Star Forge Titan

With every strike of his sword, Ashram felt more and more satisfied.

Physical fitness similar to that of a third-level professional, lightning-fast reaction speed, keen insight into the difference between flaws and traps, and patience in the face of pressure without arrogance or impatience.

Even if the technique seems a bit unconventional, as long as he gives a hint, the young man on the opposite side seems not to be bound by past habits, and can make the most appropriate changes with a little adjustment.

Perfect……

Ashram made an assessment in his mind.

I don’t know where little Frey found such a genius. No, considering that this guy is only at the first level and not very old, he should be called a monster!

The same sentiment was also stirring in the hearts of the young knights watching nearby.

As knights and warriors, they had challenged their mentor before, but even if Ashram suppressed his own strength, every challenger was defeated within three encounters.

But how many rounds have we been fighting with this strange young man? Almost fifty rounds, right?

Listening to Ashram correcting some bad habits in the other party's movements while drawing his sword, the comparison that had arisen when he learned that the other party was favored by the eldest princess gradually subsided.

Perhaps geniuses only stand with their own kind.

No, the guy on the field who can fight with the mentor to this extent must be a monster-level guy.

The competition in the field is still going on. The countless battle scenes in Ivan's memory are like melting ice water, quickly accumulating into an endless ocean of battle memories, and gradually solidifying into the prototype of a new skill in the deep seabed.

When the wooden sword in his hand broke again, Ashram stopped attacking and retreated a distance.

"Well done, young man." The middle-aged knight in black clothes and armor nodded approvingly.

However, Alvin stared silently at the broken sword in his hand, looking distracted.

Ashram frowned slightly, suddenly feeling an inexplicable threat.

A strong aura rose from the young man in front of him. It was not a spell or anything else, but a natural phenomenon caused by the intense activation of one's own magic power after a high degree of concentration. It often spread rapidly to the surroundings in the form of an invisible pressure.

Whether a spellcaster or a warrior, most of the skills in the world of Palladia require the manipulation of magic power, so activating one's own magic power is something that any qualified extraordinary person can do.

However, only a few people with outstanding talents can transform magic power into tangible pressure like this, and generally they are extraordinary people who have entered the second or even third level. But the young man in front of him seems to be only... first level?

The young knights in the training ground felt an invisible pressure enveloping their bodies. Although they were all second-level transcendents, they had the illusion that they had to kneel down.

Ivan raised the broken sword, and instead of holding it with one hand, he now held the hilt with both hands.

The broken sword swung down in a straight line with an extremely simple and rustic trajectory, and at the same time, a deep blue light flashed instantly between his eyebrows.

"It seems... like this!" The low whisper to himself finally turned into a certain word.

The highly condensed original magic power transformed into an arc of light and shot out along the broken sword!

"Scatter!" Ashram shouted loudly, and the young knights subconsciously obeyed the order and spread out to both sides, but he himself raised his hand to block the arc of light.

The strong impact force was like a bomb detonating in the training ground. A large amount of dust on the ground was raised high and rose rapidly upwards like rolling clouds.

"Hey, hey, hey, this is too exaggerated." Ashram walked out of the smoke with a look of surprise on his face, but his mind was filled with thoughts that were even more shocking than what he appeared to be saying.

The prototype of extraordinary combat skills...

Damn, where did this monster come from!

To be honest, Ashram was already quite satisfied with the young man in front of him. At least as an uncle, he believed that Alvin could pass with full marks.

However... the middle-aged knight in black clothes and black armor suddenly looked at Ivan with pity, who was smiling happily because he had mastered a new skill.

Young man, Gustav's stupid father is much more difficult to deal with than me.

Whether as a father or as a - extraordinary person!

Chapter 35: Meeting with the Demon King (Part 2)

Who am I? Where am I? What did I just do?

A strange feeling surged in his heart, and Alvin couldn't help but stand there in a daze as he looked at the broken sword in his hand that was gradually breaking into pieces.

As expected of Ashram, a champion knight who had become a fourth-rank warrior before the year 1886 of the new calendar, even without using spells or professional talents, the opponent's swordsmanship alone gave him a sense of oppression so strong that he almost lost consciousness.

Under the increasing pressure, Alvin unleashed his full potential. The difference between memory and reality was smoothed out by the high-intensity combat. The invisible barrier created by this difference was also completely broken through in the concentrated battle.

That sword strike was more of a release of pure magic power than the application of some technique.

No longer bound by the skills in the game, no longer restricted by the memories of the past, although Ivan's sword was rough and primitive, it was a sword that he swung to cut off the bondage based entirely on his own understanding.

The surging primordial magic power was like an arrogant dragon, wantonly interfering with the surrounding environment. Whirlwinds, flames, flowing water, floating dust, and surging lightning, all kinds of magical phenomena were mixed into a pure chaotic impact, pouring out in a single slash.

Besides being tired, I also feel more refreshed.

So cool...

“Young people today are incredible.”

Ashram shook his hands, and the cursed armor that was strong enough to withstand the head-on bombardment of high-level magic was actually cut with a clearly visible mark.

