Chapter 97 - 97
Chapter 97 - 97
The sun was shining brightly over the Lionhart Youth Training Ground, casting long shadows as the trainees gathered for the day’s training. There was a buzz of anticipation in the air; the routine had become grueling yet familiar, and the trainees wondered what new challenges awaited them. As they entered the training ground, they were met with a sight that left them momentarily speechless.
Standing in the middle of the grounds were three enormous beasts, each tethered to a post. Surrounding the creatures were several people dressed in leather armor, their demeanor calm yet commanding, clearly the beasts’ handlers. The trainees stared, some in awe, others in apprehension, at the creatures before them.
These were griffons—majestic and formidable beasts often used by swordsmen to traverse great distances when warp gates were not an option. Each griffon had the head of a fierce eagle, with sharp, golden eyes that seemed to pierce through the very souls of the onlookers. Their bodies were that of gigantic lions, muscular and powerful, covered in sleek fur that rippled with every movement. They stood between three and four meters tall, their feathered wings folded neatly at their sides, but even in their resting state, they exuded an air of raw, untamed power.
Rick, their instructor, stepped forward with his usual calm authority. "Today, you will learn how to fly on a griffon. This part of your training is crucial if you aspire to become great swordsmen," he announced, his voice carrying across the training ground.
The trainees exchanged nervous glances. Flying on a griffon was no small feat. It required not just courage but also the ability to maintain balance and control in midair, all while potentially engaging in combat. For many of them, this was their first encounter with such creatures, and the prospect was both thrilling and daunting.
***
The trainees were instructed to approach the griffons according to their ranking, each one accompanied by an instructor or a beast tamer to guide them through the process. Klaus, being among the top-ranked, was one of the first to step forward. He moved with his usual confidence, though internally, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of reluctance.
The training continued throughout the day, with each trainee taking turns on the griffons. Some, like Alex and Nicholas, quickly adapted to the challenge, their natural agility and balance allowing them to pick up the skills with relative ease. Others, however, struggled more, their movements awkward as they fought to stay on the griffons’ backs. Klaus found himself somewhere in between, gradually improving as he became more familiar with the griffon’s movements, but still finding the task more difficult than he had anticipated.
By the end of the day, most of the trainees had managed to grasp the basics of flying and fighting on a griffon, though none had truly mastered it. Exhausted but exhilarated, they returned to the ground, dismounting the griffons with a mixture of relief and pride. They had faced a new challenge and, for the most part, had risen to the occasion.
As the trainees gathered at the end of the day, Rick approached them with a rare smile on his face. "You’ve done well today," he said, his voice carrying a note of approval. "But there’s one more thing I need to tell you. The patriarch has granted us access to the crypt beneath the Lionhart Youth Training Ground. Each of you will have the opportunity to claim a griffon egg from the crypt. These eggs are a rare gift, and raising a griffon from hatching will forge a bond that will last a lifetime."
The trainees listened in stunned silence, the implications of Rick’s words sinking in. A griffon egg was a precious and rare gift, a symbol of status and power within the Lionhart family. To be given the opportunity to raise one was an honor beyond measure.
Rick’s smile widened as he saw their reactions. "So don’t forget, tomorrow after breakfast, be ready. Don’t be late, or you’ll be left behind."
The day ended with the trainees more motivated than ever. The prospect of claiming a griffon egg added a new layer of excitement to their training, and as they retired to their quarters for the night, their minds buzzed with thoughts of what lay ahead.
Klaus, too, found himself looking forward to the next day with anticipation. The experience of flying on a griffon had been challenging, but it had also sparked something within him—a desire to push his limits even further. The thought of raising a griffon from an egg, of forging a bond with such a powerful creature, intrigued him.
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