Anton and I were running side-by-side in the courtyard in the early morning.
I had requested to run the perimeter of the castle walls once, but the idea was rejected for security reasons. In the end, we settled on running lap after lap around a course in the courtyard.
I circulated Physical Enhancement throughout my body. The moment I channeled my mana, the rebound in my step changed. My arms and legs were still so slender they could be mistaken for a girl’s, yet the power behind my stride could clearly rival that of a full-grown Official Knight.
It was a strange feeling.
Running had been a daily routine ever since I finished my rehabilitation. It felt like a lifetime ago that I used to get out of breath after only a hundred steps; now, I could keep pace with Anton. My body had memorized the movements as a dispassionate morning routine.
My breath quickened. My heart rate climbed, and sweat beaded on my forehead. This was something Recovery Magic couldn’t help with.
"Shall we move on to the next exercise?"
"Yeah."
With only that brief exchange, we began running again.
◇◇◇
After our run, we moved on to practice swings and form training with a dagger.
In my hand was the dagger Father had given me. It was a single blade, still tucked in its leather sheath, with a length scaled for a child’s hand. Large swords were still too heavy for me to wield properly. This size was just right.
"Please release your Physical Enhancement."
Following Anton’s instructions, I held the dagger with arms devoid of magic. My natural body felt shockingly unreliable compared to when I had the enhancement active. I couldn't put any real strength into my grip. Even so, Anton refused to budge on the principle that one must release their enhancement during practice swings.
"Enhancement is merely a supplement. If you apply it to movements that have no foundation, your form will collapse."
From the front to the side, then from the side diagonally downward. I repeated the forms dozens of times. We weren't sparring yet; at this stage of my recovery, we were focusing on rebuilding my body through repetitive swings.
As the repetitions mounted, my shoulders began to burn and grew heavy with a numbing ache. Eventually, feeling as though I couldn't manage another swing, I stopped.
However, after a brief rest, that numbness vanished in the blink of an eye. With just a couple of shoulder rolls, I was ready to start the next set.
—Come to think of it.
Ever since I was kidnapped, I haven't once felt muscle pain the day after training. I clearly remember that when I started running before the kidnapping—back when I was seven—my legs were always sore the next morning. I remember thinking "Ow" every time I had to go down the stairs.
But now, it never comes.
Thinking only that it was a bit odd, I adjusted my grip on the dagger.
◇◇◇
Having finished the practice swings, Anton and I sat down in a corner of the courtyard and wiped our sweat.
The sun was already high, and the shadows cast by the castle walls had shrunk. I took a swallow of water drawn from the well and let out a deep breath.
"The strength of your Physical Enhancement has clearly increased," Anton stated.
"Maybe it's because I was desperately using Physical Enhancement while I was being tortured?"
I murmured blankly, as if talking about someone else. Back then, I had kept mana circulating through my body in a frantic effort to make my wounds even slightly smaller. If that experience led to my current strength, it was a cruel irony.
I heard a grinding sound come from Anton’s direction.
Realizing I shouldn't have brought it up, I intentionally ignored him and looked down at my slender arms.
"…But I just can't seem to put on any muscle," I sighed in a light, complaining tone.
Anton hesitated for a moment before beginning to explain.
"Among knights, it is often said that one must not use Recovery Magic immediately after training. If you use magic to erase the muscle pain and fatigue born from exertion, the body will not 'remember' the training. That is why we rest without relying on magic for a certain period after practice."
"Therefore—in Lord Rein's case…"
Anton’s words trailed off.
His gaze fell to my thin arms and slight chest, then stayed there. His mouth was clamped shut, and he said nothing more.
—Ah. So that’s it…
The logic suddenly clicked into place.
My body is constantly performing Automatic Recovery by instinct. It is a process that operates on its own, regardless of my will. Therefore, I am fundamentally unable to suppress the recovery after training. Any muscle pain caused by exercise is erased the moment it appears.
That’s why it’s so hard for me to gain muscle.
The sense of wrongness I’d felt since starting rehab—the fact that I never got sore—was finally explained.
Anton must have heard about my constitution. That was why he couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
—But.
It didn't mean the training was entirely meaningless. The fact that I’d been able to start running again was proof of that. Even if it was inefficient, it would yield results little by little if I kept at it. I just had to keep trying.
Steeling my resolve, I gave Anton a bright, lighthearted nod.
"Then I’ll just have to work twice as hard as everyone else."
Anton lowered his voice and muttered to himself, almost like a growl.
"…That woman… I shouldn't have handed her over. I should have done more to her myself…"
"Anton?"
When I called out to him, Anton snapped back to reality and gave a short bow.
"—No, Lord Rein. My apologies."
While we were talking, the heat of the exercise had already completely left my body.
◇◇◇
We gathered as a family in the dining hall for breakfast.
Father, Mother, Mother Sophie, Elder Sister Heide, Liese, Rose, and Big Sister Therese were all there. Elder Brother Albrecht’s seat was empty, as he was away at the Regional Academy finishing his studies before graduation. Mira and Lina stood quietly by the wall.
It seemed Father had something specific to discuss today.
"Rein. Ordinarily, you would have started at the Regional Academy at age twelve. We delayed your enrollment because of Lina’s treatment, but it is about time you entered. There is an entrance exam, but with your current academic level, it shouldn't be a problem."
Father continued, his tone authoritative yet warm.
"The Academy isn't just about book learning; it's a place to acquire practical skills and build social connections. You won't regret attending."
I nodded silently.
The talk of "someday" suddenly felt like it had moved much closer.
Big Sister Therese smiled softly at me.
"I’ve heard that proficiency in Recovery Magic is also recognized as a requirement for advancement. Let's do our best with that too."
"I will. I'll work hard."
At the time, I felt like the path to my future was finally becoming clear.
However, the very next day, the sound of galloping hooves echoed from the direction of the castle gates early in the morning, and my plans for the future were irrevocably altered.