How to Live as a Genius Knight in a Fantasy World

18.

If a soldier served for a long time, it was not uncommon to ‘see’ nobles more often than one might think.

After all, the military power of the fiefdom belonged to the Viscount, so it was not uncommon for him to occasionally come out to personally check the training status of the soldiers to maintain the fiefdom’s combat readiness.

However, going to the Viscount’s castle and taking charge of the Viscount was rare.

No, it was so rare that it might happen once in a lifetime even for an ordinary soldier.

After all, what need did a high-ranking noble have to speak directly to a soldier?

If there was a need for training, discipline, or rewards, it could be conveyed through a knight or a captain.

Having been in the castle for quite some time and being well-versed in such common sense, Rohan could only feel bewildered at being summoned by the Viscount.

Curious about the reason, he didn’t bother asking.

Even if the other party was a knight, it didn’t seem likely that they would fully understand the Viscount’s intentions, so he thought it was just a pointless question.

He simply replied that he understood, then dressed in his best attire and headed to the Viscount’s castle at the appointed time.

The head guard, Haken, had already been informed, so there was no need to worry about his duties.

Just in case, he brought the identification he received when he became a soldier, but he had no use for it.

Rohan was already a well-known figure in Isel Castle, and the fact that he had been summoned by the Viscount had already been relayed.

From the inner gate where the same guards were stationed to the gate of the Viscount’s castle, it was literally a free pass.

As a result, Rohan could meet the Viscount’s face at a speed that was incomparable to what he had initially thought.

“Welcome. Rohan.”

Even though he had seen the face once in the battlefield, the Viscount, dressed in noble attire in the study, exuded a different aura, making him feel unfamiliar.

Of course, he couldn’t completely hide his well-trained physique, given his upbringing as a commoner.

“I greet the Viscount. I am soldier Rohan.”

He entered the Viscount’s castle and hastily saluted with the movements he had just learned.

Despite not being able to completely conceal the awkwardness that naturally came with unfamiliar movements, the Viscount paid no attention to it at all.

Having already known about Rohan’s upbringing and being a soldier with loyalty strong enough to reject the persuasion of an enemy knight on the battlefield, the Viscount had no reason to be upset over minor etiquette.

“Well, these days, there isn’t a person in Isel Castle who doesn’t know your name. Well, considering you could hold your own against knights, it’s only natural, right?”

“No, it was just luck.”

“Luck, huh. Truly remarkable. At that moment, I almost believed you were a knight.”

“Ah… thank you.”

“Rohan, how old are you?”

“Fourteen.”

“Young lad, truly young. It’s almost unbelievable.”

The Viscount’s eyes scanned Rohan’s body once again.

A height that had already surpassed many adults, a physique honed through consistent training.

A soldier who, despite being on the verge of losing his life, possessed the shining talent of blocking a knight’s sword once, all at the age of just fourteen.

Although there was a slight doubt whether his decision to take him as a disciple was hasty, facing this boy, he was convinced it was nothing more than a passing thought.

Once the mind is set, hesitation is unnecessary.

“Rohan, I highly appreciate your talent. It’s to the extent that I can’t believe there could be a talent superior to yours in your generation.”

“…Thank you.”

“It’s not just words. Rohan, will you not become my disciple?”

“…Yes?”

At the sudden yet significant proposal, Rohan raised his head in surprise.

It was an act directly defying the advice that had been repeated several times, not to look a noble’s eyes straight, but the moment he heard the Marquis’s words, such advice was completely forgotten.

The foremost knight in the Isel, and the disciple of the ruler of Isel, the Marquis.

With his ordinary talent, it was a position where one couldn’t even dare to dream.

The offer was so good that it was almost unbelievable.

He pondered briefly yet intensely on what hidden agenda there might be.

But no matter how much he thought, there was no reason for a high-ranking noble to play tricks on him for no reason.

If they wanted something from him, they were in a position to obtain it with just a word.

They were simply valuing Rohan’s talent highly.

And in Rohan’s opinion, this could very well be possible.

