Harry's impressive performance had clearly earned him this reward.
With his new status, certain privileges were now accessible, making his journey a bit smoother.
"As a core disciple, you're entitled to receive three bottles of body strengthening potion each year," Steven informed him, his tone both respectful and slightly impressed. "I'm in charge here, so I can arrange for you to have all three bottles upfront."
Steven paused, glancing at Harry to make sure he understood the gravity of the offer. "If you need more than that, you'll have to wait. We don't keep a large supply of these potions on hand; the demand is high, and even I can make use of them myself when they come in."
The body strengthening potion was a rare and powerful resource. It was specifically designed to enhance a fighter's strength, a perfect supplement for those pushing the limits of their physical abilities. Steven handing over three bottles all at once was a mark of high regard, a gesture that showed his respect for Harry's abilities.
Harry accepted the bottles, recognizing the generosity of the offer. He hadn't expected to receive this much, and the thought of the potential progress he could make with these potions filled him with satisfaction. He gave a respectful nod to Steven before turning to leave.
But before he could take a step, a voice called out from across the hall.
"Zack!"
Harry stopped, turning to see a large, muscular man with a dark complexion approaching. A familiar face; George, one of the senior disciples. He was grinning as he closed the distance.
"Brother George," Harry greeted with a slight smile. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Oh, nothing much," George replied, though his eyes sparkled with interest. "Just heard about your promotion and thought I'd come congratulate you in person. It's no small feat, Junior Brother. I'm impressed."
"Thank you," Harry replied, giving a polite nod.
George leaned in, lowering his voice slightly as he spoke. "I also heard from Ellie that you're after more body strengthening potions. Is that true?"
Harry hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Yes. Since I've just advanced, I need as much help as I can get to stabilize and build my strength. The potions are essential right now."
George scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I might know a way to get some extra bottles," he said slowly. "But I won't lie, it won't be cheap. You know how it is; these things are always in demand, and the prices are steep."
"If it's just about money," Harry said, his tone firm, "I think I can manage. I've had a good year."
He had indeed. With his skills at the peak of the apprentice level, he'd made a decent fortune navigating the chaos of this world. Money had become one of the easier things to acquire, especially with his newfound strength and influence.
George grinned, nodding. "Alright then. Let's find some time to discuss this properly. I'll reach out when everything's set."
"Of course," Harry replied, his face neutral, but his mind racing with suspicion.
As George walked away, Harry remained where he was, his thoughts swirling. 'What exactly is he up to?' he wondered. The offer felt too convenient. Body strengthening potions were scarce and in high demand; if someone were selling, there'd be no shortage of buyers. George approaching him directly hinted at an ulterior motive.
'But I'll play along,' Harry decided, a faint smirk touching his lips. 'Let's see what he's planning.'
With that, he put the matter aside for now, making his way to one of the private training rooms reserved for senior members of the dojo. As one of Steven's elite students, he now had access to this secluded space, away from the noise and distractions of the main hall.
Inside, dim light filled the room, casting a calm yet intense atmosphere over the sparse but functional training setup. Harry took out one of the bottles of body strengthening potion and examined it under the light. The potion shimmered a rich lavender, swirling with hints of silver, as if infused with some mystical energy. The liquid seemed alive, exuding a faint glow that hinted at its potent properties.
Without hesitation, Harry opened the bottle, raising it to his lips. The smell was sharp, almost metallic, but he ignored it, his focus solely on the strength it promised. He tipped the bottle back and drank, feeling the thick liquid slide down his throat, a cool burn spreading through his body.
Immediately, a surge of warmth radiated from his core, filling him with a powerful, almost intoxicating energy. His muscles tensed, his senses sharpened; he felt every fiber of his being come alive, each cell buzzing as the potion began to work its magic.
Harry took a steadying breath, feeling the newfound strength settle within him. This was only the beginning, but already he could sense the change; the foundation he'd laid through endless hours of training was solidifying, Georgewing stronger with each passing second.
With this power, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, even if it meant walking straight into George's trap. For now, he would wait, bide his time, and prepare. Because when the moment came, he intended to be more than ready.
After downing all three bottles of the body strengthening potion in quick succession, a scorching heat surged through Harry's body, spreading like wildfire. His muscles felt like they were on fire, his veins pulsing with an intensity he hadn't expected. It was as if he'd swallowed a live coal, and now the flames were consuming him from the inside out.
