Between the two newly entered youths, the gleam of sabers and swords crisscrossed, their figures weaving and dodging, as swift as phantoms. The sharp weapons in their hands were wielded almost into a dazzling blur of cold light, clashing fiercely from time to time, emitting piercing screeches of metal against metal. For a moment, they fought to a standstill, evenly matched and difficult to separate.
Elara Stonefield stood in the tree, watching intently for a while, but she still couldn't make out the intricacies of the fight. She only felt that the two were fighting with exceptional liveliness and visual appeal, blades flashing, thrilling and dangerous, but that was all. She couldn't discern which moves were clever and deadly killing blows, nor which were blundering moves that revealed an impending defeat. As for whose skill was superior, or who was about to lose, that was even further beyond the grasp and judgment of a layman like her, who was completely clueless about real combat.
"Junior Sister Elara," Sammy, the self-proclaimed "Calculator" beside her, finally couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer. He leaned in and asked Elara about her master's lineage in a slightly respectful tone, "I wonder, under which venerable master or elder within the Outpost do you cultivate? Now that you have finished your long period of secluded cultivation, your strength must have greatly improved, surely?"
It was known that within Stonefist Outpost, every inner apprentice who successfully passed the initial screening would typically undergo about two years of systematic basic training in the "Hall of Hundred Forges." After that, based on their individual talents and performance, they would be recommended to senior members of the Outpost known for their high prestige, integrity, and profound strength—usually the heads of certain halls, senior instructors, or reclusive patrons—to formally undergo the discipleship ceremony, in order to learn more advanced and exquisite martial arts or magic. Only after they successfully completed their apprenticeship could these apprentices truly hold positions of actual power and status within the Outpost, thereby shedding their status as ordinary apprentices.
Of course, this was merely the conventional promotion process that ordinary apprentices needed to go through. If, during the initial entrance trials, there were exceptionally outstanding and gifted apprentices, they could bypass the lengthy two years of tedious basic training and be directly selected by special exception for advanced study in the mysterious "Hall of Seven Arts." There, they might even have the opportunity to be personally accepted as inner chamber disciples by one of Stonefist Outpost's most revered Commanders or core members of the Council of Elders, thereby receiving their true transmission of the Outpost's core secret techniques. For any apprentice of common origin, this was a transformative opportunity, akin to a carp leaping the dragon gate to become a dragon, allowing them to soar to prominence and completely change their future destiny.
Even during the two-year basic training period, if there were exceptionally outstanding talents who far surpassed their peers, they also had a high chance of being noticed by other high-ranking elders in the Outpost, the masters of various halls, or those mysterious honored physicians or honored mages, and thus be taken under their wing as true disciples, taught personally and with great care. Although the future prospects of these disciples might not compare to those children of fortune who could directly become disciples of Commanders or core elders, they were still valued and utilized much more by the Outpost's higher-ups than ordinary apprentices who could only advance step-by-step, and their future development space was also much broader.
This "Calculator" Sammy, having previously heard Elara say she had just emerged from secluded cultivation in some unknown remote place, and given that he had indeed never seen Elara before, naturally speculated in his heart that this ordinary-looking junior sister before him was, in all likelihood, the secret disciple of some high-ranking, mysterious figure within the Outpost. Therefore, he had immediately acted so respectfully and attentively, proactively approaching her to inquire, hoping to use this opportunity to curry favor and build a connection, paving the way for his own future.
"Oh, it's like this. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to be noticed by a respected honored patron within the Outpost, and was luckily accepted as his disciple by him, the esteemed elder." Elara was naturally well aware of Sammy's little schemes and true intentions. However, she deliberately put on a slightly shy and modest expression, but when she spoke the words "honored patron" and "disciple," her tone intentionally carried a hint of undeniable pride and reserve. "As for which specific honored patron, my master's rules dictate that it is not convenient to casually mention his esteemed name. I hope Senior Apprentice Sammy will forgive me."
