Reinhard stood, carefully studying the man who had once sworn loyalty to him. Berthold Harum, the knight commander of the estate, was a tall, sturdy man with short-cropped gray hair and a weary gaze, now tinged with mild irritation.
This man had served the estate for over ten years, always remaining by Reinhard's side, following orders, staying loyal… until today.
"So this is your true nature, Berthold?" Reinhard narrowed his eyes, recalling everything he knew about him.
Berthold was around forty years old, and for his age, he was not a strong knight. Seventh rank was the peak he had reached. His talent wasn't enough for more, and years of service and harsh training had made him resilient but not exceptional.
"You've hit your ceiling... but someone promised you more, didn't they?"
Reinhard knew that Berthold wouldn't have betrayed him without a strong reason. The man was too cautious, too pragmatic. He wouldn't risk his life for a mere handful of gold.
But… what if he was promised power?
Reinhard smirked.
"An elite knight or even the commander of the duchy's guard… quite the tempting bait."
On top of that, they had likely offered him resources to break into the sixth rank—a salvation for a knight stuck at his level for over a decade.
"You're willing to betray your oath for the illusion of strength? How… pathetic."
— Why are you smirking, boy? — Berthold's voice was low, hoarse. — Happy to see the one who betrayed you?
Reinhard's gaze turned icy with disdain.
— No. I'm just wondering how foolish you must be to think I wouldn't find out.
Berthold narrowed his eyes.
— Does it change anything?
Reinhard didn't answer.
"Is he stalling for time?"
At that moment, a translucent green window flashed before his eyes.
[System Window]
[Quest Received: Punish the Knight Commander]
[Reward: +0.1 AP]
Reinhard froze for a moment.
"What is this?"
"A system window?"
He hadn't expected this. Until now, everything had seemed natural—intrigues, conspiracies, the struggle for power.
But a system window?
"This just got even more interesting."
Reinhard felt a slight dizziness, but he quickly steadied himself.
"I'll figure it out later. Right now, Berthold comes first."
— You're silent, so I must be right, — Berthold sneered, mistaking Reinhard's pause for fear.
— You're too weak to oppose me. Even if you've inherited the magical abilities of House Deira, an eighth-rank mage against a seventh-rank knight is laughable.
Reinhard slowly reached for his sword.
— Then why are you nervous?
Berthold tensed.
Reinhard felt the mana within him awakening.
"I remember this feeling."
In his past life, he only used magic to enhance his body, combining it with his unmatched swordsmanship.
He focused, directing energy to his brain.
A vision flashed before his eyes...
"How will this spell manifest?"
Thin strands of mana coiled around his muscles, tightening and fortifying them. His veins lit up like molten lines, and heat surged through his body.
Reinhard felt himself growing stronger—but at the same time, he felt pain.
"This spell burns mana into the bones, destroying the flesh. Interesting... how long can I withstand it?"
But that wasn't all.
He was preparing another spell.
Behind him, a fireball ignited.
— You do realize that a mage can't compete with a knight in close combat, don't you? — Berthold smirked, gripping his sword.
Reinhard grinned back.
— Are you sure I'm a mage?
At that moment, the fireball exploded.
Reinhard felt a powerful shockwave hurl him forward at incredible speed.
Everything blurred, followed by a sharp jolt, pressure in his ears, pain from the impact.
But he endured. He was long accustomed to this.
Berthold barely reacted in time, shifting his body aside...
Reinhard struck.
The metallic clang of a blade slicing through air.
The whistle of wind.
Berthold dodged—but too late.
The sharp edge of the sword cut across his neck, leaving a bloody line.
Berthold staggered back, clutching the wound with his hand.
— What...
His palm was covered in blood.
Reinhard adjusted his grip on his sword, tasting the first hint of victory.
— Not bad reflexes for a seventh-rank knight, — he said calmly. — I meant to take your head, but... you reacted just in time.
Berthold stepped back again, his eyes darting around, searching for an escape.
Reinhard slowly raised his sword.
— Come now… let's begin a real battle!
⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌
Knight Ranks:
10th Rank → Soldier
9th Rank → Knight Apprentice
8th Rank → Knight Assistant
7th Rank → Beginner Knight
6th Rank → Advanced Knight
5th Rank → Knight Graduate
4th Rank → Sword Master
3rd Rank → Grand Sword Master
2nd Rank → Sword King
1st Rank → Sword Emperor
⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌
Mage Ranks:
10th Rank → Mage Apprentice
9th Rank → Novice
8th Rank → Mage Assistant
7th Rank → Beginner Mage
6th Rank → Adept Mage
5th Rank → Magic Scholar
4th Rank → Grand Mage
3rd Rank → Magic Monarch
2nd Rank → Archmage
1st Rank → Great Archmage
⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌⬌