The Novel's Sidekick

Unlike Julies, who only came to the training class for me, the other freshmen of the Knight department were practising their swings while the instructor kept a watch from a distance. Well, Julies had nothing to learn here, though I must say, practising a little won't hurt.

The class of the Knight department was mostly divided into two parts. One was inside the classroom where we learned about WarCraft, tactics, survival, and many things along the line. While outside was where we practice, duel, and the instructor helps us in improving our skills.

Not something flashy or extravagant, like the magic department. Then again, the Knight department was falling apart in the Starlight academy. Well, the situation is not that dire. It was just falling away from the Order of the Magi. A few hundred years ago it was exactly opposite, the academy dominated by the order of Knights, while a few powerful Magi held the other parts. But after the new discoveries were made in the path of Higharts, the order of Magi rose as the dominant part of the academy, even though their numbers were five times smaller.

Then there were other reasons. The biggest and recent one of that was the dis-involvement of Ruthalyn in anything related to the academy. Currently, the academy is only packed with students from the Empire, and the surrounding nations that do not pose any threat to the empire, unlike Ruthalyn.

With the excuse of the academy being partial to the Mahenar empire, Ruthalyn pulled away all their resources as well as the candidates, Knights, and the handful of powerful Magi they possessed, from the academy.

Well, calling it an excuse might be wrong. Though Starlight Academy was impartial about many things, they are a bit partial when it comes to the Empire. After all, the founder of the academy—King Alberan—was also the founder of the Mahenar Empire. Nobody could ignore the overwhelming strength the empire had established, and it's even far stronger than the time of establishment.

It was just that Ruthalyn does not like it very much.

The students, Knights of the magi, who were pulled away by Ruthalyn were not much of a problem. There was no lack of talent after all. What the academy (the Empire) lacked is the technology of many itemsbuilt by Ruthalynians. Even the biggest academy in the realm cannot replicate many itemsof Ruthalyn. Many things that come as a necessity for a knight nowadays.

Getting back to the topic, why am I still attending the Knight's department if it's degrading? The answer was simple. I wanted to get my hands on the Dominion of the Knights.

The art of Knights did not just end with the swing, slash or manoeuvre of other weapons. There are some ancient powers that are capable of many more features—that even the high arts have trouble replicating. These ancient powers are called the Dominion of Knights.

In ancient times or before the third epoch, there were Knights who did not lose even when battling with the magi, but now only a handful of such knights were available in the realm. Why was that?

Because of the war that had drawn the conclusion of the second epoch. In that war, many sources of the dominion were lost.

The Half-slash and Full-slash I was practising does not belong to the dominions, it was just the mastery of the two basic skills. Every country has access to these slash techniques, but things were not the same for Dominions.

There were Six types of Dominions that had been found till the latest chapter of the book. The Starlight Academy possesses three among them. That being said—the Empire has access to all three. Moreover, the Empire has another dominion secretly stashed and only the most outstanding royal blood or highly loyal Knight got to take it. While Ruthalyn has the exclusive privilege of one.

And for the last, it was owned by Oscar Emberheart. Not me, but the Oscar of the book. However, it was not him who found the Dominion, but it was Edward. Since the protagonist did not have expertise in close quarters, he gave it to his loyal Knight.

I need to get my hands on that before I could win something from the academy. Luckily, I knew where the power was at, though it would be dangerous for the current me. That's why I was practising so hard, because I don't have to wait for Elinor to find it and give it to me.

I can't wait for Elinor to find it for me. And who could tell what that frail girl does with it?

I practised for an hour more, aiming to turn the fine sword into scrap metal. While my good underling played a little, though he kept on staring here and there all the time. Well, actually, there was not much to learn for the little fellow here. Even though Julies looked wacky and weird, he had the capacity to become an elite easily. However, I must admit, this little fellow was almost dull with the theories.

That reminded me of Zane. He was just as hopeless at theories, but in practical terms, he's unmatched. He's probably on a mission, though I can't say I am looking forward to our next encounter. There is some bad blood between Scar and him, though once they were best buddies.

There are a few other important individuals I have not met yet. Perhaps it was for the best. I am still a half-assed fighter, and the rumours never stopped, even after my numerous attempts. Actions speak louder than words. That's what I have been working on. I can not actually stop the mouths of the public with words or force. I have to make it happen with my actions.

Fortunately, not all looked at me as a worthless brat. Julies and Eran regarded me as their leader—even though I am no less than a failure. Rosalyn, my aunt, regarded me still as a child—her little nephew—that she had to look after in absence of her elder sister. Ben and Kyle had no good relationship with Oscar, but they still helped me train. And Yasmine.

She was someone I never deserve, but I will work for it.

Sweat dripped down from my face as the sword blazed again. This was my last try as my spirit force reserve was almost empty, not to mention the fatigue I have stacked. I wished it would have been easy, like the anime characters did with the sword moves. If only all I had to do was yell the name of the moves like an anime character, and the move would automatically release from my sword.

How easy it would be for me! I poured a lot more force than usual for the last try, attempting on the first stance of Flamestance, Young Flame. This stance uses a lot of spirit force in the board stoke. With both of may palms on the hilt, I twisted sideways, elbows bent on hiding the sword as red fiery energy churned.

The tip, which was pointed upwards, lurched downwards with a majestic sweep at the stone dummy. Young flames could be used in various ways, but what I intended was the full sweep, releases everything.

"Getsuga Tensho." 1

Only after I completed the slash did I realise I have actually said that out loud, like an anime character. I was about to hide my face somewhere, luckily to notice all the others barely had time to notice me. They all were tired, and now they were sitting on stones, relaxing; though a few of them looked at me after hearing me yell. They had a puzzled look on their faces as they did not understand what just happened.

I must admit, I kind of felt satisfied, yelling that, though I would not like to do that in front of anyone ever again.

Julies was among the few who heard me yell. "What was that?" he asked with a curious gaze and, seeing me flustered, he forgot about it. His gaze moved to my sword, and he opened his lips again. "Anyway, congratulations on wasting another one."

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