Although he had lived for over forty years, his physical age was still fitting for the term “young.”

Blocking a knight’s strike without proper training at such an age was a testament to possessing a natural talent that anyone could see.

Moreover, considering he actually had the cheat ability of a status screen, it wasn’t wrong to say so.

At least from his experience until now, his ability was sufficient, unmatched by any other talent.

‘There’s no reason to refuse.’

By becoming his disciple, he could rise above his humble commoner status and at least obtain the position of a knight.

Furthermore, he could learn the aerial techniques of the Auroras and even the Marquis’s swordsmanship.

To Rohan, who thirsted for growth, this was an opportunity like rain in a drought.

It was not only personal power but also a tremendous opportunity to elevate his social status.

“…I will. No, I want to! May I call you Master?”

Upon Rohan’s swift decision to accept the offer, a smile appeared on the Marquis’s face.

He hadn’t thought he would be rejected, but receiving such a willing acceptance made him feel good.

Moreover, it wasn’t an acceptance without any thought.

In a brief moment, the boy in front of him had clearly made a calculated decision.

Rather than getting excited about the good news, he made a rational decision before coming to a conclusion.

A mental acuity as demanded by a knight, not inferior to physical prowess.

“Good. Rohan, from today onwards, you are my disciple. This is proof that we have entered into a master-disciple relationship, so use it well.”

The Marquis handed over a wrapped object, and even at a glance, one could tell it was a sword.

“Shall we take a look… together?”

“Yes, it’s yours now.”

With the Marquis’s permission, he carefully unwrapped the cloth.

The scabbard adorned with small decorations exuded a refined elegance, and when Rohan drew the sword from within, he couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

It was a sword completely different from the one he had been using so far, which was a mix of inferior materials.

Made of good steel, it had a uniform shine and exuded a graceful form crafted by a skilled artisan.

While it might not be considered a remarkable sword, compared to the swords of ordinary soldiers, it was undoubtedly on a celestial level.

Rohan, who was staring blankly at her beautiful figure, snapped out of his daze in surprise.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Your sword is just so beautiful…”

“It’s okay. I’m glad you like the gift I gave you. Now that you’ve become my disciple, many things will change. Freddie will guide you, so don’t worry.”

After expressing his gratitude, Rohan left the study cautiously closing the door behind him.

“Congratulations, Rohan.”

Freddie, the butler of the viscount, who was waiting outside the study, greeted him.

Seeing the viscount’s gift, Freddie realized that Rohan’s status had dramatically changed.

“Oh, thank you.”

“Please feel free to speak. You are now the lord’s disciple, after all.”

“Ah, it’s still a bit uncomfortable.”

Despite being a butler, Freddie was significantly older than Rohan. Having lived a lifetime in a Confucian country, Rohan found it hard to speak freely.

Seeing Rohan’s hesitation, Freddie smiled as if to say it was inevitable and began to explain.

“First of all, you need to move from where you’ve been staying. I heard you’ve been in the barracks, but from now on, you’ll be assigned a room within the lord’s residence.”

“Ah, I see.”

“And this is the education schedule. Of course, it will be canceled if the lord has events or duties. Oh, can you read?”

“No, I can’t read yet…”

Rohan blushed with embarrassment at revealing his illiteracy, but Freddie’s reaction seemed to suggest he had expected as much as he simply nodded his head.

In an era where illiteracy rates exceeded 90%, it was common sense to find it strange that a rural soldier could read.

Even with the will to learn, the lack of suitable means to do so was the harsh reality.

There were no textbooks, and Rohan wasn’t desperate enough to pay a hefty sum for private tutoring.

Rohan had considered learning to read long ago, but due to this reality, he had been putting it off.

“Of course, it won’t be easy, but as the lord’s disciple, you must at least know how to read. We plan to assign a teacher, so you should be aware of that.”

“Ah, thank you. I’m relieved.”

Seeing Rohan’s delight at the prospect of learning to read, Freddie’s expression subtly changed.

For a soldier who had lived by the sword to take up reading was unthinkable in his understanding.

