Ch.4040. Become My Disciple

“Become my disciple.”

The sudden statement made Rex’s thoughts freeze.

Anyone in their right mind would doubt their ears. It was completely out of place in the current situation.

‘Disciple?’

Rex looked at the knight with a puzzled expression.

The knight tilted his head at that gaze and lifted his helmet visor.

“Pardon my late introduction. I am Berger von Altrich, Knight of Honor from Lindveil.”

The first thing that caught Rex’s eye was the large scar crossing the man’s face. Wrinkles peeked through the rough skin here and there.

Rex had assumed he was a young man due to his large build, but contrary to expectations, he appeared to be around sixty years old. Nevertheless, he exuded a healthier aura than most young men. His clear eyes seemed to say that age was just a number.

Even setting aside the fact that he was a knight, the pressure from their height difference was considerable.

Feeling somewhat intimidated, Rex focused his gaze and met the knight’s eyes. Berger’s eyes curved with apparent pleasure.

“I’ll say it again. Rex, would you consider becoming my disciple?”

Berger removed his gauntlet and extended his hand. Rex hesitantly accepted the handshake.

Berger’s palm was rough and calloused all over, like animal hide. How rigorous must his training have been to damage his skin so badly? Rex could feel the weight of his harsh years.

Rex tried to calm his mind.

“What do you mean by becoming your disciple?”

“Exactly what I said. I want to make you my squire.”

Berger answered with a grin, raising the corner of his mouth.

So he hadn’t misheard after all. Rex’s expression hardened.

He knew what a squire was. It was a position where one assists a knight while receiving instruction. A squire who receives sufficient education and proves their skills can finally become a knight after a probationary period.

‘A knight…’

Every boy dreams of becoming a knight at some point.

Rex was no different.

Before being chosen by Kaordix, during the days when he cleaned up animal droppings in the village daily, Rex would lie in bed longing to become a knight like those in fairy tales.

It was a kind of admiration. He would replay heroic tales of knights cutting down dozens of enemies with a single sword over and over in his mind.

And if he became Berger’s squire, that dream could very well come true.

However, as Chloe had mentioned, a knight must possess at least Radiance-level combat ability. For that reason, many squires ultimately fail to advance beyond the rank of attendant knight.

But Rex believed he could surpass the Radiance level in a short time. This wasn’t arrogance or confidence, but a judgment based on thorough self-objectification.

Even if bad luck prevented him from becoming a knight, it wouldn’t matter.

There were plenty of opportunities available just by being a squire. Though not equal to a true knight, a squire was essentially certified high-level personnel.

“This is an exceptional offer. I don’t usually take on squires easily. Right now in Lindveil, there are countless people who want to serve under me.”

Berger spoke in a serious voice.

“I wasn’t going to say this as it would be like gilding my own face, but Rex, I am a Knight of Honor.”

“What is… a Knight of Honor?”

“It’s a title given to the most skilled knight in Lindveil.”

Berger smiled as he looked at Rex. His attitude was confident, as if certain Rex wouldn’t refuse.

However, Rex couldn’t readily accept.

To put it bluntly, this was Berger’s whim. Even without becoming a knight, not just anyone could become a squire. With very few exceptions, most squires were sons of nobility.

An opportunity like this might never come again. Common sense dictated that he should accept it immediately. This was indeed an exceptional offer, as Berger had said. Rex would gain benefits without any losses.

But…

The problem was that becoming Berger’s squire meant he could no longer continue his current lifestyle.

Rex bit his lip and looked back. People were watching their conversation with anxious faces.

Seeing them made it even harder to speak up.

Elin especially weighed on his mind. He had brought her along, promising to take responsibility, but how would she react if he said he was leaving the party? She would surely be disappointed. Guilt tightened around his chest.

‘No… this isn’t right.’

Rex hung his head and sighed. Though they had only known each other for a week, they were all good people. He didn’t want to give up on them like this.

Just as he was steeling his resolve, he suddenly noticed Chloe making urgent gestures.

She was mouthing something silently, but Rex just stared at her blankly.

Her lips moved dramatically.

‘What are you doing, you idiot!’

“Huh?”

‘Hurry up and say yes!’

Rex shifted his gaze with a sour expression. Everyone else was nodding vigorously. Elin silently gave a thumbs up. He wasn’t sure what it meant, but at least she didn’t seem displeased.

As Rex hesitated, Chloe looked exasperated, clenched her fist, and even glared at him.

‘What’s going on?’

It was truly strange. Rex was the one who received the offer, so why were they all so anxious?

Still, thanks to them, he made up his mind.

Rex turned around.

“May I ask you one question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you decide to take me as your disciple?”

Thanks to his companions’ encouragement, his mind was more at ease, but not all his doubts were resolved.

Rex recalled the events.

He explained in detail about meeting Yakoff, Conrad and his men performing strange magic to summon the one-eyed creature, and the subsequent appearance of the Minotaur.

Yet nowhere in that account was there any reason for Berger to invite Rex to become his disciple. Rex had said Conrad and his men self-destructed, and he hadn’t specified who defeated the Minotaur.

Berger chuckled in disbelief and replied.

“Do you think my eyes are knotholes?”

“Pardon?”

“At the Radiance level, one can tell everyone’s capabilities. From what I can see, no one here except you could have defeated the Minotaur. Even for you, it would have been challenging. With no corpse left, it’s even harder to believe.”

