Morning had come, this was the first time Valerie was awakened by the sound of a rooster crowing. The Chastain Mansion did keep a lot of animals. Even though they didn't eat eggs, the human servants there were allowed to take care of them in the garden. Even though it was morning, it was still quite dark. There was only a tinge of orange on the horizon which indicates the sun was not yet ready to be fully present.
Vampires always wake up refreshed. No sleepiness left. They never even fell asleep. Because their bodies didn't actually need sleep. They could close their eyes and dream, lying down for a few hours could relax their sore muscles. It will restore their fitness. But never a vampire died from not sleeping.
Even so, sleeping became a habit for some vampires. It helps them organize their daily schedule. Also to rest their brains.
Valerie glanced at Raphael, who still had his eyes closed. Vampires didn't snore. When they sleep, it looks like a corpse in a coffin. Only their breath and the movement of their stomachs indicated that they were still alive. Valerie was still not satisfied with admiring Raphael's physique. If he smiled more often and was more outgoing in his society, he would probably be more popular and move up his career quickly.
Just being a war hero was not enough for promotion. Sometimes achievement was not enough. People who were good at socializing and obedient to their superiors were said to be easier to get promoted. The military environment was no exception. But Raphael's achievements were so prominent at Florentia that he continued to make his career fast.
"Raphael, wake up," Valerie shook his shoulder.
The man didn't react. Valerie also brought her face right in front of him with only an inch of distance apart. She then called again.
"Raphael, hey,"
When the man finally opened his eyes, he found Valerie's face right in front of him. He was shocked and immediately stepped aside.
"Damn, I thought you were Shadows," he complained.
"Shadows? Gosh I'm sure even though I haven't showered I'm still pretty..mistaking me for Shadows is quite sad," Valerie complained sullenly.
"How can you be so confident? Does your family praise you too much? Calling yourself beautiful will make it hard for you to make friends," Raphael criticized her.
"I'm just joking, but we have more important things to do, Raphael," Valerie looked at him seriously.
"What?"
Valerie then removed her nightgown slightly, revealing her long, beautiful legs. Raphael once again reflexively cast his eyes in another direction. He still wasn't used to being around girls. It had all tested his tenacity and noble intention to keep his hands. Especially if the woman was as beautiful as his wife.
"What are you doing?" He shouted a little panicked with a red face.
"Here," Valerie showed her Apollon sword which she had hidden under her dress.
"Why are you blushing?" Valerie laughed.
"I have to start training, so I can be strong enough before I return to the military," Valerie continued.
"Alright, then change your clothes, I'll be waiting for you on the training grounds soon," Raphael said after sighing.
The training ground in the Chastain residence was quite large. They have long mastered cursed weapons for generations so every member of their family must seriously master swordsmanship. Valerie could also see the knights of the Chastain family who were training there diligently.
Unlike the Dubois family, it seems that the knights who use the training field were not all mercenaries. There were also several members of the Chastain family. Both men and women who now wear comfortable clothes and long pants and protective gloves to protect their palms from abrasions.
Valerie entered the field with light steps. She stretched her muscles, then did a light warm-up. She also wore a shirt and trousers that would make it easier for her to move around. She didn't forget to wear leather gloves to protect her palms from friction.
Valerie came alone and she didn't greet anyone other than a nod of her head. She was still an amateur in swordsmanship, her teacher used to teach just to be able to defend himself. But Valerie had spent four years in her past life in real fighting and hunting. Her sword skills were now on par with senior knights.
She even beat Edgar in training, she was one of the tough elite Jaguar team members. But Raphael always said that training was different from real combat— no matter how serious Edgar was against her.
"My lady, welcome to the Chastain residence," one of the female knights who realized her status came over to say hello. Valerie nodded gracefully, showing her elegant demeanor.
"Greetings, my name is Valerie. Does Chastain have many knights?"
"We have two hundred active knights, most of the chastain family's children also train here. sometimes we are asked to join Duke Acheron's army to go to the border against the mountain pirates, as you can see, currently there are only half of our knights guarding the vicinity of the Chastain residence," the short-haired female knight explained. She had a sweet face and petite body. From her bloodshot eyes, Valerie could tell that she was also a pure-blood vampire.
"Chloe, is everything okay?" Raphael came to the training ground, he was wearing a comfortable suit, a black shirt and cotton pants and elbow protectors and gloves. He looks cool and tough. Valerie could notice that the knights on the training grounds admired him. He looked at Valerie and asked her to come closer.
Valerie immediately wore a serious attitude similar to the one she did in the Taverin war. Raphael was her superior, a commander she had to respect. So she was back to being Valor this time.
"Practice is different from real combat, I'm sure you're one of the most experienced knights here. You've survived multiple death threats including facing other cursed weapon users. However, the world expects more from you, Valerie..Being a cursed weapon user means that your enemies are also many times stronger," Raphael began to explain.
"I see, so, should I practice more?"
Valerie was indeed a war veteran, she also has a cursed weapon. But she started too late. She had never seriously become a knight until the chance to come back to life had convinced her to become stronger.
"We're not here to train, Valerie,"
"What?"
"Chloe, injure Lady Valerie as badly as possible," Raphael ordered the female knight.
"What? But sir, she is your wife."
"You may not know it, but my wife is a cursed weapon wielder.. Now, I order the two of you to fight seriously as if your lives are at stake here," said Raphael again.