"An interesting little trick..."

Graham slowly withdrew his palm, rubbing his rough fingertips together.

In that last strike, he had clearly felt a strange pulling force that had forcibly redirected his attack toward the floor.

He clicked his tongue. The dissatisfaction in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a hint of surprise.

"Kid, what’s your name?"

He raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with scrutiny.

"Roland, Mr. Graham..."

As he answered, Roland discreetly flexed his numb wrist. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

When Graham’s seemingly casual yet immensely powerful strike had come at him, he had almost instinctively used [Crescent Moon Guide], redirecting and neutralizing it with his scabbard.

Thanks to his bitter, day-after-day training, the Combat Skill had indeed succeeded in guiding that terrifying Power, just as Gandar had said.

However...

’The difference in Power is still too great...’

Roland stared at the purplish-blue bruise slowly forming on his wrist. The stabbing pain from his knuckles gave him a much clearer understanding of the strength of the powerhouse before him.

If he had taken that seemingly casual palm strike head-on, his entire arm would have likely been shattered.

"Looks like that kid Colin finally didn’t bring me a good-for-nothing this time!"

Graham’s booming voice echoed through the room.

"Nelson, I approve! The kid can enroll without an exam!"

As his words fell, the oppressive pressure that had enveloped the room instantly vanished.

"Thank you, Lord Graham..."

Nelson sighed in relief and furtively wiped the cold sweat from his temple, calculating inwardly.

’I’ll have to give Colin a heads-up. Graham is clearly very unhappy with him for casually shoving people into the academy. However...’

The old man’s gaze shifted to Roland, who had remained calm and composed throughout, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

’This time, he really dug up a treasure...’

"But, Dean!"

The middle-aged man named Finn suddenly spoke up, his brow furrowed.

"You have always emphasized abiding by the academy’s regulations. An exception like this..."

"Finn."

Graham’s large hand landed heavily on his shoulder, and the seemingly casual action made Finn’s knees go weak.

"Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to."

He leaned in and whispered in his ear, but his voice was so clear that everyone could hear him distinctly.

"I can’t be bothered with the schemes between you nobles and Merchants, but on my turf..."

He applied a bit of pressure with his palm, and Finn’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

"My word is the law! Understand?"

"Y-Yes! Lord Graham!"

After teaching Finn his lesson, Graham turned to Nelson.

"I heard outside the door just now..."

His meaningful gaze swept over Roland, who was still flexing his wrist.

"This kid wants to complete commissions to skip his coursework and graduate early?"

"Old Nelson..."

Graham strode forward, his fingers tapping lightly on the desktop, creating a series of dull thuds.

"I’ve been in charge here for many years, and I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of such a rule."

"I apologize, Dean Graham, this is..."

Nelson frowned and was about to explain, but Graham cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"However... that’s not a bad idea."

He suddenly grinned, his graying beard twitching.

"Real combat is indeed a better measure of a person’s overall strength than simply studying coursework."

"Kid!"

He whirled toward Roland.

"Sir!"

Roland instinctively straightened his back.

Graham approached with heavy steps, each one making the floor tremble slightly.

"If you want to skip your studies and obtain a Knight’s Breathing Technique, then come find me in the council hall. I’ll arrange a suitable mission for you. Otherwise..."

He leaned in close, his massive body completely blocking the light. In the Shadow, his eyes burned like torches.

"You’ll just have to obediently study your coursework for four years!"

"Yes, Lord Graham!"

Roland’s respectful reply earned a satisfied grunt from Graham, who then turned and strode away.

Seeing this, Finn also clutched his stinging shoulder and hurried out of the room after him.

The heavy wooden door closed, shutting the tense atmosphere outside.

The room suddenly fell into silence, with only motes of dust dancing in the beams of light.

"Mr. Roland, my sincerest apologies..."

Nelson walked over to the wreckage on the floor. A pained expression crossed his face as he looked at the shattered, thick oak planks.

"The Dean has always been a man of his word, and he founded this Knight Academy with his own hands. So... regarding your desire to skip the coursework and graduate early..."

He shook his head helplessly.

"I’m afraid I can no longer intervene. However..."

The old man changed the subject, beginning to tidy the parchment and heavy tomes that had been scattered by the forceful gust.

"You may not be aware, but there are different tiers of Knight’s Breathing Techniques. If you can complete a mission assigned personally by the Dean, the Breathing Technique he grants you will certainly be far more powerful than the ones the academy normally awards."

He paused his movements, and his voice grew heavy.

"But a mission issued personally by Lord Graham is bound to be perilous beyond measure, far more dangerous than an ordinary person can imagine."

He raised his time-worn face, the light from the window catching his graying temples.

"You are still young. Four years is not a long time for you. Steadily completing your coursework might not be an unwise choice."

"Thank you for your advice, Mr. Nelson."

Roland took a deep breath and gave a slight nod.

After a few more brief words, he turned and pushed open the heavy door.

As the door closed behind him, Roland paced slowly down the long corridor, his brow deeply furrowed as the recent scene replayed in his mind.

’I expected this, but I didn’t think I’d be dragged into the overt and covert struggles between the nobles and Merchants of the River Domain so quickly... And I just so happen to be the victim...’

Although what had just happened was brief, Roland had keenly deduced that the middle-aged man named Finn likely belonged to the noble faction of the River Domain nations.

He sighed softly. Recalling Nelson’s words, his furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and his expression grew more resolute.

’Four years is far too long... Even if I can use the Professional Panel to take on other Professions and continuously gain Attribute Bonuses and Extra Benefits during that time, but...’

He shook his head, thinking of the power of the Extraordinary Knight he had witnessed with his own eyes.

’That method of increasing my strength is far less rapid and direct than cultivating a Knight’s Breathing Technique. Besides...’

Recalling the bizarre and perilous incidents he had encountered since the resurgence of Magic Elements, Roland instantly made up his mind.

’With the appearance of the Giant Dragon and the rapid resurgence of Magic Elements, who knows what the world will be like in four years.’

With this in mind, he asked a passerby for directions to the council hall and quickened his pace.

’At worst, I’ll first go and find out the details of Graham’s commission. If it’s truly so dangerous that it’s far beyond my current abilities, it won’t be too late to think of another way...’

As these thoughts churned in his mind, Roland soon arrived before an exceptionally wide wooden door.

A crisp knock echoed, and Graham’s deep response came from within the room.

"Come in."

The heavy, solid wood door slowly opened, and Roland immediately felt a gaze so intense it was almost tangible fall upon him.

"I knew it was you, kid. I could tell from the start that a little guy like you isn’t afraid of anything."

A playful smile appeared on Graham’s rugged face.

"Come on over..."

As he spoke, he tossed two thick Sheepskin Scrolls onto the desktop.

But his next words made Roland start slightly.

"One of these is the commission for you. I’ll tell you up front..."

Graham crossed his arms, gesturing toward the Scrolls with a lift of his sharp chin.

"This job is incredibly dangerous. Even with your skills, the slightest mistake will get you killed on the spot. Of course... for a life-threatening task like this, I’ll sweeten the deal for you..."

His voice wasn’t loud, but his next words exploded in Roland’s ears like a clap of thunder.

"The one next to it... is the Knight’s Breathing Technique you’ve been dreaming of."

"If you agree to take this mission, you can take it back with you and start studying it right now."

Staring at the Breathing Technique Scroll that was just within reach, Roland’s throat felt a little dry.