Chapter Three: Advancement

"Uncle Riel, what did you want to see me about?" Hughes and Randall approached Riel and asked.

"Oh! Hughes, you’re here. I called you over just to remind you: don’t push yourself too hard during your first training session. Knights do rely on constantly awakening their own potential, but if you overexert yourself, you could be left with internal injuries that may cause irreparable consequences."

"Yes, Uncle Riel."

"Chip, scan Uncle Riel’s body data," Hughes thought silently.

"Beep! Task established. Scanning..." As soon as Hughes finished the thought, a red alert from the chip flooded his mind.

"Riel Talley. Strength: 3.1, Speed: 2.7, Constitution: 3.0. Status: Severe damage to the left eye, multiple internal injuries above the abdomen."

Warning! Warning! Target is extremely dangerous. It is advised the host immediately distance himself. Survival rate in direct confrontation: 0%.

Hughes was shocked by the data. A strength of 3.1—this was no ordinary person. The chip never made mistakes, and Hughes was well aware of how terrifying a strength score of 3.1 was. Having triple the strength of a normal person was not as simple as merely adding numbers together. On the battlefield, someone like this could probably face ten men alone, or perhaps even a hundred. Hughes couldn’t help but keep looking at Riel; it seemed that once your strength surpassed 3.0, you might be able to awaken the life force to become a knight.

After resting for a moment, Hughes began sword training. With Randall sparring beside him, it was much better than practicing alone.

"As expected, practical training really leaves more room for improvement," Hughes muttered.

"Beep, swordsmanship and breathing technique analysis complete. Would you like to transfer them to the host’s memory?"

Hughes was overjoyed to hear the chip’s voice.

"Randall, I’ll go over there for some water. You keep practicing," Hughes said impatiently as he walked aside. "Chip, begin transfer."

Just like before, a surge of aching pressure filled his mind as the transfer began. Minutes later, a flood of simulated images of swordsmanship and breathing techniques poured into Hughes’ mind. A three-dimensional avatar appeared, demonstrating the precise angles, speed of sword thrusts, and the rhythm and intensity of each breath, enabling Hughes to truly grasp the marvels of the breathing technique.

"Beep. Please rename the document, host."

"Let’s call it Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique," Hughes responded offhandedly.

Now, Hughes possessed the most precise training methods in his mind, saving him countless detours compared to others.

"Beep. Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique optimized: original training effectiveness increased by 15%, risk of internal injuries reduced. Host, a full cycle of Basic Swordsmanship paired with the Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique takes forty minutes. After ten cycles, strength increases by 0.05, agility by 0.05, constitution by 0.04 (Note: effect diminishes with repetition; to continue improving, provide more training methods for analysis)."

"So this is how knights train. As long as I persevere, I too can have strength like Uncle Riel. Although there’s still a chance of internal injuries… Well, that makes sense, since knights are constantly pushing their limits. But with the chip’s assistance, I should be able to greatly reduce that risk."

"Let’s try it out," Hughes said, picking up the wooden sword beside him and practicing as instructed by the method in his mind.

"Beep. Sword thrust is 0.5 seconds too slow. Please correct."

"Beep. Breathing rhythm too slow. Please correct."

So Hughes continued his training, guided by the chip’s constant prompts. The afternoon flew by, and at last, Hughes could execute the sword forms and breathing techniques flawlessly.

He could feel his blood coursing hotly through his veins, his whole body suffused with warmth, the flow faster than usual. He set down the wooden sword and exhaled a puff of black mist, stretched his limbs, and heard his bones crackle. His clothes were soaked with black, tar-like sweat.

Looking around, Hughes saw that night had already fallen. Only he remained in the training yard.

"Did everyone leave because I was too absorbed in practice? Randall didn’t even call me," Hughes muttered, scratching his head.

"Chip, display my current physical data and compare it with the previous data," Hughes instructed.

As soon as he finished, the attribute panel before his eyes began to change.

"Beep. Since the host’s training session resulted in minimal physical data increase, precision is now extended to ten decimal places."

"Beep. Data comparison complete. This training session increased strength by 0.007, agility by 0.005, and constitution by 0.006," the chip quickly responded.

Hughes was satisfied with the results. Though he’d only gained a little after an entire afternoon, he knew the increase would have been greater if his movements had been more precise from the start.

After a quick cleanup, he headed back toward the castle.

The dim moonlight cast a mysterious veil over the land. The households near the castle were already asleep; in this world with low productivity, candles were a luxury only nobles could afford. Ordinary folk were content just to have enough to eat, let alone buy expensive candles, so they went to bed early.

Hughes returned to the castle and met Ellie, the head maid, whom Count Clay had carefully selected to manage the estate.

