Starting With an SSS-Rank Swordsmanship Talent

Alaric brought his thumb and index finger to his lips and made a whistling sound.

Roaar!!

The roar of a beast echoed from across the forest, scaring the monsters and beasts within.

Bellator lifted his head and saw a draconic lion, descending from the sky, looking incredibly majestic and mighty.

A draconic lion? In the Remona continent, such beasts weren’t rare so he didn’t look impressed. In fact, he thought that it was quite lacking. Even the flying beast he used as a steed had a superior bloodline to the draconic lion.

Whoosh!

“My lord, the place is quite far so we must ride the draconic lion to get there.” Alaric spoke as he rubbed Zephyr’s head.

Bellator nodded without saying a word. He then jumped onto the beast’s back, making it snort in disapproval.

“Be good, Zephyr. This man is Lord Bellator and he is a friend. Don’t be rude now.” Alaric pacified the creature before he jumped onto its back.

Soon, they soared through the sky and disappeared on the horizon.

…

The capital of Veronica didn’t sustain much damage during the battle against the heretic cult so everything was completely peaceful.

Flying within the city was forbidden so Alaric commanded Zephyr to descend at the southern city gates.

Their arrival immediately alerted the garrison soldiers, but upon spotting Alaric, they quickly saluted him.

“Your Highness!”

Alaric’s portraits were still being distributed throughout the empire along with his exploits in the last battle with the heretic cult. The people of Veronica admired him and treated him as a hero. The garrison soldiers were no exception.

Alaric was overwhelmed by their enthusiasm so he excused himself after speaking with them for a bit.

He didn’t bring Zephyr into the city because it would have been too conspicuous. The draconic lion was a smart creature so it knew how to hunt and survive on its own. Besides, the forest outside the city was vast and filled with prey.

To avoid drawing attention, Alaric pulled a hood over his head. He also changed into a set of plain-looking clothes. He then took Bellator, who had changed into a new set of steel armor, to a relatively well-known diner in the city.

“I have been to this place several times and I can say that they have some good drinks…” Alaric started a conversation with the quiet warrior, hoping to establish a friendship with him.

Bellator had so many questions and he was also curious about the young man who had summoned him through the power of the Ancients.

Although he was furious after being forced into submission, Alaric’s identity piqued his curiosity.

He wondered why a prince from a small backwater nation would gain the power of the Ancients which was said to have been lost in time.

Once their drinks were served, Alaric was the first one to speak.

“Lord Bellator, can you tell me about the three continents now?” He asked as he poured wine for the warrior.

Bellator who was pleased by his courtesy, nodded with a hum.

“There are three great continents and tens of thousands of smaller islands scattered across this world. The Remona continent is the largest of the three great continents and it also houses the strongest powerhouses.”

“It is a vast land embroiled in constant warfare. The people there know no peace…”

He took a sip of the wine and put down the cup before he continued.

“The second largest continent is the Hasrahan continent. Half of its land is a vast desert that is home to numerous fierce monsters…”

“The third continent is the Cangnan continent. Its land size is only half of Hasrahan and a big portion of it is even dominated by monsters.” Bellator shook his head, the disdain apparent in his voice.

Alaric was so fascinated by this information that he chose to ignore Bellator’s blatant mockery of his home continent.

“Then… how strong are the powerhouses of the Remona continent?” He asked, looking quite hopeful for a response.

He had asked Nivis about this back then, but she refused to answer, saying that he was not ready to hear it just yet.

Bellator stared deeply at him and replied in a calm voice. “There are plenty of young warriors as strong as you in Remona. I even know of a few who are younger than you.”

Hearing this, Alaric widened his eyes in disbelief.

He was a Mythical Knight, a realm so high that it was unachievable to more than 99% of the continent’s greatest, but Bellator actually said that many young warriors were as strong as him!

Mythical Knights who are much younger than me? Do they really exist?

Alaric was stunned. He had a system that helped him grow to this level in just a short amount of time. However, the young warriors that Bellator mentioned didn’t have the same opportunity.

Looking at the surprised young man, Bellator’s lips curved upward. Shaking his head, he said. “The world is much bigger than you think. Don’t let the confines of this small continent limit your imagination.”

Those words made Alaric realize how truly insignificant he was. In the grand scheme of things, he was just a lucky guy who somehow got his hands on a legendary relic (the system). He was but a frog in the well, unable to see the world beyond.

“Lord Bellator, how are the experts of Remona classified? In here we start from Knight Apprentice…” Alaric wanted to learn more about the world. He thirsted for the knowledge that was once outside his reach.

Bellator sneered. “You people call yourselves Mythical Knights with that level of power? Delusional!”

“Listen closely…”

“In Remona, the so-called Knight Apprentice is called Esquire. They are followed by…

Alaric listened with great attention, memorizing each word he mentioned to the detail.

Esquire (Knight Apprentice)

Gallant (Knight)

Champion (Elite Knight)

Heroic (Transcendent Knight)

Unfettered (Mythical Knight)

Beyonder (?)

Supreme (?)

Paragon (?)

Divinity (?)

Bellator was about to mention one more above the Divinity, but he suddenly stopped.

“That’s all I can tell you for now…”