Over the next couple of months, Henwell eagerly absorbs the knowledge and techniques taught by these extraordinary individuals. The magical arts, in particur, captivate him with envy. Despite offering numerous favors to the old mage, Henwell only learns the incantations for two spells: an illumination spell and a fme ignition spell.

  The problem is, even after learning the incantations, Henwell can't cast the spells. He starts to wonder if his thousands of gold coins were wasted on fake incantations! According to the old mage, Henwell cks a natural affinity for magic, making it difficult for him to communicate with extraordinary elements. Perhaps, much ter, when his mental power grows stronger, he might be able to produce a faint effect of these two spells.

  Beyond magic, Henwell isn't particurly curious about the abilities of other professions. He does, however, take an interest in learning special techniques from other professions, such as the stealth and concealment skills of assassins.

  While others learn this knowledge just to understand the shadow profession better and to defend against potential assassinations, Henwell studies it diligently. He finds the skills genuinely useful—not only for making a quick escape but also for sneaking up on someone from behind.

  Due to professional differences, Henwell can't hide in the shadows like a true professional. However, these techniques and experiences significantly enhance his assassination skills. As for the combat techniques of the knight profession, Henwell sees no need to study them. Among the students, he likely has the most combat experience, perhaps even rivaling the Grand Knight instructor.

  Henwell has already developed a combat style that suits him well. Compared to the combat techniques taught by the Grand Knight, Henwell excels in using agile footwork combined with parrying to probe his opponent's habits and strength. Once he identifies a fw, Henwell swiftly advances, using explosive speed and power to deliver a lethal blow.

  He doesn't ck sophisticated sword techniques either. His solid foundational sword skills have been honed through life-and-death battles. The Phoenix family's Silver Wolf Sword Style suits his initial engagements perfectly, allowing him to test and probe his opponents with a skirmishing style.

  After witnessing Arius's sword techniques, Henwell realizes that what Fabio taught him wasn't just ordinary stuff. It was actually the top-tier Lion Sword Style of the duchy's royal family. This aggressive and lethal style perfectly complements Henwell's explosive, decisive strikes.

  Moreover, Henwell begins to suspect that Kavize, who taught him basic swordsmanship and archery, isn't as simple as he seems. The techniques he learned from Kavize appear to be far more advanced than basic military combat skills.

  Having seen numerous sophisticated sword styles, Henwell now recognizes the power of that unnamed sword technique. Although it seems like a variation of basic swordsmanship, once mastered, its effectiveness in real combat far surpasses Henwell's expectations.

  In Henwell's words, it's a very fundamental, raw, and pure killing technique. It's not just swordsmanship; it's a deeper, more essential way of dispatching an opponent. As Henwell's physical abilities grow stronger, he increasingly feels the potency of these techniques. They seamlessly integrate with all the other lethal skills Henwell possesses.

  Given the prowess of Kavize's swordsmanship, Henwell finds it hard to believe that he could merely be a hired ranger. Henwell even conducts a secret investigation but fails to uncover any clues. Perhaps, when he eventually confronts Count Obiken, he'll finally get some answers.

  Despite Henwell's impressive array of skills, he doesn't hesitate to learn from the extraordinary instructors whenever possible. When you're genuinely eager to learn, time seems to fly by. The four-month training program ends in the blink of an eye. Henwell wishes he could learn more, but for now, he cks access to teachers of this caliber. All he can do is watch regretfully as these extraordinary professionals depart.

  While Henwell feels unsatisfied, the children of nobility breathe a sigh of relief. To them, the tedious courses are finally over. Initially, they found the csses somewhat interesting, but as time went on, their patience waned.

  The hundred or so students in the training program began to take leaves of absence, with some only showing up sporadically. The instructors didn't care; they were paid to do their job regardless of whether the students learned or even showed up.

  Aside from Henwell and a few others, most students didn't attend consistently. Even Arius skipped csses several times. It's not that these individuals were entirely neglectful; many had extraordinary professionals at home and had already learned quite a bit. This program was merely a step in their progression. Most of them knew they'd struggle to reach the rank of Knight Commander, so they weren't overly invested.

  Henwell, on the other hand, had a different perspective. He didn't have the same resources growing up, so what others considered common knowledge was invaluable to him. Without a privileged background, Henwell knew he had to work harder to learn. Envying others for their romantic escapades or attempts at wooing was pointless; he focused on what truly mattered—his growth and learning.

  After the extraordinary teaching team departs from the capital, Henwell realizes he's been there for over six months. He takes leave from Arius and rides his Night Charger, speeding back to Peace Haven for a few days. A good steed makes all the difference; Night Charger, a horse of such caliber, carries Henwell hundreds of kilometers in a day. Within a few days, Henwell successfully returns to Peace Haven.

  After delivering gifts to the Phoenix family and enjoying a dinner, Henwell heads to the new city. In the six months since he left, Peace Haven has undergone significant changes. The city walls, for instance, look completely different now. Apart from the key areas Henwell marked, many sections have been built up to a height of one meter.

  In the secret workshop, the primitive steel furnace has been updated twice. It's now equipped with steel-forged gears and bearings, crafted with precision by hand. The steel workshop produces two tons of steel daily. The lower-quality steel is used for concrete reinforcement bars, while the higher-quality steel is crafted into weapons and armor.

  The concrete workshop has also been upgraded twice, now producing over three hundred cubic meters of materials daily. Much of this concrete is used in key military fortress locations.

  Henwell pns to construct seven military fortresses, each housing over two hundred troops. These medium-sized fortresses offer defensive capabilities comparable to castles. Should Peace Haven face trouble again, the fortresses can be quickly filled with soldiers. With over five hundred troops stationed, these fortresses will strategically guard key routes, effectively holding off enemy forces.