Early in the morning, as the first light of dawn spread across the horizon, Robert slowly opened his eyes. The excitement from discovering the Wizard's Handbook the night before still lingered in his chest. Even now, the thick, beast-skin-covered book seemed to radiate a faint magical aura where it rested beside him.
He rubbed his heavy forehead and sat up. He had almost fallen asleep holding the handbook, his mind replaying again and again the formulas for magic potions and the theories of monster cultivation. Only after countless mental repetitions had he finally drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
A faint, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"Daily Intelligence Update."
1: Traces of Magic Snake Claw have been discovered at the edge of the Emerald Marshes, along with large footprints from its team of monsters.
2: The baron of neighboring Silvermoon City has issued a public announcement—he's recruiting retired soldiers and mercenaries with generous pay to expand his private guard.
3: A merchant caravan en route to Silver Creek City, worried about the safety of Blackstone Town and short on goods, has decided to bypass the town entirely.
4: Several herders have reported livestock disappearing without reason. Patrols later found wolf tracks, confirming the presence of wolf packs near Blackstone Town.
5: A merchant caravan from Valley Land is expected to arrive in Blackstone Town in three days and will stay for one. Preparations for trade should begin immediately.
6: Hunters exploring the ridge of the Blackstone Mountains have found traces of gryphon activity near the stone pillar forest.
7: —
8: A group of thirty refugees from the war-torn western regions is currently sheltering in an abandoned village about forty kilometers away. Among them are a few artisans—a blacksmith, a leatherworker—and their situation is dire.
9: Guard Captain Ed has been at the bottleneck of a Second-Tier Great Knight for many years, just one step away from advancing to a Third-Tier Earth Knight. Preparing a breakthrough magic potion for him—or bestowing upon him an Ironclad Rhinoceros cub as a contracted magic beast—would greatly increase his chances of success.
10: Bandits have set up a camp in the northern Blackstone Mountains. They are preparing to descend the mountain to plunder, and Blackstone Town, being the closest settlement, will likely be their first target.
Robert's gaze lingered on the ninth line.
He had long considered giving an Ironclad Rhinoceros cub to Ed as a bonded magic beast. Seeing the intelligence report only strengthened his decision. With the threat of bandits looming, the territory needed stronger protection—and an Earth Knight would provide just that.
Among knights, an Earth Knight represented a high-tier combat force. In small knightly orders or mercenary groups, such a person could even serve as commander. If Blackstone Town had an Earth Knight stationed within its borders, it would no longer need to fear bandits or even most magical beasts.
Robert made up his mind.
He stood, straightened his clothes, and left his room, his boots echoing softly on the wooden floor.
Behind the stable stood a small beast enclosure, hastily built from thick logs. Inside, two Ironclad Rhinoceros cubs were playing. Though the structure was crude, it was sturdy enough to contain them—for now.
The young rhinos, each about half the height of a man, were grayish-black with thick hides and rough, stone-like skin. Their single horns were still tender and small, yet even so, when they charged about the pen, the ground trembled faintly under their weight.
When Robert and Ed approached, the two little beasts stopped their playful scuffle and turned to look at them curiously. Their round eyes reflected a simple, honest light—one that had become familiar in recent days.
Under Ed's careful feeding, the cubs had lost their hostility toward humans and now behaved more like loyal pets than wild beasts.
Robert turned to Ed and asked calmly, "How many years have you been a Great Knight?"
Ed stood straight, his hand on his chest. "Lord, it has been seven years."
"Seven years?" Robert nodded slowly. "The usual way to break through to Earth Knight requires a special magic potion. But such potions are costly and controlled by powerful families. I can't provide one to you—at least not yet."
He paused and then added, "However, there is another way."
Robert stepped closer to the enclosure, stroking the head of one of the rhinos that had wandered over to him. Its hide was coarse, but its eyes were gentle and intelligent.
"By forming a soul contract with a magic beast, a knight can take advantage of the brief moment when the two souls merge. If the resonance is strong enough, it can shatter the bottleneck in a single stroke." His tone grew firm. "The Ironclad Rhinoceros is a Third-Tier magic beast. It's perfectly suited to help you ascend to Earth Knight."
