The Price of Being a Knight
If it didn't get in my way, I suppose it was fortunate that the princess was simple-minded. I hadn't been attending classes anyway, merely showing up to one subject every ten days to avoid the conditions for expulsion. How would I even run into her in class?
"Young Master… I think I’m going to be expelled."
"Huh?"
That was how it started. A month in, while I was discreetly gathering information on my targets for revenge, I couldn't help but wonder: what on earth was Count Leng Dust, that man famous for being the "Knight of Loyalty," so dissatisfied with that he kept acting out of turn?
Ever since I started moving in earnest, Leng was the only one who truly managed to surprise me.
"I… I don't think I can solve the midterm exam at all."
"Ah."
Leng had been diligently attending classes to fulfill his duties as a noble while simultaneously running around gathering intel on my orders. It seemed he simply couldn't keep up with the academy's higher education.
"What don't you understand?"
"Well…"
"Right. I get it."
"I didn't say anything yet?"
"It means you don't know any of it."
"……Young Master. It’s truly terrifying how you read my thoughts like that."
I wasn't doing it consciously. It wasn't my fault that my brain naturally analyzed people the moment I looked at them. Regardless, I began to handle the original objective on my own while starting a daily routine of tutoring Leng.
—Mathematics, Tactics.
"Memorize it."
"Pardon?"
"Just memorize every formula from here to here. Then, plug them into every single problem. Don't bother thinking about applications. You aren't going to learn this by studying from scratch now."
"?"
"For tactics, just memorize the strategies proposed by these three people and write them down for every question."
"??"
—Liberal Arts.
"Memorize it."
"Wait a moment. Don't knights learn a bit of liberal arts too…"
"That’s the liberal arts a knight uses for their lord. This is the liberal arts for high-ranking nobles. Are you planning to walk into high society with a sword in hand, kneeling and performing etiquette?"
"……"
—History. Korean Language.
"You're going to tell me to memorize those too, right!?"
"No."
"Huh?"
"Don't study history or Korean. Even if you fail, you can recover the grade by submitting a handwritten essay."
"……"
Two weeks into this "commoner-tailored" education, Leng was dying. He had failed every subject I told him to, and barely scraped by in the others. He looked like a corpse.
"Noble duties… I don't… want to do them anymore…"
"Good grief. You'd get stabbed if a commoner heard you say that."
Noble duties. Maintaining the magical beast front. Nobles who live by sucking the lifeblood of the people have a duty to ensure their safety. What they teach at the academy is the bare minimum for that. Honestly, it’s a perfectly reasonable and correct argument. But just because something is correct doesn't mean it’s all sunshine and rainbows.
"Hey, look. There goes that incompetent little duke."
"Didn't he only show up to practical training once, rolled around in the dirt, and never came back?"
"And he did that with the Princess, too. Good grief. He’s the heir to a ducal house; doesn't he feel any shame?"
"Those bastards…!"
"Leng. Hold it."
The academy is a place where hot-blooded nobles in their twenties, born to fulfill their duties, are forcibly conscripted. Because all sorts of human trash are gathered together, once the midterms end and the hierarchy starts to become clear, factions inevitably begin to form. Just like in the game from my past life.
"Some people work as servants every day just to afford tuition, while others buy their grades with money. This world is truly pathetic."
"Exactly. Honestly, shouldn't they strip the titles of any noble ranked below 150th?"
One is the royal faction centered around the Princess. Another is the noble faction led by the great lords of each region. Finally, there is the commoner and merchant faction. In any case, among the first-years starting to split into these groups, I—the heir to a neutral house who shows no particular talent—became the easiest target to tear apart.
Well. It’s the same as the military in my past life. People who forget their life on the outside and, after receiving a reward leave, start acting like they’re someone special. In reality, it’s all just a meaningless cycle.
"…The atmosphere at the academy has turned sour in the blink of an eye."
