Five days later ...

Edric found himself grappling with the oddness of his situation. Being used as a "breeding device" was not something he had ever envisioned for himself. While most of the responsibility for this arrangement fell upon the women who were brought to him daily, Edric couldn’t help but feel a lingering discomfort about the entire situation. Each day, servants would escort a woman of childbearing age into his chambers, and Edric would fulfill the peculiar duty he had agreed to as part of his arrangement with Marquis Weinwacker.

The act itself was brief, often lasting no more than an hour, sometimes even less. Yet, no matter how efficiently he completed this obligation, the implications weighed on him. His role in this transaction felt mechanical, devoid of any personal connection. Once the task was done, his day resumed its monotonous rhythm.

His modern self would have been utterly disgusted by the situation he found himself in. The notion of fathering children with women he didn’t know, treating something as intimate as procreation as a mere obligation, would have repelled him. However, since merging with this world’s Edric, something fundamental within him had changed. His personality, once deeply rooted in modern sensibilities, had shifted to the point where many of his former values seemed muted, almost numb.

The transformation went beyond mere adaptation. Edric noticed with unsettling clarity that his enjoyment of violence, his growing ruthlessness, and his lack of compassion were not merely products of his environment—they felt embedded within him, part of his very being. These traits disturbed him on some level, a lingering trace of his old self whispering that something was seriously wrong. Perhaps, during the fusion of the two souls, parts of his psyche or essence had been corrupted or altered.

This thought occasionally gnawed at him, but only faintly. It was a concern tucked into the recesses of his mind, far from the forefront of his priorities. He told himself that he would investigate the issue someday, but only when the opportunity presented itself. Perhaps once he broke through to the Ultra or Super Ranks—when his understanding of souls and consciousness would undoubtedly deepen—he would be able to examine his own soul and uncover the truth of what had happened to him.

Even then, he wasn’t certain he would fix the problem, even if he could. His newfound ruthlessness, his ability to detach from emotional bonds and act with cold pragmatism, had undeniable advantages. In this brutal world, where sentimentality could be a fatal weakness, such traits served him well. He wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to give them up.

For now, Edric made the choice to simply ignore the unsettling realities of his situation. The thought of fathering countless children with women he barely knew, while objectively disturbing, was easier to set aside when weighed against the rewards he was receiving. And those rewards were immense.

The access to the library alone made it all worth it. Its treasures of knowledge were a prize beyond measure, a resource that few could dream of. Every book he pored over, every spell he analyzed, brought him closer to achieving his goals. This singular focus—the pursuit of power and understanding—overshadowed any discomfort he might have felt about the means by which he secured it.

Most of his waking hours were spent in the library, a place that had quickly become his sanctuary. Unlike the lifeless routine of his assigned duty, the library offered Edric an escape—a treasure trove of knowledge that fueled his curiosity and gave him a sense of purpose.

Over the course of these five days, Edric delved deep into the vast collection of books available to him. What he discovered left him astonished. The library housed a wealth of Silver Rank mage books, the kind of resources he could only have dreamed of before. To his amazement, there was even a Golden Rank mage book within the collection. Although it wasn’t a spellbook, its contents were invaluable. It contained profound knowledge that was especially advantageous to someone like Edric, who had never had access to such reliable Silver Rank or higher materials until now.

Among the dozens of Silver Rank spellbooks, Edric found more than 200 spells, each offering new possibilities. Sifting through them, he carefully selected those that aligned with his current abilities and limitations. With such an abundance of magical knowledge at his fingertips, Edric made a pivotal decision: he would focus on breaking through to the rank of Silver Mage before advancing to Golden Knight.

The choice wasn’t made lightly. This path would require over 70,000 XP to achieve and would delay his Golden Knight breakthrough by approximately 70 days. Yet, as far as Edric was concerned, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks. He believed the knowledge and spells he could acquire during this period would be far more valuable to his growth and survivability in the long run.

