Chapter 8

Uh, Link," Kamira finally understood: "So you are studying the methods that Mentor Calvin used on you!

Master Galvin said that I cannot retaliate while I am in training, but he did not say that I cannot ambush him when I am not in training. Have you forgotten that Master Galvin taught us: 'As knights, we must never relax our vigilance against the dangers around us in every fleeting moment!' We are also testing Master Galvin's teachings here!" Link patiently advised Camila

Oh? That just now seemed quite impressive," Camila's eyes also brightened. "However...

And this "true swordsmanship" actually consists of just one action, which is to draw the great sword from its sheath and then return it back in

Ah! Camila suddenly jumped up. Fortunately, what they were holding in their hands was a large sword made to resemble a knight's sword. Although its appearance and weight were quite similar to that of a knight's sword, it was designed for practice purposes. To prevent accidental injuries among beginners, all of them were not sharpened. Otherwise, poor Camila would have been split in half. However, even though the large sword in Link's hand was merely a dull iron bar and he did not exert much force, being struck on the back like that was still quite unpleasant. Camila kept rubbing her back and exclaimed, "Link, what are you doing?!"

I don't know," Link shook his head, yet a mischievous smile appeared on his face: "But someone will always know!"

Is that so? If not, you stand there and I will try again to see

Who is it? Kamila asked innocently, and after a moment, she realized and couldn't help but gasp, looking at Link and exclaiming: "Are you planning to attack..."

Um," Calvin nodded in satisfaction: "Diligent practice is the right approach. You should go practice sword drawing with Camila now!

Sigh, he stretched and said: "In order to train you and Camila, I have to get up early and stay up late. I'm feeling a bit tired now, so I will go inside and rest for a while. You and Camila should practice your swordsmanship here. When the sun is at its zenith, prepare some food and call me to get up. At that time, we will also train your reflexes again. Sigh, being your instructor is truly exhausting!"

Calvin mumbled to himself and slowly walked back into the room, slamming the door with a "bang"

Poor child, having chosen such a knightly mentor, seems to be on the verge of being driven mad by the torment!

Camila approached with concern, handing over the recovery potion in her hand, and asked, "Still couldn't avoid it?! Did you get hit again?!"

On the contrary, Camila was unsure whether it was due to his honest and simple nature, or if Master Galvin, considering his increasingly developed and sufficiently powerful muscles, did not insist on him participating in such evasive training. Instead, he generously provided Camila with a replica knight's great sword, and began to teach him the "true swordsmanship" that Master Galvin spoke of.

"Kamila, don't run away, hey... Kamila..."

I wonder when I will be able to learn the art of fighting?" Camila murmured to herself, shaking her head in regret

Cough... cough..." The bearded Calvin slowly walked out of the small cabin: "Dear Link, I seem to have heard you saying something

Ah! Ah! Ah!

"It's nothing, it's nothing," Camila endured the pain and waved her hand at Link nonchalantly, asking, "How is it? Did you discover anything just now?"

Ah-ha, Link was completely unaware that he had struck Camila hard, his eyes lit up as he exclaimed to himself: "So this is what this stick is like, hehe, now I understand!"

They exchanged a comforting glance and began to work even harder!

Even the most basic version of fighting spirit is valuable; after all, the legendary knights of those heroes achieved their accomplishments through fighting spirit! Only by possessing fighting spirit can one truly be considered to have stepped into the realm of knights

Of course, the great mentor Calvin at hetushu.com once again solemnly declared his unique training method in the world, claiming it to be the most effective way passed down from some mysterious ancient tradition. However, every time Link found himself beaten to a pulp by Mentor Calvin, witnessing Calvin's ecstatic laughter and the gleam of excitement in his eyes as he wielded his big stick, he couldn't help but recall what his old man had mentioned before about a peculiar existence known as "masochism," which supposedly only existed among the noble class of the empire.

Link stood listlessly beside Camilla, also holding a replica knight's great sword, repeatedly drawing it and sheathing it, drawing it and sheathing it

However, Master Calvin is relatively measured in his approach. Considering Link's physique, generally speaking, each time he only strikes Link five times. Nevertheless, this means that Link endures a total of fifteen strikes each day. Over the past few months, Link himself feels that his muscles have become nearly as solid as those of Camila.

Oh, Link was unaware of what he was thinking, absentmindedly responding with a casual reply

As the sound of the "ka" echoed, Camila, who was practicing drawing her sword in front of Mentor Galvin's small cabin, quickly sheathed her large sword and walked to the door of the cabin, taking out a bottle of recovery potion from her pocket and waiting there

Since the two of them passed the so-called entrance test by Mentor Galvin and truly became knight apprentices recognized by him, they discovered that their nightmare had not ended, but had only just begun

With a creaking sound, the door was pulled open, and Link stepped out, grimacing as he continuously rubbed various spots on his arms and body.

Moreover, Master Calvin also stipulated that Link could not use anything, not even his own arms, to block, nor could he run outside the confines of that small room. Furthermore, he was not allowed to make any aggressive movements towards the great Master Calvin. In short, Link had no freedom to even cower in fear; he could only jump up and down, and dodge left and right.

Pervert! Link and Camila almost simultaneously cursed in a low voice towards the direction of the cabin.

One is indeed quite fortunate

Uh, that seems to make sense!" Camila nodded emphatically.

