We arrived at the Knights' Garrison located beside the main gate of the royal castle, passing through the noble district perched on a gentle hill. Thinking back, this was my first time visiting the castle town since returning to the past.

This feels unpleasant.

If I went further past the main gate into the heart of the castle town, I would arrive at the plaza where my life had ended in my first life. To make matters worse, I had been imprisoned in the royal castle’s underground dungeon until moments before my execution, digging up one of my deepest traumas.

The thought of training with knights, a rare experience in itself, had completely occupied my mind. Without realizing it, I was now retracing the steps that led to my own death.

Have I been influenced by the old man this much?

"What are you spacing out for? Let's go."

"Oh… yeah."

As I was overwhelmed by the unwelcome realization, the old man led the way into the garrison with a casual stride.

"Salute!"

"Good work."

Two knights standing guard at the entrance gave the old man a crisp salute, to which he lazily responded with an indifferent nod. Truly haughty.

"Though, I suppose he’s actually important."

From the training grounds presumably located at the back of the garrison, shouts filled with fiery intensity could be heard even at the entrance. Having no memory of entering this place in my first life, I found myself tense. As expected, I hadn’t liked knights much back then. Their disciplined, stiff demeanor naturally bred discomfort within me. Now, my dislike stemmed from a different reason altogether.

It was awful back then.

The knights had manhandled me from the moment I was imprisoned until my execution. It was they who swung the blade that severed my head, leaving a significant trauma.

"This is so exciting, brother!"

"Y-Yeah, I guess…"

"What's wrong? You're unusually quiet. Don’t tell me you’re nervous?"

Seeing my subdued demeanor, the old man started to tease me. Normally, I would rise to the bait, but I lacked the energy this time. All I could manage was a weak retort, "Shut up."

"Welcome back, sir!"

"Oh."

As expected of the instructor, knights we passed saluted him sharply, to which he responded with a mere nod.

He really was important, after all.

Initially skeptical after the entrance exchange, I couldn’t deny it anymore after seeing how all the knights saluted him. Despite often spending his time idly in the backyard, it seemed my assumption of his lack of authority was mistaken.

"Show respect to your elders." Feeling this strict education in the air, I was suddenly reprimanded.

"Clay, you should treat me with the same respect those knights show me. Respect me more."

"Do something worth respecting first, you senile old man."

"What did you say, you brat?!"

While we bickered as usual, we reached our destination. Opening the slightly worn door, a wave of intense heat greeted us.

"Haah!"
"Take this!"
"One more round!"

The clash of steel, the fierce determination to defeat one’s opponent, and the faint smell of oil and dust—all of it was unfamiliar to me in my first life. As I observed the scene, the knights, noticing the old man’s arrival, quickly gathered.

"Salute!"
"Good day, Instructor Feid!"

The booming voices of the knights rang throughout the room, echoing in my ears.

"Resume your training."

"Yes, sir!"

The knights promptly returned to their training, ignoring the old man’s lack of enthusiasm. Impressed by their discipline, I suddenly felt a nudge from the old man.

"Go on, join them."

"…What? Join them? Just like that? No way!"

His abrupt demand left me bewildered. Without any explanation of what the knights were training for, I couldn’t just jump in.

"At least—"

"Listen up! My nephew is joining your training. He’s the spoiled son of the Bradley family, but don’t worry about that. Crush him—if you can."

Before I could protest, I was thrown into the training session. The knights were just as confused as I was, glaring at the smirking old man who seemed to enjoy the chaos he’d caused.

"You senile bastard…"

Now wasn’t the time to vent my anger. I stepped across the boundary between the cobblestone and the dirt training ground, entering the fray. The knights’ gazes immediately locked onto me, accompanied by murmurs.

"The General’s nephew?"
"Why’s he here…?"
"I heard he’s a spoiled brat. Isn’t this dangerous?"
"Feid said to go all out, but…"

Their whispers revealed both my reputation and their apprehension toward the old man’s outrageous demands.

As expected, his training methods terrify even them.

I smirked bitterly. Despite my grievances, I bowed politely.

"I am Claym Bradley, eldest son of the Bradley Marquisate. Please forgive this sudden intrusion. As mentioned, I will be joining your training today. I humbly request your guidance and support."

"Y-Yeah, sure…"

My unexpected courtesy caught the knights off guard. However, their hesitation would cost them. Observing their training method, I quickly deduced its purpose.

Without hesitation, I grabbed a wooden sword and charged at the nearest knight.

"Let’s spar!"

"Uh, sure!"

The training seemed to simulate chaotic melee combat, where participants switched opponents after every exchange. Though skeptical at first, the knights’ attitudes shifted as I dispatched one opponent after another with ease.

"What is with this kid?!"
"Is he really a child?"
"He's too strong!"

My week of rigorous basic training had paid off. Initially weighed down by past trauma, I found myself exhilarated, enjoying the combat thoroughly.

"Haha… this is fun!"

With each strike, I felt more alive. The dull repetition of foundational drills had its purpose, but nothing compared to the thrill of real combat.

"Next! Come at me seriously!"

"You’re kidding, right?!"
"That laugh—it’s just like Feid’s!"

Unleashing my long-suppressed eagerness, I continued taking down knights left and right, ignoring the oath I’d made to keep a low profile.

"Good luck, brother!"
"Don’t worry, Alice. Your brother won’t lose to these knights."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. In just a week, Clay has grown remarkably. He’s a natural, blessed with unparalleled talent. He’ll become even stronger."

Hearing my uncle’s rare praise only spurred me on further. I laughed, fully immersed in the moment.

"Let’s enjoy this to the fullest!"

"Ahhh!"

And so, I continued to overpower knights many times my age, reveling in the thrill of battle.