Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Affection

"I still have a responsibility of care. Shouldn't that be enough?" A state knight told his best friend.

It has been years since he'd changed the Class he had awakened at a young age from 'Sword Warrior' to 'State Knight'. The bulky teenager did his best to do what he had devoted his entire being into doing.

Which was to protect the citizens of Lancia.

The knight remembered the most significant event in his life. A house having been burned in a fire.

The perpetrators were unknown, and the casualties included both his parents and older twin sister.

His life had been destroyed that day…

Everything had become meaningless without the people he loved, and his heart was filled with pain.

An anguish that could never be fathomed…

A hatred beyond any words used to describe it.

If it weren't for the State Guardsmen coming to his rescue, he didn't know what his life would be like.

If it wasn't for the caring mentor of he and his best friend, then 'Arthur Rainglow' wouldn't ever exist.

No would call him Knight Arthur while he making his usual rounds to keep the parameters secure.

After all, he was now the head of the State Guardsmen Knight Order of Lancia Kingdom.

Someone with a lot of influence on the people.

Arthur stood next to his best friend as the latter was enchanting his shield. One step at a time.

Even though the man was using his finger infused with magical energy, he was under a lot of stress. 

Magic Enchantments weren't easy… 

"Or so you say." Even while working on the round shield, the enchanter was continuing the talk.

"What's wrong with that?"

"You're way too extreme. What kind of knight glares at the troupe that came from another land?"

"Errr…" Arthur felt like he had been caught, but he quickly tried to justify himself without flinching:

"They are suspicious people."

"I'm sure they are." One of the symbols on the round shield was completed. A red rune glowed.

"No, I really mean it."

"They're practically a travelling circus group. It'd be weird if the people there weren't a bit… strange."

"I can feel it in me... They have bad intentions."

"Since when could YOU sense someone wants to do wrong… just because they looked a little funny."

"Alex, I'm not overreacting here!" Arthur slammed the table his friend was working on by accident.

A pain ran through the enchanter's finger upon having his magic interrupted. He hissed in pain.

"S-sorry…!" The knight panicked and went around to see how bad the damage was to his Mana veins.

It was common knowledge that all residents of Gaia were able to use magical energy freely so long as they practiced 'Ether Breathing'. They took in and let energy flow through their Magic Pathways, then allowed it manifest out as Skills through their body.

Before awakening a Class, people like his friend actually had more versatility in regards to Mana.

Still, using magic through oneself was a careful process. One wrong move can damage the body.

"I'm lucky. It's just a broken nail." The rebound wasn't too bad compared to what it could've been.

The enchanter took the thin roll of bandages that Arthur handed him and covered his finger as usual.

Such an injury was common.

"Sorry…" The knight apologised for letting his feeling overcome him. His head bowed pleadingly.

"Don't worry about this much. It's not like you were ever the type to be good at controlling your heart."

"I'll make it up to you by any means necessary."

"Really…?" Since Arthur was being so sincere about this, Alex decided to take him up on that offer:

"Then I want a ticket to the performance next week. They say the 'The Hero and The King' will be played by the Tartarus Theatre Troupe. It's going to be the biggest event in Lancia right now." There were stars in the eyes of the tranquil enchanter.

The younger teen seemed to be able to imagine a great performance of a lifetime he'd never forget.

However, his close friend had to dash all his hopes.

"Sorry, but the tickets are all sold out."

"I'm fine with even standing to the side."

"Only those with seat passes can get in."

"Can't you make an exception among friends?"

"No." There was no wiggle room in that sharp and concise statement. No way to persuade further.

"…Why are you only rational at times like this? I do so much for your shield, but you're never grateful."

"This and that are different."

"Really now?" Alex handed the unfinished shield lacking many enchantments over to the youth.

Then continued with a smirk: "You can look around to see if there's anyone other than me who would stack FIVE enchantments on an item. The average Synthesist can only do two, but look at me now.

I'm making a national treasure right here…!" The glowing eyes of the magic user narrowed into slits.

Arthur understood his friend's hardship.

If it wasn't for his friend having partially awakened his Unique Class, getting favours was impossible.

Anyone else would have made the State Knight pay a fortune to get his big round shield enchanted.

"…You know it can't be helped." Even though he knew it was shameless, Arthur HAD TO request it.

