"Return to the castle."
Ren was handed over to a servant, and soon he received the necessary treatment. An hour later, Ren slowly woke up from his slumber. The comfortable bed made him feel extremely uncomfortable, and the scent in the air caused his throat to constrict involuntarily.
"Gulp!"
His throat moved instinctively. However, as his eyes focused and took in his surroundings, he couldn't help but be startled. He quickly sat up, his expression panicked, because he found himself in a luxurious room.
Everything before him was beyond his wildest imagination. Each item was something he couldn't afford, even if he sold everything he had. What shocked him even more was that he was dressed in incredibly lavish attire, the kind only seen on noble lords in the past. It was said that each piece required silver coins to purchase. Growing up, he had only ever seen iron coins, with a fleeting glance at copper coins three years ago. Silver coins were something he didn't even dare to dream of.
However, in his confusion...
"Creak!"
The door made a light sound, and a servant-like figure entered the room.
"That! Um... This!"
Ren was flustered, instinctively speaking but unsure of what to say.
"No need to be nervous! Young Master Thor asks you to finish eating before meeting him."
A gentle voice reassured him, as the servant spoke respectfully.
Listening to the respectful words, Ren felt like he was in a dream. It was then that he noticed a table full of food next to him. No longer was it the almost inedible black bread, but exquisite dishes, including meat.
"Gulp!"
His throat involuntarily constricted again, and Ren couldn't help but approach, feeling hungry.
"Um... Can I eat this?"
Ren asked cautiously, still feeling uncertain.
"Of course, this is prepared for you by Young Master Thor. Please eat it as soon as possible, or it won't be delicious when it gets cold!"
The servant continued to smile as he spoke.
Seeing the servant's expression and smile, Ren couldn't resist his hunger and began to eat eagerly.
As he ate, tears unknowingly welled up in his eyes, but he forced them back down. He finished the meal quickly. Normally, he would savor such a rich meal, but thinking of the servant's words, he hastened his pace.
After a while, he finished eating and followed the servant to where Thor was practicing his knightly skills.
On the training ground, Thor was practicing his knightly skills. Despite becoming an apprentice knight by condensing the seed of life, it didn't mean he could stop training. In fact, continuous training and gathering more life force were crucial to becoming a true knight, even with a golden finger like Thor's.
Beside him was Knight Commander Michael. Watching Thor practice, Michael was also somewhat surprised. He was quite familiar with this young master, and his talent had always been quite ordinary in the past. It was unexpected that he would make such rapid progress in the past few days and become an apprentice knight. Moreover, his training seemed much better and more serious than before.
"It seems that Young Master Thor has really grown up!"
Michael exclaimed.
As he spoke, he glanced at Ren and the servant who were approaching from a distance, but then he didn't pay any more attention to them.
As for Thor, although he saw them, he didn't stop his training and completed all his exercises.
"Young Master Thor, your knightly skills are already very proficient. With continued practice, you should have the opportunity to advance to a knight within ten years!"
Michael smiled and spoke.
"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Michael!"
Thor nodded. He didn't pay too much attention to Michael's words; he still had some confidence in his own talent.
After speaking, he couldn't help but look at Ren and the servant.
"Young Master Thor!"
"Sir!"
The servant and Ren spoke.
"Not bad, it seems you have recovered!"
Thor nodded with satisfaction as he looked at Ren.
Ren, dressed in noble clothing with golden curls and lively eyes, no longer resembled the dirty scene from before.
"Sir!"
Ren instinctively spoke but didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Are you willing to become my guardian knight?"
"If so, I can have someone teach you the ways of knighthood."
Thor smiled, not beating around the bush but speaking directly.
In this almost medieval era, there was no need for the theatrics of winning hearts and minds, nor was there any need to overdo it. He was a noble, and Ren was a commoner. That alone summarized many things.
At this moment, Michael was also somewhat surprised as he glanced at Ren.
And Ren, at this moment, lifted his head, his eyes filled with shock and excitement as he looked at Thor.
"Sir!"
Ren spoke, his heart pounding violently.
He was a commoner, yes, but he naturally knew about knights. They were the lords on high. He had never thought that he would become such a figure one day.
"Why wouldn't I be willing?"
Thor's voice, filled with smiles, sounded as he looked at Ren's widened eyes.
"Willing!"
"I'm willing!"
"Sir, I swear in the name of the Goddess of Life that I, Ren, will become your loyal guardian knight!"
As Ren spoke, a green light spread throughout the surroundings, and then a diamond-shaped mark appeared on Ren's forehead.
In this vast land, all light was bathed in the Goddess of Life's radiance. Swearing in the name of the Goddess of Life would be answered by anyone.
Ren directly swore in the name of the Goddess of Life, completing Thor's question.
Seeing this scene, Thor's face showed a slight surprise, but then he smiled.
Everything went smoother than he had imagined.
At this moment, Ren truly became his guardian knight.
A guardian contract, witnessed by life, witnessed by loyalty. Only those who were truly loyal from the depths of their hearts could create such an existence.
It was voluntary.
It couldn't be forced.
But once formed, it meant that Ren had truly become his most faithful knight.
"Hahaha, good!"
"From today onwards, you are my guardian knight and my first guardian knight!"
"Uncle Michael, could you please teach Ren these days?"
Thor smiled and nodded, then looked at Michael unexpectedly, making a request.
"Of course!"
Michael hesitated slightly, glanced at Ren, then nodded in agreement.
(End of this chapter)