Chapter 13 - The Beginning of Training
[Gray’s POV]
I woke up feeling refreshed.
Today was finally the day Mother would begin teaching me.
Just thinking about it made my heart race.
Although I still hadn’t awakened, that day was drawing closer with every passing sunrise. My body still couldn’t properly access the mana sleeping within it. Until my awakening, it remained dormant, waiting for the moment it would truly become part of me.
Elemental affinities.
Mana manipulation.
Superhuman strength.
The path to becoming a true cultivator.
In just a few months, I would finally step into that world.
Lost in those thoughts, I heard a gentle knock on my door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and one of the maids stepped inside before bowing respectfully.
"Good morning, Young Master."
"Breakfast has been prepared."
"The Young Lady has already been informed."
"The Matriarch asked me to tell you that she will be unable to join breakfast today. She is finishing some work and will meet you at the training grounds later."
I nodded.
"I understand."
"I’ll have breakfast downstairs with Amy."
"Tell her not to wait for me if she’s hungry. I’ll be there after I get ready."
"As you wish, Young Master."
After another respectful bow, she quietly left the room.
Once the door closed, I got out of bed.
After washing my face, brushing my teeth, and taking a refreshing bath, I changed into simple, comfortable clothes.
If I was about to begin training seriously, freedom of movement mattered far more than appearance.
Satisfied, I left my room and headed downstairs.
⸻
The mansion was peaceful in the early morning.
Sunlight poured through the large windows, illuminating the polished wooden floors.
The pleasant aroma of freshly prepared breakfast drifted through the corridors.
By the time I entered the dining room, Amy was already waiting.
She looked up and smiled.
"Morning, Gray."
I returned the smile.
"Morning, Sister."
As I took my seat, she studied me for a moment.
"You look excited."
"I am."
"Today feels like the real beginning."
She chuckled.
"I figured."
After the servants finished serving breakfast, we began eating.
After a few moments, Amy looked at me curiously.
"So..."
"What kind of weapon do you want to use after awakening?"
I swallowed my food before answering.
"I haven’t completely decided yet."
"I want to test different weapons first."
"I don’t think I’d enjoy using heavy weapons."
"They’re powerful..."
"But they don’t really suit me."
"And I’m not interested in bows or daggers either."
Amy nodded thoughtfully.
"So..."
"A sword?"
I smiled.
"Probably."
"I’ve handled one before."
"It felt... surprisingly natural."
Maybe it was because this body’s original owner had practiced with wooden swords before I regained my memories.
Or maybe...
I simply liked swords.
Either way...
They felt right.
Amy smiled approvingly.
"That’s a good choice."
"Mother is one of the strongest swordswomen on the continent."
"You couldn’t ask for a better teacher."
"I know."
That was one of the biggest reasons I leaned toward swords.
Learning directly from Mother was an opportunity most people could only dream of.
The rest of breakfast passed peacefully.
Eventually, we finished eating.
I stood first.
"I’m heading to the training grounds."
Amy blinked.
"So soon?"
I nodded.
"If I sit around any longer..."
"I’ll lose my motivation."
She stared at me for a second before laughing.
"So you admit you’re lazy?"
I looked at her blankly.
"Coming from the person lying on my bed yesterday like a queen giving orders?"
Amy proudly crossed her arms.
"That was strategic resting."
"I trained all morning."
"You should respect your elders."
I couldn’t help smiling.
"I’ll believe that when pigs learn to fly."
She gasped dramatically.
"You little—"
I immediately stepped backward.
"I’m leaving."
"I’ll meet you there."
Before she could retaliate, I escaped from the dining hall.
Behind me, I heard her laugh.
"Just wait until training starts!"
⸻
The main training grounds of the Starlight Estate were enormous.
The moment I stepped inside, I immediately understood why the Starlight Family produced so many elite warriors.
Everything was meticulously organized.
Training dummies stood in neat rows.
Weapon racks displayed every kind of weapon imaginable.
Knights sparred across several arenas while others trained their bodies through endurance exercises.
The rhythmic sounds of clashing steel echoed throughout the grounds.
I slowly walked forward, taking everything in.
Everywhere I looked...
People were training.
Nobody wasted time.
Further ahead, however, I noticed another training area.
Unlike the bustling grounds around me, this section was quieter.
The equipment looked even higher in quality.
The atmosphere itself felt different.
Curious, I walked toward it.
Before I could get much closer, a knight stepped in front of me.
He bowed politely.
"Young Master."
"I’m afraid this area is restricted."
I stopped.
"My mother asked me to come here."
The knight frowned slightly.
"I apologize."
"But I haven’t received any notice regarding your arrival."
"For your own safety, I cannot allow anyone to enter without confirmation."
I nodded.
"That’s understandable."
"I’ll wait—"
Before I could finish—
A calm voice echoed across the training grounds.
"Stand down."
The entire area fell silent.
The knight immediately stiffened.
He turned around so quickly that his armor almost rattled.
"Lady Seraphina!"
Mother approached us with calm, measured steps.
Her expression remained as composed as ever.
Yet...
The moment she arrived beside me, the coldness around her seemed to disappear.
She gently brushed a small speck of dust from my shoulder before looking me over.
"Are you alright, Gray?"
I nodded.
"I’m fine, Mom."
Only after confirming that I was unharmed did she shift her attention toward the knight.
"There is no need to apologize."
"You acted according to protocol."
The knight visibly relaxed.
Then Mother looked toward everyone training nearby.
Her calm voice carried effortlessly across the entire training ground.
"Allow me to introduce someone."
Every knight immediately stopped what they were doing.
Their attention focused entirely on us.
"This..."
Mother gently rested a hand on my shoulder.
"...is my son."
"Gray Starlight."
"Today, I will personally oversee his training."
A wave of surprise spread through the training grounds.
Many of the knights had never seen me before.
Some looked curious.
Others looked shocked.
But every single one of them immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Young Master!"
Their unified voices echoed throughout the grounds.
I blinked.
Honestly...
That was far more dramatic than I had expected.
Mother simply nodded once.
Then she looked back at me.
"Come."
"Today..."
"We begin with your foundation."
My heartbeat quickened.
Finally...
The training I had been waiting for was about to begin.