Knight's Journey

That night, after answering one strange question after another from his subordinates, Caesar lay in bed deep in thought. The official appointment hadn't been issued yet, but it would likely arrive the next day.

What exactly was Fighting Energy? Caesar touched the spot just below his navel. From the outside, there was nothing to see, but he could feel a tiny, rice-grain-sized white energy orb within. Knight Will had called it the 'Fighting Energy Vortex,' but Caesar couldn't see any swirling motion.

Unable to figure it out, Caesar decided he might ask Uncle York about it. He also thought of Chassie in Giza Town. He hadn't visited her recently, so he decided he'd go tomorrow and bring her a small gift.

'I wonder how things are at home,' Caesar thought. The last message from his parents had said everything was fine, and they reminded him to stay safe. The money he'd sent back—did his parents use it? Knowing them, Caesar guessed they had probably saved most of it for his future wedding.

Thinking about marriage made Caesar grin foolishly. In this era, marriage was a lifelong commitment for ordinary people. Marrying a gentle and supportive woman was a dream that could make one smile even in sleep. Chassie seemed like an excellent choice—beautiful, skilled in brewing wine, and literate.

Suddenly, Caesar thought of his sister. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Ever since he left home to join the army, it was his sister who had managed the household. If anyone was truly virtuous, it was her. He wondered how she was doing now… and with that, his thoughts drifted until he fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Caesar arrived at the training grounds outside the camp. No other squadron captains had arrived yet. After greeting the guards at the gate, he stepped into one of the smaller training areas.

Today, he wanted to test his strength after beginning to cultivate Fighting Energy. According to Knight Will, Caesar was now at the entry-level Knight Squire stage. At this level, Fighting Energy remained in seed form and could only be used to repair injuries and enhance physical strength. Once the Fighting Energy seed grew to the size of a pigeon egg, he would reach the peak of the entry-level Knight Squire stage and could then advance to the low-level Knight Squire stage.

Knight Will had only taught Caesar the basics of the entry-level Knight Squire technique. The next stage would only be taught once Caesar reached the peak of his current level.

 Caesar approached a massive boulder in his training zone. It was a stone heavy enough that, with his previous strength, he could only lift it halfway and sustain it briefly. Without using Fighting Energy, Caesar wrapped his arms around the boulder and shouted, "Lift!" The boulder rose slightly but stopped at his knees. After ten seconds, Caesar's strength gave out, and the stone dropped with a loud thud.

 After resting for a few minutes, Caesar tried again. This time, he recalled the method Knight Will had taught him to channel Fighting Energy. He guided a thread of energy from the seed below his navel to his arms and abdominal muscles. "Lift!" he roared.

 The boulder rose again, this time reaching his chest. Caesar felt a cool sensation in his abdomen—a sign of rapid Fighting Energy depletion. He realized that the rice-sized seed of Fighting Energy had already shrunk to the size of a millet grain. With one last burst of effort, he threw the boulder forward.

 The boulder landed five meters away with a heavy crash. Caesar stared at his trembling hands in disbelief. The strength granted by Fighting Energy had nearly tripled his physical power, even if only briefly. However, Caesar noticed that Fighting Energy didn't fundamentally enhance his muscles; it merely acted as an augmenting force. The strain of lifting something beyond his natural strength left his muscles aching.

 Just then, a refreshing current of Fighting Energy flowed from his abdomen and coursed through his body, particularly targeting his aching arms. This was what Knight Will had described as Fighting Energy automatically protecting its host during injuries. Caesar knew that manually guiding the energy would yield even better results, but with his Fighting Energy seed now even smaller, he decided to conserve it.

 Knight Will had stressed that the accumulation of Fighting Energy required consistent daily training. Without at least an hour of breathing exercises each day, Fighting Energy would stagnate or even regress.

 The training grounds were still empty. Caesar sat cross-legged and began his breathing exercises. Time passed unnoticed, and when Caesar opened his eyes again, three hours had gone by. It was now ten in the morning. The Fighting Energy seed in his abdomen had returned to its original rice-grain size, though it hadn't grown any larger.

By now, four other squadron captains had arrived at the training grounds, including Uncle York and Knight Will. Each man occupied a separate training zone, quietly cultivating their Fighting Energy. Knight Will was in the largest zone at the center.

 Fighting Energy cultivation required uninterrupted focus. Any disturbance could slow down absorption, disrupt the calm state required, or even cause adverse effects. Caesar decided not to disturb them. Instead, he picked up a training longsword and began practicing his swordsmanship.

An hour later, the other captains, including York and Knight Will, emerged from their training states. Uncle York noticed Caesar practicing nearby and called out with a laugh, "You're here early, Caesar. Very diligent! Come on, let's grab breakfast together."

 On the way to the mess hall, Caesar learned that he and Jelson had been assigned to the Fourth Squadron—Jelson as captain and Caesar as vice-captain. Caesar had no objections; Jelson was more experienced and capable, and his appointment made sense.

 During their walk, Caesar asked Uncle York about the details of Fighting Energy cultivation. Knight Will had only provided basic guidance, and Caesar knew that Uncle York was the person he could trust for deeper knowledge. 

"Fighting Energy isn't something you master overnight, kid. I've been cultivating it for over a year, and my seed is only the size of a soybean. You've only been at it for a day!" York said, playfully smacking Caesar on the head. 

"Isn't there a faster way to train?" Caesar asked.

 "Well, there are rare treasures and herbs that can boost your cultivation, but they're nearly impossible for commoners like us to obtain," York replied.

 Caesar thought of the Red Sea Flower that Soren had given him. He had left it with Chassie to grow in a pot. If it couldn't be cultivated, he would follow Soren's advice and eat it directly.

 "Most commoners can only rely on time and dedication. But hey, cultivating Fighting Energy adds twenty to thirty years to your lifespan. That's not a bad deal, is it?" York added.

 Caesar sighed. For someone his age, the idea of extended lifespan wasn't as appealing as immediate strength.

 As they walked, York continued to share advice, and Caesar listened attentively, absorbing every word.

 They soon arrived at the central green tent, where the baron and squadron captains dined. For Caesar, stepping into this tent felt like crossing an invisible threshold into a higher status.

 "Quit staring, kid. Get in!" York said, pushing Caesar forward.

 Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed yet disciplined. The captains exchanged pleasantries with Caesar, making him feel welcomed.

 When Baron Kyle and Soren arrived, lunch officially began. Fine wine and delicious food were served, and Caesar conducted himself with calm composure.

 The baron spoke briefly with Caesar, offering words of encouragement and a promise to look after his family. For Caesar, it was a brief but deeply meaningful exchange.

 用餐结束时,男爵正式宣布了凯撒和杰尔森的任命,巩固了他们在即将到来的方阵城围攻中的角色.

 凯撒感到自豪和决心交织在一起.他作为中队副队长的旅程正式开始.