Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Chapter 2: SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

After a hearty meal with his family, Alaric went to the bathroom for a quick bath.

Inside the bathroom, Alaric was comprehending how he was able to return to the past. Were all the things he experienced just a long nightmare?

He wanted to make himself believe that it was just a dream, but he knew that he had truly traveled back in time.

He sighed and sorted out his thoughts.

Ten years from now, the current emperor of Astania would die. His death would later fracture the empire because of the civil war caused by his sons who were both vying for the throne.

However, this wasnʼt the most important thing in Alaricʼs mind.

He had to prevent the death of his family and the downfall of House Silversword!

His main priority was to observe his uncle.

That guy was the main culprit for the fall of House Silversword!

He secretly plotted to take over Lucasʼs position to replace him as the new head of the household. To achieve this, he bribed one of the servants and asked them to poison Lucasʼs food.

Even though Lucas was a powerful warrior, his body gradually weakened under the influence of the potent poison.

That was how the mighty Baron Lucas Silversword fell.

I should observe my Uncleʼs movements discreetly.

Alaricʼs face turned cold as he recalled the image of that kind-looking middle-aged man.

He might looked like a harmless guy from his outward appearance, but beneath that kind facade was a venomous beast of a human! Just the thought of him filled Alaric with profound rage.

Out of nowhere, a transparent cyan screen suddenly appeared before him, almost making him jump up in surprise.

[Loading system.]

[Scanning the host.]

Alaric Silversword [Knight Apprentice] EXP: 70/100

Potential: B

Talent: Horseback Riding (D), Swordsmanship (D), Close Combat (D), Archery (F), Hunting (E), Tracking (F)

Strength: 17

Stamina: 18

Agility: 15

Vitality: 17

Endurance: 17

Mana: 3

Battle Points: 0

[You received a newbie gift pack.]

An image of a golden gift box appeared on the screen.

[Do you want to open the newbie gift pack?]

[Yes] [No]

Alaric was baffled by what he was seeing. He even thought that he was hallucinating.

He closed his eyes, but when he opened them, the translucent cyan screen was still there.

He reached out his hand and tried to touch the screen.

[Yes]

He accidentally clicked [Yes].

[Opening newbie gift pack…]

[You received x1 SSS-Class Talent Card.]

[You received 1000 Battle Points.]

[You received x1 Elite Knight Card.]

Alaric took his time to understand what was happening, but he was still perplexed.

The screen displayed what seemed to be the quantification of his physical abilities. It also displayed his set of skills and even the progress of his training.

Is it showing my abilities?

His brain spasmed as he tried to understand what the letters represented.

Iʼll deal with that later. Now whatʼs this newbie gift pack thing?

From the newbie gift pack, he received two cards and 1000 battle points. One of the cards was golden in color and with a sword drawn on it. The other one was a blue card with the image of a knight.

[Do you want to use the SSS-Class Talent Card?]

[Yes] [No]

The words on the screen were written in a language that he couldnʼt recognize, but strangely enough, his mind automatically translated them into the language of Astania.

After some hesitation, he clicked [Yes]

[You awakened the SSS-Class Swordsmanship Talent.]

Suddenly, his mind shook as if he had experienced enlightenment.

The sword moves that he found difficult to execute in the past seemed to have become simple and easy to understand. He could even recall the subtle movements that he failed to notice before.

He was in this magical state of comprehension for almost ten minutes.

When he regained his senses, he finally realized what that sword talent thing was.

What the hell?! It actually helped me comprehend those difficult sword movements! What is going on here?!

He was dumbfounded.

I think I stumbled upon an immortal relic!

This thing might be left behind by an immortal.

My return to the past might be related to this as well.

He absentmindedly stared at the cyan screen.

[Do you want to use the Elite Knight Card?]

[Yes] [No]

I wonder what this card will do… It wonʼt summon an Elite Knight, right?

Alaric laughed, but his smile suddenly stiffened when he realized that it was possible.

Thinking about this, he hastily stepped out of the bathroom and headed to his bedchamber.

