The next day, Ben stood by the inn.

  When Hauxwell stepped out, he didn't waste any time and marched straight to the point. “You’ve learned to focus on the energy around you and tap into it to regenerate. The next thing I will teach you is how to put it to good use. I’m not saying your system skills and abilities are useless or anything. But when you learn to master mana control, you’ll be able to achieve so much more.”

  Ben gave Haxwell a curiously raised brow. “So that’s what you were doing with all that magical energy before you confronted Sudfield and his men?”

  “Indeed, that’s correct,” Hauxwell said, giving Ben a stern nod. “As you know, magic hums with a certain rhythm like a bard strumming a lute. If you want to create a protective barrier or charge your weapons to deal more damage, you can alter its song to change its properties.”

  Ben had flashbacks to when those soldiers were smacked with the shield and disintegrated into a bloody rain. The thoughts brought the sickening feeling back to his stomach. Shaking his head, he said, “No wonder you were able to bash those soldiers to oblivion.”

  Sadness filled Hauxwell's eyes, and they became a little misty as if he regretted his actions. “War is a nasty business. It’ll make us commit acts of great violence. I do not condone what I did, but it was a battle, and we needed to rescue Alfred, who we later found nearly tortured to death. If you don't already know, it’s either them or us.”

  Ben was feeling confused on the inside. He had never seen people killed like that in such an overpowered way. “Well, it will take some time to understand what happened.”

  “It’s hard at first, and you’ll never get used to seeing the faces of the people you’ve had to end while conducting your duties as a knight.” Hauxwell pulled in a deep sigh filled with the weight of the enemies he had ended. He paused, taking a moment to look over into the treeline ahead. It looked like he took some time to gather himself before turning back to Ben. “Make sure you use what I teach you responsibly, and don't hesitate to do what you need when the people you love are in danger.”

  Hauxwell’s body became enflamed with magical energy. “Focus on my energy and feel the way I tame it to my will,” Hauxwell stated. The magic condensed and concentrated around his body, forming a bright glaze. “This is what the layer of protection looks like when it’s active. If you keep it up like I am, you’ll run out of magic before your battle is done unless you’ve got a large pool to draw from. Instead, you should learn to use it in short bursts and shift it to where you need it.”

  Ben watched in awe as the condensed energy shifted to cover only the torso and then moved around his head. He felt the vibrations morph as their properties changed. He shook his head in disbelief and muttered, “It must have taken a lifetime of training to control it like that.”

  Hauxwell nodded, “Practice is the key to success.” He then shifted the energy to his shield, and the magical properties felt like they were tuned to be more offensive. “I like to do this before a shield bash. I want you to try and do the same.”

  During the display of power, Ben took mental notes on what he saw. It didn’t seem as hard as the regeneration; it manipulated the energy in small ways that seemed easy to achieve once learned. He felt confident enough to give it at least a try. “Alright, here goes!”

  Ben closed his eyes, focusing on his magic pool. Trying to copy what Hauxwell had done, he found the magic within him shift to a different tune. Small amounts of glistening magic began to appear around him. He tried to create the same flames, but the energy was dispelled when he felt he was close to doing it. “Damn it!”

  [MP: 0/100]

  Ben regenerated his magic using the technique he had learned the previous day and tried to copy Hauxwell a few more times, but he kept failing. Something was up with his magic pool. Every time he got close, there wasn't enough oomph to complete the task. He then remembered something from when he reached level five. The system had allowed him to increase one of his stat pools, which he thought could help.

  Ben flicked through the system and selected his magic pool to get the boost.

  [Max MP has been increased to 150.]

  Ben's next attempt improved as the larger pool allowed him to brute force the mana into submission. Pushing with all his strength, he created the flames and turned them into a barrier, even though it lasted a few moments.

  “Great work!” Hauxwell applauded. “Now, keep at it.”

  Ben had spent a few more days putting into practice what he had learned. The magic felt more moldable, like glowing iron on a blacksmith's anvil.

  Hauxwell stood before him, shield at the ready. “It’s time for you to come at me again.”

  Ben pushed the magic down to his legs. The moment he felt his calves pulsing, he sprang ahead. Moving like the wind, he shifted the magic to his hammer and held it back. The wind whooshed as it swung but was too slow for Hauxwell’s battle experience. Pushing more energy into his arms and extending the excess into the weapon, Ben unleashed a flurry of quick, concise strikes.

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  Hauxwell was caught off guard, and some blows rang off the shield like a bell. He hopped a few steps back and was then struck with another hit. “You’re getting the hang of this. If I had met you all those years ago, I could’ve made a grand knight for the ages out of you.” His shield started to gleam like the sun as it charged before he started running toward Ben.

  Ben recalled his magic, then pushed it out, covering himself in embers of energy. Like he had been taught, he formed a glaze of protection a fraction of a second before the blow landed and pushed the remainder of the energy to his legs. Moving sideways, he dodged the shield bash. Before Hauxwell could react, he swung the hammer and hit the former knight in the back. His hammer rebounded back.

  Ben had finally done it. The feeling of victory rushed through his body as if he were flying through the sky like an eagle who had caught its prey.

