The Rulers Formula

As Magnus explained the technique to me, I would that it could be summarized as follows:

1. The practitioner must lead a group

2. Through the leading of the group, the practitioner will gain some of their qi and insight.

3. In exchange for the qi and insight of the group, the practitioner will redistribute the insight gained to those in the group.

The technique is divided into 7 stages:

1. knight

2. baron

3. viscount

4. count

5. marquise

6. duke

7. king

This made a prince like me the most suited for the technique. As I had authority within the kingdom, I could easily acquire a number of people under my direct command. However, as the technique is highly untested, by absorbing their qi, the side effects can very greatly. For this reason, only a disposable prince could be used. But I did not care that I was viewed as disposable, for I knew my career prospects. Instead, I was exited, and started the mantra.

"A knight is the personification of chivalry. In time of peace they are role models and in times of war they are loyal..."

As I meditated it through, I felt as if my muscles were relaxing, as if I was being massaged. According to the manual the first stage, knight, was designed to adjust the body to the technique and bring the user to strong man. The subsequent stages were named after the ranks of nobility in the kingdom and were the beginnings of the techniques strange nature. As such, I had a long way to go before I could begin to benefit from my subordinates. But for now I must focus on exercise and comprehension. According to instructor Magnus, the entire manual relies more upon wisdom than practice, and as such I should not only follow the proscribed methods, but observe those listed and gain insight into their habits.

Seeing as how this stage is titled knight, I decided to visit the knights for training. Seeing as how special treatment would defeat the purpose of the exercise I decided to arrange to be introduced as a barons 2nd son. This does not actually get me the genuine knights training, as they would be daft to let the 7th prince go through such abuse, but saying I don't want special treatment should get me a taste.

As I entered the barracks, I was greeted by a rather handsome man whom judging from his armor, was a knights captain. Knights captains were anyone enlisted that reach the warrior level. As such, they were highly prestigious, but not as much as true martial artists, whom you can count on one hand, but prestigious enough to be the head of a company of knights no problem. As I introduced myself as Gary Sleetburn, my chosen name, he introduced himself as Terrance Noblecreast. He makes a good enough impression, but I see some of his subordinates roll their eyes. Something tells me they are not exactly fond of Terrance.

The first thing we did was some of the standard exercises that Magnus had us do, but in reduced quantity. I noticed that the knights beside me were also used to heavier workouts, but didn't say anything. After our routine, was a rest period filled with lectures on the virtues of knighthood. Many of the lessons taught were of the romanticized knight, in stark contrast to what not only the Rulers Formula had to say on the matter, but the maid as well, and was of no use to me or my classmates. After this was training based on the weapon we chose, I was barehanded, and then before noon we were dismissed, followed by the knights all heading to the same pub in the direction of the training grounds. Only Terrance managed anything like a smile at the prospect of going to the pub.

After being dismissed for the afternoon, I tried the exercises in the knights chapter in the Rulers Formula and found them just a bit smother than usual. As I went through the motions I realized that despite not getting any actual training as a knight, I still had a better understanding of the knights by observing their reactions. I then looked from on the castle balcony and found the knights training, starting from the a longer session of exercises, followed by what looked like Terrance shouting with his full body and then instead of weapons training, they spared.

I then studied for the rest of the evening.