How to Live as a Genius Knight in a Fantasy World

9.

“What? I… I’m staying?”

To the unexpected news, Rohan’s eyes widened.

Having mentally prepared himself and packed his belongings, the sudden order caught him off guard.

Of course, from Rohan’s perspective, it was undoubtedly good news.

Going to the battlefield would offer opportunities for growth, but the chances of death would far outweigh any other possibilities.

However, he couldn’t understand why this decision was made.

Even when he thought about it himself, he couldn’t see anyone as suitable for the battlefield as he was.

Even if a young man without a family were to die, who would mourn him?

It was an era where war and death were commonplace.

However, there was no intention to refuse such a good order.

Gratefully acknowledging the stroke of luck, the bags were unpacked again.

“Let’s make sure to meet again, Rohan. Phew…”

From Chris, who had spent the longest time with Miuna and Koo, to the colleagues, farewells were exchanged.

It was a place where faces were always seen, but there was no one unaware that today could be the last.

In the face of impending war, the world they saw and heard was excessively cruel to have hope.

The only thing Rohan could offer was to exchange shoes with one of his colleagues.

Though Haidin’s linen shoes were made of poor quality fabric, uncomfortable to wear, and seemed like they would easily come apart, Rohan had no regrets about swapping them for leather shoes.

If a companion who had sweated and toiled in the dust returned alive, there would be nothing better.

There were no grand send-off ceremonies.

Just the troops led by two knights quietly leaving the village.

With over three hundred troops, including conscripts, the ratio was less than 3% compared to the population of Izell, making the entire castle feel deserted, perhaps because most of the existing guards had headed to the battlefield.

Due to the intensified workload, which was incomparable to before, the duties of the remaining troops were significantly busier than before.

The previous three shifts had been reduced to two, sometimes requiring them to work all day.

While there had been no direct impact on security maintenance yet, with the troops leaving the castle, there was a good chance that the situation could change depending on when and how they returned.

Despite the rapidly darkening atmosphere, Rohan did not cease his meditation.

Having narrowly escaped a dangerous situation by luck, he was still a weakling.

Although considered strong among the soldiers, it was clear that even if a couple of skilled soldiers attacked him, victory could not be guaranteed.

Due to the significantly increased workload compared to before, there was hardly any training Rohan could properly do other than meditation.

Investing all his time in meditation, half voluntarily and half involuntarily, on the tenth day since his colleagues left, Rohan finally reached full proficiency in meditation.

Rohan, who was sitting on the bed in the dormitory with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes.

– Meditation proficiency has reached 100%.

– Additional effects will be applied to this skill, and one Ardann’s Feather will be provided.

‘The additional effect is… a 10% increase in recovery power.’

It wasn’t a tremendous effect, but it couldn’t be considered a bad one either.

In a place where it was difficult to find proper medicine, one’s own recovery power was almost the only solution for wounds and illnesses.

But what Rohan expected from this skill was not just that level of effect.

A step towards the next level.

That’s what Rohan needed right now.

Rohan, who opened the skill synthesis window, immediately filled the meditation in the ingredient slot.

Since he had not yet fully mastered swordsmanship and throwing, he had only obtained two feathers, including the one just received for reaching 100% meditation.

‘The first skill to combine… Charles-style Practical Swordsmanship.’

Given its SN grade and the fact that it matched well with swordsmanship and aura, it was a carefully chosen option.

‘What’s this, I’m starting to get a bit nervous.’

With trembling fingers, he proceeded with the skill synthesis, and as always, the screen darkened briefly to reveal the result.

– Combat Breathing Technique (SN) / 0%

‘Combat… Breathing Technique?’

As expected, there was no extraordinary secret technique like levitation.

In fact, considering the grades of the skills used as ingredients, Rohan knew he was being overly ambitious.

After enduring a headache-like pain once, I discovered that the breathing technique had its uses.

When moving the body, one of the most influential factors is breathing.

Moreover, in this world where the unknown power called mana is scattered everywhere, the difference caused by breathing could be even greater.

After enduring the pain that came with acquiring skills, I revisited the knowledge engraved in my mind.

Contrary to its simple name of “Combat Breathing Technique,” the skill seemed challenging to get used to because the breathing continuously changed depending on various situations.

“Let’s try using it once.”

With sword and shield in hand, Rohan walked towards the entrance of the training ground.

Relying on the flickering light, he swung his sword and shield in the air.

Although it had been quite some time since he acquired the swordsmanship, his proficiency was barely at 60% now.

Due to a busy schedule and intense focus on meditation, there was hardly any difference between his proficiency when he first acquired the skill and now.

To be honest, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that he had almost neglected his swordsmanship training, but a significant merit of the skill became apparent here.

“The knowledge gained through skills… doesn’t fade away.”

In reality, even taking a month off from training could lead to confusion in simple movements or actions, but the knowledge gained through skills remained intact, unaffected by time.

It could truly be seen as a hidden, deceptive function.

After about ten minutes of wielding his sword and shield, Rohan stopped his movements.

“This… just won’t work.”

Not having fully familiarized himself with swordsmanship, trying to move while following the newly acquired breathing technique was simply impossible.

After tossing his shield aside, he unleashed Charles-style practical swordsmanship, with a proficiency of 100%.