Two particular spells stood out among the many he encountered. The first was "Absolute Regeneration," a Silver Rank healing spell of remarkable potency. This spell had the power to completely heal any injuries caused by Silver Rank or lower attacks. The mana cost varied depending on the severity of the wounds, but with this spell, Edric could recover from even the gravest injuries, including poison and burns, as long as his mana reserves could sustain it. The implications of such a spell were staggering—it would significantly enhance his survivability, granting him a safety net that could be the difference between life and death.

The second spell, "Eagle Wings," was equally captivating. It was a flight spell that conjured large, majestic wings on the caster’s back, allowing them to fly with the speed and agility of an eagle. While its speed wasn’t as impressive as some other Silver Rank flight spells, its low mana consumption made it an ideal choice for a mage like Edric, whose talent and reserves were still limited. With this spell, he could cover vast distances, escape precarious situations, and significantly improve his mobility—an invaluable asset for both combat and travel.

The more Edric studied these spells, the more he became convinced of their potential to transform his capabilities. While the decision to delay his advancement to Golden Knight wasn’t an easy one, he knew it was the right choice. These spells alone could redefine how he approached challenges and dangers in the future.

Of course, mastering such advanced magic was no small feat. Both "Absolute Regeneration" and "Eagle Wings" were extraordinarily complex, with intricate spell formations that demanded precision and understanding. For someone of Edric’s modest magical talent, it would likely take months of diligent practice to cast either spell skillfully. Yet, he wasn’t deterred. With determination burning in his chest, he resolved to dedicate himself fully to this endeavor, knowing that the rewards would be worth the effort.

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While other spells in the library piqued his curiosity—such as the powerful attack spell "Void Slash"—Edric was pragmatic in his choices. Spells like "Void Slash" demanded extraordinary talent or years of practice to wield effectively. For now, Edric recognized that he couldn’t afford to spread himself thin trying to master every intriguing spell. Instead, he would focus on spells that offered immediate, tangible benefits, ones that complemented his abilities and played to his strengths.

For Edric, this wasn’t just about gaining power; it was about survival. His limited talent in magic meant that he had to approach his studies strategically, prioritizing spells that were practical and achievable within a reasonable timeframe. Spells like "Eagle Wings" and "Absolute Regeneration" were perfectly suited to his needs. They didn’t require split-second execution or rapid combat reactions—qualities he lacked—but instead allowed for deliberate casting, aligning well with his current limitations.

"Void Slash" was a potent spell. This attack spell was a devastatingly powerful Silver Rank technique, capable of easily slicing through enemies and magical defenses. It was the kind of spell that could instantly turn the tide of battle. Yet, as much as wielding such power appealed to him, Edric knew it wasn’t feasible—not for someone in his current situation.

Edric dismissed any spell that demanded fast reflexes, precise execution, or immediate application in the chaos of battle. Attack spells like "Void Slash" or intricate mid-combat techniques weren’t viable options for someone like him. His talent, or lack thereof, meant he couldn’t rely on split-second casting or rapid-fire spell usage. Instead, he concentrated on spells like "Eagle Wings" and "Absolute Regeneration" that allowed for deliberate casting and aligned with his current abilities.

...

As the days stretched on, Edric’s life settled into a monotonous routine. He spent hours each day buried in the library, pouring over spellbooks and absorbing the wealth of magical knowledge it contained. He immersed himself in study, meticulously analyzing the spells he intended to master and practicing them whenever he could.

In the evenings, his focus shifted to fulfilling the arrangement he had made with Marquis Windwalker. Each night, a woman would be brought to him—a carefully selected candidate for the purpose of bearing heirs. Edric would perform his duty as agreed, though the task itself felt mechanical and detached. It rarely took more than an hour, after which he would return to the sanctuary of his books.

Despite the monotony, he couldn’t deny that he was making progress. His magical studies were advancing, albeit slowly. Each day brought a small but tangible improvement, a step closer to mastering his chosen spells.

