Leonhardt never let his recent victory make him complacent. Even though Master Volker had agreed to forge his sword and armor, he knew that he still had a long way to go. His daily training with Reiner and Garrick continued, pushing his body beyond its limits.
The once frail and skinny body of Haruto was now a thing of the past. Through endless training, Leonhardt had built a well-toned physique, filled with strength and endurance. His strikes had become sharper, his movements more fluid, and his stamina more refined.
Yet, something lingered in his mind.
This world has magic… Do I have it too?
It was a question he couldn't shake off. As someone who had come from another world, the very existence of magic was something both fascinating and foreign to him. He had seen Alistair Vaughn, his squad's mage, wield magic in battle. Maybe Alistair could provide the answers he needed.
But before seeking out Alistair, Leonhardt wanted to test something. He had trained long enough—now it was time to see just how much he had improved.
A Test of Strength
One morning, after an intense session of sword training, Leonhardt turned to Reiner and Garrick with a determined expression.
"Reiner, Garrick… I want to fight both of you at the same time."
Both knights blinked in surprise.
"Are you sure?" Garrick asked, raising an eyebrow. "We won't hold back."
Reiner, always the calmer of the two, studied Leonhardt carefully. "This isn't a duel, Leonhardt. You're challenging two knights trained for war. If you're not ready, you could get hurt."
Leonhardt smirked. "That's exactly why I want to do this."
What shocked them even more was when Leonhardt picked up two training swords instead of one.
Reiner and Garrick exchanged glances.
"You're using dual swords?" Garrick asked, surprised.
"Something like that," Leonhardt replied, gripping the hilts firmly. "Come at me with everything you've got."
The sparring match began.
Reiner and Garrick moved in sync, attacking him from both sides. But Leonhardt was faster. He dodged, parried, and countered with agility that surprised both knights.
Each of his hands moved differently—his left hand wielded the sword in a controlled, knightly stance, while his right hand slashed with the fluidity of a samurai. It was an unusual combination, one that neither Reiner nor Garrick had seen before.
Garrick swung his sword in a wide arc, but Leonhardt ducked at the last second and countered with a quick slash to his side. Reiner lunged forward, aiming for an opening, but Leonhardt spun on his heel, blocking the attack with his left sword while striking with his right.
His movements were precise. Efficient. Relentless.
For the first time, Reiner and Garrick saw it clearly—Leonhardt was no ordinary warrior.
The fight lasted several minutes before they finally called it off. Leonhardt was breathing heavily, but unlike before, he wasn't exhausted—he was exhilarated.
Reiner let out a breath and chuckled. "I have to admit, you've improved tremendously."
Garrick patted Leonhardt on the back. "Yeah, I didn't expect you to go dual-wielding on us. That was insane."
Leonhardt smiled slightly. "I still have a long way to go. That's why I want both of you to keep training me. I want to master this technique completely."
The two knights nodded in agreement.
"You have our respect, Leonhardt," Reiner said. "And if you want to master this technique, we'll make sure you get there."
A Mage's Knowledge
Despite his physical progress, the question of magic still remained.
So, after the intense training session, Leonhardt made his way toward Alistair Vaughn. If anyone could tell him whether he had magical potential, it was the squad's mage.
Chapter 7 – Leonhardt and Alistair
After a long training session with Reiner and Garrick, Leonhardt took a short break before heading towards the mage training grounds within the castle. He was looking for Alistair Vaughn, the skilled mage in their squad.
Inside the training hall, Alistair was seated on a chair, deeply engrossed in a thick book. As Leonhardt entered, he closed the book slowly and raised an eyebrow.
"What brings you here, Leonhardt? I doubt you're here to learn magic."
Leonhardt leaned against the wall, exhaling briefly.
"I want to know something… about magic."
Alistair looked at him, almost in disbelief.
"Magic? You're serious?"
Leonhardt nodded.
"I've trained my body, perfected my sword techniques, and strengthened my endurance. But I've been wondering… do I also have the ability to use magic?"
Alistair pondered for a moment before shutting his book and standing up.
"Alright. Let's test it."
The Magic Test
Alistair led Leonhardt to the center of the training hall. There were various magic tools and equipment scattered around, including mana stones and enchanted objects.
"Everyone has mana inside them, but not everyone can control it," Alistair explained. "To find out if you can use magic, we need to see if you can channel your mana."
He handed Leonhardt a small crystal. It was transparent but had a faint glow inside.
"This is a mana resonance crystal. If you have magical potential, it will react to your touch."
Leonhardt took the crystal and focused. He gripped it tightly, trying to feel anything—warmth, energy, or even a faint pulse. But… nothing happened.
After a few moments, he furrowed his brows.
"Nothing?"
Alistair smirked.
"Not so fast. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and focus inward. Try to sense any flow of energy within you."
Leonhardt did as he was told. He steadied his breathing and concentrated. At first, all he could feel was the usual tension in his muscles, but then—just barely—he sensed something. A small flicker, deep within. It wasn't strong, but it was there.
Suddenly, the crystal in his palm flickered faintly, a dim glow appearing for just a second before vanishing.
Alistair's eyes widened slightly.
"Well, well… looks like you do have mana inside you. It's weak, but it's there."
Leonhardt opened his eyes and looked at the crystal.
"So… I can use magic?"
Alistair crossed his arms.
"Not so fast. Having mana doesn't mean you can cast spells. Your mana flow is barely noticeable. But…" He grinned slightly. "It's not impossible to train it. If you're serious about this, you might be able to awaken your magic one day."
Leonhardt clenched his fist. Even if it was weak, the fact that he had magic inside him gave him hope. Another challenge to overcome.
"Alright, Alistair. Teach me how to control it."
Alistair chuckled.
"You're really something else, Leonhardt."
TO BE CONTINUED.....
End of Chapter 7.