Wizard: Start with Biological Transformation to Grind Experience
Chapter 167 - 006: Opportunity

Chapter 167: 006: Opportunity

"Bang!" With a resounding crash, the closed door burst open.

A figure wrapped in wind and snow stormed in.

It was a young man, about 17 or 18 years old. He had long, jet-black hair that was slightly unkempt, with a few stray leaves or tiny grains of sand trapped in it. His face was delicate, yet his brows bore a determination and defiance that far surpassed his age.

He was clad in a somewhat worn yet still meticulously clean suit of armor, covered with scars. A longsword hung at his waist, its sheath plain and unadorned, with the hilt wrapped in old fabric strips.

At this moment, his body faintly glimmered with a silver radiance—this young man was clearly a knight!

Lynch stared at the young man’s face in confusion for a moment. He couldn’t quite explain why, but this youth seemed somehow familiar, as though they had met before—though exactly where, he couldn’t recall.

The raucous hall fell suddenly silent, and all eyes turned collectively to the young man.

"Tap, tap, tap!"

The hurried sound of footsteps echoed as a group of soldiers filed in. They quickly encircled the young man, their Cross Swords gleaming in the torchlight, ready to cut him down into mincemeat at any moment.

But at this very moment, Jamie raised a hand to halt the soldiers. "Enough."

He then directed his gaze at the young man.

Jamie asked, "Arthur Grant! What exactly are you trying to do?"

Arthur?

Could it be...

Hearing that name, Lynch was momentarily stunned. He finally understood where the familiarity came from.

He scrutinized the young man before him once more.

Indeed, it was him!

Wasn’t this the same boy he had saved ten years ago?

Ten years ago, during a venture into the Undead Castle of William Heim alongside Avery, he had rescued a few female slaves. He recalled that one of the rescued women’s younger brother came rushing in at the time, leading to a misunderstanding. The boy’s features were unmistakably identical to those of the young man standing before him now.

The young knight who called himself Arthur stepped forward. "Baron, you should have an answer for me by now."

Jamie frowned slightly.

He said, "Find this knight a seat."

After a brief pause, he turned back to Arthur and added, "Today I’m hosting important guests. Let’s discuss your matter after the banquet is over."

"Wait?!"

Arthur’s eyes reddened. "Baron, how can I possibly wait any longer?!"

"My homeland is on the brink of collapse. Those vile Dead Spirits could launch an attack at any moment. My family is there, my home is there—everything I swore to protect is there," he said, voice trembling with urgency.

"They live each day in fear of death. How can I have peace of mind staying here?"

Dropping to one knee, his voice turned earnest as he pleaded to Jamie, "I beg you, deploy your forces to help us. We are truly at our wits’ end."

After a pause, his tone became firm. "If you, like the other nobles, are unwilling to send your troops, then I ask that you at least give me a definitive answer instead of keeping me in suspense. I truly have no time left to waste here!"

Murmurs filled the banquet hall.

"Is this the knight from Ramos? I heard he’s been running all over the Saladin Kingdom asking for reinforcements. Is that true?"

"It’s more than just Saladin. He’s been to every corner of the Seven Kingdoms. He’s clearly insane—thinking he can just spout a few words and get people to fight to the death against those vile Dead Spirits? Ridiculous."

"Exactly. Ramos Duchy is worthless. What’s the point of going there? He’s out of his mind."

"This kind of reckless kid should be thrown out. The Baron is being far too polite, wasting so much time talking to him."

"The fate of the Ramos people has nothing to do with us!"

The murmurs grew louder.

"Silence!"

Jamie’s commanding voice rang out, quieting the room.

He turned his gaze back to Arthur. Faced with eyes filled with hope and plea, Jamie fell silent for a moment before asking, "Do you need an answer from me today?"

Arthur nodded earnestly. "Yes, my lord."

Jamie continued, "No room for negotiation? I would prefer to discuss this slowly."

Arthur shook his head resolutely. "My lord, I truly cannot afford to wait any longer."

Jamie asked, "And if I say no?"

Arthur replied, "Then I’ll continue to seek support from other nobles elsewhere."

Leaning back in his chair, Jamie said, "To my knowledge, you’ve already traveled across almost the entire Seven Kingdoms, visiting every noble with an army at their command. There aren’t many left. If none of them are willing to assist you... then what?"

Arthur hesitated not even for a second. "Then I’ll return home."

Jamie said, "You’ll die there."

Arthur’s reply was swift and decisive. "That would be the meaning of my life."

Jamie studied the young man’s eyes, unwavering and filled with unyielding stamina, devoid of any hint of retreat or fear. They were a testament to his resolute determination.

He paused in thought.

Eventually, Jamie averted his gaze. Beside him, Lynch noticed a barely-perceptible sigh escape Jamie’s lips—regret, perhaps?

Jamie then announced, "Very well, I’ll give you this chance. If you can defeat the Tulip Knight in combat, I will grant your request and deploy my forces to battle in a distant land."

Arthur straightened up, his voice brimming with emotion. "You have my word!"

Jamie declared, "By the honor of the Stock family."

With that, he rose to his feet and descended from his seat.

Arthur froze for a moment.

He asked, "The Tulip Knight you speak of—do you mean yourself?"

Jamie nodded. "In this room, no one is more qualified than I to represent the Tulip Domain in combat."

Arthur’s expression flickered.

As a High-level Knight in his early thirties, Jamie was already eligible to challenge the rank of Great Knight. His reputation had long since spread across the Seven Kingdoms. Within the Saladin Kingdom—or even across the entire Seven Kingdoms—he was undoubtedly a top-tier warrior.

In contrast, while Arthur’s true strength remained unknown, the density of his Fighting Spirit suggested that he had only recently ascended to knighthood.

The disparity between the two wasn’t just a matter of skill; they were on entirely different planes.

Jamie then asked, "So, will you still fight me now?"

Arthur snapped back to reality.

This battle was one that no one believed he could win—not even Arthur himself.

Yet, when Jamie posed the question, Arthur responded without hesitation, nodding firmly. "I will do everything in my power to defeat you."

He drew his Cross Sword in one smooth motion, without the slightest hint of doubt.

After all,

there was no path of retreat behind him.

Having traveled across the Seven Kingdoms and faced countless noblemen’s ridicule and scorn, this was the very first opportunity he had truly won for himself.

And it might very well be his last.

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