Within a cave, Sieg remained silent as he watched the knight whip out a meal. His hands were quite skilled with chopping; the boy didn't know how to cook, so perhaps the simple act of cooking might come off as impressive to him.
Though he must say, the cave was quite well decorated. There was a space filled with swords and all kinds of gear, tables, and a comfortable-looking couch.
But one thing didn't make sense to Sieg. Having a bonfire inside the cave seemed dangerous; it would've been better if it were lit near the entrance and not within the cave. However, he noticed that the smoke from the bonfire also didn't make sense. There was no smoke at all! Yet there was warmth and heat.
His mind experienced a headache at the sight of trial physics. Now that he thought about it, where does the knight even get the ingredients and wood for all of this? He was pretty sure that part of the mountain was way too far from any civilization and trees! Besides, it was winter! And why was a man, half-naked with a knight helmet, living alone here?! Also, if there were no animals, does that mean the ingredients he used in that food are other humans?!
Then the knight must be a hairless yeti! A cannibal! Sieg was genuinely done for!
"It's no use making sense of something you can't understand within this domain, you're only wasting your time."
The mysterious man spoke. Sieg flinched, as the man suddenly made a move.
Please don't eat me! Please don't eat me!
"Did the air made you flinched? I suggest you calm yourself, here, eat." The knight handed over a plate that had a bowl and a cup of water, and Sieg didn't question it, he politely took the food.
"Thanks-" The boy began eating but his gaze was on the Knight's helmet, waiting for him to remove it.
At least his not eating me, and the meat looks normal…
"Focus on your meal, I have no intention of removing this visor anytime soon, and… I'm no cannibal…"
"Right." Sieg nodded in nervousness, and did exactly what the knight said, the boy tasted the soup, to his pleasant surprise it was quite delicious.
"What the hell is this?" Sieg murmured, it was a hearty, comforting dish made by simmering beef and vegetables in a rich, savory liquid until the meat fell apart and tender.
Key ingredients include beef chuck, potatoes, carrots, onions, and beef broth, with the enhancement of wine, herbs, and spices.
For slum boys like him — this was a step above typical canned foods, porridge, bread and rice, a gourmet meal if you may.
Although Sieg's manners were lacking, he ate loudly and was making quite the mess; however, the knight doesn't seem to mind, as he would rather focus on sharpening his magnificent long-sword resembling those found within the renaissance period.
The boy devoured his meal, and quenched his thirst, he finished, then set aside his used utensils right beside the bed, he carefully faced the knight, he still had quite the numerous questions that needed answers.
"Thank you, for the food." Sieg said, gratitude in his tone.
"But, who are you? And why did you save me?" Sieg cautiously asked, his fingers discreetly reaching for the longsword's handle.
"If you fail again, the mountain will offer no second chance, and I do not save those who cannot bear their own weight."
…"What?"That does not answer any of Sieg's questions…
For a second the knight didn't say anything — He set aside his sword and continued to stoke the fire.
"If you can glare at me, that means you can stand. Come, pick up your sword, we'll continue your trial."
The logic made no sense to Sieg; however, his body felt perfectly fine. He could move, he could fight. At this point, he wouldn't have put it past the Mysterious Knight to have worked some kind of miracle on him.
Siege held his longsword and stood up from his bed, with limbs seemingly in pristine condition, but he wasn't gonna question it.
The Knight was some sort of mentor or trial guide; Sieg didn't think the man was an enemy. If he had to fight him — so be it.
The knight gazed at him for a few seconds, and under the helmet was a fascinated man, he was genuinely baffled that the boy didn't complain even once.
"Good…" the knight said, he gestured for Sieg to follow him to an open space within the cave.
I see, that's what he wants. Sieg followed, then moved a few pace away from the knight.
"The flow of time has little meaning here. Day, night… it matters not. We shall train, and train again, until I am satisfied with your progress, do you understand?"
"I understand…" Sieg mentally prepared himself.
"There will be rest, I'll provide the meals, I trust you know that none of it ends until I deem you ready?"
Sieg was indeed nervous, but you don't get to be trained by some cool-looking knight everyday, he knew this was a golden opportunity.
He was exhausted from being a pitiful slum boy. Perhaps, if his mother saw him at the end of this, she would be proud.
"Yes, sir… Day or night, however long it takes, please, shape me into a proper man, however you see fit."
"Before we begin, there's one thing you must never do in my presence…" the knight suddenly asked.
Siege felt nervous. "What is it?"
"Never look at your attributes, not a single glance at them during your time with me."
At first, the boy was confused. I mean, what's the hurdle in checking one's progress? Although, since this was a trial, he didn't dare question it, one of those things he just needed to accept.
Sieg took a deep breath. "I promise, Mister Knight, you have my word."
The knight inclined his head slightly.
"Good. Then we begin."
Chapter End.