"If I want to become a Knight, even if I'm a wild Knight without a family emblem, even if I'll be someone else's squire for the rest of my life, even if I can't become an official Knight, it's enough as long as I can become a Knight."
To Cohen Esta, becoming a true Knight had always been his dream.
However, it was a pity that he wasn't the son of some high official or noble. It was impossible for him to be sent to an Ace Knight as a Knight Squire since he was young, and he wasn't talented enough for his teacher to take him in as a disciple. He was just the son of an ordinary farmer. Forget about studying in a Knight Academy, he didn't even know how to read. He couldn't even reach the first step of his dream.
Thus, he took a step back and set becoming an ordinary warrior as his goal. However, the result was even more disappointing.
"It doesn't matter what kind of close combat profession you are. If you don't have strength, you won't even be able to fulfill the basic requirements. You should go back."
He couldn't even lift a sandbag for training, couldn't even use a Wooden Lance, and couldn't even swing a Wooden Sword. Naturally, no one was willing to accept him.
He wasn't considered tall among his peers. Although his flamboyant blonde hair and delicate face made him popular among the younger generation, his frail limbs and poor stamina made him feel unconfident.
The fact that even the militia was unwilling to accept him made Young Cohen feel a little hopeless, but even so, he did not intend to give up.
"Since I don't have enough talent, I'll make up for it with hard work."
Thus, Cohen's neighbors could see him waking up early in the morning and running around the river with sandbags.
Every day, after he finished his farm work, he would go to the shops to help people move goods. Earning money was one thing, but he was also looking forward to using this method to train himself and increase his stamina.
Although the training was tough, it was indeed effective. At least his pale and thin body had become tanned and muscular. In the words of his neighbor, Asha, he finally looked like a man.
Unfortunately, in a sense, it was like a hamster had evolved into a squirrel. Its combat power had increased from five to six, and it was no longer out of breath after running. However, it was still unable to lift heavy objects that it used to be unable to, let alone wield an iron sword for a long period of time.
Therefore, even though he felt good about himself, he was still rejected at the first stage of joining the army. After all, Donglan was not rich at that time and could not afford to raise too many soldiers. Moreover, the people were very enthusiastic about joining the army to protect the country. As a result, the number of people who signed up far exceeded the actual number of people who signed up. Unknowingly, it raised the selection standards. A useless person like Cohen was too far from the passing line from the start and could never become a soldier.
Even so, he was still unwilling to give up on the past. He just worked harder to polish himself, worked hard to accumulate, and hoped that there would finally be a day when there would be a qualitative change.
However, it was a pity that he continued to fail.
"It's impossible for you to become a Knight. Give up. No, no, I'm not talking about your birth. The Mist Country has always judged heroes based on their military contributions. Yesterday, it was a farmer's son, but today, it is not uncommon to see a Knight Lord. What I'm talking about is your strength. A warrior who can't even wield a two-handed sword properly, how can he enter the battlefield? If he can't even enter the battlefield, how can he become a Knight? "
A Knight who was moved by his hard work intended to take him in as a retainer. However, after conducting a test on him, he eventually gave up on the idea.
"Aiyo, isn't this our future Knight Lord? Hehe, nice to meet you, Lord. You have just returned from your patrol. Have you found anything? Did you challenge a Demon or a Beastman? Or did you just return victorious after defeating an evil dragon? Ah, the incredible Cohen, he is our Dragonslayer, the great hero, hahahaha! "
While he was still doing his physical training in vain, while some people were praising him, those youngsters who found him an eyesore would also make use of the opportunity to mock him.
Even so, he continued to persevere. At this point, he probably couldn't even remember why he chose this thorny path back then.
Was it when he was attacked by wild beasts when he was young and was saved by the Knight? Was it when he was touched by the deeds of his ancestors when he was young? Was it when he saw the triumphant return of the Knight and cheered loudly? Or was it when he swore to use his own hands to protect his family and friends?
He didn't have a path of retreat, nor did he intend to choose a path of retreat. He could only persevere …
"Believe in yourself, you can do it. I was also very thin when I was young, but now, I'm as sturdy as before. Right, His Highness Roland seems to be planning to build a new army. Do you want to give it a try? "
Not everyone looked down on him. Every time Big Brother Cloone returned and saw how hard Cohen was working, he would encourage him.
Right, to Cohen and the people around him, Big Brother Cloone was an incredible figure. He was the pride and hope of Dahl Village. Even though he was young, he was already serving in the Royal Knight Order. Even though he wasn't an official Knight, in the eyes of the villagers, it was only a matter of time before he became a true Knight.
