"Waaaake uuuuup! The sun is out! How long do you plan to stay in bed?"

"Aaaaah!" Denle exclaimed as he tumbled out of bed and hit the floor. "Delia! Seriously, when will you stop? Who made you the morning boss? You sleep in the room next door!"

My eyes opened to the familiar commotion that had become routine on the cold mornings in the room I shared with Denle in the castle. Being someone who always needed multiple alarms to wake up, this situation wasn't actually a bad one.

"Good morning," I said, rubbing my eyes and letting out a small yawn.

"Rendal! Tell this screecher something!" Denle grumbled from the floor.

"Who's a screecher? You'd have been kicked out of the castle if I didn't wake you up every morning."

"She's right, Denle," I said, stretching my still-sleepy body. "Without Sefie or Fily waking me up, I couldn't imagine getting up in the mornings. You're not exactly a light sleeper, either. We're lucky to have Delia."

"But still, there are other ways to do it…" Denle complained as he got up from the floor.

"Speaking of the oracle, have you heard anything from her, Rendal?" Delia asked, blushing slightly, maybe from the earlier compliment. "I'm still surprised she didn't follow you here."

"She said she wasn't willing to become the pawn of any lecturate. But at the same time, she insisted in her last letter that I call for her as soon as I become a sesturion and get my own estate and soldiers... That's much less significant than a lecturate. I'll never understand her."

"I think I understand her," Denle responded with a knowing smile.

"It's true," Delia agreed. "Don't forget to take us with you when you get your own estate."

I don't know where everyone's expectations of me come from. It's true that I can do unimaginable things for a twelve-year-old (or for a normal person, if you include magic). But this fantastical world is filled with gods and creatures beyond human comprehension. I'm sure someone will come along and wipe the floor with me as soon as I get confident in my abilities.

For now, I saved them the story of the frog in the well and just shrugged. They'll understand on their own when they grow up.

*****

Our day started as usual, with breakfast, mainly consisting of what I was now convinced was bread (after seeing the baking process). I'm not sure what the flour is made of, but since there are horses in this world, it wouldn't be strange if there's also wheat or something similar to it.

Breakfast was served in a large mess hall shared by servants and soldiers. The craftsmen could eat in their own residences in the castle town. The same was true for the asturions, the first rank of officers in the army.

Having my own residence would be a dream come true, but I couldn't complain about the lively atmosphere of eating surrounded by so many people. It would be better without the occasional fights, but those were a more prominent issue at night when alcoholic drinks were served. Mornings, with everyone still half-asleep, were more relaxed.

After breakfast was over, I parted ways with the twins and went to do some of my daily tasks.

At first, I was only responsible for sweeping, caring for the horses, and preparing the materials for some of the various craftsmen working in the castle. But once the people in charge realized my physical abilities were far superior to those of a child my age, they put me in charge of more demanding tasks, like chopping wood or carrying various materials and provisions to the castle's storerooms.

Of course, that doesn't mean I was exempt from the other tasks, and that morning, I spent my time feeding the horses and cleaning up the waste they had accumulated overnight.

After a light lunch, consisting mainly of a stew made from whatever was available (the main menu almost every day), I rejoined the twins. Since everyone aspiring to be part of the army shared the same itinerary at some point in the week, that afternoon was sword training.

It wasn't something we could participate in every day since the regular army had priority for using the facilities.

Of course, I trained with my family's sword at night (I keep the sword hidden under my bed). But I have to be careful because as soon as someone sees its capabilities, I bet they'll want to take it from me immediately.

For some reason, the twins also kept their abilities secret and only trained seriously with me.

I can say that they have improved quite a bit during this time.

Training the next generation is a priority for any army, so, despite the limited space in the facilities and the lack of adequate equipment, the lecturate made time for us nonetheless.

Thus, we were in the castle barracks when we witnessed an unusual scene. A tall, sturdy young man with an arrogant look was fighting two soldiers simultaneously.

"It's the first time I see the new asturion training, but he's not bad at all."

Behind us, a soldier leaning against the wall commented to another beside him.

The young man in question was the lecturate's new asturion. If I remember correctly, his name was Melrick, and he had recently become famous as an advisor to the lecturess.

"Hmmm… he doesn't seem that great; I can handle four soldiers at the same time," Denle said next to me.

"Although I admit you've improved greatly, you should never be overconfident. It's not the same to face one opponent than to face two simultaneously."

"Are you sure?" Delia asked. "We always train with you, which is like facing a regiment."

"That's an exaggeration…"

"Hey! Melrick! These kids say they can take you on!"

One of the soldiers behind us shouted, laughing, to the asturion who had just finished his fight with the two soldiers.

These twins and their big mouths, I need to teach them one day that even the walls have ears…

"Oh, that's interesting; I'd like to see what the future promises of the lecturate are made of."

Melrick approached us and pointed at me.

"Why don't you take a sword and join me for a moment?"

Me?! Why me?! I'm the only one who was appeasing the other two…

Of course, I could only express those complaints in my mind. I'm not crazy enough to complain to a soldier, let alone an asturion.

In any case, it's just about humoring him and exchanging a few blows. I'm sure if I let him win, he'll have his fun and leave me alone. But how much should I hold back?

My only training partners are the twins…

Well, they've improved lately, but I don't think their swords are heavier than an asturion's, even with their blessings and all.

Surely, Melrick can handle a bit more strength than what I use against some kids.