"Ellie, please prepare some hot water for my bath and a sumptuous dinner. By the way, I haven’t seen my father. Is he in the study?" Hughes asked curiously.

"Young master Hughes, the Count went to the Southern Ridge Mine this afternoon. There were some issues there, and he asked me to inform you he may be gone for about half a month. He also said, if you need to train, it’s best to do so within the castle," Ellie replied respectfully.

"The Southern Ridge Mine is important, so no wonder Father went himself. I wonder what happened, but even though I don’t know his exact stats, I’m sure he’ll be fine."

"Alright, I understand, Ellie. Go and prepare the hot water and food," Hughes said calmly.

"Yes, young master," Ellie replied.

After bathing and dining, Hughes went to Count Clay’s study. He wanted to expand the chip’s database, and perhaps find other training methods to optimize the Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique.

Entering the study, he glanced over the shelves full of books and closed the door behind him.

"Chip, begin scanning and recording the contents of these books," Hughes commanded.

"Beep! Task established. Scanning in progress. 1,674 books detected. Beginning storage and sorting by category. Estimated time: eight minutes."

Hughes sat in his father’s usual chair. "Good, it won’t take long to store all this. Hopefully there will be something useful," he thought, closing his eyes and waiting quietly.

"Beep! Unknown energy source detected. Insufficient data. Unable to analyze. Consequences unpredictable. Host is advised to stay away."

"Beep. Scanning complete. Document creation finished."

Hughes was surprised by the chip’s warning. "Unknown energy? The life force of a knight? But hasn’t the chip seen that before? Could it be something belonging to Father?"

"Chip, confirm location."

Guided by the system’s scan, Hughes found a ring on the bottom shelf. A black gemstone, about the size of a fingernail, was set into it, carved with a circle intersected by a raven’s wing.

"What is this? The chip can’t analyze it, but it doesn’t seem dangerous." Unable to deduce what it was, Hughes slipped the ring into his pocket, planning to ask his father about it when he returned.

"Chip, search the documents for anything that can be used to optimize the Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique."

"Beep. Task established. Optimizing Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique. Estimated time: 124 minutes."

Hughes felt relieved. "Good thing I have something for my own use."

"Chip, list the methods with the highest success rate for making me stronger."

"Beep! After screening, five methods with the highest success rate:

1. Frequently practice Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique (note: can be assisted with herbs).
2. Consume Redfruit (note: contains trace toxins, daily use in moderation can increase strength by 0.007, effectiveness decreases with continued use until immune).
3. Consume the gall of the Blackscale Serpent (note: taking once every three days increases constitution by 0.1, effectiveness decreases with continued use until immune).
4. Battle with the strong; enlightenment amidst life-and-death struggles rapidly increases power.
5. Become a sorcerer; according to scans, sorcerers exist in the host’s world."

Hughes was delighted to see these options. With these methods, he could rapidly increase his power. The fourth method, however, was not one he would choose.

If his rapid progress were exposed, it would surely cause trouble. He understood the danger of standing out with something valuable.

But it was the fifth method that caught his attention.

"A sorcerer? Could such beings really exist?"

"Chip, analyze how to become a sorcerer."

"Beep. Insufficient data. Unable to analyze."

Though a little disappointed by the chip’s answer, Hughes accepted it. If becoming a sorcerer were so easy, they wouldn’t be mere legends in books.

Seems I’ll have to collect more books for the chip in the future, Hughes thought, fiddling with the ring as he left the study.

He returned to his room, lay on the bed, closed his eyes, and thought carefully. Redfruit and Blackscale Serpents—I remember people selling them in the market. I’ll have someone buy them tomorrow.

"Beep. Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique optimization complete; effectiveness increased by 17%, risk of internal injury eliminated."

"Not bad, that’s quite an improvement. With this, I should quickly enhance my strength," Hughes murmured, looking at the starry sky outside.

"Young master Hughes, breakfast is ready," Ellie called.

"Alright, I’ll be right there, Ellie," Hughes replied.

At the table, Hughes elegantly ate his breakfast with fine silver cutlery.

"Young master, here are the Redfruit you requested," Ellie said, carrying a large box.

"Good, set it down. After I finish eating, I’ll be training behind the castle. No one is to approach without my permission."

"Yes, young master Hughes, I’ll see to it," Ellie replied.

Hughes arrived at the woods, glanced around. "No one should disturb me here, and there are Blackscale Serpents around too. I’ll train here for the time being." He picked up an iron sword and began practicing the Basic Swordsmanship and Basic Knight’s Breathing Technique.

This iron sword was taken from Count Clay’s storeroom. The quality wasn’t great, but for Hughes, it was more than sufficient.