It was just that he had recently adopted a young lady named Ailee. His days were tough and he had mysteriously become the father of an unmarried child, causing many girls to be heartbroken.
On the other hand, Big Brother Cloone's encouragement made Cohen work even harder. However, it was a pity that all he faced was failure after failure.
Until one day, he met a black cat, a strange black cat that could speak the human language. Only then did the situation take a turn for the better.
"Hey, I've picked up a treasure. It's actually an Elemental Son? Make a contract with me and become a Magus Girl … Magus Boy! "
Cohen was taken aback, thinking that it was some Magus' joke. In the end, with Big Brother Cloone's confirmation, he found out that this black cat was an incredible figure. She was His Highness Roland's beloved pet, a black cat that knew magic.
She actually said that he had outstanding talent in magic and wanted to teach him to become a Magus. Without a doubt, a Magus was an occupation with a better future than a Knight. Logically speaking, he should have accepted it gladly.
However …
"My Lord, I'm very grateful for your love for me. However, my goal in life is to become a Knight. Perhaps it's the path of a Magus. "
Alright, back then, the black cat's face revealed an obvious astonished expression. That expression was mixed with incomprehensible surprise, causing Cohen to worry that he had accidentally offended her.
After a while, the black cat continued.
"Alright, Knight it is then, Knight it is. I'll introduce someone to you and get him to dupe … to teach you. From the point of view of a Knight, he should be considered quite an impressive person. Un, although he is a wooden club as a Mage, he might be a suitable teacher for you. "
… …
"Roland, I've found your brother."
When I heard those words, I was stunned. Isn't my brother Cavendish in the Abyss? How did this darned cat meet him?
"You have great talent in swordsmanship. You are obviously a talented Warrior, but you chose to become a Mage. He is an Elemental Son, a natural born Great Mage. Yet, he chose to become a Can (Knight). Both of you are so awkward, if you aren't brothers, then what are you? "
Alright, this darned cat's mouth doesn't accumulate any virtue. Naturally, I will teach her a lesson.
However, I am confident in her judgment. Thus, I became more interested in the little boy named Cohen and arranged a meeting with him.
"Roland … Your Highness Roland, Lord Heloise said that you can make me a Knight …"
This trembling lad in front of me was so excited that he accidentally bit his own tongue. Through the System's notification, my interest in him grew.
【Cohen Esta, Job: None. Strength: 5, Agility: 7, Stamina: 7, Intelligence: 14, Will: 11, Charm: 10. Race Talent: Elemental Son System Evaluation: With such terrible natural strength, he actually wants to become a Knight. With such great talent for Mages, he actually doesn't want to become a Mage. He really is your brother.】
【Race Talent: Elemental Son: Long incantations are difficult to remember? Complicated spell formulas and difficult to understand? These aren't problems for Elemental Sons. They use their instincts to control the elements and direct commands to replace inefficient incantations. They are the natural darlings of Mages, the illegitimate children of magic and the elements, destined to become Great Mages.】
Very quickly, through our conversation, I almost understood what was going on.
No wonder Heloise said that he was my brother. His Strength is only 5, but he actually wants to become a melee fighter. His outstanding talent as a Mage is viewed as a hindrance to his path as a Knight. It is rare to see such an awkward personality.
After interacting with him for a short while, I started to like this shy boy a little. After all, nowadays, more and more youngsters are aiming for "money". There are fewer and fewer "idiots" who are obsessed with their ideals. There are even fewer who are diligent despite not receiving any rewards.
From a certain standpoint, I am also such an awkward "stubborn rock". Thus, I accepted him and made him my third retainer Knight.
"Cough, since that is the case, let me teach you some of the necessary lessons for a Knight. Un, first is meditation and control of magic … This isn't a lesson for a Knight, but a Mage's homework? Young man, don't be impatient. Please be humble. Could it be that you have never heard of the Arcane Knight? This is a necessary lesson for an outstanding Knight. It is impossible for a normal Knight to learn this. Right, I have a melee fighter job that is suitable for you. Do you want to give it a try? "
Let's not talk about how I guided (duped) this young man in the future. At this moment, I am very satisfied with the decision I made. After all, with the other two knight squires not being up to standard, this young man has been a great help.
Even if the direction of his help was a little unreliable …
"Brother Roland, I accidentally roasted the meat too much again. It is a little dark, but my intuition tells me that it will be delicious. Why don't you make do with it? Perhaps the new taste will be delicious. "
No, it definitely won't be delicious. One side is already charred, while the other side is raw meat. How should I eat it? Your intuition has never been reliable.
