Please be my partner.

Consumption: 1.4

Remaining: 5.7

At this time, a week had passed since Mellen infused Spike with spiritual energy.

During this period, in addition to buying and hunting the maned lion-level ferocious beasts in the arena one after another, he also hunted an extraordinary life form called a tree demon.

But he couldn't go on like this.

Because the gold coins spent during this period have exceeded 700!

This time when he came to the capital to study, he only brought 1000 gold coins with him. He thought that even if the prices in Roland City were high, this money would be enough for him to spend for a long time.

Who knew that in just half a month, most of the time would be spent.

He had no plans to ask his family for more money for the time being. Firstly, he couldn't open his mouth to ask for it, and secondly, he knew that if he continued to spend at this level, the Warwick family would eventually be unable to bear it given their financial situation.

Mellen looked at Spike, and only then did his worries about money subside a little.

The consumption of spiritual energy infusion is indeed huge, but the results obtained are also extremely amazing.

Spike's height has reached 1.1 meters at this time. While his strength is rapidly improving, his control of combat skills has also become more proficient due to the fighting and killing during this period.

As for exploring the direction of Spike's higher-level evolution, Melen plans to wait until the spiritual energy exceeds 10 points before trying it. After all, if the spiritual energy is too little, it is not safe and it is easy to fail.

After some inquiries during this period, Melen has completely confirmed that the higher stages of the [Armored Crocodile] Knight's breathing method, as well as the corresponding basic skills and advanced skills, are all in the hands of the royal family.

In other words, if he wanted to plan the follow-up of the [Armored Crocodile] training method for Spike, conventional methods would be almost impossible.

As for unconventional methods?

When there were other options, there was no need for him to offend the royal family over such a thing.

After all, there is no impenetrable wall in the world, not to mention that this is a world full of supernatural and mystery.

Then the rest is simple. He needs to find a way to obtain one of the two knight inheritances in the academy.

Because of the increase in spiritual energy, Mellen received more and more information from the wolf-shaped pendant. He vaguely felt that this seemed to be some kind of...contract!

After reaching this conclusion, just in case, he began to cram on the relevant knowledge of contracts, including today's open class.

In the teaching area, in the classroom, Melen sat upright and listened attentively.

"...The beasts controlled by a Beastmaster are completely different from the animal companions of a Hunter. Although we are called Beastmasters, for us, everything in the world can be controlled!"

"...The core ability of the Beastmaster is the Contract. Even with monsters or strange creatures, a Beastmaster can sign a contract with them and use them for their own purposes. Of course, the power of the Contract can affect both parties. Therefore, before reaching the third level, I do not recommend contracting monsters or strange creatures, as it could negatively affect you without you realizing it."

"...The advantage of the Beastmaster is that they can contract multiple pets and provide them with various abilities. Of course, the disadvantage is also obvious, that is, their own strength is generally weak, and often even negligible. These are difficult to solve in the early stages of the Beastmaster. Only after reaching the second or even third stage, and forming a relatively complete system, can a more complete solution be found."

Hearing this, Melen's eyes lit up. The ability of the [Beastmaster] was somewhat similar to his mind-to-mind connection. Did this seem to indicate that he had found the right direction?!

When the open class was about to end, the Beast Tamer instructor, as usual, distributed training manuals engraved with the most basic [Contract] to students who wanted to become [Beast Tamers].

After returning to his lounge, Mellen couldn't wait to start studying.

[Contract] is a spiritual imprint with an extremely complex structure.

As Mellen interpreted, he could even feel that the scattered information in his mind began to gather and combine with each other.

This made Melen overjoyed. He had been thinking, what if he couldn't understand the knowledge given in the wolf-shaped pendant?

Now, the facts seem to prove that his decision to prepare for a rainy day was correct.

After classifying going to the library to look up relevant books and asking the Beast Tamer instructor for more knowledge as short-term goals, he checked the time, ate something simple, and immediately prepared to set off for the teaching area again.

Seeing Mellen's hurried appearance, Sora said with a smile: "You don't have to be in such a hurry, do you? You've been leaving early and coming back late these days, and I haven't seen you since."

Mellen stopped and said helplessly: "The more you know, the more you want."

Seeing that Mellen was about to leave, Sola quickly said, "I've arranged to go to Gano Farm with some new friends this weekend. How about it? Are you interested in joining us?"

When Melen heard about going out for fun on the weekend, he instinctively refused.

Are you kidding? He's so swamped in debt every day now, how can he have the time to enjoy life and sing about his youth?!

But after realizing that the place they were going to was Gano Farm, he stopped talking about refusing and looked thoughtful.

Seeing Mellen's excitement, Sola tempted him even more, "Don't underestimate the deliciousness of the high-end meats in Roland City. The real good stuff is all at Ganuo Farm. It's said that they occasionally sell extraordinary beings there. The extraordinary beings sold here are usually of high value, and are completely incomparable to those in the academy's duel arena!"

Melen laughed and said, "So interesting? I can't miss it!"

He had been planning to take some time to visit Gano Farm, and now was a good opportunity.

Sora said happily: "Okay! It's settled then!"

After saying goodbye to Sora, Meren hurried to the teaching area.

"...The original definition of the [Branded Knight] was to serve as a laborer and cannon fodder. The fundamental purpose of those wizards creating it was to better exploit their slaves! Therefore, its original upper limit and the degree of danger of its employment are easy to imagine."

"...As time passed, the [Branded Knight] not only did not decline, but thanks to the additions and expansions of generations of predecessors, this profession continued to improve and become a complete system. Even during the years when wizards were silent, the Branded Knights continued to be active on the stage of history."

"...The core ability of the [Branded Knight] is [Brand], which allows it to engrave marks or patterns with special powers on its body, thereby gaining different powers. Currently, the [Branded Knight] has many schools of inheritance. Once you complete a complete set of combined brands, you can activate even more special and powerful powers!"

"...Of course, the danger of the [Branded Knight] is undeniable. Compared to the minor obstacles that an orthodox knight encounters when activating [Life Force], each branding by a Branded Knight is a double battle of both spirit and body!"

"...You can also choose those less powerful and less dangerous brands, but that also means you're actively cutting off the path ahead! So, if you don't have enough courage and perseverance, I don't recommend you take this path. After all, you still have many options."

After class, it was customary to distribute the practice manuals.

Mellen deliberately waited until everyone else had received theirs before going on stage last.

After receiving the training manual, Melen said, "Teacher Jeroen, do you have time? I would like to talk to you alone."

Jeroen glanced at the time, thought for a moment, and then said gently, "Okay, but only half an hour."

The two of them sat down in the pavilion outside the teaching area.

Melen was still thinking about how to start.

Seeing this, Jeroen smiled and said, "Why, are you interested in the Branded Knight? Or is there something you don't understand? Just ask."

Melen said awkwardly, "Well... I have a friend who wants to become a [Branded Knight]. I wonder..."

Jeroen raised his eyebrows and asked curiously, "Your friend wants to become a [Branded Knight]? Then why doesn't he come himself?!"

Mellen looked at his dog.

Following his gaze, Jeroen also looked over and saw...

Spike was squatting on the ground obediently, with an innocent look in his eyes, looking a little... silly and cute!

A question mark slowly floated out from Jeroen's head!

Chapter 29 Breaking the rules

It took Jeroen a while to realize that Mellen was not joking with him, and he couldn't help but feel angry and amused.

He said helplessly: "I understand the wild ideas of young people, and it is worth encouraging. However, you have to understand that some things are not necessarily successful just because you want to do them!"

Jeroen considered his words and continued, "I can probably guess what you're thinking. You probably want to become a Beast Tamer or Hunter, and then have your pet switch to another class, right?"

"Honestly, you're not the first person to have this idea, and you won't be the last. Do you know why professions like [Beastmaster] and [Hunter], which allow pet contracts, are still on par with other professions, and haven't reached a higher level?"

To Meren, these words sounded like a question: "Do you know why a Hunter can't catch a Druid as a pet?"

Without waiting for Mellen's response, Jeroen gave his answer directly: "Because all professional systems are created based on our human nature, it is difficult for other types of extraordinary life forms to be compatible."

"Of course, there have indeed been extraordinary lives who became professionals in history, but those are exceptions. Normally, they are rare and can only be encountered by chance! You should not be overly concerned with such unrealistic things. You should focus on your own path, which is the right path."

By the end of his speech, Jeroen's words had become serious.

During his teaching career, he has seen many young people with outstanding talents who have gone astray for various reasons.

Some of them came to their senses later, but missed the best time to improve themselves; some were trapped in it for their whole lives, unable to get out, and only wasted their time.

As a college instructor, he naturally didn't want his energetic students to end up in such a situation.

Melen naturally sensed Jeroen's admonition, but...

He glanced at his dog in confusion and asked cautiously, "Teacher Jeroen, are you saying that all professions are incompatible with other extraordinary beings? So, is it possible that a certain extraordinary being is particularly well-suited to a certain profession? For example, a knight, a true knight, known for their stability!"

