The host's voice echoed across the arena, sparking a wave of low chatter among the spectators in the stands.
Many were eager to find out who this mysterious Apprentice challenger could be.
“This match is getting interesting. Someone actually has the guts to challenge a higher tier.”
The spectators in the stands weren't just nobles; there were also formal Professionals who had come here for amusement.
If the mood struck them, they might even pay a fee to jump down and fight a match themselves.
“I don't know where this idiot came from, but no matter how weak a Professional is, they aren't someone an Apprentice can challenge!” a shirtless, burly warrior sneered.
He believed this was highly likely just a gimmick.
“Perhaps they aren't stupid, but just want to trade their life for some money. I wonder which playboy noble forced their house servant up there for a laugh,” a noble remarked with keen interest.
In the minds of these nobles, there was a hierarchy even among playboys.
“Hmph, trying to be clever,” a noble lady beside him scoffed in disdain.
Noble ladies rarely came to the arena. She was only accompanying her older brother, and the noble who had just spoken did not get along well with her family.
“A pity. This Raging Bear is just a bit too ugly,” a noblewoman commented.
While there were few young noble ladies in the arena, there were quite a few mature noblewomen.
Aside from watching the matches, they would also make offers to gladiators who caught their eye.
Some of the slaves, house servants, and commoner-born gladiators who were forced to participate desperately hoped their performance would catch a noblewoman's eye.
This was one of the few ways they could turn their lives around.
Ogre had actually received offers from several noblewomen in the past.
However, Ogre had not signed a contract of indenture. Coupled with his connection to Yade, as long as he was unwilling, he remained free.
Of course, this was also related to his physique and attire.
Ogre's build actually leaned toward the 'slender' side, and his face was often hidden behind a mask.
Thus, his appeal to these noblewomen wasn't that high.
Most of them preferred large, fierce Martial Artists or Knights.
Ogre's opponent—Raging Bear—belonged to that exact category. If his looks hadn't been so hard to describe, he probably would have had his freedom bought long ago.
“Kid, I'm going to make you understand the gap between an Apprentice and a Professional!”
Raging Bear was also quite annoyed. He was a proud Professional, yet he had been matched against an Apprentice. To make matters worse, he had been warned not to kill his opponent. What kind of joke was this!
If he weren't bound by the arena, he would have torn this arrogant fool to shreds.
He absolutely despised skinny, monkey-like brats like this.
But there was nothing he could do. To become a Professional Martial Artist, he had signed an agreement with the arena while still at the Apprentice-level. He couldn't leave until he cleared his debt, or the power of the mage's contract would forcefully wipe away his intelligence.
With Raging Bear's potential, if he hadn't relied on the arena's backing, he likely wouldn't have even reached this level. But now that he was a formal Professional, his potential was basically exhausted.
Once a Martial Artist passed a certain age, it became very difficult for their strength to grow. More often than not, becoming a Professional was the peak for most of them.
This was also why Martial Artists were considered inferior to other professions.
“We won't know until we try.”
Ogre altered his voice as he brought the spear that had been slung behind his back horizontally in front of him.
...
Seeing this spear, a few Professionals in the stands seemed to recognize Ogre. “I think I know who this challenger is.”
“Who?” The blonde noble beside him turned his head.
“He's the guy who hangs around with those outer city folk. Someone in the guild gave their adventuring band a nickname—the Goblin Slayers,” the Professional answered.
Most of these Professionals had no interest in specifically looking into Ogre, but the high efficiency with which Ogre, Folke, and the others completed commissions still attracted some attention.
In fact, if they were willing to spend just a little time, they would have easily discovered Ogre's 'true identity' within the town.
“Doesn't sound like much.”
“Who knows.”
...
“I hope that in the future, you will learn to respect the strong.”
Under the gaze of the crowd, Raging Bear unclasped his cloak, revealing his robust upper body. His weapons were a pair of customized knuckle dusters.
These were Raging Bear's sidearms, indicating that he did not take Ogre seriously at all. Had it not been a requirement of the tournament organizers, he wouldn't have even bothered using them.
In Raging Bear's eyes, fighting a trash-tier Apprentice-level opponent was nothing to brag about even if he won.
If the arena hadn't offered him a high debt deduction for this appearance, he would never have agreed to fight an Apprentice.
“I'm sorry, but I cannot guarantee that I will spare your life, as I will be going all out.”
Ogre's tone was surprisingly calm and humble.
But the content of his words thoroughly enraged Raging Bear.
“And here I was thinking of letting you keep an arm!” Raging Bear snarled, baring his teeth.
Ogre did not reply. Instead, he tightened both hands around his spear. He had long since blocked out the clamor outside the arena, throwing his entire mind and soul into the match.
“Will this match become a legend? Let's wait and see!” As the host's voice fell, this seemingly lopsided duel truly began.
However, to the surprise of most spectators, as soon as the host's words faded, the first to launch an attack was actually Raging Bear, who had been speaking so disdainfully.
“For someone who looked down on him so much in word and action, he's moving faster than anyone else,” a Professional sitting close to the action remarked.
“Don't let Raging Bear's brutish appearance fool you; he's actually very meticulous. If he possessed combat techniques to release his vital energy and blood or proper defensive gear, his rank would definitely be much higher than this.”
Another nearby Professional chimed in.
“Lacking defensive gear is only relative. A Professional Martial Artist possesses vital energy and blood. Though it isn't as versatile as battle qi of the same tier, it is more than enough to withstand an Apprentice's attacks.”
Vital energy and blood was the fusion of a person's essence, energy, and spirit—a force that waxed and waned according to the Martial Artist's current state. Infused with the Martial Artist's willpower, it could significantly bolster their physical strength and combat techniques as the battle progressed.
The vital energy and blood of senior Professional Martial Artists could even materialize outside their bodies to assist in combat, forming various incredibly powerful projections.
However, that level of vital energy and blood was exceptionally rare.
It required not only a powerful body but also a martial will forged over decades without interruption to summon it at one's peak.
As they aged, the vital energy and blood within a Martial Artist would decline alongside their weakening will and physical form.
“Look! That Apprentice, he actually wounded Raging Bear!” A shout from a spectator in the front row instantly caused an uproar.
In their view, Ogre had not only evaded all of Raging Bear's strikes, but had also launched a counterattack!
‘With nearly ten days of body tempering, even I don't know exactly how strong I am now.’
What with the lightning tempering combined with his breathing technique and meditation method for recovery, Ogre could feel his physical constitution improving.
However, lightning tempering wasn't like regular training where he could clearly see where his limits lay. Moreover, he never had to go all out when killing goblins on a typical day.
Thus, even Ogre himself did not know just how powerful his body had become.
“So fast! How is this possible?!”
Raging Bear even ignored the fresh wounds appearing on his own body, staring in utter disbelief at Ogre, who had evaded his attack once again.
“Nothing is impossible.”
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