Chapter 331: Dragon Knight Selection

Chapter 331: Dragon Knight Selection



As Rayne, who was originally riding Bloodfeather, hovered about forty to fifty meters away from the cliff, he now raised his lance and squeezed his legs together. With a loud eagle cry from Bloodfeather, they shot towards the cliff like an arrow released from a bowstring, moving at an astonishing speed.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion followed, and at the point of impact on the cliff, a circle of white air burst forth, sending debris flying in all directions. As the dust settled, a basin-sized dent appeared on the cliff face.

Rayne's nearly four-meter-long lance seemed to have disappeared, as his arm was now partially embedded in the cliff, up to his forearm, making the lance even less visible.

Fortunately, Bloodfeather had heavily grabbed the cliff with its claws, buffering the impact of the charge. Otherwise, it might have slightly collided with the cliff.

"The cliff seems more fragile than I imagined."

"No, it's just that my strength has increased, and I didn't gauge the force properly," Rayne shook his head and said.

With a loud rustling sound, Rayne withdrew his dark lance from the cliff, pulling out a lot of rubble. A bowl-sized round hole appeared on the cliff.

At this moment, Rayne suddenly raised his head and looked towards his left rear.

In the distance, four black dots were approaching. Rayne narrowed his eyes and immediately recognized the four Griffin Knights.

Apparently, the Griffin Knights on patrol must have noticed the commotion and were coming to investigate.

"Hey, it's Sir Rayne!" As the distance closed in, the leader, Viscount Felk, exclaimed in a low voice.

He shook the reins and immediately accelerated.

Beside him, Fischer also smiled and said to the other two Griffin Knights, "You guys mentioned earlier that you wanted to see Sir Rayne, and here he is."

"Viscount Felk, it's been a while," Rayne waved and greeted with a smile.

He had just noticed that the person approaching was Viscount Felk, the deputy captain of the Griffin Squad, an old acquaintance.

"Sir Rayne, is that some sort of Eaglehorn beneath you? It's a magnificent mount!" Viscount Felk, with his golden hair, looked at the majestic Bloodfeather beneath Rayne with astonishment.

"Yes, it's a Bloodfeather Eaglehorn. I acquired it by chance."

"Viscount Felk, I've always envied you Griffin Knights for your ability to soar through the skies," Rayne said with a smile.

The two exchanged compliments.

At this moment, Fischer felt a beam of sunlight on his face, causing him to squint. He naturally looked up.

Huh?

The beam of light seemed to be shining from the cliff of the main peak of the Hoska Mountain Range!

What's going on?

At this moment, he should be on the north side of the main peak, with the sun blocked, so how could there be light?

Wait a moment.

"Ouch~"

Fischer rubbed his eyes and squinted, taking a closer look. Instantly, his eyes widened, and he gasped in shock.

Seeing Fischer's expression of disbelief, Viscount Felk and the other two Griffin Knights beside him also turned to look curiously.

The next second, all three of them, like Fischer, seemed to be struck by lightning, their bodies stiffening in shock, their eyes wide with horror.

This piqued Rayne's curiosity, and he looked up.

Hmm?

The cliff he had just struck seemed to have been pierced through? A hole had been punched through the seven to eight-meter-thick cliff at the peak of the mountain range.

Stranger still, the sun's position seemed just right, as a ray of sunlight shone through the hole, illuminating the other side of the mountain range and reaching Mystra early.

"The original beauty of the main peak of the Hoska Mountain Range, the 'Golden Peak', will probably need a new name. No, it should be considered a new scenic spot!" Fischer, a native of Mystra, muttered in a daze.

The main peak of the Hoska Mountain Range, on a clear morning, would shine with golden light when the sun reached a certain position. This beautiful sight was named the 'Golden Peak'.

Upon hearing Fischer's words, including Viscount Felk, everyone fell silent for a moment.

They couldn't believe that Rayne's strike had just created a new scenic spot.

Rayne was also slightly taken aback!

After all, he hadn't thought that much when he struck; he had merely felt that the cliff on the main peak of the Hoska Mountain Range was just right.

However, the sight before him did surprise him!

"Sir Rayne, I fear you've added a new scenic spot to Mystra. Perhaps the administration will soon inquire about an appropriate name for it." Viscount Felk said with a mix of astonishment and laughter.

