Marksman and the Girls' Competition

Green, who had slept poorly, was awakened once again. But this time, it was not Old Green calling him. It was shouting from outside that dragged him from his dreams.

"Kill!"

Wave after wave of shouting, accompanied by that extremely sensitive word "kill," instantly jolted Green awake. He sprang from the bed and looked around warily.

Old Green, who had risen early, saw Green's tense expression. A trace of heartache crossed his face, followed by a brilliant smile.

Old Green pointed outside the window and said gently, "There's no war. The castle soldiers are training. You can take a look."

Green went to the window and leaned out to look.

Sure enough, a large group of guards was training on the castle grounds.

The snow had been cleared from the training grounds, revealing the ocher-colored earth. A guard captain was leading his men through their drills.

"Kill!" the leading captain shouted as he swung the longsword in his hand.

"Kill!" The other guards shouted the same word and made the same chopping motion.

The guards' movements were somewhat clumsy and far from synchronized, but at least their voices were loud enough, and they had managed to muster some spirit.

The guards' cries and the cold wind sweeping past gradually calmed Green's thoughts.

Then, a powerful desire to train rose from the depths of his heart.

Old Green clearly saw what Green was thinking.

"Don't train too much today. Your body hasn't recovered yet."

Old Green did not know about Green's abnormal recovery ability, but he knew that Green was always enthusiastic about training, almost always pushing himself to the limit.

Having just suffered a tremendous shock the previous night, he felt Green was unsuitable for training.

Faced with Old Green's advice, Green thought it over carefully before making his decision.

Green went over to Old Green and quietly told him about his extraordinary recovery ability.

"Hmm!"

As he listened, Old Green's eyes showed scrutiny. He reached out and felt all over Green's body.

After examining Green, Old Green confirmed that Green had not been threatened the previous night and was trying to deceive him in order to learn the Breathing Method ahead of time. The seriousness and scrutiny on his face faded slightly.

"Green, you're different from ordinary people. Your body has even reached the standard already. Still, that's a good thing. You can learn the Breathing Method ahead of time and have more protection in the years to come."

Hearing that Old Green would teach him the Breathing Method ahead of schedule, Green could not suppress the excitement on his face.

"Training in the Breathing Method requires special movements and a calm state of mind. Too much has happened to you these past two days, so you aren't suited for it yet. Recover through training for now. Once you've mostly recovered, I'll personally teach you."

"All right. Then I'll go train first." Green nodded to show that he understood, then hurried to the next room to wash up and prepare for the day's training.

The castle maids had already prepared his toiletries.

After washing up quickly, Old Green took Green to the training grounds.

Green would not train with the guards. Their exercises were mostly too brutal and would leave hidden injuries, making them unsuitable for him.

Instead, Green would train alongside the castle nobility—the children of Baron Klow—and several talented young people who had been selected.

Old Green led Green down the castle's spiral staircase, and the two headed toward the training grounds.

Maids moved back and forth through the castle, preparing all kinds of daily necessities for the noble children.

"Good morning, Mr. Old Green. Good morning, Mr. Green!" Whenever the maids saw them, they would stop what they were doing and greet them respectfully.

The castle's maids had all been selected by the steward Basel. Not one was unattractive, and their voices were all exceptionally gentle.

Old Green and Green nodded in response, signaling for them to continue their work.

Green and Old Green soon left the guest residence.

Old Green found a guard captain and asked him to take Green to the training grounds.

"Green, follow this captain. He'll take you there. I'm going back to the cottage to retrieve some important things!"

Standing beside the guard captain, Old Green spoke to Green.

Green nodded to show that he understood.

"Kalant, I'll leave him in your hands!" Old Green turned to the guard captain again.

"It's my honor!" The guard captain saluted Old Green with a hand over his chest.

Only then did Green realize that he had seen this guard the previous night.

Kalant wore an ash-gray top and gray-black trousers. His face bore the weathered look of a middle-aged man, but he was extremely broad and powerfully built. One glance was enough to tell that he was not someone to be trifled with.

"Sorry for the trouble, Kalant."

