Chapter 12

At last, all the members of the Cavalry had been assigned their divisions.

The commander, Kishiar La Orr, announced a one-month grace period, during which the members could live their lives and make any necessary adjustments. He also declared that the treatment of the Cavalry members would be elevated to a level equivalent to that of the Imperial Knights. Furthermore, those without last names would soon be granted one, a surprising announcement to all.

The Cavalry members were now directly affiliated with the Imperial Palace and received a monthly salary comparable to that of a third-class official. They had the right to reside anywhere within the Orr Empire and could use any state-operated facility free of charge.

In the event of a crime, the punishment would be decided and administered by the Cavalry commander and the Emperor, rather than the provincial lord. This effectively granted them the same absolute immunity as the Imperial Knights.

As a result, their accommodations were also upgraded. Those who owned houses in the capital could now commute from their homes instead of staying in the barracks. Members choosing to remain in the barracks were each assigned a private room. Although there was a restriction that they could stay in the barracks for only up to five years (excluding the commander), this was more than sufficient for those who had not yet accumulated enough wealth to purchase a house in the capital.

"It's incredible. We're really being treated just like the Imperial Knights. Of course, they each get a servant with their room, but we don't need that," one member remarked.

"That's right. We're all capable of dressing ourselves," another added.

Laughter erupted among the Cavalry members who had gathered for a meal after the surprising morning announcement.

Everyone's faces were bright with hope. Amidst the beaming faces, Yuder silently dipped his bread into the stew and chewed.

"Yuder, did you hear? We'll also get the same 30 days of vacation as the Imperial Knights. If our children are awakeners, they can benefit from this treatment too," Gakane said with a smile.

"When we share this news with our hometown, everyone will be delighted. The days of being looked down upon for not having any land to inherit will finally be over," Gakane continued.

"…Yes."

"Oh, don't you need to inform your family back home as well?"

"I'm alone."

At Yuder's words, Gakane's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly looked apologetic.

"I see. I'm sorry. I just assumed you had family back home because of what Kanna said when she read your bracelet."

'My bracelet? …Ah.'

Yuder recalled the day he registered for the Cavalry examination, where he had met Kanna for the first time. To test her abilities, he had handed her the bracelet from his pocket.

The bracelet, made from small stones strung together with thread, was the only keepsake he had from his grandfather. It was the single gift his grandfather had made for him before passing away.

Though the bracelet was now too old and fragile to wear, Yuder had kept it in his pocket, fearing it might break, as he had not yet fully settled into the capital.

After becoming the commander, Yuder had scarcely paid any attention to the bracelet, and upon finding it in his pocket, he felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.

"It's okay."

Yuder responded briefly to Gakane and thought about the old cabin in his hometown's mountains. He hadn't properly tidied up the house before leaving, in case he didn't pass the Cavalry test, so he figured he should visit and take care of it if he got a vacation.

"Yuder! How about coming to my house during your vacation? I told my parents and siblings about you in a letter, and they're all very curious. There are plenty of delicious foods and fun activities in the south. We'll treat you well, so come and see."

"What about us, Gakane?"

Several other members who were dining nearby asked in a half-joking tone.

"Are we not your friends?"

"Of course you are. But I want to take Yuder first, so you guys can come next time. Don't you need to visit your homes first?"

'He's acting as if I've already taken a vacation.'

Although Gakane's shamelessness was a bit off-putting, Yuder didn't comment. The handsome man with the bright red hair, reminiscent of a rose, never seemed to leave Yuder's side.

Yuder didn't understand Gakane's fascination with him, but even after they were assigned individual quarters, Gakane visited him daily, persistently urging him to hang out. Yuder had to chase him away several times.

Thanks to Gakane's persistence, the attitudes of other members who had treated Yuder harshly began to shift. Yuder was amazed that he had been accepted among the members to this extent, largely due to Kanna and Gakane.

"Yuder, you'll get a last name too. I'm envious that you'll receive one from His Majesty the Emperor. I'd like to get one too."

"Don't say that anywhere else."

As Yuder frowned and grumbled, Gakane quickly raised his hand in defense.

