[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-knight-from-apprentice-to-the-almighty":3,"chapter-knight-from-apprentice-to-the-almighty-knight-from-apprentice-to-the-almighty-chapter-16":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Knight: from Apprentice to the Almighty",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1847830,2453,"Chapter 16: The Deal","knight-from-apprentice-to-the-almighty-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>Contrary to what he had imagined, the Secret Silver Body Tempering Technique didn’t describe any method of physical conditioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the Body Refining Technique Roland had envisioned, it was more like a unique Potion formula.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method involved grinding various materials into a powder, mixing them evenly, and applying the mixture all over the body. And then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’And then it must be paired with a Breathing Technique for assisted cultivation, otherwise, the effects will be greatly diminished?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading the last sentence at the bottom of the parchment, Roland couldn’t help but frown. A moment later, he sighed and tried to console himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Lesser effects are better than nothing, I suppose. It’s better than not having it at all. Besides, something like a Breathing Technique... how could someone of my current status possibly get access to that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering to himself, he carefully copied the medicinal ingredients required by the Potion formula onto a piece of cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Silver Leaf Grass, Nightshade Vine... wait, what is this Silver Dust?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was familiar with the first few ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his predecessor’s father was ill, he had run no shortage of errands to buy these herbs. Though expensive, they were at least relatively common.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Silver Dust was something he had never heard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was more troublesome was that Silver Dust made up a huge portion of the formula; it was practically one of the main ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TSK...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roland clicked his tongue and shook his head helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been so excited when he first discovered this scroll of the Secret Silver Body Tempering Technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the parchment’s description, cultivating it would not only greatly increase his Power, but also enhance his body’s resilience, which would perfectly compensate for his current shortcomings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he was still just a little short on the Power Attribute he needed to change his class to Blacksmith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Forget it...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the sky darken outside the window, Roland rubbed his empty stomach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I should fill my stomach first and worry about the Body Tempering Technique later...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Roland pushed open his door and headed for the dining hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time had passed since the dinner bell rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when he arrived, the usually bustling hall was now so quiet it felt nearly empty. Only a solitary figure sat on a long bench, mechanically chewing on food that had long gone cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Bronson?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of pleasant surprise appeared in Roland’s eyes when he recognized the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had only known the introverted teacher for three days, Roland could tell from his speech and mannerisms that he was profoundly knowledgeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Maybe he knows what Silver Dust is...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding onto this hope, Roland dished up a portion of the few cold leftovers and took a seat next to Bronson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Bronson, why are you eating so late today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bronson looked up at the sound of his voice. Upon seeing it was Roland, he managed to pull the corners of his mouth into a tired smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly swallowed the food in his mouth and replied in a gentle but weary voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re late, too... Were you focused on your studies?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roland dipped a piece of hard, dry black bread into the leftover broth from lunch before answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Mr. Bronson. I spent the whole afternoon reading the novel you handed out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bronson gazed at the knowledge-hungry boy before him, a flicker of guilt in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was notified on short notice, so I wasn’t able to prepare proper teaching materials for you all. I do apologize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s alright, Mr. Bronson.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roland swallowed his food and, after a moment’s hesitation, asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just... there was something mentioned in the novel that made me curious. It’s called ’Silver Dust.’ Do you know what that is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silver Dust?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the term, Bronson’s movements clearly paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head back slightly, his gaze growing distant as if lost in some faraway memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dim, yellow light of the dining hall cast shifting shadows across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, he finally spoke slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s a common material in Alchemy, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head, raising an eyebrow and revealing a meaningful smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...that kind of specialized knowledge, involving Alchemy Skills, wouldn’t appear in a novel meant for casual entertainment, would it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Er... well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Bronson’s eyes, which seemed to see through everything, Roland’s hand, holding his wooden spoon, froze in mid-air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly realized that this normally mild-mannered and reserved teacher wasn’t as simple as he appeared on the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After subconsciously scratching his head, Roland swallowed nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to be nervous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bronson retracted his sharp gaze and picked up his wooden spoon again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone has their secrets. I don’t like to pry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He methodically stirred the thick soup in his bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... you need Silver Dust?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y... Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the other man had laid it all out, Roland no longer tried to hide anything and nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the corners of Bronson’s mouth lifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do have some on hand, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you need me to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roland asked directly, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rough edge of the wooden table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh heh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bronson let out a soft chuckle, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes crinkling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Hawke was right. You really are clever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set down his utensils and folded his hands on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need a custom-made Dagger. I hear... your Forging Skills are quite remarkable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A Dagger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roland was slightly taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected some harsh condition, not something as simple as forging a Dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his current skill level, it would be a piece of cake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then a thought suddenly crossed his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawke’s Forging Skills were clearly far superior to his own, and the two of them seemed to be acquainted. Why would Bronson take this roundabout route?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if seeing through the doubt in Roland’s heart, a wry smile appeared on Bronson’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I honestly can’t afford Hawke’s fee...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he explained softly, his voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roland watched Bronson’s slightly lowered eyelids. Although he felt the reason was a bit of a stretch, he still nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forging it is no problem, but Mr. Hawke has a rule: I’m not allowed to enter the Blacksmith Shop or use any of its tools until I pass the knowledge test.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then... are you confident you can pass the test?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he didn’t get an immediate response, Bronson nodded meaningfully when he noticed that Roland’s eyes showed no trace of discouragement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finish your meal first. Come with me when you’re done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Bronson had nothing more to say, Roland also fell silent, focusing on finishing the remaining food on his plate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The already empty dining hall now felt even more desolate, with only the crisp clatter of cutlery occasionally echoing through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, seeing Roland put down his utensils, Bronson calmly took a silk handkerchief from his breast pocket, elegantly wiped the corners of his mouth, and was the first to rise and walk out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Roland quickly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them passed through winding corridors and finally arrived at the most remote corner of the manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the moonlight, a small, dilapidated hut stood there in isolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait for me out here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Bronson pushed the door open and entered, an indescribable smell assaulted Roland’s senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the crack in the door, Roland caught a glimpse of the scene inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Books were scattered all over the floor, leaving almost no room to stand, and at the far end, a mottled wooden table was covered with an assortment of bizarrely shaped instruments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Roland tried to make out more details, the door was shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Bronson reappeared, he was holding a cloth pouch tied shut with a silver ribbon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the Silver Dust you wanted. As for this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took out a blueprint from his coat, its edges badly frayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s the design for the Dagger. I hope to receive the finished product within three months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched the corners of Bronson’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I trust you won’t disappoint me, will you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moonlight cast a layer of cool-toned shadow over his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roland stared for a moment before finally giving a solemn nod.\u003C\u002Fp>",1395,"2026-06-09T07:01:39.334Z",1,"novelbin.me","80184ec576559df175cd2af7642aee930035884755e4fb58c650cab4cd7c69c4","knight-from-apprentice-to-the-almighty-chapter-17","knight-from-apprentice-to-the-almighty-chapter-15",216,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fknight-from-apprentice-to-the-almighty-cover.jpg"]