Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

"King Ironmane Bear refers to a mutated giant bear whose Strength is far beyond that of a common Ironmane bear, possessing immense defensive power, and is both rare and extremely difficult to kill."

"Moreover, a prospective Knight who consumes the Transcendent curiosity 'Paw of the Giant Bear' from a King Ironmane Bear as the main ingredient for an advanced Magic Potion, upon successfully becoming Transcendent, there are a few who have awakened two Transcendent traits. Besides the most common 'Huge Strength,' there is a very rare Transcendent trait called 'Iron Skin'!"

"And this Transcendent trait has almost never been seen among prospective Knights who have taken typical Ironmane bear 'Paw of the Giant Bear' as the primary ingredient for an advanced Magic Potion, further proving the preciousness of the King's supernatural curiosities."

"Compared to the huge number of practitioners of the Giant Bear Breathing Technique in the empire, the appearance of the King Ironmane Bear's Transcendent curiosity 'Paw of the Giant Bear' fetches a very high premium."

"If we compare prices, the one you've provided this time, 'Heart of the Stone Monster,' doesn't fall far short."

"Moreover, the compounding of this 'Bear Magic Potion' is helmed by a Master from the Royal Alchemist Association, who, delighted by the hunt, personally took on the task. After all, main ingredients of this caliber are indeed rare, and not many opportunities come by for a Potion Master."

"Therefore, this 'Bear Magic Potion' is quite valuable, and there are no shortage of covetous eyes, which is why I personally delivered it here."

"Of course, there's another reason. I wanted to see for myself if the person who is about to take this advanced Magic Potion is truly as talented as Hamilton says, ha ha."

While speaking, Colonel Connor picked up a brown leather briefcase from the side and handed it to Rein.

"Lord Hamilton flatters me. Thank you, Colonel Connor, for delivering the potion personally," Rein said after listening, slightly bowing to express gratitude to Colonel Connor and respectfully taking the briefcase.

The case was heavier than he had expected.

Although with Hamilton handling the exchange, the chances of a problem were not great, Rein's mood was somewhat anxious until he had the 'Bear Magic Potion' in hand.

For example, he worried that some high-ranking military official might have taken a fancy to the high-quality Bear Magic Potion.

Or that only an ordinary Bear Magic Potion would be delivered in the end?

Thus, the moment Rein actually got his hands on the Bear Magic Potion with 'Paw of the Giant Bear' from a King Ironmane Bear as the primary ingredient, he was quite exhilarated inside.

First was that the 'Heart of the Stone Monster' had not been in vain, having truly exchanged for an equally valuable advanced Magic Potion.

Second, Rein had the chance to awaken two Transcendent traits when he attempted to break through to Transcendence. Of course, according to Colonel Connor just now, even with the King's material, this probability was not high.

But to go from nearly zero to a minority is in itself a significant improvement.

"Rein, now I am worried that this 'Bear Magic Potion' is too precious. If word gets out, some might come knocking immediately," Hamilton said, frowning.

Colonel Connor's brow also furrowed upon hearing this. Hamilton's worries were exactly what he was concerned about.

Therefore, after Master Inigo had finished compounding, he sealed the news and took it to his friend right away, but as far as he knew, some 'well-informed' people were still probing whether the potion compounding had been completed.

Rein, on the other hand, thought for a moment. Since both these important figures were present, why not take the 'Bear Magic Potion' right here and now?

The more Rein thought about it, the more he liked the idea.

It would minimize the risk of holding the 'Bear Magic Potion' and add the protection and guidance of two influential figures, which was much better than his original plan.

Rein's initial plan was to take it upon returning home, with Lagaray serving as his protective force.

But it was clear upon reflection that Lagaray's Strength was only equivalent to that of an average prospective Knight in the empire. If they were to be disturbed by someone with powerful backing or formidable Strength, Lagaray would clearly be of little help...

"Um... both of you, may I take it right now?" Rein asked, startling both men.

Hamilton and Connor looked as if a thunderbolt had just exploded out of the blue!

"What? Take it now? Rein, are you ready?" Hamilton was stunned at first, but then he jumped up from his chair, hands on the desk, and asked in astonishment.

In truth, he had intended to say, 'Are you joking?,' but he immediately thought of the scene where Rein had killed the Black Flame monk and so he promptly changed his tune, asking in a more tactful manner.

Because in his memory, Rein was never one to speak rashly.

Colonel Connor was equally astonished, having previously discussed these concerns with his friend Hamilton and knowing that Rein's training as a Knight had lasted only a few months. Naturally, he was equally shocked by Rein's declaration!

"I'm certain I'm ready! So if it's convenient, both of you, may I take it right now?"

