"I will."

After saying their goodbyes, Lionel entered the carriage while the others stayed outside. He won’t be bringing anyone with him because he was there to train and not to have fun.

The imperial army has a few strict rules, especially for nobles like him.

Unlike any other place where noble children could freely bring servants, attendants, or personal guards around them, the training grounds were different.

Once someone officially entered training, everyone would be treated almost equally, regardless of status.

Nobles were not allowed to bring personal attendants to serve them inside the grounds. That means there are no maids to prepare clothes for them, no servants to carry things around, no personal chefs, and even no personal guards.

The purpose of these rules was simple.

The empire wanted future knights to learn discipline properly instead of relying on their family status. Even high-ranking nobles had to clean their own rooms, maintain their own weapons, and train together with everyone else.

After all, in real battle and situations, you can’t really rely on anyone other than yourself. Of course, there were still differences in treatment behind the scenes depending on family influence, but openly breaking the rules was prohibited.

"My lord, please take care of yourself," Diana spoke worriedly while standing outside the carriage window.

"I will be back later, Diana," Lionel could only chuckle lightly after hearing them. "I’m just getting introduced to my superiors and also getting to know the imperial army more. It’s still a week away before I stay there as a trainee."

Diana sighed at that, but there was still worry in her eyes.

"As long as you take care of yourself, my lord."

"I will." Lionel smiled and nodded at it.

"Now, I shall go."

Soon, the carriage slowly rolled forward and left the Exelio estate behind.

Lionel leaned slightly against the carriage seat while quietly looking down at the sword resting beside him. He didn’t expect his father to prepare something like this for him.

However, not even a minute later, he suddenly heard something.

’Master! Look out! Master, look out!’ A familiar voice suddenly echoed inside his head.

Lionel’s forehead instantly creased at that.

That voice... His eyes widened when he realized where it came from.

Without hesitation, he quickly lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside. The moment he did, something immediately greeted his sight. High above the sky, a familiar bird was currently flying in circles above the carriage that he was riding.

Its wings spread wide as it moved freely through the air while following them from above.

"This bird..." The corner of his lips curled up.

’Master! Master!’ The small bird let out another cheerful cry inside his head.

The bird continuously circled the carriage happily as if it were sending him off properly. It almost looked like it was wishing him good luck before his first day at the Imperial Knights’ Training Grounds.

A faint smile slowly appeared on Lionel’s face after seeing that. The small bird continued circling around the carriage proudly while the wind brushed past its feathers.

Lionel quietly looked up at it for a few more seconds before lightly shaking his head.

"Thank you," he muttered softly.

The bird immediately sounded even happier after hearing him. He didn’t know how the bird could hear him at such a distance.

’Master! Be Safe! Be Safe!’

Lionel could not help but chuckle lightly at the strange way it spoke inside his head. The bird circled around once more before eventually flying higher into the sky to go back to its home.

He finally lowered the carriage curtain again after that. The carriage continued moving forward, and as time passed, the scenery outside gradually changed.

The massive structures of the imperial palace eventually appeared from afar. However, instead of heading toward the grand main gates where he usually enters, his carriage moved toward the back side of the palace grounds instead.

This area was much quieter and had a far more serious atmosphere. Tall stone walls surrounded the area while armed imperial soldiers stood guard near every meter of the place.

Soon enough, the carriage finally slowed down before stopping completely in front of the gates.

"We’ve arrived, young master," the coachman spoke respectfully from outside.

Lionel took a deep breath before reaching for the sword beside him. Then, he stepped out of the carriage alone.

"Thank you," he briefly nodded to the coachmen before his eyes went to the massive wooden doors in front. When a soldier noticed him, the man walked forward.

"Who are you and why are you here?" The soldier formally asked.

"I came here to train under the Imperial Army." Lionel calmly looked at the man before answering.

The soldier’s eyes briefly scanned Lionel from head to toe afterward. His gaze paused slightly on the sword hanging by Lionel’s side before returning to his face again.

"Letter of acceptance?"

