Chapter 4A: Martial Training part 1

Before he knew it 8 years had gone by before he knew it. He spent his time studying herbology, gastronomies, and toxicology with Angela. His father decided to keep her in his service when he realized that she was a true expert when it came to her specialty. Over the past three years, Veravar had trained him in all manner of studies from politics, geography, history, philosophy, and literature. He had developed a reputation as a genius in the circle of nobility by now. Eventually, Veravar became too sick to continue teaching him but by then there was little for Veravar to teach him. Veravar decided to leave the castle, he wanted to die with his family. He left Leylin with his plaque. Veravar at the time of his departure had a firm conviction that Leylin would leave a mark on history and Veravar would be immortalized by Leylin's deeds he had no regrets. A teacher is after all known by the actions of his disciple.

He continued studying with Angela but it turned from a teacher-student relationship to a mutually beneficial partnership. They performed experiments together and studied the effects and efficacies of new Herbs and materials, they had discovered quite a few things but they monopolized the information for now.

There were two herbs he discovered that have an excellent effect on improving agility and vitality. The leaves of a flowering plant called foxglove helped with improving vitality, and an evergreen shrub found in the emerald forest greatly improved his agility. He also found out that eating the eyes of a one-eyed fisher a bird that uses its exceptional eyesight to catch fish, greatly improved eyesight. Leylin was quite happy with the progress he had made in the past 3 years but it was also merely preparation for the preparation.

'status', Leylin thought

[Beep: scan complete] [Name : Leylin Farlier Gender: Male Strength: 0.7 Agility: 1.8 Vitality: 1.5] [Status: Neural function normal, Improved Eyesight]

Leylin woke early today he will begin his martial training he thought. Leylin had started to meditate to keep his wistfulness in check. The first rays of dawn seeped into the tower, the eastern curtain wall cast a jagged shadow on the tapestry. The light gently cajoled him from his stupor. Laylin had a sumptuous breakfast of bacon and that double helping of fried eggs cooked up with onions and peppers. A sherbet of Spicy Orange from the north Had become a staple addition to the breakfast of the castle's residents. By now his intelligence and the support of his grandmother had beaten any hope that his father's women had to dislodge him as heir. They had changed tactics and turned to sycophancy. Only his father's first wife who had finally given birth to a son held out hope that he would fail in martial pursuits and would give her son a chance. His mother had given birth to another son to the consternation of the other women of the household.

After Breaking his fast he followed his father out of the gatehouse into the courtyard.

On the way to the courtyard, he was greeted by his family's men at arms.

"Young master Leylin how was your rest", the guard asked in a light tone. He wore heavy golden leather armor, and a huge axe was being carried on his back. He looked extremely intimidating with those gear.

He smiled and replied, "it was pleasant Derek".

Seeing him treat his family's men-at-arms courteously brought a smile to the Viscount's face

A warrior dressed in steel armor was already waiting in the courtyard.

"Leylin, this is the Paramount Knight of our family. You may call him Uncle Valdis!" The Viscount introduced him to Leylin.

"I will share the technique with you after supper for now Valdis will teach you the crossguard technique," his father said with a smile and left.

Valdis grabbed a sword and handed it to Leylin. He felt the heavy weight of the sword. The wooden swords were heavy, and it was about three kilograms each. The length of the sword was about one meter, and the handguard made a cross with the blade. It looked like the most common crossguard sword.

Leylin waved the sword several times, and he was able to hear the slashing sound in the air. Valdis also grabbed a sword for himself, and he slashed once. A white flash appeared in front of him.

"The basics are simple, but not everyone can finish the whole set easily," Valdis said, and he performed a front slash while holding the sword with both his hands.

Hue!

Leylin felt the air blow over his face, and his hair got slightly blown to the back. The chip in Leylin's brain started to analyze the data automatically. A line of blue-colored data was shown in front of his eyes quickly.

[Beep! Name:Valdis, Strength: >3, Agility: >2, Vitality: >2.] A.I Chip reported.

"This is the front slash. Please focus your strength on the lower edge of the blade. It will help you deal more damage to the opponent, and it will make the blade last longer too." Valdis explained, and he started to show different slashing skills.

Front slash, up slash, horizontal slash, point strike, and down slash were the five basic ways of wielding a sword. Valdis demonstrated all of those one by one to Leylin. Every time Valdis performed a slash, there would be some air blowing all over the place.

Leylin watched Valdis's actions carefully, and his chip was also recording the data in the meantime.

The chip finished its recording process when Valdis finished the demonstrations.

"What do you think? Those skills are very simple, but it is still hard to master them. If you do them incorrectly, it might even hurt your joints. Please make sure you are doing them properly." Valdis said in a serious tone.

Leylin nodded lightly.

[Beep! Recording finished. Please name the dataset.], the A. I chip reported

'Basic Crossguard Technique.' Leylin confirmed the name.

[Beep! Name confirmed as Basic Crossguard Technique.] The mechanical sound stopped after the confirmation.

Leylin tried to select the data with his mind, and the data was shown within his brain. Valdis's demonstration was well-recorded, and he could see the images and hear the sound without any issue.

Leylin started to exercise following the demonstrations.

'optimize the basic cross-blade skill for combat and then monitor for deviation', Leylin thought

[Beep! Task Established. Beginning optimization of Basic Crossblade Skill:...….Eliminating unnecessary movement....optimizing stroke.....maximizing force transfer...minimizing energy loss..... optimizing Complete.]

[Beep! Task Established. Beginning monitor]

'First, front slash.' Leylin thought.

[Beep! 31% deviation detected.] The chip reported to Leylin as he was trying to do the slash while holding the sword with both of his hands.

Leylin tried to modify his slash position.

[Beep! 25% deviation detected.] The chip reported.

Leylin modified his position multiple times with the help of the data, and he became close to the original data finally. He held the sword steadily, and he modified his position. He performed the slash when the difference was less than 5%, and he felt his action was very smooth.

'Simulate improvement', Leylin Thought.

[Beep! Checking body condition, Improvement in Muscle groups 3,4,11. Repeat the action 10526 times to increase the strength by 1. Use of body weight exercises recommended. Using bodyweight exercises that strengthen muscle groups 5 and 2 for optimal outcome. Repetition needed for improvement of strength by one reduced to 25% ] The chip reported.

'Great…only 2500 times that too with extra training' Leylin thought.

He started to practice intensely. The chip helped him to control his body condition well. It was much easier for him to exercise with the help of the data.

Hue! Hue! Hue!

Leylin repeated the basic routine many times, and he could finally perform the skills smoothly and quickly. He also started to hear the blowing sound of the air, and it meant that he was getting closer to the results he wanted.

Leylin was enjoying the practice, and he was trying his best to improve the basics.

Step forward, front slash, up slash, down slash, and horizontal slash. Leylin was trying to do them in different directions.

His actions became smoother, and the sound got lighter after a while. Leylin could feel himself improving. He got used to the basic routine of the sword, and he could perform the actions precisely even without the help of the data.

"Resting time! Dismiss!" Valdis's voice was very loud, and Leylin could easily hear it.

Leylin stopped his training, and he looked over at the middle of the grounds. He saw Valdis hitting a gong with his hand, and the sound was loud and sharp.

The children on the training ground became loud after. They found their friends and started to walk towards the living area, and some of them went to grab a bite. There were also some children by Valdis's side, it seemed like they were asking him something.

Leylin did not move, and the sweat was visible on his forehead. His face was red, and he was sweating everywhere. His vest was completely soaked.