Duke

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Duke (杜克)
Alias(es)	Geralt, used while traveling through the Devourer Plane 327
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Black Sail; formerly the Enderland Town Militia and Count Hardy's Nightingale Corps; founder and patron of the Astral Embers player faction 16 60 261
Occupation/Role	Liquefied Wizard, Great Knight, first-level Arcanist, potion maker, alchemist, and researcher 201 355 356
Status	Alive 374
First Appearance	Scythe 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Skill Tree awakened	1	Discovers that learned skills form branches, gain proficiency through relevant practice, and can grant attributes or other rewards on level-up.
Low-Tier Knight Attendant	16	Completes Count Hardy's selection training and joins the Nightingale Corps with four other successful trainees.
Mid-Tier Knight Squire	21	Whale Breathing Method reaches LV3; widened meridians allow him to channel substantially more Battle Qi at once.
High-Level Knight Apprentice	33	Advances through winter cultivation after rescuing Wood.
Official Knight	46	Whale Breathing Method reaches its seventh level after intensive training and magical-beast-meat supplementation.
Third-Grade Wizard Apprentice	78	Masters Water Arrow and Water Shield while preparing for Black Sail's assessment.
Second-Grade Wizard Apprentice	92	Uses a Dawn Potion to complete advancement, greatly improving his physique and mental power.
First-Grade Wizard Apprentice	150	Advances with Dawn-Dusk Potion and Mental Power Stabilization Potion after pushing his mental power beyond the usual limit.
Formal Wizard	181	Completes a 17-hour advancement and makes the self-developed Sand Guardian his innate talent spell.
Great Knight	201	Identifies himself to Knight Bell as both a Formal Wizard and Great Knight.
Liquefied Wizard threshold	266	Raises Mental Power above 100, reaching the level of a Liquefied Wizard before fully completing liquefaction.
First-level Arcanist	355	Passes the Arcanist Association's certification review through detailed defense of his research.
Liquefied Wizard	356	Is recognized as having reached the liquefied-wizard stage.

Background

Duke is a transmigrator who awakens in the body of an impoverished commoner harvesting Count Hardy's wheat. With no parents or family to rely on, he survives in Yining Village through the assistance of Uncle John and Aunt Anna. While working in the fields, he discovers the Skill Tree, which turns practiced abilities into permanently retained, levelable skills. 1 4 5

His early goal is survival rather than status. He joins Enderland Town's Militia Reserve, masters Basic Swordsmanship with unusual speed, and earns Captain Wood's notice through his discipline and precision. After refusing Levin's attempted humiliation, Duke begins building a reputation as a dangerous but measured fighter. 3 4 5

Duke investigates the Southern Mine because Uncle John's family once kept him from starving. His performance against the Wild Wolf Bandit Group and during Enderland Town's defense earns Wood's recommendation for Count Hardy's personal-guard selection, opening his path to knight cultivation. 7 8 11 12

Appearance

Duke initially appears dark-skinned, thin, poorly clothed, and visibly underfed. Rapid physical growth through training transforms him into a tall, broad-shouldered young man with a healthy complexion; even Hansen struggles to recognize him after only a few months. 3 30

• Tall and powerfully built after progressing through the Whale Breathing Method. 29 30
• Black eyes described as unusually deep and calm. 368
• Commonly wears practical armor, wizard robes, or clothing suited to blending into local society. 16 325
• Bears the Yellow Sand Crystal on his left arm. 181

Personality

Duke is relentlessly diligent. He treats the Skill Tree as an opportunity that must be earned through effort, repeatedly training through exhaustion, patrol shifts, and periods of relative safety. He prefers steady advancement over gambling on unnecessary risks. 2 6 21

He is analytical and methodical, habitually testing abilities, recording results, comparing costs, and considering the long-term consequences of his choices. This approach shapes both his combat style and his work as a potion maker, alchemist, and arcanist. 115 116 272

Despite his growing strength, Duke remains cautious about people, factions, and obligations. He declines the Rost Family's offer of resources and marriage ties because he refuses to surrender his freedom, and he avoids exposing his full strength unless necessary. 45 185

Duke repays genuine kindness. He aids Uncle John's family after becoming wealthy, risks himself to search for Wood, and continues supporting those he considers useful or deserving of protection. 12 29 33

Abilities & Skills

Skill Tree

Duke's defining ability is a mental Skill Tree that converts learned skills into branches. Relevant practice increases proficiency, and mastered skills are permanently retained without regression. 1 4

• Skill levels can grant direct attribute increases, Free Attribute Points, traits, talents, knowledge, or Will Runes. 1 2 21 174
• Free Attribute Points can be assigned directly to physical attributes or Mental Power. 8 37 90
• The tree's branches progress through bud, leaf, flower, and fruit stages, though its rewards are not fixed. 1 2 3
• Max-level skills may develop traits, such as Bleeding, Voidbreak, and Information Encryption. 21 47 113

Knight Cultivation

Duke cultivates the Whale Breathing Method, using Battle Qi to strengthen his body and advance from a knight attendant to a Great Knight. 14 46 201

