Chapter 17: Dravenhart Mock Battle
As the hours passed, the training grounds buzzed with whispers and side glances. Guards and trainees sparred in the distance, but their eyes often flickered toward the young master who had taken over the weapon racks.
"Is that... Young Master Axelius?" one of the guards whispered to his companion, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Yeah, it's him... I've never seen him here before," the other replied, eyes wide with surprise.
A maid carrying fresh towels paused near the entrance, whispering to another, "Did you hear? He's been trying out every single weapon for hours now."
The second maid nodded, glancing over her shoulder nervously. "It's so strange... He never stepped foot in the training grounds before. I thought he hated fighting."
"Maybe he's finally decided to act like a Dravenhart," a young trainee chuckled, but the older knight beside him shot him a glare.
"Mind your tongue," the knight said sternly. "Young Master or not, he's still of Dravenhart blood."
Further away, a group of guards leaned against the stone wall, watching Axelius swing a saber—his tiny frame nearly toppling with each swing. One of them chuckled under his breath. "I thought he'd give up after the first sword. But look at him, still going..."
"And here I thought he was just a spoiled kid," another one added, shaking his head in disbelief.