"No need to be so polite, Young Master Green." Because of Old Green's special status in the barony, Green could also be considered an invisible noble. Most people actually addressed him as Young Master Green.

Hearing Kalant call him that, Green did not correct him. There was no point.

In this medieval-like era, the social classes were clearly divided. Correcting him too much would only make him feel awkward.

Led by Kalant, Green arrived at the grounds in the center of the castle. The entire castle was circular, and the center held its largest activity area. A large group of boys and girls were training there.

Sunlight shone across the ground. It was not yet noon, and most areas were still cool and shaded.

Yet the snow here had vanished completely. The place had been swept exceptionally clean.

The entire training ground was circular, with a track running around the outside.

Some boys and girls were running laps on it.

In the center stood a large number of training implements. Teenagers around Green's age were practicing with them.

Most of them were using wooden swords for swordsmanship practice. A few held standardized wooden bows and arrows, practicing their aim at targets dozens of meters away. There was no specific instructor directing the training.

Kalant noticed Green's confusion and explained, "The original instructor was Captain Os, but you know what happened last night. Today, everyone is training on their own."

"I see." Green understood. "Then I'll train by myself as well."

Green walked toward the archery area, while Kalant turned and left.

He had only been assigned to lead Green there, and he had matters of his own to attend to.

Green's sudden appearance at the training grounds immediately drew everyone's attention.

This training ground was reserved for noble children and selected youths with talent, so its members rarely changed.

The sudden arrival of a newcomer naturally attracted everyone's notice.

Green did not live inside the castle, but that did not mean few people there knew him.

In fact, Old Green's existence guaranteed that Green's reputation would not be low.

Before Green crossed over, his original body would come to the castle for gatherings every so often.

But after the changes brought about by Soul Fusion, Green had been busy training himself and had rarely come to the castle lately.

The boys and girls present all showed surprise when they saw him.

Everyone knew that Green was being trained by Old Green. Even though they were all noble children, they still looked at him with envy.

Not every noble child could learn the Breathing Method.

Noble children also had to undergo strict tests before they could study it.

Some noble children were not even qualified.

Those without the qualifications ultimately had to enter political marriages and become sacrifices for their families' interests.

Green was different. He was practically guaranteed to inherit a Breathing Method.

Even if Green failed to become a Formal Knight, becoming a Knight Apprentice would pose no problem. With a Breathing Method, Green could still retain a special status in the barony.

"Big Brother Green, are you going to train with us from today onward?" a tender, sweet voice suddenly asked. Green looked toward its source.

So it's Ashlyn.

Green immediately recalled the memories in his mind. Ashlyn was Baron Klow's third daughter. She was one year younger than Green, and because the baron respected Old Green, she addressed Green as her older brother. Although Ashlyn was the baron's daughter, her mother was merely a commoner whom the baron had noticed because of her beauty. As a result, Ashlyn's status was not high, and she was not valued in the castle.

She had no worries about food or clothing and could control a certain amount of money each month. But once she came of age, she would inevitably be sent away in a political marriage to another noble. Whether she would enjoy a comfortable life afterward would depend on luck.

Ashlyn's maternal family was not powerful. After marrying out, everything would depend on her husband's attitude, and she would have no independent authority.

"It's been a long time, Ashlyn," Green said with a smile. Green had always gotten along well with everyone in the castle. Since Ashlyn was also rather pretty, his former self had naturally enjoyed being close to her. After all, he had been a hot-blooded youth of seventeen or eighteen.

"I heard you've been training constantly. Are you going to inherit Old Green's Breathing Method?" Ashlyn asked eagerly, her eyes filled with envy.

Ashlyn's voice was extremely childish, forming a sharp contrast with her figure. She had a youthful face and a voluptuous body, with a curving figure, a large chest, and a slender waist. Even Green could not help letting his gaze linger on her.

However, Green adjusted himself quickly enough that no one nearby noticed anything unusual—except Ashlyn, who had been watching him closely.

Ashlyn did not change her movements because of Green's gaze. Instead, she pushed out her chest, displaying her figure.

