Translator: CinderTL
"An interesting little trick."
Graham slowly withdrew his hand, his calloused fingertips gently rubbing together.
He had clearly felt a strange pulling force during his strike, one that had forcibly redirected his attack toward the floor.
He clicked his tongue, the initial displeasure in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a hint of surprise.
"Boy, what's your name?" he asked, his eyebrow slightly raised, his voice carrying a scrutinizing edge.
"Roland, Mr. Graham," Roland replied, subtly flexing his numb wrist.
When Graham's seemingly casual yet overwhelmingly powerful strike had come, Roland had instinctively used Arc Moon Draw, using his scabbard to deflect and neutralize the force.
Thanks to his relentless daily practice, the combat technique had indeed, as Gondar had claimed, successfully guided that terrifying strength.
But...
"The difference in strength is still too great."
Roland stared at the purplish bruise gradually surfacing on his wrist, the sharp pain radiating from his knuckles serving as a stark reminder of the overwhelming power of the man before him.
If he were to directly block that seemingly casual palm strike now, his entire arm would likely shatter.
"Looks like that brat Colin finally brought back someone worthwhile this time!" Graham's booming voice echoed through the room.
"Nielsen, I approve! This young man can enter the academy without taking the entrance exam!"
As the words fell, the oppressive aura that had blanketed the room vanished like smoke.
"Thank you, Lord Graham," Nielsen said, secretly exhaling in relief. He discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, mentally calculating his next move.
I need to warn Colin. Lord Graham is clearly growing increasingly displeased with his habit of casually stuffing people into the academy. But...
The old man's gaze shifted to Roland, who remained composed and unfazed. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
This time, he actually struck gold.
"But Lord Dean!" Finn, a middle-aged man, suddenly spoke up, his brow furrowed. "You've always emphasized strict adherence to the academy's regulations. Such exceptions..."
"Finn." Graham's massive hand landed heavily on Finn's shoulder. The seemingly casual gesture made Finn's knees buckle.
"Don't think I don't know what you're scheming."
He leaned in close to Finn's ear and whispered, yet his voice carried with perfect clarity to everyone in the room.
"I couldn't care less about your noble and merchant schemes. But on my turf..."
His grip tightened slightly, and Finn's face drained of color.
"My word is law! Understand?"
"Perfectly clear, Lord Graham!"
Having disciplined Finn, Graham turned to Nielsen.
"I overheard something outside the door just now."
His gaze swept meaningfully over Roland, who was flexing his wrist.
"This kid thinks he can skip his studies and graduate early by completing a mission?"
"Old Nielsen..."
Graham stepped forward, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the desk, each tap a dull thud.
"I've been Dean here for years, and I've never heard of such a rule."
"My apologies, Dean Graham. This is..."
Nielsen frowned, preparing to explain, but Graham cut him off with a wave.
"Still... it's not a bad idea."
A sudden grin split his face, his gray-white beard trembling with the movement.
"Real combat does reveal a person's true capabilities far better than mere classroom exercises."
"Boy!"
He whirled around to face Roland.
"Sir!"
Roland instinctively straightened his back.
Graham approached with heavy strides, each step causing the floor to tremble slightly.
"If you want to skip your studies and obtain the Knight's Breathing Technique, come to the Council Hall. I'll assign you a suitable task. Otherwise..."
He leaned in close, his massive frame completely blocking the light, his eyes burning like torches in the shadows.
"...you'll study your lessons diligently for the next four years!"
"Yes, Lord Graham!"
Roland's respectful response earned a satisfied grunt from Graham, who then turned and strode away.
Finn, clutching his stinging shoulder, hurried out of the room after him.
The heavy wooden door slammed shut, sealing the tense atmosphere inside.
The room fell into sudden silence, broken only by the dance of dust motes in the sunlight.
"Mr. Roland, I'm truly sorry..."
Nielsen walked over to the shattered oak floor, a hint of distress crossing his face as he surveyed the damage.
"Lord Dean always keeps his word, and he personally founded the Knight Academy. So... regarding your request to skip your studies and graduate early..."
He shook his head helplessly.
"I'm afraid I can't intervene. However..."
The old man shifted his tone, beginning to tidy the parchment scrolls and heavy tomes scattered by the gust of wind.
"You may not be aware, but Knight's Breathing Techniques vary in quality. If you complete a task personally assigned by the Dean, the breathing technique he bestows will undoubtedly be far more powerful than the standard ones taught at the academy."
He paused, his voice deepening.
"However, a mission personally issued by Lord Graham must be exceptionally perilous, far beyond what ordinary people can imagine."
He raised his weathered face, the light from the window illuminating his silvering sideburns.
"You're still young. Four years is a short time for you. Steadily completing your coursework might be the wisest course of action."
"Thank you for your advice, Mr. Nielsen," Roland said, taking a deep breath and giving a slight nod.
After a few more brief exchanges, he turned and pushed open the heavy door.
As the door closed behind him, Roland slowly paced down the long corridor, his brow furrowed in thought, replaying the earlier conversation in his mind.
"I expected this, but I didn't think I'd be drawn into the open and covert struggles between the nobles and merchants of the River Domain Nations so quickly... And I've become the victim..."
Though the encounter had been brief, Roland had keenly discerned that the middle-aged man named Finn belonged to the noble faction within the River Domain Nations.
He sighed softly, recalling Nielsen's words. His furrowed brow gradually relaxed, his expression hardening with resolve.
"Four years is far too long... Even if I could use the Job Panel to acquire other classes during that time, constantly gaining attribute bonuses and additional benefits, still..."
Remembering the awe-inspiring power of the Transcendent Knight he had witnessed firsthand, he shook his head slightly.
"This method of increasing strength is nowhere near as swift or direct as mastering the Knight's Breathing Technique. Besides..."
Recalling the bizarre and perilous incidents that had plagued him since the resurgence of the Magic Element, Roland made up his mind.
"No one knows what the world will look like in four years, with giant dragons appearing and the Magic Element rapidly reviving."
With this thought, he asked a passerby for directions to the Council Hall and strode purposefully toward it.
"At worst, I'll just investigate the details of Graham's commission first. If it truly proves too dangerous, far beyond my current capabilities, I can always find another way later..."
As his thoughts churned, Roland quickly arrived before an unusually wide wooden door.
A crisp knock echoed, followed by Graham's gruff reply from within.
"Come in."
The heavy solid wood door creaked open, and Roland immediately felt a gaze almost tangible fall upon him.
"So it's you, kid. I knew all along you were fearless." Graham's rugged face broke into an amused grin. "Come over here..."
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed two thick parchment scrolls onto the table.
His next words, however, made Roland pause slightly.
"One of these is the commission I want to give you. Let's get this straight..." Graham crossed his arms, his sharp chin tilting toward the scrolls. "This job is extremely dangerous. Even with your skills, one wrong move could cost you your life. Of course... for such a deadly task, I'll make it worth your while..."
His voice remained low, but his next words struck Roland like a thunderclap.
"The scroll beside it... that's the Knight's Breathing Technique you've been dreaming of."
"If you accept this mission, you can take it back with you right now to study."
Gazing at the breathing technique scroll within arm's reach, Roland felt a slight dryness in his throat.
(End of the Chapter)
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