While Ellis had already begun doubting the credibility of the knight path, that didn't stop him from saying, "Wow, that's so cool."
And he continued with his flattery for a while before finally asking, "Will I be able to do that too?"
"Of course."
"… When you grow up, you'll naturally be able to do that."
Ellis felt a chill run down his spine.
A strong urge rose within him to scream, No! at those words with uncertain tone from Galen.
When you grow up.
That phrase echoed in his mind, bringing him back to his childhood on Earth, to a time when he had asked his mother, "Can I marry you, Mom?"
And she would simply give him a smile, full of warmth, replying, "When you grow up."
He could still picture her face clearly, still hear her gentle voice.
And somehow, in this moment, he got the exact same vibe again.
So just how long is he really supposed to wait until he can finally perform even these weak moves?
Ellis, filled with despair, wondered.
… Did Galen catch on to his gloomy mood?
He suddenly said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. As long as you don't neglect your training, then it really won't be long before you're able to do the same moves."
Training… he really didn't mind going through it. But at this moment, Ellis felt like he understood something.
If before it was Silas or now Galen, whenever they talked about knights… all they would ever mention was training.
He had actually refused to believe Silas back then, chalking up what she told him to the fact that she hadn't completed her training… that she had withdrawn halfway through, so there had to be something more. Something she just didn't know about.
He had hoped she missed something.
But now, in this moment, he was forced to acknowledge it.
Maybe, really, everything came down to training.
And while Ellis didn't mind training, he wanted to do it effectively, efficiently, not like this.
Stamina training, body building, basic sword moves, and now the "cool moves" Galen had shown him.
Everything was too physical.
And while that wasn't a problem, since, at the end of the day, they were pursuing physical strength, it still made him wonder…
Were there no theories?
No books?
Because at the end of the day, what Ellis had really wanted was a technique with its explanation written out.
A book.
A fucking book.
One that explained things methodically, systematically, clearly—not just "train and you'll get it."
He wanted a book, so he could find everything he needed, and then decide the best way to do HIS OWN TRAINING.
Ellis took a deep breath, calming his turbulent emotions.
Then he finally returned to his childish expression and asked, "But… is there no book explaining these moves in detail? So that I could refer to it, you know, if you weren't available?"
"As… you're always so busy, and I wouldn't always be able to find you."
For Ellis, who had now come to terms with the fact that he couldn't expect any more useful information from Galen, whether it was about acquiring Aura or raising his constitution.
The Aura Technique had become his last hope.
"Well… though I never bothered reading it, there should be a book related to this Aura Technique," Galen replied, sounding uncertain. Then he added, "But… it's the complete technique. I was just going to teach you a few moves."
Noticing the odd look Galen was giving him, as if he were asking about something strange, Ellis, for the first time, felt like he understood why knights were looked down upon in this kingdom.
But he didn't care about any of that.
He just sighed in relief at what he heard.
Because he felt like maybe, just maybe, he had finally found his salvation.
Ellis stared at Galen with his big eyes, sparkling… practically sending him a telepathic message: I want that book.
He wasn't prepared to take years figuring out the technique through blind training like the man in front of him… someone who had actually become the royal knight commander, but still hadn't read the book related to the very technique he practiced.
"… Look, Your Highness, it's not that I can't give you the book. But how can I know that you won't try some moves that are still too difficult for you to do on your own after reading it?"
Galen, who firmly believed that one couldn't become a knight just by reading, still had to voice his worry.
And Ellis, in a serious tone, asked back, "Don't you trust me?"
'Actually, I don't.'
That was what Galen wanted to say.
Because really, someone who trained until he collapsed was not convincing in any way.
In the end, he shook his head and, instead of replying directly, turned his gaze toward the maid standing at a distance, watching them.
He didn't actually see a problem with the prince's request.
After all, even if Ellis wanted to, he couldn't perform the more advanced moves yet. It was simply… impossible.
But just to be sure, he figured someone should keep an eye on him.
And that overly protective maid, always standing there, never seeming to get tired, was probably fit for the job.
Silas, who already understood what Galen was about to say even before he opened his mouth, spoke up on her own, "I can watch over the prince, so he doesn't go overboard with his training."
Satisfied, Galen turned back to the prince and, with a sigh, finally agreed to bring him the book tomorrow.
He looked at the prince, who was clearly struggling to hide his joy, and, without commenting on it, began speaking.
"Your Highness, do you know that knights are supposed to train only the basic moves during their first two years of training?"
"And even for those who've already awakened their Aura, they still aren't taught the Aura Technique right away?"
Without waiting for an answer, Galen provided it himself.
"Because the fundamentals are just that important."
"And Aura alone was never the criteria for measuring how good a knight is."
"Because if you can't even hit your opponent, then Aura doesn't mean anything."
"So don't focus just on the flashy moves of the Aura Technique."
"Instead, divide your time equally between the basics and the technique."
"…You'll need to balance things out."
Galen continued giving his warning, even adding that he would personally test him from time to time.
But Ellis, while grateful for Galen, honestly didn't give a shit about any of that.
… Naturally, he planned to keep training his swordsmanship.
But just trying the easy moves of the Aura Technique?
That was impossible!
'Well, it's a different story if I'm actually able to raise my constitution and awaken Aura just by trying the easy ones.'
While, thinking that to himself, the training session with Galen continued.