Morning Training

The Amon Mountains came alive in the morning. The rising sun swept away the darkness that had blanketed the land all night and brought the first light of dawn. Every kind of small animal in the forest stirred to life, having escaped the nocturnal predators and begun searching for the food they needed to survive the day.

Nord awoke from his sleep and opened his eyes. The sun had just begun to shine through the window onto his face. Morning sunlight was not so harsh, carrying a gentle warmth that seemed to embrace all things.

Today, Nord would begin his life as a lord. Although he had been in this world for nearly a year, he still felt somewhat unfamiliar and detached from it, unconsciously treating it like a game.

But Nord knew in his heart that this was not a game. Along the way, he had come to understand the chaos of this medieval era all too well. Nord was no saint. He had not chosen to help with the things he encountered on the road; he did not yet have that ability. This noble title might not even be enough to protect himself. In an age like this, strength was the only thing that mattered.

"Truth lies within the range of cannons." This was not an era where reason prevailed. Nord could only strive to keep himself safe when he lacked the means to do more.

After getting dressed and picking up his One-Handed Sword, Nord went downstairs. Only Molly was in the kitchen below. He looked around but did not see Colin or Ryman. They had probably gone to arrange the day's affairs. Not wanting to disturb Molly while she cooked, Nord headed to the small courtyard out front.

He could take advantage of the time to practice his weapon proficiency and improve his chances of survival. As a boy, he had to protect himself when he was out in the world.

No, as a transmigrator, his first priority was survival. He could not rely solely on others to protect him; he needed some ability to defend himself as well.

There was a small training ground on the west side of the courtyard. It was probably where Colin had taught his son martial skills. As a mercenary who had survived the battlefield, Colin must have learned a few things.

The training ground was quite rudimentary. A wooden post as thick as an adult man's thigh stood in the middle of the open space, its surface marked by cuts and slashes. There were also several targets near the distant fence, apparently for archery practice.

There was a small shed to the left of the training ground. When Nord approached, he saw various tools and several wooden weapons scattered messily inside. He casually picked up a wooden sword shaped like a One-Handed Sword. Its workmanship was extremely crude, made from nothing more than a stick as thick as a baby's arm. He did not know what kind of wood it was, but it was very heavy. It should work well enough for training.

Bang!

The wooden sword struck the post with a heavy thud. The force rebounding through the sword nearly overwhelmed Nord. Logically speaking, his one-handed weapon proficiency was around 90. He should not have been this bad.

Nord recalled how the body's former owner had trained with the sword. A One-Handed Sword relied mainly on speed and agility against enemies. Swordsmanship focused primarily on thrusts and precise strikes, supplemented by slashes and chops, but a sword's greatest killing power still lay in its tip. Recalling those past training sessions and combining them with the experience provided by the system's proficiency, Nord's use of the One-Handed Sword gradually began to look convincing.

While Nord was fully immersed in training, he did not know how much time had passed before a new mission issued by the system disrupted his focus.

Daily Quest: Recruit Troops

Quest Description: As a lord, you must first possess your own armed force to protect your territory. Recruit at least five soldiers to guard the territory and ensure your personal safety.

Quest Reward: Experience ×100, Leather Armor ×5, One-Handed Sword ×5

Another quest had been issued. It seemed that quests were divided into Daily Quests and Construction Quests. He just did not know whether there were other types. It looked like today's task would depend on those accompanying hunters later.

Nord planted the wooden sword on the ground, wiped the thin sweat from his forehead, and looked at the sun, which had already climbed halfway into the sky. He could not help sighing. "Training really is rather exhausting."

He wanted to see the results of today's training. Weapon proficiency truly was useful. During practice, he could clearly feel that this body possessed genuine muscle memory for weapons. His consciousness was gradually adapting to the body, and the results of its past training were slowly returning to him.

He opened the Personal Panel and found that his weapon proficiency had not changed. After some thought, Nord figured that he had only just begun adapting to the body today. With more training in the future, it should gradually increase. Still, he could clearly feel the strength he had gained yesterday.

Class: Lord LV2 (0/1000)

But the experience needed to level up had also increased tenfold. It seemed that leveling would not be easy from now on.

Just as Nord was lamenting this, Colin, Abel, and a group of more than ten people entered the courtyard.

"Lord Nord, I have gathered several outstanding hunters from the village. Later, I'll have Ryman lead them with you to Crison Fort."

"Young master, I took a look today. Only the west and north sides of the village are suitable for building a manor. The east side contains the village's few remaining fields, while the south is right beside the river. Where do you think would be best?"

Nord recalled what he had seen yesterday. The north and west were more or less the same, both close to the mountains. Either would work. Then he would follow China's traditional preference of facing south with one's back to the north.

"Then we'll settle on the north side. Abel, spend the next couple of days planning what the manor should look like, then report back to me."

"Yes, young master."

After discussing the manor with Abel, Nord turned to look at the hunters Colin had brought. They were all around thirty years old, each carrying a short bow on his back and a short sword at his waist. Though they were not as powerfully built as Ryman, every one of them was lean and strong. There was gratitude in their eyes as they looked at Nord. Colin had probably told them that Nord had agreed to provide the village with food.

Although they would have to labor for the Lord and build the manor, it also gave their village hope of survival. Ordinary brutal nobles would not care in the slightest whether they lived or died.

Among the middle-aged hunters around thirty, Nord noticed an older man in his forties. By the standards of this era, someone in his forties or fifties was already nearing the end of his life.

Seeing Nord's gaze, Colin took the initiative to introduce the elderly hunter.

"Lord Nord, this is Old Mor, the most experienced hunter in our village. Don't be fooled by his age. He truly is the strongest hunter here. With a Hunting Bow in hand, he never misses—he hits whatever he aims at. Once he enters the mountains, it's like going home."

Old Mor remained calm throughout Colin's introduction. Only when he heard the last sentence did a trace of nostalgia appear in his eyes.

"It is my pleasure to serve you, Lord Nord."

"I believe in you, Old Mor."

Just then, Molly carried a basket of freshly baked wheat bread out of the wooden house. At the sight of the golden bread, the hunters all swallowed at once. Someone's stomach rumbled, and they all looked embarrassed, their faces reddening slightly.

"Young master, I had Molly bake all the bread left over from yesterday this morning. I was afraid they might be hungry."

Seeing the scene before them, Abel spoke softly into Nord's ear.

"Everyone, eat first. Once you're done, we'll set out for Crison Fort to buy grain."

With that, Nord handed the bread to the hunters one by one. Looking at the fragrant bread in their hands, the hunters' gratitude toward Nord deepened even further.