Chapter 6: Planning for the Future

“Do you know how to use this thing?” Zaranda’s gaze pointed toward the gnome-made firelock on Gavin’s left hip.

“I played with one with my father when I was a kid. It’s very simple: aim at the enemy and pull the trigger. It’s much like a hand crossbow.” Gavin was vague. Influenced by Zhang You’s previous life, he had a sensitive fondness for such things; seeing it on the collection rack, he had instinctively tucked it away.

“Don’t use it recklessly unless it’s a critical moment. Things made by gnomes are notoriously strange and unpredictable. I’ve only seen Master Tersen use one once, and I never saw him touch it again after that.” Zaranda offered a well-intentioned warning. She had a mountain of other things to worry about and didn’t have much energy to spare for Gavin.

“Remember to save a warhorse for me.” Gavin called out to Zaranda’s retreating figure.

“I know,” Zaranda replied, waving her hand.

It wasn’t just Zaranda who was busy to the point of exhaustion; Gavin had plenty to do as well.

After taking the opportunity to settle his equipment, Gavin found a spacious corner and began running, jumping, throwing punches, swinging his sword, and performing stretches.

Familiarizing himself with his gear was only one part of it.

The most important thing was to evaluate his current physical condition and determine what percentage of his combat power he could actually unleash.

While combat techniques and experience were important, physical fitness was equally vital.

Without a sufficiently strong body to support them, attempting powerful combat techniques like Whirlwind Attack or Great Cleave was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Fortunately, he had the foundation of eight years of training as a militiaman under Zaranda. Despite his somewhat thin and weak appearance, beneath his clothes lay solid, sinewy muscle. His strength, constitution, and agility were far greater than they appeared.

Roughly estimated, his strength was between 12 and 13—a bit stronger than the average person, putting him on par with most Knot militiamen, somewhere in the lower-middle tier.

His constitution was likely above 13, barely reaching the upper-middle tier among the Knot militia.

His best attribute was his agility, which was at least 15. In this regard, he had always been outstanding among the Knot militia, ranking in the top five. This was related to the silver elf bloodline flowing through him; those who surpassed him were all half-elves with purer bloodlines than his.

He couldn’t use combat techniques that were too demanding on his physique, but for smaller, more precise techniques, his current body was more than capable.

For example, small side-steps, swaying dodges, or the butterfly step.

Many of these weren’t even from his life as a legendary warrior, but rather from the Sanda fighting techniques of Zhang You’s second life.

Compared to his legendary warrior life, his physical condition in Zhang You’s second life certainly couldn’t compare. Without the Weave’s synchronization or magical enhancement, the physical limits of that life were too obvious and impossible to break through. Forcing a breakthrough would easily cost him his life, and he couldn’t afford to be injured, especially internally.

With the severe injuries he had sustained earlier, a single bottle of Potion of Healing had him back on his feet in minutes.

If that had happened on Earth, he would have been bedridden for months, if not left with permanent complications.

Martial artists on Earth generally focused their energy on technique, especially in grappling and mobile fighting, which offered many lessons worth learning, especially now that his physical attributes were restricted.

“Young Master Gavin, practicing all by yourself is so boring. Why don’t you spar with me?” The persistent voice of Auster drifted over from not far away.

Auster had already changed into a full suit of plate armor, yet he still moved with great agility, demonstrating his immense strength.

“Not interested!” Gavin didn’t even turn his head.

“Could it be that Young Master Gavin is afraid?” Auster’s attempt at provocation was obvious enough for even a fool to see.

Being treated like a monkey wasn’t a pleasant experience, especially for someone who was naturally vindictive.

Gavin stopped his movements, turned around, and looked at Auster with a serious expression. “I can’t kill you with so many people watching; there’s no point. If you really want to spar, let’s find a place with no one around when we have time—preferably in the wild—where we can let loose and fight to the death. Wouldn’t that be more satisfying?”

“You…” Auster was so choked by Gavin’s retort that he nearly lost his breath. He had seen arrogant people, but never anyone this arrogant. “Do you believe I can kill you with one punch?”

“Do you dare to hit me here?” Gavin sneered, his face full of arrogance.

“Fine, fine, fine! I will give you a chance to fight to the death later!” Auster ground his teeth viciously. Realizing there was no point in making a fool of himself, he turned and walked away. With people everywhere, he couldn’t lay a finger on Gavin.

Having sent away the uninvited guest, Gavin lost interest in continuing his practice.

These techniques, whether from the legendary warrior or Zhang You, were already etched into his soul and bones. A little familiarity was all it took to bring them back; the rest would be up to his improvisation on the battlefield.

He had more important things to plan—how to proceed with his future path. His original plans had been completely disrupted.

There was a very awkward problem now: in his previous life, he had been schemed against by Rohan and Auster, captured by monsters, and sold as a slave to the Zhentarim. After that, his opportunities to return to Tethyr were few and far between, with his main activities centered in the North and the Heartlands.

He had first-hand intelligence on the situation there and many "prophetic" cards to play. In Tethyr, he had racked his brains, but other than the future Queen Zaranda standing before him, he really had no other advantages to seize.

Clinging to Zaranda’s powerful influence, Gavin believed he had an inherent advantage. As long as he ensured he wasn’t schemed against by Rohan and Auster again, even if he did nothing but lie low behind Zaranda, in less than a dozen years, he could at the very least end up as a Duke in Tethyr.

But wanting to stop the conspiracy of Shar, the Lady of Loss, or prevent the god-death of Mystra and the subsequent Spellplague? That was out of the question.

Therefore, he had to race against time, head to the North as soon as possible, and use his foresight to build his own advantages. Only by possessing sufficient strength and influence could he do what he wanted to do.

He had already thought of a perfect destination—the Stonelands of Cormyr.

It was vast and sparsely populated, offering enough space and resources for him to stretch his wings.

Having realized this, Gavin felt much lighter. He looked toward Rohan, who was not far away, showing off with five guards armed to the teeth, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

Even if he were to leave, he couldn’t just slip away quietly. He had to repay the debt he owed Zaranda and clear the first stumbling block from her path. Without this dead weight, he believed that with Zaranda’s ability, her journey ahead would be much smoother.