Ch.4343. According to Plan

She didn’t actually hit him.

Still, she was clearly upset, as Chloe narrowed her eyes and glared at Rex.

Rex looked utterly apologetic, constantly checking Chloe’s expression. He even asked Wolfram to bring warm milk and bread spread with honey.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t ever do that again.”

Chloe pouted as she snapped at him. Rex gave a bitter smile and nodded.

Seeing this, Chloe felt her anger melting away. Part of her wondered if this boy before her was really the same person who had fought and defeated that Minotaur alone in the dungeon.

Back then, he had seemed as strong as steel, but now he just seemed completely innocent. Not that it was a bad thing. Both sides had their own charm…

‘What am I thinking?’

Chloe blushed at the sudden thought. Rex looked at her curiously, but she pretended nothing had happened and quickly finished her snack before standing up.

“Anyway! Let’s get started.”

Though the conversation had briefly gone off track, today’s purpose was to help with Chloe’s training. Rex hadn’t forgotten that fact.

Rex went out to the yard with Chloe.

***

“You said it’s called Gale Wind, right?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t use it yet. Wait a moment.”

Rex narrowed his eyes as he looked at Chloe. Under his gaze, she flinched slightly and turned her head to the side.

Regardless, Rex’s mind was filled with thoughts about how to proceed.

Originally, he had planned to have a light sparring match. To quickly get used to a blessing, one needed practical experience. Rex had learned this through his own body.

Since that was impossible now, he had chosen sparring as the next best option, but it seemed he would need to find another method.

It wouldn’t do to soil her pretty skirt on the dirt ground.

“…Should we just go back?” Chloe asked with a dejected expression. Once they were actually in the yard, she too seemed to realize how foolish her request had been.

“No,” Rex shook his head.

Though sparring was out of the question, he could still offer some theoretical advice.

As far as Rex knew, there were two types of blessings. Those like “Heart of Steel” that applied constantly without consuming divine power, and those like “Warrior’s Gaze” that required using a certain amount of divine power to activate.

Chloe’s “Gale Wind” was the latter.

And when dealing with such activation-type blessings, the first thing to check was how long they could be maintained. Without knowing this, one might face disaster if divine power was depleted at a critical moment.

After explaining this logic, Chloe responded with an uncertain tone.

“I can use it for about 5 minutes.”

“That’s good.”

No matter how much one counted in their head, it was impossible to track the exact time. It was enough to know roughly how long one could hold out.

When Rex first obtained Warrior’s Gaze, he could use it for about 5 minutes as well. Of course, there was no guarantee that the two abilities consumed divine power at the same rate, but even accounting for that, Chloe’s divine power seemed quite impressive.

Though it was only revelation-grade, she had been exploring dungeons consistently for several years, so it wasn’t surprising.

“What’s the effect?”

Chloe placed a finger on her chin and tilted her head.

“My overall movements become faster. About three times normal speed? The duration changes depending on how much I accelerate.”

At those words, Rex couldn’t help but sigh. He already knew what kind of ability it was. Kaordix had told him. But the effect was much more impressive than he had thought.

‘How is this garbage?’

He had disparaged Gale Wind as worse than trash, but now it was clear that was a complete lie.

Of course, “Usurper,” which he received instead of Gale Wind, was also quite a useful blessing. From a long-term perspective, Usurper suited Rex better. While Gale Wind could be replaced by other methods, Usurper was irreplaceable. Still, he couldn’t help feeling a bit bitter about it.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Rex shook his head with a sour expression. Pushing aside distracting thoughts, he continued in a serious voice.

“A blessing isn’t limited to just one ability. If you manipulate divine power, you can use it in different ways.”

This was something Rex had discovered through his own trial and error.

Blessings weren’t one-dimensional abilities.

Take Warrior’s Gaze—Kaordix had only told him it amplified the five senses, but in reality, it could be applied in various ways.

Imagination was key. Wondering if it could be used in this way or that way made it possible to discover new abilities.

“Hmm… this is difficult.”

Chloe furrowed her brows and sighed. Rex chuckled at her frustrated groan.

It was natural that she wouldn’t immediately come up with ideas when told to use her imagination. Even Rex would still be struggling if not for the sudden realization he had recently.

“For now, practice using your blessing often, and take your time to think about it.”

He ended up giving rather clichéd advice. Everyone knows that consistent effort is the fastest way to get stronger. So Rex cleared his throat and added:

“Since Gale Wind is a blessing that controls wind, you might try a completely different approach. For example, wrapping wind around a blade.”

This was something Kaordix had told him. He felt slightly embarrassed presenting it as his own idea, but Rex decided to be shameless. It wasn’t hurting anyone.