...

More than a month passed, and the air in Marquis Windwalker’s territory grew heavy with the anticipation of war. Following the Marquis' orders, the nobles of the Windwalker family began their preparations in earnest. They summoned their vassals, drilled their troops, and dispatched the allocated numbers to reinforce the Marquis’ forces. At the heart of these efforts, the Marquis himself had amassed a formidable army of over 35,000 soldiers from his personal levies.

Yet, even as his forces swelled, the Marquis knew better than to commit his entire military strength. A full-scale assault against the Darkwind family would leave his own territory vulnerable to counterattacks or opportunistic enemies. His objective was not to annihilate the Darkwind family outright—a feat far beyond the capabilities of the current Windwalker family—but rather to secure a decisive, symbolic victory.

The plan was simple but calculated: conquer several strategic border cities, claim the territory as a show of dominance, and send a clear warning to the Darkwind family and their allies. However, territorial gains were not the only message the Marquis intended to send. For true vengeance, he and Lyria had devised a separate, far more personal tactic.

Behind closed doors, the Marquis and Lyria had contracted the Stonebreaker Assassin Group, an infamous organization known for their brutal efficiency. They were tasked with eliminating key figures within the Darkwind family—individuals whose deaths would deal a psychological and strategic blow. To secure the assassins’ services, Marquis Windwalker had poured millions of silver coins into the endeavor, a cost he deemed necessary to outmatch the actions of his rivals.

The Darkwind family had struck first, sending six silver-level assassins after Edric—a move that demanded an even more severe response. To underscore his superiority, the Marquis hired ten silver-level assassins from the Stonebreaker group. The targets were carefully chosen: ten exceptionally talented members of the Darkvine family, most of them rising stars with silver-level knight talents.

Among the list of potential targets, there was one glaring omission: a golden-level talent housed within the Darkwind family’s main castle. This individual was well-protected, their fortress a bastion of defenses that would require extraordinary effort and resources to breach. The Marquis, ever pragmatic, decided against the attempt. Spending excessive resources on a single, highly difficult target would weaken his broader strategy. Instead, he focused on the more attainable goal of eliminating multiple lesser talents.

By focusing on these ten individuals, the Marquis could inflict maximum damage with minimal risk. The deaths of these prodigies and elites would send shockwaves through the Darkwind family, igniting fear and anger. It wasn’t about the difficulty of the kills—it was about the statement their deaths would make. To the Marquis, this was the real objective: to show strength, to demonstrate that any strike against the Windwalkers would be met with overwhelming retaliation.

...

As the nobles of the Windwalker family fulfilled their obligations, soldiers poured into the castle grounds. Within weeks, the Marquis had assembled a massive army numbering around 70,000 troops. Among them were 25,000 elite soldiers, 150 knights, 25 great knights, and 2 silver knights, individuals whose skill and experience elevated them far above the common rank-and-file. However, the majority of the forces were hastily trained conscripts, destined to serve as cannon fodder.

The Marquis appointed one of his silver knights as the army’s commander. Their orders were clear: secure the border cities that marked the edges of Darkwind territory. This tactical move was designed to avoid overextending into enemy lands and provoking an overwhelming counterattack.

Marching on the Darkwind family’s capital was not an option. The Marquis knew that such an aggressive move would only serve to unite the rival family’s factions—both their rebellious and loyalist elements—against him. A united Darkwind family would be a far greater threat than the fractured opposition he faced. By keeping his ambitions restrained and strategic, he ensured that his campaign would weaken his enemies without inadvertently strengthening them.

As the troops prepared to move out, the atmosphere within the castle was tense yet resolute. The nobles, knights, and soldiers alike understood the stakes. This war wasn’t just about land or power—it was a calculated gambit to secure the Windwalker family’s dominance and send an unshakable message to their rivals: any challenge to their authority would be met with swift and merciless retribution.