"Uncle Sam, I want to become a knight too. Can I start training as well?" Michael asked.
Uncle Sam was shocked. Michael had always hated training in the past. Whenever Uncle Sam had tried to encourage him to train, Michael would either ignore him or become angry. As a child, Michael had endured harsh training under Earl Norrington, who had been relentless and unforgiving. The constant comparisons to his more talented brother had crushed Michael's enthusiasm, and he had eventually given up on becoming a knight.
But now, seeing Michael's determination, Uncle Sam was overjoyed. "It's not too late," he said. "You're only 16, just reaching adulthood. If you work hard, you can definitely achieve something."
"Then it's decided," Michael said. "We'll start training tomorrow morning."
Uncle Sam nodded. "Tomorrow's schedule will be knight training at 5 a.m., followed by the selection of soldiers in the afternoon."
After discussing a few more details, Uncle Sam left the study, and Michael began planning his next steps.
The next day, Michael woke up earlier than usual. He had gone to bed early the night before, as there were no other activities to keep him awake. Without enough light or candles for nighttime activities, the villagers—and Michael—typically retired early.
However, this morning, Michael was awakened even earlier by Uncle Sam, who stood by his bed with a determined expression. It was clear that Uncle Sam didn't want Michael to regret his decision to train.
Despite feeling groggy and annoyed, Michael didn't want to disappoint Uncle Sam. He also knew that gaining some ability to protect himself was essential. After drinking a glass of lukewarm water—a healthy habit he planned to maintain—Michael followed Uncle Sam to the castle garden for their morning exercise.
When they arrived, Michael was surprised to see a complete setup of exercise tools in the garden. It was clear that Uncle Sam had put a lot of effort into preparing for this moment, and Michael was moved by his dedication.
Standing face-to-face with Uncle Sam, Michael began to warm up, moving his legs and arms impatiently. "So, where do we start?" he asked eagerly.
Uncle Sam replied, "By standing still."
Michael awkwardly stopped his movements and stood still, waiting for further instructions. Uncle Sam nodded in approval and then asked, "Before we begin, how much do you know or remember about extraordinary knights and mages?"
Michael thought for a moment before answering, "They're people who have acquired extraordinary powers, different from ordinary mortals, through various methods. Am I right?"
Uncle Sam was surprised by how close Michael's answer was. "You're nearly correct. They transcend mortal limits to achieve extraordinary abilities. Do you know how they do that?"
Michael hesitated before replying, "Well, from their names, I'd guess knights gain their power through physical training—speed, strength, stamina—transcending normal human limits. Mages, on the other hand, use knowledge and spiritual power to generate extraordinary abilities."
Uncle Sam was stunned. He hadn't expected Michael to answer so accurately. While these were basic questions, most people couldn't guess the answers so easily. Michael, however, had read enough novels and watched enough movies in his previous life to piece it together.
Uncle Sam had asked these questions as part of a routine to gauge Michael's understanding. Normally, he would have explained everything in detail, but Michael's answers made that unnecessary. Still, Uncle Sam couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride.
"Since you have a general idea of what extraordinary beings are, I'll explain the divisions. Or can you guess those too?" Uncle Sam joked, though there was a hint of playful frustration in his voice.
Michael shook his head quickly. "No, I don't know much beyond knights training their bodies and mages using spiritual power."
Uncle Sam smiled, relieved to finally have something to teach. "As you know, knights and mages are the mainstream paths to extraordinary power. They have clear divisions, methods of acquisition, and minimal unknown risks. Non-mainstream paths include God's Clerks, who gain power through faith in the gods they serve, and individuals who fuse with the body parts of extraordinary beasts to gain their abilities. However, this method carries the risk of mutation and failure. There's also the path of serving evil outer gods, gaining power through sacrifices and becoming their pawns."
These were the generally known ways to gain extraordinary powers.
Uncle Sam continued, "To become extraordinary, there are specific requirements for each path. For knights, you need a healthy body and rigorous physical training. For mages, you need a high IQ, strong logical thinking, and excellent mental awareness—qualities we tested for in your childhood, and unfortunately, you didn't meet the criteria. That's why you'll need to follow the knight's path. For God's Clerks, you need unwavering faith and the approval of a god. For mutants, you need body parts from extraordinary beasts, processed by mages or through other unique methods that have been explored. And for those who serve evil gods, you simply need to know the rituals and offer enough blood and death to summon their power."
Michael had been quietly considering the possibility of switching to the mage path. The idea of wielding wind and rain, with its cooler style and better future prospects, was far more appealing than the brute strength of a knight who only know how to wield swords and shields. The thought of becoming a mage had briefly ignited his imagination, but Uncle Sam's words shattered that dream. Michael couldn't become a mage—he lacked the necessary qualifications.
For a moment, Michael felt a pang of disappointment and considered whether to retake the mages qualification test, but he quickly pushed it aside. He reminded himself that spiritual power could be developed over time through specific methods, even if it grew at a slow rate. If any mismatches were found in his abilities later, he could always find a way to explain or work around them. Suicide or giving up wasn't an option. He had to focus on the path ahead—becoming a knight.