Of course, whether it’s sour or not, it’s a world that has nothing to do with me. They are students who were either forcibly conscripted or entered because they wanted to study. I am a man who entered of his own volition to find and kill the people who murdered my brother. Our realms are far too different.
Ignoring the increasingly hostile atmosphere of the academy, I spent a few days collecting information while meeting the minimum attendance requirements.
"P-please, don't do this! This is the only school uniform I have left…!!"
Since physical assault is blocked by school rules, the noble faction—who travel in packs to tear and destroy the belongings and clothes of commoners—was cornered and bullying a weak student. It’s truly pathetic that, according to academy rules, this doesn't count as assault. Isn't destruction of property a crime, too?
'Ah. That’s a main quest.'
If I recall correctly, the woman being bullied had a talent for mana conversion, eventually becoming a mage who could chew through the magical beast front all on her own. As a bonus, there was a quest where the player could learn magic skills from her. I also remember it was a piece of internal content where, if you raised her affinity, she would give you something like an elixir that boosted stats.
"……"
"……"
But I have no interest in games or stories. I’m just passing through.
—*Clench.*
"Leng?"
"……Young Master. Are we just going to watch this and walk away?"
But it wasn't me—it was Leng who started to lose his cool, his hand gripping the pommel of his sword. Hmm. Was this guy a "justice" character? It was a bit unexpected, as my only memories of him were of him disappointing me despite the title of "Knight of Loyalty."
"Leng."
"Yes."
"Does helping her help me?"
"…I don't think it does."
"Then what do you think you should do?"
"But I am a knight. A knight's duty is to protect the people. It makes no sense to just watch and walk away while the people I am supposed to protect are suffering."
"You are *my* knight. Your duty is to protect *me*."
"……"
It was fine to help her. There was no particular reason to stop him. If Leng wanted to play the role of the player, I wouldn't go out of my way to help or hinder him. But knowing the storm that would follow, I… honestly wished he wouldn't.
"I apologize."
"Right. Be sorry."
In the end, Leng received my permission and stepped forward. He blocked the noble faction kids who were cutting the woman's uniform with scissors.
"What the?"
"Ah. Isn't that that guy?"
"The commoner-born lackey who follows the little duke around."
"What was it? The 'Knight of Loyalty'? That’s what they call him, right? What’s this? Loyalty that even protects commoner wenches?"
Kids. If you know that much, you know everything, don't you? He has a title, you know? He’s a Count. He has a territory, too. You lot, who are nothing without your parents' titles, are lower than Leng. It seems that becoming stupid when you join the military is the same everywhere.
"This is not behavior befitting a noble. Back away at once."
"'Back away at once'~ look at him."
"Hey. Are you not moving? Your master is just standing there. Get lost."
The noble young ladies laughed, mocking Leng and me. Looking at their faces, they were all young ladies and gentlemen from families of some standing. The one with the lowest status among them was clearly from a Count's house in the southern borderlands. (Not a Marcher Lord.) The most prominent one was from a Count's house in the capital, but their father was a family with a fairly high position in the military.
"The ones who need to back away are you young ladies."
"Ah… this guy doesn't understand words?"
"He needs some education."
"Jevils. Give me a hand."
"Sure. I was wondering when you'd call me."
Hmm. A hunk of muscle appeared from behind a nearby tree, wearing a vile grin as he stood in front of Leng. Wow. Leng is on the large side himself because he’s a knight, but this guy is a head taller than him. Surely he won't lose, right? If Leng gets beaten here, the effort I put into building up achievements for him to divert attention will evaporate, which might be dangerous.
"Hey, friend. You're a noble, right?"
"……I am Count Dust."
Leng wiped his face, looking a bit embarrassed even as he said it himself.
"Ah…? Ahh. The 'Knight of Loyalty'? I’ve heard plenty of rumors, but since you never showed what you could do, I’ve been wanting to spar with you. First year, right?"
"Are you not a first year, then?"
"Yeah. Third year."