Although the armor quickly repaired the mark under the flow of his own magic power, which is the most basic function of high-level magic armor, it still shows that the power of the previous sword should not be underestimated.

"There's still a long way to go." Looking at Ashram who didn't even move a step, Alvin clearly felt the gap between himself and the fourth-level strongman.

Not only the attributes, there are also many areas that need improvement in other aspects.

"Being too modest is hypocritical." Ashram stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

"Well done, I'll consider you passed this level." The middle-aged knight smiled slightly. Although this smile looked a little scary, it was at least much better than the previous one. It did not remind people of a wolf's mouth full of fangs.

"However, you'd better hurry up and get dressed. I will ask the real head maid to prepare a formal suit for you."

Looking at the dusty and dusty Evan, Ashram couldn't help but laugh and left.

"Who should I blame for this?" Alvin shook his head and walked into the bathroom for the second time with a helpless look on his face.

He quickly washed off the dust and wood chips on his body, and when he came out, a neat suit of formal clothes had been placed in the locker room.

Because of the martial spirit caused by the harsh environment, the formal attire of the male nobles in Elrond is far less complicated than that of the Lind in the Central Empire.

At least, they don't need to prepare wigs, wig bags to prevent the powder from applying the wigs from staining their clothes, a series of fake moles on their faces to represent their current mood, and they don't need to wear extremely effeminate silk knee-high socks.

Elrond's formal attire is just an ordinary long-sleeved blouse (similar in shape to a shirt) and tapered trousers for easy movement, with a sleeveless coat printed with the family crest on the outside. It looks like a long cloak with a collar in the middle, and then it is tightened with a belt in the middle.

This is also a sleeveless armor cover that can be worn as a coat in normal times. In wartime, it can be put directly on the outside of the armor to avoid glare caused by direct sunlight and prevent the metal armor from becoming unbearably hot due to long-term direct sunlight.

Because Alvin was not a noble, his dark blue sleeveless jacket only had some light gold decorative embroidery and no noble emblems. The inner layer was a light gray long-sleeved blouse, and his lower body was simple black trousers and a pair of brown calfskin boots.

This suit looked familiar to him, and he quickly realized why it looked a bit like the first-level graduation suit for the Knight class—the Advanced Knight suit. It was just that the mail shirt and metal armor plates had been removed, leaving only the smock and jacket.

Apparently, the suits in the game also have counterparts in the real Palladio, which makes Alvin feel a subtle sense of déjà vu.

After leaving the locker room, he saw a familiar figure standing at the other end of the corridor not far away.

The other person was wearing a white long dress with wide sleeves and pleated patterns on the hem. There was also a circle of gorgeous golden embroidery on the edge of the dress.

A wide, light beige silk belt is used to wrap around the waist from below the chest to the hips, revealing the wearer's graceful waist and figure while also making the rest of the body more prominent.

Her red hair was neatly gathered into two buns with a gold-threaded bun net, fixed above the white curls behind her ears. She also wore a small crown made of gems and gold rings on her head.

"Fre?" Ivan called uncertainly.

"What else?" Afrediya came to him at a trot, holding the edge of her skirt and turning around in a circle.

"Don't you recognize me?" The princess asked playfully, blinking her eyes that were as clear and bright as rubies.

"Maybe it's because the changes are too great." Alvin scratched his cheek and turned his head slightly to look to the side.

"You've changed a lot." Afrediya blushed a little, staring at the tall and handsome young man in front of her. His slender and muscular body was strong but not bloated. Instead, it looked even more heroic and upright against the dark blue knight's formal suit.

"Hehe, I didn't expect that a barbarian like you could actually look half-decent after getting dressed." Otto's sour words came from behind Afrediya.

Then, a walking multi-layered lace 'cake' appeared in front of Ivan. Ostolfo, who had not grown up yet, now had to tilt his head back desperately to see the latter's face clearly.

As for his own attire...

The wide evening gown has a built-in pannier-style bustle, embellished with lace and layers of fabric, and a wide pleated collar supported by thin wires. There is a star-shaped fake mole under the eye that looks like a teardrop, and a cluster of flower baskets on the top of the head, a "tower" hairstyle that needs to be reinforced with magic.

The 13-year-old prince, a handsome young man with a cute face, was now dressed like a noble lady of Linde.

"Why are you dressed like this?" As a modern man, Alvin naturally doesn't have too many concepts of hierarchy, so when he saw Ostolfo's strange appearance, he asked directly.

"Why? Is it not possible? I, Ostolfo, like to say no to those who tell others what to wear! Why can't men wear women's clothes?" Ostolfo argued.

"Ignore him, he's just a child playing tricks on him." Afrediya naturally stepped forward and took Ivan's hand, glaring at her naughty brother, then stood on tiptoe and finally got close to Ivan's ear and whispered.

"Ever since his mother made him wear a long skirt when he was a child, which made his father very angry, he has liked to express his dissatisfaction in this way."

