Roland looked toward the voice and saw an open training field packed with people.

Candidates of various races crowded together, anxiety written across their faces.

Humans made up the majority, but stocky Dwarves and slender Elves were mixed among them.

The most eye-catching figures were several green-skinned candidates who stood a head taller than everyone around them.

Tusks jutted from their mouths, and their muscles knotted beneath their skin. They were unmistakably the Orcs described in books.

So those are... Orcs?

Roland was privately surprised.

According to rumor, the race was irritable and warlike.

The Orc Kingdoms to the west had provoked border conflicts year after year, bringing endless trouble to the surrounding nations.

Yet the Orcs before him were remarkably well-behaved. They stood in line like trained beasts, even keeping their breathing deliberately quiet.

"That over there is the entrance assessment field."

Noticing Roland's gaze, Avril explained, "Because the River Kingdoms practice joint rule, young people of every race come to apply during enrollment season each year."

She lifted her chin in another direction.

"Look over there."

Following her gesture, Roland noticed several especially short candidates mixed into the line.

Their faces resembled Humans', but their bodies were better proportioned, and they stood only around three or four feet tall.

Most striking of all were their astonishingly broad feet.

Their exposed soles were not only thick with calluses, but also covered in dense hair.

"Gnomes?"

"No."

Avril led Roland onward.

"They look similar, but they are Halflings."

"Halflings..."

Roland nodded thoughtfully.

There were few records of this race in the ancient texts, but that brief look reminded him of the fantasy films he had watched before his transmigration. The Hobbits in those stories looked almost identical to the candidates before him.

After passing through the archway guarded by soldiers, the two followed a winding corridor.

At last, Avril stopped before a plain oak door and knocked three times.

"Come in."

A gentle reply came from inside.

Before the sound had faded, Avril pushed the door open and stepped in.

Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the study and illuminating the simple oak furniture.

Behind the desk sat a silver-haired old man.

His hair was combed with meticulous care, shining with a silk-like luster in the light.

Roland's gaze settled on the old man's chest.

The shell emblem there was identical to the pattern on Colin's lapel.

"Mr. Nielsen..."

Avril stepped aside and bowed, revealing Roland behind her.

The old man adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. Behind the lenses, his eyes were gentle but sharp.

"This must be the one Colin mentioned..."

"Roland, yes?"

Nielsen smiled and completed the thought, then retrieved a roll of parchment from a drawer.

"Colin has already explained your situation in detail."

He beckoned Roland closer. The yellowed scroll unfurled across the desk, covered in neatly copied text.

"This is the enrollment contract."

Nielsen tapped the top sheet.

"Sign your name, and you will be an official student of the Knight Academy. As for the document beneath it..."

He moved the first sheet aside, revealing another page made of special material.

"That is the citizenship certificate of the River Kingdoms. I assume..."

The old man raised his eyes with a mild smile.

"Colin has already explained the conditions to you?"

"Of course."

Roland took the documents and reviewed them line by line.

After confirming that the clauses were correct, he picked up the quill and signed both documents.

When his thumb pressed firmly onto the wax seal, a scarlet emblem stamped the paper like blood.

While Roland signed, Avril had already taken her leave.

"Very good."

Nielsen put the documents away with satisfaction and interlaced his fingers beneath his chin.

"Colin mentioned that you are exceptionally strong and do not wish to complete the coursework step by step before obtaining a Knight breathing method. Fortunately, the academy does have precedents..."

He took down a stack of yellowed parchments from the oak shelf.

"These are difficult commissions that remain unresolved. You only need to complete three of them, and then..."

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A sudden knock interrupted the conversation.

A low voice came from outside the door.

"Old Nielsen, are you in there?"

Nielsen's kind smile froze at once, and his brows drew into deep furrows.

Before he could answer, the heavy oak door opened.

The thin man outside wore a gentle smile not unlike Nielsen's, but coldness lingered between his brows.

In the sunlight, Roland noticed that the man's uniform resembled Nielsen's, but the emblem on his chest was entirely different: a golden tulip, the unopened bud embroidered in lifelike detail.

"Mr. Finn..."

Nielsen narrowed his eyes and leaned forward slightly.

"I do not recall having an appointment with you today."

"Of course. Your memory has always been excellent."

Finn had not finished speaking when a muffled sound came from behind him.

"I'm the one who wants to see you!"

An enormous shadow bent down and squeezed through the doorframe.

When he straightened to his full height, Roland's pupils contracted.

That physique did not look Human.

The newcomer was so burly he almost filled the entire doorway, and the shadow he cast covered half the room.

