Dawn Swordsman and Boar Knight (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

[Dawn Swordsman] and [Boar Knight] (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Levi Snake-----

Black Snake Breathing Technique: Second Order (1/5000)

Shield Technique: First Order (Limit)

Perhaps because Levi had built such an excellent foundation before, coupled with the daily, tutor-like guidance of a seasoned Formal Knight.

Grinding the Black Snake Breathing Technique to the Second Order had been far easier than Levi had imagined.

As for shield skills, he had casually trained them to the limit. This skill was far less difficult than Basic Archery or Basic Swordsmanship. For someone who had ground even the ten thousand experience points of Basic Archery to the limit, this was nothing.

Starting today, Levi had entered the second stage of a Knight Page: Sword-Bearing Squire!

He was another step closer to his small goal of becoming a Formal Knight.

The next step was reaching the Third Order of the Breathing Technique and becoming a Pre-Knight.

With a requirement of five thousand proficiency points, Levi estimated that it would take at least half a year to break through to Pre-Knight.

He had been grinding the Breathing Technique for too long and needed to rest both body and mind. Training required a proper balance between exertion and relaxation; remaining in a high-intensity state of tension all the time could easily lead to Cultivation Deviation.

Now that he had become a Sword-Bearing Squire, Levi basically possessed adequate strength. His current physical condition was likely twice that of an ordinary man. Bare-handed, relying on brute force alone, Levi could now easily take on five grown men.

That was already astonishing. Levi was only thirteen; he was still a child! According to Knight Fred himself, even as a seasoned Formal Knight, his physical ability was only five times that of an ordinary person.

This showed that the Black Snake Breathing Technique truly was extraordinary. However, Levi lacked actual combat experience, as well as advanced fighting techniques.

Another essential skill for a Sword-Bearing Squire was swordsmanship or combat techniques for other weapons.

Knights rarely fought with fists and feet, though their fists could easily beat a person to death. But as the saying went, every inch longer made one inch stronger. Fighting bare-handed when weapons were available was simply too foolish. Besides, flesh and blood could never compare to steel.

To learn swordsmanship, he would have to seek instruction from Knight Fred. After all, even a genius like his father had to admit that Knight Fred possessed greater talent in the way of the sword.

That was evident from another title Knight Fred had earned while traveling the Kingdom in his younger years: Dawn Swordsman!

What a cool title! There was no need to rush sword training. Today was New Year's Day. Levi intended to give himself a proper day off and enjoy the pleasures of nobility.

At the banquet, Levi sat in the Lord's seat, with Knight Fred beside him.

Other than that, no other nobles had come. They were all people from within the territory.

It was deep winter, and heavy snow had blocked the roads. Blackwater Valley was also remotely located. Though it was surrounded by the three baronies of Rock Territory, Frostwind Territory, and Silvermoon Territory, they were all quite far away. Thus, especially during winter, these lords had little contact with one another throughout the year.

Only during summer did they engage in some trade between their territories.

In short, any Baron who managed to survive in this region was generally in rather dire straits. That was why Levi's father's rise had seemed so legendary. Starting from the barren northern lands, he had won tremendous military achievements in the Kingdom's wars, making even nobles from neighboring countries aware of the Black Serpent Knight's great name. In the end, he had become the Lord of two Lands of Abundance.

But Levi did not like dealing with other lords either. It was best if no one caused trouble, and everyone lived peacefully together for mutual benefit.

At the outermost edge of the banquet sat the bashful, timid, and insecure Serfs. On this day, they enjoyed the same delicacies as the Lord, yet they did not dare eat freely, afraid of angering him.

Within the territory, Levi was their king and could dispose of them however he pleased.

At the same time, everyone was greatly astonished. They had not expected their Lord, despite his young age, to be so imposing and powerful, utterly unlike a thirteen-year-old boy.

After several rounds of wine, Levi ate at his leisure and enjoyed the attentive service of the maids. As the maids massaged Levi's exceptionally solid, masculine body, their faces flushed crimson.

These maids were all young girls from farming families. They were capable and efficient at work, and lively when chatting in private, but whenever they served Levi, they became very reserved.

Suddenly, a short, stocky youth came before Levi. With a thud, he knelt on the ground and placed a long cloth-wrapped bundle before him. Levi recognized the youth. He was the son of Old Blacksmith Toby, the territory's blacksmith. Levi called him "Little Toby," though his proper name seemed to be Milan.

"Little Blacksmith Milan, what is it?" Levi asked.

Milan unwrapped the cloth bundle, revealing a Knight Sword gleaming with a cold light.

"Lord, this is the best sword I forged last year. I wish to offer it to you," he said with his head lowered.

"Oh?" Levi took the sword. The blade contained few impurities. Whether in material selection, forging, polishing, or sharpening, it could definitely be considered medium quality in this world of low productivity. It was worth one or two Gold Coins.

"It truly is a fine sword." Levi did not stint on praise, and he accepted it without ceremony. The people of the territory were all his vassals; their land and property belonged to Levi as well. Thus, he could accept it with a clear conscience. After all, he still had to protect their safety in these chaotic, dark times.

"By the way, is your father well?" Levi asked with concern. This was not an act. As the territory's most important blacksmith, Old Toby and his family forged both the weapons and equipment used by the Militia in training, as well as the farming tools used by the Serfs. They were valuable talent within the territory.

Little Blacksmith Milan suddenly lowered his head, knelt on the ground, and pleaded through sobs, "Lord, yesterday, when my father and I were hauling ore down from the mountain, we encountered people from the Boar Gang. I ran fast enough to escape, but my father was taken away. I had no other choice but to seek your help."

Levi's expression turned cold at once. "The Boar Gang? So the thing I feared most has still happened. I understand what happened to your father. I will handle it. Go home and wait for my news."

This small incident ruined Levi's good mood for the day.

After the dinner ended, Knight Fred came to see Levi, murder in his eyes. "The Boar Gang taking Old Toby was clearly premeditated. Their gang has been expanding recently and needs a large number of weapons. Naturally, they set their sights on an outstanding blacksmith like Old Toby. The Boar Gang's leader is Boar Knight Pigge. He used to be a blacksmith himself, and was even Old Toby's junior apprentice when they studied the craft together. Later, he somehow obtained a Breathing Technique and luckily broke through to become a Formal Knight. Still, he should be no match for me. How about I lead a group out tomorrow and bring Old Toby back?"