Arrangement

There was still more than a month before Aida was due to begin his military service, and Ang decided to use that time to put him through rigorous training. He required Aida to run from Oak Village to River Bay City every three days. The distance was over eighty kilometers, roughly the same as the distance Ang had run from the mountain battlefield to the grasslands for the first time. Ang's purpose was not only to improve Aida's physical strength, but more importantly, to temper his willpower and endurance.

Aida had no objections to Ang's arrangements, though he did not understand why he had to make such a long run every three days. Ang rode beside Aida on horseback, carrying supplies so that Aida could rest and replenish his strength whenever he grew tired. At first, it took Aida an entire afternoon to reach River Bay City. Every time he arrived, he was panting heavily and utterly exhausted.

As the training continued, Aida's endurance and willpower gradually improved. More than a month later, although the time he needed to complete the route had not decreased significantly, Aida no longer felt as utterly drained as he had at the beginning. His physical fitness had improved markedly, allowing him to handle long-distance runs with far greater ease.

At the same time, Aida also received weapons training from Ang. Every day, Ang taught Aida how to use a long saber, along with various combat techniques and strategies. Aida showed tremendous interest and talent during training, improving rapidly. Ang was gratified by Aida's growth. He knew that Aida would be better prepared for military service than he himself had been.

This period of training not only strengthened Aida's physique and combat skills, but also made his beliefs and resolve firmer. Aida gradually came to understand that Ang's strict training was not merely to help him protect himself during military service, but to turn him into a true warrior—someone capable of protecting his family and village.

Watching Aida's progress, Ang felt immensely gratified. He knew Aida would surely perform well during his military service and return safely. At the same time, he continued studying magic, preparing himself for the challenges ahead.

Every day, Ang set aside time to discuss matters of magic with Aisha. Though Aida had no interest in magic and practiced with his long saber in the courtyard by himself, Aisha was full of curiosity and enthusiasm for magic. Ang himself was only a half-baked mage, so he did his best to teach Aisha according to the books, without adding too much of his own interpretation.

Fortunately, Ang's parents could both read, and when the three siblings were young, they had sent them to a school specifically to learn literacy. Therefore, Ang could generally understand the contents of the books. After all, he had the knowledge and experience of two lifetimes as a foundation. As Ang recited the contents of the books, he patiently taught Aisha word by word and sentence by sentence. He was not in a hurry for her to understand everything completely; he only asked that she recognize and remember the material. He believed that understanding would gradually come with time and deeper study.

During the lessons, Aisha often asked all sorts of questions, and Ang answered her doubts as thoroughly as he could. Sometimes, he even consulted the books himself to ensure the accuracy of his answers. Though Aisha's progress was not fast, under Ang's patient guidance, she gradually mastered some basic magical knowledge and terminology.

Meanwhile, Ang's parents gave the children considerable support and encouragement in their studies. Seeing Aisha so interested in magic, they were greatly pleased. Their mother often helped from the side as well, preparing snacks and drinks for the children and creating a warm atmosphere for studying.

The days passed one after another, busy yet fulfilling. While teaching Aisha, Ang also continued consolidating and improving his own magical knowledge. Under Ang's training, Aida's physical fitness and combat skills improved significantly, while Aisha's understanding of magic continued to deepen. Supporting and encouraging one another, the three siblings grew together and moved toward their respective goals.

The day for Aida to begin his military service soon arrived. A few days earlier, Aida had just celebrated his sixteenth birthday, and Ang had specially bought desserts to celebrate. Military service required him to report at the Lord's Mansion in River Bay City, so Ang decided to bring their parents and Aisha with him to River Bay City.

Along the way, their parents and Aisha sat in a flatbed cart pulled by a draught horse, while Ang rode alongside them as an escort. Usually loud and boisterous, Aida was exceptionally quiet today. Perhaps he had also deeply realized the significance of military service. Their parents were not in high spirits either. It was rare for the whole family to travel to River Bay City together, yet the approaching separation made the mood somewhat heavy.