Lionel nodded lightly before reaching inside his coat. Soon, he took out an official document sealed with the imperial insignia. The soldier accepted it and opened it carefully.

The soldier’s expression changed slightly after recognizing the seal and signature written on it.

So this was one of the new trainees personally accepted into the Imperial Knights’ Training Grounds. The soldier slightly nodded before folding the paper again and handing it back toward Lionel.

"You’re cleared to enter."

Lionel accepted the letter quietly and placed it in his pocket once more.

"Let’s go, young man." The soldier stepped aside afterward before gesturing toward the massive gates.

Lionel nodded and followed. Just like that, the title of "young master" or "my lord" disappeared. In the army, there were no noble titles, except if you held a position. However, everyone entering training started as trainees first before anything else.

Soon, with the soldier’s instruction, the massive wooden gates slowly opened wider.

*Creeeak—

The moment Lionel stepped inside, the atmosphere instantly changed.

Clang!

"Hah!"

"Again!"

Loud shouts and the sounds of weapons colliding continuously echoed throughout the massive training grounds. Rows upon rows of soldiers trained under the bright sunlight.

Some were sparring with wooden swords while others practiced formation drills with shields and spears. There were also trainees running around the grounds carrying heavy sandbags while the instructors loudly gave orders from every direction.

The entire place felt rough, disciplined, and intense. Dust also filled the air while the smell of sweat and iron lingered everywhere.

Lionel’s eyes slowly moved around the area carefully. Honestly, it felt completely different from the peaceful atmosphere they have in their own training grounds.

When the soldier noticed his expression, "You’ll get used to it eventually," he suddenly spoke while walking forward.

Lionel followed quietly from behind him. As they walked deeper inside the grounds, more and more people began glancing toward Lionel briefly. It was mainly because Lionel looked too young to join the army.

The soldier eventually stopped in front of a large stone building located near the center of the grounds.

Several imperial flags fluttered above it while heavily armed knights guarded the entrance.

"This is where new trainees report first," the soldier explained to him before he glanced toward Lionel once more.

"From here onward, follow your superior’s orders properly. Nobody cares who your family is inside these grounds."

"I understand." Lionel slowly nodded after hearing that.

Continue this with him reporting for his arrival inside. The soldier will led him inside and everything.

"I understand." Lionel slowly nodded after hearing that.

"Follow me." The soldier gave one final glance toward him before turning around again.

Lionel quietly followed him. The moment they entered the large stone building, the noise from outside became slightly muffled. However, the serious atmosphere inside remained the same.

The halls inside were wide and plain with almost no decorations around. Unlike the luxurious parts of the imperial palace, this building focused more on practicality than appearance.

Imperial soldiers continuously walked past them while carrying documents, weapons, or armor pieces. Some looked exhausted from training, while others were calmly discussing schedules and assignments with each other on the side.

Soon enough, the soldier led Lionel toward a large desk located near the center of the hall. Behind it sat a middle-aged man wearing a dark imperial uniform.

"Sir, we have a new arrival," the soldier spoke formally.

The man behind the desk briefly lifted his eyes from the documents in front of him before looking toward Lionel.

"Name?"

"Lionel Exelio."

The man’s hand paused briefly at the mention of his family’s name. "Age?"

"15."

"Weapon specialization?"

"Swords," Lionel answered again.

The man nodded while writing everything down calmly.

"Any previous combat training?"

"Yes."

"How long?"

"A few years."

The official continued asking several more questions afterward while recording everything neatly on paper.

"You’ll officially begin full trainee residence next week," he explained calmly. "Today is mainly for registration, orientation, and evaluation."

"Understood, Sir." Lionel nodded lightly.

The official reached toward the side afterward before handing Lionel a small metal plate with engraved numbers on it.

"This is your trainee identification."

Lionel accepted it quietly.

"Don’t lose it. You’ll need it for weapon storage, lodging assignments, meal access, and training records."

"Yes, Sir."

The man leaned back slightly afterward before speaking once more. "You’ll be guided to the evaluation grounds shortly. Perform your best because that’s will decide what unit you’ll be joining."

"Understood, Sir."