Wizard: Starting With the Knights Breathing Method Chapter 2: The [Black Snake with a Candle] and [The Mad Knight]

Deep within the castle's foundations lay a subterranean chamber, a hidden sanctuary that Levi had never before stepped foot in.

From the floor, the mechanism required to open this secret room slowly emerged.

An ancient piece of parchment, having survived the passage of countless years, rested there. It was marked with chaotic scribbles and incisions in scarlet paint, all arranged in a circular pattern.

Encircling these marks was the depiction of a black-scaled serpent that seemed to envelop the entire castle. This abstract giant snake held a solitary candle upon its lower jaw.

“This is the ancestral breathing method of the Snyder family, known as the Black Snake Breathing Method. The Snyder blood in your veins serves as the key to unlocking it. I suspect this breathing method alone holds more value than this entire valley,” Knight Fred remarked with gravity.

Levi’s breath grew heavy; his path was finally beginning.

According to his knowledge, knights categorized breathing methods into four distinct tiers: superficial, excellent, perfect, and legendary.

The vast majority, roughly 90%, are merely superficial.

Because fate is beyond anyone's control, luck plays a massive role. Reaching the rank of Great Knight demands 90% talent, 9% opportunity, and a mere 1% effort. Such paths are classified as excellent breathing methods.

Perfect breathing methods are the domain of powerful lineages, such as those of a Duke, and are exceptionally rare.

As for legendary breathing methods, they are almost exclusively found in myths.

A defining trait of breathing methods ranked excellent or higher is that they are primarily inherited through bloodlines. The Black Snake Breathing Method is one such technique, belonging solely to the Snyder family.

There have been those who attempted to steal such inherited methods. The outcomes were grim: their breathing either regressed to a superficial level, or their internal blood vessels ruptured as they succumbed to madness.

Rumors suggest this is a curse designed to thwart thieves.

Levi harbored no such fears, given that the Snyder blood flowed through him.

Under the tutelage of Knight Fred, he spent roughly half a month practicing within the secret chamber.

Knight Fred remained by his side throughout. Even though he lacked the ability to perform the Black Snake Breathing Method himself, his vast experience allowed him to guide Levi effectively.

One morning, Levi awoke in a peculiar stance—drenched in sweat with veins protruding from his skin. His face burned a deep red, and he struggled to catch his breath.

He felt his blood reaching a boiling point, surging through him at an incredible pace. The energy within his body was being consumed rapidly, replaced by a wave of primal hunger.

“H—hungry...”

He let out a low, beast-like growl.

Anticipating this, Knight Fred had already readied a spread: a plate of roasted meat, a bowl of goat’s milk, several bread rolls topped with fruit jam, and a side of boiled cabbage.

The meal provided a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. While the nobility of this world often shunned vegetables as low-class fare, Levi understood the necessity of a balanced diet.

He devoured the food like a whirlwind, and his starvation soon subsided.

Despite consuming a portion meant for two grown men, he felt only 80% satisfied.

In that moment, a proficiency panel manifested in his mind:

Levi Snyder Black Snake Breathing Method: Level 1 (1/1000)

The appearance of a skill on the proficiency panel confirmed that his journey had truly started.

The objective now was to level up.

This milestone also signified his transition into a knight’s attendant.

A Shield Squire, a Sword Squire, and a Quasi-Knight.

These represent the three preparatory stages of apprenticeship before achieving the official rank of Knight, collectively known as the Knight Attendant phase.

A Shield Squire must master the shield, while a Sword Squire focuses on advanced blade techniques. Once the breathing method and external martial arts are synchronized, one becomes a Quasi-Knight. The final hurdle is the condensation of the Seed of Life.

Success grants the status of an invincible knight on the field of battle; failure makes achieving knighthood nearly impossible.

“It appears our Young Master has successfully initiated the Black Snake Breathing Method. While your progress is slower than your father’s was, you surpass most of us. You will experience intense hunger, so ensure plenty of food is ready before you practice,” Knight Fred cautioned. “If you don't, this hunger will consume your sanity, turning you into a beast driven by instinct. You might even commit depraved acts. This is the origin of the [Mad Knights], who are ultimately burned at the stake by the Church.”

Mad Knights were often commoners who turned to breathing methods to protect their kin, survive, or seek a better life.

However, by constantly dancing on the edge of insanity, many ended up devouring their own families and loved ones.

Knight Fred shut his eyes as he spoke of the Mad Knights. Having come from a lowly background himself, he understood that brush with madness all too well. He remained eternally grateful to the former Baron for saving his life.