"I don't mean I envy commoners or anything like that. It's just an amazing opportunity. There have been only a few in the empire's history who received titles and names bestowed by His Majesty. I'm just envious of the chance to be recorded there."

The last names and names bestowed by the Emperor were special gifts given only to those who had made significant contributions. However, for Yuder, who had achieved the rare feat of receiving both, they didn't hold much personal significance.

"Even if I receive them... it won't be that great."

"You sometimes act like you know everything. Receiving a last name changes your status completely. It's a good thing, as commoners are freed from the obligations of paying taxes and labor."

Gakane was right, but could there truly be anything in this world that was unconditionally good? Those with titles were also assigned new duties and responsibilities.

The Cavalry members, who were about to receive many benefits due to their power, would also be expected to fight in future wars.

'Besides, the last name I'll receive is hardly significant.'

Ignoring Gakane, who seemed ready to list a hundred benefits of receiving a last name, Yuder finished his meal and got up from his seat.

"I'm leaving first."

"Yuder, let's go together."

Gakane set down his unfinished stew and stood up.

"Wouldn't it be better to finish your meal first?"

"We're heading to the swordsmanship training ground anyway. If I eat too much, I'll just feel like throwing up."

Gakane lowered his head and playfully pretended to vomit.

The Sul Division, a group mainly composed of individuals capable of using magic-like powers, spent most of their training focusing on enhancing their individual attributes and developing more accurate and powerful abilities.

As a result, there was rarely a need for them to gather and train together. However, the Shin and Sul Divisions often had members with similar abilities. Many were skilled in physical enhancement or excelled in using various weapons, requiring them to learn diverse techniques and how to protect others while coordinating their breathing.

Among all the weapon techniques, it was the sword that Kishiar La Orr emphasized the most for the Shin and Sul Divisions. Yuder could guess the reason behind this.

Swordsmen had traditionally been regarded as superior to those wielding other weapons. While Swordmasters were relatively common in history, Bowmasters or Lancemasters were not. Swordsmanship had been the martial art of the nobles, and its widespread practice had resulted in a large number of admirers and practitioners, increasing the chances of Swordmasters emerging.

When people thought of Swordmasters, they often envisioned high-ranking generals or knight commanders. A notable feature of Swordmasters was their ability to use aura freely, infusing it into their swords.

Many Cavalry members in the Shin and Sul Divisions could perform this feat effortlessly. Although their swordsmanship was not as refined as that of true Swordmasters, the intensity and output of their aura were significant.

Kishiar La Orr aimed to elevate the status of the Cavalry and enhance their strength through this ability.

"Still, I wonder what the Commander was thinking when he designated the new training ground as the Imperial Knights' Training Ground No. 1. I heard that only high-ranking officials above deputy level use that place."

As the Cavalry members entered the grounds used by the Imperial Knights, the atmosphere grew tense. It was clear that their presence was unwelcome.

For months, the Cavalry members had trained at a rookie training ground set up in a corner of the premises. Even then, the passing Imperial Knights had openly displayed their discomfort.

Now, being assigned Training Ground No. 1—an area considered the knights' pride—raised questions about how Kishiar had managed this decision.

'Perhaps he used an imperial order signed by the Emperor himself.'

Yuder had deliberately avoided exerting himself fully during the basic training of the past few months. Even without pushing his limits, his abilities were beyond those of ordinary members.

Instead, he had frequently practiced becoming familiar with the flow of energy around his body, drawing it in momentarily based on his past memories.

Traditional mages and knights, who used conventional mana, accumulated energy from nature within their bodies over time, using only what they had stored. However, those who awakened to new mana, through the power of the Red Stone, could use the abundant energy in the world without storing it in their bodies, relying on skill and practice.

This meant that it was more important to draw and use a greater amount of energy stably in an instant and to be adept at applying one's abilities.

Adaptation and practice were crucial for this. Therefore, spending a few hours every day meditating to become accustomed to the energy was beneficial. Although it would take about three years for this fact to become widely known, starting early couldn't hurt.

Gakane seemed to mistake Yuder's daily meditation for devotion to the Sun God, but Yuder found it too bothersome to correct him and let him continue under that impression.