The training grounds were already active by the time Klein arrived.
The steady clash of steel echoed across the open field, sharp and controlled, blending with the rhythmic footwork of knights drilling their forms. Even in the early hours of the morning, there was no sign of laziness or delay. Every movement carried purpose.
Klein stood at the edge of the field, observing quietly.
From this distance, the patterns were clearer. Each knight moved with discipline, their strikes neither wasted nor excessive. Strength alone was not enough here. Control, precision, and endurance mattered just as much.
This world valued power.
But not reckless power.
"You're up earlier than usual."
The voice came from behind him, calm but familiar.
Klein did not turn immediately. He had already recognized the presence.
"Sleep wasn't necessary," he replied.
Adrian stepped beside him, his gaze following the training session.
"That's a strange thing to say," Adrian said. "Especially coming from you."
There was no mockery in his tone, only quiet curiosity.
Klein glanced at him briefly.
"And what would you expect?"
Adrian shrugged.
"That you'd avoid this place. You always did."
That was true.
The previous Klein had no reason to come here. Watching others train while being unable to do the same would only serve as a reminder of his own shortcomings.
But that was no longer relevant.
"Things change," Klein said simply.
Adrian studied him for a moment before nodding slightly.
"…Clearly."
They stood in silence for a while, watching the knights.
A pair of them stepped forward for a sparring match, their blades meeting with a sharp metallic ring. Neither held back, yet neither acted recklessly. Each strike was measured, each defense calculated.
"This is where I train every day," Adrian said. "Father insists on it."
Klein nodded.
"That seems reasonable."
Adrian glanced at him.
"You make everything sound simple."
Klein's gaze remained on the field.
"In a world where power determines status, maintaining strength isn't optional."
Adrian let out a quiet breath, almost amused.
"That's one way to look at it."
A brief pause followed before Adrian spoke again.
"You've been reading a lot lately."
"Yes."
"And?"
"I understand more."
Adrian smiled faintly.
"That's not very convincing."
"It's accurate," Klein replied.
Adrian shook his head slightly, but there was no disbelief in his expression. If anything, he seemed more interested now than before.
After a moment, he gestured toward the open area beside the field.
"Do you want to try?"
Klein turned his attention to him.
"Try what?"
"Using mana," Adrian said. "Here. Properly."
The offer was direct.
Simple.
But not without meaning.
Klein considered it briefly.
There was no real disadvantage in accepting. If anything, this would be an opportunity to observe his abilities under slightly different conditions.
"…Alright," he said.
Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting such an immediate answer.
Then he nodded.
"Follow me."
They moved to a quieter section of the training grounds, far enough from the main group to avoid interference but still within view.
Adrian stopped and turned to face him.
"Show me what you can do."
Klein stepped forward.
Calm.
Unhurried.
He closed his eyes.
The noise around him faded into the background as he shifted his focus inward.
He no longer needed to search blindly.
The sensation of mana was familiar now, subtle but distinct.
He found it quickly.
A faint current within his body, steady and quiet.
Instead of forcing it, he adjusted to it.
Observed its flow.
Then guided it.
The movement was smooth.
Controlled.
Mana flowed through his arm and gathered at his hand, forming a faint glow around his fingers.
Klein opened his eyes.
The light remained.
Adrian's expression shifted immediately.
"…You can already do that?"
Klein glanced at his hand.
"Barely."
Adrian stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the glow.
"That's not just sensing mana," he said. "You're controlling it."
"There's a difference?" Klein asked.
Adrian looked at him as if the answer should be obvious.
"Of course there is. Most beginners can't even feel mana properly. Control comes later."
Klein considered that.
From his perspective, the two had not seemed very different. Sensing and guiding the flow felt like parts of the same process.
"I see," he said.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"When did you learn this?"
"Recently."
"That's vague."
"A few days ago."
Adrian stared at him.
"…You're serious."
Klein did not respond.
Because he was.
Adrian ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to process it.
"That's not normal," he said. "Even talented mages take longer."
"Maybe the method matters," Klein replied.
Adrian frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Klein let the mana fade, lowering his hand.
"The instructions I read are unclear. They rely on instinct rather than understanding."
"That's just how magic works," Adrian said.
"No," Klein said calmly. "That's how it's taught."
The difference lingered between them.
Before Adrian could respond, a new presence entered the field.
The shift was subtle.
But unmistakable.
Klein noticed it immediately.
Adrian straightened slightly.
Then a voice spoke.
"So this is where you are."
Klein turned.
Duke Vivian Crownoval stood at the edge of the training grounds, his gaze already fixed on them.
The surrounding knights had slowed, some lowering their heads in respect.
Vivian stepped forward, his presence steady and composed.
His eyes moved briefly to Adrian, then settled on Klein.
"Show me," he said.
The words were simple.
But they were not a request.
Adrian stepped back without being told.
Klein remained where he was.
He understood what this meant.
An evaluation.
He closed his eyes once more.
The flow of mana responded immediately.
He guided it as before, steady and controlled, allowing it to gather at his hand.
The glow appeared again.
This time, he maintained it longer.
More stable.
When he opened his eyes, the light remained.
Silence followed.
Vivian observed him carefully.
Not just the mana itself, but the way it moved.
The way it was controlled.
"You learned this recently," the Duke said.
"Yes."
"Who taught you?"
"No one."
That answer lingered.
Adrian shifted slightly beside him, but Vivian remained still.
For a brief moment, something changed in his gaze.
Interest.
Faint.
But present.
"Again," Vivian said.
Klein repeated the process.
Smooth.
Controlled.
Precise.
Not powerful.
But refined.
When it ended, Vivian gave a small nod.
"Adequate."
Klein let the mana disperse naturally.
Then the Duke spoke again.
"Extend it."
Adrian frowned.
"That's too much for a beginner," he said.
Vivian did not look at him.
His gaze remained on Klein.
Klein understood the implication.
This was a test.
He closed his eyes once more.
This time, he did not stop at his hand.
He guided the flow further.
Past his fingers.
At first, nothing happened.
Then the glow flickered.
The mana stretched outward slightly, unstable but present.
Klein adjusted his control, stabilizing the flow instead of forcing it.
The glow extended.
Barely.
But enough.
A thin strand of light formed just beyond his fingertips.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly.
Klein held it for a moment longer.
Then released it.
The light faded.
He opened his eyes.
Silence followed.
Vivian studied him for a long moment.
"…Interesting," he said quietly.
It was not praise.
But it was not dismissal either.
"Continue your studies," the Duke said. "Do not rely solely on instinct."
Klein inclined his head.
"I won't."
Vivian turned and left without another word.
The pressure in the air eased slightly once he was gone.
Adrian exhaled.
"…That was insane."
Klein glanced at him.
"Was it?"
"Yes," Adrian said. "You shouldn't be able to do that yet."
Klein looked at his hand.
From his perspective, it had only been a matter of refinement.
But clearly, in this world
It was something else.
"…Then I'll just improve further," he said.
Adrian let out a short laugh.
"You say that like it's easy."
Klein didn't respond.
Because to him
It wasn't about ease.
It was about understanding.
And he had only just begun.
To be continued...