LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 26: Knight Training School
Chapter 26: Knight Training School
The next day.
Raven woke up around 7.30 A.M and started getting ready for the first day of Knight Training School.
He quickly freshened up, took a long bath, and quietly changed his dress into a white shirt and blue pants.
Once he got ready for school, he moved to the dining room and noticed his sister and aunt were already seated inside.
"What's special today?" He asked as he walked in.
"I've made boiled eggs, bread, baked beans, fried broccoli, and green tea. Don't show your sulky face and eat everything." Shirley said with a stern look and started serving the food.
"Yes," Raven showed a sad look and added while grumbling.
"I hate veggies. It's been a while since we ate meat."
"Didn't we cook meat and pork last Sunday? Raven, don't be a picky eater." Athena scolded him from the side and started eating the bread while stuffing baked beans and broccoli inside.
"Athena, are you going to buy a carriage today? Don't you think it is unnecessary right now?" Shirley changed the topic while taking a bite of the boiled egg.
"Knight Training School is 3 km away from our house, Aunt. If we go by walk daily, we have to spend more than 30 minutes. Although we can take a carriage, it costs around 3 to 5 silvers every time. After dropping him off, I also have to return to the Police Station. So, it's better to buy a good carriage for our use."
"That's reasonable." Shirley nodded her head.
"Also, I'm not a low-rank officer anymore. After becoming superintendent, it feels embarrassing to go to the police station by walking." Athena's words made Shirley chuckle.
"Buy a good one. After all, our little brat is earning a lot these days, so I think we can have room for breath."
"Thank you, Aunt." Athena smiled brightly and continued to eat.
Once the dinner was over, Athena and Raven left the house, took a four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage after paying three silvers, and went to the farther end of the town.
It was called 'Stonegate,' commonly referred to as Nobles' Lane, a place where most of the rich people, Walkers, and even the Wizards resided.
It was also the place where the Knight Training School was located.
As the carriage passed through the bustling street, Raven looked outside through the curtain gap and asked.
"Athena, is it hard to pass the Darkcross Knight Training School? Can you tell me more about it?"
Athena sat on the opposite seat and nodded.
"The Knight Training School is a place to teach basics about Knight Etiquette, Walker pathways, and also help the children's body to be in a fit condition. It's not hard to pass, but many will drop out because of not being able to pay the fees."
"Will they give us 'Knight Technique'?" Raven asked.
"No. The one they will be providing you should be the 'Basic Technique.' Unlike the other one I'm currently practicing, it only helps your body to mature quickly and won't increase your physical strength above mortal. Well, you will understand soon enough." Athena answered.
Within a few minutes, the carriage reached Emerald Park and soon arrived before a four-storied building with a vast courtyard in the front.
As Raven stepped out of the carriage, he saw hundreds of carriages parked at the entrance, and students in similar white shirts and blue pants were entering the school.
"My duty will be over at 6 P.M. Until I arrive here and pick you up, please stay in the school and wait," Athena shouted from the carriage and soon asked the coachman to turn the carriage.
On the other hand, Raven put the schoolbag behind his shoulder and started walking in. The academy is surrounded by sprawling gardens filled with enchanted flora, each plant exuding a beautiful, unique fragrance.
Just as he stepped inside, he saw three familiar faces standing a few ten meters away from the compound gate and looking in his direction.
One was a blonde-haired young girl, around 120 cm tall, had olive skin and brown eyes and wore a similar white shirt and blue skirt. Her wavy hair cascaded down her shoulders and made her look more beautiful.
'Mary Whitbard.' Raven stared at her without even blinking and started walking towards the group with a slight hesitation. Although she was his classmate, he never even talked to her once and felt a strange sense of nervousness. Unknown to him, his heart started to beat faster as he walked closer to the group.
Hiding the anxiety, he looked at the silver-haired boy on her right side. He appeared to be around 130 cm tall and had similar silver eyes, a round face, and a slightly obese body.
'His name is Dennis, I think.'
And finally, the one who stood on Mary's left side was a black-haired young man with blue eyes. Unlike the other two, Raven had talked with him many times.
'Chris.'
"Raven!! I didn't know you were attending the Knight School." Chris waved his hand at him.
Raven also waved his hand and soon arrived before them.
