Ch.4747. Sacred Grinding Tool

The training of knights and squires is conducted in secrecy, unlike that of ordinary soldiers. While common troops train in drill grounds under commanders’ guidance, those of higher ranks practice in specially designated private locations.

This is because they receive secret arts that must not be exposed to outsiders. Sword techniques commonly called “finishing moves,” or spiritual practices exclusive to the consecrated—skills that cannot be carelessly revealed to outsiders—can only be practiced within the Knights’ Hall.

—or so Berger explained.

‘This is insane.’

Rex had found it difficult to calm his mind since entering the inner castle.

He was excited at the thought of soon learning these secret arts, but the main reason for his agitation was his surroundings.

The Knights’ Hall was located inside Lindenbach Castle. Not in the outer castle, but in the inner sanctum where only a select few were permitted entry.

For a commoner boy who had lived his entire life in a quiet village, the space where nobles resided felt like another world.

It was incomparable to the shock he’d felt when first arriving in the city. The word “luxurious” seemed as if it had been created specifically for Lindenbach Castle.

Golden candlesticks, lifelike paintings, floors engraved with intricate colorful patterns… each sight was difficult to tear one’s eyes away from.

After passing through numerous doors and walking a considerable distance outside again, they finally reached the Knights’ Hall.

The Knights’ Hall was a three-story building.

Right in front was a courtyard covered with green grass that appeared to be a training ground. On one side stood large logs and training posts, all enclosed by pristine white walls.

The only servants were a few strictly selected maids.

“If you need anything, just ask them. They’ll help with minor things like meals and laundry.”

Berger explained the rules of the Knights’ Hall.

The first floor was a common area, used for eating and resting. Personal armaments and training equipment were stored on the second floor. The third floor was where knights held their meetings, so it was off-limits.

“That’s all you need to know for now. If you have more questions, ask the maids.”

When Rex nodded obediently, Berger continued with a satisfied smile.

“Then let’s begin.”

“Yes.”

Rex wasn’t foolish enough to ask what they were starting.

“First, I need to assess your exact level.”

Berger scrutinized Rex with curious eyes before walking away. Training equipment was neatly arranged on one side, and Berger abruptly pointed to one of them.

“Try lifting this.”

Rex couldn’t help but smile. He couldn’t help it.

What Berger had pointed to was an enormous boulder, and seeing it suddenly reminded him of his coming-of-age ceremony back in the village, which made him laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. I’ll do it.”

Rex erased his smile and looked at the boulder. It was incomparably larger than the stone from the coming-of-age ceremony. Back then, the rock had been about waist-high, but the one before him now reached just below his neck. Still, he didn’t think it would be impossible.

Rex embraced the boulder with both arms.

Applying just the right amount of strength to his thighs, the boulder rose into the air without any resistance. Rex counted to ten silently before setting it back down.

Thud.

Rex had changed during these past months too. During his coming-of-age ceremony, he had struggled to lift a rock half this size, but now he didn’t even break a sweat. He could tangibly feel how much he had grown.

He hadn’t even used holy power. He had lifted it using only his physical strength.

“This kind of training doesn’t help me anymore.”

Rex said while dusting off his hands.

Methods to improve physical strength are widely known—lifting heavy objects, running until out of breath, holding horse stance, doing push-ups, and so on.

But recently, such simple exercises had ceased to provide meaningful benefits to Rex.

The Steel Heart strengthens the body as one overcomes hardships. It’s a blessing that applies not only to holy power but to overall physical abilities. Rex’s body had already transcended human limitations to some extent.

“I know.”

Berger shrugged with a composed face.

Knights are monsters outside normal standards, said to have “completely” rather than “somewhat” surpassed human limitations. It’s impossible for them to grow stronger through ordinary methods like regular people. In fact, Berger had experienced this same predicament before.

Naturally, training methods designed exclusively for the consecrated also exist.

The boulder lifting was a kind of benchmark to determine whether one qualified to use those training methods.

From a consecrated one’s perspective, the boulder before them wasn’t particularly heavy. Even those at the Revelation rank could carry it without difficulty when utilizing holy power.

To truly qualify for the training methods, one had to succeed in lifting the boulder without using any holy power at all.

In other words, Rex had unknowingly passed the test.

“I said I needed to assess your level.”

“Pardon?”

“Just wait a moment.”

Berger decided it would be faster to demonstrate rather than explain at length.

Shortly after, he returned with a crude breastplate and four bracelet-like objects that resembled circular links cut from manacles.

“Sanctum Instrumentum Exercitatorium.”

“…Excuse me?”

Rex repeated with a bewildered expression at the sudden foreign words.

“You can call it the Sacred Training Apparatus.”

Training apparatus. A tool for cultivation.

Rex eyed the apparatus suspiciously.

He couldn’t understand how it would help with training, nor did it look particularly sacred. From the outside, it just appeared to be a cheap armor piece and oddly-shaped bracelets.

Berger urged him with a grin.

“Hurry up and put it on.”

Something seemed to amuse him greatly as his lips curled upward in what felt like a mischievous manner, but Rex reached out to take the breastplate as instructed.

Or rather, he tried to.

THUD!