"Strange, I strictly followed the alchemy formula. 10 grams of salt, 1 gram of sugar. How can it taste so bad … Ah, I misread the decimal point. I gave 10 times more salt (Ah, I made a mistake with sugar and salt) … Why don't you make do with it?"
Should I say, 'As expected of an alchemist. You actually brought a full set of alchemy equipment to camp outside?' Making lunch actually made it taste like a chemistry experiment. But why is the final product so scary? What is that oily green thing? Can you make do with it? Before passing it to me, do you dare to try it yourself? I finally understand why you have always been a third-rate alchemist. Can't you get it right once in a while?
Generally speaking, the retainers of an acolyte Knight are the personal attendants of a Knight. According to the tradition of a Knight, the retainers are responsible for the logistics of their Knight Mentor. If the Knight Mentor isn't satisfied, no matter how strong the retainer of the Knight is, it would be impossible for him to become an official Knight.
Before becoming an official Knight, they are master and disciple, as well as master and servant. Many of them are even similar to father and son. However, the two retainers I chose previously are obviously unreliable. Most of the time, it is me, as their mentor, who takes care of them. Not to mention, the enthusiasm and confidence in their training are completely unseemly.
Renée is a Princess, so it is understandable that she doesn't have the ability to survive in the wilderness. Katherine is from a Knight family, a fallen noble family, so it is understandable that she doesn't have the ability to do anything.
If it wasn't for that brat Cohen who is able to make some decent meat soup, I wouldn't even know who is the retainer if I had to do it myself after traveling a thousand miles.
According to the planned grouping, my three retainers should have been in the same group as me. However, Renée said that she has already broken through Gold-rank and that she has the Roland Sacred Sword in her hands. She is already capable of handling everything by herself and doesn't need my guidance.
Alright, it is impossible to grow without actual combat experience, so I will let you try it out. Since that is the case, I am afraid that you might not have enough manpower, so I will let the other two retainers follow you. Show me some results.
However, one's rank doesn't represent one's actual combat strength. In actual combat, a Bronze-rank who puts his life on the line is enough to scare off a fake Gold-rank who has never seen blood. However, on the battlefield, a moment of hesitation might cost one's life.
The result was completely within my expectations. If it wasn't for the Blood Tribe Assassin I arranged in the dark intervening in time, the princess of Donglan might have to consider switching to an undead job.
"Little lass, it is still too early for you to leave my tutelage."
Thus, after we met up, with the help of the retainers, I became even more tired. Not only did I have to hunt the roaming cavalry, I also had to take care of the rookies. It could be said that I was a teacher and a parent at the same time.
Fortunately, Cohen, who was born as a farmer, had a certain level of survival skills. He was able to help set up the temporary camp and take care of the daily necessities.
Helpless, I even called out Renée's underground bodyguard, Suzanna, to have her think of a way to teach these rookies the basic survival skills of the wilderness. At the very least, I should teach them the most basic cooking of roasted meat and meat soup.
After all, if one were to live in the wilderness for a long period of time, just relying on dry rations isn't enough. Meat soup and roasted meat are the simplest dishes, but just relying on these two would lead to an imbalance in nutrition, which would ultimately affect their combat strength.
Thus, for a mature adventurer group, the ability to survive in the wilderness is essential. The famous survival master Bear Grylls once said, "Surviving in the wilderness is my life. The wilderness is the most natural source of food. If I go there, I can eat anything!"
This time, when I just finished a hunt and returned to the camp, I smelled the familiar aroma of meat soup, which whetted my appetite.
"Un? It smells so good, and there's also the smell of wild grass and spices? Suzanna, well done. You all sure learn fast, to be able to make it so quickly … "
Then, I couldn't continue the rest of my words. What entered my eyes was a young lady dressed in maid attire, busy at the camp. That was a familiar figure that shouldn't be here.
【Ding, Demacia! A passing wild maid has appeared. Thank the maid for saving you from the hell of unknown compounds. Otherwise, what awaits you today would be the mixture of Renée and Catherine's hard work — Green Slime Cuisine! Er, as an insider, I …】
I ignored the System's cute act. The beautiful figure in front of me made me feel as though I was in a dream.
The familiar bow, the familiar reflection of the lenses, the unfamiliar warmth and passion that was getting closer and closer. While I was stunned, the wild maid had already hugged me.
"Welcome back, Master. May I ask if you would like to eat first, bathe first, or … eat me first! "
Alright, I don't know if I would be able to eat you, but the dagger-like cold gaze behind my back really looks like it wants to eat me up!
"Eliza!?"
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