Chapter 13: The Training Ground's Bond

The day began as it always did for Alexius Valdor, the youngest and eleventh child of King Lucian and Queen Illyana Valdor. His System interface chimed softly, drawing him from sleep with its stark blue glow. The daily tasks hovered before his eyes, their demands relentless yet familiar:

150 push-ups

200 sit-ups

10 miles of sprinting

30 minutes of meditation

10 minutes of endurance testing

Each task was a silent testament to the progress he had made since his reincarnation. His body, still recovering from the previous day's training, protested as he forced it through the grueling routines. Despite this, he welcomed the challenge.

"Strength doesn't come from comfort," Alexius muttered as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

By the time he reached the meditation portion, the morning sun had risen, painting the horizon in streaks of gold. The rhythmic hum of the System marked his progress as his attributes ticked upward in small but noticeable increments.

Strength: +1

Endurance: +1

Willpower: +2

Satisfied with his gains, Alexius took a deep breath and headed to the training grounds, his mind already focused on the day's agenda.

The clang of weapons and the sound of laughter greeted Alexius as he approached the training grounds. His six trusted subordinates, Garret, Kael, Mira, Leif, Isabelle, and Drake, were deep in their drills.

Garret, the oldest and most experienced of the group, barked instructions while blocking a flurry of strikes from Kael. Mira spun her spear in tight, controlled circles, sparring with Drake, whose lance struck with calculated precision. Leif stood at a distance, loosing arrows at a series of moving targets, while Isabelle's rapier flashed in a mesmerizing dance of speed and accuracy.

"Late again, my lord," Garret teased as Alexius joined the group.

Alexius smirked. "You're lucky I didn't decide to sleep in. Shall we test if you're still the strongest here?"

The group laughed, the camaraderie they shared evident in their easy banter.

After an hour of sparring, Alexius called the group together, a faint smirk playing on his lips. From his inventory, he withdrew a set of pristine training manuals, each glowing faintly with an otherworldly light.

"These are for you," Alexius said, handing each subordinate their respective manual.

Mira's Manual, "Piercing Gale": A guide to fluid, relentless spear strikes, enhancing stamina and precision for sustained attacks.

Leif's Manual, "Silent Arrow": A hunter's manual, teaching predictive targeting and intuition to anticipate enemy movements.

Isabelle's Manual, "Dancing Blade": A duelist's guide, refining footwork and agility for near-perfect speed and precision with a rapier.

Drake's Manual, "Iron Tempest": Focuses on disciplined endurance and powerful lance formations, suitable for both solo combat and battlefield tactics.

Garret's Manual, "Bastion's Edge": Advanced techniques for shield-based counterattacks and defensive strategies.

Each subordinate marveled at their manual, their awe evident in the way they handled the glowing tomes.

Kael nudged Garret with a grin. "Think this'll make you strong enough to beat Alexius?"

Garret snorted. "With what he's been putting us through? Unlikely."

Alexius chuckled. "Keep practicing. One of you might surprise me someday."

The manuals proved their worth almost immediately.

Mira's spear movements became fluid, her strikes flowing like water as she practiced the sequences from "Piercing Gale."

Leif's arrows began striking with uncanny accuracy, each shot guided by the principles of "Silent Arrow."

Isabelle's rapier danced in a mesmerizing flurry of speed and precision as she absorbed the teachings of "Dancing Blade."

Drake's endurance and power seemed to double as he experimented with the techniques in "Iron Tempest."

Garret, ever the bastion, became an immovable force as he tested the counterattacks from "Bastion's Edge."

Alexius sparred with each of them, pushing them to refine their techniques further. The sun rose higher, marking the passage of hours as the training ground echoed with the sounds of progress.

By sunset, the group gathered around a training dummy near the edge of the training grounds, their laughter filling the air.

Leif leaned back, wiping sweat from his brow. "I swear, Alexius, you're trying to kill us."

"Not yet," Alexius replied with a smirk. "That comes later."

The group burst into laughter, their bond stronger than ever.

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Alexius gazed at the distant horizon, his mind already focused on the challenges ahead. The Royal Tournament loomed closer, and beyond that, the Heir Race.

He clenched his fists, determination etched across his face. We'll be ready.