Three months passed quietly.
What had once been a single night of decision gradually turned into a long period of discipline and repetition.
For Ivan, life settled into a steady rhythm.
Every morning, the training grounds echoed with movement. Steel rang against steel. Boots struck stone. The air smelled of sweat and dust. Ivan trained alongside the knights, his expression calm, his focus unwavering.
His sword no longer felt heavy in his hands. Each swing was controlled, precise. When he practiced with the spear, his stance was firm, his movements clean. Drawing the bowstring felt natural now, his breathing aligning instinctively with his aim.
Even horse riding, once exhausting, became smoother. Balance came more easily. Endurance followed.
He did not rush.
He did not slack.
After physical training, Ivan rested briefly before continuing with conditioning drills. His body was pushed again and again, tested at its limits, then tested once more.
When night came, he returned to his room.
Meditation followed.
The Crimson Heart Breathing Method circulated steadily through his body. Each breath carried warmth through his chest and limbs, reinforcing muscle, bone, and blood. Every two days, under Nova's guidance, he consumed the auxiliary medicine. Sometimes it was refined by the Void Furnace. Sometimes it was one of the three bottles his father had given him.
The results were clear.
His progress was fast.
Not explosive—but steady and undeniable.
During these three months, Ivan also expanded Nova's capabilities in silence. One by one, miniature energy collectors were created. By the end of the third month, there were ten in total.
When active, they gathered nearly one hundred units of energy each day.
However, limits existed.
Under Class 1 authority, Nova informed him that total energy storage could not exceed five thousand units.
Ivan reached that cap earlier than expected.
Once the limit was reached, the collectors were shut down. The stored energy rested quietly within the system, while Ivan consumed around ten units daily to refine medicine and maintain Nova's operations.
Everything was orderly.
Everything was controlled.
And yet—
Something felt wrong.
One night, after finishing his meditation, Ivan slowly opened his eyes.
He exhaled.
"…Again."
He had failed.
Before frustration could fully settle, Ivan spoke calmly.
"NOVA," he said, "display my current status."
"Yes, Master."
A familiar blue panel unfolded before his eyes.
Strength: 3.9
Agility: 3.9
Constitution: 3.9
Ivan stared at the numbers.
So close.
Yet unmoving.
No matter how carefully he refined his breathing, no matter how stable his circulation became, the final step refused to appear.
He had reached his limit.
"NOVA," Ivan said quietly, his expression serious.
"Analyze the situation. Why can't I form my Life Seed?"
"Yes, Master."
This time, Nova's analysis took longer than usual.
All recorded data from the past three months was reviewed—cultivation speed, bodily feedback, energy circulation, heart activity, breathing stability.
Finally, Nova spoke.
"Analysis complete."
Ivan waited.
"Master's knightly talent is above average," Nova said.
"However, it does not fall into the category of top-tier talent."
Ivan frowned slightly but remained silent.
"Based on historical records," Nova continued,
"a small percentage of knights are unable to naturally condense a Life Seed through meditation alone."
Ivan's brows furrowed.
"…Then how do they break through?"
"There are records," Nova replied,
"that such knights can form their Life Seed during extreme stress—specifically during life-and-death battles."
Ivan's heart sank slightly.
"During such battles," Nova explained,
"the body is pushed beyond its limits. If survival instinct and willpower reach a critical point, the Life Seed may form naturally."
"And once the Life Seed forms," Nova continued,
"the Knight Circuit stabilizes, allowing the knight to step into the Lower Knight realm—sometimes instantly."
Ivan exhaled slowly.
Life and death.
That was not something he could casually accept.
Still, he did not panic.
"…Is there any good news?" Ivan asked.
There was a brief pause.
"Yes, Master."
Ivan looked up.
"During continuous observation," Nova said,
"your heart has shown signs of slight mutation."
Ivan's eyes narrowed.
"Mutation?"
"Yes," Nova replied.
"This aligns with the predicted effect of cultivating the Crimson Heart Breathing Method during the Knight Apprentice stage."
Nova continued calmly.
"Based on current calculations, your body can enter a burst state for approximately three seconds."
Ivan's breathing slowed.
"And the strength level?"
"During the burst," Nova said,
"your physical output will temporarily approach that of a Lower Knight."
Ivan clenched his fist unconsciously.
Three seconds.
Short.
Very short.
But in a real battle, three seconds could decide life and death.
At least—
He wasn't completely stuck.
Another day passed.
The afternoon sun hung high as Ivan trained in the practice field, sweat soaking his clothes as his sword cut through the air.
His movements were sharp and controlled.
Then—
"My Lord!"
A servant hurried toward him.
"The Baron has summoned you."
Ivan paused, lowering his sword slightly.
"My father?" he asked.
"Yes, My Lord," the servant replied respectfully.
"He asked that you go to his study."
Ivan nodded.
"Alright," he said calmly.
"You may go back first. I'll come shortly."
"Yes, My Lord."
The servant bowed and left.
Ivan finished his current training set, steadied his breathing, and wiped the sweat from his face before finally sheathing his sword. Only then did he turn and head toward the main building.
He cleaned himself briefly and walked toward the study.
Knock. Knock.
"Come in."
Ivan pushed the door open and entered.
His father sat behind the desk, documents spread before him. When he looked up and saw Ivan, his eyes paused briefly.
Then he smiled faintly.
"…You've reached your limit," the Baron said.
Ivan was slightly surprised.
"You can feel it too, Father?"
The Baron nodded.
"Your aura is restrained but unstable. You're standing right at the threshold of a Lower Knight."
He leaned back slightly.
"That's why I called you."
Ivan straightened.
"There is a village," the Baron continued,
"about ten kilometers southwest from here. Woodstone Village."
Ivan listened carefully.
"Over the past few months," the Baron said,
"people there have been disappearing from time to time."
"No clear pattern. No confirmed cause."
"They sent a plea for help."
The Baron's gaze sharpened slightly.
"I want you to go there and investigate."
Ivan's heart stirred.
"…Me?"
"Yes," the Baron replied calmly.
"You may take ten knight apprentices with you."
The meaning behind those words was clear.
This was not just an investigation.
It was experience.
Possibly—
Danger.
Ivan lowered his head slightly, thinking.
A bottleneck.
Life-and-death battle.
Real combat.
This could be the chance.
"I accept," Ivan said firmly.
The Baron studied him for a moment.
Then nodded.
"Prepare well."
Ivan bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
As he stepped out of the study, his eyes were calm—but deep within them, something stirred.
Woodstone Village.