The palace training grounds buzzed with activity.
The rhythmic clash of steel echoed across the yard as knights sparred beneath the morning sun.
Some practiced swordsmanship.
Others trained with spears or bows.
Everywhere Cassius looked...
There were soldiers pushing themselves to their limits.
"...So this is where Levi was supposed to start."
He muttered quietly.
A nearby knight noticed him and immediately stood at attention.
"Young Master."
Cassius nodded politely.
"Good morning."
"...May I ask where the Knight Captain is?"
The knight pointed toward a modest building overlooking the training grounds.
"Straight ahead."
"The last office at the end."
"He's usually there."
"...Usually?"
The knight awkwardly coughed.
"...You'll see."
Cassius wasn't sure what that meant.
"...Thank you."
He made his way toward the building before stopping outside the final office.
Taking a deep breath...
He knocked.
"Captain?"
No answer.
"...Captain?"
Still nothing.
Cassius slowly opened the door.
"...I'm here for my-"
His words caught in his throat.
Loud snores echoed throughout the room.
There, slumped over his desk...
Was the Knight Captain.
Fast asleep.
"..."
Cassius blinked.
"...Captain."
Another snore.
"...Captain."
Nothing.
He inhaled deeply.
"CAPTAIN!"
The man shot upright.
"WHO THE FU-"
His eyes landed on Cassius.
"...Oh."
"Young Master."
He scratched the back of his head before letting out an enormous yawn.
"So..."
"You actually accepted His Majesty's offer."
"I figured you'd spend the rest of your life staying as frail as a twig."
Cassius frowned.
"I may be thin..."
"...But at least I'm smart."
The Captain lazily waved a hand.
"Brains."
"Muscles."
"Both are useful."
He paused.
"...I prefer naps."
Cassius stared.
"...You're the Knight Captain."
"I am."
"...Shouldn't you be... training knights?"
"I trained them yesterday."
He shrugged.
"They'll remember."
Cassius opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then opened it again.
"...So..."
"When do we begin?"
The Captain leaned back in his chair.
"Hm..."
He looked around the office.
"...Actually."
"I'm feeling rather tired today."
Cassius immediately narrowed his eyes.
The Captain pointed toward the stacks of books, scattered documents, and dusty shelves surrounding them.
"Clean the office."
Cassius blinked.
"...Excuse me?"
"It counts as physical exercise."
"...You're making me do your chores."
The Captain nodded without shame.
"Correct."
"Now get started."
The moment he finished speaking...
He folded his arms.
Rested his head on the desk.
And promptly fell asleep again.
Within seconds...
The familiar snoring returned.
Cassius remained standing.
"..."
"..."
"...He's serious."
Five minutes passed.
The snoring never stopped.
Cassius sighed.
"...Damn it."
—
An hour later...
The office looked completely different.
Books were neatly arranged.
The floor had been swept.
Even the Captain's desk was spotless.
Cassius wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"...Captain."
No response.
"...Captain."
Still snoring.
"...Captain."
Nothing.
His eyebrow twitched.
"...Hey, dipsh-"
He caught himself.
"...Captain."
The Knight Captain stirred.
"Hm?"
"Oh."
"You're done already?"
Cassius forced a smile.
"...Yes."
The Captain stretched lazily before standing.
"Not bad."
"Now..."
He grabbed a wooden training sword from the rack.
"Head outside."
"Swing this..."
"...A thousand times."
Cassius stared at the wooden sword.
"...I've never held one before."
"How exactly am I supposed to swing it a thousand times..."
"...If I don't even know the proper stance?"
The Captain scratched his chin.
"...Fair point."
He let out a long sigh.
"Fine."
"I suppose I should do my job."
He stumbled out of the office, still looking as though he'd rather be asleep.
"Come on."
"I'll teach you how to stand."
"How to grip a sword."
"And how not to embarrass yourself."
Cassius followed behind him.
A relieved smile finally appeared on his face.
"...Now we're getting somewhere."