Diether listened to Sevdi as he realized that Calliope became strong to protect herself.

Escaping slavery and then becoming a recruit in this place was perhaps not within her plans, but she definitely wanted to become strong so it was normal that her performance in the past month was outstanding.

​​

Unlike many of the recruits here who just wanted to "pass" and be recognized as a knight as soon as possible…

"How about you, Diether? Why did you apply for the recruitment?" Kazim asked his friend. He was aware of this person's skill. He's a one-star Hunter, after all.

That alone already proves how good he is.

Sevdi also joined the conversation.

"That's right… I'm also curious. Both of us were recruited because we don't have a parent to take care of us anymore… Tristan just found us brawling for food in our village…"

Kazim and Sevdi came from the same village. They learned how to fight because they've met a good-natured old man who taught them how to survive… However, it was not enough for them to live a good life.

They accepted Tristan's offer after the man saw them defeating three grown men equipped with a knife so easily.

"Mhmm… I joined here… because I don't want to be a burden." Diether said as he smiled wryly at the two.

"Burden?"

"That's right. I… I'm always receiving help from other people. I'm always being saved by my master... So I wanted to change and become strong... and perhaps become useful if we meet again someday." Diether answered as remembered his master's teachings.

"Aren't you too young to think about that?" Sevdi chuckled after hearing his words.

"That's true! We just need to grow up fast to become strong…" Kazim added.

"No, we need a stable foundation. Master said that I have to solidify my foundation…" Diether didn't elaborate but the two felt that their friend has a plan.

Anyway, it was a good thing that everyone has a reason to become strong.

Their break ended quickly and Oliver returned with a crate filled with training solar swords…

"Go and take a sword."

The recruits didn't hesitate as they stepped forward and took a sword one by one…

"Guh… It's a bit heavy…"

Sevdi frowned after she lifted one of the swords. It is completely different from the wooden sword they're using before.

Diether nodded at this but the weight is still acceptable as long as he uses his two hands to carry the sword.

Using it with only one hand might be a bit difficult for all of them.

Everyone then tried to get a feel of their new sword as they spread around the field and gave it a few swings.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The sound of the sword cutting through the air sounded everywhere.

The Training Solar Sword had similar looks to what Diether had seen in the marketplace of the royal academy.

The Lite Solar Sword that he had seen before was in fact an enhanced version of what the Sun Fire Knights are using as their secondary weapon.

It means that it was much better than the weapon he's holding now…

'If I remember correctly, that Lite Solar Sword had a price of about one thousand gold coins with a B minus grade as a Magic Weapon…'

Diether caressed the sword and noticed that it is getting hot…

"Mhmm?"

He suddenly remembered that the effects of the lite solar sword can increase their power by tenfold during the daytime where the sunlight is everywhere.

As this is a Training Solar Sword, the increase may not be tenfold, but it definitely had a similar effect but a lower increase in power...

There were barely any clouds in the sky so the heat in the field was almost unbearable if any of them does not know how to utilize their spiritual energy.

Diether had a few beads of sweat trickling down his face.

The spiritual energy can provide them a powerful strength, connection to magic weapons or arcana, protect them from immediate harm, and even help them to heal some light wounds.

However, the latter part requires exquisite control in the said energy and it also consumes a lot of reserved spiritual energy in your pool.

There were times that it was better to use bandages, herbs, and healing potions, rather than spending their precious spiritual energy.

"Diether… I think this place is getting hotter."

Kazim said as he observed the surroundings… He was sure that it wasn't just because of the glaring sun.

"Yeah… I think it is better to unhand the sword…" Sevdi said after thinking for a moment. She tried pouring energy into the sword but nothing happens. The sword seems to emit some heat even without being triggered by its wielder.

"I don't think that it is a good decision… That red Oliver is watching us. He said that we need to complete a set of our sword practice… This must be a test. Look, the others are also waiting." Diether said after observing everyone.

