The corridor outside the Baron's study was quiet.
Ivan closed the heavy wooden door behind him and walked slowly down the hallway. Torches flickered along the stone walls, casting long shadows that stretched across the floor.
But Ivan barely noticed them.
His mind was filled with a single thought.
The path of becoming a wizard…
Until today, that path had always felt distant and uncertain.
He had known about the wizard test at Blackwater Harbor, but that knowledge had been vague at best. When would it happen? How did the selection process work? What would the wizard envoys look for?
He had known nothing.
But now—
Everything had become clearer.
His father knew the system.
He knew the timing.
And most importantly, he knew how noble families interacted with the wizard envoys.
This meant Ivan was no longer blindly chasing an uncertain opportunity.
He now had a clear destination.
Blackwater Harbor.
The thought alone stirred something inside his chest.
With these thoughts lingering in his mind, Ivan eventually returned to his room.
The wooden door closed softly behind him.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
The familiar room was quiet and orderly, illuminated by the soft glow of a candle on the desk. Everything looked exactly the same as it had the day before.
Yet Ivan knew that something had changed.
Slowly, he walked toward the window.
Outside, the night sky stretched endlessly above Thornheart Castle. A pale moon hung high in the sky, casting silver light across the quiet courtyard below.
Ivan stood there for a moment, silently watching the moonlight.
The restless thoughts in his mind gradually settled.
Only after his mind had fully calmed did he turn and walk toward the bed.
He sat down cross-legged on the mattress.
His posture straightened naturally.
Then—
Ivan slowly began circulating the Crimson Heart Breathing Method.
His breathing became steady and controlled.
Warm currents soon began to move through his meridians like gentle streams of heat.
The warmth spread from his chest toward his limbs, quietly tempering his muscles and bones.
One cycle passed.
Then another.
Outside, the night deepened.
After completing a full round of breathing method cultivation, Ivan slowly opened his eyes.
"NOVA."
"Yes, Master."
Ivan leaned slightly against the wall behind him.
"How long will it take for me to break through to Middle-Rank Knight?"
A brief pause followed as Nova began its calculations.
"Analyzing current physical parameters…"
"Calculating cultivation efficiency…"
A moment later, Nova spoke again.
"Estimated breakthrough time: approximately six months."
Ivan raised an eyebrow.
"Six months?"
"That fast?"
Nova replied calmly.
"The Golden Dew Potion significantly increases cultivation efficiency."
"It is far superior to the Blood Tempering Elixir previously used by Master."
Nova continued explaining.
"If Master continued cultivating with the Blood Tempering Elixir, reaching the Middle-Rank Knight stage would require approximately two years."
"The Blood Tempering Elixir primarily strengthens the body. It stimulates the muscles, bones, and blood, allowing them to endure the heat generated by the breathing method."
"However, its effect on the circulation efficiency of the breathing method itself is limited."
Nova paused briefly before continuing.
"The Golden Dew Potion is different."
"It is a higher-grade material originally derived from wizard potion."
"While it also strengthens the body, its main effect is improving the body's compatibility with internal energy circulation."
"In simple terms, it allows Master's body to absorb and circulate the energy produced by the Crimson Heart Breathing Method far more efficiently."
Nova's tone remained calm and analytical.
"Compared to the Blood Tempering Elixir, the Golden Dew Potion increases the efficiency of daily breathing method cultivation by approximately two to three times."
"With persistent daily training, the estimated breakthrough time is therefore reduced to six months."
Ivan nodded slowly.
Now the difference was clear.
The Blood Tempering Elixir focused mainly on tempering the body.
But the Golden Dew Potion improved the efficiency of cultivation itself.
The two medicines operated on entirely different levels.
Yet Ivan was not overly excited.
Instead, he fell into thought.
Now that the path of becoming a wizard had opened before him, many people might have abandoned the knight path entirely.
After all—
According to every piece of information Ivan had gathered, the power of wizards far surpassed that of knights.
Knights relied on physical strength.
Wizards controlled the laws of nature.
The difference between the two was like the difference between a sword and a storm.
But Ivan had no intention of abandoning his current foundation.
For now, the knight path was the only system he truly understood.
It was his foundation for survival in this unfamiliar world.
Until he officially stepped into the wizard world, abandoning the knight path would be foolish.
If possible…
A faint thought surfaced in Ivan's mind.
Perhaps I can walk both paths.
Knight.
And wizard.
At the same time.
The idea sounded bold—even unrealistic.
But Ivan did not dismiss it.
With Nova's assistance, many things that seemed impossible to others might become possible.