Guidance on what studies lay ahead and what tasks he must perform as a disciple continued.

Freddie spoke incessantly, sharing many stories, but ultimately, when Rohan returned to his quarters, he realized that for the time being, all he needed to do was learn the basics of literacy.

‘But then, do I need to seal these skills for the time being?’

Though they were skills of an R-grade, the thought of them being seen by the viscount was even more worrisome.

While primitive, mastering techniques that could even handle Ores without knowing their origin could be seen as suspicious.

During the war, there was no room for thinking about the aftermath, but now, as an official disciple of the lord, it was not an easy decision to make.

‘For now, let’s focus on what needs to be done.’

“Oh! Rohan is here!”

“Hey, what did you call him for?”

As soon as he returned to his quarters, his surviving comrades were frantically looking for Rohan.

He was alone in the quarters when the call came, but by now, it seemed like the news had spread everywhere.

“Oh, I’ve become the lord’s disciple.”

With a touch of mischievousness, Rohan deliberately conveyed the truth in an even more nonchalant tone.

Naturally, his two colleagues didn’t believe it easily.

“What nonsense is that?”

“Hey, Rohan. Do you think you can say anything just because you have some skills?”

“Yeah, you might end up in that underground prison.”

Colleagues snorted in disbelief.

Ignoring them, he began organizing his belongings.

Though Rohan said nothing and only packed his things, the reactions of his two colleagues gradually changed.

“No way, you’re kidding. Are you really packing as if it’s all real?”

“Hey, if you’re really the Lord’s disciple, then I’m a dog’s dog.”

Struggling to accept reality.

“Wait, is it true? Rohan, is it really?”

“Rohan… No, Lord Rohan. Please say something.”

Starting with doubt.

“Rohan, are we still… friends?”

“Lord Rohan, I look forward to working with you in the future. Woof, woof.”

Finally, they started to believe Rohan’s words.

“Yes, it’s true. And of course, we are friends. Once colleagues, always colleagues, right?”

Even though they might have different statuses in the future, Rohan had no intention of forgetting the times he spent with them.

Certainly, they weren’t flawless, but having endured tough training together and fought side by side on the battlefield, they were true comrades.

At Rohan’s response, the faces of the two brightened.

As comrades who had crossed battle lines together, they felt more congratulatory than jealous, knowing that having a successful friend would surely be a great help in the future.

“So, tonight is the last night?”

“Probably. I think I’ll be entering the Lord’s Castle tomorrow.”

Although he didn’t pinpoint the date, considering Freddie’s words urging him to pack quickly, it was clear that time was running out.

And as expected, before noon the next day, there was a knock on the door.

“Lord Rohan?”

Sensing that the time had come, Rohan opened the door to find Freddie, accompanied by several porters, standing there.

Although there were three people to move luggage, Rohan’s belongings were not that much.

Just a few items of clothing, two pairs of shoes, a purse, and a single sword were all Rohan had.

Even after putting everything in the newly bought backpack, there was still space left.

Freddie was slightly taken aback by the overly modest belongings.

Leaving behind the mixed feelings of regret and congratulations, the two departed their cozy lodging and headed to Rohan’s private room on the second floor of the Lord’s Castle.

“This room used to be a guest room, but now it’s yours, Lord Rohan. All the bedding is here, so feel free to use it as you wish. If you need laundry done, just let the maids know.”

Already surprised by the room’s condition, Rohan felt not just surprise but also touched by Freddie’s words.

‘A bed…’

Not a makeshift bed with straw and bugs, but a proper one with a mattress made of cotton and wool, promising a different comfort for his weary body compared to the rough sleeping arrangements.

The clean bedding hinted that he could finally get a good night’s sleep if he lay down now.

After Freddie’s guidance, as he unpacked the few belongings he had left.

There was nothing in the wardrobe, table, or bedding that was not luxurious.

‘By the way, what should I do now?’

The real work would start from tomorrow, but there was still plenty of time before the sun rose.

Lost in thought for a moment, Rohan soon opened the door and stepped into the corridor.