"Dick, Dick, is your fighting spirit technique truly formidable? It seems even more impressive than Master Larson’s technique. After all, Master Larson is the pinnacle of a sixth-level knight."

"Good heavens! No wonder the fearless Uncle Taita is so docile—it's not out of respect for little mage Alina, but for the elderly man in the back of the carriage."

"I also practice a high-level fighting technique granted by the royal family. Unfortunately, my talent is lacking; I have been stuck at the sixth-level warrior bottleneck for ten years," the old man with the white beard reminisced. "Child, if you have the potential to be a mage, you must not squander it."

"Senior, do you mean that magic and fighting spirit can be cultivated simultaneously?" Dick asked, astonished.

"Why not? It is said that Lord Ural, a high-level warrior in the capital, is also a third-level mage. I suspect Lord Ural’s breakthrough to high-level warrior status was due to his practice of magic as well. Though magic and fighting spirit are different training systems, they might have some common ground…"

Dick wondered why such an esteemed warrior like Larson would be willing to offer guidance to a mere child like him.

"Grandfather Larson, does that mean if Dick enters the Mage Academy, it would prove that warriors and mages can indeed train simultaneously?" Alina inquired.

"Precisely. Those who practice high-level warrior techniques rarely abandon them."

"Why?" Dick asked, intrigued. Mages are far superior to warriors in both status and combat prowess, so naturally, Dick would prefer to focus on magic.

"Without exceptional talent for warrior training, you would not be able to master advanced foundational techniques before the age of ten. You are fortunate; I did not master advanced foundational techniques before ten years old… Foundation is crucial. Of course, subsequent effort and opportunity are also important. Lord Ralph, who came from a common background, was able to master the royal high-level warrior techniques later and still achieved high-level warrior status."

"Oh, I see. It seems my warrior training potential is quite good after all. As for high-level warrior techniques, I recall that when I was seven, my father Sinclair taught me a breathing technique, and after practicing it, I felt a warm sensation inside."

So, that was the foundational technique for warriors. Sinclair never mentioned it, and Dick never felt the presence of fighting spirit, thinking it was merely a method for strengthening the body.

Warrior training before ten focuses on establishing a solid physical foundation, which seems quite normal.

"Indeed, good talent does not guarantee everything. Even with high-level fighting techniques, without sufficient comprehension, one cannot surpass the threshold of a high-level warrior," Larson said with a hint of regret.

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True enough, if becoming a high-level warrior were easy, they wouldn’t be so rare.

Nevertheless, Larson’s comments suggested that Dick had significant potential on the path of warrior training. In this world, where strength reigns supreme, having the opportunity to reach the intermediate warrior level would provide some degree of security.

"Child, cherish your talent for fighting spirit training. Do not think that warriors are inferior to mages. Once a warrior reaches intermediate levels or above, in one-on-one combat, warriors can match mages. Mages excel in wide-range attacks, while warriors have their own advantages in single-target combat..."

Conversations with Master Larson enriched Dick’s understanding. It was rare to receive guidance from such an experienced senior, and Dick listened with great interest.

"Grandfather Larson, you’re not merely escorting Alina to the capital, are you?" Dick asked, suspecting that Larson might not be fully devoted to Alina’s family.

"Grandfather Larson resides in the capital; it just so happened that he is friends with my grandfather, so he came along with us this time," Alina quickly clarified. She realized that a sixth-level pinnacle warrior was not an ordinary figure to be taken lightly. Such a powerful warrior deserves respect wherever he goes.

Larson had no interest in engaging with the bandits led by a fourth-level warrior attacking the caravan. True masters exhibit a certain reserve.

Larson seemed to take a liking to Dick, occasionally offering advice on training, which made Alina somewhat envious.

Children are naturally curious, and Dick, having lived two lives, did not mind, though Alina’s nature was not malicious.

Traveling with Alina’s caravan was advantageous for Dick. At least he had a carriage, while Taita rode a mule, making the journey less arduous and considerably faster.

Of course, if any trouble arose, Larson would not intervene, so Taita had to be ready to act if necessary; one shouldn’t simply enjoy the benefits of the caravan.

"Dick, this is the fighting spirit technique left by your mother. It can only be cultivated up to the fourth level. As for the later techniques..." With the caravan nearing the capital, Taita handed Dick a manual on fighting spirit techniques during the night’s rest.

The handwriting was elegant, clearly penned by a woman—probably written by his mother herself—and included many personal insights on fighting spirit training, which was the most valuable part.

"Does this fighting spirit technique not have a name?"

"Your mother instructed that if you did not reach the fourth-level warrior before the age of twenty, you would not be worthy to know the name of this technique."

"So mysterious? Uncle Taita, if I reach the fourth-level warrior before twenty, will there be no techniques beyond level five?"

"Dick, the last two pages of the technique are blank. Your mother’s final instructions were that once you become a fourth-level warrior and shed blood, you will see what is hidden there," Taita explained.

"Bloodline?" Dick had heard from Larson that advanced techniques often required special bloodlines or constitutions. "Could my mother have come from a prominent family?"

"Unknown!"

Well, the answers would be revealed when Dick reached the fourth-level warrior status and shed blood on the final pages.

"Uncle Taita, did my older brother and second brother not practice this technique?" Dick inquired with curiosity.

"Your older brother and second brother did not have access to the foundational techniques."

I see. It appears that not all children with family bloodlines can practice this advanced fighting spirit technique. No wonder Larson said Dick’s talent for fighting spirit training was promising.

"Dick, wear this jade pendant."

"What does it signify?"

"This pendant… is from the treasure hunt ten years ago when your father was injured and your mother perished. Your mother fought to bring it back for your father. She said it would be beneficial for training."

"What benefit?" Dick wondered as he examined the pendant, its multicolored hues seeming rather ordinary. Could this be a special boon for someone from another world?