NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 5: Training
Aaron stepped into the sunlight, his glasses fogging slightly from the sudden change in temperature. He adjusted them with a practiced motion, blinking to clear his vision.
The backyard stretched out before him — a massive, open field bordered by tall hedges that swayed gently in the morning breeze.
The others were already gathered, their murmurs filling the air. Some looked excited, others nervous. Aaron kept to the edge of the group, staying out of sight as much as possible.
In the center of the field stood a man. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with short silver hair and a commanding presence.
His armor gleamed even in the soft light, the emblem of a roaring lion etched across his chest plate.
"That's him," whispered Ethan to no one in particular. "Sir Gideon. They say he's one of the strongest knights in the kingdom. At least that's what I heard from the maid."
Aaron glanced at the man. There was no mistaking it — this was someone who could command respect without uttering a single word.
Sir Gideon's voice cut through the chatter like a blade. "Line up!"
The students scrambled to form a line, jostling each other in the process.
Aaron found himself at the far end, next to Naomi, who gave him a small nod of acknowledgment.
Once everyone was in place, Sir Gideon paced in front of them, his boots crunching against the grass. His gaze swept over the group like a hawk surveying its prey.
"You've been brought here for one reason," he began, his voice firm but not harsh. "To survive. This kingdom is at war with forces far beyond your comprehension. Dragons, demons — they won't care about your excuses or your weaknesses. If you're not strong enough, you'll die. It's as simple as that."
Aaron felt a chill run down his spine. The man's words weren't meant to scare — they were a stark reminder of the reality they now faced.
"Now," Sir Gideon continued, stopping in the middle of the line, "each of you awakened a class yesterday. These classes represent your potential, your strengths, and the roles you'll play in the battles to come."
He crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "To see your class and skills, say the word 'Status.' It's a simple command, but it will become one of your most valuable tools. Try it now."
The students exchanged uncertain glances. Some hesitated, while others were already murmuring the word under their breath.
"Status," Aaron whispered, pretending to be surprised.
The screen appeared before him instantly, glowing faintly in the morning light.
Aaron stared at the display, his stomach twisting. He still didn't fully understand what his class meant, but the skills sounded both powerful and dangerous.
Beside him, Naomi let out a soft gasp. Aaron glanced at her, but she quickly closed her screen, her expression unreadable.
"Interesting," Sir Gideon said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the students' reactions. "You'll notice that your classes and skills are unique to you. Some of you may have support roles, while others are meant to be on the front lines. Do not underestimate any class. Each one has its purpose."
Ethan raised a hand. "Sir Gideon, what if someone doesn't want to share their class?"
The knight's gaze locked onto Ethan, and for a moment, the boy looked like he regretted asking.
"That's your choice," Sir Gideon said, his tone neutral. "But understand this: trust is the foundation of any team. If you withhold information from your allies, it could cost lives — not just yours, but theirs as well."
Ethan nodded, looking away.
Sir Gideon stepped closer to the group, his expression softening just slightly. "This isn't just about your individual strength. In battle, you'll rely on each other more than you realize. Learn to work together, or you'll fail together."
He turned, gesturing to the open field behind him. "Your training begins now. We'll start with the basics — physical endurance, teamwork, and an understanding of your abilities. You'll need all three to survive out there."
Darius smirked. "What, no swords yet? I thought knights were all about the weapons."
Sir Gideon raised an eyebrow, his hand resting on the hilt of the massive sword at his side. "Do you think you're ready to wield one of these?"
Darius hesitated, his smirk faltering.
"I didn't think so," Sir Gideon said, his tone sharp. "You'll earn your weapons when you're ready. Until then, your body and mind are your only tools."
The first exercise was simple in theory: running laps around the field. But within minutes, it became clear how unprepared most of them were.
Aaron struggled to keep up, his legs burning with every step. Darius and Ethan were ahead, their competitive nature driving them to push harder.
Naomi ran beside Aaron, her pace steady but focused.
"Don't stop," she said, glancing at him. "Just keep moving."
"I wasn't planning to," Aaron muttered, though he was already gasping for air.
By the time Sir Gideon called for a break, Aaron felt like collapsing. He dropped to the grass, his heart pounding.
Around him, the others were in similar states of exhaustion, though a few, like Darius, tried to act unfazed.
"Pathetic," Sir Gideon said, shaking his head. "If this is all you can manage, you won't last a day on the battlefield."
The words stung, but Aaron couldn't deny the truth in them.
As the session ended, Sir Gideon dismissed them with a final warning. "Rest while you can. Tomorrow will be harder."
Aaron trudged back toward the house, his body aching. Naomi walked beside him, her expression thoughtful.
"You'll get better," she said quietly.
Aaron glanced at her, surprised. "What makes you so sure?"
"Because you're still trying," she replied simply. "That's more than some of them can say."
Aaron didn't respond, but her words stayed with him as they made their way inside.