Eight Virtues of a Knight

"Wa... when Wa was little..." Its voice sank low. "In the clan... Wa... Wa was the smallest... and the... weakest..."

Its thoughts drifted back to the distant past.

Back then, Tuen had been the smallest and weakest among the bear cubs his age.

Unlike the other cubs, who were lively and loved chasing and roughhousing, he preferred quietly staying by his mother's side or observing the salmon leaping in the stream alone.

This unsociable behavior made him the "toy" of several strong cubs.

"That time," Tuen said, his voice trembling slightly, "Wa and Older Sister... by the mountain stream... found a huge rock covered in beehives... Wa was so happy... But just as Wa was about to enjoy them... Grack... showed up with his followers..."

"They took all of Wa's beehives... Wa was terrified... Wa didn't dare say a word... But Older Sister didn't back down... She was even smaller than Wa... yet she stood in front of Wa... and roared at Grack... telling him to return what belonged to Wa..."

"Grack thought Older Sister's challenge was an insult to him."

"He shoved Older Sister aside, then pushed me toward the steep slope behind me!"

"Wa fell... Wa was so scared... When Wa looked up... a huge boulder... was rolling down the slope..."

"Wa was frozen with fear... but Older Sister... she... without even thinking, she pounced over... and shielded Wa..."

"Wa... wasn't hurt at all... but Older Sister..."

"Grack and the others were terrified... screaming as they ran away... leaving only Wa... and Older Sister lying on the ground..."

Tuen's voice choked up.

"She was hurt to protect Wa... to protect that coward who could only tremble... If Wa had been braver back then... if Wa had only stood up beside her... maybe... maybe everything would have been different..."

"...It wasn't until Mother told Wa the story of Knight Roland... told Wa that true strength wasn't about size... but the courage to protect the weak... Wa wanted to become a knight... because Wa didn't want anyone else... to be hurt because of Wa's cowardice... Wa wanted... to become as brave as Older Sister..."

He pulled himself out of the painful memory and looked at He Xi and Isla, determination shining in his bear eyes. "Wa... Wa wants to become a knight... Wa wants to... protect... Wa doesn't want to... ever see... people Wa cares about... get hurt again..."

Isla was deeply moved.

She stepped forward and gently patted Tuen's thick foreleg.

She had meant to pat his shoulder, but she couldn't reach it.

"Tuen, I can teach you knightly skills. But remember: a knight's strength comes from the conviction to protect. Hold on to that conviction, no matter what lies ahead."

She paused, her tone earnest. "Though I don't know whether a bear can truly master a knight's skills, I believe that as long as you work hard, you will gain something from it!"

He Xi nodded vigorously as well. "That's right! Tuen, you can absolutely do it! You're an Earth Bear unlike any other!"

[Earth Bear · Tuen's Favorability toward you has increased. Parsing Points +20]

Looking at the Parsing Points credited to him, He Xi felt that inviting Isla to teach Tuen had been an incredibly correct decision.

In the woodland that followed, a strange sight appeared.

An Earth Bear was striving to straighten his back and stand upright like a human, though awkwardly.

Isla stood before him with a solemn expression, like a true knight instructor.

"Tuen, a knight's strength comes from the convictions in their heart. Those convictions are gathered within the ancient Eight Virtues of a Knight." Isla's voice was clear and powerful. "Now repeat after me, and feel the weight behind every word."

"Loyalty!"

Tuen tried his best to imitate her. "Roundness!"

Isla said, "Loyalty is a knight's spine. In prosperity and adversity alike, they must unwaveringly protect the one they serve!"

Tuen said, "Roundness is a knight's spine..."

"Courage!"

Tuen said, "Mediocrity!"

Isla said, "Courage does not mean knowing no fear. It means still taking the right and necessary action even in the face of fear!"

Tuen said, "Mediocrity..."

"Justice!"

Tuen said, "Day!"

Isla said, "Knights uphold order and carry out justice. They must distinguish right from wrong, fear no powerful authority, and never bully the weak!"

Tuen said, "Knights uphold order..."

"Benevolence!"

Tuen said, "Lewdness!"

Isla said, "Strength is not for bullying, but for protection. A true knight shows compassion to the powerless, does not humiliate the defeated in victory, and gives enemies a dignified end when necessary!"

Tuen said, "Lewd strength..."

"Faith!"

Tuen said, "Sex!"

Isla said, "A knight's promise outweighs their life. Lying, deception, and breaking one's word are all disgraceful!"

Tuen said, "Sex's promise..."

"Perseverance!"

Tuen said, "Eh!"

Isla said, "Perseverance is the flame that never dies when facing a long journey and arduous obstacles!"

Tuen said, "Eh-verance..."

"Responsibility!"

Tuen said, "Tsk!"

Isla said, "Knights bear the responsibility of protection: to their oaths, the weak, the land, and the justice in their hearts!"

Tuen said, "Tsk-sponsibility..."

"Wisdom!"

Tuen said, "Squeak!"

Isla said, "Wisdom guides knights to discern true enemies from allies and make wise choices amid chaos!"

Tuen said, "Squeak-dom..."

The oath-taking process was stumbling and awkward. Isla nearly broke character several times and could only desperately keep a straight face.

He Xi and Bruce stood off to the side, their shoulders shaking as they held back laughter until their stomachs hurt.

But Tuen was incomparably serious. Focused light gleamed in his eyes.

He did his best to imitate and understand every syllable. He knew this was the first step on the path to becoming a knight!

A knight's training began with understanding and swearing the Eight Virtues of a Knight.

Only by integrating these tenets into one's spirit and engraving them upon one's heart could one truly draw upon a knight's power.

Considering Tuen's special circumstances, Isla skipped the standard physical training and basic weapons training altogether.

She decided to directly teach him a knight's most basic skill—[Holy Light Strike].

"Tuen, close your eyes and feel the conviction in your heart. Think of the people and things you wish to protect, of that desire to shield them..."

Tuen obediently closed his enormous eyes. In his mind appeared the image of his Older Sister Lina throwing herself over him, along with his mother's gentle yet resolute gaze as she told him the story of Knight Roland...

"Imagine this conviction as a light within you," Isla continued guiding him. "Let it gather in your sword... your palm."

Tuen slowly spread open his bear paw, palm facing upward.

He tried hard to focus, feeling that conviction.

Isla also extended her hand. A soft, pure white holy light gathered in her palm as she demonstrated for Tuen. "Guide it, call to it, and make it answer your will..."

The woodland was silent, save for the rustling of wind through leaves.

He Xi held his breath, staring nervously at Tuen's bear paw.

Bruce also raised his head curiously.

A few seconds later...

In the center of Tuen's enormous paw, an incredibly faint flicker of earthy yellow light swayed gently before... going out.

Tuen opened his eyes in disappointment. Looking at his empty palm, his huge bear face was filled with dejection. "Wa... Wa can't do it..."

But Isla's eyes lit up. "No, Tuen. You succeeded at the first step—you felt it!

You really did draw upon power just now. It was weak, but that proves you have the talent."

She encouraged him, "This takes practice. Focus! Try again!"

Hearing this, Tuen perked up. Filled with anticipation, he closed his eyes again and concentrated even harder...

Watching this, He Xi was also filled with anticipation.

He could practically see those generous Parsing Points waving at him!

Meanwhile, deeper within the woodland.

A pair of amber eyes silently watched everything happening here.