Berger narrowed his eyes and looked Rex up and down. Rex swallowed hard before speaking.

“The Minotaur really did appear.”

“I know. Follow me.”

Berger readily agreed and moved toward where Conrad and his men’s bodies lay. Since the party had already taken all useful equipment, the bodies were only wearing loose undergarments.

Berger drew his longsword and sliced open Conrad’s upper garment. This revealed a tattoo on his chest—six straight lines intersecting to form a star, commonly known as a hexagram.

Rex’s eyes widened slightly, as it was his first time seeing another Stigmatist’s mark. Berger continued in a nonchalant tone.

“This is the symbol of Pandemius, the god of chaos. I sensed something quite unpleasant here, though not as eerie as before. The crystal ball you mentioned was probably their sacred object, and the one-eyed creature was likely part of the god they worship.”

Pandemius. The name Conrad had been muttering like a madman. The shock from the one-eyed creature remained vivid in Rex’s mind. He would probably never forget it.

He had vaguely sensed it wasn’t an ordinary being, but never imagined it could be a god itself.

“The ritual they were performing probably went wrong, and the Minotaur was summoned as a side effect.”

“Is that possible?”

“Matters related to gods are beyond human understanding. I seem to have gone on too long. To summarize, you defeated the Minotaur alone. That means you’ve reached at least the Sacred Flame level.”

Berger didn’t even consider the possibility that they had fought together. However, Rex didn’t mention this fact.

As Berger said, the others’ levels were far too low to face a Minotaur. If they had participated in the battle, they should have had at least some injuries, but everyone looked perfectly fine.

“Never in my life have I seen such insane talent.”

Berger shrugged as he resheathed his longsword.

“Does that satisfy your question?”

“Yes.”

“Then give me your answer now.”

Rex nodded. He had already made his decision.

Everyone stared at Rex with wide eyes. Even Berger waited for his response with a tense expression.

Just then, a loud noise suddenly echoed from the corridor, and five or six young men rushed into the room.

“We apologize! Sir Berger, we’re late. Huff… huff.”

“We’re sorry!”

The party couldn’t help but sigh. The young men’s loud shouting had drowned out Rex’s answer. It felt like the momentum of an important moment had been lost.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Rex bowed politely to Berger and slowly approached his companions.

“Congratulations, man!”

“Becoming a knight’s squire, you’ve made it. You owe us a round.”

Corner put his arm around Rex’s shoulder and chuckled. Even the usually taciturn Patrick smiled. Elin was silent as always, while Harald and Eira simply watched with kind faces.

No one envied Rex’s success.

However, only Chloe’s expression seemed somehow dark. When her eyes met Rex’s, she gave a faint smile and spoke in a subdued voice.

“…Congratulations.”

Someone started clapping. Others gradually joined in, applauding.

Amidst the numerous applause.

‘What’s going on all of a sudden?’

Rex awkwardly scratched his cheek. It seemed there was a serious misunderstanding, but he wasn’t sure where to begin correcting it.

Seeing Rex’s perplexed expression, the others finally noticed the strange atmosphere.

Chloe twitched the corner of her mouth and asked.

“…Did you refuse?”

“Yes.”

At that, everyone turned to look at Berger.

Berger had slumped his shoulders like a rejected lover. He ignored whatever his squires were saying and let out a deep sigh—not once, but five times.

It was such a pitiful sight that even those who didn’t know the situation felt sorry for him. After staring at the ground for a while, Berger suddenly raised his head and shouted.

“What’s your objection! At least tell me why you’re refusing!”

Everyone, squires and companions alike, stared at Berger with wide eyes at his behavior, which had lost all knightly dignity.

Regardless, Berger moved his legs while breathing roughly. He was so excited that the floor seemed to shake.

Rex watched the scene with a dumbfounded expression. As he belatedly tried to step back, Berger grabbed his arm first. Then, in an almost pleading tone, he muttered quietly.

“Won’t you please just be my disciple…?”

Rex shook his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Berger’s movements froze, seemingly shocked by the firm answer. Rex added one more thing with an expressionless face.

“I would like to receive your teachings, but I cannot abandon my current companions. I’m sorry.”

“…Companions?”

“Yes. If I become a squire, I would have to leave the party, wouldn’t I? I like my companions. I don’t want to part with them like this.”

At those words, the others looked touched, while Berger clicked his tongue. It was true.

A squire is not allowed personal activities. They live in designated quarters with other squires every day, as they must be ready whenever the knight calls. If they have an active party, they must leave it.

“Still…”

Berger barely swallowed the words “I don’t want to let you go.” Just then, as he was deeply pondering for a solution, a ray of light flashed through Berger’s mind.

“I would like to receive your teachings, but I have companions.” This meant that if Rex could continue traveling with his companions, he would immediately become a squire, right?

That wasn’t Rex’s intention, but Berger was currently in a state of desperation.

He could give Rex special treatment. Forget about the miscellaneous servant duties, just receive my teachings.

Then that fellow wouldn’t be able to refuse.

The squires behind him would surely run to their parents and tattle if they found out, but what did that matter? Berger was a Knight of Honor. He had the power to silence the complaints of such insignificant beings.

After sorting through these complex calculations in his mind and just as he was about to speak, Berger made a slip of the tongue in his haste.

“Ah, just be my disciple!”

The part about providing all conveniences was completely omitted. That was the most important part.

Rex’s eyes grew cold.

Berger grumbled inwardly in frustration.

‘How have I become so pathetic…’