Suddenly feeling an overwhelming pressure, Rex dropped the breastplate. Berger smirked with a sly smile.

“Do you know how much that’s worth? What if it gets scratched? Pick it up.”

Rex looked down at the breastplate in shock. He couldn’t comprehend what had just happened.

Normal armor isn’t this heavy. At the very least, a person should be able to wear it… but this felt like the boulder he had just lifted, compressed into armor form.

Rex took a deep breath and picked up the breastplate. He had only been startled by the unexpected weight; it wasn’t so heavy that he couldn’t handle it at all.

“It’s going to be heavy.”

Berger said with a twitching smile.

Rex silently forced the breastplate onto his body.

Since he was only wearing a thin tunic, no special preparation was needed. Surprisingly, the breastplate fit Rex’s build perfectly. It had looked quite large before he put it on, which was rather strange.

Despite the perfect fit, movement was uncomfortable. The weight made his actions sluggish.

Just as he thought he could move more comfortably if he used holy power, Berger spoke as if reading his mind.

“Be careful.”

There was no need to ask what he meant. Rex felt it before he could ask.

Whoosh! The holy power flowing from his pattern changed direction on its own and escaped into the breastplate. Rex widened his eyes and tried to control the energy, but the breastplate absorbed all his holy power instantly, like dry earth soaking up rainwater.

As if that weren’t shocking enough, the breastplate grew heavier as it absorbed more holy power. Rex tensed his muscles while sweating profusely. It was clear he would collapse immediately if he let his guard down even slightly.

The increasing pressure of the breastplate finally stopped. The weight felt so precarious that even a feather added would make it unbearable.

“What… is this?”

Rex barely managed to speak. Berger stroked his chin with a satisfied expression and replied.

“I told you, it’s the Sacred Training Apparatus.”

This was why they tested whether someone could lift the boulder without holy power before attempting the training method. Someone who couldn’t lift a single rock with their bare hands could never handle the training apparatus.

“Focus. There should be a trace of holy power remaining.”

At those words, Rex closed his eyes and observed the interior of his pattern.

It was as desolate as a village ravaged by demons. All the energy he had diligently accumulated was gone.

Still, he didn’t give up and continued to concentrate, and far away, at what could be called the bottom of the pattern, he sensed a faint energy.

Though merely a speck, it was definitely holy power.

“Did you find it?”

“…Yes.”

As Rex’s eyebrows twitched, Berger let out a satisfied laugh. Though he had told him to focus, this wasn’t something just anyone could do. Even those called geniuses couldn’t pass this hurdle immediately after putting on the training apparatus. Normally, they would struggle for at least a week.

‘What insane talent.’

Berger reaffirmed that his choice to take Rex as his disciple had not been wrong.

“From now on, you’ll need to wear this continuously for a while.”

The training apparatus forcibly suppresses the wearer’s holy power and adjusts its weight accordingly. That alone helps overcome stagnant growth, but the true function of the apparatus lies elsewhere.

The longer one wears the apparatus, the greater their total holy power becomes. It’s less effective than killing monsters and accumulating merit to be calculated at a sanctuary, but one can become stronger through mere “training.” Most importantly, the efficiency of handling holy power itself increases.

“Try to endure as long as you can using the minimal holy power you have left.”

“…Until when?”

“I said as long as you can endure. All day long, no—try not to take it off even when sleeping.”

Rex looked at Berger with an incredulous expression.

Certainly, the training apparatus was something Rex needed in his current state. Wearing the breastplate would resume the growth of his strength that had stagnated. The faint holy power could only be sensed with extreme concentration, making it perfect for learning to manipulate energy with precision.

‘But isn’t this going too far?’

It seemed excessively strict to wear it while eating, using the toilet, and even sleeping.

Berger cleared his throat, avoiding Rex’s gaze.

“Anyway, looking at your current state, we’ll have to use the restraints later.”

“What else is there?”

When Rex asked in a dumbfounded voice, Berger playfully shook the four bracelets he had brought along with the breastplate.

“These are also part of the Sacred Training Apparatus. They have the same effect as the breastplate, but with slightly less intensity. We’ll use them when you become more accustomed.”

“Don’t tell me I’ll wear one on each limb?”

“You’ve got it exactly right. Yes. The ultimate goal is to wear the breastplate and all four bracelets, but, um…”

Berger stopped speaking when he saw Rex’s face. His expression looked as if his soul had left his body.

“…I understand.”

Rex nodded with difficulty.

The shock from the training apparatus had momentarily stunned him, but he had no intention of complaining. He shouldn’t, either. All of this was merely Berger’s goodwill. Since it would help him grow faster, Rex ought to be grateful.

Difficult? So what? Cast aside your weakness, he told himself inwardly.

Rex clenched his fist.

‘Where did such a fellow come from?’

Berger gazed at Rex with a warm smile.

Originally, he had planned to give Rex the training apparatus today and have him do some trivial exercises. There was still much to teach, but he had thought Rex wouldn’t be able to digest so much knowledge at once.

However, seeing such burning passion, he felt he could teach one more thing.

As it happened, there was something perfectly suited to this situation—a secret technique essential for ascending to a certain level.

Berger organized his thoughts and spoke.

“I’ll teach you the Holy Law.”