Ed froze. He looked up sharply, unable to hide the shock in his eyes.
An Ironclad Rhinoceros cub?
That was far more valuable than a Third-Tier breakthrough potion!
If his lord sold it to another noble, he could easily trade it for several potions—and yet Robert wanted to give it to him?
His throat tightened, and for a moment, he couldn't speak. "Lord… this is far too precious. I—"
Robert cut him off with a gentle pat on the shoulder. "Precious? Maybe. But loyalty, Ed—loyalty is rarer and worth far more."
His gaze softened, but his tone carried quiet authority. "Go. Don't let me down."
Ed took a deep breath. The usually stern, battle-hardened captain now had a faint redness in his eyes.
He dropped to one knee, pressing his right hand to his chest.
"Your subordinate, Ed, swears eternal loyalty to you, my Lord. I will never fail your expectations."
Robert nodded with satisfaction. "Rise."
He handed Ed a scroll covered in faintly glowing runes—the magic beast contract scroll.
"Take it," Robert said. "Form your bond with your new companion. I'll wait here for the news of your breakthrough."
Ed accepted the scroll with both hands, his grip firm and reverent. His eyes, filled with gratitude and determination, gleamed under the morning light.
He stepped into the enclosure, closing the gate quietly behind him. One of the rhinos eyed him curiously, snorting softly.
Ed reached out his hand slowly.
At first, the cub shuffled backward, cautious. But it soon recognized the familiar scent of the man who had cared for it—feeding it every day, cleaning its pen, and soothing it with patience. Gradually, its tension faded. It let out a low, almost affectionate rumble and leaned its massive head into Ed's palm.
The moment of connection came naturally.
Ed unrolled the scroll and tore it open. A surge of light flared between man and beast, wrapping them both in a shimmering aura. The air rippled, and an invisible thread of energy wove between their souls.
The contract was complete.
Suddenly, Ed's entire body trembled violently. A torrent of power exploded within him—wild, fierce, and unstoppable.
He gritted his teeth, his battle qi roaring through his meridians like a raging storm. The stagnation that had bound him for years shattered in an instant.
"Rooaar!"
Ed's low growl echoed through the enclosure as waves of energy surged from his body. His once-concentrated battle aura transformed—thicker, heavier, more real. The earthy yellow light surrounding him pulsed in rhythm with the ground beneath his feet, resonating with the earth's very essence.
The ground itself trembled faintly. The air grew heavy, as though pressed down by invisible weight.
The rhino, now officially bound to him, felt its master's surge of strength. Excited, it snorted repeatedly, scraping its hooves against the dirt. Then, overwhelmed with energy, it charged forward and crashed into the wooden fence—splintering a thick log with a sharp crack!
For a moment, Ed didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The strength coursing through his body was intoxicating—steady, vast, and unshakable, like a mountain. He flexed his hands, feeling the solid flow of energy within him.
Robert, standing a few paces away, smiled. He could sense it clearly—Ed's aura had changed.
No longer the stagnant power of a Great Knight, but the grounded, mighty presence of a true Earth Knight.
"It's done," Robert murmured, satisfaction flashing in his eyes. "Blackstone finally has its first Earth Knight."
He stepped forward, his voice warm but commanding. "Congratulations, Ed."
Ed reined in his aura and turned toward Robert. Overwhelmed, he knelt again on one knee.
"Thank you, my Lord, for your generosity and trust!" he said, voice deep and resonant. "From this day forward, Ed will be your vanguard until death!"
Robert reached down and helped him up. "Good," he said with a faint smile. "Then guard this land well, Ed. The future of Blackstone depends on men like you."
Ed placed a fist over his heart and nodded heavily. "I swear it."
Behind them, the young rhino snorted proudly, shaking its head as if echoing its master's vow. The morning sun finally broke through the clouds, bathing the enclosure in golden light. The faint smell of earth and wood filled the air.
For the first time, Robert felt true confidence in the safety of his domain.
Blackstone Town, once small and fragile, now had an Earth Knight standing watch—and that made all the difference.