Hamilton did not immediately reply to Rein but paced back and forth in the room, deep in thought. After a moment, he then asked:

"Have you read the warning notes for taking the potion?"

"I have!"

"Are you sure there's no problem?"

"Absolutely!"

"Fine! The room next to mine is my resting room. Rein, get ready then take it directly!" Hamilton said gravely.

"Understood, my lord." With that, Rein picked up the briefcase and went into the adjacent compartment.

Connor's lips moved as though he wanted to say something, but then he closed his mouth, remembering that the person in question was after all Hamilton's protégé.

Moreover, judging by his good friend Hamilton's expression, which didn't seem feigned, could it be that this young man named Rein really possessed such strong knightly talent that he could become a Squire from scratch in just a few months?

Connor shook his head slightly, telling himself there was no need to ponder now; the result would naturally be known after a few hours.

Rein came to Hamilton's resting room and, without much hesitation, opened the heavy brown leather suitcase.

Inside was a slightly smaller box with intricate patterns on its surface that seemed to flow with visible strange energy, causing Rein to be taken aback.

This seemed to be some sort of witchcraft!

Rein held no great doubts, as the suitcase had been handed to him personally by Colonel Connor.

If the other party wanted to harm him, they could crush him with their power directly; there was absolutely no need to go to such lengths.

Furthermore, Rein felt the energy on the patterns was somewhat similar to the green energy Anna had once controlled, which meant the patterns on the box were likely meant to preserve freshness or maintain a certain state.

This made Rein all the more expectant about the contents of the box.

"Click!"

Rein released the clasp and slowly opened the box; as he did so, the energy from the patterns began to dissipate, suggesting a one-time consumable. He saw a thick white mist emanating from within, along with an accompanying strange fragrance.

Rein quickly determined that the white mist was condensed water vapor.

But what was this strange scent? And why did it smell so much like some kind of food?

As the mist cleared, instead of the special-colored liquid potion in a bottle Rein had imagined, what appeared before him was a gigantic bear paw shimmering with a faint silver light and an alluring aroma.

Rein was truly stunned!

An idea suddenly sprang to his mind, "Could it be that advancement might fail because of a small appetite, unable to finish this giant bear paw?"

Naturally, the image of a petite female Squire struggling with such a giant bear paw surfaced in Rein's mind...

At that moment, Rein noticed a small metallic strip on top of the bear paw, which looked like some kind of plaque or tag. It read:

"Made primarily from King Ironmane Bear, please consume this Giant Bear Magic Potion within three hours of opening the box—Inigo Orfastein."

"Inigo Orfastein?"

Obviously, it was a name, likely that of the creator of the Giant Bear Magic Potion, the master Pharmacist Colonel Connor had mentioned.

After carefully removing the metal tag, Rein began to try his first bite.

Delicious!

Absolute deliciousness!

Soon after the bear paw entered his mouth, a brief chew turned it into a mushy consistency, which he swallowed down.

After the first bite, a warm sensation quickly filled his stomach, as if he had swallowed a hot spring, nourishing his belly.

[Ding! Detected that the host is consuming an advanced magic potion, triggering job change—Knight (Transcendent)!]

[Preconditions for advancing to Knight (Transcendent): 1. Any Knight Breathing Method lv5 or above; 2. Strength 12 points or above, agility 12 points or above, Constitution 12 points or above; 3. Any Riding Skill lv3 or above, shield defense lv3 or above, any Bow Skill lv3 or above, any Melee Combat Skill lv4 or above; 4. Appropriate advancement magic potion....All conditions met!]

[....Night Watchman advancement to Knight (Transcendent) conditions all met, yes/no to complete advancement to Knight (Transcendent)?]

[Note: Advancing to Knight (Transcendent) will overwrite the Night Watchman job panel.]

Though he had anticipated this outcome, seeing it for real still filled Rein's heart with excitement!

Knight (Transcendent), the word 'Transcendent' within the brackets, its meaning went without saying.

Having reached the level of an official Knight, within the Empire, this represented a commoner's step into the threshold of nobility, though of course, only after having received a formal investiture could one officially step into the nobility.

Although just the lowest non-hereditary nobility, the word "nobility" implied far too many undertones.

Additionally, Rein finally felt a weight lift off his chest, as previously triggered jobs appeared 'odd and peculiar' to him....

This time, however, it was different—it was the most orthodox of Knights!

Even though it would overwrite the Night Watchman panel, Rein still chose yes without hesitation!

One was a Transcendent job panel, and the other was a common job panel; obviously, there was no need to think too hard.

[Ding! Job change commencing...Transformation ongoing....]