The next day, after traveling for a full day, they set up camp in the afternoon. Uther immediately began teaching Rhodes combat skills, starting with a duel using two wooden swords.
However, this duel left Uther extremely disappointed!
In stark contrast to his powerful Holy Light talent, Rhodes' personal martial prowess was nearly unbearable for Uther.
"Ahem! Lord Uther, how is my fighting talent?" Rhodes asked while flexing his sore wrist.
"Rhodes, your talent in the Holy Light is astonishing, but regarding your talent in close-combat martial arts, I can only say your skill level is comparable to a child in Lordaeron who has just learned to hit things with a wooden stick," Uther sighed helplessly.
He was truly speechless, unable to find any other adjectives to express just how terrible Rhodes' martial arts talent was!
Such high Holy Light talent, yet he hadn't even undergone the most basic training; his combat skill was about the same as a seven or eight-year-old child fighting with a stick at the village entrance.
"Pfft!" Jaina, who was watching nearby, couldn't help but burst out laughing. She truly hadn't expected Rhodes' foundational talent to be so poor.
It was utterly surprising. Such good spellcasting talent, yet in terms of close-combat swordsmanship, he was a complete and utter idiot.
"Lord Uther! I must trouble you to put in extra effort, otherwise, I'm afraid I'll only ever be a spell-based talent," Rhodes said.
Please, I'm a newbie who only transmigrated about a month ago!
As a modern person, was it necessary for me to practice fighting and fencing skills with sticks against others?
Does this mean I can only be a long-range spellcaster in the future? It looks like I need to summon a powerful close-combat bodyguard!
Otherwise, if someone gets close to him later, Rhodes won't even know how he died.
"Don't worry, Rhodes, I will certainly guide you onto the path of the Paladin. Long-term use of Holy Light increases one's physical strength.
If you use Holy Light Spells frequently in the future, it will definitely make your body stronger. Once your body is strong, practicing martial skills will be very convenient," Uther said.
Before he became a Paladin, he was a priest of the Alliance. Holy Light played a major role in transforming him from a weak priest into a knight.
Rhodes nodded upon hearing this. The Holy Light is indeed a very mysterious power. In fact, just like the infusion of Fel energy, Holy Light can also be infused.
One can directly become a Lightforged being, completely transcending the mortal level. Turalyon survived for a thousand years after being Lightforged by Xe'ra, the Light Mother of the Naaru, without aging at all.
Moreover, if the Light Mother wished, she could even Lightforge a Dreadlord, or even Illidan, who was completely demonized.
One must know that the Dreadlord and the completely demonized Illidan are thorough demons, yet Holy Light could still recast them.
"Now, let's continue training, Rhodes!" Uther threw the wooden sword back to Rhodes once more. At the very least, this boy needed some ability to protect himself.
After finishing his martial arts training with Uther, Rhodes sought out Jaina and learned some Frost magic from her.
Cone of Cold, Blizzard, and summoning a Water Elemental were also successfully picked up by Rhodes.
"Rhodes, if you could transfer even ten percent of your magical talent to your close-combat abilities, you could surely become a perfect Paladin," Jaina said with a smile.
"I think being a mage is fine too. You don't know how to fight either, do you?" Rhodes retorted.
"Oh! Why don't we try sparring with wooden swords? I'll let you know the skill level of the Princess of Kul Tiras," Jaina said, a sly smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
Although she was a magical genius proficient in various Arcane Magic, that didn't mean her martial arts skills were lacking.
As a noble daughter, she had received rigorous training since childhood; this was a mandatory course for every noble child.
A mage born of nobility could pick up a weapon and still defeat a well-trained human soldier.
Rhodes was speechless upon hearing this. So, are you all plate-armor wearers on average?
No wonder Thrall, a Shaman, could wear plate armor, and the future Little Prince, a priest, could also wear plate armor!
Three days later, deep within the Tirisfal Glades.
Guided precisely by Rhodes, the group of dozens ventured deep into the valley of the Tirisfal Glades.
They finally arrived at a lake surrounded by dense forest. The scenery here was almost identical to the game, and Rhodes could confirm they had reached the entrance of the Tomb of Tyr.
"We've arrived, Lord Uther. It's right here," Rhodes stopped and pointed toward the silent lake.
"The entrance to the Tomb of Tyr is beneath this lake, but we first need to obtain permission from the Guardian. I think they should be here already."
As if to confirm Rhodes' words, a faint sound of metal scraping and footsteps came from the dense woods on the other side of the lake.
Immediately after, over a dozen figures pushed aside the dense branches and leaves, appearing before the group. These were the Tyr's Guards.
Their equipment was excellent; the full-body plate armor was a grayish-silver, and the style was completely different from the standard armor of Lordaeron or Stormwind City.
Their physiques were taller and more robust than ordinary humans, with an average height approaching two meters. Although their size wasn't as exaggerated as the Vrykul, they were certainly stronger than typical humans.
The leading guard immediately stepped forward and blocked the group.
"Outsiders, halt. This is the resting place of a sacred being and must not be desecrated. State your identities and intentions."
Uther stepped forward, placed his right hand over his chest, and performed a standard knight's salute.
The Holy Light emanating from him seemed drawn by the aura of the place, naturally becoming bright and pure.
"Respected Keepers of Tyr, I am Uther the Lightbringer, one of the first Paladins of the Knights of the Silver Hand, and a Lord of the Kingdom of Lordaeron.
We have not come with intent to desecrate. It was the guidance of the Holy Light and the revelation of an ancient being that brought us here."
Uther stepped aside, motioning for Rhodes to advance: "This is Priest Rhodes. He was fortunate enough to receive guidance from a great Titan Keeper during an encounter.
That Guardian informed us that the seal on Zakaz, the Faceless General slumbering here, is loosening, and its shadow is about to threaten this world once again.
The Guardian also told us that the artifact left behind by the great Keeper of Order, Tyr—the war hammer 'Silver Hand'—is enshrined deep within this tomb.
The Holy Light revealed to me that Lordaeron and all of Azeroth are facing an unprecedented threat from the scourge. We require this artifact, which symbolizes light and justice, to fight the darkness and protect the living!"