The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel

“From today, I will be the instructor.”

Skevin stood on the platform and informed the trainees of the training plan.

At first, they breathed a sigh of relief at not being trained by Arthur, but that was soon followed by a wave of disappointment.

They couldn't shake the thought that an opportunity to become stronger had vanished.

However, they pushed their disappointment aside and focused on Skevin's words.

“Before we begin swordsmanship training, I will check the trainees' skills. Arm yourselves with your swords and reassemble.”

* * *

A short while later.

The knights and trainees stood in the training ground, divided into two groups, facing each other.

“Trainees, feel free to attack the knights standing before you. Knights, you will only defend, without using mana.”

Anticipation filled the trainees’ faces.

Before training under Arthur, the skill gap between them and the knights had been incomparably large.

That was only natural, as the knights had learned the Mana Training Method.

However, through their recent physical conditioning, many trainees now possessed stamina superior to the knights.

If compared on pure physical strength alone, they considered it an even match.

Therefore, not a few trainees expected to be able to overpower the knights in this spar.

Skevin and the knights were aware of this fact, but they showed no sign of it, merely watching with calm expressions.

“Begin!”

Simultaneously with Skevin's cry, the trainees let out a unified shout.

At the same time, their eyes glinted sharply.

They carefully searched for an opening in the knights’ defense.

The knights deliberately revealed openings to draw out the trainees' attacks.

‘There!’

One trainee quickly dashed forward and thrust his sword.

Following him, others launched their attacks from all sides.

Clang!

CRASH!

The knights blocked with their swords, continuously baiting them into attacking.

Meanwhile, Skevin and Hellot assessed their skills and divided them into grades.

About an hour passed like this.

Arthur and Millerf appeared.

As soon as Skevin spotted the two, he shouted in a booming voice.

“Everyone, halt!”

All at once, everyone stopped what they were doing and focused their attention on Skevin.

With a disciplined motion, Skevin turned to Arthur and performed a sharp Sword Salutation.

“Hah!”

Upon Arthur’s appearance, the knights and trainees couldn't hide the delight on their faces.

Arthur walked up to the platform, receiving their fervent gazes.

“Were you in the middle of a group spar?”

“We were grading the trainees before starting the training.”

“I see. When will you be finished?”

“We have just finished.”

“Excellent. Prepare for a temperament test.”

“But sir, that is something conducted after they have taken the Knight’s Oath…”

“The order has changed. I have no intention of following a flawed procedure.”

At Arthur's firm reply, Skevin no longer objected and bowed his head.

“Understood.”

* * *

A moment later.

Skevin divided the trainees into groups by grade and approached Arthur.

“We are ready.”

“Begin.”

At Arthur’s command, Millerf nodded to Skevin.

Skevin sent forward D-group, the weakest of the trainees.

One-third of the 150 trainees belonged to this group.

Millerf had them stand in five rows of ten, then raised his staff and muttered runic words.

A gray light appeared above their heads.

Arthur, standing beside him, asked.

“What does gray signify?”

“Ordinary talent. You can consider Sword Actor level to be their limit.”

“Hmm.”

Arthur thought for a moment, then beckoned for Skevin to come up to the platform.

Skevin came up and stood before him.

“Train them all as scouts.”

“Yes, sir.”

Skevin called Hellot over and relayed Arthur’s instructions.

Then, he called C-group to the front of the platform.

This was the largest of the four groups, numbering a full 70 members.

Once again, Millerf checked their temperaments.

Most of them showed an orange light, though the brightness varied, and a few showed different colors.

“Orange is a temperament specialized in strength. Most knights display this color.”

Arthur nodded and asked about the brightness of the light.

“Then does a brighter light mean a greater ability?”

“That is correct.”

“Alright. Have number 156 step aside.”

As Arthur finished speaking, Skevin had a man with a heavy build step out from the group.

This time, Millerf pointed to the left.

“Do you see the purple light over there?”

“Three of them are standing in a row. What ability are they specialized in?”

“They are individuals specialized in speed and agility.”

“Their builds suggest as much.”

Arthur had those three step aside as well.

Next, the 20 members of B-group came forward.

They all glowed with a silver light.

Among them was one who shone particularly brightly.

“What is that?”

As Arthur tilted his head, Millerf answered with a deep smile.

“The silver light represents a defensive-type knight.”

“Didn’t you say the orange light represented knights?”

“I did. However, those with a silver light have the talent to reach the level of a Sword Expert.”

“A high-ranking knight, you mean. Have number 257 step aside, too. Now only A-group is left.”

“Yes.”

Anticipation showed on Millerf’s face.

Not only him, but everyone was interested in their temperaments.

The members of A-group approached the front of the platform.

There were ten in total, and their gazes were entirely different from the others he had seen so far.

They shone brightly, overflowing with confidence.

“Just like an A-group.”

Skevin also nodded.

“This is exciting.”

“Then, I will check.”

As Millerf chanted the runic words, a blue light appeared above their heads.

Among them was one who shone brightly.

But then, one person’s light grew darker and darker until it turned black.

“Gasp!”

“That’s!”

“This is…”

Even Millerf, who was checking the temperaments, had his face harden slightly.

Arthur asked with an interested expression.

“What’s with that one?”

“Assassins primarily display a black light. Seeing how deep the color is, his talent is considerable. If he were to become an enemy, he would be extremely troublesome to deal with.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Millerf met Arthur’s eyes and continued.

