Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

“Never mind that. Why don’t you spar with me?” Alaric came here with so much confidence, but he now felt that there was still some distance between him and Caecus.

If he hadn’t intentionally revealed himself, I wouldn’t have sensed him. He is indeed good at hiding his aura.

“I obey your commands.” Caecus agreed without hesitation.

No hesitation, huh?

Alaric raised an eyebrow. He then instructed the crowd to vacate some space for them.

When the warriors heard he would spar with Caecus, everyone eagerly cleared enough space for them.

“His Highness is sparring with Sir Caecus again!”

“How long do you think His Highness will last this time?”

“The last time they sparred, Sir Caecus defeated His Highness in just a few minutes. Maybe today’s spar will be a bit longer.”

The crowd discussed as Alaric and Caecus headed to the center.

“Let’s begin when you are ready.” Alaric unsheathed his sword.

During his last spars with Caecus and Butch, he had never used his short sword.

He didn’t want to rely on it too much.

Caecus grabbed a pair of daggers and nodded his head. “I’m ready, Your Highness.”

Alaric was about to make his move, but then an urgent voice echoed through the training ground.

“Your Highness, there is a letter from the capital! It’s from His Highness Giovanni!” A warrior on horseback shouted as he approached.

Hearing this, Alaric lowered his sword, his eyebrows deeply furrowed.

The messenger noticed that he seemed to have disturbed an important moment so he jumped off his horse and bowed in apology.

“I’m sorry for disturbing Your Highness. I will come back later to deliver the letter.”

Alaric waved his hand while sheathing his sword. “There is no need for that. Bring the letter here.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The messenger rushed to his side and handed him the letter.

Alaric saw Giovanni’s seal on the letter.

After making sure that it hadn’t been tampered with, he dismissed the messenger. “Good job. You may go.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” The messenger bowed deeply before he left.

Alaric didn’t open the letter since there were many people around. He looked at Caecus and said. “We will continue the spar at a later time. Follow me to my study. We might have work to do soon.”

Caecus nodded to acknowledge his command.

With this sudden turn of events, the crowd reluctantly dispersed.

“It seems like we are heading to battle soon.” Aliya who was among the crowd mumbled with a cold look.

“You think so? Do you think His Highness will bring us to the battlefield?” Renante asked with his arms crossed.

“Who knows? But I sure hope His Highness will. I want to test out my progress in a large-scale battle.” Rasmus responded.

“What do you think, Wolf?”

Everyone turned their gaze towards the youngest member in the group.

A few months ago, he looked like a scrawny teenager, but Wolf’s physical appearance had completely changed.

He was now almost as tall as Rasmus. He had even developed some muscles.

Although his face still carried some semblance of youth, he also gained some maturity.

“I think we are all ready for this. I will try to convince Sir Rigor to let us participate in the coming war. If that doesn’t work, I will speak with His Highness.” Wolf replied with a determined expression.

Everyone in the group smiled upon hearing his words. Even Aliya who usually wore a stern face couldn’t help but smile.

“Then we will help you convince Sir Rigor.” Rasmus placed his hand on Wolf’s shoulder, beaming.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s do this!”

After making their decision, the group went to look for Rigor.

Rigor was their main instructor and his words carried some weight in the household’s military matters.

He might not be a Transcendent Knight, but he has been with the household for a long time so everyone trusted him.

Half an hour later, they found Rigor entering the beast garden.

“It’s Sir Rigor!”

“Quick! Let’s go!”

They rushed to the beast garden, but Rigor was faster than them. When they entered, he was already nowhere to be found.

“Where did he go?”

“Is he purposely avoiding us?”

“That can’t be…”

“We should look for Sir Cassius. Sir Rigor will definitely look for him since this place is within his jurisdiction.” Renante suggested.

“Then we must hurry!”

The group didn’t waste any time and headed straight to Cassius’ little hut which was located right in the middle of the beast garden.

The place was inhabited by numerous monsters so they had to navigate the area carefully. Luckily for them, the monsters here were mostly tamed beasts so they didn’t encounter any major problem along the way.

Soon, they saw a small thatched hut surrounded by short wooden fences.

There were a few powerful Disaster-grade beasts guarding the hut so the group was forced to take a halt so as not to alert them.

The monsters eyed them warily, but they didn’t attack the group.

“Calm down, everyone. Those monsters are Sir Cassius’s tamed beasts. We can’t be reckless here.” Renante reminded the group.

Hearing his words, everyone nodded, while keeping a close watch on the beasts.

“These monsters are so powerful. How did Sir Cassius make them so obedient?” Rasmus asked while rubbing his chin.

“I heard that he has a gift for making friends with fierce monsters. Someone told me that Sir Cassius can also communicate with these creatures.” Renante replied.

“Wow, really? That’s an awesome ability!” Wolf exclaimed with a fascinated look.

“What are you guys doing there? Stop dragging your feet and come quickly!” Aliya’s stern voice drifted into their ears.

Hearing this, they no longer dawdled and rushed towards the hut.

At this moment, they saw an old man with a straw hat coming out of the thatched hut. He had a gentle smile on his face, looking completely like a harmless old man.

However, they didn’t dare underestimate him for this old man was someone who had recently become a Transcendent Knight!