It was because his Skills couldn't be fully displayed without a weapon that can take on his powers.

Alex didn't refute him.

He knew deeply that his best friend, even from a young age, had taken the difficult path in life.

His eyes lingered on the scars on the teen's face.

He would've been a handsome man if it weren't for those burly arms. Scars scattered all over him.

Some even having reached his neck and face.

Arthur only awakened the average 'Sword Talent' Class Skill as a Warrior, but he achieved so much.

He practiced two distinct sword styles, and was always being sent to the borders to cull 'Monsters'.

Monstrous Beasts that threatened humanity.

If it weren't for that, Alex wouldn't have spent so much effort in helping him enchant his shield.

After all, going through a 'Class Change' was a significant event. One that had limitations.

Alex's eyes dropped down to the tattered shield and remembered how difficult it must have been.

Those who awakened their 'Class' at a young age were graced with gifts from the Goddess… Gaia.

Who was also known as Mother Nature.

Those who awakened gained two 'Class Skills' immediately without effort, and a 'Spirit Essence'.

A spiritual blade that hides within the soul…

Unlike weapons in workshops, Spirit Essences were weapons that perfectly aligned with the user's age.

And was most compatible with their Skills.

What wasn't… was the extra weapons needed.

When going to specific events like a Knighthood Ceremony, a Class could undergo artificial change.

Able to become something else.

It was how Arthur's original 'Sword Talent' had evolved into a more vague Skill like 'Guard Talent'.

His Class became recognised as a 'State Knight'.

But what stayed the same was everything else.

The spiritual weapon in the knight's soul stayed the same, even if he was now able to master the shield.

Which was why blacksmiths were still in business.

Taking care of a weapon required lots of money, yet Arthur was poor thanks to his charitable nature.

This was why Alex really hated this 'friend' of his.

If it weren't for him, how could this idiot survive?

"Fine. I'll let that be, but then you have to promise me a different thing." He then straightened himself.

"Which is?" Arthur had a bad feeling.

"If I find a way in myself, you'll personally overlook it." The knight didn't back down from these words.

"That's IF you can find a way in." The two of them tiger smiled at each other, looking ready to brawl.

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But stopped when they heard the door ring.

"I have more customers now. Don't worry, I'll get it done by the end of the day." Alex shooed him away.

When Arthur was thrown out to the streets with only the Spirit Essence within, he felt a bit strange.

The feeling of nostalgia had overcome him.

He walked down the streets of Lancia and watched the lively atmosphere going on at the large Bazaar.

The long streets were filled with outdoor stores.

While many were selling ice for this hot weather.

"Knight Arthur, are you here to eat today too?" A store owner selling grilled meat chunks spoke out.

Arthur nodded his head and smiled, then brought something to eat so he could eat a ton as usual.

The day went by pretty quickly as he wandered around stores to spend his money here and there.

Then went back to his room at the royal palace.

He didn't go immediately to bed, but trained a little so he could work off all of the food eaten recently.

He stood in the middle of a training ground no one was using at night. Where he'd earned his place.

This was where he'd been acknowledged by the Royal Protection Knight Order, which was the highest echelon of knights directly under the command of the greatest general to ever exist.

A woman who was called General Jenna.

Arthur manifested his Spirit Essence while remembering that fight that he'd barely won.

A white glow appeared above his hand, then congealed into a weapon born of his spirit.

He named it his 'Raindrop Backsword'.

A long one-sided western blade with a guard that defended his hand. Different from eastern blades.

Dense energy formed a sheath that held it…

When Arthur gripped the blade, he felt like it was specifically made for his body in size and balance.

This was what allowed him higher performance Sword Skills in battle. Giving him good form.

In front of him were a row of wooden practice dummies, with magic resistant ones scattered in.

Arthur put his blade to his waist in an Iaido stance.

This was the first swordsmanship he trained in. A variable and non-fixated form following his Mana.

'Radiant Swordsmanship' was well-known to he the extension of Ether Breathing for most Warriors.

An extremely common sword style that changed depending on the weapon Warriors were born with.

The knight himself specialised in 'Quick Draws'.

While it was true that keeping his sword sheathed made him open for attacks, Arthur had grown accustomed to slugfests and fighting regardless of this weakness. His shield also worked to hide this.