The people living in the garrison seemed to have become accustomed to this abnormal sound. Some soldiers who rose early were still methodically practicing their movements, while several knight apprentices who helped their mentors with armor and equipment, as well as tidying up the grounds, were each engaged in their own tasks. Perhaps the only effect of this strange sound in the military camp was to lead some of the miscreants, who were entitled to sleep in, to dream of unhealthy things amidst these cries that seemed both tragic and somewhat refreshing.

However, I noticed that what you just did seemed quite impressive!

Alright, no problem! Camila did not have the awareness of becoming an accomplice; in his view, anything that could help Link avoid a few more beatings was a tremendous good deed.

Such ravaging has gradually increased from once a day to now occurring three times daily: each morning, noon, and evening

Before the sun had a chance to rise above the peaks of the Sunset Mountains, a piercing long cry echoed throughout the entire Sunset Outpost camp, startling many birds and beasts in the mountains, causing the forest to rustle with sound

The knight apprentices in the barracks, who were busy tidying up the grounds and handling various chores, sadly shook their heads as they listened to the laughter coming from the mountaintop

He scratched his head: "Did not Mentor Calvin stipulate that you cannot block or counterattack during training? Now that you know how Mentor Calvin delivered that strike, do you understand how to evade it?"

In fact, he also knows that according to the rules, it is impossible for knight apprentices like them to learn the unique fighting techniques of their respective mentors. Generally speaking, all that mentors impart to their knight apprentices are the most basic, standardized forms of fighting energy compiled by the imperial knight order. The purpose is merely to lay a foundation for these knight apprentices. To learn higher levels of fighting energy, one must wait for future rank promotions or inherit the legacy of a senior knight. Therefore, even if Mentor Galvin were to truly teach them fighting energy, it would still be the most basic, standardized form compiled by the imperial knight order, serving only to provide a foundation for these knight apprentices. To learn higher levels of fighting energy, one must wait for future rank promotions or inherit the legacy of a senior knight. Thus, even if Mentor Galvin were to genuinely impart fighting energy to them, it would only be the same as what those knight apprentices who have already learned fighting energy possess, which is merely the standard version. However, before events unfold, we must always allow young people to retain their hopes and fantasies for the future

"Hmm, I have a bit of an idea," Link nodded and said, "Hehehe, I finally understand how Master Galvin's stick was drawn out!"

Uh, actually from this angle, it seems we could be a bit faster! Camilla, not knowing for the hundredth time in the morning that she had drawn her sword, seemed to have gained some insight as she adjusted her angle and continued practicing her sword-drawing. However, she couldn't help but sigh at Link: "Aside from this set of 'real swordsmanship', we have no idea when we will learn anything else. Yesterday, I saw several knight apprentices following Master Cardy, and they have already started learning fighting spirit!"

"Fighting spirit!" Camilla paid no attention to Link's attitude and continued to express her thoughts, her face filled with a look of longing: "Fighting spirit is a symbol of knights! If our mentor Galvin were to teach us fighting spirit, it would surely be different from what they learn! I wonder what color Galvin's fighting spirit would be!"

Link, you said ... ... ah ... ...

"Hmm, faster!" Master Galvin, when in a good mood, would occasionally stand by and watch Camila practice this "true swordsmanship," and would authoritatively offer guidance: "This won't do, you need to be even faster!"

At that time, I might still need your help to attract Mentor Calvin's attention! As long as I learn how Mentor Calvin avoids it, I will never be hit by that stick again!" Link resembled a little fox luring a lamb.

"Hmm," Link said with indignation, nodding his head. "Five sticks, not a single one dodged. Ouch, could you help me apply some ointment on my back? I can't reach it. That old fellow is getting more and more cunning with his angles!"

However... however... Camila always felt that something was amiss, but she couldn't quite articulate it. After a while, she finally said: "But aren't you unable to retaliate?"

Shh! Link quickly made a gesture for him to be quieter, chuckling, "I really want to see how Mentor Galvin dodges this blow!"

Although he harbored some doubts deep down about the "true swordsmanship" spoken of by Master Galvin, at this stage, the only thing Master Galvin had truly taught them was this set of "true swordsmanship." Therefore, apart from practicing this set every day, they had nothing else to do.

It has been proven how important it is to choose the right knight mentor

"Oh, esteemed Master Calvin," Link's face immediately blossomed into a smile. "I was just describing your wonders to Camila. We have no idea when we will reach your level, so we must practice diligently!"

Although Link was puzzled by the purpose of the large wooden stick, it was not until the next day, when he stood opposite his mentor Calvin in the small wooden cabin, that he realized that the so-called training to enhance Link's reflexes involved Calvin wielding the thick wooden stick, which was as thick as a forearm, and delivering a series of blows to him without mercy

"Indeed," Link turned his head and recalled what had just happened, quickly asking, "Kamira, did I just hit you!"

The remarkable Master Galvin seemed to have no intention whatsoever of preparing to teach them swordsmanship and combat energy. That very night, after officially announcing his recognition of Link and Camila as his knight apprentices, Master Galvin eagerly took out a large wooden stick, as thick as Link's upper arm, declaring that starting the next day, he would officially begin training Link's reflexes

However, Link always felt that it was because he had been struck on the head by Master Calvin's big stick

Camilla was still immersed in her own imagination. Just as she turned around to speak to Link, she happened to see him draw his sword. In an unexpected twist of her hand, the large sword traced a strange arc in the air, and with a sharp "bang," it swiftly struck her back.