Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Super Senses
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"Everyone gathered?"
"Yes, sir!"
Skevin's response cut like a blade, his face etched with determination.
Arthur scanned the knights assembled in the training grounds.
Having recovered their stamina with mana after the previous session, they didn't look the least bit tired—instead, their faces were filled with resentment.
"Seems you're still alive and kicking."
At his words, the knights scowled, their dissatisfaction plain to see.
Arthur stepped down from the platform and addressed Skevin.
"We're moving out. Follow me."
"Yes, sir!"
Skevin trailed after Arthur, giving a signal to Hellot.
At Hellot's gesture, the knights fell in silently behind, grumbling under their breath.
One hour later.
They arrived at the sandy beach on the eastern coast.
Upon arrival, Arthur positioned the knights facing away from the sea and lined them up by number.
He had already briefed Millerph and Skevin on the training during the march, so they moved without needing further instructions.
"Don't move!"
'What the hell?'
'Isn't the captain joining us?'
'Something feels off... ominous.'
The knights' faces hardened.
As Skevin bellowed to build a tense atmosphere, Arthur gave Millerph his orders.
"Spot anyone using mana during the training."
"Just like you said?"
"Yeah. Wear them down moderately and send them back. It's to prevent their body temperature from dropping."
"Got it."
Millerph glanced at the knights with a sly smile creeping across his lips.
The knights watching the two exchanged growing unease in their minds.
'He worked us half to death in the daytime, and now what?'
'That bastard's making us anxious.'
'What the hell did he tell the captain and Millerph?'
Curses flew silently through their thoughts.
Arthur halted about five meters away from them.
He then plunged a prepared stick with a bell attached into the sand.
'A bell?'
'What scheme is this?'
As questions clouded the knights' faces, Arthur flashed a meaningful smile.
"If anyone wants to quit during training, ring this bell. You'll get to rest comfortably."
'What is he saying?'
'Scaring us before it even starts.'
'Son of a bitch.'
The knights inwardly unleashed a torrent of criticism and profanity.
Arthur swept his gaze over them once more before telling Skevin.
"Begin."
At his command, Skevin unleashed a ferocious aura and roared like thunder.
"Everyone, bury your faces!"
***
By the time dawn broke.
The Phoenix Knight Order returned to the castle after completing their training.
Their disciplined entry through the gates in perfect formation radiated grim resolve.
Drenched to the bone, their faces were deathly pale, drained of all color.
Yet their eyes were as sharp as honed blades, their presence utterly murderous.
They had returned as completely different men overnight.
'What the hell happened?'
Overwhelmed by their aura, the guards cowered like frightened puppies, tails tucked, heads bowed low, unable to even look up.
Skevin led them to their quarters.
Bringing up the rear, Millerph entered the gates alongside Arthur and asked.
"How did you come up with this method?"
"I realized it during training. No matter how strong the body, if the mind breaks, it's useless."
"I learned a lot from this session too."
"Good to hear there were gains."
As Arthur turned toward the training grounds with a faint smile, Millerph tilted his head.
"You're not going in?"
"Need to clear my head, and training starts in an hour anyway."
"You seem to be pushing too hard. I'm worried."
"War is coming. No time for slacking."
Arthur replied coolly and headed for the training grounds.
Watching his back, Millerph thought of Count Malcolm.
'If I can't keep up with the Young Master's thoughts, maybe I've wasted my years.'
Smiling faintly, he made his way to his room.
He wanted to follow, but after nonstop recovery spells on knights who had fainted or were on the verge, both body and mind were exhausted.
To observe the upcoming training, a short rest was in order.
Arthur crossed the empty training grounds and ascended the platform.
Gazing at the brightening sky, he recalled the night training.
Every time a crisis hit, they gritted their teeth or let out roars.
And at every moment a straggler threatened to fall behind, comrades shouted encouragement: "You can do it!"
The synergy when they united as one rather than individuals was remarkable.
In the end, not a single dropout—they completed the night training unscathed.
The training had two goals.
Hypothermia from the seawater could shatter everything.
Overcome that with unbreakable will, while fostering camaraderie.
Thus instilling confidence that united, they could conquer anything.
Having surpassed their limits, they would grow stronger and undergo profound changes.
"Now the first button is fastened."
Arthur closed his eyes, attuning to nature's sounds.
The whisper of wind and chirp of birds soothed his mind and body.
He slowly drew up mana, letting every cell feel it.
'This is my power...'
The 2-star strength was like gentle waves. Then, unleashing the accumulated force brought raging surges.
As he became entranced by his own power, a hazy aura rose from his body like mist.
***
"We are one-!"
The trainees spent the morning running laps and doing stand-ups and sit-downs in groups of ten, arms linked.
If voices faltered or movements weren't synchronized—like ripples on water—punishment was swift.
The knights had recovered stamina with mana during breaks, but the night's ordeal had frayed their minds, leaving them no better than the recruits in enduring the training.
It was pure hell.
With two lives, they'd have gladly died then and there.
The grueling morning training finally ended, ushering in lunchtime.
A brief respite was welcome, but as tension eased, pains unnoticed during training surged like a flood.
"Ah..."
"My back's done for."
"Ugh! Cramp in my leg!"
"Ow! Me too!"
Some collapsed en route to the mess hall, writhing in agony.
Even reaching the hall proved futile—trembling hands couldn't grip utensils.
Forcing food down felt like chewing sand.
Mouths blistered raw, every bite sent hair-raising pain shooting through.
