“One is free to have a strange encounter. If he can retain it and become a talent, that is also his luck. If he can't protect it and loses his life, that is also what he deserves.”

The following days, he continued his early morning routine of running around the village.

Even if his gathered information from the books were not detailed, it at least gave him a good grasp about this foreign world. It was not disappointing at all.

However he was not convinced that the people of the nameless village were the only existing human civilization. It might just be that they have no proper access to the outside world because of the dangerous forest.

Qai’s antics in the streets of the village eventually became less and less shocking as days went by. In fact, some old prople found it even inspiring and asked their grandchildren to do the same. Apparently, they were aware of the use of becoming strong and acquiring skills early. After all, the beast attacks were not entirely a secret among the elderly.

Thus, it came to a point where it became common to see few children running around the village with wooden weapons.

However, what surprised the villagers this time was that Qai now wielded a spear and not his usual wooden blade.

Prior to the new arrangement with Master Han, Qai already requested his father to craft a wooden spear suitable for his size.

And because he had been hacking a blade the past months, his father did not suspect anything at all. In fact, he even found his son’s kind of training worth being proud of; after all, in a village surrounded by dangerous forests, any person who shows strength, deserves the respect of all.

Back in his previous life as Marcus Cornelius, Qai had fully committed to his memory all the moves found in the ‘Fundamentals of Spearmanship’ technique—as it was a training that is required in any Knight Order.

Fortunately, he came to this world with his memory, which is one of his biggest secrets.

The technique, moreover, consisted of 3 basic moves, namely, Spear Thrust, Double Slash, and Spear Dance.

And this time, Qai was actually weilding his spear on his way to Masrter Han’s residence technically using these moves, or more exactly, remastering them. He had to do it since he needed to exceed the limits of his physique trough training. And this is one method he knew.

Soon a couple of years passed.

In addition to spear training, he also asked his father to craft heavy bracers for his legs and arms which he constantly to further push his limits.

In no time, he became Bronze rank Knight—the same rank he had back in the empire; only that he was barely 6 years old.

A sense of excitement filled Qai's heart.

Even with weights equipped, his moves were still graceful, particularly the Spear Dance, that anyone who saw him felt envious of his skills.

In fact when the leader of the soldiers finally took notice of him, he did not know whether to recruit him outright and ask him to directly teach the rest of the guards his technique. Of course, in both cases it would be an unprecedented event since Qai was a mere child. It might even look shameless in some sense. But how could the leader not want to rope him in knowing that the Hunters squad would undoubtedly do the same.

Indeed, that very same day, leaders from both squads came to his father’s workshop and inquired about Qai.

His father’s eyes were wide in surprise after listening to the squad leaders. He had no idea where Qai learned to wield a spear. He just knew that eversince he saved Qai from drowning, his son all of sudden became interested in many things.

‘It must have been from the books of Master Han,’ his father thought.

Knowing this, he did not immediately divulged his theory.

Qai's father fully understood the repercussions should the eccentric elder's residence suddenly become pestered with guests. It would have been alright if it were only for trading healing pastes; but to ask the herbalist a spear technique, it would definitely be troublesome.

If only Qai knew the thoughts of his father, he might feel guilty for putting him in such predicament.

“Alright,” his father told the guests. “I have no idea where my son learned to use spears. I just know he is interested in becoming strong. When the right time comes, we will ask him personally whether he is willing to join either your squads.”

But before he sent the two squad leaders away, he made sure that they wouldn’t annoy his son for such small matter.

“But don’t forget that Elder Han has also come to take him in to teach some herb extracting. So I’m not sure if by recruiting my son in your squad would offend the old eccentric,” his father added.

Obviously, Master Han enjoyed quite the reputation and status in the nameless village. So when the two guests heard this, both of them shivered in fear.

The two then hurriedly left after few more exchanges of pleasantries.

Even if there were a bit of competition, the two squad leaders did not have real enmity with each other. Both of them knew that the true enemies of the village were the wild beasts of the forest.

In fact, when the two left, they secretly agreed that should they not be able to pull Qai in any of their squads, it might be better to ask Qai to at least share his knowledge, not to the soldiers and hunters themselves but to their children. That way the younger generation would be more skilled in the future. They were even willing to bring their suggestion to the council of elders.

Another month passed since the two leaders dropped by his father’s workshop. Qai by this time already became very proficient in extracting herb essences. The knowledge he gained from the books about properties of different herbs really paid off big.

Of course, the first few tries were complete failure. Master Han almost burst into tears at the sight of the wasted precious herbs. It was only after half a year time that Qai managed to masterfully extract herb essence.

One morning however, Qai’s father was surprisngly summoned by the council of elders and told him about the possibility of Qai sharing his talents among the rest of the children of the village.

“We don’t care where your son learned it from. We didn’t call for you to investigate the matters of your son. In fact we appreciate his developing skills,” an elder explained.

“Indeed,” another elder followed suit. “Our people needs such talent. If only we could hone other kids as well, then the future of this place has a hope to become brighter.”

Qai’s father wasn’t stupid to not know the elders line of thought. The council wanted to rope in his son this early and use his blossoming weapon skills to help other children.

But they obviously wanted his consent for two reasons.

First, to push the blame on him should Elder Han raise any complaint. Secondly, to gain Qai’s personal approval which would most likely succeed once Qai learns of the support of his parents.

And to put some weight on their request, the elders pointed out that the family’s approval is a necessary thing for the imminent survival of the entire village. This, of course, refers to the uncertainty of the time of the next beast horde.

“Of course, we elders would respect the choices of the young, especially those who are the direct heirs to their family’s occupation.”

“Only those interested shall start training with your son.”

The elders came to the possibility that children can start training early was due to Qai himself. If Qai who is merely a child of 4 years old can already wield a spear efficiently, then other children can definitely do the same.

Qai’s father cleared his throat as if wanting to say something in between the elders’ successive appeals. But it appeared that the elders have already made some plans ahead.

“Therefore, all those who would wish to train spear techniques with your son shall form part a new reserve squad.”