Sitting atop his horse, Ang looked at the flatbed cart ahead without saying much. After all, one could not leave the army during military service unless one died or was discharged at the end of one's term. Their parents clearly understood this as well, and their worry and reluctance were written all over their faces. Though Aisha was young, she could sense that the atmosphere at home was unusual, and she too was quieter than usual along the way.

Upon arriving in River Bay City, Ang led his family straight to the Lord's Mansion. Once there, Ang had his parents and Aisha wait outside while he accompanied Aida inside to report. Quite a few young men about to begin military service had already gathered at the Lord's Mansion. They were reluctantly saying farewell to their families, creating a scene that was lively yet tinged with sadness.

Ang looked at Aida, patted him on the shoulder, and said solemnly, "Aida, military service is every man's responsibility and duty. Do your best, and protect yourself." Aida nodded, his gaze resolute. "Older Brother, I will."

After all the procedures had been completed, Aida officially became a soldier of the Grand Duchy of Tan'anster. Together with the other recruits, he was taken to the training camp at the Lord's Mansion, where they began their military lives.

Ang specifically sought out the Lord's Mansion's recruit training camp and showed his discharge papers, successfully meeting Lavia, the person in charge of the training camp. Lavia showed Ang a measure of respect. After all, Ang had retired from the front-line battlefield, and the experience and strength gained on the front lines were not to be underestimated.

Ang exchanged pleasantries with Lavia for a while before taking the initiative to ask, "Camp Commander Lavia, I would like to know whether these recruits will be sent to the front lines to resist the evil ghosts. I just returned from the front lines, so I know how dangerous the battlefield is. If Aida's little frame ends up on a real battlefield, I'm afraid it will be difficult for him to survive."

Lavia replied, "The specific arrangements will depend on the Military Department's decision. I don't know yet either. However, I have indeed heard that the evil ghosts on the Maple Sugar Plane seem to have broken through the defenses."

Hearing this, Ang's heart stirred, but he did not show it. He guessed that there might be room to maneuver behind the words, "It depends on the Military Department's arrangements." So, he took a Black Magic Crystal from his pocket and handed it to Lavia.

The moment Lavia saw the Black Magic Crystal in his hand, he was utterly shocked. He had only seen such a precious magic crystal from afar at Viscount Dunmoke's residence. Viscount Dunmoke had once mentioned that the Black Magic Crystal was crucial to his Noble Rank Advancement. Ang casually told Lavia that he had obtained the Black Magic Crystal himself on the battlefield.

Lavia's respect for Ang immediately increased by several degrees. Those with strength were always worthy of respect. He carefully slipped the Black Magic Crystal into his pocket, then glanced around to make sure no one had noticed what had happened. Lavia understood Ang's meaning and immediately stated that once Aida's recruit training was complete, he would arrange for Aida to remain in River Bay City's city defense force.

Ang nodded in agreement, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lavia, and then took his leave. Lavia touched the Black Magic Crystal in his pocket as he watched Ang depart, his mind filled with thoughts.

The recruit camp would not begin formal training until the next day, so Ang decided to take Aida, Aisha, and their parents to a famous restaurant in River Bay City for a grand meal. This was the first time Ang's parents had enjoyed such expensive food in River Bay City. After the meal, when they learned that it had cost 1 Gold Wack and 70 Silver Wack, their mother said in astonishment, "That much money could feed us for a whole year." Her face showed deep regret.

Their father, Baron, appeared quite calm. He said, "Ang is different now. Our lives will only get better in the future, so you need to get used to it. You mustn't embarrass them in the future. I heard nobles care greatly about such things."

Their mother and father bickered, but Ang did not interrupt. He simply quietly enjoyed the moment. He knew his father was right. His own identity and status had changed, and his family needed to adapt to a new way of life as well.

After the meal, they sent Aida back to the military camp, while Ang returned to Oak Village with his parents and Aisha. Along the way, Ang reflected on everything that had happened during this time, feeling immensely satisfied and proud.