Chapter 173: ‘Baptism’

As everyone knew, naturally awakened Knights had much higher talent than those who had undergone ‘Baptism’. Moreover, the younger the naturally awakened Knight, the greater their potential.

The most famous example was the King of City!

He had naturally awakened at the age of six and reached Gold-rank strength by the age of nineteen.

Dean was not at that level, but he still showed a promising future. It was worth noting that the last Knight with natural awakening in Vauban County had appeared twenty years ago: Shiva, who naturally awakened as a Knight at the age of twenty.

And twenty years later, Shiva had become a Silver.

Dean was two years younger than Shiva. If Shiva could become a Silver, Dean could certainly do it too!

Moreover, Shiva’s awakened talent belonged to the ‘Body’ and was only medium-grade, while Dean’s was a high-grade ‘Element’ talent. After comparing the two, the people present looked at Dean with anticipation, and… caution.

Those with anticipation: the Miss of the Tier Baron Family and Baron Jandu.

Those with caution: Bishop Deholl and Baron Defendi.

As for Baron Janel?

The man who had been frightened into a coma by the bloody scene earlier had not yet woken up.

He was naturally ignored by Dean.

“Do you think we need to change the baptism identifier?”

Dean turned around and looked at Baron Defendi with a smile.

“I… no, no need!”

Baron Defendi instinctively wanted to agree and continue to make things difficult for Dean, but the next moment, the Baron realized his mistake and shook his head repeatedly.

If they changed the baptism identifier, wouldn’t that be questioning Marquis Vauban?

As the Marquis’s lord, even if he had ulterior motives, Baron Defendi would never dare to show such blatant disrespect.

Dean paid no more attention to the Baron. He turned to look at Higgs on the other side, one of his targets for that day.

However, before Dean could speak, Bishop Deholl stood up—

“My Lord Marquis, the time for the ‘Baptism’ ceremony has been delayed. I think we should start as soon as possible!”

Saying this, the Bishop looked at Higgs.

Instantly, Higgs walked quickly to the Bishop, knelt down on one knee, and the Bishop suddenly produced a small silver bowl in his hand. He dipped his fingertip into the ‘holy water’ in the bowl, sprinkled it on Higgs, and then recited a string of prayers.

Dean was stunned. He had not expected the other party to start the Baptism like this!

But the next moment, a strong sense of vigilance rose in Dean’s heart.

An opponent who was not bound by face or honor was undoubtedly more difficult to deal with.

Especially when there were multiple enemies.

“Dean, come here!”

Marquis Vauban gave his old rival a disdainful glance, then turned around and spoke gently to Dean.

“Yes, Lord Marquis!”

Dean walked to Marquis Vauban and knelt on one knee as well. However, the Marquis did not take out the so-called holy water. Instead, he drew his Sword and gently placed the flat side of the blade on Dean’s shoulder—

“Dean Ken, can you abide by your honor and dignity, and keep the hearts of justice and loyalty in mind?”

Marquis Vauban asked with a solemn expression.

“I can!”

Having experienced this once before, Dean answered crisply.

“When facing evil and tyranny, can you bravely confront them, even with a heart willing to sacrifice?”

Marquis Vauban moved the sword spine from Dean’s left shoulder to his right shoulder, and his voice sounded again.

“I can!”

Dean’s answer was still crisp.

“C congratulations to you, Dean Ken. From now on, you will be one of the most loyal Knights under the command of the King of the Emerald Kingdom!”

Marquis Vauban tapped the top of Dean’s head lightly with the sword spine, sheathed his sword, and then, in his personal capacity, said softly to Dean, “Congratulations!”

“Thank you!”

Dean responded. He was clearly closer to Marquis Vauban because of their previous duel.

Then, Marquis Vauban signaled to his Guard Captain, “Shiva, lead Knight Dean Ken to the Baptism room!”

The ‘Knight’s Baptism’ ceremony was roughly divided into two parts: the beginning and the end.

The Q&A between Marquis Vauban and Dean earlier, which resembled a vow process, was the first part.

And the second part?

Naturally, it was taking the respective ‘Knight Baptism’ Potions. Originally, this should have been prepared by Marquis Vauban, but clearly, neither Dean nor Higgs needed it.

Dean had the gift from the Grand Duchess.

And Higgs had the preparation by Deholl.

“I will wait outside. If you need anything, just shout out!”

Shiva stood at the door of a room, giving advice to Dean.

