The Trusted Advisor of Heroes

Ranking

A noble should show very fine or admirable qualities. That very characteristic defines Earl Albert Haynes, the father of Elena.

Once we arrived at the castle of Earl Haynes. Elena briefed his father about what happened from the start of our encounter until our return to Lithe City.

She also mentioned that I will be her guard and study with her at Riverdale Elite Academy.

Marquess Albert stares at me for God knows how long.

Once they are done talking, Elena proceeds to her room to rest.

And here I am, receiving a deathly glare from knights.

Apparently, after Earl Albert introduced himself, he ordered me to instantly train with the Falcon Knight without questioning any details told by her daughter.

The reason for the deathly glare? Imagine applying for a scholarship to a high-end university, you grind yourself to study and hoping to pass the test when suddenly, the son of a powerful individual who is also a sponsor of the said university wants his son or daughter to get the scholarship.

I am that son of a powerful individual and those who grind hard are the knights.

In short, it's about Elena. All the knights here want to be personal guards or personal knights of Elena. And I took that opportunity from them.

As I think of it, it should be more appropriate to call myself a personal knight than a personal guard.

"I am Leo, Vice-Captain of Falcon Knight. Is it true that you killed the demon bear in just three seconds?" Leo

Man, that startled me. The scary voice comes from the late 30s man that suddenly appeared on my back. If that man is my enemy, there is no way my head is still attached to my neck.

I turn around and face the scary man on my back.

Looking at him, yeah, he's definitely scary. He has a scar on his face and his eyes are glaring at me coldly.

"Ah-h yes, that's true." I said nervously.

"It only means one thing; you should defeat me before you can officially become the personal knight of Lady Elena." Leo

Everything is to my expectation but there is one problem. He's too OP for me. I only noticed his presence when he started to talk.

His presence is too thin which startled me when he spoke earlier.

I'm not confident I can win this match but for better or for worse, I must defeat him no matter what. My future depends on this.

I must put at least a face since all the Falcon Knights are here.

I fixed my gaze on his eyes and coldly told him--

"That is fine on my end. Do I need to have a match as well with Captain of Falcon Knight once I defeat you?" Jin

Everyone in the room was shocked at my confidence.

Leo instantly regained his composure and smirked.

"Oh-ho. I like your confidence. Don't get the idea that I'll be easy on you. Don't disappoint me on our match tomorrow."

After that simple exchange of words, Leo turned around and exit the training room.

Once he left the room, I started to study the knights. Their swordsmanship is the same on earth but was slightly or distinctly different.

While the people of earth use a normal move of swordsmanship, the people here imbued mana on their swords to enhance the power it will inflict on their enemy.

One can easily tell if the weapons are enhanced by magic power. When mana was imbued, the weapon will shine depending on the mana imbued. The higher and more powerful mana, the brighter the sword shine. Same with the damage it can inflict.

Good thing, they don't need to chant. As I study them more, the magician must chant to release a magic attack but the Knights do not need to do so since it just strengthens their weapon.

It's practically magic but whatever. As long as I don't need to chant. Am I going to stand out too much if I don't chat and release a magic attack?

Whatever I'd stick to using my power without chanting. I'll just deal with it later if my way is not common sense in this world.

After watching them practice their swordsmanship, I exited the room and sit on the nearby bench and close my eyes.

After a minute passed, I heard a person walking. I am too familiar with the footstep walking toward me.

"Hi Jin! Did you meet the Falcon Knight?" Elena

"Oh, it's Lady Elena. Yes, I spoke with Vice-Captain Leo. Unfortunately, we will have a match tomorrow" Jin

*Sighs

"Anyway, I've been meaning to ask. What rank does Vice-Captain Leo hold?" Jin

"He's currently belonged to Rank D and breaking through to Rank C which is the current ranking of Knight-Captain Erick." Elana happily told me

My heart sunk when I heard that and how happy Elena was that all their Knights are powerful.

I understand that, but can you please give me a consideration? I'm in front of you, your future personal knight and you happily telling me they are powerful?

It is actually my fault for asking but a little consideration is not bad.

"Oh, and the previous hero who saved the world from Demon King is Rank AA, the highest rank that ever achieved by a human in history. Right now, the highest human rank in the world is Rank A which is called an expert by the adventurer guild. Her name is Sia, she is also the head of adventurers guild here in Lithe City."

So, it is safe to say one can only occupy the title of head of the adventurer guild if they are A Rank. If they break through, they can easily be called heroes and obtain unparalleled power.

I really hope they breakthrough, it will help increase the chances of winning the war if the worst-case scenario I failed to stop the war from breaking out.

After a few moments of not replying to Elena. I feel her gaze on me and when I look up, I saw Elena's worried face.

"Sorry, my mind just started to strategize about my match tomorrow." I said while awkwardly laughing

"Are you sure? If you want, I can talk to father and reschedule the battle so you can rest more." Elena sounds worried.

"No, it's okay. A night's rest is good enough for me to win the match. How can I let myself lose?" I confidently said while being nervous inside. I want to shout. I am confident in my swordsmanship but not in this setting where power exists.

Guess I need to learn again. What a pain.

"I will look forward to your match tomorrow. Please rest for now." Elena

"Thank you, but can I—" Jin

I was cut off before I can continue.

Elena handed me a paper and when I look at it, she smiled at me.

"I have a feeling that you will need it." Elena

How did she know that I want the ranking list?

"Thank you so much! Then I'll leave now to take a rest!" I said happily

"Have a good rest." Elena

Due to happiness, I bow my head slightly to her and proceed to my room location.

I opened my room, and I can't believe it.

Even in this era, you can compare this room to any five-star hotel on Earth.

At first, glance, one can tell that a man is occupying this room.

There's a wide glass door on the left side of the bed which is the balcony is located.

The bed is so soft.

This is the best.

I almost forgot the paper given to me by Elena and my plan to practice later to hone again my swordsmanship and hone my power.

I opened it while lying on the bed.

*Ranking list based on Assumption*

Note: The example below is based on assumption since ranking can change drastically.

Ranking huh?

People born with magic core are graded based on their limits and how powerful magic attack they can cast. The adventurer guild successfully created a device that can perfectly measure the rank of the person.

AA is the highest rank and G is the lowest rank

G – Lowest (Ex; a person who started to realize his power, soldier, students)

F – Mid lower (Graduating student, Knight)

E – Average (Chief Soldier)

D – Above Average (Knight Vice-captain)

C – Intermediate (Knight Captain, Instructor in Magic Academy)

B – Above Intermediate

A – Expert (Sia; Head of Adventurers Guild)

AA – Calamity (Demon King, Hero)

Figured, the old man is not on the list. I know from the start that the old man participated in battle but discreetly. Only the previous demon king and hero know about his existence.

Why did the old man hide his presence during the war? I tried to recall the reason in his memory but somehow it was blocked by something.

Whatever reason it may be, better not to dig it up. It's just a hassle.

Back to the list, so the old man is one of the most powerful ever to live in this world. Why did he die?

Is the Demon King really that powerful that made the hero and old man team up and died together with Demon King?

In this world, there are only officially two individuals who possess the AA rank who are already dead, it's the previous Hero and the previous Demon King. And the last person and which not recorded is the old man who gave me his power.

*Yawn.

I felt sleepy but I still need to practice.

Before the power of drowsiness drown me, I added the old man to the list.

AA – Calamity (Ex; Demon King, Hero) + Old man

No, that's not a good idea. Besides I am not him so—

AA – Calamity (Ex; Demon King, Hero) + Jin Hale

Better.

Then everything went dark due to drowsiness taking over my body.