  “Hah, you did it,” Hauxwell exclaimed before giggling. “It’s time for me to increase my power some more.” More embers of magic started to expel from around his body before it looked like he moved so fast he vanished from sight.

  The blow landed in Ben’s chest before he could fully concentrate his magic and reinforce the barrier. He was knocked at least a dozen meters away as his magic shattered into speckles of glistening dust. He rolled in the grass a few times before coming to a stop.

  “What the heck was that all about?” Ben yelled.

  Hauxwell appeared directly in front of him. “I can't have you thinking you got the better of me like that. Don't forget the lessons I taught you here, and make sure you keep practicing. Maybe one day, we’ll be able to fight again, and you’ll even beat me.” He put his hand out for Ben to grab.

  Once Ben was up, he slapped the dirt off from all around himself. “Well, I did land some blows on you. Does that mean I passed?”

  Hauxwell gave him a nod. “With flying colors.”

  Ben scratched his head. “Yeah, more like flying into a pile of mud.”

  [Order of the Hollow Moon (Faction): You have completed Basic training. Please wait for official authorization from your commanding officer before the skill tree is available to allocate skill points.]

  Later, Ben had taken a bath and cleaned his armor. He went to the bar where the others sat, sipping their ale.

  “There he is,” Jerry remarked, raising his tankard. “We heard about how you did. Few can say they’ve landed a blow on Hauxwell and lived to tell the tale.”

  Hauxwell tapped Jerry on the shoulder, “You shut up, alright. Beating the crap out of recruits is not my way.”

  Jerry’s mouth dropped open before he shook his head as if that was an utter lie. “Oh yeah, that’s not what happened when you trained me. I still have scars to prove it.” He pointed at his torso and back.

  “That’s because he,” Hauxwell motioned towards Ben, “was taking me seriously. As I recall, you started cursing and threatening to beat me down as if I was your slave.”

  Jerry nodded, “To be fair, I completely deserved that. I’m still not sure how you turned me into a warrior from the lowlife scrote I was.”

  “Well, it took some work, but you finally started listening to me and turned your life around.” Hauxwell chuckled.

  Jerry raised his tankard, “I’ll drink to that. Since you have your youth back, are you returning to your old life as a knight?”

  Hauxwell crossed his arms, stroked his chin, and looked off into space momentarily as if he were stuck in some deep thoughts. “I spent a lifetime fighting wars and battles. When this thing with Sudfield is over, I want to settle down and follow the dreams I wasn’t able to. Life is too short, and the older you get, you’ll see the days shoot past you like the arrows from your bow. And before you know it, you become old, frail, and full of regrets.” Hauxwell scratched his head and looked around as if he had forgotten something. “Talking of regrets, where’s Hannah gone? She’s probably worried sick to her teeth about me.”

  Jerry nearly choked on his ale and almost spat it across the bar table. After taking a heavy gulp, he croaked, “You remember her now.”

  Arthel cleared his throat with a cough. “North pasture. There’s no space here since all the soldiers and knights moved in. They’ll be safe and have all the space they need there.”

  Hauxwell nodded, “Alright, I’ll make my way there. I can sense Alfred’s energy from that direction; it feels like he’s training up there. I’ll check up on him and see if I can help him with his situation.” He turned to Ben before asking, “What’s the plan for you?”

  “I think we’ll make our way back to the old mine and get things up and running again.” Ben replied before glancing at Har and Jerry, “Speaking of the mine, did you two have words with those builders?”

  “I’ve spoken to a few; they’re happy to come with us.” Har nodded. “Of course, you’ll have to pay them for the work, but they’ve said they’ll give you a good rate, and since you’ve helped people around here, you can pay later once the money starts flowing from the mine.”

  Jerry tapped his tankard on the table to catch their attention. “I’ve thought about your offer and I’ll be coming there, too. I’m happy to pay rent once the workshop is running.” He then turned to Hauxwell, “You do know the north pasture falls within the territory of the mine.”

  Hauxwell tapped Jerry on the shoulder with a mean look on his face. “Thank you for reminding everyone.” Turning to Ben, “You need not worry. We will pay our dues when the time comes.”

  With a smirk, Jerry chuckled, “Look’s like Ben is our landlord then.”

  Arthel coughed from behind the bar and interrupted everyone. “Before Ben can legally take rent, he must have the deeds to the mine and the adjoining lands in his possession.” Turning to Ben, he asked, “Did you find the deeds?”

  Har gave Arthel a dirty look and interrupted before Ben could say anything. “Don't worry about that. I’m certain it should be in the safe. Before we left, I instructed Finn to look for the keys.”

  “Well, you better get it found and get things going with the mine.” Arthel stated, “Those artisans Le’Vieux promised will be arriving soon, and they sure as hell will need a place to get to work. You know we don't have space for them here. Besides, keeping production around the mine is better if you ask me.”

  Har nodded. “If Sudfield attacks, then at least the production won't be halted. The mine is well protected by the natural barriers the surrounding terrain provides. Besides, he doesn’t expect anyone to be at the mine. Anyway, tomorrow, we should make our way there and get things started.”