"Yes. Old Green will soon pass the Breathing Method on to me. I'm undergoing the final stage of training now." Green had no intention of hiding it. Once Old Green taught him the Breathing Method, his physical qualities would undergo a sea-changing transformation, and his appetite would increase greatly. It would be impossible to conceal.

"Then, Big Brother Green, after you learn the Breathing Method, could you demonstrate its wonders for us? We're still too young and need some time to grow." Ashlyn walked over to Green and coquettishly took his hand, making her request.

Green froze. He had not expected Ashlyn to be so forward. Was this really an action a girl her age could casually perform toward a male?

He silently withdrew the hand she had taken, calmed himself, and suppressed the rising heat in his blood before speaking word by word.

"That won't be a problem. Once I learn the Breathing Method, I'll definitely demonstrate it for you." That was his reply to Ashlyn.

Green took three steps in two and quickly reached the archery area. He picked up a bow and began shooting at the targets, venting his energy. In his previous life, Green had been single. How could he withstand such stimulation? If he did not vent his energy, he feared he would lose control of his lower half.

Chip, activate movement assistance, Green silently commanded.

A blue projection appeared in Green's eyes. Following the chip's instructions, he continuously adjusted his archery posture. When it came to archery, the chip's ability displayed its full power: locking onto the target and automatic aiming. It was practically cheating.

Raise the bow by three degrees. You'll hit the bull's-eye.

"Whoosh!" The arrow shot out and struck the bull's-eye dead center. The boys and girls who had been watching Green secretly turned their gazes toward him, their eyes filled with astonishment.

"Wow, Big Brother Green, your aim is so good! I'll pass you the arrows." Ashlyn came over again and stood beside Green, handing him arrows with both hands. Since Ashlyn had taken the initiative and they had gotten along well in the past, Green found it difficult to refuse and could only let her stand there.

Seeing that Green had not rejected her, Ashlyn could not help thrusting out her chest. Her threatening gaze swept around the other girls, and she wore an expression of openly declaring ownership.

Ashlyn's behavior immediately provoked the displeasure of several other girls. Green was known as one of the three most eligible bachelors in Baron Klow's Domain. Countless girls throughout the barony wanted to marry him, so Ashlyn's actions naturally aroused resentment.

Compared with the other two, Green was easier to approach. If someone gained Old Green's approval, she might even be able to marry Green directly. Of course, some girls were not interested in Green at all. Their targets were the other two.

The other two were Klow Kahn and Okat. Klow Kahn was Baron Klow's eldest son. Since childhood, the baron had nourished him with Life Force, allowing him to begin Breathing Method training early. He was now close to becoming a Knight Apprentice. As long as nothing unexpected happened, his breakthrough and inheritance of the entire barony were practically assured.

As for Okat, he was the eldest son of the guard captain, Os.

His father, Os, was currently one of only two Knights in the entire barony. However, Os had broken through to Knighthood relatively late and had no extra Life Force with which to nourish Okat. Thus, Okat could only wait until adulthood like ordinary noble children before beginning his training.

Because Okat had been born after his father Os became a Knight, he was naturally stronger and far surpassed his peers. His chances of breaking through to Knighthood were extremely high.

As for the final candidate, it was our Green. Compared with the other two, he had no advantage at all. His sole benefit was that he was one hundred percent guaranteed to inherit a Breathing Method.

The noble children with higher status naturally pursued Klow Kahn and Okat.

The noble children with lower status instead set their sights on Green.

Green had no burdens and was certain to live a wealthy life after growing up. For noble children who had no qualifications to pursue power, Green was the best choice.

Moreover, if Green was lucky enough to break through and become a Knight, his status in the barony would undergo a sea-changing transformation.

The many boys and girls present had all heard Ashlyn and Green's conversation.

News that Green was about to learn the Breathing Method naturally could not be concealed.

But more people quickly realized something else. Green was still one year too young. Judging from Old Green's attitude toward him, he absolutely would not let Green risk learning the Breathing Method early. In other words, Old Green believed that Green's physique had already reached the standard and that he could begin learning ahead of time.

After analyzing the situation, even the noble children in high positions could not help turning their gazes toward Green.

