Knight: from Apprentice to the Almighty

The room was spacious and comfortable. A crystal chandelier illuminated carved furniture and a soft Persian rug.

Silk curtains stirred gently in the breeze, revealing a view of the bustling harbor outside.

An oak dining table with a silk tablecloth stood against the wall. In a corner alcove, a copper bathtub was polished to a shine, with a flannel bathrobe hanging neatly beside it.

By the fireplace sat a cushioned armchair, perfectly positioned to admire the precise brass mantel clock on the mantelpiece.

Inside the slightly ajar wardrobe, a spare, clean blanket was faintly visible.

The overall atmosphere was warm and natural, yet it exuded a touch of simple luxury.

Compared to this place, the spartan dorm room back at the manor suddenly seemed much shabbier.

"Mr. Roland."

After giving Roland a brief tour of the room, a perfectly cordial smile appeared on Colin’s round face.

"Shall I arrange for an attendant to serve you?"

Seeing Roland shake his head, Colin tactfully said no more and simply pointed to a cord hanging on the wall.

An exquisite copper bell was tied to the end of the cord.

"If you need anything else, just ring the bell at any time. We’ll send someone immediately."

"Thank you, Mr. Colin."

"You’re too kind."

Colin gave a slight bow and turned to leave.

As the door clicked softly shut, Roland finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Fighting through the aches wracking his body, he carefully removed his nearly ruined formal attire and slowly stepped into the bathtub, which was filled with hot water.

As the perfectly warm water enveloped him, he couldn’t help but let out a comfortable sigh. He then leaned his entire body against the edge of the tub and began to recall the thrilling battle from just moments ago.

’After activating [Fermented Battle Intent], my Power and Agility Attributes increased faster than I expected, but this enhancement is completely different from the Attribute growth I get from advancing in my class.’

Roland stared at his slightly trembling hands, lost in thought.

’The Attribute increase from my class feels innate, something I can control like an extension of my own body after a little adjustment. But the Attributes forced by [Fermented Battle Intent] are like an external power being forcibly infused into me...’

Recalling the feeling of his body nearly bursting apart during the battle, Roland gently rubbed his temples.

’Once it exceeds my body’s limits, it backfires on me.’

At this thought, Roland looked down to inspect his arms.

Beneath his skin, bruised-purple blood vessels, like writhing earthworms, pulsed and contracted with his heartbeat, looking as if they might burst at any moment.

’It seems that when using [Fermented Battle Intent], I not only have to fight against the erosion of my sanity, but I also have to constantly monitor my body’s physical tolerance. However...’

Roland furrowed his brow, stroking his chin as he estimated in his mind.

’When I activated [Fermented Battle Intent] earlier, it lasted for less than two minutes. That duration should be my body’s current limit.’

’But in a real fight, two minutes is more than enough to turn the tide of battle...’

Recalling that nearly overwhelming Power and Agility, Roland unconsciously licked his dry lips.

In the steam rising from the hot water, his gaze gradually sharpened.

’Trading two or three days of recovery for two minutes of explosive, beyond-limit power... that’s a pretty good deal. What’s more...’

A confident smile touched the corners of his mouth.

’As I grow stronger, I’m sure the duration can be extended... As for my other Combat Skills...’

Roland’s fingertips unconsciously tapped against the bathtub, making a series of soft, rhythmic sounds.

He replayed every detail of his fight with Gandar in his mind, calmly dissecting the Combat Skills that had emerged at the brink of life and death.

’The Combat Skills granted by [Short-Handled Mastery], the flexibility and left-right hand coordination from [Twin Martial Arts], combined with the ability to lift the heavy as if light and the light as if heavy from [Steel Heart Resonance]...’

’The combined effect of all three is even stronger than I anticipated. And...’

After that practical battle, Roland had gained a deeper understanding of the Trait [Twin Martial Arts].

’This perfect two-handed synchronization...’

He slowly raised both arms, holding them in a perfectly symmetrical pose in the steam.

’Perhaps it’s not just for clashes between melee weapons... If I can practice my control over Spiritual Power until I’m proficient...’

