Knight: from Apprentice to the Almighty

Seeing what Freddy was doing, Roland raised an eyebrow.

’Is he looking for revenge for last time?’

This wasn’t just Roland being prejudiced.

At least, on this continent, Beastmen had a terrible reputation.

They possessed immense strength, a penchant for slaughter, and an insatiable thirst for war.

Beyond their formidable Power, Beastmen had another widely known "trait."

To put it nicely, they were simple-minded. In reality, they were impulsive and acted without considering the consequences.

It was hardly surprising, then, for a Race like this to do something rash.

At this thought, Roland’s body tensed subconsciously, but he wasn’t particularly worried.

Beastman Freddy’s Power was indeed astonishing. In terms of physical prowess alone, he was comparable to many of the Demons Roland had faced.

But Freddy hadn’t been able to beat him in their previous clash, let alone now that Roland had successfully advanced to Apprentice Knight.

Roland was completely confident that with his current abilities, he could suppress, even crush, the approaching Beastman using only his physical strength and pure Combat Skills, without even needing his Breathing Technique.

With that in mind, Roland locked his eyes on Freddy’s shoulders, anticipating his likely angle of attack.

The Red-skinned Orc stopped abruptly just two paces from Roland, however, and then... he did something astonishing.

He suddenly bent at the waist in a deep bow.

"I’m so sorry, Mr. Roland..."

His deep voice rumbled like distant thunder, but through his hesitation and sincerity, Roland could clearly sense his remorse.

"That day... I couldn’t control my emotions... so..."

Freddy struggled to get the simple apology out, his words halting and strained.

He tried again and again to find the right words, but they seemed to elude him.

In the end, he could only bow repeatedly, clumsily conveying his remorse through his actions.

Convinced that the other man meant no harm, Roland finally let his hand fall from the sword hilt at his waist.

Watching Freddy bow up and down like a pendulum, seeing the clumsy sincerity on his fearsome face, Roland couldn’t help but chuckle.

He stepped forward, placed a hand firmly on Freddy’s shoulder, and with a gentle push, straightened the Beastman’s bent form.

"It’s alright, Freddy. I know you didn’t do it on purpose that day..."

Although he didn’t know much about the Beastman Race, Roland recalled how Freddy’s eyes had gradually turned blood-red that day, and he had a theory.

The intense fight must have awakened something in the Red-skinned Orc’s bloodline, causing him to lose control and act so aggressively.

"You... you really forgive me?"

Freddy let out a long sigh of relief at Roland’s words, but still asked in his rumbling voice.

Seeing the cautious apprehension in the Beastman’s eyes, Roland couldn’t help but smile.

A burly, fearsome-looking Beastman with the expression of a guilty child awaiting punishment was a rather comical and endearing sight.

"Of course, Freddy!"

Roland laughed and gave the Beastman’s solid chest a friendly thump.

"Do I look like the type to hold a grudge? Besides..."

He gave a mischievous wink.

"You were the one carried to the infirmary that day, not me."

The teasing words, combined with the slightly rough gesture of thumping his chest, didn’t anger Freddy. Instead, it made him feel an odd sense of camaraderie.

The Red-skinned Orc grinned, scratching the back of his head with a broad hand as he let out a good-natured laugh.

"That’s good, Mr. Roland. You’re a really good person!"

"Thanks for the compliment."

Roland’s lip twitched almost imperceptibly at the blunt praise.

He asked a casual question to break the slightly awkward silence.

"Why are you out here practicing alone?"

"If I recall correctly, shouldn’t you be in class right now?"

"I..."

Freddy wrung his large hands together, saying awkwardly.

"I got into a fight with another student in class... The instructor kicked me out..."

’So he *is* a troublemaker.’

"Mr. Roland..."

Just as Roland was thinking this, the Red-skinned Orc’s shoulders suddenly slumped. His straight back hunched over slightly, and his fearsome face clouded over with worry.

"Do you think... I can really finish my courses and graduate from the Knight Academy?"

Freddy ran his hands through his coarse, messy hair in frustration.

"I can never seem to control this damned temper of mine... I’ve already gotten four warnings this month alone." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Master Reggie said if you get more than ten warnings in one semester, you have to pack your bags and go."

Hobbit hadn’t arrived yet, and there was nothing else pressing to do. Besides, Freddy’s earlier earnestness had convinced Roland that the Beastman wasn’t a bad person at heart.

So after a moment of thought, he spoke slowly.

"Freddy, if I’m not mistaken, the reason you can’t control your temper is... it’s your bloodline stirring inside you, isn’t it?"

"Yes."

Freddy nodded, his voice low.

"Mr. Roland, you might not believe me, but sometimes... I hate my own bloodline."

"It gives me Power far beyond that of a normal person, but it also... stops me from living a normal life."

Seeing the pained, conflicted look on the Red-skinned Orc’s face, Roland spoke softly.

"From what I know, a Beastman’s bloodline carries a warlike nature and a thirst for slaughter. It’s an instinct that can’t be rooted out."

"I recall the Knight Academy’s schedule isn’t too demanding. Why don’t you..."

Roland patted Freddy gently on the shoulder.

"Go to the Adventurer’s Guild in your spare time and take on a few quests to hunt Demons."

"With your strength, dealing with common Demons should be no problem at all."

"That way, you can apply what you learn in class to real combat, improving your coursework. You can also vent the restlessness from your bloodline. Once that impulse has subsided, you’ll naturally have better control over your emotions."

"This... uh..."

The somewhat lengthy suggestion seemed to make Freddy’s not-so-quick mind grind to a temporary halt.

He bowed his head in thought for a moment before he finally grasped Roland’s meaning. Then he snapped his head up, his eyes shining with a strange light.

"Mr. Roland, you’re a genius! I’ll go to the Adventurer’s Guild and pick up a quest right now!"

With that, Freddy took a heavy step and started to walk out of the Knight Academy.

But just a moment later, the Red-skinned Orc turned and came back, bowing deeply to Roland once more.

"Mr. Roland, thank you for your advice! If you ever need anything in the future, please just ask! And..."

He opened his mouth, struggling to find more fitting words, but in the end just gave another clumsy bow before hurrying away.

’What a straightforward guy...’

Roland shook his head and smiled as he watched him leave.

Just then, the faint sound of footsteps came from nearby.

Following the sound, he saw the Half-Elf, Hobbit, approaching with light, cheerful steps.

"Mr. Roland?"

Spotting Roland, Hobbit immediately quickened his pace, his face breaking into a happy smile.

"What are you doing here?"

Roland reached out and gently ruffled the little guy’s head, then explained why he was there.

Hobbit agreed almost without a second thought.

The two of them walked out of the Knight Academy side by side, making small talk.

After making their way through the bustling crowds, it wasn’t long before they reached the port district.

Gazing at the crewmen busy hauling cargo on the docks, Roland glanced around, his eyes sweeping over several small boats moored near the edge of the harbor.

"Hobbit, which one is the boat your older brother promised to lend me?"

"It’s right over there, Mr. Roland!"

Hobbit pointed excitedly.

Roland followed his finger with his gaze.

After studying it for a moment, he turned back, a hint of doubt in his voice.

"Are you sure... that’s what your brother meant by a... ’small boat’?"