The champion of the Swordsmanship Competition was officially announced after the evening's singing and dancing—
"The champion of the ninth 'South Los Swordsmanship Competition', Arthur Kredos!"
As the Female Swordmaster made her announcent, Elta Square erupted with cheers. The people of South Los vigorously waved the hats and colorful flags in their hands.
But Arthur was slightly taken aback.
Because, before his eyes appeared text that surprised him.
[Achievent Unlocked!]
[Achievent: Swordsmanship Competition Champion; XP 200]
...
These brief two lines of text set Arthur's mind racing.
[Achievents] were not sothing Arthur had anticipated before.
However, after the [Achievents] appeared, Arthur had even more thoughts.
'The unlocking of [Achievents] must require the recognition by a large number of people, just like how I've now won this Swordsmanship Competition.
What about 'Spirit dium' then?
Compared to being the champion of the Swordsmanship Competition, my title as a 'Spirit dium' should be known and acknowledged by even more people!'
So...
It needs sothing else: the recognition from peers and those in the sa field.'
Arthur thought to himself, his brows furrowing slightly.
'My 'Spirit dium' [Achievent] hasn't been unlocked because my peers in the sa field don't recognize ?
Tch, peers do indeed hold others lightly!
Treating , a young, upright, simple, and kind person in this way will bring misfortune upon you.
When you go out, you must watch the road, or else you'll be hit by a carriage and die from painful fractures.
When you're drinking water, you need to be very careful; otherwise, if you choke, there's a high chance you'll suffocate to death.'
Thinking this to himself, a smile appeared on Arthur's face as he thanked the Female Swordmaster.
"Arthur, you truly deserve it,"
The Female Swordmaster congratulated Arthur.
After Arthur had intentionally closed the distance with the Countess just before, the Female Swordmaster's gaze towards Arthur beca all the more friendly.
Arthur clearly felt this kindness.
He knew it was the reward for his 'performance' just now.
Arthur was all too aware of what the Lord Count wanted.
The man desired the stability of the common people,
as well as the tranquility of those from the Mystic Side.
Only then would South Los prosper.
And if he, as part of the latter, mobilized the forr and contributed to the prosperity of South Los but failed to receive goodwill, the South Los House surely would have perished long ago.
Similarly, his actions were bound to receive so 'positive feedback'.
For example...
An invitation to join the Staff Group of the Earl of South Los!
After the Old Earl's death, the Earl of South Los had expanded the original 'Staff Group', splitting it into the '16th Staff Group', '66th Staff Group', and the ordinary 'Staff Group'.
The core '16th Staff Group' was specifically prepared for the Mystic Side Person.
The Earl of South Los was emulating the Old Lion of Inner Bay.
By securing these Mystic Side Persons, he could not only enhance his own power but also bring stability to South Los.
And the price the Countess would have to pay?
It was nothing more than so promises.
Promises to provide those Mystic Side Persons with the opportunity for advancent and the privilege of borrowing Mystical Knowledge.
These were all readily available.
It was beneficial without any cost.
And that was exactly what Arthur needed,
Especially the latter.
Arthur had long coveted the Mystical Knowledge collection of the South Los family.
Perhaps he could not see the very core, but as long as he could expand his reserve of Mystical Knowledge, Arthur would not mind.
If it had been before, joining the '16th Staff Group' would have been extrely difficult.
But now things were different.
Arthur's status had long since changed.
More importantly, with the so unexpected incidents that had occurred previously, the 'Staff Group' had essentially beco a vacant position, providing Arthur with the perfect opportunity to step in.
In fact, by this ti, the Female Swordmaster was already sowhat tempted.
After Arthur had shown a series of inclinations, she had begun considering recomnding Arthur to join the '16th Staff Team'.
Even better, to act as the team leader.
Because, in the Female Swordmaster's eyes, instead of letting those who still kept their true thoughts hidden after layers of tests beco the team leaders and cause trouble again and again, it would be better to have soone like Arthur who was already leaning towards the Lord Count take the position.
Arthur, who had been quietly observing the Female Swordmaster, saw his abilities [Eagle Eye] and [Insight] flashing rapidly.
When he noticed the thoughtfulness and hesitation in the Female Swordmaster's eyes, Arthur imdiately spoke up—
"Thank you, Lord Count, for providing with this stage!"
Without a doubt, Arthur's response pleased the Female Swordmaster greatly.
Imdiately, the Swordsmanship Chief made a decision.
She recomnded Arthur to join the '16th Staff Group,' and to assu the role of its leader.
As the Female Swordmaster thought this, she gave Arthur's shoulder a hearty clap.
Then, she presented the Champion's prize—
A Sword, Sharp Weapon Level.
The prize money, 100 Suo.
For the average person, this was naturally a decent reward.
But for a Mystic Side Person, it wasn't much at all.
100 Suo was only 10 gold notes, after all.
And a Sharp Weapon Level Sword?
That would also fetch about 10 gold notes.
However, Arthur didn't show any disdain.
Even, deep down, Arthur bore no grudge against the parsimony of the Lord Count, because the true reward was soon to be conferred.
"The strength of Lord Arthur Kredos has been witnessed by all.
And his noble character has left in awe.
Thus, Lord Count has ennobled Arthur Kredos as a 'Knight'!"
Swordsmanship Chief Julie declared loudly.
Instantly, the surrounding crowd fell silent.
Envy and blessings were evident on the faces of the people.
The 'additional prize' for the Champion of the Swordsmanship Competition was known to all but those truly out of the loop.
But this did not stop people from envying the 'Knight' title when it was awarded as a prize.
It was a true elevation across class lines, becoming a Noble.
If it were the Silver Age, commoners seeing Arthur now would have to bow and address him respectfully as 'Knight Sir,' or else expect a whipping.
The entire knighting ceremony was simplified due to the reclusive nature of the Lord Count.
There was no 'Lionheart Ceremony' like the common folk might imagine.
There was also no such elaborate and ornate ritual.
What took place was rely a simple exchange between the stand-in Female Swordmaster and Arthur—
"I look forward to your contributions to South Los, Arthur Kredos!"
"Serving South Los is my honor."
With only these two sentences, the entire knighting ceremony concluded.
Arthur did not kneel on one knee; he simply took the Sword with both hands.
At that mont, Arthur once again felt grateful for the Countess's preference for privacy.
There was no need for ornate ritual or kneeling for knighthood, which truly was a relief.
Arthur had always held a sense of reverence for 'rules.'
Because Arthur was keenly aware that to truly integrate into this world, one must obey the 'rules' that already existed.
Even if they felt uncomfortable, they had to be followed.
Unless you could be so powerful as to ignore everything.
And of course, Arthur knew he was far from that level.
So the young Spirit dium had ntally prepared himself early on.
And now, there was no need!
It couldn't be better!
And there was an unexpected surprise—
[Achievent Unlocked!]
[Achievent: Knight Status; XP 500]
...
An obviously higher 'Knight' status than the 'Champion of the South Los Swordsmanship Competition' brought Arthur even more XP.
Looking at the XP count reaching 1100 again, the joyful smile that spread across Arthur's face was sincerely heartwarming.
And under the glow of multi-colored fireworks, that sincerity shone brilliantly.
Cheers rose and fell in waves.
The people celebrated unrestrainedly.
Elta Square sank into an ocean of joy.
Everyone was involved.
Everyone's attention was on this place.
Even Arthur, who did not fancy drinking, held up a wine glass and joined the ranks of the Champion's parade.
As a result, no one noticed that beneath the sands of a certain beach in the Docklands, an unknown adventure was quietly unfolding.
Just...
It was not going smoothly.
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