Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

Chapter 21 – 20: Giant Bear Breathing Technique

“Rein, do you know why the maximum age for a page is fourteen?” Cleya’s voice rang out.

“This….” Rein shook his head.

“Because fourteen is arguably the latest age to start learning the breathing techniques. Any later, one would miss the body’s rapid developmental phase, making it very difficult to train the breathing technique to a high level.”

“The parchment I’ve given you contains a set of the Giant Bear Breathing Technique and instructions for using a secret potion, which can fully develop your physical Constitution; enough to serve you until you’re a third-level Knight Attendant. As for the advanced Magic Potion needed to be promoted to a formal Knight….”

At this point, Cleya paused, displaying a contemplative expression.

“You shouldn’t be progressing that quickly; there is no need to worry about promotion now, just focus on laying a solid foundation.”

“Before long, I will leave Habsburg Manor. I’ve also left you some of the black tung oil, and Shadia will arrange it for you.”

Suddenly, Cleya changed the subject, her beautiful eyes looking at Rein as she asked:

“By the way, Rein, what is your purpose for participating in the page training this time?”

Under the gaze of Cleya’s clear eyes, Rein found himself unable to think of any lies and honestly said, “Err….I want to pass the assessment and become a guard of Habsburg Manor!”

“Giggle giggle giggle!” A melodious laugh like that of silver bells rang out.

“How about setting a more ambitious goal, like becoming a true Knight! If you can become a formal Knight before you turn eighteen, I promise you can become one of my followers.”

“If not, you can continue to be a guard.”

“However….whether it’s learning the Giant Bear Breathing Technique or my promise to you, you must keep it a secret—even within Habsburg Manor. If this matter were known by others, it might not necessarily be a good thing for you!”

Rein felt a surge of excitement in his heart, mixed with some confusion.

His mind was already racing.

A Knight, oh! This is about becoming a Knight!

Stepping into a position of power; isn’t that much better than being a mere guard?

Rein wished he could start practicing the Giant Bear Breathing Technique right now.

But the secrecy… this feels so familiar. Secrecy even within Habsburg Manor? Could it be about an aristocratic struggle for inheritance, training loyal subordinates from the bloodline? Or does Lady Creya aspire to the Earlship of Habsburg?

Having been through a lot of TV dramas about the feuds and romances within wealthy families in his previous life, Rein could now think of many possibilities.

“However, for myself, the important thing is rapid development in the early stage.”

“Once I’ve grown, with a professional panel in hand, I needn’t fear anyone.”

On the path to rise, it is inevitable to affect some people’s interests.

Later, I will also encroach on the established stakeholders’ pie.

Thus, encountering problems and challenges is unavoidable.

Challenges—directly smash them!

Problems—directly burst through!

How could I not accept Lady Cleya’s assistance? If I were to give up such support because of some dangers, wouldn’t that be incredibly cowardly?

Rein could not help but remember a saying from his previous life: “He who does not seize the blessings bestowed by the heavens will incur divine wrath!”

“Of course, Lady Creya, your recognition is a tremendous honor for me!” Rein respectfully bowed.

For a noble who could offer immense help and was also a beauty, Rein certainly wasn’t stingy with “sweet nothings.”

A sycophant deserves a poor death?

No, no!

A servant belongs to the service industry, which falls under the tertiary sector. To sum it up in one word, flattery! In other words, providing emotional value to one’s master.

Seeing Rein agree, Cleya nodded in satisfaction and said, “Rein, first, take some time to look over the Giant Bear Breathing Technique, then I will guide you through the specific movement essentials.”

“Yes, Lady Cleya!” Rein immediately focused his mind and began to earnestly read the seven movements of the Giant Bear Breathing Technique.

The seven movements varied in posture, but at a rough glance, Rein found that the set progressed from easy to difficult.

The first movement was the simplest, akin to the single-leg lunge from his previous life, arms raised horizontally, synchronized with breathing.

Having just eaten the fierce bear meat and feeling overheated, Rein was eager to move and thus started performing the first movement on the spot.

At first, Rein felt it was manageable, but in less than five minutes his whole body began to heat up, sweat beads formed on his forehead, and he started to sway, let alone breathing steadily—that would be ridiculous, not panting was good enough!

Rein knew he couldn’t persist, so he immediately stopped, because according to the instructions, one had to maintain each movement for thirty minutes with steady breathing in order to learn the next one.

“Miss Cleya, is there any trick to practicing this breathing technique?” Rein rubbed his sore thighs and said.

“Breathing technique, breathing is most important. You must always maintain steady breathing, feel the changes inside your body, only then can it achieve the goal of strengthening the body,” she replied.

“Rein, this is Kuroki oil; apply it to the sides of your thighs and knees and your shoulders when practicing the first movement of the Giant Bear Breathing Technique. It can effectively enhance your perception of the body’s changes.”

“Alright, I’ll give it another try.” Rein immediately took the small black bottle that Cleya handed to him.

Upon opening the bottle, a unique fragrance escaped, somewhat reminiscent of the musk and tiger bone balm from Rein’s previous life.

The liquid inside was yellowish-brown, like amber. Rein poured a little bit into his palm and followed Lady Cleya’s guidance on the side to warm it up before applying it to his knees and shoulders.

Instantly, a burning warmth flowed into his skin from the areas where he rubbed it.

When Rein attempted the first movement of the Giant Bear Breathing Technique again, he immediately felt different, as the burning warmth replaced the original muscle fatigue.

He could feel every single muscle fiber in his thighs tensing up, which made him unconsciously focus his mind and consciously adjust his breathing to match the movements.

[You have practiced the Giant Bear Breathing Technique, comprehension has improved!]

[You have acquired a new skill——Giant Bear Breathing Technique]

[Your Giant Bear Breathing Technique skill has been enhanced, Experience +1]

[Ding! Host triggered the core event for Knight Attendant class change——comprehension of Giant Bear Breathing Technique!]

[Preconditions for advancement to Knight Attendant are: 1. Militia lv3 or above; 2. Strength 8 points or above, Agility 8 points or above, Constitution 8 points or above; 3. Any Rider Skill lv1 or above, Shield Defense lv1 or above, Any Archery Skill lv2 or above, Any Swordsmanship Skill lv3 or above,…..Current conditions do not meet the requirements! Advancement to Knight Attendant failed!]

Surprise system prompts suddenly popped up, and Rein read over it several times, feeling both shocked and pleased!

What shocked him was that the conditions for advancing to Knight Attendant were rather extensive. Relatively speaking, he could possibly meet the first and second conditions after some time.

However, among the intricate sub-items of the third condition, besides Any Swordsmanship Skill lv3, which he met, he would have a hard time meeting the other parts in the short term.

What pleased him was that now Rein knew what he was lacking and where to start in order to improve.

“Triggering an event to gain advancement information?” Rein pondered silently.