Morning light filtered through the tall windows of Thornheart Castle.
Ivan opened his eyes calmly.
His body still felt slightly stiff. A faint soreness lingered beneath the surface—nothing serious, but enough to remind him of the battle not long ago.
He sat up slowly and adjusted his breathing, letting the familiar rhythm calm his body. After washing and changing clothes, he ate the breakfast prepared by the servants. The food was simple and filling, meant for recovery and training.
Once finished, Ivan stood and left his room.
The training grounds were already active.
The Thornheart training grounds were vast, stone-paved and open, filled with the sounds of movement and steel. Knights trained in groups, practicing formations, weapon drills, and breathing control. The air carried discipline and order.
As Ivan entered, several knights noticed him.
"Young Master Ivan."
Some saluted. Others nodded.
One knight nearby frowned slightly and stepped closer.
"Training again, Young Master?" he asked. "Didn't you get injured recently?"
Ivan paused, then smiled faintly.
"Just some minor scratches," he replied. "If I keep moving, they'll heal faster."
The knight hesitated. "Still… don't push yourself too hard."
"I won't," Ivan said calmly.
The knight relaxed and returned to his training.
Ivan walked past the main grounds and entered a smaller, private training area beside it. This space was quieter, meant for focused practice.
He stood still.
"NOVA," Ivan said softly, "prepare auxiliary support for physical training."
"Yes, Master."
A soft blue shimmer passed through his vision. His posture, breathing rhythm, and muscle engagement were monitored, highlighting inefficiencies without interfering.
Ivan began his training.
Slow movements.
Controlled stances.
Careful breathing.
He avoided sudden bursts of force. Each motion was deliberate, easing strain on his still-recovering body. Warmth slowly spread through his abdomen as the Thornheart Knight Breathing Method circulated.
After a while, Ivan stopped.
Sweat dotted his forehead, but his breathing remained steady.
That was enough for today.
He left the training grounds and returned to the castle.
Not long after, Ivan stood before a familiar door.
The Baron's study.
He knocked.
"Enter."
Ivan stepped inside. The Baron sat behind his desk, reviewing documents. His sharp gaze lifted when Ivan entered.
"You wanted to see me?" the Baron asked.
"Yes," Ivan said. "Father, I want to ask about the secret library."
The Baron's pen stopped.
"Why?" he asked.
"I've reached a bottleneck in my knight training," Ivan replied honestly. "I want to study other breathing methods to gain inspiration."
Silence followed.
Ivan waited, his heart beating slightly faster.
After a moment, the Baron sighed.
"…I see."
He stood.
"Come with me."
Ivan blinked in surprise, then nodded.
"Yes."
They walked through the castle, heading deeper than usual,The corridors grew older, the walls thicker, the air colder.
They stopped before a massive stone door.
Two men stood guard.
At first glance, they appeared calm. Ordinary.
But the moment Ivan's eyes settled on them, his expression changed.
Their breathing was steady. Deep. Rhythmic.
Lower Knights.
Ivan's heart skipped a beat.
Two Lower Knights… guarding a single door?
He had trained alongside knight squires long enough to understand what that meant. Lower Knights were the backbone of a territory's true combat power. Even a single one was precious to a barony.
Yet here—
Two were stationed as guards.
Only then did Ivan truly realize the weight of what lay behind that door.
At that moment, a clear understanding formed in his mind.
The Thornheart territory possessed fifteen knights, not counting his father, and nearly one hundred knight squires.
For a barony, this was exceptional.
Most baronies in the kingdom had only five to seven knights, with fifty or sixty squires at best.
The Thornhearts were different.
And this place… was clearly important enough to justify such protection.
"My lord," the two knights said in unison, lowering their heads.
The Baron nodded. "Open it."
The stone door rumbled as hidden mechanisms activated, ancient gears turning within the walls.
"This is the Thornheart Secret Library," the Baron said as they stepped inside.
"Everything here was collected over four hundred years."
Inside, shelves stretched upward, filled with sealed manuals and preserved records.
"There are three complete mid-tier Knight Breathing Methods," the Baron continued.
"Twenty complete lower-tier methods."
"And beyond those… fragmented methods. Some incomplete. Some damaged."
Ivan's breathing tightened slightly.
"And one more thing," the Baron added.
"A family treasure. A fragmented high-tier breathing method."
A quiet shock rippled through Ivan's chest.
This was not just accumulation.
This was foundation.
"I'll leave you here," the Baron said. "When you're finished, come to my study."
Ivan nodded. "Thank you, Father."
The Baron turned and left.
Alone, Ivan stood still for a moment, absorbing the silence—and the weight of the knowledge around him.
Then—
"NOVA," he said quietly.
"Scan all Knight Breathing Methods in this library. Analyze, compare, and optimize where possible."
"Yes, Master."
A soft blue light shimmered.
One by one, manuals were scanned. Structures analyzed. Circulation paths compared.
As he studied, Ivan also uncovered records of the family's past.
The first Thornheart.
A man who rose through the military. Earned merit. Claimed land.
His strength did not come from bloodline—but from discovering a Knight Breathing Method.
That method became the foundation of the Thornheart family.
Ivan's chest felt tight.
Four hundred years of effort.
Four hundred years of refinement.
Hours passed unnoticed.
Every comparison revealed small insights. Minor improvements. Hidden flaws.
Not dramatic changes—but meaningful ones.
Ivan moved from shelf to shelf, method after method, until only one manual remained.
The last book.
He picked it up and read it carefully, committing every detail to memory. When he finally closed it, he let out a slow breath.
That was everything.
Four hundred years of accumulated knowledge—now recorded.
For the first time, Ivan felt excitement.
Not from combat.
Not from sparring.
From understanding.
"NOVA," Ivan said quietly.
"Yes, Master."
"Organize all scanned Knight Breathing Methods. Categorize them by structure, circulation paths, and efficiency."
A soft blue light flickered before his eyes as the information rearranged itself.
"Then," Ivan continued, his tone calm, "compare all of them. Optimize the data. Create a Knight Breathing Method most suitable for my body."
A brief pause followed.
"Confirmed," Nova replied.
"Composing a personalized Knight Breathing Method will require approximately thirty minutes."
Ivan nodded slightly.
Half an hour.
That was enough.
He leaned back against a nearby shelf, the cool stone pressing lightly against his shoulder. Slowly, he closed his eyes, steadying his breathing.