Chapter 108: 109 Display

Chapter 108, 109. Demonstration

Now that Ronin had become a High Knight and a High Mage, he could learn new combat techniques and spells.

Among the books Lord Rulans had gifted him, precisely what he needed lay waiting.

The Level-Three Wind Technique, “Gale Palm,” was a technique that blended offense and defense.

Though its destructive power paled beside Wind Blades, it could still easily send a man flying, and when facing area attacks—such as volleys of arrows—it offered superb defense.

The Fire Technique, “Clouds of Flame,” which Rendal already knew, was now within Ronin’s reach.

As for magic, Ronin could now learn Incendiary Blast and Wind of Perception.

Incendiary Blast, compared to Fireball, had a far greater radius, stronger impact, and far more devastating damage.

A single Incendiary Blast, if it struck an unprepared High Knight, would be fatal.

Yet its learning curve was exceedingly steep, and it consumed immense magical energy—most mages struggled to master it.

Wind of Perception, by contrast, was an auxiliary spell, used to sense one’s surroundings, and far easier to learn.

After casting it, the caster could hear the wind’s whispers across a three-hundred-meter radius: fluctuations of magical energy, fluctuations of aura, the heartbeat and breath of animals, and more.

Due to spatial constraints, Ronin could not practice Incendiary Blast, so he began with Wind of Perception.

The spell pattern of a Level-Three spell was simple in form, yet far more intricate than those of the first two levels, with many more nodes.

Incendiary Blast, for instance, had twenty nodes—requiring a mage to etch them all at once with spirit and mana, demanding extraordinary control.

Wind of Perception was far simpler: only twelve nodes in total.

After a dozen attempts, Ronin finally succeeded in tracing its pattern before him.

In an instant, Ronin slipped into a strange visual state.

Closing his eyes, he entered a hazy, azure world—the unique sensory realm formed by wind elements.

Here, he heard not only his own heartbeat, but also the heartbeats of Macken and the other three downstairs, and could pinpoint their positions.

He “gazed” farther, and saw the castle’s patrolling guards and sentries.

Yet the closer he neared the three-hundred-meter boundary described in the spellbook, the less precise his perception became.

“Level-Three spells drain magic and spirit terribly.”

Ronin assessed his remaining mana. After so many attempts and one full casting, he estimated he could still cast four or five Fireballs.

This abundance stemmed largely from his attribute bonuses.

Since ascending to High Rank, he had continued to prioritize his Mage level.

After spending the twenty-eight attribute points he’d accumulated since returning to Forest Keep, his Mage level now stood at one-eighth of the way to the next tier.

[Level]: 3—High Knight (0/300); 3—High Mage (58/400)

Explosive growth was rare; Ronin could only accumulate slowly through daily sign-ins. It seemed slow, yes—but far faster than Breton’s pace.

And thus, the relative peace of his surroundings remained profoundly advantageous.

Having mastered Wind of Perception, Ronin meditated awhile, replenishing his mana reservoir, then slept peacefully.

It was now mid-October; the temperature in the Wushan Domain had nearly dropped to ten degrees. Nights were cold.

Yet Wushan Keep would never let its inhabitants freeze. Ronin’s sheets and quilts were woven from premium wool—warm, even stifling.

Since becoming a High Knight, Ronin noticed marked improvements in cold resistance, heat tolerance, fatigue endurance, and physical stamina.

Compared to the moment he first crossed over, he felt reborn.

The night passed in silence, and soon dawn arrived.

After breakfast, Moster came to Ronin’s quarters and informed him he could now take the items mentioned yesterday to Wushan Fortress.

Ronin had prepared in advance. The items had already been removed from his ring and laid out in the parlor of the small house:

Three sets of ironwood shields, ironwood spears, ironwood breastplates; one set of ironwood lamellar armor; and a curved-plow ox-harrow.

To preserve secrecy, the plow was wrapped tightly in linen.

“Macken, you three and the servants—take these. We’re leaving.”

Wushan Fortress.

Ronin’s last visit here had been when he was dragged before the representative of the Hayde family—Nigen the Golden Lion.

That day, the Wushan family, to atone for their predecessor’s failures and Viggins’ mismanagement, surrendered five baronies reclaimed from the Black Gold Brotherhood.

Back then, Ronin had been a powerless wretch awaiting judgment.

Three months later, he returned—not to beg for mercy, but to do business.

Inside the fortress, besides Rulans, there were five others.

On the way, Moster had introduced them to Ronin:

Sir Toru Verner, commander of the First Knightly Order;

Captain Galiel Verner, leader of the First Squad;

Dawson, quartermaster of the First Knightly Order;

Albert, civil administrator of Wushan City;

Kuri, financial officer of Wushan City.

Of these, Ronin had heard the names of the first two. Toru Verner’s name had been on everyone’s lips in the Wushan Domain lately.

First, because the knight commander had broken through into Gold Rank.

Second, because it was Toru who escorted Viggins to Black Serpent City. Thanks to his protection, Viggins had lived.

Toru had been wounded in that battle. Ronin could not see the scars on his body, but the gash across his left cheek was grotesque.

The Verner family was not noble—only knighted.

Yet their lineage was strong, their future promising. Toru’s son, Galiel, had reached Bronze Rank at thirty.

With enough battlefield merit, entry into true nobility was certain.

The other three, Ronin did not know well.

But there was no doubt: these five men were among the most prominent figures in Wushan City, perhaps even the entire Wushan Domain.

He had expected merely a brief meeting. He had not anticipated Rulans summoning them all.

As Ronin entered the fortress, every eye turned toward him.

Some looked puzzled. Others frowned in thought. A few nodded in greeting.

Ronin returned the nods, then led Macken and the others to stand opposite the group.

Above them, Rulans glanced once at Ronin’s party, then spoke coolly:

“Since everyone is present, Ronin—begin your demonstration.”

“Of course, Marquis!”

Ronin smiled gently at the assembled men. “I am deeply grateful that you’ve taken time from your busy schedules to hear me present these specialties from Forest Town.”

Since he was here to negotiate trade, his tone was humble, his words courteous.

The men across from him smiled politely, yet beneath their faces, thoughts stirred—

Could it be that this Ro Ning had truly changed? His past manner of speaking and acting was never like this.

They couldn’t help but steal glances at Rulans, seated above, expressionless as ever. What did the Marquis mean by summoning them today?

Actually, since receiving the notice last night, they had been puzzled. Though Mos te’s men told them they were here to negotiate business with Ro Ning, could it really be so simple as mere commerce?

They still didn’t know the answer—but that didn’t stop them from smiling warmly at Ro Ning.

“There’s a peculiar grove in Mountain Forest Village, where trees I’ve named ‘Black Iron Trees’ grow. Their hardness is extraordinary—even a mid-level knight at peak strength struggles to cleave one with a single blow.”

“I was drawn to their resilience, so I established the Ironwood Workshop, crafting armor and weapons from these trees.”

As Ro Ning spoke, he gestured toward the items held by Macken and the others.

“These are forged from Black Iron Wood. I invited you all here today with the intention of presenting them to the Knight Order, to strengthen its combat power.”

“Lord Ro Ning, you say even a mid-level knight cannot sever a Black Iron Tree with one strike?”

It was Galiel, son of Toru, who spoke. “I’ve never seen wood so hard. Might I test your shield later?”

“Of course!”

Ro Ning smiled. “Everything here today is for display. Should you be satisfied and wish to purchase, the remainder I shall transport from Mountain Forest Village.”

(End of Chapter)