"Ninety-six.... ninety-seven!.... ninety-eight... ninety-nine.....one... hundred!"
With trembling hands the young boy who had been swinging his wooden sword morning until night. He had been doing this since he was seven he would secretly train in his free time and when he was the only one left at home.
"There is an improvement I can tell but it is too slow compared to anyone who would train the same way as I do"
The boy became occupied with his thoughts dozens of things became clearer to him but instead of accepting his theory he reassured himself that everything has its possibility.
"I should go home my parents might finally return now"
Cleaning up his stuff the boy walked slowly out of the dense forest of their land. The dim sky became home to thousands of stars and the moon begin to bask the world with its light. Finally, the boy arrived at his home without alarming anyone he clean himself and walked quietly toward their family's library.
"7:38...by now the servants would be finished preparing dinner and started to look for me"
A couple of minutes passed the boy began finishing the assignments given to him by his tutor it took only 12 minutes for him to finish everything.
"Young master dinner is ready, Lord Pendragon the madam and the young lord ordered for you to go down first"
'It seems like they just arrived from the training hall'
"Okay I'll go down after cleaning this up"
"Yes young master"
The servant went away after she finished whatever she was tasked to say. The boy was left there fixing his things before returning to his room to fix himself.
"Good evening young master"
Greet the butler as the boy went straight to the dinner hall welcome by more servants. Looking around everything was arranged splendidly. As usual, he arrived earlier as per ordered by the lord of this household.
"Your father Lord Pendragon the madam and the young lord will arrive shortly young master"
The boy merely nodded looking at the quiet dining hall. Then as if remembering something he look at the butler and said.
"Butler tell me about the current status of the fief and the things I should be aware of"
Hearing those words the butler move and lowered his head to slowly whisper in his young master's ears.
"I see " the boy said as the butler continue to whisper.
While the boy and the butler begin to have a quiet discussion the rest of the staff only stood where they are and didn't even move just like a trained military soldier.
For a couple of minutes, this happened before the three important members of the house finally arrived at the dining hall.
"Good evening my Lord good evening madam and good evening young lord"
"Good evening as well Ivan and to you to Erez"
"Thank you Father good evening Mother, brother "
The madam of the household Liliana Pendragon only smile sweetly while his older brother only nodded.
"By the way Erez I'll be introducing another tutor one that has more knowledge to teach you about biology and science weren't you interested in those subjects"
"Yes, mother thank you" Erez smile thanking his mother for her consideration.
"Mother I think it's time for Erez to finally learn how to use a sword at this rate he might turn into a scholar instead of a swordsman"
"Eric you and your father are enough for this house don't add up your younger brother on it.
I don't want another barbaric and dirty walking swordman inside this house"
"Mother that's a bit" Exasperated with his mother's rant Eric looked at his father and brother asking for help.
"Mother I think that elder brother is correct I think it's time for me to finally hold a sword"
Elek Pendragon only nodded while shifting his head to make sure not to make eye contact with his angry wife.
"Liliana your children are boys they are meant to hold a sword and protect this kingdom.."
Elek tried to persuade his wife while his two sons quietly eat their meal in the end Liliana had no choice but to agree.
"I will agree but if I see Erez being in danger or this sword training doing more harm than good then I will stop this nonsense understand?"
"Yes Mother"
"Thank you, mother "
"Yes dear"
Due to Liliana's agreement the mood improve and the meal went smoothly. While walking back to his quarters Erez saw his brother.
"Good luck next week brother "
Eric lightly taps his brother's shoulder while walking toward his room.
Erez only stares at the back of his family thinking that he might disappoint them instead.
"Now what I need to do is more training"
He head to his room and quietly went inside the secret space he made himself there he train his sword until he could barely stand and could only crawl toward his room.
"I feel filthy this won't do"
Even with a buttered body he slowly crawls to the bathroom and quickly wash himself before crawling back to his bed.
"Forget the wet hair I wanna rest" he then let himself merge into his dreams.
The sun rises from the east piercing the world with its light. The Pendragon household already starts their day even before the sun woke up every servants are busy for their own respective duty.
"Good morning young master"
"Morning Thea"
Servants enter his quarters to help him prepare since his physical training shall start today while next week will be his swordsmanship training.
Inside the training ground of the Pendragon household Erez stood in front of his instructor the old retire head of the knights of the Pendragon family Miguel Silke.
"Now then let's start"
His mischievous smile send shivers to Erez spine.
"This is your first task young master"
In front of the two is vast field full of tall grasses.
"You shall cut every single one of those grass before the day ends if you fail the task shall be double"
Everything clear young master?"
"Yes thank you"
Erez looks at the grasses that's much taller than him wondering what he should do.
"Oh I forgot young master you only had to use this stick nothing more nothing else"
Then he left the boy in front of the giant green grasses.
"Sigh well let's just start"
Holding the stick he begun to cut the grass as if he is slashing a sword in his hand he put every bit of his concentration to each of his strikes.
"Damn it I'm feeling tired" looking at the roaring sun he felt even more tired. The heat felt that he was being fired alive but nevertheless he must go on. He focused and tried to cut more and more.
"This really won't do I won't make it"
Not even half of the field was done and noon is soon coming.
'Wait let's take a breath control your breathing just like how you saw your brother breath slowly and focused'
"Hooo ....okay let's do this again"
Slash!
He continue to strike with the stick in his hand until a voice broke down his concentration.
"Its already lunch brother we should eat"
In front of him was Eric holding a basket he beckoned his brother to approach him. Which Erez gladly obeyed he smile looking at the meal brought by his elder brother.
"Mother made this" he smile while saying it.
"It seems like mother is cheering for me"
"Indeed that's why you should finish this task and come home afterwards"
"Yes brother" answered Erez while munching a sandwich after a short break he went back to work while his brother left to train.
"Focus concentration is needed...hoo" Controling his breathing Erez slowly raise the wooden stick and started cutting instead of splashing in a rapid speed in his first attempt he decided to take it slow to prolonged his stamina.
SWISH!
Far from the field Eric stood still while silently gazing at his brother.
"That's right concentrate you must strike like it's the last thing you will do"
Soon Erez became so absorb to his task that he didn't notice the rain that's dropping down all he's thoughts are set on cutting the grasses.
"Young lord are we not stopping the young master?"
Ask one of the servants he seemed worried about the increasing rain and went to fetched his young master.
"It'll be fine Pendragons have strong body he will be fine.
Just prepare a hot bath and dry clothes for him and me"
"Yes young lord"
The servant hurriedly ran as he went towards the castle of the Pendragon family.
'Almost there brother you are about to finish it'
Quietly cheering he watched until the sun slowly rest it's body on the west and Erez finally cut the last bit of remaining grass.
"Done...wait it's raining?"
"Yes it is if we don't hurry back home mother will be mad at us"
Eric playfully smile, happy at his brother who finished everything before the sun eventually sets.
"Let's go home brother it's seems that this rain will last until dinner"
The boy nodded his head and went with his older brother to the castle.
The next morning another task were given this time he has to help the people of Argonia, the city under the Pendragon family.