Being able to learn the Breathing Method early proved that his chances of breaking through were far higher than ordinary people's. They could no longer treat Green as they had before.

The girls watched Ashlyn fawn over Green and revealed looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Damn it, I acted too late. Ashlyn got there first. Looking at Ashlyn's enormous chest, several girls at the scene could not help feeling defeated. Their reactions had been slower, and their assets were inferior as well.

Green entered a state of training and began practicing with single-minded devotion. He ignored the people around him, who harbored all kinds of thoughts, and immersed himself completely in training.

"Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh..."

The sound of arrows tearing through the air rang out continuously. At first, Green still occasionally made mistakes in his movements, but as time passed, the chip's assistance made his accuracy steadily improve. The three targets on the training grounds were already bristling with arrows Green had fired.

Green's nearly astonishing accuracy and incredibly rapid growth absolutely qualified him as a marksman.

Ashlyn stood beside him, constantly refilling his quiver. The light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter, and her gaze was filled with allure. If they had not been in public, she might have pounced on him outright.

Watching Green's serious expression as he trained, Ashlyn became somewhat absorbed. For a moment, she even forgot to load more arrows.

Immersed in training, Green reached for his quiver with his right hand and found it empty. Only then did he return to his senses. He looked toward Ashlyn and naturally noticed something strange about her. Her flushed face and alluring eyes made it obvious that she was not thinking about anything proper.

Ashlyn also realized that Green was looking at her. In a panic, she hurriedly put the arrows in her hands into Green's quiver. Green silently continued his training.

After firing his hundredth arrow, Green stopped training. The chip had already issued a warning. Continuing might damage his muscles. For Green, who currently needed to recover and learn the Breathing Method, that would instead be harmful.

Green swept his gaze across the training grounds. Almost everyone who had originally been there had left.

Apart from Green and Ashlyn, only two or three boys and girls were still training.

Seeing Green stop shooting, Ashlyn, who had assisted him for so long, finally found her opportunity.

"Big Brother Green, you must be hungry after training for so long, right? Come have a meal with me." Ashlyn spoke with a look of longing.

Green did not refuse. There were only three places to eat in the entire castle. Green was not currently qualified to attend the baron's family banquet, though Old Green might be. The guards' dining area had poor food. The place where the noble children ate was the most suitable for Green.

Seeing that Green had not refused, Ashlyn excitedly took his hand and led him toward the nobles' dining hall.

The two girls who had remained at the grounds suddenly came over and blocked Green and Ashlyn's path.

"Big Brother Green, it's been a long time. Can we eat with you?" Looking at the two girls who had suddenly appeared, Green quickly searched through his memories for their information.

"Leila, Mia. As it happens, Ashlyn and I are going to eat together. Since you want to go too, then we can all go together."

Leila and Mia were also noble children from the castle. Leila was Baron Klow's fourth daughter, and her situation was no different from Ashlyn's. Mia's status was even lower. She was a distant relative of Baron Klow who had come to seek refuge with him after her family fell into decline. In the castle, Mia's mother was a head maid responsible for directing the other maids' work. Although she possessed some authority, she was ultimately still a servant. Mia would probably end up marrying one of the castle's young captains or some promising talent.

Leila's figure was just as stunning, but compared with Ashlyn, her face was more mature, radiating the air of an older sister. Combined with her slightly childish voice, she gave Green an intense sense of contrast.

Mia's figure was far less impressive than the other two's. Perhaps because she had lacked nutrition, her chest had not developed well. She was also extremely reserved, standing there somewhat at a loss and giving off an air that made people want to cherish her.

But Green was not fooled by appearances. To be able to join Leila in intercepting Ashlyn, this little girl was probably not as innocent as she appeared.

Ashlyn's expression darkened the moment she saw Leila and Mia blocking the way. Still, she continued trying to make a good impression before Green.

"Since Big Brother Green agrees, then we'll all go together." Ashlyn maintained her sweet smile as she spoke to Green.

What had originally been a party of two had become a group of four. Surrounding Green, the atmosphere began to turn delicate.