If it weren't for the explosive strength of his two arms, trying to imitate a Paladin's style of combat wouldn't have worked. He could only be thankful to his parents and sister for where he was today.

A slash was thrown after unsheathing his blade infused with Light Mana. It boosted his speed.

The first practice dummy had its belly cut open.

Despite this, Light Mana lingered on the deep cut.

This was his specialisation as a State Knight. He was able to use the 'Sword Drawing' technique.

Though the two words sounded similar to the common name of Quick Draws that Earthlings knew of, it was completely different. The 'Sword Drawing' of Radiant Swordsmanship meant imbue.

Thanks to Alex's help, he was able to learn how to infuse his energy onto targets for a second slash.

By adding a delay or detonation gesture, Arthur could watch as practice dummies split in half.

A yellow flash of light signalled the secondary cut.

But he wasn't done there.

By infusing different elements into his blade through Ether Breathing, a new style emerged.

One that was derived from the technique he'd practiced religiously since the tragedy of his past.

It's name was 'Elemental Draw'.

A technique developed by his sister to help him gain a better understanding of Ether in general.

And the reason he was able to make a mark on the spotless records of the once undefeated general.

Earning him his place as the State Guardsmen's Head Knight. Achieving some fame for himself.

Multicoloured slashes we're 'drawn'…

Leaving enchantment slash marks that exploded, imploded, froze, shook, and electrified the targets. 

When he was finished with the first row, it was time to move onto his regular routine of breaking the practice dummies made of High Resistant Damascus Steel. A luxury for a mere State Knight.

Courtesy of Alex's pocket money…

'Thank you as always.' The parasitic knight who only knew how to spend thanks his best friend.

His routine was a little different to others.

It was Arthur's belief that super-moves that could only be used once a day, SHOULD BE used often.

Even if that meant overexerting Magic Pathways.

It was thanks to this that he continued training from a young age and managed to gain high strength. 

Gaining what known as 'Spell Slots'.

Even though five of them were the human limit, it was easy for the knight to train to that point.

Despite only being a teenager 18 years old.

The only part he regretted was the first three Spell Slots that acted as storage tanks of magical power.

He had a total of three different 'Spells' that were locked away thanks to the way he created them.

The 'Geis Restrictions' he put on those abilities.

While applying a Geis Restriction to a Spell Slot improved its strength, a promise was unbreakable.

Thus, those useless powers could only be used to power the true Spell Slots formed from his Skills.

By mastering a Skill to a certain point, it was possible to carve them into the body as a trump card. They were known as 'Weapon Spells' that worked according to the techniques they knew.

A large amount of energy awakened from his blade.

When he was done with his training, five High Resistant Damascus Steel dummies were broken.

He barely managed to let out a breath…

Arthur looked down at his watch, and saw the clock was ticking. A few seconds was left until midnight.

Tick… Tick… Tick… Tick… Tick…

After what seemed like forever, the clock hand finally moved to the number 12. It was his time.

The 'storage tanks' of magical energy reformed within him, even though his body was too tired.

Thus, the knight finally called it a night.

He went to sleep, and woke up in the morning on time to greet the State Knights of the royal palace.

Wearing his signature armour, he stood before them with an air of dignity. Making him look proud.

The novices yet to see blood felt intimidated.

"Alright! You know what will happen to those who slack off this time. You know what we're here for!"

Upon hearing Arthur's words, they straightened their backs and made sure they looked dignified.

No one wanted to let him down.

Except some lazy types who were influenced by the era of peace their kingdom were currently in.

Their worries were gone.

When he saw one of them yawn, the Head Knight of internal security of the kingdom was displeased.

Arthur pointed at them:

"I'm expecting you all to keep your minds focused this time. Big events is where things go wrong."

"Will that really happen?" One knight contradicted him, and the big guy decided to punish the man.

"Since you guys aren't focused, we're all taking a few laps around the palace as a warm up! Grab your gear and let's go." Arthur, who strapped a bag of rocks on his back and wore armour, went first.

The other knights had no choice but to follow.

They felt a warm feeling seeing the back of the admirable knight that always trained with them.

A sense of unity between them was cultivated.

Arthur couldn't allow anything to go wrong in when the theatre troupe performed. It was his pride.

His duty of care. 

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