“Formation Seventeen, followed by One! Skip the formation—go as you just did!”

At the same time, Yuder was watching the knights rapidly shift formations with almost manic intensity and thinking exactly the same thing Kishiar had earlier.

“This is way more fun than I expected.”

The knights of Peleta responded in a way unlike any other order Yuder had faced. At first, they seemed just like the countless knights he’d met in his previous life—but the further the spar progressed, the more uniquely their momentum evolved.

No matter how tough things got, they didn’t give up. Even while tumbling on the ground, they quickly analyzed the enemy’s movements and identified why they had lost. Using that, they re-engaged, again and again, gradually refining their tactics.

What had been easily escapable at first was now starting to feel genuinely threatening if he let his guard down for even a second. The incident with his torn coat had caught even Yuder off guard—and that made it exhilarating.

“As expected of tactics devised by Kishiar.”

Each individual might be ordinary, but the power their formations produced together was anything but. The tactics used by the Peleta knights were tailor-made for them. Even if others were to learn and attempt the same formations, they could never replicate this level of effectiveness—because the attacks required many who had completely mastered the intricate details of those tactics to function smoothly. The more they trained, the more powerful they became. That alone impressed Yuder immensely.

Dividing up countless enemy types and calculating immense combinations of scenarios—then assessing allied forces more thoroughly than even the individuals themselves—it was only through such exhaustive planning that these tactics could have been born. They looked simple, but the principles were anything but. It had just taken a lot of effort to make them easy to learn.

“How long must he have studied and thought to come up with this?”

Everything was so precise, so refined—it was almost beautiful. It was hard to believe Kishiar had made this when he was even younger than he is now.

“And without even facing an enemy directly or fighting alongside allies.”

There were so many things one could only understand through firsthand experience. Yet the formations unfolding before his eyes didn’t feel lacking at all, despite being made only from indirect knowledge.

Yuder dodged the strikes aiming to restrain his movements and threw a dagger—but it shattered before it could pierce the formation built from coordinated teamwork.

“That’s... how many weapons now?”

The knights hadn’t noticed yet, but Yuder was running low on weapons. They were all using the same practice-grade equipment, yet Yuder’s were breaking faster and more often. That alone spoke to how powerful the knights’ tactics had become.

“Even in my past life, I used to break multiple weapons in battle... but never this many in a single fight.”

Getting through the knights to fetch a replacement weapon was harder than expected. Technically, he didn’t need a weapon—but Yuder wanted to keep pressing them, to squeeze them past their limits using as many different approaches as possible.

He wanted to savor a bit longer the unique joy of moving across a board crafted by a younger Kishiar and making his own moves upon it.

Yuder glanced briefly to the side. He’d already noticed that Kishiar and Nathan Zuckerman had arrived. He was also adjusting his power to ensure that no stray debris flew their way—just in case.

They might’ve looked like they were watching casually from their chairs, but deep in those red eyes, Yuder saw the same kind of thrill that filled his own. Just as he was reading every piece of Kishiar’s mind through this spar, Kishiar was also watching every motion Yuder made, not missing a single detail, as if recording it all.

Even though neither had stepped onto the board, this was already another tactical game in itself.

“If Kishiar had personally commanded the knights, I wouldn’t have been able to toy with them this freely.”

Yuder’s eyes darkened. The knights who locked eyes with that predator-like, expectation-filled gaze felt chills down their backs—and at the same time, an inferno of fighting spirit rising within them. Their grip on their weapons tightened.

And so, the time burned hot and fast. Once the screams had begun to fade, Nathan Zuckerman stepped down from the platform and moved between Yuder and the knights.

“I believe that’s enough for today.”

Yuder had anticipated he’d step in around this point, so he lowered the staff in his hand. But the exhausted knights, taken by surprise, looked around in shock.

“L-Lord Zuckerman?”

“When did you arrive...?”

“Oh no. Even the Duke is here...!”

As the knights reeled, Kishiar rose from his seat and clapped his hands with a smile blooming like a flower.

“A splendid spar. I’m glad to confirm that no one has neglected their training in my absence. I won’t forget this wonderful moment before we leave Peleta.”

All the knights dropped to one knee in unison toward him. Yuder placed a hand lightly over his chest and bowed his head in the Cavalry style. Kishiar returned the gesture with a smile.

“I ordered Nathan to intervene before anyone got seriously injured. Tenacity is important—but knowing when to withdraw is one of the tactics the Peleta Cavalry must master as well, don’t you think?”

“Yes, sir!”

Their voices were loud, even though they could barely stand without using their swords for support. Their grit truly rivaled that of the Cavalry.

Watching them, Weliven also allowed himself a faint, satisfied smile.

“Good. Then everyone, disperse and get yourselves treated. I trust no one will act recklessly just because they feel fine. And whatever you may have learned from today’s match—don’t forget it. Let it become the foundation for future growth.”

The knights staggered to their feet. Yuder assumed they’d turn and leave—but instead, they all headed straight toward him.

“Baron Aile! I learned a lot today.”

The one who’d been thrown by Yuder the most gave a hearty laugh and bowed.

Yuder blinked. Other knights began chiming in one after another.

“Ha... it felt like facing a mountain I couldn’t ever climb. Not since watching Lord Zuckerman train when I first joined have I felt like that.”

“So the Cavalry trains with you like this every day? I always wondered how they had such monstrous stamina—but now I finally get it.”

“Uh, I saw you shoot a bow once and was stunned... I was hoping you’d do something like that today too, but all I got was beaten down instead. Bit of a shame... Think we can look forward to next time?”

“Yeah! If you visit Peleta again, please come back here at least once! I’ll do better next time!”

“......”

Though they all still looked visibly intimidated by Yuder, none of them bore resentment or malice. One even foolishly asked for a stronger display of power. Yuder wondered if they realized they might not even be alive if he had used just a little more of his strength.

It was a strange feeling—but also comforting. Like how he felt with the Cavalry.

As Yuder silently watched the knights retreat after spouting their words about the spar, he turned his head. Kishiar, looking like someone deeply moved by a heartwarming scene, made a show of wiping away nonexistent tears with a big grin.

Yuder let out a quiet exhale at the ridiculous display, just as Nathan Zuckerman approached and took the staff from his hand.

“I’ll collect this now.”

“Ah, yes.”

“A bit of a shame. If you hadn’t run out of weapons, I might’ve joined in myself.”

His words carried a genuine note of regret. Yuder chuckled softly.

“I could still go another round, if you’d like. Shall we?”

“As much as I want to, if we kept going, I don’t think this training ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) ground would be usable ever again.”

Nathan cast a glance across the shattered weapon fragments and the numerous holes in the ground. Yuder nodded and casually rolled his shoulders.

“Understood. I’m sure we’ll see each other again in the capital. There will be more chances. I’ll help clean up, so don’t worry.”

Turning to Kishiar, Yuder released the remaining energy in his body across the training ground. The earth trembled and filled itself in, smoothing the surface, while the wind swept up the debris and gathered it neatly into one spot. All those watching stood slack-jawed.

“Baron Aile.”

As soon as he stepped onto the platform, Weliven came running with a look of deep emotion and took Yuder’s hand, shaking it vigorously.

“Thank you so much for answering our sudden request. As commander of the Peleta Cavalry—and as a knight—it’s been a tremendous experience. I don’t even know how to begin expressing my gratitude...”

“Please don’t say that. It was just as valuable an experience for me.”