Clayde was startled too. He had guessed that this boy was no ordinary fighter, but had not expected him to win so decisively.
"Grand Elder, I won this time." Even as a seventh-rank expert, Clayde felt rather pleased with himself at that moment.
The Grand Elder shook his head slightly. "The outcome has yet to be decided."
Another change had taken place in the arena.
Though Andrew had knocked his weapon away, Baru still refused to concede. Instead, his fighting spirit burned even stronger.
Andrew could sense his opponent's rising aura. It was unusually violent, utterly unlike a human's. A thought struck him, and he realized that this was the barbarians' berserk transformation.
Barbarians were called barbarians precisely because they could undergo berserk transformation. After transforming, their strength increased considerably, but their minds became more confused. When attacking, they often failed to distinguish friend from foe, making them extremely dangerous. The transformation also inflicted considerable damage on their bodies.
Because of this, humans were unwilling to live alongside barbarians, who ultimately could only live on the Far East Prairie.
Everyone's expression changed at the sight of Baru's berserk transformation, even the usually composed Grand Elder's.
"Though Baru is cleverer than the adults in the tribe, he is still only a child. He is still too impulsive."
Barbarian tribes lived in backward conditions, and supplies were the key factor limiting their development. Scarcity meant their populations grew slowly, and the Keli Tribe was no exception.
Decades ago, the Keli Tribe had numbered only around a hundred. The Grand Elder had taken great pains to move the tribe here and trade with humans. Supplies had gradually become plentiful, and the population had doubled. As a result, the Grand Elder held great authority within the Keli Tribe and was known as a sage.
With his foresight, the Grand Elder understood better than anyone that brains sometimes mattered more than strength when managing a tribe. Of course, having both was best. He had spent a long time observing potential successors who possessed those qualities, and Baru was the one he had chosen.
Yet, though Baru was wiser than many barbarians, he was still a barbarian and could not change his impulsive nature.
Faced with Baru's berserk transformation, Andrew grew a little nervous too. However, he did not panic. Instead, he became even calmer.
"I won't take advantage of you. You're an opponent worthy of respect."
To everyone's surprise, Andrew actually tossed aside his saber, preparing to fight barehanded.
"Idiot!" a knight beside Clayde cursed. Andrew had already held the upper hand. As long as he won the match, these knights would save their clan a substantial fortune and receive rewards upon their return. Who could have expected Andrew to give up his advantage? Now the outcome was uncertain again.
"Shut up! This isn't foolishness. It's the bearing of a true expert!" Clayde snapped, his eyes full of admiration as he watched Andrew. As a warrior of the seventh rank, he had witnessed many matches. Many people would use any means to win. Only true experts respected their opponents like this and forgot about winning or losing. To them, a match was merely a means of surpassing themselves.
The Grand Elder nodded in agreement. "This child is exceptional. He is certain to become a formidable expert someday. Captain Clayde, do you know where he comes from?"
Clayde shook his head. "I'm not certain. He should be from Maple Forest Town. With his talent, becoming a high-level warrior is only a matter of time. However, Maple Forest Town has no nobles, nor any battle-qi secret manuals..."
The Grand Elder keenly grasped Clayde's thoughts. "Are you interested in taking him as your disciple, Captain Clayde?"
Clayde smiled. "Who wouldn't like a genius like him?"
Baru's berserk transformation was complete. Already a head taller than Andrew, his body swelled further until he stood nearly two meters tall, looking utterly terrifying. At that moment, he had only one goal in mind: to defeat Andrew.
"Aah!"
Baru roared and swung a fist as large as Andrew's head. That punch carried at least a thousand jin of force, enough to rival a fifth-level warrior.
Andrew did not dodge the fist. He was now a warrior at the peak of the fourth rank as well, with seven or eight hundred jin of strength throughout his body. With technique, he was more than capable of contending with Baru.
"Taiji Fist!"
This was the source of Andrew's confidence.
Taiji excelled at turning an opponent's strength against them and overcoming hardness with softness. Though Andrew was not particularly proficient, he had practiced for quite some time and was quite skilled at applying subtle force. His small arm hooked gently and guided the momentum along, effortlessly deflecting Baru's fist.
Then he rushed forward two steps, using his agility to drive his whole body in close to Baru. As Andrew redirected his strength with a tug, Baru could not pull back in time and involuntarily pitched forward. Andrew tripped him with his body, and he immediately fell to the ground. Not only that, but the momentum sent him rolling several times, carrying him more than ten meters away.
"What? How is that possible? How could he be that strong?"