"I was just trying out a new Secret Technique, but I didn't expect this effect," Rayne shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"Sir Rayne, I think it should be named after you, like 'Rayne's Hole'.

"Well said, Fisher."

Fisher's intentions were simple; he wanted the world to know who had created this hole.

But upon hearing this, Rain was taken aback.

What? 'Rain's Hole'? What kind of name is that?

Even the ancient practice of stealing light by drilling a hole in the wall would have been better than this.

Initially, Fisher seemed like a clever young man, but now it appears he's not so great at naming things.

"Cough, how about 'Light Hole'? It sounds a bit better." Rain coughed and suggested.

Rain's words immediately made the other four realize the intention.

"Rain, you're right. The name 'Light Hole' has a deeper meaning." Felk quickly agreed with a smile.

As a noble heir from the Imperial Capital, reading the atmosphere was one of his essential skills.

"Lord Rain, this name is excellent."

The others immediately praised him, but their eyes kept glancing at the hole, the powerful penetration from such concentrated energy was truly astonishing!

After a while, Rain and Felk slowly controlled their mounts and landed on a relatively flat area of the mountain range, engaging in a private conversation.

"Rain, as a knight with a flying mount, and with your identity as a Swordsman, you're almost equivalent to an Eaglehorn Knight. You can skip the Royal Eaglehorn Guard and directly apply for the Imperial Dragon Knights' Reserve."

Felk's expression turned solemn as he spoke.

"The Dragon Knights' Reserve?" Rain asked, puzzled.

He only knew that the Imperial Guardians, the Dragon Knights, were selected from the Royal Eaglehorn Guard, but he wasn't clear about the other details.

"Yes, Rain."

"Do you remember the token Princess Menia gave you, the Red Dragon Scale?"

"Of course." Rain nodded.

"Actually, Princess Menia had this in mind at the time. She thought you had a chance to participate in the Dragon Knights' selection. However, considering you didn't have a flying mount and lacked aerial combat experience, she gave you the Red Dragon Scale, allowing you to join the Royal Eaglehorn Guard first."

"Because, according to the standard procedure, most Dragon Knight candidates first join the Royal Eaglehorn Guard, contract an Eaglehorn, and train for a while to gain the qualifications to participate in the Dragon Knights' assessment."

"But now that you have the Bloodfeather Griffin, you can skip this step."

"And with your Drill Star Rank Swordsman identity and Princess Menia's token, the background check in the Dragon Knights' Reserve assessment won't be a problem."

Felk spoke at length, and Rain could tell that he was trying to curry favor with him.

On the other hand, Rain was indeed interested in what he had to say.

"Oh? After passing this assessment and becoming a Dragon Knight Reserve, how long will it take to become a Dragon Knight?" Rain's eyes lit up with curiosity.

Previously, Rain had little interest in joining the Royal Eaglehorn Guard, mainly because the combat power of the Eaglehorn itself wasn't much help to him.

Additionally, he already had the Bloodfeather Griffin, so contracting another Eaglehorn wouldn't be very meaningful.

But if he could contract a dragon, the benefits of the Epic Class 'Dragon Knight' would likely surpass those of the Epic Class 'Thousand Blade King'.

"Well, it's hard to say."

Felk paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

This piqued Rain's curiosity.

"Because the birth of a Dragon Knight is a product of mutual selection. The dragon chooses the rider, and of course, the rider also chooses the dragon. But the primary factor is the dragon, as their numbers are far fewer than the Dragon Knight candidates." Felk explained slowly.

"Oh? So that's how it is." Rain raised his eyebrows and nodded.

"The Dragon Knights' selection usually happens once every five years, unless there's a severe battle loss. This time, due to the great war in the Imperial Capital, several Imperial Dragon Knights perished. Hence, the Empire decided to hold an additional assessment."

Hmm?

Rain finally understood.

"Does that mean the dragons of the Dragon Knights are inherited from the previous fallen dragons?"

"Yes, dragons have a long growth cycle, and they are different from other creatures. Their growth is slow, and their combat experience accumulates over time."

Felk patiently explained.

"Although the official Dragon Knights' selection is scheduled for Frost Descent Month, if Rain is interested, you should head to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible. The Dragon Knights' Reserve assessment is held on the first Sunday of Harvest Month."