Jeroen was speechless. He thought Mellen was still unwilling to give up, so he explained, "The world is so big, the situation you described might exist. But, it's impossible for him to be an orthodox knight!"

"The reason why orthodox knights are called orthodox is because it is one of humanity's oldest and most complete professions! It is precisely this kind of profession that is more stable for us humans, and the less it is for the extraordinary life forms of other species... huh?!"

Having said this, Jeroen suddenly paused, and after connecting Mellen's words and performance, he looked at Spike with a suspicious look, and his brows gradually frowned.

At first he hadn't noticed it, thinking that Spike was just an ordinary supernatural being, but now the more he looked at him, the more frightened he became.

A green light exploded, and Jeroen instantly appeared in front of Spike, pointing a finger at the latter's brow at a speed that seemed slow but was actually fast.

Faced with the sudden attack, Spike instinctively mobilized the strength in his body to fight back, but it was of no use no matter how he bit or dodged.

The finger just swayed slightly, and with just enough force to make Spike stagger.

The dog was confused for a moment, then suddenly backed away with its fur standing on end.

Mellen watched quietly. Although Jeroen's sudden attack was somewhat unexpected, it did not deviate from his plan.

That's right, Mellen originally planned to reveal the fact that Spike had changed his job to become a [Knight].

The only thing that made him hesitate for a moment was what he learned from Jeroen that the profession was difficult to be compatible with the extraordinary life of other species.

However, after a brief thought, he decided to stick with his original plan.

At this time, the shock on Jeroen's face had turned into complexity. He looked at Spike carefully, as if he was looking at some rare treasure.

The dog was a little scared by being looked at and quickly hid behind Mellen.

Jeroen tutted his words and said, "[Life Force]! I never thought that such an almost impossible thing would happen to you."

Seeing Mellen was a little nervous, Jeroen smiled and said, "Don't worry. As I said just now, although the possibility of extraordinary life becoming a professional is very low, it is not zero. It can only be said that your pet is quite special."

Then, he reconsidered Mellen's previous question and said after a moment, "The reason why the [Branded Knights] are called Knights is because our fundamental power is also [Life Force]. The difference is that the way we activate [Life Force] is to guide it through the [Brand]."

"Theoretically, since your pet has activated [Life Force] and become a [Knight], then changing its class to [Branded Knight] is also possible!"

Before Mellen could be happy, Jeroen said seriously, "But! All the cultivation methods of the [Branded Knight] school are designed to cater to humans. Your pet can become a [Knight], but it may not be suitable to become a [Branded Knight]. Moreover, changing classes is inherently dangerous, and the subsequent consequences are unpredictable!"

"Are you sure you want to do this?!"

Mellen looked at Spike, who gave him a big smile. He no longer hesitated and said firmly, "Yes, Master Jeroen, I am sure!"

Jeroen watched the interaction between the man and the dog, feeling somewhat emotional. He said, "Okay, come find me in the office at nine tomorrow morning. I'll introduce you to the other two school instructors."

Melen nodded gratefully and said, "Thank you very much, Master Jeroen."

Jeroen waved his hand, said nothing more, and walked away slowly.

Even he needs to take it easy after what happened today.

After the conversation, Mellen originally planned to go to the library to read for a while, but he was not in the mood at this moment.

He quickly returned to Room 106, but Sora was no longer there.

Back in his lounge, Mellen lay down in Spike's doghouse without any scruples.

Spike: ...

The dog looked at the boy speechlessly before slowly crawling to his side.

At this time, the Spike pillow had become quite huge. Mellen found a comfortable position to lean on it, stroking the dog's head unconsciously while falling into thought.

There should be nothing wrong with what Mentor Jeroen said, 'It's difficult for extraordinary beings to become professionals'.

So, the reason why Spike was able to easily awaken the [Life Force] and be promoted to a [Knight], excluding the low-probability event that it was special, the most likely possibility should still be that it was spiritual energy.

I remember that when he taught the Knight Breathing Technique to Spike, the dog mastered it immediately after a good sleep. This performance was even more genius than the knight geniuses among humans!

You know, at that time there was still a small amount of spiritual energy left in Spike's body. Perhaps that was why it had the power to break the rules.

In fact, it is very simple to verify this. Just find a dog, infuse it with spiritual energy, and see if it can become a professional.

However, Mellen would not try this kind of thing easily.

The only thing he could try now was Spike's subsequent job change to [Branded Knight].

If the dog can still succeed, perhaps it can slightly confirm this point.

Thinking of this, Melen became even more excited for tomorrow's meeting.

Chapter 30: The Knights of Dusk

After finishing morning exercises and washing up in Room 106, Mellen took Spike to the college office area.