Early morning, March 5th.
The first ray of sunlight from the east slipped through the gap in the curtains like a vanguard scout—just in time to witness a rather intimate morning scene between a certain couple.
Ron lifted his lips from Nora's forehead, suppressing the restless stirrings in his heart. He got out of bed, changed into his training clothes, and prepared to head out for his morning practice.
Nora curled up under the blanket, pulling it over her flushed face, leaving only her eyes exposed as she secretly watched Ron change.
When she saw his well-proportioned, defined back muscles, she couldn't help but stare a little longer.
"After breakfast, we need to head to the west gate of the Royal Capital to gather. Get up," Ron said, adjusting his collar as he walked out of the room. "I'll leave breakfast to you."
"Mm."
As usual, Ron brewed a cup of Crimson-Gold Chrysanthemum tea and ate a few petals.
Then he stepped into the courtyard, assumed a stance, and began circulating the battle aura within his body according to the advancement method recorded at the end of Volume One of the Light Sword Codex.
As he executed a series of complex movements, threads of golden Light Battle Aura were gradually squeezed out from his muscles and bones.
The aura flowed through his body, occasionally spilling out and gliding across his skin.
Golden battle aura shimmered around him, reflecting the morning sunlight.
It had been over three months since he advanced to a Tier 2 warrior shortly after the start of winter last year.
After this long period of accumulation, he had finally reached the threshold—from Tier 2 to Tier 3, from beginner to intermediate.
Once he crossed it, he would shed the label of a bottom-tier rookie and officially become a Tier 3 Intermediate Warrior—on par with the top participants in the Spring Martial Tournament.
The Light Battle Aura surged violently within him.
As his movements grew slower and more strenuous, the aura inside him became increasingly intense.
And when he finally completed the last movement—
The Light Battle Aura burst through the bottleneck, flooding into the Battle Aura Vortex in his lower abdomen, strengthening it.
—Tier 3 Warrior!
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[System: "Congratulations to the host for achieving a new milestone: advancing to Intermediate Warrior. New title acquired."]
[Title: A Brainless Warrior with Only a Realm]
[Effect: Can be equipped together with Cautious Warrior: Beginner, and the effect "first combat skill deals double damage" is extended to all related combat skills.]
-----
After checking the new title, Ron's mouth twitched.
…It was annoyingly accurate.
He couldn't even argue.
After all, his actual combat experience was basically zero.
Although he had practiced all the combat techniques recorded in the Light Sword Codex, whether he could properly use them in real combat… even he wasn't sure.
That trope—"learn a move and instantly dominate in battle, making villains cry"—had clearly not happened to him.
If he participated in the Spring Martial Tournament, he definitely wouldn't beat those Tier 3 warriors.
He might not even last long against strong Tier 2 fighters.
Those people had trained since childhood, building solid foundations, honing every move through real combat—true talents capable of fighting above their level.
Ron, on the other hand, was someone who had the advantage of royal bloodline talent but neglected proper training—only rapidly advancing after transmigrating at eighteen with the help of the system.
Fighting above his level? Forget it.
Not getting beaten by someone weaker would already be impressive.
Still, while his combat ability lagged behind, it could be improved with practice.
What mattered was that from September last year to now—just half a year—he had gone from an ordinary person to a Tier 3 Intermediate Warrior.
That speed was terrifying.
His royal bloodline made cultivating the Light Sword Codex easier. His daily morning training helped as well.
But the most crucial factor… was the system-provided plant—the Crimson-Gold Chrysanthemum.
Thirty gold coins per plant.
Even nobles couldn't afford to consume it daily like he did—brewing tea and eating petals.
One plant only lasted two or three days.
That meant three to five hundred gold coins per month.
Most minor nobles simply couldn't sustain that expense long-term.
Aside from a few extremely wealthy nobles, only someone like Ron—essentially getting them for free—could use them so extravagantly.
Even so, it still took him half a year to reach Tier 3.
Reaching Tier 4 would likely take at least another three to four months.
And the gap from intermediate to advanced would be even harder.
After advancing, Ron tried out the stances from Volume Two of the Light Sword Codex, familiarizing himself briefly.
At that moment, Huskie had already gotten up and walked into the courtyard.
Ron immediately waved him over. "Come, come—same as yesterday."
Huskie nodded and stepped forward, launching an attack.
This was a new addition to their morning training over the past two days—practical combat drills.
As a beastfolk who had fought on real battlefields—and a werewolf skilled in both direct combat and stealth attacks—Huskie was the perfect sparring partner.
Even though his Battle Aura Vortex hadn't recovered yet, his physical strength, combat instincts, and experience were enough to easily defeat Ron.
Because no matter how powerful Ron's techniques were, if they didn't hit, they were useless.
Half an hour later, drenched in sweat, Ron ended the session.
Given his current status, the chances of him needing to fight personally were extremely low.
And even if it came to that, his combat skill probably wouldn't matter much.
After all, the people around him were far stronger.
If they couldn't handle an enemy, he certainly couldn't either.
Still, training was necessary—just in case.
Returning upstairs with Huskie, Ron took a shower.
After changing clothes, they gathered in the living room for breakfast.
"Huskie, Nora and I will be away for the next few days," Ron said, taking a bite of bacon. "Yuna will prepare your daily medicine."
"As for meals, Jorina and the others can handle lunch and dinner."
"Breakfast will be handled by Yuna too. As for the taste… do your best. If you can swallow it, eat it. If not, don't force yourself."
"It's just a few days—hang in there."
Seeing Yuna glaring at Ron in dissatisfaction, Nora covered her mouth and laughed softly.
After breakfast, Ron and Nora double-checked their belongings, then said goodbye to Yuna and Huskie before leaving.
Once they were gone, Yuna took out a loli-version puppet to stay behind, while her main body turned into a shadow and slipped through the storage room—following after them.
Leaving Queen's Street, Ron and Nora boarded a carriage.
Yuna silently clung beneath it as they headed toward the west gate of the Royal Capital.