Becoming one of them

The second floor of the Odin Sub-Temple!

"Little Yang Tian-oh, I can't call you Little Yang Tian anymore. Come here, Yang Tian. This is your sword!"

Seeing that Yang Tian had arrived so early, Balza was very pleased.

Then he handed Yang Tian a Wooden Sword for practice.

Yang Tian awkwardly offered a salute, then accepted it with both hands, his expression solemn.

Though it was only a carved Wooden Sword, it was Yang Tian's first sword.

This sword had also been made by the Child Hall from a special material, and its weight was just right for Knight Squires and prospective knights.

Yang Tian stroked it lovingly. He would be using it to train for the next three years.

Long Haochen was only four years old now, too. Yang Tian had seen him a few times, and with the Demon God Emperor's bloodline, his looks were captivating...

"All right, Yang Tian. Familiarize yourself with this place first, then wait for the other children to arrive before training begins. This time, we've intensified the training for squires. I hope you can stick with it!"

Balza spoke solemnly, placing high hopes in Yang Tian.

Yang Tian replied just as solemnly, "I'll make sure to complete my tasks diligently!"

Watching Balza leave, Yang Tian tightened his grip on the Wooden Sword.

Cleaving, slashing...

Yang Tian practiced the basic movements.

Those who had barely reached the rank of First-Level Squire had no real combat experience, and Yang Tian had yet to learn any combat skills either.

Yang Tian practiced for a while, taking it very seriously and executing each movement correctly.

"Well, well, isn't this the kid who peeks through the doorway every day? How did you get in here? Aren't you afraid of getting beaten?"

Then a child of about ten appeared. Seeing Yang Tian swinging a Wooden Sword too, he looked displeased.

Only squires were allowed in here. Those who had failed to meet the requirements had already been eliminated.

"I'm a squire too. I look forward to learning from you!"

Yang Tian was not annoyed. He answered without either meekness or arrogance.

Though he was only four, his body had developed almost to the level of a six- or seven-year-old.

"Tch, who wants to teach you? Just stay out of my way!"

The boy folded his arms across his chest and spoke haughtily.

Yang Tian listened and watched, then decided not to bother with this arrogant boy.

Fine, I'll stay out of your way. I'm more worried about you getting in the way of my training.

If I don't work hard, I'll end up just another face in the crowd!

Then the other children arrived one after another, all of them having passed the assessment the day before.

The last to arrive was the child with the highest Spiritual Power, who was something like a class representative!

"I'll start taking attendance. Just say 'here' when I call your name!"

"Zhang Hu!"

The older, well-respected child held a list and began calling the roll.

"Here!" replied the child named Zhang Hu.

They were ranked according to their Spiritual Power, and Zhang Hu's was as high as thirteen.

The child calling the roll was named Li Jieyuan. He had fourteen points of Spiritual Power, the highest of them all.

"Yang Tian!" Next, he called Yang Tian's name.

"Here!" Yang Tian straightened his small frame and stepped forward to answer.

Zhang Hu suddenly looked over in disbelief. This little Yang Tian was ranked just below him?

Yang Tian felt the moment sink in, becoming one of them.

These children were not that old, but they were not that young either. They were a group of youths.

Perhaps spending time with them would make him feel younger, too.

Li Jieyuan finished calling the roll. Everyone who remained had more than ten points of Spiritual Power.

"Everyone, follow me to the training ground!"

Li Jieyuan immediately took charge, leading them out in formation, arranged by height.

More than a dozen wooden stakes had been prepared on the vast training ground, and Balza was waiting at its center.

"Instructor, Squire Squad Three reporting. Everyone is present!"

Li Jieyuan looked straight at the instructor and spoke solemnly.

"Good. Fall in!" Balza replied just as solemnly.

Then, looking at the solemn line of youths, he asked gravely, "Why do you want to become knights?"

"To protect humanity, protect goodness, protect the temple, and protect our loved ones!"

The youths answered together, their voices young but orderly.

Yang Tian was among them, finally feeling that sense of pride and honor.

He was no longer merely reciting along outside the door!

"Good. Now, continue with the ten knightly commandments..."

Instructor Balza earnestly made sure they remembered the essential qualities a knight had to possess.

Yang Tian was just as attentive.

Next came the arrangements for their daily training.

Balza kept his expression stern as he said:

"The previous curriculum will be intensified, with separate morning and afternoon training sessions. In the morning, you'll have one theory lesson and one training lesson. In the afternoon, we'll begin combat practice and training!"

"I hope all of you will take this seriously. In three years, I hope you'll all pass the branch temple's Squire assessment and become qualified knights!"

Though Balza was stern, his words filled many of the youths with determination.

Becoming knights was their aspiration!