To the onlookers, it seemed Andrew had thrown Baru with his own strength. To throw the transformed Baru that far, Andrew would have needed at least a thousand jin of force. Didn't that mean this young boy was actually a fifth-level warrior? At the thought, the surrounding crowd erupted once more, everyone marveling at such a genius.
Only the Grand Elder and Clayde saw how it worked. They exchanged a glance, equally astonished.
"This boy's technique is truly unusual. We concede this match. Gleiter, take Baru back," the Grand Elder said. A burly barbarian beside him obeyed and entered the arena, knocking Baru unconscious with a single blow before carrying him back.
Clayde felt fortunate too. "I never expected him to possess such techniques either. We were lucky to win this time. Leon, bring that boy here."
"Yes, Captain," a masked knight answered.
Once Andrew threw Baru, he knew Baru was certain to lose. Their strength was not far apart, but his opponent's technique could not compare with his at all. He was just about to say something when he saw a huge barbarian knock Baru unconscious and carry him away. While he was still puzzling over this, a masked knight approached.
"Boy, come with me. Our captain wants to see you!"
Andrew looked at him. He could not see the man's face, but knew he was a noble's knight from White River City. In this world, nobles held absolute power over the lives and deaths of commoners. Andrew himself was not afraid, but he did not want to implicate his family. Picking up his saber, he followed the knight.
Behind him, Howard followed too.
"Captain, I've brought him."
Clayde wore no mask, but his aura put Andrew under considerable pressure.
So powerful. His aura is much stronger than Dad's. This man is a high-level warrior! Andrew stood there, thinking to himself. I wonder what he wants with me.
"I am Clayde Frey, captain of the Frey Clan's guards. Young friend, what is your name?" Clayde spoke courteously, without any air of superiority, leaving Andrew with a favorable impression.
"I am Andrew Lance. My respects, Lord Clayde," Andrew said with a bow. In this world, it was accepted etiquette for the weak to bow to the strong.
"Andrew," Clayde said, "you look only about ten, yet you've already reached the peak of the fourth rank. You're far more talented than I was. As long as you obtain a battle-qi secret manual, you will certainly become a high-level warrior within ten years. Even becoming a ninth-level warrior someday may not be impossible."
Hearing this, Andrew inwardly curled his lip. A ninth-level warrior? You underestimate me far too much. How could a sparrow understand a swan's ambitions? My goal is beyond anything you could imagine.
"Andrew, you come from a commoner family, don't you?" A little frustrated by Andrew's lack of response, Clayde asked another question.
"Yes, my lord."
"For a warrior, talent isn't the most important thing. A battle-qi secret manual is," Clayde said. "Many people possess great talent but can never break through because they lack a battle-qi secret manual."
Andrew hurriedly asked, "My lord, how can I obtain a battle-qi secret manual?"
Clayde smiled. "Only nobles possess battle-qi secret manuals. A commoner has just two ways to obtain one. The first is to enter a noble's service and earn their trust, after which you may be rewarded with a battle-qi secret manual. The second is to join the army and earn military merits, which can be exchanged for a battle-qi secret manual. However, joining the army is far too dangerous, and earning enough military merits also depends on opportunity. With the High Priest guarding the Yulan Empire, no one dares invade, and there hasn't been a war for a very long time. Without war, soldiers have no way to earn military merits."
Andrew looked thoughtful. "So, to obtain a battle-qi secret manual, I have to enter a noble's service. Is that right?"
Clayde was very pleased with his quick understanding. "Correct. If you're willing, I can take you as my disciple and bring you back to the Frey Clan. I believe that with your aptitude, the clan will certainly make your training a priority. Obtaining a battle-qi secret manual will only be a matter of time."
Andrew asked, "My lord, what would I need to do for the Frey Clan?"
Clayde paused slightly. Andrew's question was beyond his expectations, and even the Grand Elder's eyes repeatedly lit up. Neither had expected a commoner child to ask such a question or possess such insight. This showed that the child was not only highly talented, but also very mature.
"Swear to defend the Frey Clan's honor to the death, be ready at any moment to give your life for the Frey Clan, and protect the Frey Clan for the rest of your life!" Clayde stared at Andrew, speaking each word distinctly.
Andrew could not help smiling bitterly. This was practically a contract of servitude. No, it was even harsher than that. Someone who sold himself into servitude could still buy his freedom. Once he entered the Frey Clan, he would probably never be able to leave.
"My lord, I do not agree!" A sudden voice rang out, startling Andrew as well. He turned to look. It was actually his father, Howard!