The hanging woods training that Diether has been doing for a while now doesn't seem to be a common practice done by the swordsmen here.

That was why seeing the young man's superb spatial awareness made Tristan ponder about it. ​​

A talent wasn't just a factor to achieve this. It also needed a correct method of training in order to fully enhance it to a level where it can be used in combat.

"Haah!"

This time, it was Diether who attempted a thrust to the opponent's throat… The swift footwork he used was also something that took Tristan's attention…

"Respite! Respite!"

The tall kid suddenly shouted after barely dodging Diether's strike.

"Alright…"

Diether answered as he relaxed his body and put down his wooden sword. He was also glad to be given a rest. He was used to fighting against a larger opponent but it was also extremely taxing to his body.

After all, their farthest reach had a huge difference and he had to compensate for it using his footwork… Continuously using his footwork and accurately timing his movement to Art's action was very tough even after all his training from his master.

'It would've been more difficult if I only learned Tsugi-Ashi from master…'

Diether thought after realizing that footwork was indeed one of the important keys in a sword battle. It was just like what his master had said. He needed to have a stable foundation and practice his sword swing, footwork, and his combat awareness.

This is the only start of their practice as this continued for several hours.

Of course, the two travelers watching the fight didn't forget to return to the village square and announce their recruitment.

Anyway, they have plenty of time to greet Diether later since they've learned that he's living in this small village.

Their criteria for the recruitment was simple. First, they should be ten years old and above but couldn't be older than eighteen. Apparently, this age group was the best period to practice their Spiritual Energy and mold it as a perfect augmentation in being a Knight… Secondly, they should possess some level of skill in handling the sword. Lastly, they should pass the test of the recruiter.

"Ahh… I just turned nine… Can you make an exception sir?"

A young man timidly asked Selani…

Their announcement was left posted in the Hunter's Association building and the village square. They even hired a few people to spread their purpose here and to bring them in their residence arranged by the village chief's representative.

Currently, the young man has arrived at the residence and confirmed that they learned about the recruitment they've started.

"Mhm… Unfortunately, we can't… However, we may return here in the next year and we'll have another recruitment."

Of course, Selani wasn't sure about what he just said since he and his master might be assigned to a different place.

Aside from that, there were only three traveling recruiters of the Knights Order in the whole kingdom. It would still be a question whether the other recruiters would even bother coming here again.

In any case, this wasn't a rare sight for Selani.

He had seen something like this before. People younger than the required age or even older than the necessary would always try their chances. Unfortunately, they can't make exceptions. Only nobles are allowed to be recruited in the Knights Order even if you hadn't reached the requirements.

The day had passed and no one who qualifies their requirement had arrived.

"Well, it's just the first day."

They weren't disheartened at this and were very patient. They were planning to stay here for two to three days so it didn't matter whether they managed to recruit someone on the first day or last.

"Shall we look for Diether?"

Tristan suggested to his apprentice. It was already about to get dark and it was about time to close their residence from the applicants.

"Alright! Let's meet him now… I want to ask him where he learned his sword technique!"

Selani answered with full of energy.

***

"Diether, have you heard about the recruitment?"

Yasmin asked the newly arrived Diether. The young man was still sweating a bit after his long hours of practice against Art.

He felt that he truly improved his battle sense in just today's mission. Battling someone was indeed effective to amplify his ability.

"Recruitment? Oh, is it about the Knights?"

Diether remembered the people he met going here.

"That's correct! Are you interested?"

"Err… Not really…"

'I already have someone who can teach me everything about being a swordsman.' Diether added in his mind. After a few moments, he realized that Yasmin was different…

"Ahhh… Are you planning to join them? Or did you take their examination already?

Diether wanted to clarify. He knows that Yasmin also wanted to lear

However, Yasmin only shook her head. She still needs to inherit this inn and being a Knight wasn't even in her options.

After about an hour, Diether started to concentrate and visualize his previous battle with Art. He learned a lot in this and he wanted to surprise Art once they've battled again.

On the other hand, his master was also silent and seemingly sleeping. It seems that he already started his awakening process… Diether wasn't sure.

Anyway, he was sure that his master will call him out if it was something serious.

After a while, Diether went down to the inn's restaurant…

"Oh… So it's Sir Tristan and Sir Lani…" Diether greeted the two guys related to the knights.

He was just told by Yasmin about the two guys who had been looking for him. He already finished his visualization and was about to eat his dinner so he didn't mind meeting them.

"What brought you here?"

Diether asked even though he already has some idea.

"Heh… We already know about your real ability. You're not a simple kid… You've hidden it well…"

Selani said while grinning. They were now aware that Diether is currently a One-Star Hunter and is quite notable in this village since he is the youngest Hunter here and they can always see him practicing his sword swing in the morning.

Diether can only smile awkwardly at this.

"We want you to apply to our recruitment… You will still take the exam but I'm sure that you'll pass it with the highest scores… Hehe…"

Selani offered nervously… He didn't want to miss this chance to recruit such an amazing individual.

Diether was about to refuse but was suddenly interrupted. His master, Reiji, just said something to him…

"Uhmm… Haah~ I'd like to accept it. But I'm a Hunter and I even have an ongoing mission…"

"Oh… We're not in a hurry… Our recruitment including the other villages would last for a month. As long as you got ready within this period, there's no problem. Also, there wouldn't be a conflict with your identity as a Hunter once you became a knight. The Sun Fire Knight doesn't have strict compliance like the other Knights Order…"

Selani continued to entice Diether in joining the recruitment. In the end, even Tristan smiled widely after hearing Diether accept it.