The rest, as they say, is history.

Not only did I successfully pass all the rounds of the exams, but my performance was excellent.

As a result, the assessment rated me as top-tier.

After waiting for a few more days, I returned to the Knight Academy to receive my official commendation as a High Rank Knight. Just like that, within a single week after I arrived here, I left the Knight Academy, as well as the Battle City, with the results I wanted.

Once again, I have surpassed the achievements of my past life.

I am now a High Rank Knight.

The journey back could have taken a few days, but I intentionally branched through many remote regions and obscure places to gather as many Special Resources. Unfortunately, a majority of them only yielded Rank 1 and 2 Special Resources.

Even with all my advantages, it seems there really aren't too many opportunities in the Randalorion Kingdom.

This should already be expected from a Mid-Sized Kingdom.

If it were a Large-Sized Kingdom like Dustinville or The Great Shamahk Kingdom, they would have several Rank 1 and Rank 2 Special Resource Points, and even a few Rank 2 Special Resource Points.

There would also be ample Rank 4 and 5 Special Resources that can be found there.

As for Rank 6 Special Resources, those are simply too rare.

Their quantity is too low as well.

I never heard of a single Rank 6 Special Resource appearing in both of my lifetimes, even in those Large-sized Kingdoms. After all, with a Rank 6 Special Resource, one could make a Grade 6 Potion… or even an S Grade Armament!

And let's not mention Rank 7 and above.

There is even debate on whether those even exist, to begin with. However, in many legends and some historical accounts, it appears they existed at some point.

However, accounts of history can be garnished with superfluous details at times, so their reliability is questionable.

In any case, even though most of my profits are from Rank 1 and 2 Special Resources, thanks to the Magivores I slew in the Dark Willow Forest, and the few I encountered on my way back, I also have a considerable sum of Rank 3 Special Resources.

This trip was not without its gains.

I also won quite a bit from gambling in the Battle City for nearly a week, which has more than tripled my initial investment. Compared to the amount I'll need in the future, it's just change, but it's still better than nothing, right?

Calculating the time, I should get back to the Royal Academy with some time to spare before the Panel opens. Before then, I'll submit my new qualifications as a High Rank Knight, which will likely silence all my dissenters. If they're smart, they'll call off the Panel, but sometimes one shouldn't overestimate the capabilities of the enemy.

I'm curious, though.

What will their reaction be? I can only wonder…

Despite this amused thought echoing in my mind, I still feel a formless pressure form within me as my gaze darkens.

'This is only the beginning, though. I can't afford to be complacent.'

An honorary title is still, in the end, an honorary one.

It can be easily revoked.

All it takes is a Noble with sufficient authority and a justifiable reason, and my High Rank Knight status fizzles into thin air. I reckon a Count would suffice, and if a Duke should get involved, there's pretty much nothing I can do.

The Noble Faction is not lacking in Noble Figures.

If they feel threatened, revoking my High Rank Knight Status will become appealing to them, making it a worthwhile venture to ruin my accomplishments.

Of course, I have allies on my side, but it's rather easy to tear something down than build it back up. Besides, unlike the Royal Academy, the Noble Faction has a much stronger hold on the Knight Academy.

Thinking logically, this makes sense.

After all, how many Knights can the Royal Family actually employ on their side?

Even when selecting Royal Knights, they often pick from the Royal Academy or through special recommendations. The Knight Academy is overlooked when it comes to that prestigious position.

And, looking at the total number of Nobles in the Royal Faction, while they are a considerable sum, they can't be compared to the number that exists in the Noble Faction. How else would the Noble Faction maintain its strength?

Among the High Nobility alone, two out of three Dukes belong to the Noble Faction. Five out of seven Counts belong to the Noble Faction, and nearly fifty Viscounts in the Noble Faction. Out of the three hundred earls, almost two hundred belong to the Noble Faction, and seven hundred of the thousand Barons are part of the Noble Faction.

Approximately, the Noble Faction controls two-thirds of all Nobles in the Randalorion Kingdom.

This extends to the Lesser Nobles as well.

Of course, even with this, the Royal Faction still has plenty of advantages. The Royal Family often favors the Nobles in their camp, giving them benefits like tax reliefs and easements. They make policies that benefit the Nobles in the Royal Faction more, which makes it difficult for the Noble Faction to bully them with numbers.

However, none of that matters when it comes to the Knights Academy.

The bottom line is this:

Who has more need for the Knights in the Knight Academy? The answer is very obvious.

It is the Noble Faction.

Since their numbers are more abundant, they employ far more graduates of the Knight Academy on average. They also make more ample donations and have a lot of focus on the well-being of the Academy, since that affects the quality of Knights being produced.

Because of all these elements, the Knight Academy favors the Noble Faction more.

