Chapter 380: Teaching the Princes

Calling it a technique might be wrong, as I developed them myself on the fly.

But I planned to teach them how I swung my sword to face monsters. I also had a style of fighting I used against humans, but that was far too dangerous.

In this world, they didn't need to be afraid of dying, so learning a fighting style against monsters was enough. Besides, it could also be used against humans.

"It's time," I muttered as I looked at the clock in my room.

Reaching my hand to the side, I took out a wooden sword and the [Teleportation Gem] connected to Royal Castle's teleportation room from my inventory.

When I checked my inventory earlier, I only had around 16 blanks [Teleportation Gems] left. I should really stock it up. I totally forgot about it many times.

'I will ask Garcia to buy it for me.'

Thinking that, I activated the [Teleportation Gem], and my vision twisted, and the scenery changed. It was a luxurious room I visited twice. In front of me, two boys with blue hair wearing simple dark blue shirts and pants stood in front of a giant in metal armor.

The giant nodded at me in greeting while the boys exclaimed excitedly.

"Good afternoon, Your Holiness!"

"G-Good afternoon!"

I smiled at them to show my friendliness, "Good morning, Prince Thomas, Prince Edison. We will be training the basics today. But before that, there is something I need to mention."

Both of them tensed, nervous about what I would say next, but they didn't say anything and waited patiently.

I nodded, satisfied with their response, and continued, "While we're training, I am not the Paladin but your Instructor. So call me Instructor while I will call you Thomas and Edison. If you understand, then say yes!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Good!" I nodded at them, turning to the giant. "Grand Marshal Garland, I believe you're here to observe their training?"

"Yes." The giant nodded, "I will also guide you to the training ground."

"Much appreciated," I answered, smiling at him.

We moved out of the room, following Grand Marshal Garland. While we walked down the long corridor toward the back of the castle, I used <Appraisal> on Prince Thomas. I already knew about Prince Edison's skill because I had appraised him, and he had Lv 1 <Swordsmanship>, the basic.

As for Prince Thomas, he was unexpectedly hard-working. He was Level 9, higher than Prince Edison by 4. And he had Lv 2 <Swordsmanship>, which was impossible to achieve without any training.

2 years of difference in experience could be seen, but both of them were talented as their status was spread evenly rather than focusing on a few statuses like Cecil.

After walking for a while and going down a few staircases, we arrived at a small clearing with no one but a training ground with some racks hugging the wall with wooden weapons.

There was also weight equipment in the corner, with some soft mattresses leaning against the sturdy wall. This training ground was even more complete compared to the one in the Royal Academy, except there was probably no revival chamber that automatically revived someone in this place.

However...

'There is a barrier surrounding this place, and it's a Lv 5 <Holy Barrier>. Did someone from the church, an Archbishop, put this barrier up? This is quite new. Queen Eve must've asked the church to put it up to protect the Princes when they are training.' I thought in my mind, acting calm without changing my expression.

"This is where the Royal Family trains, Your Holiness. Please don't mind me and proceed with the training."

"Alright. You can leave them to me." I answered Garland, and he nodded, walking toward the corner where the weight equipment was.

For some reason, he took two barbels with 50, probably KG, written on them and began to lift them easily. I was both amazed and confused but decided not to think too much about it and turned to both Princes.

"Alright. Have both of you learned some kind of swordsmanship technique before this?" I asked with a cold tone, befitting a strict instructor, as I rested my wooden sword on my shoulder.

"I have."

Thomas nodded while Edison shook his head.

"I see. I recommend you forget about that technique while learning from me. My technique will be different, and I can assure you that you will reach Lv 3 <Swordsmanship> in a few months if you learn this daily, even without my supervision."

Both of them looked at each other, excited. I could hear the sound of an iron falling to the ground from behind, but I ignored it. Grand Marshal Garland must have been surprised and dropped the barbel.

But I told the Princes no lie. After a lot of research, players in Horizon Online found out this. Swords technique that focused on hunting monsters somehow managed to raise <Swordsmanship> Lv at a fast speed.

It was different from a random swing or a sword technique focused to duel with humans. They arrived at the conclusion it might be because the game wanted us to focus on hunting monsters instead of PvP, thus programming the system as such.

"Please teach us about it, Instructor! I want to get stronger fast!" Thomas shouted with a voice full of motivation.

"Can we fight a monster using that sword technique?" Edison asked excitedly, his eyes sparkled with hope.

The former wanted to get stronger, probably to protect himself and his loved ones, while the latter wanted to be able to research monsters soon. Both of them had a great drive.

And I managed to get their attention. Once they felt how fast their growth was...

'They will take a liking to me. And I can begin to influence them to help me get their mother. It makes me feel like I am a Villain who wants to take over this country... Well, that's not too different from what I am trying to do.' I sneered inwardly while nodding to both of them.

"Yes. This technique works on human opponents and works better against monster opponents. This will allow you to get stronger at a fast speed. Of course, that's if you work hard to train and master this sword technique. Without any effort, even the best technique is useless.

"You probably will beg Queen Eve to stop this training due to its difficulty. But I assure you this. No one your age will be able to beat your growth if you train under me."

"Awesome!" Thomas pumped his fists with spirit. "Please start the training, Instructor! I am getting excited!"

"Yes, me too!" Edison nodded firmly.

"Alright. Take the wooden swords and meet me in the middle of the training ground. We will start by swinging the sword 500 times to fix your posture! Move, move, move!"

"Yes, Sir!"

I watched them run toward the rack with wooden swords hanging on it briefly before turning around. The Grand Marshal looked at me suspiciously, but I smiled softly to reassure him.

'No need with that suspicious gaze, man.' I thought.

Just as he said earlier, he didn't bother us and kept silent even though he was suspicious of my words. I knew he wanted to ask whether what I said was a fact or something I used to motivate the Princes, but he held himself.

'What a stiff person.'

However, Garland definitely would change his mind after watching what I taught the Prince. If not, I would lower my respect for him, as that meant he wasn't as skilled and talented as I thought.

"Instructor, we are ready!"

A young voice called out to me, and I turned around. The Princes had their wooden swords in their hands, and they gripped it tightly.

"Okay." Holding the wooden sword with both hands, I started and took a stance. "Now, follow my movement. Copy everything I do, including how I hold the sword and my feet position. Do your best because I won't get easy on you."

"Yes, sir!"

And so the Princes' training began.