Good heavens. He wasn't just a big lump of meat; he was a truly seasoned bully. Come to think of it, I remembered some text appearing when the player helped that girl here… but no matter how good my brain is, it’s impossible to recall memories that don't exist because I skipped everything. It seems the player didn't fight him directly, but just beat him down with dialogue text.
"Practical sparring, instructional sparring. Which one will you take?"
"If I win, stop bullying commoners from now on."
"Why are you answering a different question? Damn it, which one are you taking?"
Practical sparring means, literally, all weapons allowed. Instructional sparring is where the senior must use training equipment. It’s a spar where the junior chooses whether to use real weapons or training equipment. I remembered that in the game, this was the normal way for users to PVP.
"Practical sparring."
"Oh. Good confidence."
The hunk immediately put on iron gauntlets. But even seeing that, Leng didn't draw his sword.
"What are you doing?"
"This much of a handicap should ensure you get hurt less."
Oh. First time seeing Leng strike a pose. The hunk, whose blood vessels were bulging on his forehead because Leng's provocation hit the mark, swung his fist—which was the size of my head—at considerable speed without even a starting signal.
—*Thwack!!*
"Guh…?!?"
Leng easily ducked to avoid it, dove into his guard in an instant, and cleanly struck his solar plexus with the pommel. That was the end of it. I wouldn't need to use the rock I’d picked up after all.
"Huk!? You, son of a bi—"
""!!""
"Do not appear before me again. The same goes for you all."
Leng, who had pierced the hunk's muscles in one blow and brought him to his knees, pushed the guy's forehead with his finger and knocked him over. And seeing their seasoned third-year bully, whom they trusted, get knocked out in one hit, the noble faction retreated, stumbling back before running away in a hurry. Our Leng has truly decided to become a player. Look at that girl’s ears turning red. Are her eyes dripping with honey?
In the end, Leng saved the woman who played the role of the main quest NPC and truly unlocked her affinity. But, honestly, I’m not envious at all.
*****
"Young Master!!"
"What is it, Count Leng Dust, Knight of Loyalty and Judgment."
"This title is far too undeserved for me! Please, revoke it and return me to the position where I belong!!"
"He’s having another fit."
Since that day, Leng had gained a new epithet. Apparently, that third-year hunk was a big deal who had the epithet "Stone Arm," but since Leng took him out in one hit, he had effectively conquered all the first and second years beneath him in an instant. But "Stone Arm"? Doesn't "arm like a stone" just mean it breaks easily?
"Young Master! I’m truly having such a hard time! Please, please revoke my title!!"
"I do not grant it."
"Pleeease!!! I don't want to attend this academy anymore!!"
Anyway, after Leng took down the blockhead, both good news and bad news erupted at once. The good news was that among the students who realized Leng's skill, a ghost story had spread that if you touch Leng or his master—me—the Knight of Loyalty would make you piss blood without even drawing his sword, which significantly reduced the number of people bothering us. The bad news was that high-ranking students who wanted to test their skills or gain practical experience by fighting someone strong were seeking Leng out to challenge him to spars.
"I almost died today! What is up with that crazy first-year top-ranker!! Isn't he not a student?! Someone like that should be fighting the Knight Commander!"
"But you won, didn't you?"
"No! He lost because he’s still young and lacks stamina; it’s not like I won on skill!"
"Yeah, yeah, you say that, but that’s seven wins in a row. It’s karma. Endure it with grit and guts."
"Uwaaah!!!"
Honestly, I didn't know Leng would be this successful. To my eyes, the way knights swing their swords all looks the same. Even the Marcher Lord who was a 4th-grade knight I fought before was at a level where I had to ponder how to kill him slowly and painfully. As for other knights, discussing their skill was meaningless from the start. But Leng is a 6th-grade knight; how on earth can he be this strong?
The time we entered is, in any case, when the game's main story is in progress. The students' base stats are at a considerable level. Yet, among such guys, Leng is truly on a winning streak. Could he really be playing the role of the player?
"Young Master. Save me. I’m going to die like this. Tomorrow, it’s the 2nd year again—"
"I don't think so."
