Low-level Knight

Roy's gaze swept around until he spotted an unsharpened Iron Sword on a nearby weapon rack. It looked ancient, broad, and sturdy—perfect for training.

He walked over and gripped the hilt.

After briefly getting a feel for it, he lifted it and stepped into the open space in the center, wielding the Iron Sword in slashes and chops.

The wind from the blade whistled. As he grew accustomed to the movements, they became increasingly natural.

"Though it's a little heavy, it's not nearly as hard to handle as I imagined!"

After testing it for a while, Roy smiled.

"To be more specific...

My physique and strength have improved by more than thirty percent.

At this rate, I'll soon reach Knight level and gain some ability to defend myself!"

This was close to the information he had researched beforehand.

The Minor Physique Strengthening Potion had an enhancement effect of around 35%, calculated additively based on an ordinary person's baseline.

In theory, the effects could be added repeatedly.

Only after reaching the mortal limit of this world—Knight level—would it lose its effect.

As for Knights—

They were both a Melee Class and a title. Since ancient times, they had often existed as followers of wizards.

Starting from Knight Squires, their physiques and strength were not much different from ordinary people; they merely possessed some Martial Arts.

Only after learning the Knight Breathing Technique and breaking through the mortal limit could one become a Low-level Knight.

Such people possessed physiques roughly twice that of ordinary people. Their speed and reactions were also noticeably improved, while the upper and lower limits of strength and the like varied greatly depending on their level of training.

Most ordinary people in this world were manual laborers or militia, so the baseline was comparatively high.

This actually Far Exceeded the standards of the world before his transmigration.

This was the theoretical limit achievable by taking the Blood Persimmon Potion.

"Though I'm still weak...

At least I have some ability to defend myself now!

After all, even Potterning and the others are only enhanced to the level of Low-level Knights or Intermediate Knights!

Once I continue improving, it remains to be seen who should fear whom!"

Roy nodded to himself, deeply satisfied.

"However, the medicine needs time to digest. I'll continue in a few days!"

In the blink of an eye, it was September 20.

Life in the tower was monotonous yet fulfilling. Everyone was striving for their own advancement.

During this time, Renion and the others inevitably became anxious over all sorts of things, such as how difficult it was to earn money and how arduous their studies were.

Roy turned a deaf ear to it all and focused on improving himself.

But another matter caught his attention.

Another Intermediate Apprentice he knew...

Had Died In the course of a mission!

"That Little Pete... he was actually bitten to death by a Man-eating Flower. He was far too careless!"

"Sigh, it's all because of Mandatory Tasks. That was something Advanced Apprentices should have handled!"

"Actually, it hasn't just been Little Pete lately. Several Old Apprentices have also Died In the wilderness and never returned..."

As everyone Talked About it, they could only sigh.

Though they were not relatives of those apprentices, they could not help but feel some sorrow at the fate of those like themselves.

This made Roy take the matter seriously. He hastened to brew a second dose of Blood Persimmon Potion, raising his physique to 170%.

Knight-level strength did not consist solely of physique and power.

It also included many other things.

But Roy's goal was not to become some immensely powerful Knight.

He merely wanted to strengthen his physique so that he would not be too frail.

Therefore, rather than spending his time and energy on training, he continued drinking potions.

On September 25, after the medicinal effects had been fully digested, the third bottle of potion was successfully brewed.

After taking it this time, it took an entire night for the agitation in his cells to finally subside.

Seeing that daylight had fully broken, Roy ran to the Training Ground to test himself again.

The Iron Sword, which he had already been able to handle, now felt even lighter. His breathing remained steady throughout, and his strikes were precise and forceful.

He quickly adapted again, a hint of delight appearing in his eyes.

"I was already at 170% of an ordinary person, and now I've gained another 35% or so!

In other words, my physique and strength have reached around 205% of an ordinary person's!

This Perfectly Matches a Low-level Knight!"

Knight ranks were a stage-based classification. From Low-level Knight to Great Knight, they were all merely within the equivalent of an apprentice's Level Zero.

Thus, he had crossed this threshold with ease.

"My advantage lies in my Alchemy Talent. I can't spend my time and energy on inefficient training."

After confirming this, Roy continued pondering and decided on his path ahead.

"Then I'll simply stop training.

I'll continue raising my raw stats, or use Alchemical Weapons to strengthen my Combat Power.

Besides that, I should also make full use of various Mechanical Devices, potions, and the like.

After all, in the early stages, these things might be even more useful than Low-level Witchcraft!"

Thus, after careful consideration, Roy took the magic stones he had painstakingly saved up during this period and went to an Old Apprentice's residence, purchasing a mechanical device he had made himself—the Gauntlet High-Pressure Jet Pump!

This item resembled a sturdy gauntlet. It was made of alloy and provided good protection.

The Old Apprentice boasted, "I put a great deal of effort into making this lightweight yet durable tool.

Look, it has a launching system inside that can trigger three liquid jet attacks powered by high-pressure air pumps.

It Perfectly Matches your requirements."

Roy personally filled it with water and tested it. He found that it was a device modeled after the Apprentice-level Witchcraft, Acid Splash.

Acid Splash could spray a small ball of corrosive liquid in a close-range jet attack.

Its ultimate power depended on the loaded substance rather than the device itself.

After haggling with the Old Apprentice, Roy ultimately spent another thirty magic stones to buy three portions of acid and matching High-Pressure Gas Cylinders, just enough to fill the gauntlet.

The Old Apprentice smiled as he solicited business. "Would you like to take a look at anything else?

Besides the gauntlet, I have quite a few other little gadgets that can help you gain plenty of Self-defense measures In a Short Time."

"Never mind..."

Roy pondered briefly and shook his head.

What the Old Apprentice said made some sense.

But the cheap items were mostly Chicken Ribs—awkward and difficult to use.

As for the expensive ones, he was broke and could not afford them for the time being.

He only needed a few things to get through his initial period of weakness; it was not as though he truly intended to rely on them.

It would not do to buy none, but buying too many would be excessive.

So he paid no further attention to them.

By comparison, he was now more interested in developing another kind of potion.

"When people experience certain stimuli, such as excitement, fear, or tension, the adrenaline they secrete can quicken their breathing and accelerate their heartbeat and blood flow, providing more energy for physical activity..."

Such things also existed in the Wizarding World. Combined with certain potions, they could temporarily increase Combat Power!

This could serve as a substitute for, or even stack with, powerful combat techniques such as Berserk!