Blake careful felt the sensation and realised that it was the silent sutra which was suppressing the fire sutra aura.
Blake slowly stood up after stepping into the 1st Rank.
Power pulsed through his limbs.
His senses felt sharper.
Even the faint breathing of the servants around him sounded clearer.
"So this is cultivation…"
He clenched his fist.
The air trembled slightly around his knuckles.
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
Yesterday, he had been kicked by that horse which maded easily killed the previous owner, but now...
Today—
If that same horse tried to kick again, Blake was confident he could take it head on with only an light injury.
A strange thrill ran through his veins.
"So this is what they feel… the ones who stand above others."
His gaze unconsciously sharpened.
Strength.
Authority.
The right to speak without being silenced.
For a brief moment—
He liked it.
The status panel appeared before him.
***
Host: Blake
Rank: 1st Rank (Early Grade – 45%)
Mana Core Affinity: Fire
Sutras: Silent Sutra (5th Rank(60%), Fire Sutra (1st Rank(45%)
Blake stared at it with satisfaction.
"Already 45%... At this rate, mid-grade in three days."
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"And with the system… I can gain multiple affinities."
Most people were born with only one.
Multiple affinities were considered heaven-defying talent.
Blake chuckled quietly.
"So what if they're rare? With this system, I'll surpass them all."
For the first time since reincarnating into this world—
He felt superior.
Suddenly Blake remembered that he hadn't sign in today.
"System, sign in."
"Sign-in confirmed, congratulations host for receiving –
Golden Shield Talisman (2nd Rank — Peak Grade)."
Golden Shield Talisman (2nd Rank — Peak Grade): Can block multiple attacks from the same Rank warrior or mage and also one attack from a 3rd Rank early grade being.
Blake's eyebrows rose.
It could block a 3rd Rank attack.
A 3rd Rank Being was like a huge mountain for him.
Yet he now possessed something that could stop a strike from such a being.
Blake leaned back slightly, confidence swelling.
"So even if someone discovers me… I won't die that easily."
The fear that had been constantly pressing against his heart since reincarnation loosened.
A dangerous thought surfaced.
Maybe…
Maybe he didn't need to hide as much as he thought.
Morning arrived.
Blake walked toward the garden area with a straighter back than usual.
His steps were firmer.
The world looked slightly smaller.
Weaker.
Fragile.
He was no longer one of the powerless masses.
He had stepped onto the path.
And those who hadn't… were beneath him.
Just as he had reached the outer garden, suddenly—
BOOM!
A violent shockwave slammed into his chest.
Blake was thrown backward like a ragdoll, dragged nearly ten feet across the ground before crashing into a tree.
His vision spun.
His lungs burned.
"What—?!"
He looked up.
Two armored knights clashed swords in the open garden.
Each collision released shockwaves strong enough to bend nearby trees.
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
The air shrieked with pressure.
Blake's heartbeat quickened.
That shockwave—
It wasn't even aimed at him.
Just the aftermath.
Yet it sent him flying.
His earlier confidence shattered like glass.
One knight swung his blade downward.
The other blocked.
BOOM!
The earth split.
Dust erupted into the sky.
Blake felt his scalp go numb.
"If that had hit me directly…"
He wouldn't even have the time to use the Golden Shield Talisman.
There would be nothing left of him to protect.
His 1st Rank power?
Meaningless.
Utterly meaningless.
They weren't even trying to kill each other.
They were sparring.
Sweat rolled down Blake's back.
For the first time since breaking through—
He clearly saw the gap.
1st Rank.
2nd Rank.
3rd Rank.
And even 4th Rank
Each was a different world.
And these knights…
Were monsters compared to him.
Suddenly–
"I think you've watched long enough."
The blond knight's voice cut through the air.
Blake's blood froze.
His hiding spot—
Discovered.
His so-called confidence from minutes ago felt laughable.
He slowly stepped out from behind the bushes.
But this time—
His arrogance was gone.
Only clarity remained.
"I-I'm sorry, sirs."
And deep inside—
A single thought echoed.
I am still too weak.
"I didn't mean to offend you. It's just my first time seeing legendary knights battle, so I hid to watch…"
"A child?"