Days turned into weeks as Kylian immersed himself in his new role. His knight training began in earnest, with rigorous combat drills under the watchful eyes of seasoned knights. Kylian found himself in the training yard, facing Sir Alaric, a veteran knight known for his strict teaching methods. "Prepare yourself, Kylian," Sir Alaric said, drawing his sword. "We will see if your bravery translates into skill."

  The lesson began with a series of sparring exercises. Kylian attacked with determination, but Sir Alaric parried each strike effortlessly. "Your form is sloppy," Sir Alaric barked, striking Kylian's sword out of his hand. "Again!"

  Kylian picked up his sword and resumed his stance, focusing on his technique. He lunged forward, but Sir Alaric sidestepped and tapped Kylian's shoulder with the flat of his blade. "You leave yourself open. Keep your guard up."

  The drills continued, with Sir Alaric correcting every mistake. "Your footwork is too slow. Move with intent!" Each critique was followed by an intense repetition of the exercise, pushing Kylian to his limits.

  After hours of relentless sparring, Sir Alaric called a halt. "For each mistake you made today, you will bind one extra log to your back and climb the eastern mountain. Begin now."

  Exhausted but resolute, Kylian set off towards the mountain. The climb was grueling, the path steep and unforgiving. His muscles burned, and his breaths came in ragged gasps, but he pushed forward, determined to improve.

  His days continued following a regular pattern. His day began with swordsmanship training followed by mountaineering as punishment, that almost took the first half of the day. His physical training ended by the time of mid-day lunch. He grabs a quick bite and then goes on to do etiquette training.

  In his sessions on etiquette, learning the intricacies of courtly behavior. Under the tutelage of Lady Elara, a refined noblewoman, he learned how to navigate social gatherings, address nobility, and present himself with the dignity befitting a knight of House Arlyn. It was a world far removed from his days as a blacksmith's apprentice, but Kylian adapted, understanding the importance of these lessons.

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  In the evening Kylian's education extended to literature and history, where he learned to read and write with greater proficiency. Under the guidance of Scholar Darius, an elderly but sharp-witted tutor, Kylian delved into the rich history of the continent. His peaceful life continued following this simple routine, with some occasional deviation. When he has an off day or he has to attend an event organized by the lord were his only days away from training, or else he consistently devotes himself to learning and improving himself as much as he can.

  One afternoon, Scholar Darius handed Kylian a stack of books. "These will help you understand the basic history of human civilization," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "I recommend you start with this one. It provides a comprehensive overview of our past and the pivotal events that have shaped our present."

  Kylian took the books, feeling the weight of the knowledge they contained. Before parting with him Darius gave him a soft warning, "Be extra careful with these copies, they are old and delicate, If they are damaged you will have to re-write the whole thing."

  Kylian scanned the thick and heavy books and slowly put them to a side as carefully as he could. And went back to practicing his writing with quills and ink, for which his early lessons from his father provided a solid foundation. The future was uncertain, but with each lesson, Kylian felt more prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

  One evening, after a particularly grueling day of training, Kylian settled into his quarters, as the moonlight filtered through the window, Kylian took out a book from Darius's recommendation. The cover was worn, and the pages yellowed with age. He looked at the title of the book "The Age of Sage". The title itself raised a series of questions, after contemplating a little he gave in to his curiosity. He gently opened the old book, the musty smell of old paper filling the air. As he began to read, he saw the first line:

  "In an era long before the borders have fragmented mankind, there flourished a realm of magic and myth across the ancient lands."