A couple of days has passed since Josh started training under Leo. He has seen a significant improvement in his art of swordsmanship, with his stance improving the most, and his basic slashes needing way less of correction as well.

“Milord, Wonderful progress so far,” Leo said, then sighed and added. “It’s such a shame that you won’t be able to use your mana for another two months. You would be ready to take your first step and become a1st circle Page.”

Josh heard his steward sigh about how he should be Page by now, and here remembered how the day before Leo explained the knight ranks that went like Page -> Squire -> Knight -> Expert Knight -> Grand Knight -> Champion -> Warlord. It followed exactly the same progression as Mages, ending at the 7th circle as the highest one.

He also learned over this time that there are only six Champions together with one Warlord in the whole Pertis Kingdom. But for mages, there were at least a dozen 7th circle Archmages, most of them being completely ancient. Fighting up close seemed to shorten one’s lifespan.

It might be better for me to pursue the sword than magic, considering my low mana sensitivity.

Josh also thought about his peers who got summoned together with him. And that training in sword might be one thing he could and should be able to get advantage in.

“Leo, how important is mana sensitivity to being a knight?” He thoughtfully asked his Steward.

“Milord, it’s only important at the very start. What matters the most for knights is control. For which sensitivity brings very little of an advantage after reaching 3rd circle, with the best example being Archduke Joan Pertis. He’s a Champion ranked knight whose mana sensitivity is only 0.47.” Leo explained to Josh.

“Why do you have to choose? Whether to be a mage or knight? Why not Both?”

Leo pondered for a moment how to put his answer. “Milord, you can be both. And there are plenty of people that pursue both. It’s just that you won’t be able to find a mentor who will accept you after the 3rd circle if you dabble in both. As it’s considered disrespectful to be both Mage and Knight and the secrets for advancing past the 4th circle in both Magic and Knighthood are only known to few.”

That’s so dumb, they are keeping it a secret in how to progress, and you need to choose between being long-range or close-range fighter, when in theory you can be both.

“Wait, doesn’t that mean I should stop training now if I want to be Mage,” Josh with clear fear in his eyes asked.

Leo just laughed before answering.“ Don’t worry, Milord, it only matters from starting 3rd circle. Even this one is 1st circle mage.”

Josh sighed with relief before asking, “And what rank of Knight are you?”

“Milord, in my prime days, I was peak of the 4th circle. Now this old husk body of mine is only half-step into 4th circle.”

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“How about the priests? Or people that use a bow or a spear?” Josh asked.

“Milord, it doesn’t really matter. It all ends at seven circles, even if names are different,” Leo replied.

Somehow he really willingly answers the questions today.

“And how do you progress between the circles?” Josh asked.

Leo sighed. “Milord, you need to be able to use mana for me to explain that properly.”

Josh tsked.

Makes sense I suppose.

Amidst their training, a sky-blue pigeon flew straight towards Josh, leaving just a trail of sparkling blue motes, before stopping at his eyeline and nudging him to take the letter out of the cylinder that rested on the bird’s leg.

Who was Josh but a slave to the pigeon's wishes? So, he rushed to take the letter out and free the pigeon from his duties. As soon as he did that, the pigeon flew away, disappearing and reappearing in the sky, leaving only his trail behind.

How fucking fast is that bird?

The Voss seal on the letter clearly showcased that the letter arrived from Count. With a rush, not caring about keeping the seal intact, Josh opened the letter. what greeted him was a complete gibberish that he had no understanding of.

Oh yeah, I still can’t read.

“Ahmm, Leo, can you read this for me?” He asked as he handed the letter to Leo.

Leo just grunted in affirmation and read it out

“

Baron Josh Brookes,

Your recent request has reached my ears. And I must say this one is too busy preparing the feast to entertain an early meeting. Your time would be better spent trying to do something by yourself for once. No early meeting will be granted. We will meet in three weeks of time at the feast I’ll be holding.

Your Esteemed,

Count Maximus Voss “

Josh just stood there. His shoulders sagged as he uttered. “What now?” he whispered to himself.

“Milord, forgive this one for intruding your thoughts. But I believe it’s in our best interests to wait till the feast. We can’t deal with goblins without outside help.” Leo said as he handed the letter back to Josh.

“Can’t we go to Marquis?” With a glint of hope in his eyes, Josh asked.

“Milord, that… would not be wise. It would be seen as serious disrespect towards the Count Voss. I believe that should be only done as a last resort,”

Another three weeks of leaving those people at the mercy of the little green shits.

***

Frustrated that he wouldn’t be able to do anything to goblins for a while, Josh sought out Elaria, who was enjoying her afternoon tea. He hoped that she would at least be able to help him with investigating the Daim Village mayor, who in his opinion is most likely corrupt.

“Lady Elaria, I seek your assistance,” Josh said while doing a slight bow as he intruded her private space.

She put the teacup back on the table and looked up to him, acknowledging his presence. “Speak on, Ward Josh,”

“I believe the Daim Village Mayor is corrupt or, at the very least a shit piece of a person. I need your help investigating him, as I don’t really trust Leo on this matter.”

Elaria raised her left brow as she responded. “Ohhh? And what led you in believing so?”

“Just a gut feeling,” Josh replied.

That man walks with more gold adorned on him than this whole manor is worth, let alone what he does to his servants. I will eat my own shit if he’s legit.

She laughed upon hearing his answer. “Just a gut feeling you say? Alright, Ward Josh, entertain me. What do you need my help with?”

Josh was caught off-guard at seeing her laugh. He quickly looked away from her as he didn’t believe he could hold an eye contact without embarrassing himself.“ Well, first of all, could you cast [Oculus Comprehensio]. I believe that investigating my claims will require plenty of reading.”

Instead of responding, she just cast the spell and urged him to continue.

“Second, I will be visiting the mayor I would love for you to accompany me.” Josh paused for a second. “Third, I believe Leo will be accompanying us as well. I would love it if you don’t tell him of my suspicions.”

“Consider it done, what else?”

Please be my guardian angel!

“Help me investigate in any way you know of, and that should be it.” Josh replied.

“I’ll help you out, Ward Josh. After all, I already placed my bets on you, didn’t I?”