"Are we the only ones from our class entering the Knight Training Academy?"
"Daisy is also attending the class. But how did you get into the Knight Training School, Raven? I heard that you came from a poor family background." Mary gave him a curious look and asked.
"It seems you don't know about who his sister is, Mary," Chris said with a mysterious smile, causing both Mary and Dennis to look at him even more deeply.
"Is your sister someone famous?" Dennis asked.
"She is Athena, the Hero of Darkcross. You guys didn't forget the Beast Wave that happened three years ago, right? His sister contributed the most and even became the superintendent of Police. I heard from my father that even Raven's aunt is working as a high-positioned officer in the Administrative department." Chris said with a proud look and put his left hand on Raven's shoulder.
"I'm pretty sure my friend will also become a high-ranking officer of this town one day."
"Commoners' dreams are always like this. Trying so hard to get a government post? I can get such a position without even coming to Knight's Academy." Dennis gave Raven a disappointing look and shook his head.
"Let's go, Mary. If we stick with these two, we might end up disappointing our parents in the future." He said as he started walking ahead.
Mary also didn't say anything and followed him hurriedly.
"What's with his deal? Why is he acting so high and mighty?"
"That's how the kids from noble household always act, Raven. Don't mind him. Also, don't get into a fight with him or Mary. Although they aren't direct descendants of the Noble Household, they are still in much higher status than us. Especially, Dennis comes from the Viscount Household named 'Valeheart' and has a big background." Chris said solemnly, took out the pocket watch from his pocket, and added while checking the time.
"It's 9.00 A.M already. Let's go, the school meeting will start at 9.30 A.M. in the grand foyer." Saying so, he started walking on the concrete path that led directly to the school's entrance.
The duo soon entered the building. The four-storied architecture stood tall with its elegant façade adorned with ivy-covered walls, arched windows, and a towering clock in the front. Upon entering, both were greeted by a grand foyer with a shimmering chandelier that hung from the ceiling like a crystalline constellation. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting the history of the Empire and a magical fountain was placed in the center of the room dispensed sparkling liquid that changes color occasionally. Spread across various floors, classrooms were equipped with antique wooden desks and chairs, each etched with intricate symbols.
"Wow!" Raven saw hundreds of students roaming here and there and was astounded.
As more and more students started gathering in the foyer, the whole area appeared crowded. Murmurs of students from first year to final year started to echo in the grand area.
"It seems there are at least 100 new admissions this year." A grand voice suddenly came from the second floor, causing everyone to look up at the second floor slowly. Soon, a red-haired lady in her blue robe started walking on the bifurcated staircase and soon stopped at the center. She appeared to be around 60 years old, slightly wrinkled face and amber eyes, and held a unique staff in her hand.
She calmly gazed at all the kids varying from age 10 to 15 and soon spoke.
"Welcome to Darkcross Knight Training School, newly enrolled kids. I'm Agatha, the headmaster of this academy and also responsible for teaching Archery and Marksmanship. From today onwards, I and all the instructors in the school will teach you basic etiquette and also about how to train your body. For the next five years, you guys will not only be learning from us but also from your friends through sparing matches."
Agatha also introduced various class teachers to the newly enrolled students and soon spoke.
"Along with the newly admitted students, we also took in a new instructor for Modern etiquette class." Just as she spoke, a blonde-haired lady suddenly stepped forward, started walking on the steps, and soon arrived before Agatha.
Then, she turned around, placed her hand on her right chest, and gave the students an elegant bow. She had beautiful amber eyes, a heart-shaped face, a high-nose bridge, and pale white skin. She donned a stomacher that gracefully adorned her tight corset, accentuating the contours of her silhouette. The corset embraced her figure with a blend of restraint and allure. Cascading from the confines of the corset, a long white skirt flowed with a certain grace, its pristine fabric trailing behind her in a testament to refined femininity. Completing her ensemble, a white bonnet adorned her head.
"Good morning students! I'm Elizabeth and also the newly appointed teacher for the Modern Etiquette Class. I worked as a Language Teacher at the Elementary School of Silverhelm until last year and decided to come here to teach Etiquette Classes. Although my skills may not be on par with the elegant Noble ladies, I'll do my best to teach you the basic etiquettes." Elizabeth said with a polite smile.