“It is known that those with an assassin’s temperament are so cold-blooded that they would not hesitate to betray their lord, let alone commit murder, according to their own interests. I am against keeping him by your side, my lord.”

Skevin nodded as if in agreement.

“Hmm.”

At their reactions, Arthur silently stared at the man with the black light.

The man, unaware of the temperament he was born with, stared back calmly.

“If a problem arises, I will take responsibility.”

“Young Master!”

Skevin’s face contorted as he raised his voice.

Millerf, on the other hand, looked at Arthur for a moment before bowing his head.

“Understood.”

“The blue light must mean offensive-type knights. The one shining brightly must have talent similar to Skevin’s.”

“You have seen correctly.”

“Good. Numbers 192 and 201, step aside.”

Arthur gathered the trainees who had been set aside in front of the platform.

There were seven in total.

They looked at Arthur with expectant eyes.

“You seven will train with me.”

A man with a blue light asked.

“Have we been chosen?”

“That’s right.”

“As I thought.”

A smile formed on the man’s lips.

“But I don’t know how many of you will be able to endure it.”

“……?”

They all wore puzzled expressions.

Arthur met each of their eyes as he spoke.

“However, if you survive until the end, you will become my direct knights.”

“If we are cut from here, will we be sent to the Phoenix Knights to train?”

This time, it was the man with the silver light.

Arthur let out a smirk.

“There are no second chances. You will be expelled.”

“……!”

All their faces hardened.

“So I will give you a choice. Anyone who wants to remain with the Phoenix Knights and train there may leave.”

It was a moment when they were all exchanging glances, unable to move rashly.

The man with the black light asked.

“What are the advantages of becoming a direct knight?”

Arthur answered firmly without a hint of hesitation.

“Absolute power. You will obtain it.”

“……!”

“And you will stand with me at the forefront, defeating our enemies.”

Everyone’s eyes widened.

It was, quite literally, a dream come true.

And now, the opportunity to achieve it had arrived.

Without a single person hesitating, they answered decisively.

“We will follow you, Young Master!”

*        *        *

“They’re definitely different.”

Skevin nodded.

Once they began tailored training after identifying their temperaments, the trainees showed immediate results.

While this aspect was good, he was slightly displeased about identifying their temperaments before they had even taken the Knight's Oath, and about Arthur creating a new knight order by picking out only the most outstanding trainees.

Still, since Arthur had shown near-miraculous results so far, he decided to trust and follow him.

“Hmm.”

He looked at Arthur with expectant eyes.

For a while now, Arthur had been gathering the trainees and explaining something to them intently.

In the past, he wouldn't have cared in the least, but now he was extremely curious.

All sorts of thoughts ran through his head, wondering if Arthur was passing on his special training know-how to them.

He considered pretending to pass by to eavesdrop, but he felt it would be demeaning.

In any case, the corners of his lips rose at the fact that he was, without realizing it, beginning to rely on Arthur.

‘Who would have thought a day like this would come?’

Skevin grinned and shouted at the trainees who were swinging their swords.

“Faster! Extend your arms with all your might!”

Hah!

The trainees glared and swung their swords with all their strength.

* * *

Meanwhile, Arthur was assigning suitable training to the selected trainees.

“You must finish before sunset. Understood?”

Hah!

They wore grim expressions.

They had the chance to return to the Phoenix Knights, but they had remained.

They had considered joining the Knight Order their life's goal, and now that an opportunity to surpass that and even gain absolute power had come, they weren't foolish enough to let it go.

They judged that it was worth the risk, even if they failed and were expelled.

Above all, having tasted the results of his training, they believed that if they just did as Arthur ordered, they would unconditionally become stronger.

Therefore, they were prepared to endure any and all training.

Once Arthur finished his instructions, he shifted his gaze to Millerf.

“Cast Weight Magic on these men. Their own body weight should be enough.”

“Understood.”

Millerf cast Weight Magic on them.

“Ugh!”

“W-what is this…”

Everyone’s face contorted.

“You will train in this state every day. Check your own physical condition. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting injured and being expelled for no good reason.”

Arthur noticed the man with the orange light.

As if to prove he was specialized in strength, his face looked more at ease compared to the others.

“Looks like you can bear it.”

“This much is… fine.”

“Then you will also wear Plate Armor and go train with Hellot.”

“What?”

The man’s eyes widened.

“Begin training.”

The moment Arthur’s words fell, they moved swiftly.

Those specialized in speed and agility ran toward the West Mountain Range, while the offensive and defensive-type knights moved to Skevin.

Everyone dispersed, and only the man with the assassin’s temperament remained.

“What is your name?”

“It is Draunikartos.”

“That’s difficult.”

Arthur stroked his chin, lost in thought, then a smile touched his lips.

“How about Dark? It seems to suit you.”

“I do not mind what I am called.”

“Then from now on, your name is Dark.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man bowed his head deeply.

Arthur drew the dagger from his lower back and handed it to him.

“Try to attack me with that.”

When Dark showed a moment of hesitation, Arthur mercilessly kicked him in the stomach.

“Kugh!”

Dark collapsed with a thud.

“Don’t hesitate.”

“Suddenly… why are you doing this?”

Arthur looked down at him with eyes as cold as ice.

“Your training is to spar with me.”