I can evolve everything

The entrance to Dawn Castle was quite quiet.

Those responsible for reception and security were all formal members of the Knights Order, wearing plate armor bearing the emblem of the Dawn Sword.

They weren't wearing helmets, and they stood there like a row of silent statues.

Here, there is only order and solemnity.

All the candidates who had traveled from afar to participate in the examination lined up in an orderly fashion, and no one dared to make a loud noise.

The line moved forward slowly, and soon it was Rennes' turn.

Behind the long table at the registration desk sat a middle-aged knight in charge of verification.

He has a long scar on his left cheek that extends all the way to his chin, which makes his expression look somewhat ferocious.

"Name, letter of recommendation."

The knight didn't even look up, continuing to write something with a quill pen.

"Rayn Wilder. Recommended by: Knight Linus Wilder, Baron Edmund Tarly."

Renn handed over the two letters sealed with sealing wax with both hands.

The middle-aged knight took the letter, skillfully checked the seal and magical markings on the sealing wax, and finally raised his head after confirming that everything was correct.

His gaze was devoid of any emotion, showing neither disdain nor admiration, as if he were examining a weapon, assessing its material and sharpness.

This gaze made the hairs on the back of Ryan's neck stand on end, but he did not look away, but calmly met the other person's gaze.

"Physical fitness is acceptable, but his steps are a bit unsteady," Scarface Knight commented briefly, then made a mark on the roster and picked up a bronze number plate from the table, tossing it over.

"West tower, three floors, room 306."

"Remember, this is Dawn Keep, not your backyard, nor a resort for your young masters to gild your resumes. No noise, no fighting, and no leaving the tower area after lights out. Any violation of discipline will result in immediate expulsion without trial. Do you understand?"

"Understood." Ryan took the number plate.

"Next."

Holding the number plate, Ryan, guided by a squire, walked through the empty inner courtyard toward the tower on the west side.

This area was specially allocated by the Knights for their residence.

Stepping into the tower, the environment could even be described as rudimentary.

The interior of this tower is in a typical monastery style.

Raine also knew that in the creed of the Knights of Dawn, restraint and patience were virtues.

The corridor was quiet, with only the echo of boots on the stone slabs.

Every few steps, a burning torch was stuck in the wall.

As he passed the second-floor lounge, Ryan subconsciously slowed his pace.

There were many other candidates who had just arrived gathered there.

They gathered in small groups, some talking in hushed tones, others cleaning their weapons.

Renn's gaze swept over these people.

Most of them were male, aged between sixteen and twenty-four.

He saw a young man, as burly as a brown bear, sitting alone in a corner, gnawing on a bone-in ham.

On the other side, several young noblemen were gathered together, seemingly discussing the content of tomorrow's assessment.

The scabbards of their swords were inlaid with gems, making them look more like decorations, but Renn noticed that they all had thick calluses on their hands and feet—clearly, they weren't all idiots.

Suddenly, Renn's gaze paused.

In a shadow near the window stood a slightly thin figure.

It was a girl.

In a world of knights where strength reigns supreme, female knights exist, but they are extremely rare.

The girl's hood was pulled down low, covering most of her face, revealing only her chin and a few strands of red hair hanging down from the edge of the hood.

She leaned quietly against the wall, arms crossed, as if she had blended into the shadows around her.

Seemingly noticing Renn's gaze, she turned her head slightly.

Although he couldn't see the eyes clearly, Renn felt a strange chill in that instant.

Ryan didn't linger, nor did he try to strike up a conversation.

Here, if you pass the assessment, you're colleagues; if you fail, you'll probably never cross paths again. Excessive contact now is pointless.

He looked away, quickly walked up the stairs, and found his room—room 306.

Pushing open the heavy oak door, the interior of the room is immediately visible.

The four walls are made of polished gray stone, without any superfluous decoration, with only a small vent leading to the outside.

The entire room contained nothing more than a hard bed, a desk, a chair, and a wooden shelf for storing armor.

This environment is hardly better than the prison in Graystone Town.

But this is precisely the message the Knights wanted to convey: the glory of a knight is built on arduous training, not on enjoyment.

Ryan closed the door and bolted it shut, keeping out the noise from the outside.

He put down his luggage, sat on the edge of the bed, and let out a long sigh.

The room was quiet, and Renn's gaze inadvertently fell on an oil lamp in the corner of the room.

It was a very ordinary brass oil lamp, but as Renn was stunned, some characters appeared before his eyes.

An old brass oil lamp

Material: Brass, lamp oil.

[Characteristics: Limited lighting range; produces black smoke when burning.]

[Evolutionary Branch: Everlasting Lamp (Weak)]

[Description: By reconstructing the microstructure of the wick and fuel, combustion efficiency is significantly improved, resulting in stable and long-lasting light.]

[Required Resources: Energy Reserves (3 days' worth)]

[Time required: Three days.]

The familiar handwriting danced on his retina, as if tempting Renn.

It's like an instinct, an urge to use the cheat code once you have it.

Renn closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and refocused his consciousness.

The characters in front of me flickered for a moment, then disappeared.

"no."

He whispered a warning to himself.

Since the Iron Wall Stance was completely solidified two days ago, he could clearly feel his internal energy reserves slowly recovering, and now he was basically at his peak.

Although the cost of evolution is not high, at this crucial juncture of the trainee knight assessment, Renn did not want to incur any additional costs.

He had to desperately lock in every bit of energy and strength within his body.

What he needs to do now is to conserve all his energy and spirit for tomorrow's assessment.

Ryan took out the bread he had brought from his bag.

He chewed slowly, feeling the food transform into heat, which flowed gently throughout his body.

Then he blew out the oil lamp.

Darkness instantly engulfed everything.

Lying on the bed, Renn crossed his arms over his abdomen, assuming a position most conducive to muscle relaxation. In the darkness, he sensed the power lurking deep within his body, a power known as the "Iron Wall Stance."

Everything is ready.

Tomorrow is the day of the assessment.