"Captain, we're back."
Around noon, Zheng Hua and his group returned, carrying over ten weapons. Most were swords and spears, with Liu Ye opting for dual daggers and Zhou Cheng picking a large axe. Zheng Hua and Qi Le both chose long swords, while Han Qi selected a hammer. These alloy weapons were robust and reliable.
In the post-apocalyptic world, while food was scarce, metals were not. Abandoned vehicles and factories provided an abundant supply, making such weapons relatively inexpensive. The truly costly ones were crafted in research labs, capable of integrating magic cores for added power.
Zheng Hua and the others also spent the remaining money on meat. Despite the post-apocalyptic setting, humans had managed to domesticate some creatures like pigs, even after their evolution. However, meat was still a luxury item. This time, they had gone all out.
When the children saw the meat, their eyes lit up. Many had only heard about its deliciousness, never having tasted it themselves. Only a lucky few had tried it once, and the memory of that taste lingered vividly.
Zheng Hua handed the meat to Lele and a few other girls to cook for lunch. Meanwhile, he and his group went to report to Qin Cong.
"This is the method to train your combat aura. I'm sure you've already felt the energy within your bodies. Follow these instructions to practice. While it won't increase your strength much, it will help you use it effectively in battle."
Qin Cong handed them a small booklet detailing the training methods he had written. Unfortunately, Bloodmark Knights were a shortcut method, with limited room for growth. This booklet was more like a manual for utilizing their combat aura effectively.
Receiving the training manual was like obtaining a priceless treasure for the five of them. They had already felt a mysterious energy within their bodies after the enhancement. Qin Cong had explained that it was combat aura, but they had no clue how to use it. Now, with the manual in hand, they could finally make progress, bringing them one step closer to adventuring outside.
---
At lunch, every child received a bowl of meat soup. The enticing aroma drew the attention of some onlookers nearby. They knew this was the territory of orphans who were fiercely united, and no one dared to provoke them. In this harsh world, any injury could be life-threatening. These outsiders could only stand at a distance, hungrily inhaling the aroma to satisfy their cravings.
Though each child's bowl contained only a few pieces of meat, they were overjoyed. Qin Cong had assured them that things would only get better from now on.
---
In the afternoon, Qin Cong gathered the younger boys—thirteen of them, aged six to nine. These were the children who had no potential for wizardry and would instead be groomed as knights to become protectors for wizards.
Legend had it that knights were created by wizards to compensate for their lack of close-combat abilities, serving as the bridge between ordinary humans and powerful wizards.
"Next, I'll teach you the path of the knight. Train diligently, and you too can become Evolvers," Qin Cong said to the children. Their eyes sparkled with hope. As members of society's lowest rungs, they deeply understood the importance of power. The promise of becoming Evolvers filled them with eager anticipation.
Due to the differences in this world's power systems, Qin Cong needed to use his own magic to ignite the seeds of combat aura in these children. Without this step, even with the training methods, they wouldn't be able to begin their journey.
From knight apprentice to advanced knight, the training methods were universal. Zero had stored the best techniques available. Moreover, if Qin Cong could gather enough herbs, he could create potions to quickly enhance their physiques. With proper training and nutrition, these boys would soon become capable members of the group.
One by one, Qin Cong helped them awaken their combat aura seeds and taught them the introductory breathing techniques. The boys eagerly ran to the backyard to start training.
---
"Brother Qin Cong, Xiao Yun and the others want to grow stronger too."
After the boys left, Lele brought over seven or eight young girls. The girls timidly hid behind Lele, nervously looking at Qin Cong.
The girls had assumed Qin Cong was unwilling to strengthen them. In this harsh world, strength ruled, and women's status had plummeted. Even though a few strong women existed, it hadn't changed the overall reality. Women were seen as men's dependents more than ever. Since Qin Cong hadn't called on them, they thought he didn't want to help them.
"Alright, come here," Qin Cong said calmly.
He wasn't the kind of person they imagined. Zero had already scanned the girls' attributes. Some of them had the potential to walk the path of knights, but for others, it would be a waste. Among them was a girl named Meng Meng, whose spiritual power reached 1.4—higher than Lele's. She was only a step away from evolving, and Qin Cong intended to guide her and a few others with strong spiritual potential down the wizardry path.
As for the rest of the girls, they would follow the knight's path. In his previous life, there had been a legendary knight order known as the **Rose Knights**, composed entirely of women. Established centuries ago by a princess, their style relied on agility and finesse, using rapiers to great effect. Zero's database contained the training methods of the Rose Knights, which were perfect for these girls.
Like the boys, Qin Cong helped five of the girls awaken their combat aura seeds and gave them the Rose Knight training methods. They were overjoyed and quickly headed to the backyard to begin their practice.
Only Lele and three other girls remained, gazing at Qin Cong with hopeful eyes.
"For your enhancement, I have other plans. From now on, you'll be my students. My current strength isn't sufficient to help you unlock your path, but you won't have to wait long."
Hearing this, Lele and the others felt reassured. They nodded obediently, their faith in Qin Cong unwavering.