Chapter 153: The Knight Training Corps

Three days after the first Mana awakening session, the military headquarters of Althoff issued an announcement that attracted considerable attention throughout the conventional army.

By the authority of Count Raymond von Althoff, a new military institution had been established under the command of Captain-General Boris.

Its official name was the Knight Training Corps.

Unlike the existing Household Knights, whose members were already accomplished warriors, the new Corps would concentrate on developing ordinary soldiers who had demonstrated the discipline and potential necessary to pursue Mana cultivation.

The twelve candidates selected during the initial evaluations became its founding trainees.

That morning, they assembled in the eastern training yard, where Boris stood alongside Jonathan, Cassian, Bram Havel, and Silas Vane.

Raymond had also arrived to witness the formal establishment.

"Soldiers," Boris announced, surveying the twelve candidates, "from today onward, you are members of Althoff’s Knight Training Corps. This appointment does not grant you the rank of Knight, nor does it place you above the soldiers serving in our conventional army. You have been given an opportunity to train toward something greater, and you will be expected to justify that opportunity through your conduct."

The trainees stood straighter.

Boris continued, explaining that the Corps would operate under a structured training program with regular assessments, assigned instructors, and clearly defined standards of advancement.

Those who failed to maintain the required discipline could be returned to conventional military service.

Those who succeeded would gradually receive more advanced instruction as their abilities developed.

Raymond stepped forward after Boris concluded his announcement.

"I want everyone here to remember something," Raymond said, looking across the formation. "Three days ago, most of you couldn’t even sense Mana. Today, you’ve taken your first steps toward cultivating it. That’s worth celebrating, but don’t confuse taking the first step with reaching the destination."

Corporal Tomas Grell listened with an expression of determination, while Sergeant Elian Voss stood beside him with his hands firmly positioned behind his back.

Raymond smiled before continuing.

"Becoming a proper Knight could take months or years, depending on your aptitude and dedication. There are no shortcuts that can replace consistent training. If you understand that, then I believe this Corps has a promising future."

The twelve soldiers saluted.

With the formalities completed, Boris introduced the instructors responsible for the different components of their training.

Jonathan would serve as the principal instructor for foundational Knight cultivation, supervising Mana perception, controlled absorption, circulation, and the gradual development of physical reinforcement.

Cassian would oversee military discipline, battlefield coordination, and combat formations.

Bram Havel would handle strength development, physical conditioning, and close-quarters combat.

Silas Vane would concentrate on reconnaissance, mobility, and the practical skills required to operate effectively beyond conventional formations.

Each instructor possessed extensive experience, although their approaches differed considerably.

The trainees discovered those differences almost immediately.

Cassian began by arranging them into a compact formation.

"Your first lesson concerns coordination," Cassian explained, walking slowly along the assembled line. "Individual strength becomes far less useful when soldiers cannot cooperate. A Knight who abandons his position to pursue personal glory may expose everyone beside him."

He instructed the trainees to practice advancing, retreating, and changing formation while maintaining awareness of their companions.

At first, the exercise appeared simple.

However, Cassian repeatedly introduced unexpected commands, forcing the soldiers to adjust their positions without breaking formation.

Tomas moved too quickly during one maneuver and nearly collided with another trainee.

Cassian immediately stopped the exercise.

"Corporal Grell, you’re responding to the command before considering the position of the soldier beside you," Cassian observed, pointing toward the gap Tomas had created. "Speed matters, but coordination matters more. Repeat the maneuver."

Tomas straightened and answered, "Understood, Commander Cassian. I’ll correct it."

The next attempt went considerably better.

Meanwhile, Bram had prepared an assortment of training equipment in the neighboring yard.

Weighted practice weapons, wooden striking posts, climbing frames, and resistance exercises formed the foundation of his program.

Bram was a powerful man whose imposing physique made even experienced soldiers reluctant to challenge him unnecessarily.

Unfortunately for the trainees, he appeared entirely unimpressed by their previous physical accomplishments.

"Some of you probably think you’re strong because you performed well during the selection trials," Bram remarked, folding his muscular arms. "Forget that. Your previous standards were designed for ordinary soldiers. Knight cultivation will demand considerably more from your bodies."

He lifted a heavy training sword and demonstrated several controlled movements.

Despite the weapon’s weight, his strikes remained precise and balanced.

"Strength without control wastes energy," Bram explained. "And once you begin reinforcing your bodies with Mana, poor technique becomes an even greater problem."

The trainees spent the next hour practicing foundational movements under his supervision.

Bram corrected their stances, adjusted their grips, and repeatedly reminded them that physical conditioning remained essential regardless of their newly awakened Mana sensitivity.

By the end of the session, several candidates were breathing heavily.

Tomas stared at his trembling arms before glancing toward Elian.