"Ah, seriously! It’s not your business—!"
You don't seem like the protagonist. Anyway, I had no intention of letting Leng go. You were the one who jumped in even though I told you not to. What do you want me to do about your karma?
"That’s why I told you not to help."
"No, if a knight doesn't step up there, what kind of knight is he? Just a bully with a sword!"
"Most of the knights I knew were bullies with swords. At least, I almost died at the hands of guys like that."
"I’m not like that!"
"You sold me out to the Princess just the same."
"Ugh!?"
In the end, Leng, having lost his words, bowed his head with a sullen expression. But I definitely had to do something. If Leng got beaten at the student level, the lie that he had taken down a 4th-grade mage or a Marcher Lord could be exposed.
"Can't be helped. I’ll help you."
"Pardon? You could just revoke the title and return me to being a guard…"
"Stop talking nonsense and lie down on the bed."
"?"
I really didn't want to do it, and even if I did, I intended to do it much, much later. But now, it seemed unavoidable.
"Meeting me is a true stroke of luck for you. Be truly grateful and live your whole life repaying me."
"Yo, Young Master? What on earth are you planning to do…"
"Body modification… is there a word like 'rebirth' here? Anyway, if you can receive it, it’s a procedure anyone would pay billions for."
"Pardon? Rebirth? Burning the bones…?"
"Just shut up and lie down."
Knowledge from my 21st-century past life and the medical books of this life. And the body modification methods I researched and learned myself while living this life. Since he hasn't been doing it consistently since he was young like me, it would definitely be accompanied by immense pain and suffering, but good things are always painful.
"I don't have a gag, so bite on a towel."
"Yo, Young Master? What are you really planning…"
"If you open your mouth, your tongue will be cut off."
Leng, who had frozen while covering his mouth with a pale face. I stood next to him and placed my hand on his back………?
"What have you been doing to yourself?"
"Epp?(Biting the towel)"
"You idiot."
The sensation touching my fingertips tells me. His trapezius, deltoids, and latissimus dorsi are all torn and hardened strangely, as if they’d been tortured, and they aren't recovering. But since I’ve never seen him get beaten by anyone other than me, he clearly destroyed his own body through self-training.
"Turn around."
"Epp…"
…No, seriously, there isn't a single healthy spot on him.
"Are you still strengthening your body with mana even now?"
"Upp-bba…"
"Take out the towel."
"How did you know? This is actually the knight order's training…"
"Training. You’re talking nonsense."
"……"
Ignorant bastards. They thought that if you exercise, muscles swell and harden, so they just tore them, tore them, and kept tearing them without rest. And when they were in so much pain they couldn't move, they strengthened them with mana to suppress the pain and added even more training on top of that. If real gym rats saw this, the knights of this world would all get their skulls smashed with dumbbells.
'So that’s why the guys who said they strengthened their bodies were all dull and slow. I see the reason now.'
My calculation was wrong. Leng needs to recover first.
"You're still strengthening your body right now, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Release it. And from now on, don't strengthen your body unless you're fighting or sparring."
"Uh, then my usual…"
"You need to recover. You don't get stronger by suppressing pain and continuing to train and be active. Do you still not know why you can't beat me with strength even though I can't even use mana?"
"Isn't that because you’re a monster, Young Master? Uwaaah?!!?!"
I sneer at Leng, who is foaming at the mouth and trying to die, and think. If I recover him like this and, while I’m at it, align his skeleton and muscles. If I bring back all the elasticity that was dead, how much stronger will this idiot get?
'My estimate is that 2.5 times is possible.'
Honestly, my medical knowledge from my past life is a bit shaky, so it’s hard to call this an exact calculation. But in any case, he was capable of those movements with a body like this, so if he recovers, he’ll definitely be much stronger.
"Sa, save… ple, please… Saaaave meee!!!"
"This, too, is karma. Endure it with grit and guts."
And so, in my quarters, Leng’s screams continued for exactly 40 minutes every day for a week.