Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

"But it seems now it's too late for you, my lord. You already belong to Miss Cleya,"

Rein smiled without saying a word.

As of this moment, only Rein himself was aware that there was no follower's contract of any kind signed between him and Cleya.

After Rein revealed the origins of his breathing technique and swordsmanship, he distinctly felt Knight Lloyd become more amiable.

All he heard the other say was, "Rein, you mentioned you've been learning Hammer Skill recently. How about we exchange some pointers after the banquet?"

Hmm?
Experience exclusive tales on m v|l e'm,p| y- r

Is this my lucky break?

An 'NPC' coming to me to level up?

Rein couldn't help but beam with joy and hastily agreed, "Of course, it would be my honor!"

From their conversation, Rein learned that Knight Lloyd, besides being skilled with a one-handed sword, was also highly proficient with a one-handed hammer.

After all, in a knight's battle, whoever first breaches the opponent's 'iron shell' can claim to have won half the battle.

"Wait a moment, Lloyd, we agreed that I would first exchange Giant Bear Sword Technique with Rein,"

"As for the Hammer Skill, let's talk about that later," said the typically reticent instructor Perez, suddenly interjecting.

Eh!

Is this double happiness knocking at my door?

Rein's eyes lit up when he heard this!

He truly hadn't expected that Lagaray, who was reluctant to be his 'NPC' for experience during the day, would now be replaced by two Transcendent-level 'NPCs' in the evening.

Tsk tsk, the Habsburg estate seems to be quite the lucky place for me!

All Rein could say was quickly, "Knight Lloyd, Instructor Perez, please no more quarreling, we will have plenty of time for exchanges tonight."

In his heart, Rein silently added, 'I hope tonight, neither of you will mind getting tired...'

After the banquet.

In the castle's indoor training field.

At the center of the area, Rein and Perez stood facing each other, both grasping fine steel greatswords.

The next second, Rein swiftly took a step forward, his greatsword tracing a semi-circular arc like lightning, slashing down at a 45-degree angle towards Perez with a heavy chop!

The man opposite, Perez, performed almost the same action, also striking down at the same time.

"Clang!!"

The grating sound of metal on metal rang out.

They quickly separated after the clash.

Just from one strike, Rein could feel that Perez was almost at the same level of strength as him, making him an opponent of equal match.

Of course, this was without activating any skills.

Immediately after, they crossed swords again.

"Ting ting clang clang!"

Their fight grew faster and faster, soon leaving only two blurred shadows in fast combat in the area.

"Clang!!"

After a heavy exchange, both were sent flying back by the impact.

Rein and Perez neither activated 'Limit Break' nor used secret techniques; it was simply casual sparring.

After all, going all out at the first exchange wouldn't be a friendly contest.

Rein glanced at the system prompt:

[Your Skill Giant Bear Sword Technique has improved, Experience +56]

[You have participated in a battle, Knight (Transcendent) Experience +17]

Not bad!

Steadily improving.

Worried the experience is too low?

But it's safe, and I can do it again and again!

A constitution of eighteen points allowed Rein and Perez to feel almost no fatigue after their brief sparring.

That is to say, Rein could fight them in rotation.

He against the two of them—one after the other!

After watching Rein and Perez spar, Knight Lloyd also seemed a bit impatient to join in.

"Rein, how about you? Need a rest?"

"Not at all, Knight Lloyd. Then I'll switch to the Warhammer!" Rein walked to the side and picked up an ironwood warhammer.

"Of course."

When Rein really switched to a warhammer, both Lloyd and Perez were quite curious.

One of the key reasons Lloyd wanted to spar with Rein was to understand and assess Rein's strength in detail.

Since Rein was willing to demonstrate hammer skills he had never shown before, it couldn't be better.

-----------------

Meanwhile.

In a luxurious manor in Meist County City.

Within the dim underground hall.

The slender knight carrying a 'scythe'-like weapon was reporting respectfully, "High Priest, in these past two days, many nobles have passed on messages, asking us to be mindful of the impact and act discreetly; the affair in Flashgold Town has put them at a disadvantage."

"Additionally, the cause of Flashgold Town's disastrous defeat has been investigated. According to reliable information... it is still that same up-and-coming knight Rein! It's said that his outstanding swordsmanship talent was the reason why Ashim, Andrews, and the others were killed one by one. This has also been confirmed by Baron Alonso."

"Hmm? It's Rein again? Reliant on swordsmanship?"

"Then let's find a suitable moment to send over an Iron Maiden automaton, and see if he can cut through it! Hehe..." A deep laugh emanated from the shadows.

"As you command, High Priest!" Upon hearing the High Priest's words, a smile appeared on the face behind the knight's helmet.