"All troops, listen up!"
Barrett's voice was loud and powerful.
"As previously assigned, First and Second Pegasus Squads, step forward!"
Twenty Knights responded in unison, stepping forward with synchronized strides.
They had already changed into lighter Leather Armor, better suited for aerial movement.
Barrett nodded. "We're not starting from scratch. The six Pegasi we tamed earlier have already given many of our brothers a taste of flight. Your foundation will be the key to us rapidly becoming combat-ready!"
He paused, his tone growing more serious.
"But I must remind you! Flying and aerial combat are two different things! The sky can be our open road, or it can be our grave! Discipline, coordination, and skill—not one can be lacking! From this day forward, you are no longer just Knights on horseback. You will be hunters of the sky! The training will be hard, exhausting, and even dangerous. Do you have the confidence?!"
"Yes!"
The Knights roared in unison, their voices shaking the fields.
"Very good! Now, according to your squad assignments, choose your partners!"
Barrett commanded.
The Knights moved at once.
Thanks to Moonlight's "preliminary work," the selection process went much more smoothly.
Although the new Pegasi were still a bit wary and resistant, they gradually accepted their new masters on their backs after the Knights' patient soothing and repeated attempts.
Of course, the process wasn't entirely smooth sailing.
"Hey! Easy there! Pal, where are you trying to throw me?"
A Knight had just climbed onto a Pegasus's back when the creature suddenly flapped its wings, nearly bucking him off.
"Steady! Steady! I didn't tell you to dance on its back!" Barrett bellowed.
The training ground was a lively scene of chaos, with men and mounts tumbling about.
Fortunately, the Knights all had a foundation in Riding Technique and had previously experienced flight in batches. Though they looked a bit disheveled, they all quickly adapted to the Pegasi's rhythm.
At Barrett's command, the two squads of Pegasus Knights began attempting simple formation flights.
At first, the formation was crooked, their altitudes were uneven, and they looked like they were about to fall from the sky.
"Maintain altitude! First Squad, align with me!"
Ed struggled to control his own Pegasus while shouting out commands.
His experience was comparatively greater, and he flew the steadiest.
"Second Squad! Spacing! Watch your spacing!" Bolin roared.
Through trial and error, the formation slowly began to straighten out.
The Knights gradually mastered the techniques of using their reins and body weight to guide the Pegasi through turns, climbs, and dives.
Although there were still occasional moments of chaos when a Pegasus disobeyed or a Knight made an error, drawing a roar from Barrett on the ground, their overall progress was incredibly fast.
Compared to when they only had six Pegasi and everyone had to take turns, this kind of formalized unit training was far more efficient.
The formation in the sky was still clumsy, but it was a world of difference compared to the beginning.
The Knights, riding their Pegasi, had progressed from teetering precariously at the start to now being able to barely maintain formation and execute simple climbs and dives. Their improvement was visible to the naked eye.
The hoarse commands of Ed and Bolin echoed through the air, while on the ground, Barrett was like a hunter watching a hawk, his sharp gaze scanning every detail, occasionally letting out a deafening roar to correct the Knights' mistakes.
"You there, in Second Squad! Your mount's head is pointing into the other squad's formation! Are you trying to pay them a visit?!"
"First Squad! Altitude! Altitude! Are you trying to plow the fields?!"
Occasionally, a Knight's mistake or a Pegasus's minor temper tantrum would cause a brief moment of chaos, drawing good-natured laughter from the others and an even sterner reprimand from Barrett.
But on the whole, this aerial force was growing at an astonishing rate.
Raylo stood a short distance away, watching it all with a faint smile on his lips.
At some point, Moonlight had come over and was now sitting by his feet, pawing intermittently at his pant leg as if to remind him about the final payment of fifty-one roasted geese.
Raylo glanced down, flicked it irritably on the head, and received a silent, tooth-baring protest from the little creature in return.
Raylo raised a hand and gestured to Barrett.
Barrett understood, turned to face the sky, and blew a sharp whistle.
"All units! Descend! Form up!"
Though the Knights were a little confused, they immediately carried out the order.
The Pegasi flapped their wings and, with some turbulence, landed one by one in the open field.
The Knights dismounted and quickly fell into formation by squad.
Raylo walked to the front of the formation, his gaze sweeping across the young, resolute faces. Sweat soaked the hair on their foreheads, but their eyes shone with excitement and anticipation.
"Very good."
Raylo began to speak, his voice not loud, yet it carried clearly to every person's ears.
"In such a short time, your progress has exceeded my expectations. How does it feel to fly?"
"Amazing!"
It's unclear who shouted it first, but it was immediately met with a chorus of agreement.
"Excellent!"
Raylo nodded.
"The sky is the Domain of the brave, but it is also full of the unknown and danger. To conquer it, you need not only courage, but also strength and sacrifice."
He changed the subject.
"And sacrifice deserves to be rewarded."
"Ed, Bolin."
Raylo called out their names.
"As squad commanders, you have led from the front in past battles, setting an example for all the Knights."
He then turned to Barrett. "Instructor Barrett, your strict training is the cornerstone upon which this unit was able to form so quickly."
Barrett's face remained as solemn as a soldier's, but a flicker of emotion stirred in his eyes.
"Also," Raylo's gaze swept over several others in the ranks, "Kade, Simon, Huck, and... Lorin."
The four Knights whose names were called were visibly startled, then their faces flushed with excitement.
They were all Knights who had distinguished themselves and earned merits in previous battles against the Demon Serpent's Fangs and the Blood Wolf Corps.
"The seven of you have proven your valor in past battles and made outstanding contributions to the Black Stone Territory. To recognize your achievements..."
He paused, his tone growing heavier.
"I have decided to bestow upon each of you a Pegasus!"
As his words fell, the entire training ground was silent for a moment, then erupted in a massive uproar.
Barrett watched it all, a rare smile gracing his lips.
He knew that this move by Raylo would do more to ignite the Knights' fighting spirit than any lecture could.
"This is both an affirmation of your past and an expectation for your future. I hope you will become the tip of the spear and the role models for this Pegasus Knight Order!"
Finally, Raylo addressed all the Knights. "A Knight's glory can only be won in war. A man's merits can only be earned with the heads of his enemies. Knights, I look forward to the day when, after our next battle, the remaining Pegasi find their masters."
"Yes, sir!"
The Knights roared their assent, their voices louder than ever before.