• Condensed a Life Seed after mastering all twelve Whale Breathing Method stances. 14
• Uses Battle Qi to reinforce physical power, improve speed, and strengthen attacks. 17 21
• Possesses multiple breathing methods, including Earth, wind, fire, light, and Shadow techniques. 109 213 267
• Acquired elemental talents for earth, water, fire, wind, light, and dark attributes through breathing-method cultivation. 114 213 267

Swordsmanship and Burning Wave Sword Art

Duke's Basic Swordsmanship reaches max level and grants Bleeding, which can impair an enemy's blood clotting when he uses sword-type weapons. 21

Vivian teaches him her personal Burning Wave Sword Art, an advanced Battle-Qi combat skill that coats his blade in destructive energy. 25 26

• Generates vibrating sword radiance capable of threatening heavily armored opponents. 29
• Can form flame-like Battle Qi around the blade at higher mastery. 33
• Voidbreak allows attached Battle Qi to be released as ranged sword qi. 47 48
• Sword qi is powerful but costly; a full reserve initially supports only about eight full-power attacks. 48

Wizard Spellcasting

Duke advances through Black Sail's wizard system while retaining his knightly strength. His high mental power, multiple elemental affinities, and Skill Tree give him unusually broad spellcasting options. 60 181 213

• Water magic — Maxes Water Arrow and Water Shield, gaining the corrosion and Energy Absorption traits respectively. 78
• Earth magic — Learns Rock Armor, Stone Skin, Rock Spikes, and Gravity Suppression; combines Rock Armor and Stone Skin for layered defense. 115 116
• Light magic — Uses Ray of Light, Light Energy Shield, Holy Healing, Illumination, Dispel, and Oracle Plane incantation spells. 213 240
• Wind and fire magic — Learns Tornado and Fireball, which can be combined into a Fire Tornado. 214
• Incantation spells — Learns the Oracle Plane's incantation-based casting system and later uses its inexpensive Minor Spells to accumulate Free Attribute Points. 240 266

Sand Guardian

Sand Guardian is Duke's self-developed innate talent spell, created from Yellow Sand Crystal reinforced with Golden-Scaled Sky Iron. 180 181

• Automatically intercepts attacks without consuming magic power or requiring conscious control. 181
• Can shape vast quantities of metallic yellow sand into shields, walls, fortresses, and counterattacks. 188 214
• Gains an Energy Absorption trait at max level, further improving its defensive strength. 214
• Is Duke's primary defensive method against physical, elemental, and surprise attacks. 181 259

Trait Extraction

After maxing the Deep Blue Tidal Meditation Method, Duke gains the Trait Extraction talent. 271

• Uses energy to ripen trait fruits and receive extensive technical knowledge tied to a trait. 271 272
• Extracts and studies the Starlight Meditation Potion's enhancement trait, Water Shield's Energy Absorption, and Echoing Whisper Potion's amplification trait. 272
• Converts extracted knowledge into research plans for submission to the Arcanist Association. 272 274
• Uses this ability to improve potions and spells far faster than conventional research would allow. 272 355

Alchemy and Potion-Making

Duke develops from a novice alchemist into a valuable potion researcher whose work earns recognition from Black Sail and the Arcanist Association. 169 170 355

• Creates enchanted items by forging materials and imprinting Will Runes; his first completed creation is a Petrification Ring. 170
• Develops and improves multiple potions, including Mountain Potion, Sun Fortifying Potion, Echoing Whisper Potion, and Blood of War. 110 272 278
• Refines Blood of War into War Bloodlust, which Black Sail purchases for thirty million First-Level Magic Stones plus continuing profit shares. 360 362
• Earns Arcanist points through certified research and becomes a first-level Arcanist. 274 355

Equipment

• Black Sword — An ancient Azure Gold longsword gifted by Vivian; its high Battle-Qi affinity improves the effectiveness of his combat techniques. 46
• Brass Ring — An Enchanted Item recovered from Leo. It creates a golden film that protects against elemental attacks for roughly ten minutes but does not stop physical attacks. 32 33
• Guardian of the Knights of the Round Table — A defensive ring that summons a five-meter armored knight phantom able to defend against attacks below ten degrees. 112
• Yellow Sand Crystal — A magic-metal-absorbing crystal embedded on Duke's left arm; it supplies the metallic sand used by Sand Guardian. 177 181 191
• Coordinate Earring — Allows interplanar travel after Duke learns to control and record plane coordinates. 225 262
• Light Divine Court — A powerful artifact Duke secretly acquires from the Light Church; it stores items and accumulated faith power. 261 271
• Shadow Cloak — A witch artifact purchased as a life-saving and escape measure. 197
• Hourglass Amulet — A single-use witch artifact capable of restoring its wearer after death. 197
• Vengeful Doll — A Level 2 Wizard Tool whose barrier absorbs curse-type energy. 363 364
• Blazing Sun Judgment — A light-element Wizard artifact with Radiant Wings, Radiant Cross Slash, and Radiant Judgment. 363 364
• Annihilation Holy Nail — A costly, single-use extreme-offense Wizard Tool reserved for formidable opponents. 363 366