He didnʼt dare use the card while he was still in the bathroom.

After changing into a new set of clothes, he focused his attention on the screen and clicked [Yes].

In that instant, a blinding light forced him to close his eyes.

When he opened them, a middle-aged man fully dressed in leather battle armor was already standing before him.

He exuded a mighty aura unique only to those who had gone through numerous life-and-death battles.

He had long wavy black hair and a pair of brown eyes that seemed to have seen through the darkness of the world.

Seeing this person, Alaricʼs widened in shock and he couldnʼt help but take a step back.

”My name is Galanar. I swear my eternal loyalty to you, my lord!”

The middle-aged man half knelt as he swore the knightʼs oath.

I really summoned an Elite Knight! No way!

Alaric couldnʼt believe that his guess turned out to be right.

To become an Elite Knight, one had to accumulate enough mana and train their physical body to a certain extent.

Before his death, Alaric was an Elite Knight and it took him years of arduous training to become one. If his training time from childhood was to be counted, it took him more than twenty years to become an Elite Knight.

”Rise,” Alaric muttered as he observed the middle-aged Elite Knight.

Hearing his words, Galanar stood up.

Alaric was a tall guy himself. He was at 196 centimeters, but he was still a head shorter than Galanar. This guy might be as tall as his father, or probably even taller.

Now, how should I explain this to my parents?

Alaric paced around the room, thinking of a good excuse that wouldnʼt make his parents suspicious.

At this moment, he heard a series of knocks on the door, followed by Elenaʼs cute voice. ”My lord, itʼs time for your training. His Lordship wants you to head to the training grounds as soon as possible.”

”Alright. Iʼll be there!”

Looking at the still Galanar, Alaric didnʼt know what to do.

What should I do with this guy? I canʼt let him stay here.

Alaric sighed helplessly.

From the looks of it, his only choice was to bring Galanar with him to the training grounds. Leaving him inside his bedchamber might cause chaos especially if the servants or guards would find him.

”Iʼll bring you to the training grounds. Itʼs best if you donʼt speak when someone asks you things, but in the off-chance that you have no choice, this is what you should tell them…”

Alaric taught him how to respond in case his parents asked him some questions.

Galanar was silent the entire time so he couldnʼt tell if the guy had remembered his words.

”Follow me.” Alaric shook his head.

He could only make an excuse on the spot. Whether his father would believe it, he couldnʼt care less anymore.

As they headed out of the mansion, Galanarʼs presence quickly attracted attention.

”Who is that guy? I havenʼt seen him before.”

”Heʼs so tall!”

”Is he a knight?”

Alaric ignored the curious servants and brought Galanar directly to the training grounds.

When they arrived, everyone turned their gazes and looked at them.

Lucas stopped his training and turned his gaze. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the man walking respectfully one step behind his son.

”Father.”

Lucas nodded indifferently. ”That man is?”

Here goes nothing…

Alaric put on a calm look as he responded. ”This is Galanar. He is an Elite Knight. He is now working for me.”

Hearing this, Lucas was inwardly surprised. It was difficult to hire Elite Knights. Even the allure of money couldnʼt move them. This is because most knights didnʼt like to work under someone.

House Silversword only had three Elite Knights. One was the commander of the guards. The other one was the old butler, and the last one was Alaricʼs uncle. As for Lucas, he was already a Transcendent Knight, the realm beyond the Elite Knight.

The fact that Alaric managed to invite an Elite Knight to work for him made Lucas quite pleased.

”I see. He can stay here and practice with you. I will process his identification later. As long as he doesnʼt have a complicated background, I will accept him as one of us.”

Alaric was secretly relieved that his father didnʼt ask more questions.

”Donʼt worry, father. Galanar is a wandering Elite Knight. He doesnʼt have any issues with his background.”

Lucas nodded upon hearing his words. ”You are already eighteen. As someone who will inherit my position, it is necessary for you to have your own trusted subordinates. You should start gathering more people on your side. However, their allowances and salaries will be your problem. Do you understand?”