“Oh…!”

Initially, he didn’t feel much difference, but the longer he wielded the sword, the more he could sense the power of the breathing technique.

Although he hadn’t fully implemented the knowledge in his mind due to its unfamiliar nature, he clearly felt that using less stamina and exerting stronger force compared to usual sword movements was a definite improvement.

Twenty minutes of swordplay passed.

Sweat started to trickle down with his vigorous movements, yet Rohan’s breath remained at a calm level, almost undisturbed.

Normally, he would start to pant slowly by now, so this alone was sufficient to be considered a remarkable effect.

“Compared to the aerial techniques, it’s a bit lacking, but it seems best to continue focusing on meditation.”

Certainly, swordsmanship was important, but without mastering the power of mana, progressing to the next level was impossible.

“I should first aim to reach 100% proficiency in both sword and shield techniques and the breathing technique.”

It seemed appropriate to fill the proficiency of these two skills completely before aiming for a higher grade through synthesis.

However, what worried him was whether he would have the luxury to do so in such circumstances.

“I have to cut down on sleep if necessary.”

Avoiding being dragged into war just now didn’t mean that the situation wouldn’t change at any moment, a fact Rohan was well aware of.

Even though his days were getting longer, time was passing swiftly.

Many soldiers had left, making the once desolate castle gradually regain its vitality.

War was a frightening thing, but since the horrifying scenes were not unfolding before their eyes, the residents were somewhat shielded from it.

Traders were still coming and going as usual, and there were no issues with food supplies.

In fact, with soldiers who had no involvement in production leaving, there was a temporary illusion of even greater abundance.

Although the surface seemed to be functioning normally, there was already a sense of unease brewing in the shadows.

“Argh!”

“Hey! Shut your mouth! You idiot!”

“I told you to start from the back of the head!”

As Rohan patrolled the village as usual, he heard rough voices unlike the usual.

“Kyle, did you hear that?”

“Yeah. It’s obviously a mugging, right?”

Following the voices down an alley, he finally found a victim with a battered face, surrounded by three men.

The way the blood was flowing, if not treated properly, it could be life-threatening.

With what looked like a dagger at their waist, it was clear that these guys were not of good quality even on a normal day.

“What’s this? Are they guards?”

The thugs were beating the fallen victim and checking for valuables.

One of them shouted upon noticing Rohan and Kyle.

“What? Guards? They can’t see a thing anyway, might as well bury them together.”

“Yeah, with the war going on, the numbers have decreased, and there’s nothing much to see. We probably won’t even get caught, right?”

Though they were menacingly brandishing their daggers and wearing fierce expressions, Rohan felt no fear at all.

He hadn’t killed anyone yet, but as a soldier who had received training and worked as a guard for months, Rohan had faced people wielding violence several times, and he knew well that it wasn’t easy to defeat an armed soldier just because someone who hadn’t properly learned how to fight picked up a dagger.

Furthermore, Rohan himself possessed a power called a skill.

At this level, being afraid would seem odd.

As if trusting his size, the burliest of the three men, flexing his muscles, advanced with his sword.

“Kyle, it wouldn’t matter if they get hurt, right?”

“Of course not. In fact, it’s okay to kill them. It’s a state of emergency right now.”

Enraged by the nonchalant attitude as if on a leisurely stroll, the burly man lunged at Rohan.

“Die!”

Seemingly wounded in pride, his half-bare head slightly reddened.

When the man had closed in, Rohan stepped back slightly and lightly swung his longsword.

Though the strike didn’t seem to carry much weight, the result was far from light.

“aaargh!”

The man, whose thumb holding the dagger had been severed, screamed in sudden agony.

“Mike!”

“You bastard! Die!”

As the dropped sword rolled on the ground, emitting a metallic clang, the remaining two men simultaneously attacked Rohan.

They rushed at him in the narrow alley, but the outcome was obvious, with only the two of them not enough to challenge Rohan.

Notably, Kyle didn’t even lift a finger to help.

“A single finger won’t do the trick.”

Thinking that fear would make them surrender, Rohan’s opponent completely defied his expectations.

In that case, a stronger punishment was necessary.

A flash of light emitted from Rohan’s fingertips twice, and the two men’s hands hit the ground.

“aaargh!”

“Ugh!”

The two men, wailing as if making a promise, tears streaming down their faces, but no matter how much they regretted it, it was already too late.

Leaving Kyle to handle the three men, who were now under control, Rohan approached the victim who had taken a beating.

“Are you okay? Can you see ahead?”

Despite his swollen eyes, fortunately, there seemed to be no problem with his vision, and the man nodded his head laboriously.

Although Rohan lacked medical knowledge, he wasn’t ignorant enough to expect someone who had taken such a blow to be able to walk on his own.

He blew the horn given as a signal to call other guards, passed the trio who were still bleeding, and carried the man on his back.

“Let’s head to Grandma Haila’s house for now.”

When Rohan mentioned the healer’s name, Kyle also nodded.

It would cost some money, but it would be much better to receive even a simple treatment.

Lifting him up, showing no sign of any enthusiasm as if his spirit had been severely shattered, Rohan and Kyle made their way to the healer’s house.