For the next 4 years, Maximus continued his training as he made it his main focus. Every day after finishing his duties, he would go to the courtyard and practice his magic proficiency for several hours before taking a bath and heading to bed. Alongside his magic proficiency, he also developed his proficiency with other weapon types/styles such as One-Handed which he was already proficient in, Two-handed swords, Halberd's, dual-wielding, and archery.
At the sa ti, the relationship with Robert had gone up as Maximus gifted him the bed he so wanted as well as permitted lords from the Seven Kingdoms to attend the Academy of Excellence. These lords were granted certain rights and protections under the Imperial Union during their ti in Heaven's Reach.
The Imperial Academy of War and the Academy of Mystical Studies were off limits to any outsiders as the Academy of War trained the future officers of the Imperial Union. The Academy of Mystical Studies was where magic proficient people went to learn how to use magic.
Offering Westeros access to these two academies was foolish and would not bring any benefits to Maximus or the Imperial Union.
After receiving permission and signing the agreent between the Seven Kingdoms and the Imperial Union, Robert sent ravens out to each House across Westeros, informing them of the newly signed agreent with the Imperial Union in 292 AC. The first to take advantage of this opportunity were the smaller houses in Westeros like the Freys, Tarlys, and Mormonts. They sent multiple heirs and heiresses to Heaven's Reach to be schooled in a way that would elevate their standing in Westeros.
With ti, even so of the larger houses like the Tyrells and Tullys began to entertain the idea. They saw the potential advantage of having educated heirs knowledgeable in advanced learning systems in a rapidly changing world.
The Lannister's and Baratheon's, however, were more cautious. They showed interest but only sent one or two lesser family mbers, waiting for the results before deciding their future approach. The Starks, being traditionalists, were cautious about this new institution and chose to observe before making their move.
Most of the young Westerosi, as they were called by most in Heaven's Reach, were chaperoned by tutors or aged servants, their families remaining behind in their familiar surroundings in Westeros.
As 294 AC rolled around, so houses in Westeros were not pleased with this arrangent, viewing it as a betrayal to their traditions and to the balance of power that has always existed among them. So lesser houses even made threats to other lesser houses, implying that they might use force to prevent children of their rivals from attending the Academy.
Of course, such a thing would be frowned upon in Westeros, which is why they used bandits, rcenaries, and other hirable people to kidnap young Westerosi attending the Academy. Fortunately, it was unsuccessful as Faraday inford Maximus of the plot.
In response, Maximus put pressure on Robert to deal with these lords or he would do it himself. Robert, displeased because he was pressured, said that he would deal with the lords, however all he did was send them a ssage ordering them to stop their activities.
The lords responded and agreed to the crowns demands as none would dare defy the Kings orders, only to sneakily conduct their activities under the radar.
However, they underestimated the vigilance of the Shadowhand which made it impossible for them to harm the young Westerosi. In retaliation, Maximus had a few Dragon riders fly over the estates of those involved, scaring them and forcing them to stop their sches. Other houses complained, but Maximus just brushed them off.
———
As 295 AC ca around, Maximus had reached 100% magic proficiency. His training was officially over, and he was prepared to leave. Standing outside of the palace, Maximus was standing in front of Lilith and rlin who were here to see him off.
rlin grabbed him by the head and forced his face in between her breasts while Lilith hugged him from behind. They were almost suffocating him, but he didn't complain as who would in this situation.
Letting go of him after a few seconds, "We'll hold down the fort, while your gone. Just make sure to return in one piece."
"You have my word," Maximus replied. The two won looked on as he walked towards Nyxara and mounted her. Spreading her wings, she took off in the air, flying towards the Bone Mountains.
The location for his test was a cave within the Bone Mountains. He was restricted to only being able to bring weapons and other gear purchased by the system as once he begins the trials, the system explained that he would not be able to access the system but would still receive notifications.
After each trial completed, he would see a pop up notifying him that he completed the trial and nothing more. The rewards would not co until he completed the final trial where he would receive his main reward with an additional 3 unknown abilities.
As Nyxara flew towards the outer walls of the city, 10 of the Dragon Knights joined in an escort formation around her. These Dragon Knights were to follow Nyxara all the way to the edge of the Dothraki where they would stop and make camp, waiting for Maximus to finish his trials, but also being a quick reaction force in case anything happened either at the beginning or at the end of the trial.
It took 20 hours to reach the edge of Dothraki. The Dragon Knights split off and set up their camp while Nyxara continued for another 5 hours, reaching a clearing within the Bone Mountains. Nyxara landed in the clearing and lowered her head allowing Maximus to dismount her.
Once he dismounted, she turned her head to face him as he also turned to face her. He leaned on her head, closed his eyes, and prepared for the four greatest challenges of his life, which would lead to another life-threatening challenge three years later.
"I wish I can bring you with ," he stated as everything till now had been practically handed to him.
"If I could co with you, then whatever we faced wouldn't exactly be a challenge for us. Sothing like becoming a demi-god is a major thing that only you can achieve on your own." Nyxara rubbed her head against his.
Maximus exhaled deeply as he continued to lean on Nyxara. She gently nudged him in the direction of the cave entrance. Maximus glanced back one final ti before proceeding towards the cave's entrance.
Nyxara took off, returning in the direction of the Dothraki Sea. anwhile Maximus approached the entrance of the cave and noticed sothing off about it. He reached his hand out and watched as it disappeared through so type of illusionary veil.
Before he could pull his hand back, sothing pulled him in causing him to draw his sword and take a defensive stance. However, he quickly lowered his weapon as the figure in front of him was the sa figure that he had seen when he first ca into this world.
"Nice to see you again Maximus," it was the very sa Goddess whom he had t several years ago.
"I didn't expect to see you here," He was surprised to see her, but not as surprised as he has dealt with and experienced his fair share of deity's since coming to this world.
"Well, as the creator of the system, I do like to be around during important missions such as these." she explained. "This will be a major step for you."
Nodding his head Maximus agreed with her statent. In his old life, gods and Demi-gods were just myths often circulating around religions or urban legends from ancient tis. Yet as soon as he got the system, then when he t with the Great Stallion, then he fought two Demons, his mind had beco used to seeing and experiencing new surprises.
"How dangerous will these challenges be," asked Maximus.
"Well, you could die... but considering the armor and weapons you have equipped right now, you should be fine." she had a mischievous smile on her face as if she didn't just say that he could die.
"Wait... What," Was all he could muster before she snapped her fingers, sending him off to his missions.
"Good luck," was the last thing she said before she disappeared.
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