Weir's story began two years ago, on the day his village was attacked by orcs.
He was only ten years old then—an innocent child—when he lost all his relatives and friends. His once-familiar home was reduced to ruins.
Only his mother survived the attack, escaping into the forest while dragging her weary body and holding tightly to Weir.
They had no food or water and could only survive by scavenging wild fruits in the forest.
But misfortune didn't end there.
Soon after, they were captured by a group of passing slave traders.
Weir's mother made every effort to help her son escape, but in the end, both were taken to the slave market.
Weir remembered the scene vividly—being displayed like merchandise to cold-eyed buyers.
He wore coarse, ragged clothing. His stomach was so empty it felt like his front was glued to his back. Even his dignity had been stripped away.
His mother held him tightly, silently enduring the humiliation.
Then, a turning point came.
The great Lord Louis appeared at the slave market that day.
He bought hundreds of slaves, including Weir and his mother.
Lord Louis brought them to Red Tide Territory and gave them a warm home.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Weir ate his fill, wore warm clothes, and felt a sense of security he had forgotten existed.
His mother began working at the smoked fish workshop in Red Tide Territory.
Every day, she busied herself—washing, marinating, and smoking fish.
Though the work was exhausting, she toiled tirelessly to survive by her own hands.
She regained her dignity through that labor, and finally, some semblance of stability returned to their lives.
Her efforts did not go unnoticed.
After learning of her performance, Lord Louis revoked her and Weir's slave status, granting them citizenship.
That day, the mother who had endured everything in silence embraced Weir and cried for the first time in years.
From that moment on, Weir had a goal—to repay Lord Louis's kindness.
He stood now among the crowd of children, his eyes fixed on the Bloodstone.
This was his chance. Lord Louis was selecting future knights.
If Weir could be chosen, he would finally have the opportunity to repay the Lord for everything he had done.
He would be able to stand by Lord Louis's side, change his destiny, and protect the territory that had saved him.
At last, his name was called.
"Weir," the instructor announced softly.
Weir's heart pounded as he stepped forward toward the high platform.
Lord Louis stood before him, radiating brilliance like the sun.
Following the test's protocol, Weir gently pricked his finger with a dagger and let the blood drip onto the Bloodstone.
I must succeed… I must… he repeated inwardly, barely able to breathe.
As his blood touched the Bloodstone, it sparked a subtle reaction.
The stone's surface glowed faintly—red light flickered across it.
Weir's eyes widened. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"I succeeded… I really did," he murmured, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.
He instinctively fell to his knees, overwhelmed with emotion.
"I… I really succeeded… Great Lord, I pledge my loyalty to you!"
Lord Louis gently helped him to his feet.
"There's no need to be so emotional," he said with a calm smile.
Weir's voice trembled.
"Thank you… thank you, Lord! I'll do everything I can to protect Red Tide Territory!"
Lord Louis had known this outcome all along.
Even while Weir was still a slave, the Daily Intelligence System had already identified him as a potential Peak Knight.
He had extraordinary talent and would one day become the top combat force of Red Tide Territory.
The test continued for the entire morning. Out of more than two hundred children, only eight were selected—those who showed the talent necessary to become knights.
"Eight knights…" Lord Louis muttered to himself, a flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
It wasn't many, but for a rising territory like his, it was already a major gain.
Training knights required vast resources. Red Tide Territory's supplies were limited, but with the support of the Calvin Family, they could manage.
In the southern region, small noble families—despite generations of accumulated wealth—often had only a few dozen knight apprentices, a dozen Formal Knights, and a handful of Elite Knights.
Compared to them, Red Tide Territory's military power, with the Calvin Family's aid, was already approaching parity.
Still, danger loomed.
Red Tide Territory was located in the Northern Border Province—a desolate and perilous land.
Orcs, barbarians, bandits, and rival lords all posed constant threats.
Recently, according to the daily intelligence system, the Snowsworn had been unusually aggressive. Though they were still far from Red Tide Territory, the threat was growing.
In such a hostile environment, Lord Louis had to rely on careful planning, strong military power, and resource management to establish a foothold.
Standing on a high point overlooking the training field, Lord Louis looked down at the eight selected children.
They would become more than just knights.
They would be his Royal Guard, the most trusted force by his side.
Lord Louis assigned the children to Barnes, a Formal Knight.
Barnes possessed abundant combat experience and exceptional teaching abilities, making him the ideal mentor for the aspiring knights.
Their first lesson: learning the Breath Control Technique.
"This technique," Barnes said, "is the foundation of a knight's cultivation. It determines how far you'll go."
He demonstrated the Tidal Breathing Technique, a method developed by the Calvin Family.
Although not as powerful as the exclusive core techniques of the Calvin Family, this version remained one of the top-tier Breath Control Techniques available.
"There are seven qi meridian nodes in the human body," Barnes explained. "By activating them through the Breath Control Technique, you draw in energy from the air and convert it into battle aura. This awakens your bloodline and strengthens your body."
Taking a deep breath, Barnes's chest rose and fell slowly, his movements calm and precise.
"Every breath you take is an attempt to absorb energy. Eventually, this energy becomes your strength."
The children mimicked his breathing patterns, trying to feel the flow of energy.
At first, nothing happened.
But as time passed, subtle sensations began to emerge.
Weir was the first to notice.
"I… I can feel energy entering my body!" he whispered, eyes wide.
Barnes nodded approvingly.
"Very good. That's the first step."
In the days that followed, Barnes pushed the children to continue practicing the breathing technique.
He constantly reminded them:
"The Breath Control Technique is not just for growing stronger—it's also a way to sharpen your mind and steel your will."
After several days of relentless training, every child had begun to feel the air's flow inside their bodies. They had taken the first step in mastering the core of the Tidal Breathing Technique.
Barnes looked over the group and said, "You've taken your first step on the path to knighthood."
But this was only the beginning.
To become true knights of Red Tide Territory—loyal, powerful, and unshakable—much more training and discipline would be required.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Johnybairstow