They were on the verge of madness.
But to survive the afternoon, they had to eat, no matter what.
"Screw it! I can't take anymore!"
Hellot stood abruptly mid-bite and stormed out.
Seeing this, one knight rushed to Skevin with a worried look.
"Will he be okay?"
"Let him go."
"What if he hurts the Young Master?"
"As long as Millerph is nearby, that won't happen."
"But you never know with people..."
"Eat your food. Hellot can't touch the Young Master barehanded. Even with mana, it won't be easy."
"Really?"
The knight's eyes shook violently.
Arthur skipped lunch, handstanding and cycling through poses.
Lifting one arm from the ground, balancing on a single while sweat poured like rain.
Even fierce winds brought no waver—power transmitted to his toes.
Physical prowess neared 90 percent.
'A bit more effort, and it'll be done.'
As Arthur focused to switch arms.
"Young Master!"
Hellot approached, huffing.
His face, brimming with resentment since yesterday, had finally erupted.
Arthur ignored him, continuing silently.
Hellot seethed at being utterly dismissed amid the bizarre poses.
"I challenge you to a spar!"
"I'm training."
"You're not dodging, are you? Unlike the considerate captain, I'm ruthless."
"Hmph."
Arthur scoffed mockingly.
Hellot's face hardened as he unleashed pent-up words without restraint.
"If you're just venting on the knights under guise of training, stop it. Time to shed the brat act, no?"
Arthur's motion froze briefly. Then he sprang up like a coiled spring.
"My actions seem childish to you?"
"That's my judgment. But if you beat me, I'll change my mind."
Hellot smirked slyly.
"No choice then. But overlooking your insult to me—how will you compensate for wasting precious training time?"
"Won't happen, but if it does, I offer my life to you."
"Not bad."
"Conversely, if I beat you, halt training and leave the grounds. No holding me accountable for any mishaps during the duel."
"You've got a lot bottled up."
A smile tugged at Arthur's lips.
"You can use a weapon, Young Master."
"Nah, you're no match barehanded."
Arthur sneered derisively, beckoning with a finger.
Hellot's face twisted at the provocation.
"I'm not like the captain."
He charged like a bull.
Arthur footworked lightly aside.
Positions swapped in a flash; they eyed each other.
Hellot growled with a feral grin.
"Take a trip to hell."
He lunged again.
"......!"
Arthur's eyes flashed; he twisted sideways just in time.
Dodged by a hair.
"Oho."
Hellot showed mild surprise at the evasion.
Arthur was equally stunned.
'That bulk, yet this speed...'
"You know? The captain's leagues faster than me."
"......!"
Speed surged.
Thud!
This time, he couldn't evade—sent tumbling back.
"It's on!"
Word of Hellot's challenge spread; knights and trainees swarmed.
Millerph, briefly absent, hurried to the grounds upon hearing.
"Oh dear."
He frowned at Arthur sprawled on the ground.
Skevin stepped beside him.
"Is the Young Master under a spell right now?"
Millerph nodded.
Skevin unwaveringly believed in Arthur's victory, but the weight suppression hindered full power.
Hellot's relentless nature once started worried him too.
"He's not one to go easy."
"Then this is our chance to gauge the Young Master's true skill."
"How strong do you rate him?"
"Purely hand-to-hand, he won't yield to a formal knight. Am I overestimating?"
"Sword Actor level..."
Skevin pondered, then grinned.
"You're underestimating."
"Is that so?"
"If I used half strength against the knights, could any fell me?"
"You're right. So this duel is Sword Expert level. But with magic restraints on the Young Master..."
Expectation and concern mingled on Millerph's face.
"Weaker than expected."
Arthur rose, rubbing his struck chest.
Hellot's face stiffened.
"Thought a vice captain would be impressive. Seems I overestimated you."
"I'll show you my true power."
Hellot's eyes gleamed coldly as he charged.
Faster, with raw power.
Opposing him like this seemed impossible.
Then, eyes met Millerph's beside Skevin.
Arthur grinned and nodded.
Millerph instantly dispelled the weight magic.
The pressure lifted; Arthur felt airborne light.
"Come at me. I'll play for real now."
He rushed Hellot.
'Crazy bastard.'
Hellot snorted, thrusting a fist.
Boom-.
Fierce wind pressure accompanied it.
Arthur tilted his head aside, then drove his elbow into Hellot's chest like a nail.
Thump!
Solid, thick muscle absorbed it.
"That all?"
Hellot countered with an elbow.
Arthur ducked low, striking the side.
Thud!
No impact.
"What are you doing?"
Hellot smirked chillingly, swinging full force.
Arthur bent at the waist to evade; a kick followed.
Thud!
Blocked with arms, but monstrous strength launched him airborne.
Such a gap should cow anyone—yet Arthur smiled gleefully.
"This is fun."
"Quit now; it's not too late."
"No way. Just getting started."
Arthur's eyes sharpened as he charged anew.
'Desperate thrashing.'
Hellot sneered, raising guard.
Fists flew at face and vitals, but arms shielded all.
"Pathetic attacks won't topple me."
As Arthur's assault paused, Hellot swung.
Whoosh-.
Wind whistled.
Arthur knew Hellot's blows rendered defense meaningless—focused senses solely on evasion.
Immense force grazed perilously close.
Each near-miss honed his senses sharper.
Like awakening, he felt himself improving.
Hellot's once eye-blurring motions slowed, locking clearly in vision.
'This is!'