Abyss Demon of All Realms (TL)

In a well-decorated room,

Standing before the burning fireplace, using the flickering flames as his backdrop, Saya Glens waved his hand and passionately addressed the dozen or so people gathered before him: "Becoming an intermediate apprentice is just the first step. We must strive harder—a brighter future awaits us."

The crowd responded with excited cheers: "Yes!"

Saya nodded inwardly, thoroughly satisfied with the faction he had built. His time and effort had not been wasted.

Over the past three years, he had not only successfully advanced to an intermediate apprentice but also gathered a group of talented newcomers, forming a faction centered around himself.

This made him one of the very few among the new students who had risen to prominence. While he wouldn't say he walked with an air of grandeur, he was at least a respectable figure among the apprentices.

For Saya, born a prince, dignity was non-negotiable—even if it meant shedding blood.

Considering that they were all still under ten years old and that excessive drinking might hinder their growth, he picked up the fruit juice prepared by the maid and declared grandly to his companions, "Today, I've prepared the finest food. Everyone must enjoy themselves to the fullest."

What followed was a time of joyous revelry.

Though these children were more mature due to their upbringing and education, they were still no match for the allure of games and fun.

Especially since their daily lives were filled with rigorous study of wizardry knowledge, they naturally wouldn't let this rare opportunity for relaxation slip by.

——

Watching the group, now full and resting after their lively play,

Charles smiled, picked up a piece of cake, and walked over to the balcony where Saya stood. "So, what's the plan next?" he asked.

After three years of recovery and study, Charles was no longer the frail boy he once was.

Though his face still bore the youthfulness of childhood, his body, tempered by years of practicing the Knight Body Tempering Method, had developed far better than his peers.

He wasn't exactly muscular, but his physique was exceptionally well-proportioned.

Coupled with the resolute demeanor cultivated through hardship, he had undergone a complete transformation—unrecognizable from his former self.

In response to Charles' question, Saya chuckled. "Right now, I don't have any concrete plans. After all, any plans we apprentices make are ultimately in service of advancing to full-fledged Wizards. And at the moment, I don't even have a clue on how to progress to a high-level Wizard Apprentice. So, for now, I'll just take things one step at a time."

After a moment of silence, realizing he had no particular suggestions either, Charles nodded. "That's fair."

Looking at the earnest expression on his friend's face, Saya smiled faintly. "You've changed so much over these three years. I never imagined you'd grow to this point."

As he spoke, his heart was filled with a mix of emotions. He had witnessed Charles' transformation firsthand, step by step.

The perseverance and determination Charles displayed had genuinely moved him. What began as seeing Charles merely as a subordinate had gradually shifted—Saya now regarded him as his one true friend.

Charles smiled and rubbed his hair, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face.

Not even Saya had expected him to come this far—let alone himself.

Perhaps this was the power of having a role model...

Though he had never told Saya that he saw him as one.

Because once, during a conversation with Saya, he had heard him say: "Subordinates and friends are two entirely different relationships. One must never attach themselves to another's dreams. Without being forced by anyone, the reason for one's existence must be determined by oneself...

If someone obstructs you from achieving your dreams, you must fight them with all your might—even if that someone is yourself.

To me, a so-called friend is precisely that kind of [equal] person."

Perhaps to Saya, someone like him—who had no dreams of his own and only wished to fulfill Saya's goals—couldn't even be called a friend.

Someone like him, who simply harbored admiration, was nothing more than a puppet trailing after Saya's shadow, far from being an equal.

After deep reflection, he realized with disappointment that he truly didn't deserve to be called a friend.

Faced with this question, Charles had pondered more than once whether he even possessed something that could be called a dream...

Unaware of the complexity in the other's heart, Saya—who had long forgotten the casual, boastful words he'd once spoken—mistook his silence for deep thought and said with a smile, "I know your Knight Training Method has hit a bottleneck. Come with me to the study. There's a gift there I think you'll like."

With that, he enthusiastically led Charles to his study. As a prince—and one with Wizarding aptitude—his father regularly supplied him with ample funds and resources. Thanks to these, his life at the academy had never been lacking, and he even had enough to help many struggling freshmen, winning their loyalty.

Now, in his vast study, Saya pulled open a hidden door.

From a small compartment concealed in the wall, he retrieved an exquisitely crafted wooden box.

With a proud grin, Saya said to Charles, "This is a rare treasure. It should have been kept in the royal vault, but my father knew every Wizard must master the Knight Training Method. Worried about my progress, he reluctantly had a copy made for me."

Hearing this, Charles couldn't help but set aside his thoughts and cast a curious glance at the box.

He wondered what could be so precious that even an ancient royal family would treat it with such care.

With a solemn expression, Saya carefully took out a beautifully bound book from the box.

"This is a unique Knight Training Method that has only recently begun circulating outside. It can easily strengthen vulnerable joints and restore corrupted blood within the body—a top-tier Mystic Martial Art."

Carefully accepting the book, Charles opened it with a serious expression, his eyes immediately landing on a series of illustrations.

They depicted a strangely shaped bear performing peculiar movements.

After careful observation, he discovered that the bear's muscle striations and even its movement trajectories were vividly depicted through the author's masterful brushstrokes, as if the bear was demonstrating right before his eyes.

Faintly, he discerned that this was an advanced physical technique that could be utilized by humans.

Unable to resist, he began practicing it.

Not long after, he stopped, panting heavily.

His physique wasn't strong enough yet—some movements were still beyond his capability.

Even so, he could clearly feel his vitality being stimulated throughout his body, which brought immense benefits.

Excited, he said to Saya, "This is a high-level secret technique I've never encountered before. Its effects are truly astonishing—no wonder your father took it so seriously. We must keep it well-guarded."

Saya merely smiled and waved a hand, signaling for the overexcited man to calm down. "I'm well aware of its importance, but you needn't worry too much. This technique is actually only one-twelfth of the complete version. With our Glenneth royal family covering for it, it won't attract too much attention."

Charles exclaimed, "This is just one-twelfth? How incredible must the full version be? What's the name of this technique?"

"I don't know how powerful the complete version is. Rumor has it that initially, they were just circulated as ordinary picture books until one day, a Knight noticed something unusual. That's when various factions took notice. From that day onward, the collection was completely scattered in the scramble among these factions and was never reassembled. As for the technique's name and the author's title, they're written on the last page. It's said the author was a mysterious artist."

Hearing this, Charles flipped to the last page and immediately saw:

[Authored by Olthagia: Indescribable Form and Will Fist - Black and White Iron Eating Beast Chapter]

"What an unheard-of name..."

Charles couldn't help but marvel.