A few days had passed since I gave the orders for the crop change.
The estate had grown quieter — not the dead, heavy quiet from before, but something lighter. A calm hum beneath the surface.
My mother no longer spent her mornings staring blankly out the window. She still looked tired, but the constant worry that used to cloud her face had eased.
As for my sisters… well, they were still cold. But the disappointment in their eyes had faded. Now, when they looked at me, it wasn't with disgust or pity — just distant curiosity. Maybe they were wondering what miracle had sobered me up.
At least I'd stopped drinking and shouting at them like an idiot. That was progress.
It was afternoon now. The sun hung high, scattering golden light through my office window. I stood there, hands behind my back, gazing down at the courtyard below.
"Hyah! Hyaah!" Swish—clang!
On the training grounds, my elder sister Maya was drilling her sword forms again — relentless as always. Sweat clung to her toned arms, glinting under the sun as her blade danced in smooth, practiced arcs. Each strike carried precision and power, the kind only years of repetition could build.
Watching her move, a sudden thought crossed my mind.
I'm in a fantasy world — the world of knights and mages… and I'm still a weak office worker with noodle arms.
If I really wanted to change this territory — and survive in this world — I needed more than brains. I needed strength.
As if on cue, the familiar mechanical voice echoed in my head.
[New Mission: Become an Intermediate-level Knight within one month.]
Description: A wise lord must not only have a sharp mind but also a strong body.
Reward: Sword Technique — Flowing Wind Style + 100 Dominion Points.
I froze for a moment, then exhaled. "Of course you'd jump in the moment I thought of it."
[Motivation detected. Opportunity optimized.]
"Yeah, yeah. You just want free entertainment."
I turned away from the window and sat on the desk, crossing my arms. "Intermediate-level knight in one month, huh? Sounds insane… but not impossible."
I'd read enough of this world's history from the archives — the books the old Kael never touched.
This world was built on magic and might.
Magic, though… that was the stuff of legends.
Only those born with Mana Sense — the innate ability to feel and control mana — could become mages. Such people were one in thousands. Nobles guarded them like treasures, kingdoms fought wars to claim them, and the church called them "chosen by the gods."
So yeah, no surprise they were arrogant bastards.
Knights, however — that was a different story.
Anyone could become a knight if they trained hard enough. At least, up to a point.
At the beginner stage, it was all about body training — muscle, reflex, endurance. Sweat and discipline.
But once someone broke past that wall and reached intermediate, they began to sense and harness something different — something called Ki.
Ki wasn't as mystical as mana, but it was powerful in its own right. It was life force — strength made manifest through will and training. A knight who learned to control Ki could move faster, hit harder, and react quicker than any normal man.
They could channel it through their limbs to increase power, or coat their weapons in it — giving their blades unnatural sharpness and durability.
It was said that once a knight reached Master, even a low-tier mage would think twice before facing them head-on.
The hierarchy was simple, though brutally steep:
Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → Master → Grandmaster.
Each rank had three sub-stages — Lesser, True, and Peak — because apparently even fantasy worlds loved their endless grind systems.
I sighed and rubbed my temples. "So basically, I need to go from zero to mid-tier soldier in thirty days. Great."
[Affirmative. Host's current physical capability: below average.]
[Recommendation: Begin with endurance and sword form basics. The System will monitor progress.]
"Below average? Thanks for the confidence boost," I muttered.
[Honesty improves efficiency.]
I rolled my eyes and looked back out the window at Maya, who was still swinging her sword with terrifying focus.
For the first time, instead of feeling intimidated, I felt inspired.
"Alright then," I said quietly. "If she can do it, so can I."
I turned away from the window, cracking my knuckles. "But first, I'll need a trainer… and maybe a sword that won't snap the moment I touch it."
The Dominion System hummed again.
[Sub-mission available: Get a swordsmanship instructor. Reward: Basic Swordsmanship Manual.]
I smirked. "You're starting to sound more like my personal coach than a management system."
[Efficient lords require functioning bodies.]
"Alright, fine. Let's get to work."
~~~~
The next morning, I did something that surprised even me.
I walked straight to the training grounds and told Maya I wanted to train under her.
At first, she just stared — sword in hand, sweat glistening on her forehead, expression unreadable.
Then she laughed.
Not the sweet kind of laugh — the sharp, mocking kind that makes you rethink your life choices.
"You?" she said, wiping her brow. "You can barely climb the stairs without wheezing, Kael."
I held my ground. "I'm serious."
Her smile faded, eyes narrowing as she studied me. "You really mean it, don't you?"
"Yes. I promised myself I'd change. I'm starting with this. I promise you to follow all your commands while taining."
For a long second, she said nothing. Then she sheathed her sword with a soft click and crossed her arms.
"Fine. But remember what you said — you'll follow every command I give during training."
"Agreed."
"Good," she said, her tone dropping like a hammer. "Because starting tomorrow, you're on my mercy."