The afternoon sun was slightly warmer than the morning's.
On the training grounds, a middle-aged man in a Dawnguard uniform was demonstrating a series of movements, holding a practice bastard sword with both hands.
His name was Louis. He was one of the swordsmanship instructors in the Keep, a lean-faced man whose sword-wielding hands were covered in thick calluses.
He demonstrated the movements slowly first, then repeated them at full speed. The path of his blade blurred in the air, letting out a sharp, sudden whistle.
Rosie stood to the side, her eyes locked onto Louis's blade. She observed his footwork, the shift in his center of gravity, and the path of the sword as it transitioned between different heights.
She was self-taught, relying entirely on her quick reflexes and accumulated experience in fights without ever having received systematic training.
Now that she had the chance to fill in the gaps, she certainly wasn't going to miss it.
The swordsmanship instructors at Dawnguard Keep were all high-ranking members, each possessing formidable combat skills.
Louis was particularly skilled with the bastard sword, which happened to be the same type of weapon as her meteoric iron sword. It could be wielded with either one hand or two, balancing flexibility and striking power—perfectly matching her weapon and combat habits.
By observing and listening, Rosie learned how to execute parries and counterattacks more efficiently, how to use leverage to control the blade's direction, and how to adjust her footwork to cover her weapon's blind spots.
These were practical insights forged in life-and-death combat, serving as the perfect missing pieces to her puzzle.
With this systematic training, the growth rate of Rosie's Swordsmanship proficiency accelerated significantly, almost catching up to the speed at which it grew when she was actually cutting down enemies in battle.
After practicing on the training grounds for three or four hours, the sun began to dip in the west, its golden rays shifting into a warm orange.
She put away her practice sword, took a few sips of water, and left the training grounds, heading toward the Keep's riding grounds.
For the Dawnguard, horsemanship was a mandatory skill.
They spent most of the year hunting vampires, often requiring them to ride for days on end.
The riding grounds were enclosed by wooden fences and spanned a considerable area.
The stables lay on the north side of the grounds, consisting of a row of spacious wooden structures.
As Rosie stepped inside, the distinct scent of horses washed over her.
The stables housed tall warhorses, riding horses for long-distance travel, and sturdy pack horses built for endurance.
“Yo, girl, you're here again.”
The stable master stepped out of a small cabin adjacent to the stables and greeted her upon seeing her.
Rosie nodded. “Lend me a horse.”
“Pick one yourself.”
The master gestured toward the stalls with his chin.
Most Dawnguard members did not have permanent mounts.
When spending months on end in the wild, riding whatever was available was the most practical approach.
Word had it that some Dawnguard had even ridden wild boars to get around.
Rosie selected a chestnut horse with a fluffy mane and a sturdy build.
The master helped her saddle and bridle the horse, while Rosie grabbed a practice lance from a nearby weapon rack.
Mounting the horse, she adjusted her posture in the stirrups, then gently nudged the horse's flanks with her heels, guiding it steadily toward the riding grounds.
A few others were already practicing their riding skills on the field. Some were guiding their mounts along the fences to practice turns, while others held lances, charging and thrusting at straw targets set up along the edge.
Rosie joined them, practicing her lance thrusts against the straw targets at both a trot and a gallop.
With the aid of Horsemanship Mastery and Mounted Combat, she didn't look like a novice who had only ridden a few times at all.
Whether charging or galloping, her movements were incredibly fluid.
The other trainees occasionally wondered about Rosie's background.
And so, her days fell into a steady rhythm.
Every morning she would heal three people, then head to the training grounds to practice her punches and instruct the recruits. In the afternoon, she trained in Swordsmanship and Throwing, and in the evening, she headed to the riding grounds to practice her horsemanship. It was a fixed, three-point routine.
Vera would occasionally drop by the training grounds to chat, sometimes sharing stories of her travels with the Dawnguard, and other times simply inviting her to have dinner together.
A few days after arriving at Dawnguard Keep, Balu the beastkin also made a decision.
He participated in the Dawnguard selection trials, intending to become an official member.
Although he had never received formal military training, his experience fighting vampires combined with Vera's recommendation made his acceptance a near certainty.
Vera had also suggested that Rosie officially join the Dawnguard, but Rosie always brushed it off, saying she would "think about it."
Vera understood her reluctance and didn't press the matter further.
Half a month flew by in the blink of an eye.
One morning, as usual, Rosie sent the recruits to run laps around the Keep while she stayed behind on the training grounds to practice her own self-styled, wild punches.
The morning sun shone on her profile, casting a sharp shadow on the ground.
She struck the wooden post punch after punch, producing a dull, rhythmic thud, thud.
She could feel her movements growing increasingly fluid. The footwork she had integrated from her swordsmanship was becoming more agile, and the shift of her center of gravity between her feet was smoother than ever.
Midway through her routine, a warm sensation welled up from deep within her body.
She paused and stood before the wooden post, feeling the warm current slowly recede throughout her body.
【Level 2 Unarmed 200/200 → Level 3 Unarmed】
【Agility +1, Constitution +1】
She stretched slightly, feeling a subtle lightness spread throughout her entire body.
Her steps felt nimbler, and her breathing had unconsciously grown much smoother.
Rosie was somewhat surprised.
Upgrading her Unarmed skill had actually increased both her Agility and Constitution.
They always said that practicing martial arts not only built up one's physique but also improved reflexes and coordination. It seemed there was truth to that.
Still, training her Unarmed skill was indeed a slow process.
After all, her Unarmed skill had started at Level 2, yet her Swordsmanship had overtaken it, reaching Level 3 a while ago. It was only now that her Unarmed skill had finally caught up to Level 3.
She rolled her shoulders, adjusting to the changes in her body.
Just then, a familiar voice echoed from the entrance of the training grounds:
“Rosie! The High Priest of Light is here. Come with me to meet her.”
Rosie turned her head.
Vera was walking out from the sunlight at the edge of the training grounds, her steps light.
The High Priest of Light?
Rosie's heart stirred. “Sure!”
She quickly walked over to Vera.
The morning sun shone on their figures as they walked side-by-side toward the castle hall, casting a pair of elongated shadows on the ground.
Rate on N.U.
