Thus it came to pass that young Andras Wolfwood, at six years of age, began studying magic under Master Florian, the Wolf Mage. After a month, once he had grown accustomed to the mage lessons, the time came to begin swordsmanship training as well. So he went to the captain of the Wolf Knights, Arpad Wolf, to personally ask him to be his instructor.
"Respectful greetings, Captain of the Wolf Knights!" Andras addressed him.
"Well, well, who do we have here! Greetings, young Lord!" Arpad smiled. "I've heard the Goddess has blessed you with great magical talent. Congratulations, boy! The future of the Wolfwood House looks promising. What brings you here? Have you come to watch the knights?"
"I've come to ask you to teach me swordsmanship!"
Arpad laughed.
"But you're a mage, boy. Why do you want to learn swordplay?"
"Precisely because I am a mage," Andras replied firmly. "To defeat enemy knights, bandits, or any other sword‑wielders, I must know how they use the sword. How they think, why they act as they do. I want to know everything about knights! And the best way is to learn myself how knights wield the blade. That is why I want to study swordsmanship."
"Ha‑ha‑ha!" Arpad laughed. "You're an interesting boy indeed! Already wise like an old mage at such a young age. How old are you? Six? Master Florian truly did not exaggerate when he said you have the potential to join the Hero's Party. But you must know, knight training is nothing like mage training. We knights train hard every single day to protect people from monsters, bandits, and enemy knights alike. Are you prepared, boy, to experience this? You're still very young—you could wait a few years before trying swordplay. So, what will it be, boy, what is your answer?"
"From today onward, please teach me swordsmanship!" Andras declared with determination.
"Correct answer, boy! I already like you! Very well! You may join the training of the novice knights. But today your only task is to watch us!"
"Understood, instructor!"
"Good!" Arpad shouted. "Attention, trainees! Today I have great news! The son of Lord Wolfwood, young Lord Andras Wolfwood, will now train alongside us! Show him that the Wolfwoods can always rely on the Wolf Knights, no matter what danger threatens the world!"
After the first week since Andras began learning swordsmanship with the Wolf Knights, the young noble boy sat in his room, munching on pastries, and weaving his plans once more.
A week has passed since I joined the knights' daily training. As I suspected, with a physical body it is far more exhausting to study both magic and swordsmanship at once than it was when I was in soul‑form on the Sky Island. But that is exactly what makes it a true challenge. I can't even remember the last time I felt muscle soreness this intense. Perhaps back in the Earth World.
Master Florian believes I am a genius mage, but the only reason I can use two elements is because Uriel exchanged my soul with that of the Evil Future's Andras. And the reason I can learn magic lessons so quickly is because the valkyries already trained me on the Sky Island. My father and the others live under the delusion that I will one day join the Hero's Party and win the Princess's hand. Ridiculous fantasy! To hell with the Hero and his stupid party!
If I save Noelle, I save the Hero too, and with her the world. As for the Princess—who cares? I'd rather ally myself with a dragon than with some spoiled noble girl drooling after the Hero. The very thought of a marriage of convenience makes my stomach turn. If I ever marry a girl, it will be because I love her, not because it benefits someone else. The way noble houses think is disgusting: choosing money over love.
Ah, forget it! I'm only upsetting myself needlessly. Fortunately, by the time I reach the age when I'd be expected to marry, the Hero will have defeated the Demon King, my mission will be complete, and I'll be gone from here. The Wolfwood House can do whatever it wants—without me. In the Evil Future they were wiped out anyway, every last Wolfwood dead. If I save the Hero, then the Wolfwood House will survive as well. They should be grateful they get to live, and leave me alone with their stupid arranged marriages. To hell with all the nobles! I'll just eat this pastry and continue my mission.
Among the novice knights, Andras observed three trainees more closely. The most outstanding was undoubtedly Anita, the blacksmith's daughter. Sixteen years old, her element was wind. As a female knight she was the best swordswoman among the trainees. She was the first of them to awaken her element. Skilled, with a clear talent that marked her as someone who could become a distinguished Wolf Knight.
Besides her, he singled out two boys: Xaba and Jula. They had much in common. Both of their fathers had fallen in the war against the Imperials, fighting at his grandfather's side. The war had taken place two years before his birth, and now Andras was six—so it had been eight years ago.
His grandfather, Andor Wolfwood, whom some called the „Wrathwolf", was the previous head of the Wolfwood House. He was famed as a great warrior, of knight‑captain level. He was the last to wield the Wolfwoods' legendary sword, the Wolf Fang.
My grandfather defeated the Imperial general in a duel, but against four times their numbers there was no way back. The Wolf Knights, together with the Silver Knights, fought heroically until reinforcements arrived with the Royal Knights. Only then could they repel the Imperial invasion. That was eight years ago.
My father, Bandorn Wolfwood—mocked as the Rogue Wolf—is truly just a shadow compared to my grandfather. He is not a warrior type. Among the Wolf Knights they whisper that I take after my grandfather. But this is who I am: the Earthly soul. The original Evil Future Andras would have become an even greater villain than his father. Thanks to Uriel, that never happened.
But let us return to the novice knights. Xaba and Jula share another common trait: both are sixteen years old, and though they rival each other, they are good friends. Perhaps they could even be called best friends. To me it seems they only want to show off in front of Anita. I don't blame them—I too love female knights, especially when they are strong and beautiful.
Anita is still far from my master, both in strength and beauty. But a human knight cannot be compared to a valkyrie knight. Sakura Dry, my master, also came from the Empire—though from five hundred years ago. I wonder if there are still swordswomen like her in the Empire today. As far as I know, she was from the far eastern reaches of the Empire. That is very far away, on the other side of the continent. One day I would like to meet warrior maidens like her.
But now I must focus on the present. I've chosen the three knight trainees I mentioned earlier. If I ever need a small team, I'll take them with me: Anita, Xaba, and Jula. They seem like promising Wolf Knights.
Alright then, let's summarize the current plan—my mission plan. Let's call it a training plan. For the next two years I will devote myself to studying and practicing both magic and swordsmanship. I am six years old now. I have two years left before I meet Noelle. These two years are crucial. I must grow strong, because in two years my true mission begins. The White Witch is the key figure. Noelle and the Hero—only they matter. No one else does.
Well, great! I've run out of pastries… Never mind, I'll read another good book, and then my two‑year training plan begins!
Meanwhile…
The Empire sent a spy to Wolfwood. Her mission: to infiltrate among the castle's residents and gather information about the members of the Wolfwood noble house, as well as the events of the surrounding lands.