Roland’s left hand assumed the posture of holding a sword, while the fingers of his right hand fanned out as if for Casting.

’Simultaneously using melee and a Trick... no, if I could take it even further...’

The image of a web of Flaming Arrows woven before his eyes, condensed from both palms at once, made his heart suddenly race, and the surface of the water trembled slightly.

But after just a moment, Roland slowly shook his head.

’Training to control my Spiritual Power is much harder than I imagined. It’s a skill that needs to be polished slowly over time. I can’t rush it...’

Mulling this over, Roland cupped some warm water from the tub.

After washing the bloodstains from his body, he walked over to the wardrobe and changed into a clean bathrobe.

Just as he was about to get a glass of water to soothe his dry throat, a heavy set of footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Soon, a knock came, followed by a deep voice.

"Roland, may I come in?"

"Of course..."

Recognizing the familiar voice, Roland hurried forward.

As the door opened, a burly figure clad in black Plate Armor appeared before him.

"Lord Gandar, please come in."

Roland bowed slightly to make way, but his gaze was unconsciously drawn to the longsword in the man’s hand, which flowed with a silvery light.

The sword had no unnecessary ornamentation. Simple lines formed a perfect arc, and every inch of the metal seemed to radiate a cold sharpness.

’It’s Mithril!’

Although his gaze only lingered on the longsword for a moment, Roland’s solid knowledge of forging allowed him to immediately recognize the weapon’s precious material.

According to the knowledge Hawke had taught him, this mysterious metal, Mithril, was exceedingly rare. Currently, this scarce material could only be mined in small quantities within territories strictly controlled by the Dwarves.

Furthermore, items forged from Mithril were not only incredibly hard but also lighter and more agile than weapons made of other metals.

If the artisan’s Forging Skills were exquisite enough, a Mithril weapon could be considered a treasure that all Warriors dreamed of possessing.

"Heh..."

Noticing the fervent gaze Roland fixed on the longsword in his hand, Gandar chuckled lightly and placed it on the wooden table before him.

"Try it. This is a reward from His Majesty Morne. A Secret Silver Longsword forged by the Dwarves."

’Forged by the Dwarves?’

Hearing that key phrase, Roland’s breathing quickened.

On the Feyn Continent, every Race has its own unique skills.

And in the Domain of forging, the craftsmanship of the Dwarves was considered unparalleled in the world.

As for a Secret Silver Longsword meticulously forged by a Dwarf Artisan, it was a priceless treasure on the entire Feyn Continent—one that you couldn’t necessarily obtain even with all the wealth in the world.

But now, this magnificent weapon was actually his!

"Thank you, Lord Gandar."

After quietly expressing his thanks, Roland eagerly grasped the Secret Silver Longsword.

It felt cool to the touch, with a hint of warmth. Swinging it felt no different from a regular Iron Sword, only slightly lighter.

But through the Trait [Steel Heart Resonance], he could keenly sense a significant difference in the quality of the materials between the two.

If they were to clash, the edge of an Iron Sword would likely be notched in an instant, while the Secret Silver Longsword would surely remain unscathed.

’If I’d had this Secret Silver Longsword back in Songmu Town when facing the Mutant Dogman, I probably could have cut through its tough scales even without using the Combat Skill [Flowing Slash]...’

Seeing how Roland couldn’t put the sword down, Gandar didn’t say much, simply continuing in his deep voice.

"Besides this Secret Silver Longsword, His Majesty Morne has also prepared a suit of Armor for you..."

’There’s Armor, too!’

With the Secret Silver Longsword as a precedent, the Armor gifted by King Morne was bound to be no ordinary item.

At this thought, Roland felt the aches all over his body lessen slightly.

However, before he could fully process this pleasant surprise, Gandar spoke again.

"Once you’ve recovered, you can collect the Armor from Mr. Colin yourself. Also..." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

As he spoke, the renowned Knight took a well-preserved Sheepskin Scroll from a pouch at his waist.

Under the light, the surface of the scroll gleamed with a gentle luster.