Turning around to look at him, I see the Gray Knight looking at me with what I sense is a mixture of confusion and concern.
Kato: "I suppose my behavior may be considered strange from an outside perspective, but since I`m five years younger I should be in my late teens" As I try to figure out my age, I realize that I don`t really care that much. Considering everything that has happened, my age seems irrelevant.
Kato: 'Given that at 18 you could already see the traces of a strange thing that eventually became my humble beard in my first life. Let`s just say I`m 17 and leave it at that.'
Lost in my thoughts, I fail to notice the knight`s growing concern.
As I return to my senses, I see the Gray Knight standing in what appears to be a pitcher`s position, with a small stone in his hand.
Kato: "Grey Knight, what are you doing?"
While he shows me the innocent and naïve gaze of a child I watch how the Grey Knight discreetly throws the stone to the side.
Kato: "Hey, I saw that. Don`t tell me you were about to throw a rock at me." I say as I scrutinize him.
He just looks at me with the same expression I used to give when I acted like I didn`t speak English every time I didn`t want to be in a conversation with a stranger.
Kato: "Just avoid repeating it. I summoned you to protect me and help me in my struggles."
As I finish talking I see how he nods while closing his eyes, or at least, I think so.
Kato: 'It`s hard to tell when I can`t see his pupils, but since the sparkle in his eyes disappeared while he nodded, I`m just going to assume he closed his eyes.'
Just after accepting my words, I see the Gray Knight kneel on one knee. Before I can even form a thought, words appear before me.
The Gray Knight swears allegiance to his lord.
Kato: "Is that why you followed me? I suppose every knight wants to show his allegiance in an official way."
Kato: "With the utmost respect, I accept your loyalty and welcome you back as one of my own."
As I finish the words the Grey Knight is enveloped in light once again, When the light fades, what is revealed is a larger and more imposing Gray Knight.
[Image Here]
Kato: "Now, this is what I`m talking about." As I finish talking the knight rises and remains, awaiting its first command.
Kato: "I think it`s time to see how much of the game remained and how much disappeared. First, let`s see if you can grow in strength like in the game. Is there any way to see your level and statistics?"
Without any real effort, I can feel something inside the Gray Knight, like a kind of switch. When I intend to activate it, it appears before my eyes.
I can see a simple, somewhat minimalist screen, on the left, the knight`s profile along with his level and experience.
[Image Here]
On the right three different stats: one for Strength, one for Defense, and the last for Speed.
[Image Here]
Kato: "Well that`s different from what I recall. Where did the magic stat go?"
As I scan the screen for extra information, I notice a detail that wasn`t in the original game.
Kato: "Promotion?" As I wonder what the meaning is and begin to develop my own hypothesis, new information comes to mind.
Promotion: In order to channel the supernatural energy of the realms of Castle Crasher, or as one might simplify it, magic, one must possess physical abilities that transcend what the flesh cannot. Reach the limit of your strength and magic will be granted to you.
Kato: 'I understand, basically fill in the stats completely. If I`m lucky and it works like in the game, you get two development points until you reach level twenty, where it becomes a single development point.'
Kato: "So if every stat has a cap of twenty-five and you already seem to start with one point in each, that leaves us with seventy-two points if it`s as I expect, for level fifty-two. And since you are already level one you have two development points yet to apply."
While I`m lost in my calculations you can see the Grey Knight allocating his 2 points in Strength
Kato: "Well, I`ve got the idea now, so the next step is how to get you to level up. Although we could try training, I have a feeling that, just like in the game, you`re only going to gain experience by killing enemies."
Kato: 'Considering that this base is basically a safe zone that is also isolated from any unwelcome intrusion, and indeed from any intrusion whatsoever. I think it`s time I started to see my own capabilities.'
A little further away from me, you can see that the Gray Knight, having listened to my theories, went to train to see if there was any change in his experience bar.
After a moment`s thought, the Gray Knight decides to go to the shooting range.
Once he arrives, he gets into position and out of nowhere materializes a rudimentary bow. When drawn, an arrow materializes along with it. Unfortunately for the Gray knight, at the end of his practice, his experience bar remains unchanged.