He looked like a walking stone tower.

His neck was nearly as thick as his head, and granite-like muscles stretched his linen shirt into exaggerated curves.

Root-like veins coiled across his exposed forearms. Each breath made his armor-like chest rise and fall.

When he turned his head, his jaw looked chopped out by axe and blade, every angle hard enough to cut.

Most intimidating of all were his broad, fan-like hands.

At that moment, they clenched and opened in restless rhythm, his knuckles cracking with a tooth-aching sound.

"Principal Graham!"

Nielsen rose from his chair the instant he saw the newcomer. Respect showed on his face, but caution tightened his eyes.

"May I ask what instruction brings you here personally?"

"Hmph."

Looking at Nielsen's careful manner, Graham let out a cold snort that rolled like thunder and made the parchment rolls on the shelves rustle.

"I heard that boy Colin recruited another 'talent'?"

He emphasized the final word, and his bell-like eyes locked onto Roland.

"And wants another exception for admission without the assessment?"

The instant Roland met that gaze, his chest tightened. The air around him seemed to harden, making it difficult to breathe.

This man's strength is unfathomable.

Roland reached that judgment with a single look.

"Principal Graham..."

Roland was not the only one feeling the pressure in the room.

Under that invisible might, Nielsen's neck stiffened like rusted machinery. Even raising his head became difficult.

"Please judge fairly. This Mr. Roland's strength is outstanding. He has absolutely reached the standard for admission without the assessment..."

"Outstanding strength? Hmph!"

Graham's snort still vibrated in the air when his fan-like palm chopped down toward Roland's head with mountain-splitting force, like a giant axe cleaving a peak.

Before the hand arrived, violent wind swept over Roland in surging waves.

His black hair was torn into wild motion, and the pressure scraped painfully across his cheeks.

Facing that devastating force, every muscle in his body tensed by instinct. His right hand clamped around the sword hilt at his waist like iron pincers.

In that instant...

"Boom!"

A muffled thunderclap exploded inside the enclosed room, shaking the window frames until they buzzed.

Then came a series of tooth-aching cracks.

The hard floor split beneath the impact, and splinters shot outward like rain.

Amid the wreckage, a surprised murmur sounded.

"Interesting little trick..."

Graham drew back his palm and rubbed his rough fingertips together.

In that strike just now, he had clearly felt a strange pulling force divert his attack into the floor.

He clicked his tongue. The dissatisfaction in his eyes faded, replaced by surprise.

"Boy, what's your name?"

He lifted his brows, his voice measuring Roland.

"Roland, Mr. Graham."

As he answered, Roland quietly flexed his numbed wrist.

When Graham's seemingly casual strike came down with crushing force, Roland had used [Crescent Moon Draw] almost by instinct, guiding and dissolving the blow with his scabbard.

Thanks to day after day of brutal practice, the Combat Technique had indeed guided that terrifying force, just as Gundar had said.

But...

The gap in strength is still too great.

Roland looked at the bluish-purple bruise appearing on his wrist. The stabbing pain between his knuckles gave him a clearer grasp of the powerhouse before him.

If he had taken that casual-looking palm head-on, his entire arm would likely have been crushed.

"Looks like that boy Colin finally brought back someone who isn't trash!"

Graham's booming voice echoed through the room.

"Nielsen, I approve. This boy can enter without taking the assessment!"

The pressure covering the room vanished with his words.

"Thank you, Lord Graham..."

Nielsen let out a private breath, wiped the cold sweat from his temple, and began calculating.

I need to warn Colin. Graham is clearly already dissatisfied with him casually stuffing people into the academy. But...

The old man's gaze turned to Roland, who had remained calm throughout. Surprise lingered in his eyes.

This time, he really did dig up a treasure.

"But, Principal!"

The middle-aged man named Finn spoke up, his brows locked together.

"You have always emphasized obedience to academy rules. This kind of exception..."

"Finn."

Graham's large hand landed heavily on his shoulder. The movement looked casual, but Finn's knees almost buckled.

"Don't think I don't know what you're scheming."

He bent down and whispered beside Finn's ear, though his voice remained clear enough for everyone to hear.

"I can't be bothered with the dealings of you nobles and merchants, but on my territory..."

His palm exerted a little more force, and Finn's face turned deathly pale.

"My word is the rule. Understand?"

"Under... understood! Lord Graham!"

After putting Finn in his place, Graham turned toward Nielsen.

"I heard from outside just now..."

His meaningful gaze swept across Roland, who was still moving his wrist.