Relationships

• Vivian Acosta — Duke's fiancée, combat instructor, closest knightly ally, and long-term partner. She teaches him the Burning Wave Sword Art, gives him the Black Sword, and continues supporting his advancement after becoming Grace's student. 25 46 124 264
• Wood — Captain of the Enderland Militia and Duke's earliest mentor. Wood recognizes Duke's talent, recommends him for Count Hardy's selection, and is later rescued by Duke from bandits. 4 12 29 32
• Uncle John and Aunt Anna — Duke's early benefactors in Yining Village. Their support helps him survive his initial poverty, and Duke later repays them with gold and winter supplies. 1 12 33
• Grace — Vivian's teacher and a powerful wizard who helps direct Duke toward Black Sail. Their relationship develops into one of mutual respect and professional guidance. 59 356
• Robert — Player, servant under a Master-Servant Contract, and leader of Astral Embers. Duke uses Robert's player networks for intelligence while cultivating him through breathing methods, equipment, and direct guidance. 234 261 370 372
• Yala — Lead Wood Elf servant on Barren Island who manages medicinal cultivation and Duke's household affairs. 211 351
• Nina — Catwoman servant and developing wind-attribute knight. Duke intends to support her advancement with a higher-level breathing technique. 200 351
• Shally — Duke's servant and wizard apprentice assistant, trained in herbology and potion-making. 211 264
• Merrick — Alchemy contact and fellow Black Sail wizard who encourages Duke's study of Enchanted Item creation and shares intelligence on the Void Corridor. 169 290
• Harrison — Giant Rock Merchant Guild representative and Duke's principal business contact. He facilitates potion sales, resource purchases, and commercial negotiations. 185 279
• Simon, Anli, and Abel — Fellow Black Sail trainees and recurring companions from Duke's early wizard-apprentice period. 66 86 182
• Caroline — Arcanist Association liaison who handles Duke's research certifications and resource exchanges. 274 357

Story Role / Major Arcs

Commoner and Militia Period

Duke awakens the Skill Tree while harvesting wheat, raises his physical attributes through Scythe proficiency, and joins the Enderland Town Militia Reserve. He defeats Levin's group, investigates the Southern Mine, and becomes a key defender during the Wild Wolf Bandit Group's raid on Enderland Town. 1 5 7 11

Nightingale and Knight Advancement

Wood recommends Duke for Count Hardy's personal-guard selection. Duke learns the Whale Breathing Method, enters Nightingale, rapidly rises through knight ranks, and receives Vivian's Burning Wave Sword Art after capturing a Twilight Deer alive. 12 14 16 25 46

Moonlight Forest Crisis

Duke joins the expedition into Moonlight Forest, battles Cave Dwellers and the Two-Headed Ogre, and uses the Brass Ring to survive Lightning Ball spells. After escaping the forest with an injured Vivian, he helps expose soldiers slaughtering civilians to claim false credit. 18 37 42 43

Black Sail Wizard Training

After leaving Maple Hill County with Vivian, Duke joins Black Sail while Vivian studies under Grace at Thorn Holy Tower. He learns meditation, water and earth magic, potion-making, enchanted-item creation, and advances from Wizard Apprentice to Formal Wizard. 59 67 109 150 181

Planar Wars and Arcanist Research

Duke participates in Black Sail's Orc Plane campaigns, absorbs large quantities of Golden-Scaled Sky Iron, develops Sand Guardian, and scavenges resources that accelerate his growth. He later uses Trait Extraction to produce certified research, becoming a first-level Arcanist and improving Blood of War into War Bloodlust. 177 181 191 272 355 362

Oracle Plane and Astral Embers

After being transported to the Oracle Plane, Duke poses as a mysterious NPC, learns its language and spellcasting system, establishes Astral Embers through Robert, and uses players as an information-gathering and influence-building force. He eventually reveals to Robert that the “game” world is real and binds him through a Master-Servant Contract. 230 234 240 261 370 371

Void Corridor and Devourer Plane

Duke enters the Void Corridor in pursuit of rare resources, survives Bell's pursuit, obtains the Heart of the Deep Sea from Bell's spatial ring, and suffers a curse to his left arm. He later infiltrates the Devourer Plane under the alias Geralt, gathers intelligence while posing as an Awakened, and returns to Black Sail with valuable information. 315 327 337 350

Notable Quotes

“A wooden sword can kill too. I have no parents, no family, no one to rely on. Provoke me again, and I'll kill you.” 5

“Knight rank? It'll do.” 249

“The secrets of these two worlds cannot be figured out in a short time.” 371

Trivia

• Duke's first recorded Skill Tree branch is Scythe, obtained while harvesting wheat. 1
• His original Spirit attribute is abnormally high compared with his early physical attributes. 1
• He has fourth-grade mental-strength aptitude, measured at 9.1 mental strength at the time of testing. 47
• Players in the Oracle Plane see Duke as [Lv.??? Duke], making his identity and strength impossible for them to evaluate normally. 368
• Duke specifically values defensive preparations, repeatedly prioritizing protective spells, artifacts, and escape methods over wealth left unused. 112 197 214