"Sergeant, I think Commander Bram intends to turn us into walking mountains," Tomas muttered, struggling to straighten his shoulders.

Elian wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied with a tired smile, "If we survive his training, Corporal, perhaps we’ll eventually appreciate it."

Their conversation ended when Bram approached.

"Still enough energy for conversation?" Bram asked, raising an eyebrow. "Excellent. Then neither of you should have trouble completing the final exercise."

Both soldiers immediately regretted speaking.

While Bram concentrated on strength, Silas introduced a very different approach.

His training took place along the wooded perimeter beyond the main military grounds, where the candidates practiced moving quietly, identifying tracks, observing terrain, and recognizing concealed threats.

Silas emphasized that Knights were not merely warriors who fought enemies directly.

They could also serve as scouts, patrol leaders, and mobile defenders capable of responding to dangers before those dangers reached populated settlements.

"An enemy you detect early is considerably easier to handle than one who surprises you," Silas explained, crouching beside a disturbed patch of soil. "Your strength won’t help much if you walk blindly into an ambush."

He pointed toward several faint impressions beneath the grass.

"Private Falk, what do you notice?"

Ingrid examined the ground carefully before answering, "There are several footprints, Commander. At least two people passed through here recently, although I can’t determine their direction with certainty."

Silas nodded.

"Good observation. Now examine the displaced grass beside the impressions. Small details often tell you more than obvious tracks."

Ingrid leaned closer, studying the ground with renewed concentration.

Her performance during the first Mana awakening session had already attracted the instructors’ attention, but Silas treated her no differently from the other trainees.

Exceptional Mana aptitude did not automatically grant knowledge of reconnaissance or battlefield tactics.

That afternoon, Jonathan gathered the exhausted candidates inside the cultivation hall.

Unlike the physically demanding exercises conducted by the other instructors, his lessons required patience and careful concentration.

The trainees sat upon padded mats while Jonathan demonstrated the breathing rhythm they had practiced during their awakening.

"Your Mana sensitivity has been awakened, but your ability to absorb and circulate Mana remains extremely limited," Jonathan explained. "For now, your responsibility is developing consistency. Do not attempt advanced circulation or physical reinforcement without supervision."

He moved between the trainees, observing their breathing and correcting mistakes.

Several soldiers could already recognize surrounding Mana reliably, although maintaining controlled absorption remained difficult.

Others continued struggling to distinguish Mana from ordinary bodily sensations.

Ingrid once again demonstrated impressive progress.

Her breathing remained steady, and she could maintain controlled absorption for noticeably longer periods than most of her companions.

Jonathan observed her carefully before offering guidance.

"Private Falk, your perception is developing well," Jonathan remarked. "However, don’t increase the amount of Mana you’re attempting to absorb. Your control must develop alongside your sensitivity."

Ingrid opened her eyes and answered respectfully, "Understood, Commander. I’ll concentrate on maintaining the current rhythm."

Jonathan nodded approvingly.

Although her aptitude was promising, he had no intention of allowing her to advance recklessly.

Several days passed as the Knight Training Corps settled into its routine.

Morning exercises emphasized physical conditioning and military discipline. Combat formations and practical weapon training occupied another portion of the day, while supervised Mana cultivation took place during designated sessions.

The instructors carefully monitored each trainee’s progress, ensuring that exhaustion did not interfere with concentration or physical recovery.

Raymond visited periodically, observing the developing program without interfering unnecessarily.

He was particularly pleased by the enthusiasm displayed among the trainees.

However, he also understood that twelve promising soldiers represented only the beginning.

If Althoff intended to establish a sustainable system of Knight cultivation, it would eventually require dedicated facilities, additional instructors, suitable equipment, and a reliable administrative structure.

Those concerns became considerably more pressing when Boris arrived at the manor carrying several updated reports.

"Your Excellency, the Knight Training Corps is functioning satisfactorily," Boris reported after Raymond invited him inside. "However, our existing facilities were never designed to accommodate a permanent cultivation institution."

Raymond accepted the documents and began examining them.

The reports contained detailed assessments of the training grounds, accommodation capacity, equipment requirements, instructor availability, and proposed military construction projects.

Boris continued, "We can manage the initial twelve trainees with our current arrangements, but expanding the program will require substantial improvements. Jonathan has also identified several facilities that would greatly benefit structured Mana cultivation."

Raymond studied the figures before looking up.

"Then it seems our next military investment has already been decided."

Boris nodded seriously.

"Indeed, Your Excellency. If we intend to develop Knights of our own, we’ll need more than talented soldiers and experienced instructors."

Raymond turned another page, examining the proposed training facilities and their estimated costs.

The Knight Training Corps had taken its first steps.

Now Althoff needed to build the institution capable of supporting its future.