Even though it is in decline, a High Noble with sufficient power, like a Duke, should be able to influence the affairs of the Knight Academy to revoke my title, even with a paltry excuse.

As you can imagine, I'm walking on a thin rope.

But there's no need to panic.

I already thought about this, which is why I already have a solution in mind.

'If I make my Knight Title official, it no longer becomes honorary. However, to receive an official mandate that cannot be questioned in the future, I require the aid of the Royal Family or one of the three Dukes.' A wry smile forms on my face as I think of the latter.

They aren't an option.

Two of the Dukes belong to the Noble Faction, and Duke Ravenwood's family isn't particularly on the best of terms with me after what happened with Zarius.

I could settle for a Count's official mandate, but if those Dukes come looking for trouble, it would be difficult to resist them. I need a perfect title that cannot be tainted or revoked by the whims of my enemies.

That means the Royal Family is my best bet.

'Once the Royal Family gives their official mandate, I will be a genuine High Rank Knight, and no one else but the Royal Family will be able to revoke it.'

For my purposes, that is sufficient.

As for how I'm going to get this done, there's no need to worry too much.

I have Anna on my side.

*****************

"So this is the favor you asked for in advance…"

Anna sighs, looking at me with a peculiar gaze that I find oddly cute.

As the niece of the King and aunt of the Princes, she has a sufficient amount of reach. If I use her influence, I should be able to easily get my matter to the Royal Family. As long as they are smart and know what is at stake in the Royal Academy, they'll assent to my request.

It won't take anything from them, but it would mean the world to me.

The result is evident.

"Alright… I'll do my best." Her rainbow-like eyes glisten like marbles, and her red hair dances like sapphire flames touched by a breath of wind.

At moments like this, when the two of us are alone in her office, I can't help not notice the details on her face. Her white outfit, embroidered in golden lustre, appears as elegant as ever. With white gloves to match, and her signature brooch to go along with it, she resembles an angel.

However, this angel's frown grows deeper the more I smile.

"What's with that creepy look?" She glares at me, deeply suspicious of my thoughts.

"Nothing. Just happy you could help!"

"Wouldn't it be faster if you used Korrin, though? Or you guys still haven't been in touch since… the incident?" Her voice slows down as she approaches the topic of my family's slaughter. I can sense her hesitance, as well as the deep consideration she holds towards me.

It is much appreciated.

"Yeah. We haven't spoken since. He did send his condolences, but I found it to be disingenuous, especially after the Royal Family seized the land. Honestly, the letter made me even more angry, if anything."

"Yeah, I understand. Even now… I still don't understand why they would do that."

I shrug casually.

Anna doesn't know about the existence of Leviathans, so I don't blame her for not knowing the details. At first, I thought I could use her as a link to finding out what the Royal Family knows about the Leviathans, to help me in my research, but it turns out she knew nothing.

I deeply suspect that only a select few, even among the upper echelon, are aware of their existence.

This is still only a theory of mine, though.

"Does that mean you were also more upset by my condolences?" She looks at me with much deeper concern, emotions flickering in her eyes like fireworks.

I merely chuckle softly.

"How could I? You didn't simply send a letter, but you delivered it personally. If not for my insistence on not seeing anyone during that period, I'm sure you would have given me a big hug… or am I wrong?"

"No, you're wrong." She smiles and shakes her head. "I would have given you a kiss."

"W-what? Really?"

My eye immediately widens once she says this.

"On the cheek, you pervert! A kiss of consolation! What in the world goes through your head, you hopeless man!" She knocks me on the head while shaking hers, scoffing and sighing helplessly as she admonishes me with stern grace.

Of course, that's what she meant… I already guessed it.

Still, it's fun to tease her like this.

'What happened is indeed a tragedy, but I need to learn to laugh about these moments if I want to enjoy life and further strengthen my resolve to change the past.' I silently nod to myself.

Some might consider it disrespectful to the dead.

But not me.

We all deal with grief differently, and to move forward… we have to do what works best for us.

For me, it's hope.

Hope that I will one day unearth the truth behind my regression and save them.

That is all that matters to me.

"On another note, I need your help with something else." Rubbing my head gently, I change the topic and smile at Anna with deep sincerity.

"What is it this time?"

She folds her arms and arches her brows suspiciously.

I can tell she has her guard up, but I'm actually being serious this time. Of course, I can't simply tell her that, but I will simply have to prove it with my next words.

"There's a certain project I'm working on that requires deep knowledge of Alchemy. I've gathered materials to begin preliminary testing, but even with my skills, my knowledge of Alchemy is insufficient."

"Oho?" Anna's eyes brighten the moment I say this.

Then, without further delay, I jump to the main issue, keeping my fingers crossed as I do so.

"You are a Senior Alchemist, one of the very best in the Kingdom." Leaning forward, I draw my face closer to hers and place a hand on her shoulder.

"I was hoping you could help me a little."

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