"This boy wants to complete commissions to skip coursework and graduate directly?"

"Old Nielsen..."

Graham stepped forward and tapped the tabletop with his finger, producing dull knocks.

"I have served here for many years, and I don't recall ever hearing of such a rule."

"My apologies, Principal Graham. This is..."

Nielsen frowned and started to explain, but Graham waved him off.

"However... it isn't a bad idea."

He suddenly grinned, his gray-white beard trembling.

"Actual combat does reveal a person's overall strength better than simply studying coursework."

"Boy!"

He turned toward Roland.

"Here!"

Roland straightened by reflex.

Graham approached with heavy steps, each one making the floor tremble faintly.

"If you want to skip the coursework and obtain a Knight breathing method, then come to the council hall and find me. I'll arrange a suitable task for you. Otherwise..."

He leaned close, his huge body blocking the light, his eyes blazing like torches in the shadow.

"Study honestly for four years!"

"Yes, Lord Graham!"

Roland's respectful response earned a satisfied hum from Graham. Then the principal turned and strode away.

Seeing this, Finn clutched his aching shoulder and hurried after him.

The heavy wooden door closed, shutting out the pressure from moments before.

Silence returned to the room. Only drifting dust moved in the light.

"Mr. Roland, I truly apologize..."

Nielsen walked to the ruined floor. Looking at the shattered thick oak, pain crossed his face.

"The principal has always been a man of his word, and the Knight Academy was founded by his own hand. So... regarding your wish to skip coursework and graduate directly..."

He shook his head helplessly.

"I am afraid I can no longer interfere. However..."

The old man changed the topic as he straightened the parchments and heavy books thrown into disorder by the wind.

"You may not know this, but Knight breathing methods also differ in quality. If you can complete a task personally assigned by the principal, the breathing method he grants you will certainly be far stronger than what the academy ordinarily provides."

His movements paused, and his voice dropped.

"Naturally, a task issued by Lord Graham himself will also be extremely dangerous, far beyond what ordinary people can imagine."

He raised his age-lined face, the light outside the window catching his graying temples.

"You are still young. Four years is not long for you. Completing the coursework steadily may not be an unwise choice."

"Thank you for your advice, Mr. Nielsen."

Roland took a deep breath and nodded in thanks.

After exchanging a few more words with Nielsen, he turned and pushed open the heavy door.

As the door closed behind him, Roland walked down the long corridor with his brows furrowed, replaying what had just happened.

I expected something like this, but I did not think I would be dragged into the open and hidden struggle between nobles and merchants in the River Kingdoms so soon... or become the convenient target.

The encounter had been brief, but Roland had already judged that Finn likely belonged to the noble faction of the River Kingdoms.

He let out a quiet breath. Recalling Nielsen's words, his expression steadied.

Four years is far too long. Even if I can rely on the occupation panel during that time to take other occupations and continuously gain attribute bonuses and Extra Buffs, still...

Thinking of the power of the Transcendent Knights he had witnessed with his own eyes, he shook his head.

That path would raise my strength far less directly than cultivating a Knight breathing method. Besides...

Memories of the strange and dangerous incidents he had encountered since the recovery of Mana Elements sharpened his resolve.

No one knows what the world will look like four years from now, with the Dragon appearing and Mana Elements recovering this quickly.

With that thought settled, he asked a passerby for directions to the council hall and headed there at once.

At worst, I'll first learn what Graham's commission requires. If it truly is too dangerous for me to handle right now, I can still look for another way.

As his thoughts churned, Roland soon arrived before an unusually broad wooden door.

He knocked, and Graham's deep response came from within.

"Come in."

The heavy solid-wood door opened, and Roland immediately felt a gaze almost solid enough to take form land on him.

"As expected, it's you, boy. I could tell from the start that you little fellow fears neither heaven nor earth."

A playful smile appeared on Graham's rugged face.

"Come over."

As his voice fell, he tossed two thick parchment scrolls onto the desk.

What he said next made Roland pause.

"One of these is the commission I intend to give you. I'll say this up front..."

Graham crossed his arms, his blade-like chin lifting toward the scrolls.

"This job is extremely dangerous. Even with decent skills, one careless step and you'll die on the spot. Of course... for a life-threatening task, I'll give you a little sweetness too."

His voice was not loud, but the next words struck Roland like thunder.

"The one beside it... is the Knight breathing method you've been dreaming of."

"If you agree to accept this task, you may take it back and study it right now."

Looking at the breathing method scroll within reach, Roland's throat went dry.