"If you miss it, you might have to wait another five years."

"Thank you, Felk." Rain slightly bowed to express his gratitude.

"You're welcome, Rain. I have some matters to attend to, we can chat again when we're free." Felk also bowed slightly.

"Alright, Felk."

After Felk and his group left...

Rain, having mounted Bloodfeather once more, soared towards his new mansion.

During the flight, he digested the information provided by Felucca.

"It's already Blossom Month, followed by Deer Month, Midsummer Month, and Flame Month, and then Harvest Month."

"If I want to participate in the Dragon Knight selection, I'll only have a little over three months to prepare."

As Rain gently landed Bloodfeather, his sister Mint immediately rushed over, tugging on his arm excitedly.

"Brother, where did you go for so long? How was it up there?"

"I want to soar in the sky too."

"Brother, can you take me for a flight too?"

"Sure, I'll take you for a ride." Rain patted Mint's head and smiled.

Rain was more than willing to fulfill his little sister's request.

Mint's bright eyes sparkled as she turned and flashed a sweet smile at Anna beside her. "Sister Anna, come with me, or I'll be scared."

"Huh? Well..." Anna was about to refuse, but Mint grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

Anna had been wondering if Mint would be afraid, but with Rain as her brother, why would Mint still be scared?

Before Anna could figure it out, Mint had already pulled her along.

Another question then arose: how would three people fit on Bloodfeather?

But before Anna could react, Mint had already figured it out.

"Sister Anna, hold me, and I won't be scared. Okay?"

Facing Mint's innocent eyes, Anna found it hard to refuse, and all she could do was nod.

"Mhm!"

"Yeah! That's great!" Mint's eyes lit up, and she smiled so widely that her eyes became slits.

Wait.

That's not right.

If I hold Mint, I can't have her hold Rain, right?

Anna seemed to realize something, and her beautiful eyes showed a hint of panic.

"Brother, you should hold Sister Anna, or she'll be scared too." Mint spoke up at that moment.

Swish! Anna's face turned red.

Although her intimacy with Rain had grown rapidly after their reunion, it was still done in secret.

But this time, being hugged by Rain in front of all the guards made her feel incredibly shy.

"Well, I..."

Before Anna could say more, Mint urged them to get on quickly.

"Brother, let's go!"

"Okay!" Rain smiled and nodded.

When Anna was fully embraced by Rain, she blushed and held Mint tightly.

Before taking off, Rain cast the Talent Spell 'Metal Transformation'.

In his palm, a slightly softer piece of magicized serenium instantly transformed into a ring-like buckle, similar to a roller coaster's safety bar, encircling all three of them and fastening underneath Bloodfeather's belly.

Safety was paramount when it came to his sister and Anna.

However, this meant that Anna was now pressed tightly against Rain.

As a close-combat Bloodfeather Eaglehorn, the addition of Anna and the negligible weight of Mint posed no burden at all.

As Bloodfeather Eaglehorn took flight again, the three of them experienced intense up and down movements. Mint was thrilled, and her excitement rubbed off on Anna and Rain.

But as Bloodfeather Eaglehorn flew faster, Anna, sitting in front of Rain, had her hair blowing in the wind.

When the pleasant scent of grass and trees, carried by her hair, brushed past Rain's nose, he couldn't help but tighten his grip on Anna's hand.

Bloodfeather Eaglehorn's flight posture was unique, unlike that of regular eagles, resembling more of a horse's gait with each flap of its wings causing them to bob up and down.

This made Rain feel a bit uncomfortable.

With their heads so close together, it was hard to resist the temptation to snuggle up. Especially given their close relationship, it was a challenge to maintain any decorum.

Suddenly, Anna felt something hard pressing against her buttocks.

Initially, she squirmed uncomfortably, trying to adjust her position to avoid it.

But no matter what she did, she couldn't escape it.

So, she tried to press down on it.

However, as Rain let out a soft grunt, Anna realized what that uncomfortable lump was.

Instantly, Anna's face turned as red as a hot iron, almost to the point of dripping blood.

She felt her face burning, her body going limp, and even her grip on Mint loosened.

