Brown, trailed by a few lackeys, fled the square with their tails between their legs, much like a defeated rooster.

The crowd that had gathered to watch let out a chorus of boos, scoffing at such poor sportsmanship.

Reed didn’t pay much heed to Brown’s threats. If he wanted to grow stronger, he knew that conflicts and rivalries were inevitable.

Looking around, Reed sought a place to continue his training and familiarize himself with the newfound strength within his body.

However, after a quick scan, he realized that apart from the training ground, the academy only had some basic auxiliary facilities, none of which were particularly suited for quickly boosting his power.

Looks like I’ll have to head home for now.

Reed thought.

After all, he had already made quite a splash today; there was no need to linger.

He strode toward the academy gate.

Along the way, many students cast curious glances his way. Some even approached him, eager to inquire about the Holy Light Crystal.

Reed responded politely but didn’t stop for long.

As he stepped out of the academy, Reed looked up at the sky, where the setting sun had painted half the horizon in hues of red.

Reed’s home was located in the outskirts of Lion City, a somewhat dilapidated small courtyard.

Originally, they hadn’t lived here. After his father went missing on the battlefield and the family could no longer afford the land rent due to the lack of a knight, they were forced to relocate.

Though the family had declined, his father had once been a Silver Knight, and the Archer family had enjoyed its glory days, boasting their own library.

Pushing open the creaky wooden door, Reed entered the courtyard. The yard was dotted with flowers and plants, some wilted but still showing signs of care.

“Brother, you’re back!” a clear voice rang out.

His younger sister, Emily, ran out from the house, a sweet smile on her face.

“Yeah, I’m back,” Reed said, patting Emily’s head with a smile.

“Brother, how was your day at the academy? Did anyone bully you?” Emily asked, her big eyes filled with concern.

“Nope, everything’s fine,” Reed replied casually, not wanting to worry her.

“That’s good,” Emily sighed in relief.

After dinner, Reed excused himself, claiming he was tired, and returned to his room.

Closing the door behind him, he reached under his bed and pulled out a dusty wooden chest carved with intricate patterns, though they had faded with time.

Opening the chest, Reed found it filled with old clothes and miscellaneous items.

Carefully removing these, he revealed a hidden compartment at the bottom. Inside was an ornate box—the key to the family’s library.

With the key in hand, Reed made his way to a small, inconspicuous hut in the corner of the courtyard.

The door was tightly locked, covered in dust and spider webs, clearly untouched for a long time.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Unlocking the door, Reed pushed it open and was greeted by a musty, aged scent.

Closing the door behind him, he lit the oil lamp on the wall. In the dim light, he could see shelves filled with books of all kinds.

Although they had moved, the books had been brought over intact.

Reed quickly scanned the room. Most of the books had been collected by his father, covering topics like the history of the Stan Continent, local customs, and basic knowledge of knight training.

He had a clear goal: to find a suitable Knight Skill book.

Knight Skills were crucial for enhancing strength and represented the foundation of a knight family.

Moving along the shelves, Reed carefully flipped through the books. Many were yellowed with age, the pages fragile, some even crumbling at a touch.

Chronicles of the Continent

The Rise and Fall of the Karan Empire

Illustrated Bestiary…

Reed’s brows furrowed as he continued.

Many of these books, though valuable, were of little help to his immediate needs.

He needed to boost his strength, not fill his head with knowledge.

Time passed, and Reed had already searched through most of the library without finding what he wanted.

He felt a pang of disappointment. Had his father really left no useful Knight Skill books?

Just as he was about to give up, his eyes caught a glint from the top corner of a bookshelf.

There, a beautifully crafted box adorned with a gleaming gemstone caught his attention.

Feeling a spark of hope, Reed fetched a stool and carefully climbed up to retrieve the box. It was heavy, intricately carved, and clearly held something important.

Taking a deep breath, he opened it.

Inside was a book wrapped in golden silk, the cover embossed with four characters: “Blazing Slash.”

Reed’s heart raced as he carefully picked up the book and opened it.

The pages were made of a special material, smooth and firm to the touch. The first page depicted a knight wielding a longsword, slashing out a trail of fire.

As Reed flipped through the book, he found detailed descriptions of the “Blazing Slash” technique, including cultivation methods, precautions, and practical combat tips.

At the end of the book was a small booklet made of aged parchment, filled with dense, handwritten notes.

Reed recognized the handwriting—it was his father’s!

The notes discussed the importance of Knight Skills and shared personal insights on mastering “Blazing Slash.”

The message began: To my dear Reed…

“Knight Skill books are the foundation of a knight family and the source of a knight’s strength. A good Knight Skill book can propel a knight’s abilities to new heights…”

“…For ordinary people, obtaining a Knight Skill book is as difficult as reaching the heavens. Even the lowest-tier skills are worth a fortune…”

“…‘Blazing Slash,’ though only a white two-star skill, is one of the most treasured heirlooms of the Archer family…”

“…I hope you will cherish it, train diligently, and not disappoint your father’s expectations…”

Reading his father’s words, Reed was overwhelmed with emotion.

Though he had never met his father, Victor Archer, since arriving in this world, he felt a deep connection, and tears welled in his eyes.

For Reed, this “Blazing Slash” was a godsend.

Closing the book, Reed held it tightly to his chest.

He was determined to master this skill, resonate with his Knight’s Heart, and elevate his strength!

Returning to his room, Reed placed the book on the table.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he began following the instructions, attempting to channel the Holy Light Power within him.

The gray Holy Light flowed slowly through his body, like a gentle stream, gathering in his hands.

Reed carefully guided the power, forming his hand into a blade as he slashed forward, aiming to unleash a fiery strike.

The first attempt failed. The Holy Light Power dissipated halfway, leaving him short of breath and his chest tight.

Undeterred, Reed tried again.

Second, third… fifth attempt—all failures.

As time passed, beads of sweat formed on Reed’s forehead. His body trembled slightly.

With such intense exertion of the meager Holy Light Power within him—especially in his recently recovered state—his body was under immense strain.

Yet, he gritted his teeth and persevered.