"Joe! Stop!"Just as I raised the sword blade to shield my head, Ben's sword clashed with mine, creating a loud clang.I spun around, looking for an opening to counterattack Ben. Then, I kicked his chest. Ben stumbled back, coughing."Are you okay?" I asked, approaching him."I'm fine. You're getting pretty good after just two days of training. But I won't lose, Joe!" Ben exclaimed, getting back on his feet.It had been two days since my encounter with Cedric, and since then, my days were filled with full-day training. In the mornings, I would ride my pegasus and learn to communicate with the creature. Now I could somewhat communicate with Peace; a neigh with lifted front legs meant it was happy, while a series of neighs with lifted front legs indicated anger.During the day, we practiced anything we felt we were not proficient in yet. Hence, Ben and I were practicing swordsmanship in the backyard of the cottage. Although it was called training, no officers supervised or taught us. Th
The library in the military barracks turned out to be comprehensive, spacious, and neat. After sword practice earlier, I immediately headed to the library to absorb knowledge. The military personnel weren't as strict when I mentioned going to the library. Fortunately, they are literate individuals.I grabbed several thick history books and stacked them on the table.Frans, who accompanied me, raised an eyebrow in surprise. He had already picked up a book titled 'The Witches of Swinggelir: The Rytch'."Can you really finish all those books?" he asked, alternating his gaze between me and the stack of books."Maybe. I want to learn," I said, sitting in front of him.Then, I opened one book that caught my attention, containing lists of clans found throughout Swinggelir. Back when I was in the city library, I was too focused on its political intrigue, barely skimming through it, especially while watching a woman named Adellia.Now, I'm genuinely immersing myself in understanding how this w
Since joining the military, I haven't complained again about being exposed to the blazing sun during midday. My clothes were drenched in sweat, a result of combat training with Dean that left our faces bruised, combined with orders from the officers for us to gather on the field.Before long, Cedric arrived with other dignitaries and officers, standing tall and fierce before us. Cedric gazed at us with his sharp eyes. I could almost guess what he was going to say."Soldiers, I am truly touched by your dedication to the military training you have undergone," Cedric said.Actually, because we weren't supervised, some soldiers were lounging around or even arguing with each other. Just this morning, I witnessed people arguing and even bumping each other with their pegasus accidentally.I, Joe, tried to be a role model. Whenever I noticed people about to quarrel, I would consciously flee and choose to train elsewhere. Not because I enjoyed it, but I had nearly been stabbed and hit countles
A cup of coffee arrived in front of me, still steaming with its distinctive fragrance. The delicious pastries and cakes on display couldn't revive my lost appetite in an instant either. I don't drink coffee, but in my panic and anxiety, I simply pointed at the drink on the menu. I stared at the coffee, just to take my eyes off Frans' aunt who was still looking at me enthusiastically with Frans frowning in confusion. "Auntie, you're scaring Joe," Frans reprimanded in a low voice. The aunt nudged Frans playfully. "Why didn't you tell me you had a friend like him?" his aunt asked. Frans was even more astonished, taking a quick sip of his lemonade. "I didn't know Auntie's type was a guy like Joe," he replied innocently. "Ouch, you're so stupid!" The aunt exclaimed in dismay. I glanced at them every now and then. I really wanted to run away as soon as Aunt Frans told me that I was from a different 'world'. However, the woman easily put her arm around me and brought me to sit inside
I tasted the delicious apple pie while gazing at the colorful flowers in the cottage. After meeting Sonya at the cafe, I hurried back to the palace, and fortunately, the guards welcomed me back and didn't forget about me.Although I returned to my cozy cottage and the beautiful palace scenery, I couldn't shake off the memory of my conversation with Frans and his aunt. Actually, I mostly remained silent and only answered when they asked. When they asked about my mission, I just said it was a secret, luckily they weren't the forcing type. About Frans suspecting me as the man he saw in his dream, I argued that it definitely wasn't me.I wasn't sent here to be a knight. However, I didn't know if Frans believed my answer.In essence, now there are two people who know my origin. I want to trust them because they are good people who didn't ask me anything weird, and besides, I even got information from Sonya.When we parted ways, Sonya supplied me with a whole and warm apple pie. She also w
Early in the morning, Adellia invited me for breakfast and tea. I was still upset with her, but of course, I wouldn't refuse food when offered. The royal chef's creations are truly the best!It felt like my first real taste of food because back at the barracks, we ate whatever the soldiers managed to hunt. Sometimes we had goat or turkey meat, on other days, we had fried plants and vegetables because some of the soldiers who hunted were vegan.Once, our group hunted down a giant female cow, but in the middle of the forest, hungry wolves awaited. We could only salvage parts of the cow's legs and tail, and that was a truly torturous dinner menu.Here, I was free to eat anything, and I didn't feel ashamed about it! I finished my last spoonful of corn soup and followed it with a sip of warm milk tea."I can see you've filled out since joining the military," remarked Adellia, having finished her breakfast."That's right. Soldiers are pushed insanely hard in training," I replied shortly.Ad
I gazed at Sarah, still feeling nauseous and vomiting blood, albeit slightly, but I was already worried about losing blood because of it. My head was supported by the folds of Sarah's robe, which she had taken off.She took out a small glass bottle the size of a pinkie, then drank from it and gave it to me. She seemed to wait for its effect with anxious hope and genuine panic. I couldn't feel any effect from the antidote.But soon after, I stopped vomiting even though my stomach felt twisted as if squeezed from within."Take slow breaths," Sarah guided me to inhale and exhale, and I felt somewhat relaxed afterward."Your dress got stained with my vomit," I said, pointing to her brown dress stained with blood, as well as her robe that became my pillow.Sarah looked at me with an indescribable expression. She blinked rapidly as if trying not to cry, and she often rubbed her trembling hands together."It's okay. This dress is not important," she said softly, almost inaudibly.I then real
"Can you tell the difference between a grenade and a landmine?" Ben whispered."It's obviously different, didn't you learn?" Dean responded with irritation.Ben nodded innocently. "We only practiced avoiding those things five times," he defended himself.Willem, walking ahead, then turned to the two of them, pointing to the line of officers preparing their pegasus. "We'll get scolded again later, so keep it down," he warned.I had already arrived at the barracks and was now getting ready to ride the pegasus to the battlefield. Earlier, we had already taken the weapons provided by the military, and this time there was no need to return them!I tightened the bowstring and made sure the arrows wouldn't fall when flying later. The dagger was already hanging neatly in the holster. I had considered bringing a sword, but I thought it wasn't efficient.I might be facing opponents with magical powers, so a sword wasn't necessary. I brought the bow hoping I'd be placed as long-range cavalry so