Fortunately, Rain had used Metal Transformation to secure all three of them, ensuring Mint's safety even if Anna let go.

Mint, sitting at the front, waved her hands excitedly and occasionally shouted.

In stark contrast to Mint, Anna kept her head down the entire time, almost burying it in her chest, and remained silent.

"Anna, your body feels so hot."

"Anna, why are you shivering all over? Are you scared?"

"Brother, hold Anna tightly, she's scared!"

". . ."

Anna's body twitched slightly, and she went limp in Rain's embrace, her beautiful eyes misty. She wasn't even sure when the Bloodfeather Griffin landed in the backyard.

When she got off, her legs felt weak, and she would have sat on the ground if Rain hadn't supported her.

But when she came to her senses, she quickly left the scene like a frightened rabbit.

"Brother, what's wrong with Anna?"

"Is she afraid of flying?"

"Well..." Rain didn't know how to answer his sister's question at the moment.

He couldn't very well say, "It's because I kept my gun pointed at her the whole time, so she's shy now."

However, Rain recalled the situation in the sky.

He realized that Anna was the type who went soft at the slightest touch, seemingly extremely sensitive.

"Maybe it's her first time, so she's a bit nervous."

"But it's my first time too. Why am I not nervous?" Mint asked, still puzzled.

". . ."

But after a moment of thought, Rain remembered something important.

"I need to learn Levitation quickly; otherwise, falling from a high altitude could be fatal or cause serious injury."

After all, in battle, anything could happen, so it was best to be prepared.

"I'll have to go to the Exchange Hall this afternoon or early tomorrow morning."

"To exchange for Levitation and some rare metals."

When Rain returned to his study, he passed by Jenny's room.

Since Agasha's room was still under renovation, she was currently resting in Jenny's room.

Rain had come to check on Agasha, who had been frightened by the recent attack.

"Lord Rain, what brings you here?" Agasha asked, sitting up as she saw Rain come to visit her.

She felt a warmth in her heart, knowing that a prominent figure like Rain was concerned about her.

"Rest well, Agasha," Rain said, gesturing for her to lie down.

"Thank you for your concern, Lord Rain. I'm not seriously injured; I'm just a little scared," Agasha replied.

"Lord Rain, Agasha is mainly frightened, and she has some minor scratches. Don't worry; I'll take good care of her," Jenny assured him.

"Okay, let me know if you need anything," Rain nodded.

"Thank you, Lord Rain."

When Rain returned to his study, he called for Jennifer, the beautiful middle-aged woman.

"Jennifer, how are the guards you trained in the Chamber of Commerce doing?" Rain asked.

Although the attack was primarily due to the assailants' strength, which far exceeded the guards' abilities, it served as a wake-up call for Rain.

He decided to reinforce the overall defensive capabilities of the mansion.

"The time is too short. It's only been half a year, and most of them are at the first or second level of knighthood. Very few have reached the third level," Jennifer said, furrowing her brows and shaking her head.

Rain nodded; this was as he had expected.

Nobles usually select and train their servants and guards from a young age, ensuring loyalty but requiring a significant amount of time.

That's why it's challenging for new nobles to catch up with established ones in a short period.

"Dear, the mansion just received an invitation letter from the Goddess Church, signed by Blanudr," Jennifer said, taking out the letter and handing it to Rain.

"Oh? A letter from Blanudr?" Rain took the letter, opened it, and skimmed through it.

After reading it, Rain couldn't help but laugh, "Jennifer, you won't believe this. Sein Bishop has been reassigned to the Mystra Cathedral to take charge of the work there."

"Really? Sein Bishop is coming to Mystra? That's wonderful!" Jennifer's eyes lit up.

"Tomorrow evening, let's attend the welcome banquet together," Rain suggested.

"Okay, dear."

After Jennifer left, Rain took out the transparent, prism-shaped crystal from his waist pouch, the memory crystal from Master Mogarro.

Inside was the first level of 'Iron Heart,' the most important advanced meditation technique of the Construct Armory School.

Previously, Rain had been focused on his epic class transfer, temporarily setting aside the learning of advanced meditation.

However, he realized the importance of the aforementioned tasks, he turned his attention to the memory crystal.

As he held the crystal and immersed his consciousness within, advanced meditation knowledge quickly flooded into his mind.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end