10 Chapter 10: Royal Bloodline

Ever since awakening the so-called memory of his past life, Adam had been at a loss.

The world of his past life was so beautiful.

In that world, there were no wars, no killings, and no fierce beasts or bandits to be seen everywhere.

There were no high-ranking aristocrats, and although there were still injustices among the people, there was at least superficial equality.

Even the most lowly beggars and those born in abject poverty could, through their own efforts and learning, live a life that Adam considered very good.

Their children could study without worry, not having to worry about where their next meal would come from; their elderly did not have to commit suicide in despair and could also receive proper care.

Everything was so beautiful.

After awakening his memories, Adam sometimes couldn't help but think that if he lived in that world, he might put down his sword, find a job that benefits others, and live a peaceful life.

Just like in his former life, being a teacher, educating a group of students and children with ease, that would be nice.

But what he saw before his eyes was so cruel.

Since Adam had memories, he had seen such cruelty every day.

People were like grass, dying and being reborn.

Bandits killed outside, innocent children and women were slaughtered, the cruel scenes had never stopped.

Even within the Hodge Academy, many evil things happened, that were repugnant.

Even if he changed worlds and came to this place, the situation didn't seem to have changed much.

Did the world he lived in before really exist?

In this vast world, is there really such a place where children can grow up carefree, and the elderly can enjoy their twilight years?

Adam held the sword in his hand, feeling an indescribable confusion in his heart.

In front of him, the child finished eating and stood there timidly looking at Adam.

She spoke with unfamiliar syllables, seeming to express her gratitude.

Adam nodded and walked away.

Not far away, Luman and his companion looked at Adam with confusion.

The loss on the young knight's face was so clear that they could see it too.

What could have happened that could make this powerful knight show such a demeanor?

They did not know and did not understand how to comfort him.

After a moment of silence, Adam continued to look forward.

In front of him, the familiar attribute panel appeared.

Name: Adam

Race: Gallia

Attributes: Strength (3.4), Constitution (3.7), Spirit (2.9), Charisma (1.9)

Bloodline: Blood of the Gallia Royal Family (3)

Talent: Archery Proficiency (2)

Skills: Hodge Knight Training Skill (Level 5), Archery Skill (Level 3), Hodge Fighting Sword Skills (Level 2)

Experience Points: 104

Adam looked forward.

In a little over half a month, he had accumulated another substantial amount of experience points.

So, it seemed he had finally reached the point of needing improvement again.

As in the past, he first looked at the Knight Training Skill before him.

With a movement of his mind, the Knight Training Skill moved again and its level was raised.

In this process, thirty experience points were deducted.

Adam instinctively covered his chest.

"This feeling..."

The sudden sensation made him a bit painful, so he subconsciously held his chest.

It took him a long while to recover.

He sat down and felt the status of his body.

After the experience points boost, his Knight Training Skill had been upgraded once more, reaching level 6.

Upon reaching this level, Adam's inner feeling became even clearer.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of a heart beating rings out, echoing in this place.

Adam feels this sensation, and it brings a sense of sudden enlightenment.

He has already reached the limit of the apprentice stage and can progress no further.

Now, he could be called a knight-in-training, just one step away from becoming a true knight.

As long as he awakens the life seed, he can become a genuine knight.

Just... one more promotion is needed.

At this moment, Adam is overwhelmed with excitement.

Becoming a real knight has been his obsession since childhood.

And now, this childhood dream seems to be within reach, just a simple movement of his finger away from coming true.

So, what is he waiting for?

Without any hesitation, Adam continues to try and upgrade his Knight Training Skill.

But this time, the upgrade fails.

"Insufficient royal blood concentration, promotion failed...."

An intense pain surges throughout his body.

For an instant, Adam feels an unbearable sensation all over.

First, it is an unbearable itch, followed by excruciating pain, as if his entire body is convulsing, the pain indescribable, making Adam want to scream out loud.

Fortunately, his strong willpower helps withstand this agony, suppressing his urge to yell.

Even so, after the pain subsides, he remains seated in place for a long while before opening his eyes with some effort.

Unknowingly, his face has turned deathly pale.

"Royal blood concentration insufficient...."

Adam gazes at the prompt before him, a sudden realization dawning on him.

The advancement and cultivation of knights are closely related to their bloodline.

All aristocrats were once descendants of the Gallia Royal Family.

Initially, there was no aristocracy to speak of.

Humanity within the Dawn World was just one of many races that emerged during the Black Iron Age.

At the start, everyone was an ordinary person.

However, as time passed and under exceptional circumstances, some of the first royal families were born, leading the human race out of the Gallia Mountains and contesting with the Elf Dwarves and other races.

That marked the origin of the earliest royal families.

It wasn't until later, when the royals intermarried with commoners, that the various aristocrats were born.

Today, if the bloodline of the aristocrats in the Dawn World is traced back, it would lead to the original kings.

That is why the nobility is inherently superior.

Because their bloodlines are indeed extraordinarily strong, much more noble than ordinary people.

Similarly, the promotion of knights is intricately connected to the royal bloodline.

The nobler the aristocrat's lineage, the higher the probability of their inheriting the Knight Talent and awakening the life seed.

All these facts were known to Adam beforehand.

However, looking at the current situation, if the royal blood within one's body isn't rich enough, it may be impossible to even awaken the life seed.

In the Dawn World, aristocrats genuinely have it better.

Adam clutches his chest in pain.

His body is in agony.

But what hurts him more than this physical pain is the doubt gnawing at him from within.

For a long time, everyone around him has told him that as long as he has a strong enough belief and puts in enough effort, he can become a powerful knight.

For this goal, he has continually striven since childhood, shedding countless amounts of sweat and toil, all to become a true knight.

But now, the cruel reality informs him that bloodline, instead of effort, is the crucial factor.

If one's bloodline is insufficient, if there isn't enough royal blood, no matter how hard they try, destiny dictates that they can never become a genuine knight.

The harsh reality deals a heavy blow to the young man once again.

In this world, what is the purpose of all this hard work, after all?