations,"
I wheezed, half smiling.
He chuckled.
"Not disappointed, just surprised. Alright, ten minutes rest, then we'll start real training."
"Already?"
I blinked.
"Shouldn't we build stamina first?"
"Smart question,"
he said.
"But I'm not trying to make you a brute. You already have good posture and control from what I've seen before, you just need to learn how to move."
Ten minutes later, Darius called me back to the center of the field.
"Alright. First lesson, stance. Without a good stance, every strike is wasted."
He stepped back and demonstrated.
"Bend your knees, feet shoulder-width apart. One slightly ahead, hands up to guard your face and ribs. Shift your weight to the balls of your feet. Stay light."
I mimicked his movements, recalling fragments of MMA stances I once saw in my old world.
Knees bent, arms raised, shoulders angled.
"Like this?"
Darius blinked. Then grinned.
"That's a perfect stance. You've done this before?"
"Just… seen it,"
I said with a faint smile.
He laughed.
"Alright then, let's move on to techniques. Start with a simple punch, lead hand, straight from the torso, directly to the opponent's face. Quick in, quick out."
That's a jab.
I exhaled and struck the air, swift, precise, clean.
Darius's grin widened.
"Beautiful form. You're a natural, kid. I guess bloodline never lied."
He demonstrated again.
"Now, a cross, rear hand this time. Twist the hips, drive your weight forward, and bring it back fast."
I followed his rhythm, letting my body flow naturally.
Jab. Cross.
"Heaven's breath,"
Darius muttered, half-laughing.
"You're picking this up so fast. Alright then boy, we're going to speed this up"
By the end of the session, I had learned the basics, from jab, cross, hook, uppercut, and guard stance. My arms trembled, but my spirit soared high.
"Hahaha! Alright, we're done for today,"
he said, wiping his forehead.
"Tomorrow we'll work on defense and kicking."
"Thank you, Sir Darius."
I bowed slightly.
"No need for formalities. Go clean up, you earned it."
He pointed toward the showers beside the field.
After washing the sweat from my skin, I returned to the hall, and noticed Darius speaking with a woman I hadn't seen before.
She had shoulder-length blonde hair tied into a neat ponytail, eyes the color of a clear lake, and skin pale like marble. A cloak bearing the eagle insignia draped over her black shirt and brown trousers. I didn't see a staff or wand, and just see a short sword rested at her waist.
A knight?
Darius noticed me.
"Oh, Caelus. Done already?"
"Yes, sir."
The woman turned, smiling warmly.
"So this is the leader's son? You're more handsome than I expected."
She waved.
"Hello there."
"H-Hi… Miss?"
"Oh, call me Samantha. Samantha Grimwald."
Her tone was kind and gentle, almost melodic.
"Hello, Miss Samantha. I'm Caelus Valen."
"Such a polite boy,"
she teased.
"And a cute one too."
I felt heat crawl up my neck. Her looks were exactly my type, and I had to fight to keep a straight face.
'C-Calm down, Caelus,' I muttered under my breath, while i gulped a mouthful of saliva.
Darius chuckled.
"Samantha here is the mage of my team. She's a Grade VII Magician. Graduated from the Royal Magic Academy."
Oh a Magician?.
My eyes widened.
"That's… impressive."
"Since your father asked to meet me,"
Darius continued,
"Samantha will accompany you for a while. If you have any questions about lecture or the world, ask her."
He threw me a teasing grin.
"Don't get distracted by her beauty, alright?"
I froze. Did he just tease me…?
My face must've turned bright red because Samantha giggled softly.
"See you, kid,"
Darius said, walking away with a wave.
"Try not to faint."
That son of a—.
As his figure disappeared through the corridor, the hall felt strangely quiet.
Only me and Samantha remained.
"So, Caelus,"
she said, crossing her arms and smiling.
"What do you want to do?"
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity, not mockery.
"I… want to visit the library,"
I answered honestly.
"There are a few things I'd like to ask too."
Her smile brightened.
"Then follow me, boy. Let's make sure you don't get lost."
And just like that, my next lesson began, learning the world, and maybe, just maybe, a bit of trouble.