NOVEL NEXT Chapter 73: Nobles
Fixing wounds seemed really important as a Squire but it shouldn't be a determining factor to be one.
Nonetheless, this opinion was not something Hayden would want to share as he wasn't planning to change how the path of the Aura Knight works.
He would be fine as long as he does better and graduate here in the Academy. Once he got the status that he needed, his life here should be a lot easier… especially if he didn't offend any magicians or evil sorcerers who were supposedly stronger than Aura Knights.
Anyway, Captain Brynn's class was really interesting despite her being quite annoying sometimes.
There were a few classes where she imparted knowledge about various traps. Hayden may have read them in the books but he never tried making them from scratch until she taught it to them.
"A knight may be known for their way of keeping their honor but remember that they don't always fight fair," she said which surprised many students.
After all, they respect all knights, and telling them that they sometimes do not fight fair was quite alarming for them.
Brynn saw their reaction but she didn't mind it at all.
Instead, she started pulling out a wicked-looking snare wire.
"Sometimes, you ambush. Sometimes, you cheat. And sometimes, you let the forest do the killing for you."
This time, she explained about the various traps that Knights must learn to make especially if they had to fight in the forest. Also, this would allow them to learn what bandits could use against them.
After all, learning how to make those traps would also allow them to find those traps and how to deal with them.
Apparently, that was the life of Knights, they had to know many things to deal with any situation they encountered.
Hayden smiled at this. If Brynn wasn't so annoying, he would certainly like this professor with the way she teaches reality to them.
Anyway, she soon started demonstrating how to set up various traps. A deadfall trap to crush an enemy under a weighted log, a pit trap lined with sharpened stakes, and a snare to hang a man by his ankles mid-sprint.
Of course, after everyone learned about this, she also taught them how to deal with those traps in case they encountered them.
***
Anyway, after this interesting class would be the Etiquette Class.
Hayden found this really important since Headmaster Mensa planned to bring him into the competition of the various Knight Academies.
He needed to know more about the people who might be participating and learn more about how the world works around him.
The Etiquette Class would surely bring him a lot of information about the nobles.
The Etiquette Hall of Dawnspire Academy was designed like a mini-version of a banquet hall of noble houses. If the seats were removed, this room with a polished floor could also become a dance hall, something Hayden hoped he wouldn't have to learn.
Anyway, Hayden took his seat beside Phoebe, who was already straightening her posture, after she gestured for him to sit on the chair she reserved.
"You look like you're about to be executed…" Hayden muttered.
"That's because I feel like I'm about to be executed," Phoebe whispered back. "Lady Seraphine flunked three students in higher grade students last week for slurping their tea."
Before Hayden could reply, the doors swung open, and Lady Seraphine arrived. This Professor was only a substitute but she was really working hard.
It seemed that she had reached some agreement with the Headmaster, so she started working here.
Lady Seraphine was probably at the level of a true Aura Knight already and doesn't have to work here. However, Hayden knew that there were other reasons why she had decided to stay here.
Anyway, her ice-blue eyes missed nothing—not a slouched back, not a fidgeting hand, not even the way Hayden's fingers twitched toward his absent sword.
"Today, you will learn how to navigate a room where every smile hides a dagger."
As she said this, Hayden was intrigued. Indeed, being a Knight wasn't just learning how to fight, it was also important to know who to fight…
One of the things that Hayden learned in this class was how to determine who were potential enemies based on the people's actions, words, mannerisms, and subtle hints from their backgrounds. This was why it was important to know people…
Snap!
She snapped her fingers, and servants brought out a large map of the kingdom, marked with the crests of the Five Great Houses in their region.
"The nobility do not fight everything with swords—they fight with marriages, trade agreements, and sometimes, poisoned wine," she said. "And if you wish to survive among them, you must know their game better than they do. Right… once you become Aura Knights, you can expect marriage proposals coming from these families so make sure to listen in my class."
As she said this, she couldn't help but look at Hayden who had the highest potential to become an Aura Knight.
Anyway, Lady Seraphine pointed to the first crest—a silver wolf on a crimson field.
"House Voss…" she said. "Masters of the Northern Mountains. They were fierce warriors, but their leaders or the members of the Voss Family were known for their short temper. It was their weakness perhaps due to the Breathing Technique or foundation they built to become Aura Knights. Insult one, and they will challenge you to a duel….
Hayden made a mental note…
'This was Fein's family. No wonder he was so quick to throw a punch…'
Next came a golden falcon on emerald—House Dainar.
"The wealthiest of the five," Lady Seraphine explained. "They control the trade routes to the Free Cities. Their coin buys loyalty, but their greed makes them predictable. There's a saying outside that if you flatter their purses, they will overlook your other intentions."
Hayden listened attentively as he learned more about the other Houses. The Montclair, Kaelthorne, and finally, the Valenford where Seraphine belongs.