Besides, no matter how many hints one gave, they were useless if the recipient lacked ability. Even if she managed to grasp the concept, it would take considerable time to make it her own.

“Wrapping… wind?”

But Chloe, after muttering to herself with a puzzled expression, suddenly widened her eyes.

“I think I get it!”

“…Huh?”

“Rex, you really are a genius. Thank you!”

Chloe grabbed Rex’s hands with a radiant smile. Rex nodded with a bewildered expression.

‘Really?’

It seemed the genius wasn’t him but rather the person in front of him.

***

After hundreds of years of war, the vast continent was unified under a single empire. The empire was divided into four kingdoms and two holy states with recognized independent autonomy, and within them existed hundreds of noble families.

The Lindveil Barony was a territory belonging to the Kingdom of Verdenia, and compared to other regions, it was relatively peaceful.

Located at the southern extremity, it had been somewhat sheltered from the turmoil even when the world was in the midst of war, and there were no particularly threatening forces nearby.

The expansive rye fields covering the open plains ensured that no one starved during winter, and simultaneously served as the symbol of Lindveil.

In short, it was a very good place to live.

Raimund von Lindenbach, the head of the Lindenbach baronial family who ruled Lindveil, always considered himself fortunate.

Being born as the eldest son was his first stroke of luck, inheriting Lindveil was his second, and the absence of external threats in the vicinity was his third.

While processing dozens of documents daily as a lord was quite troublesome, compared to what other territory owners faced, this was mere child’s play.

Protecting the blessed land passed down from his ancestors was very easy. Literally, all he had to do was maintain the status quo. Anyone who wasn’t particularly incompetent could do it.

So Raimund was happy. He was grateful for the life given to him.

Unfortunately, that happiness had just been shattered.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I will take in a disciple, Your Excellency.”

“Before that.”

“He is fifteen years old, and has reached the mature stage of Sacred Flame.”

Berger replied with a serious face. His expression suggested he had no idea what the problem was.

Raimund sighed, holding his throbbing head.

Fifteen and at Sacred Flame. This was talent beyond what could be described as genius. If it hadn’t been Berger, known for his sparing praise, Raimund wouldn’t have believed it. Even children from prestigious families that had produced multiple saints couldn’t achieve such a level at fifteen.

The problem was…

“He’s a commoner, isn’t he?”

If Berger took in a commoner as his disciple, it might cause fierce opposition.

No. Raimund was absolutely certain. Even now, all sorts of nobles were lining up to place their children as Berger’s apprentices, and if he suddenly took in some boy of no background as not just an apprentice but a disciple? The aftermath was predictable.

Being a lord didn’t mean one could do whatever they pleased. Rather, carefully observing and managing one’s subordinates was also one of a lord’s virtues.

Moreover, among the faces Raimund was picturing in his mind were nobles who had traveled from distant regions solely to become Berger’s apprentices. Raimund wasn’t confident he could handle their discontent.

“So should we abandon him?”

Berger retorted in a sullen voice.

“Well…”

Though he wanted to scold him for using such disrespectful language to his lord, Raimund merely clicked his tongue and said nothing.

If it had been any other knight or retainer, it would have been different, but Berger was someone even Raimund couldn’t treat lightly.

“Couldn’t it be another child? Like Lord Hanusch’s son, or Henry Simour who came from Johannes this time, who is said to have excellent qualities…”

“Excellence is not enough,” Berger answered promptly in a resolute tone.

“I won’t be satisfied with anyone but him. Please grant your permission.”

By this point, Raimund could tell Berger was truly determined.

Since Raimund’s childhood, Berger had been Lindveil’s meritorious knight. For over thirty years, the Berger that Raimund had known was the epitome of knighthood.

Honest, noble, and completely obedient to his lord’s commands—a man who upheld the honor of knighthood, which is nowadays often dismissed as mere jest. It was the first time such a Berger had taken such an unyielding stance.

“Hmph.”

Feeling frustrated, Raimund let out another heavy sigh.

‘I have no choice.’

Though he was reluctant to take on this troublesome matter, even if Berger hadn’t been so insistent, the answer had been predetermined from the start.

While outwardly expressing reluctance, if Berger’s words were true, then that boy—Rex—was a talent that absolutely could not be overlooked.

Even Raimund, who had lived a life far from combat, knew how absurd it was for a mere fifteen-year-old to handle Sacred Flame.

For Berger to abandon his dignity and plead like this, Raimund was also curious.

‘I should summon him later.’

Raimund pressed his forehead with his hand and said in a tired voice:

“Do as you wish.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Berger immediately bowed his head in response.

His face, deeply shadowed, was grinning.

‘Everything according to plan.’

He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of being able to bring Rex in soon.