Harry's skin radiated heat, and sweat poured down his face as his body struggled to contain the potent energy. For a moment, he felt a pang of doubt. 'Am I overdoing it?' The sensation was almost unbearable, his body straining as though it was a bomb ready to explode. Every fiber of his being vibrated with a raw, barely controlled power that threatened to tear him apart.
But he gritted his teeth and forced himself to focus. This was exactly what he needed; this overwhelming surge of power. Gritting his teeth, he stretched his muscles, feeling the tension build before he closed his eyes and centered himself. Slowly, he drew the energy inward, willing it to condense and channel toward his heart.
'Bang! Bang!' His heartbeat thundered in his chest, each pulse resonating with a terrifying strength, sending waves of power through his body. The room seemed to shudder around him as his aura grew, a tangible force that rippled through the air.
The transformation process was grueling, the seconds stretching into minutes, maybe hours. Time lost all meaning as Harry remained locked in a trance, focusing every ounce of his willpower on controlling the potent energy raging within him. Little by little, he felt the power settle, merging with his being, reshaping his body from within.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he felt the effects of the potion begin to wane. His body gradually cooled, the feverish heat fading as his breathing returned to a steady rhythm. He opened his eyes, feeling a new strength coursing through his limbs.
He moved, stretching, and a sharp sizzling sound filled the air as his muscles flexed. His body had undergone a profound transformation, his physique denser, more powerful than ever. He could feel it; a deep, primal strength that surged within him like a tide.
A slow smile spread across his face as he realized what this meant. "A knight… I've finally made it."
Within him, he sensed the emergence of a life seed; a small but powerful core connected to his heart, the mark of a true knight. This life seed was already weaving its influence through his organs, sparking subtle changes, refining his body from within. In the world of the Dawn, this was known as the transformation period. Once the life seed began its work, it would drive his body toward an even more powerful state, reshaping him entirely as he ascended to a new level of strength.
When this transformation was complete, he knew his abilities would reach heights he could only dream of before. The thought filled him with anticipation. He rose, shaking his head slightly to clear the lingering dizziness, and gazed out the window.
'It's time to settle things,' he thought, his gaze hardening as he envisioned his next move.
With newfound determination, he stepped out of the room, his purpose clear.
—
Outside the city of Malian, a grand castle loomed against the horizon, standing as a relic of a bygone age. The fortress's tall stone walls bore the marks of time, exuding an air of strength and resilience. In a world quickly embracing new technologies, buildings like this were Georgewing rare, remnants of an era when might and heritage ruled supreme.
The castle belonged to the Sean family, one of Malian City's most powerful and respected noble houses. Today, the family's elders had gathered in its dimly lit, ornate hall, each face cast in shadows as they sat around a massive table. The atmosphere was tense, an unspoken worry simmering among them.
The elder at the head of the table, a stern-faced man with silver hair and a deep frown, finally broke the silence. "We've lost contact with Stone Samuel," he said gravely, his voice carrying a weight that made everyone sit up a little straighter. "Thoughts?"
One of the younger members scoffed. "Could he have run off with our money? We did pay him a substantial amount upfront to take on this job."
Another elder, a shrewd-looking man with thin lips, shook his head. "That doesn't sound like him. For all his faults, Stone Samuel has a reputation to uphold. He's always been reliable in his work. He wouldn't throw that away over something so trivial."
"Exactly," a woman near the back chimed in. "He was only hunting down a few minor targets. Hardly a challenge for someone of his caliber. If he were going to break contract, it wouldn't be for something as insignificant as this."
"Then what happened?" asked the younger man, sounding frustrated. "He's vanished without a trace, and we have nothing to show for our investment."
"Perhaps he encountered… complications," another elder suggested, though his voice lacked conviction. "An unexpected obstacle, maybe."
The murmurs continued around the table, theories piling up, each one more speculative than the last. But one possibility went unspoken, lurking in the back of everyone's mind. It was unthinkable; that a fighter of Stone Samuel's caliber could be defeated. In Malian City, few were capable of challenging him, save for the elusive Dojo masters themselves.
The elders exchanged uneasy glances, each wondering the same thing. 'If someone did defeat him, who could it possibly be? And what did it mean for the Sean family?'