"Tsk… So everyone is waiting, huh."

As everyone tried to understand what's happening, there was a young girl who suddenly ignited the training solar sword in her hands as she strikes the wooden dummy…

Clang!

Although the dummy was made of wood, it was enhanced by an Arcanist making it sturdier than an anvil.

Whoosh!

The fire covering the sword was suddenly extinguished. The girl who did it then kneeled on the ground as she tried to analyze her experience from just now.

'Whoa!'

'Did you see that?'

'Of course! How did she do that?'

'Amazing…'

Everyone was surprised by her action. The knights haven't taught them how to use the solar sword but she still managed to trigger its ability.

They remembered how they tried pouring their Spiritual Energy into the sword a while ago but nothing happened. She must've realized the secret of their sword.

'What's the secret?'

'Haa~ If a slave can do it… Then, we should be able to do it too.'

'Let's just focus on our sword…'

The recruits who saw Calliope's performance were momentarily stunned before a desire to learn the technique came to their minds.

They tried to study the sword and experimented with their Spiritual Energy until they started to unlock the secrets of the solar sword…

'I did it!'

Another one managed to ignite the sword.

The recruits only gave a glance at the guy who managed to trigger the sword's effect as they concentrated on the sword in their hands…

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

Soon, more than ten recruits discovered the trick on how to trigger the sword effect. Although it took half an hour for them to do this, they were still proud of themselves…

"Diether… Why are you not trying to control and ignite your sword?"

Sevdi asked as she noticed that her friend was just doing the routine like he was still holding a wooden sword for practice.

"I'm fine…" Diether just smiled. He then continued his set of sword swings like it was the normal thing to do.

"Oh! Hahaha!"

Kazim ignited the sword in his hands as he laughed proudly to himself…

However, the ignition only lasted for five seconds and it consumed a lot of his Spiritual Energy…

"Urgh… This sword's power is not worthwhile…"

Kazim frowned after realizing how wasteful it was.

Being able to trigger the sword flame wasn't a good thing if it will consume a lot of his energy. He couldn't even use it for a long time.

"Hmph!"

Anyway, now that he learned how to trigger it, he started to practice his sword swings but realized that his body felt a bit heavier…

"Tsk… I shouldn't have experimented yet." Kazim said as he regretted how he became a bit too excited. He finally realized why Diether only focused on completing the routine without doing anything with the solar sword.

An hour had passed and everyone completed their sword practice…

Only Diether didn't bother igniting the solar sword but only Kazim and Sevdi had noticed this…

"Alright… Good job everyone. This afternoon, after you have your meal, we will have our first competitive training."

As soon as they heard the Knight-Lieutenant, they immediately put their attention to him. After all, this man didn't like repeating himself.

"That's right… You can treat this as a monthly event. This is a contest of strength to determine the strongest in your batch… Don't worry, it comes with a reward to encourage you all."

'Whoa…'

'A reward?'

'Money?'

'Perhaps being promoted as a squire?'

Everyone had their thoughts as Oliver continued.

Apparently, there will be five categories in this monthly event…

Sword Duel, Archery Contest, Spear Wielder's Duel, Horseback Riding, and Brawling…

Each of these categories can have one winner and they can only participate in one of them. Unfortunately, they can't choose the category as it will be randomly decided by the Knight.

After a while, Oliver revealed the participant of each event.

"Oh… I'll be in Horseback Riding… Is it going to be a race or something?" Sevdi scratched her head after recalling that she was not good at it…

"Mhmm… Maybe. I got the worst… Archery! If it's brawling, I'll be the best! I'm good with fist fight!" Kazim said as he formed a fist and throw punches in the air.

"I got lucky, I guess…" Diether said after noticing that he's in the sword duel category.

"Eh?"

However, he will be competing against Calliope and the three 17 years old youth in the same category. This is probably the most difficult in all of the categories he could join in.