Journey

After the three acolytes cast their spells and saw the dire wolves disperse, they non-chalantly returned to their magical carriage. After closer inspection, Ourin realized that it was no ordinary carriage, as it had suffered no mark of damage from the battle that had just unfolded. Golden runes were glowing slightly in the darkness of the night, revealing that it was most likely an enchanted carriage with basic defense properties.

The black-robed knights and apprentices did not have time to mourn the fallen ones, as they had to work. There were a dozen commoners alongside the black-robed knights, attendants that were tasked with cooking and gathering food on the way. They also possessed convenient skills that were much needed as most of the carriages had been damaged.

The time to repair the wheels was estimated to be three days, but as time passed and lack of raw ressources, the time it took to repair every carriage was roughly double the original estimate.

*SWOOSH*

The powerful crossbow bolt flew out, and the strong recoil caused Ourin's arm to feel slightly numb. However, this wondrous tool was just as deadly as it was difficult to use. Even as a knight, he could feel the force behind the enhanced crossbow he had made, adding a tension regulator on the bowstring, allowing to generate force 2.5 stronger than it originally was, without destroying the original materials.

*PU*

The crossbow arrow entered through the left eye of a boar that his team had been tracking for the past day.

"I guess knights truly are a different breed compared to regular humans...", Harry commented at the scene that had developped in front of him.

Next to him, a panting woman in leather gear, Bessita, was clapping: "This was a magnificent shot!"

Ourin shook his head, fully knowing that in this world, knights were far from the top of the food chain, especially when compared to magi. If he became a Grand Knight, then he might possess enough force to contend with level 2, or even some of the non-combat level 3 acolytes, but anything stronger would be pure wishful thinking.

Still, Ourin never once let go of his knight training. The reason was pretty simple as it still increased his attributes, and by extension, his longetivity as he believed vitality and lifespan was correlated. Back on Earth, he had read that many cardiovascular diseases could be avoided with regular exercise, and knight training was basically an advanced form of training that could push his body beyond the limits of what regular humans could reach. He still had no idea about his future talent in magic would be, so in case he had no talent whatsoever, he could always return to the Ironguard Barony, and live a happy fullfilling life as a local knightly lord.

As the group returned to the Steelcrest Alliance, Joella and a few boys started to cook the meal. The sight of Ourin returning with game after hunting sessions had been quite common the past few days.

As days passed, Ourin became stronger.

Notifications fueled his will to become stronger, as the most minuscule change in his physique were caught by his powerful biochip's body analysis capabilities, allowing him to grasp his progress, as minute as it was. Most knights would feel disappointed after breaking through, feeling as if they reached a plateau and eventually reduce their training.

Ourin was different.

Although training showed less signs of progress, he continued to train regardless.

[Beep! You have ingested nutritious food recognized as [Boar Liver]...]

[Beep! After comparison, Host's strength is expected to increase by 0.0003, and vitality by 0.0001]

Food was a catalyst to his muscle training. However, most of his gains came from his upper-grade knight breathing technique. Having been reborn as the son of a long-lasting knight household proved quite useful.

[Beep! You have completed a cycle of [Ironguard Knight Breathing Technique]...]

[Beep! After comparison, undergoing the Ironguard Breathing Technique increased the Host's strength by 0.0003, Agility by 0.0003, and vitality by 0.0002]

Obviously, the growth rate has slowed down. But Ourin did not stop training one day. He continued to expand his influence in the Steelcrest Alliance, and even earned the respect of black-robed knights, although his investment in Knight Angelo turned into nothing due to him dying in the direwolf attack.

Six months later, one of the white-robed acolytes shouted in a loud voice amplified through magic

"Congratulations on surviving the journey", Crow said, "We have arrived in the Southern Magus Union Apprentice Settlement. Follow the instructions as you get your affinities tested. After talking with your seniors, you will be able to choose which Magic Academy you have to join. Beware that this choice will surely impact your lives forever"

Ourin scanned his body, and revealed a confident grin. Now, he was pretty much a match for any black-robed knight servant of the acolytes. He was a proper knight, with solid and balanced attributes. His swordsmanship had also come close to perfection, his ability to memorize his moves turning into a powerful ability to gain insights from spars and observation of black-robed knights fighting.

[Scan Complete! Ourin | Strength: 2.5 → 2.8, Agility: 2.1 → 2.3, Vitality: 2.6 → 2.8, Status: Healthy]

Now, it was time to learn what his affinities with magic were. Depending on the element, he would have to choose an environment, a magical academy suited for his growth.

Unlike Leylin, he knew that he did not have a guardian angel capable of protecting him from danger. Whatever choice he made, he would have to make sure it is the safest for his future. That's why knowing that an incoming war between magical academies in which the Abyssal Bone Forest would be victim of enemy alliances made Ourin reluctant to join it, regardless of how much it would match him.

The Steelcrest Alliance members all looked at each other with firm trust. After a careful debate, they decided to split and keep contact in their respective academies as well as sharing information. He planned on making this alliance a powerful tool for his future growth, but he knew that it was risky as friendship would be short-lived due to the nature of acolytes. Still, he believed that as long as it could provide mutual benefits to the different parties, the acolytes would gladly accept his propositions. Exchange of information, geopolitical knowledge or even expeditions could arise from this alliance born through life and deaths battles.

At the end of the day, the Steelcrest Alliance had been created for the survival accross the Great Plains of Death. And it had served its purpose. Just as it was successful at protecting its members, unlike other alliances thanks to Ourin's leadership, it had the potential to become more, much more...