He exhaled slowly.
Then he resumed his breathing method cultivation.
Another cycle.
And another.
Eventually, the fatigue of the day caught up to him.
Ivan lay down on the bed.
Within minutes, he fell asleep.
The following days passed quietly.
Ivan's life became simple and disciplined.
Every morning—
He trained sword techniques on the castle training field.
The Flaming Sword technique gradually became more stable under his control.
Small flames occasionally flickered along the edge of his blade, leaving faint scorch marks in the air.
During the day—
He practiced combat techniques or sparred with knight apprentices.
At night—
He cultivated the Flame Breathing Method and refined his body with the assistance of the Golden Dew Potion.
His strength improved steadily.
Two days passed.
Then three.
Soon—
The day before their departure arrived.
The castle training field was lively.
Steel clashed against steel as two figures exchanged rapid sword strikes.
Clang!
Clang!
Ivan's sword cut through the air in a sharp arc.
A faint trace of flame flickered along the blade.
Opposite him, Allen Thornheart blocked the strike with surprising speed.
"Your control over that technique has improved," Allen remarked with a grin.
Ivan stepped back slightly.
"You're not holding back either."
Allen laughed.
The two brothers continued sparring for a few more minutes before finally stopping to rest.
Both of them sat down on the edge of the training field.
A light breeze passed through the open courtyard.
After a moment of silence, Allen suddenly spoke.
"So…"
"You've decided to take that path?"
Ivan glanced at him.
He immediately understood what his brother meant.
Allen was the heir to the Thornheart territory, the future Baron of the family. Matters involving wizards and the family's long-hidden secrets were not something that could be kept from him.
His father must have already told him everything.
Including Ivan's decision.
Ivan nodded calmly.
"Yes."
Allen leaned back slightly, resting his hands behind him.
"Why?"
Ivan looked toward the distant hills beyond the castle walls.
For a moment, he seemed to be thinking about something far away.
"This world is much bigger than the Thornheart territory… or even this continent."
He paused slightly before continuing.
"If I have the chance to step beyond it…"
"I want to see what lies out there."
Allen watched him quietly.
There was no mockery in his eyes.
Only thoughtfulness.
After a few seconds, he let out a small laugh.
"Sounds like something you would say."
Ivan looked back at him.
Allen shrugged lightly.
"Honestly, I thought you might choose that path."
He stood up and stretched his arms.
"As your elder brother…"
"I won't try to stop you."
Allen looked at Ivan and smiled faintly.
"You've always made your own decisions."
"And this time will be no different."
He extended a hand and pulled Ivan up from the ground.
"So go see that wider world."
Ivan felt a slight warmth in his chest.
He nodded.
"Thank you, brother."
After arriving in this world nearly five months ago, Ivan had always kept a certain distance from the people around him.
But now—
For the first time—
He felt something genuine.
Family.
The two brothers stood up again.
"Let's continue," Allen said.
Ivan smiled faintly.
"Alright."
Their swords clashed once more.
The next morning—
Thornheart Castle was unusually busy.
Servants hurried through the courtyard carrying luggage and supplies.
Knights checked their equipment.
Horses were prepared for the long journey ahead.
At the front of the castle gates stood a noble carriage.
The Thornheart family emblem was engraved on its doors.
Two Lower Knights stood nearby.
Behind them waited twenty knight apprentices.
They would serve as escorts for the journey.
Ivan arrived at the gate shortly after.
He wore a simple but elegant noble coat.
Baron Joseph Thornheart soon joined him.
The Baron looked over the assembled group.
"Everything is ready?"
"Yes, my lord," one of the knights replied.
Baron Joseph nodded.
At that moment—
Two more figures approached.
Allen.
And the Baroness.
They had come to see them off.
Allen walked straight toward Ivan.
Without hesitation, he pulled his younger brother into a firm embrace.
"Take care of yourself," Allen said quietly.
Ivan nodded.
"I will."
The Baroness stood a short distance away.
Her relationship with Ivan had always been distant.
But Ivan still stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Baroness."
She nodded calmly.
"Safe travels."
The farewell was brief.
Baron Joseph then stepped toward the carriage.
"It's time."
Ivan climbed inside beside him.
The driver cracked the reins.
The horses began to move.
The carriage rolled slowly through the castle gates.
Behind them, the escort knights followed in formation.
Allen stood at the gate, watching the convoy disappear down the road.
The morning sun rose slowly above the horizon.
Far ahead—
Beyond mountains and rivers—
Beyond cities and forests—
Lay their destination.
Blackwater Harbor.
And the gateway to the wizard world.