The slightly warm breath blew on the outer earlobe and it felt a little itchy. Ivan couldn't help but want to push away a few steps, but Afrediya held him tightly, and then he felt another more wonderful touch.

Marshmallow, no, it's a basketball, no, it's not that hard...

Seeing the intimacy between the two, Ostolfo became more and more angry. He couldn't help but pull up the hem of his skirt and squeeze between them, using his wide dress to separate the two.

A vein bulged slightly on Afrediya's forehead, but she couldn't kick her stinky brother directly because she was wearing a skirt, so she reached out and pinched his small earlobe and spun it around...

Otto then began jumping up and down and screaming like a cat.

Even when he entered the restaurant, the little prince's ears were still glowing bright red.

The decoration in the restaurant is not glittering, but it reveals a strong historical atmosphere. Retro silver candlesticks and large oil paintings hanging on the wall can be seen everywhere, and in the middle is a long wooden dining table.

The table was filled with rich but not luxurious food, at least not like the Lind nobles who roasted the peacock and re-feathered it before serving it (this is the British way, not the everyday dairy method) or made purple baked pears or something like that.

The dinner at Schönbrunn Palace mainly consists of various home-cooked foods.

The staple foods are buttered herb pancakes and white bread. Herb pancakes are made by grinding fine herbs, mixing them with flour, water, a little yeast, and salt, then frying them in butter and usually eating them with honey. The other is a high-quality white bread called Pandemayne, made by sifting wheat flour several times and then carefully baking it. (Note ③)

In addition to fresh steak and freshly roasted chicken, meat dishes also include small pieces of beef tongue and sausage slices fried in olive oil and herbs, as well as meatballs made from minced meat in the shape of citrus fruits (a British dish, but it is said to be very delicious...).

The vegetables mainly used were the most common pickled vegetables in northern Elrond, as well as some pea sprouts that could be grown indoors in winter.

In addition, there is a plate of clove-flavored yeast cakes as dessert.

However, none of these could attract Ivan's attention for the time being, because his eyes were completely attracted by the man sitting at the end of the long table.

The other person exudes an unparalleled presence. Even when he sits on a high-back chair with his hands supporting his face, people still have the illusion that they have to look up at him.

The 42nd Demon Lord of Elrond - Gustav Adol Andre Gusmith.

He has already died when the story begins. Players do not know his strength. They can only vaguely understand from the story missions that he was able to suppress most of the Elrond noble forces by himself, continue to promote the construction of the Royal Academy that the previous Demon King had started to establish, and begin to gradually replace the feudal nobles with a bureaucratic system such as free governors and tax officials, greatly strengthening the centralized management of the Kingdom of Elrond.

You know, because the Elrond nobles have been fighting against various wild monsters for many years, there are a large number of third-level extraordinary people, and there are also fourth-level strong men among them. The Blood Dragon Grand Duke stationed at the border is one of them.

But during that time, Gustav, the Demon Lord of Elrond, was able to completely suppress their resistance to the new policy. Although he used various political tactics, his own strength should not be ignored.

It is said that the most powerful warriors of the royal family at that time sat on two chairs in the Iron Palace every day, looking down at the nobles who bowed their heads in submission.

At this moment, Alvin felt as if there was a bottomless dark ocean in front of him.

Even though he was just sitting there, there seemed to be a huge shadow with wings behind Dena Gustav, rising slowly like a dark and scorching sun, and even the flames burning on the candlesticks flickered and dimmed.

The entire spacious restaurant was completely filled with his presence, as if even the air had become frozen.

"Hickey, hiccup, hiccup." Ostolfo beside him started hiccuping nervously.

Afrediya, on the other hand, took Ivan's hand without any concern and dragged his stiff body into the restaurant.

Seeing his daughter's behavior, Gustav couldn't help but hold his forehead.

"Frei, my daughter, how can I test this young man in front of me if you are like this?"

"It's unnecessary. You're obviously not in good health, so don't force yourself to use your magic." After forcing Ivan to sit on the seat next to Gustav, Afrediya came to her father and helped him pull the blanket covering his knees.

After finishing these trivial matters, the eldest princess seemed to finally remember something. She carried Ostolfo, who was shaking at the door, into the dining room and threw him onto another chair.

"Ivan Elian."

When he heard his name, Alvin saw Gustav slightly raise his chin and look at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

Although His Majesty the Demon King has put away the pressure brought by his powerful magic, he still exudes an aura of majesty without anger. Even his sick face and slightly hunched back cannot change this.

Presumably, in addition to the deterrence brought by personal strength, there are other reasons that make Alvin feel in awe of this pale-faced elder.

"I heard about you from Frey." Gustav's voice was steady and powerful, without any tremor due to his injury.

However, the topic he then discussed was not the usual topics such as "How much is your monthly income? How is your family situation?"

"What do you think of Elrond now?" asked the Demon King Gustav in a deep voice.

"Elrond now..." Alvin was not surprised that the other party directly talked about state affairs.

After just a moment's thought, he expressed his opinion briefly and forcefully.

"It's stuck."