Chapter 3:The Knight's Training

Chapter 3: The Knight’s Training

Kaito stood in the royal training hall, arms crossed, staring at the king.

"You’ll be heading to the front lines soon," the king said, watching him closely. "Before that, you need proper training. Strength alone won’t keep you alive in battle."

Kaito already knew where this was going. He might’ve gotten some combat instincts from his system, but instincts weren’t enough. He needed real experience, and the king clearly wasn’t going to let him sit around in luxury.

The king gestured toward a knight standing near the throne.

"Sir Aldric," he said. "You’ll be in charge of the Hero’s training. Make sure he’s ready."

Kaito turned his head as the knight stepped forward.

He was big. Not just in height, but his entire presence felt heavy. His full plate armor gleamed under the torches, and unlike most knights, he wore a helmet that completely hid his face. There was no way to read his expression.

Aldric nodded once. "Understood, Your Majesty." Then he turned to Kaito. "We leave now."

No extra words. No unnecessary conversation. Just like that, Kaito was being dragged into training.

He sighed. "Great. No time to mentally prepare, huh?"

The knight didn’t answer. He just walked, expecting Kaito to follow.

Kaito did.

The Forest Hunt

An hour later, Kaito stood in a thick forest, holding a sword.

Aldric stood beside him, arms crossed.

"This will be your first task," the knight said. "We hunt monsters. If you cannot handle this, you are not ready for war."

Kaito scanned the trees and dense undergrowth around them. It was nothing like the orderly streets of the capital—this place felt wild, untamed. Anything could be lurking in the shadows.

A flicker of doubt crossed his mind.

"This is my first time doing anything like this, you know," he admitted.

Aldric didn’t react. "Fear is natural. Ignoring it is foolish. Overcoming it is necessary."

Kaito exhaled slowly. Not exactly comforting, but not wrong either.

Aldric tossed a bundle at him. Armor.

It wasn’t as fancy as the plate armor the knights wore, but it was solid—a leather chest guard, bracers, and greaves.

Kaito put it on. It wasn’t much, but once he was geared up, the feeling of vulnerability eased slightly.

"Better?" Aldric asked.

"A little," Kaito admitted.

Aldric nodded. "Good. Then let’s begin."

Not long after, they spotted their first target.

A massive wild boar stood near a clearing, its tusks sharp, its red eyes locked onto them.

"Take it down," Aldric ordered.

Kaito swallowed hard. Then, as if sensing his hesitation, the boar charged.

Move.

His body reacted before his mind could catch up.

He sidestepped, barely dodging the attack. The moment the boar passed him, he gripped his sword tighter and swung—aiming for the creature’s side.

The blade connected.

The boar let out a painful screech, stumbling before collapsing. Dead.

Kaito stood there, breathing heavily, staring at the lifeless body.

"...That was easier than I thought," he muttered.

"You hesitated at first," Aldric said. "But you adapted. That is good."

Kaito looked at the boar again. His first real kill. He wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

Then his stomach growled loudly.

Aldric glanced at him. "...You don’t know how to cook, do you?"

Kaito sighed. "Not even a little."

Aldric turned back toward the path. "Then we’re heading to my home. My wife will handle it."

A Knight’s Home

Aldric’s house wasn’t inside the capital. It was a modest stone home near the forest’s edge, just far enough from the main road to feel isolated.

The scent of cooking meat and fresh bread hit Kaito the moment they stepped inside.

Before he could take in the details, something small and fast came rushing at them.

A tiny girl, no older than five, ran straight for Aldric.

"Father!" she called, grabbing onto his leg with surprising force.

Aldric, the same towering knight who barely spoke more than necessary, lifted her effortlessly into his arms.

"You should be asleep, Aria," he said. His voice had lost its usual cold edge.

The girl pouted. "But you said today was a feast!" Then she turned toward Kaito, blinking up at him with wide green eyes. "Who’s big brother?"

Kaito hesitated. He wasn’t sure how to answer that.

Aldric glanced at him. Then, to Aria, he said, "The Hero. He’s the one who caught tonight’s meal."

Her face lit up.

"Really?! Big brother is amazing!"

Before Kaito could react, the little girl jumped down and hugged his leg.

Kaito blinked. "Uh…"

Aldric didn’t seem fazed. He just placed a hand on Aria’s head.

"Where’s your mother?" he asked. "Tonight is a feast, after all."

"In the kitchen!" Aria beamed. "She said she’s making something extra delicious!"

Kaito glanced at Aldric. The knight, who had been nothing but stern and imposing since they met, now looked… normal. A father. Not just a warrior, not just a knight, but someone with a life beyond battle.

It was the first time Kaito had seen something genuine in this world.

And he wasn’t sure why, but it stuck with him.

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