Although the Silver Knight did not think Dean would encounter any problems, and even impossible to fail; his sense of responsibility made him act like this instinctively.

“Thank you for everything you have done!”

Dean expressed his gratitude to the Silver Knight as he walked into the room.

Then, with the other’s nod of approval, he entered the room prepared for the ‘Knight’s Baptism’—The room was not large. Apart from leaving a corridor wide enough for a person to walk through sideways, there was only a single bed. Other than that, there was nothing else, not even a window.

Dean lit the candle—that candle, inserted into a candlestick hanging on the wall, was as thick as a child’s arm, and the moment it was lit, it provided enough light for the entire room.

He took out the Potion gifted by the Grand Duchess and opened the box—

A small glass test tube, only the size of an adult’s index finger, appeared in the box. The semi-transparent, semi-golden liquid swayed inside with Dean’s movements.

Without hesitation, Dean pulled the stopper and drank the potion in one gulp.

The cold liquid flowed down his throat, and when it reached his stomach, it turned warm. A feeling of comfort and relaxation rose from Dean’s heart, making him instinctively want to fall asleep.

However, the next moment, Dean clenched his fists and concentrated his will to resist the drowsiness.

This was a test of the ‘Knight Baptism’ Potion!

Although the ‘Baptism’ could be completed while sleeping, being awake would yield more benefits.

Of course, this was Dean’s ‘first time’ taking a ‘Knight Baptism’ Potion, which was much better than his situation before his rebirth—After all, before his rebirth, Dean had taken the ‘Knight Baptism’ Potion many times, and he was no longer fighting off drowsiness, but enduring pain, a pain that came from deep within his bones.

The drowsiness came shallowly, then turned into a fierce onslaught, then weakened again, and then became intense once more.

After three cycles of this, the drowsiness completely disappeared.

And when the drowsiness completely disappeared, streams of warmth began to burst from various parts of Dean’s body, swirling and coiling within him—

[Discovered unknown energy…]

[Identification: Appropriate Body Enhancement and Potential Awakening Essence]

[Judgment: Can be fused and absorbed…]

[Starting fusion and absorption…]

[Judging five attributes: Strength, Agility, Constitution, Perception, and Will…]

[Judgment passed]

[All Attributes +0.3]

[Potential awakening, Talent opening…]

[Acquired Strength Talent — Power Burst Lv4]

[Acquired Agility Talent — Agility Burst Lv3]

[Acquired Constitution Talent — Tough Physique Lv4]

[Acquired Perception Talent — Heart of Vigilance Lv2]

[Acquired Will Talent — Steel Heart Lv4]

As the streams of warmth swirled, a series of messages began to appear on Dean’s character panel.

Looking at the [All Attributes +0.3] and the corresponding talents for the five attributes, Dean first expressed surprise, but then shook his head with a bitter smile.

Although reaching a value of 2 in any attribute already qualified one to awaken Knight Talents.

However, the awakened Talents were not chosen by you, but judged based on your own situation.

Even if your attribute value far exceeded 2, there would be no change in the type of Talent, only the level would change—When any attribute reaches 2, the Knight Baptism is successful, awakening a Lv1 Talent; when it reaches 2.5, the Knight Baptism is successful, awakening a Lv2 Talent, and so on.

Dean, who had thoroughly studied Knight Talent books on Secret Spell Island, was very clear about the above situation.

At the same time, he hoped for some change and to awaken one or two advanced Talents.

But the result was undoubtedly disappointing. Although the Talents corresponding to the five attributes were all awakened, none of them were advanced Talents.

[Power Burst] and [Agility Burst] could only be considered basic Talents.

And [Tough Physique], [Heart of Vigilance], and [Steel Heart] could be counted as medium Talents, but apart from [Tough Physique], the remaining two were only on the lower side among medium Talents.

“At least it’s better than [Virus Resistance]?”

Dean comforted himself like this.

“Indeed, the Royal Family’s Potion effects exceeded expectations—the ‘Baptism Potions’ I used before, none of them could increase attributes by more than 0.2; however, the Royal Family’s ‘Baptism Potions’ cannot be used repeatedly in a short period either… My current Constitution is not enough to support another ‘Baptism’ until it reaches 5. Moreover, there is no Royal Family’s ‘Baptism Potion’ for me to use. If it is just a ordinary ‘Baptism Potion’, the attribute increase, compared to the attribute loss, is too disadvantageous!”

Gazing at the information [All Attributes +0.3], Dean thought silently.

After that, his gaze naturally fell on those newly appeared Talents.