"Lord Kulo, I've heard that the Knight's Hall will be recruiting new apprentices soon. Is that true?"After a casual chat, Channis suddenly shifted the conversation and asked.
Lord Kulo, stroking his beard, smiled faintly. "It's absolutely true. A friend of mine, an executive knight at the Knight's Hall, told me about it personally."
"That's great news!" Channis' eyes lit up as he hesitated, then added, "Actually, I want to recommend my son, Lavell. You know, he's always had the potential to be a knight, but he hasn't had the proper channels to get into the Knight's Hall. As a long-time friend, I'm sure you can do me this small favor, right?"
Lord Kulo gave a knowing look.The kingdom of Zane didn't grant hereditary titles, and Channis' noble title was nearing its end. His children would lose their noble status, and in order for them to continue enjoying the privileges of the nobility, they would need to acquire new titles.Becoming a formal knight at the Knight's Hall was the simplest and most fitting way to do that.
"Of course, my friend. I've seen Lavell's qualities. He's naturally cut out to be a knight. I'll pull some strings and ensure he gets an opportunity to enter the Knight's Hall."Lord Kulo was more than willing to help his fellow noble, since who knew when he might find himself needing help from others.
"Thank you so much! I'll always remember this favor!"Channis bowed with a noble grace, clearly moved.
"This is what friends do," Lord Kulo smiled, stroking his beard.
At that moment, a maid in a black-and-white uniform walked in, curtsying."Master, Sir Barbier has returned."
Channis' smile faded, and he coldly asked, "Did they bring the commoner back?"
"Yes, a young man dressed plainly is following them."
"That should be him..." Channis nodded, satisfied.
Lord Kulo, who had been listening without understanding, finally asked, "What's going on here?"
Channis didn't waste words, briefly explaining the events surrounding Lavell at the academy.After hearing the story, Lord Kulo's face darkened in anger, though he wasn't sure what to believe.
"Well, well! I've never seen such a bold commoner! He should be executed in the streets to uphold the honor of the nobility!"
Channis thought to himself, If you want to do it, go ahead. I'm not about to get involved and stir up trouble... but outwardly, he showed just as much outrage.
The two nobles stormed out, furious.
…
As Glen approached Lord Channis' estate, he couldn't help but be impressed by the luxuriousness of the noble lifestyle.In this fantastical world, the ruling class certainly lived differently—these grand residences rivaled those from his previous life in terms of beauty and architectural grace.
Soon, Glen entered the estate. The neatly trimmed hedges and gardens stretched before him, with intricately carved stone fountains nestled in the heart of the greenery.Maidservants were busily tending to the garden.Every time they passed Sir Barbier, dressed in his knight's armor, they would curtsy.
Glen felt a wave of nostalgia, realizing it was likely due to the memories of his former self.
"That's him! Mommy, that's the one!"A shrill voice suddenly broke through Glen's thoughts.
He looked up to find, unsurprisingly, Lavell walking toward him, accompanied by a noblewoman. The two were glaring at Glen as they hurried his way.
"Lady!" Sir Barbier, leading the group, and the other soldiers saluted the noblewoman, Sophia.Sophia gave a brief nod, then tilted her chin upward, adopting a condescending posture as she addressed Glen, "So, you're the one who struck my precious son?"
Rather than answering her directly, Glen turned his gaze to Lavell and said meaningfully, "Seems I really went easy on him..."
"How dare you speak like that in front of me!" Sophia hissed, like an angry cat, her composure shattered.The soldiers raised their weapons, and some even drew their guns.The surrounding maidservants had retreated, hiding behind the hedges, watching the unfolding scene.
"That's the commoner who dared strike young Lavell? How bold!""He's finished for sure; Master will have him executed. What a pity, such a young man.""Be careful, don't let the lady hear you, or we'll be punished…"
These hushed whispers were only audible to Glen.
"You filthy commoner! Get ready to be hanged!" Lavell laughed derisively as he looked at Glen, now facing the pointed swords.
Despite the menacing situation, Glen remained unfazed. He casually flicked the tip of a sword that had almost poked his nose and calmly remarked, "Don't rush, nobles. The important guests haven't arrived yet."
The crowd didn't understand his words, but just then, two figures appeared on the horizon—it was Lord Channis and Lord Kulo.
"Let me see the person who dared strike my son!" Their voices reached them even before they arrived.
As the two nobles drew near, everyone greeted them with the proper respect.Waving his hand dismissively, Lord Channis fixed Glen with a cold, oppressive stare, lowering his voice to an icy whisper, "Looks like it's you, kid. Tell me, who gave you the audacity to strike my son?"
Glen chuckled lightly, not the least bit intimidated by the self-important nobles. He wasn't going to hold back. "I was in a bad mood that day, and your son seemed like a good target. So, I took it out on him. Is there a problem with that?"
His words left everyone stunned. The maids in the distance gasped and covered their mouths.
Is this guy insane? Lord Kulo almost pulled his beard off in shock.
"Good! Very good!" Channis' expression twisted in fury, his face turning bright red.Lavell and Sophia trembled with rage, their eyes burning with murderous intent.
If someone of their noble status had said such a thing, they might not have been as angry.But the man in front of them—dressed plainly and a commoner far beneath their rank—speaking so defiantly to them... It was too much to bear.
In a fit of rage, Lady Sophia snatched a knight's sword from one of the soldiers and lunged at Glen, aiming for his face.
Channis, still fuming, didn't react in time, and before he could stop his wife, the attack was already underway.
But the strike was clumsy, and it wasn't even close to hitting Glen. He simply raised his hand, gripping the sword's blade with ease. To his surprise, the sharp edge didn't cut into his skin.
No matter how much Sophia pulled, the sword remained frozen in place, unmoving, as though frozen in time.
"Barbier! Pull her away now!" Channis finally regained some composure and shouted to Barbier.
But Barbier didn't move. His hand was sweating profusely.
Only Barbier, a first-tier knight, understood the significance of what was happening.The control Glen exhibited over his muscles was beyond impressive. A commoner performing this level of skill could only mean one thing—he was more than capable of defeating any of them. And right now, Sophia's life was entirely in this commoner's hands.
"Master, don't make a move. This kid is far too strong."
Barbier's words made Channis' mind go blank.