"Is that so? That is truly enviable! Junior Sister Elara, you are truly blessed with immense good fortune, lucky to a degree that makes one jealous!" Hearing Elara's reluctance to reveal her master's specific name, "The Calculator" Sammy showed no sign of concern on his face. Instead, he immediately switched to an even more eager and fawning smile, continuing, "However, that's no matter! In any case, whichever venerable honored patron it is within the Outpost, their status and strength are far superior to my own unpromising master's! Junior Sister Elara, your status within the Outpost in the future will surely rise accordingly, and your prospects will undoubtedly be bright and limitless! I only hope that if there is an opportunity in the future, Junior Sister Elara, you will remember to give your little brother here a helping hand!" The tone and attitude with which he spoke these words had undergone a dramatic transformation compared to before; he was like a completely different person.
"Junior Sister Elara, one look at you and it's clear you are no ordinary person. In the future, you are destined to be an outstanding individual; a meteoric rise is merely a matter of time!" He seemed to feel his previous compliments were insufficient and immediately continued to flatter and praise her effusively.
"How strange! This little chit of a girl, dark and skinny, also looks quite dull-witted. How could she have such good luck to be noticed by some honored patron and taken as a disciple? And myself, so clever and sharp, so socially adept, why is it that no important figure is willing to appreciate and promote me? It's truly unfair!" "The Calculator" Sammy's mind was currently in turmoil, muttering and grumbling to himself, but his face was still wreathed in an even more respectful and humble smile, showing no sign of anything amiss.
Elara, hearing Sammy's form of address for her upgrade from "Little Junior Sister" to "Junior Sister Elara" in just a short moment, even carrying a hint of respect, couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
However, Elara did not feel any contempt or disdain for this Sammy in her heart. After all, this kind of sycophancy, currying favor with the powerful, was merely an instinct evolved by humans for survival and development, with no absolute right or wrong. After all, who wouldn't want to live a little better, to climb a little higher, thereby possessing more resources and greater say? Not to mention, this youth named Sammy, from his nickname "The Calculator," it was not difficult to see that he himself was a person adept at calculation and skilled in opportunistic maneuvering.
However, Elara secretly felt that this Sammy was probably going to be greatly disappointed. Although what she had said earlier was not entirely false, and she was indeed Physician Morus's disciple, her so-called "honored disciple" status was likely just a showy but insubstantial fake, impressive on the outside but useless in reality. With her current meager strength, she probably couldn't even defeat any ordinary apprentice who had undergone formal training within this Stonefist Outpost. He had mistaken her for a towering tree he could rely on for shade and support; he had most likely picked the wrong person entirely.
Elara chuckled wryly to herself, yet her face maintained an appearance of calm composure, patiently listening to "The Calculator" Sammy's incessant flattery, while also having to force herself to occasionally respond to him to avoid letting him see through her.
"Junior Sister Elara, in my opinion, with your unfathomable strength, if you were willing to personally step into the field and offer them some guidance, you would surely be able to effortlessly defeat that swordsman, crushing him completely! You definitely could..." "The Calculator" Sammy, while his mouth was as sweet as honey, ceaselessly uttering all sorts of pleasing flatteries, also devoted part of his attention to carefully and discreetly observing Elara's every move and subtle expression, trying to discern some clues.
"Huh! How strange!" The more carefully Sammy observed, the more puzzled and confused he became. "Logically speaking, someone who can be accepted as a disciple by an honored patron must have a considerably profound inner energy cultivation, and their skills definitely shouldn't be weak. But why can't I discern the depth of this Junior Sister Elara before me at all? This person, her temples are not slightly bulging from long-term cultivation of profound inner energy, nor do her eyes occasionally flash with a gleam of power due to exquisite skill. No matter how I look at her, she seems like an ordinary person completely ignorant of any martial arts or magic! What on earth is going on?" "The Calculator" Sammy's heart was filled with doubt, utterly perplexed.
"The winner has been decided." Just as Sammy was lost in thought, still wrestling with his confusion, Elara's calm, unruffled voice floated over, neatly interrupting his chaotic thoughts.
"The Calculator" Sammy was startled upon hearing this and quickly turned his gaze back to the field.
Indeed, just as Elara had said, the youth who had been wielding a saber on the field had now discarded his steel saber to the side. One of his arms was dripping with fresh blood, gushing out continuously, clearly indicating a serious injury. His other hand was tightly pressed against his bleeding wound, his face ashen from extreme pain and unwillingness to concede. From his appearance, it seemed he was not entirely convinced by the outcome of this contest.
However, this was hardly surprising. The martial skills of these two youths were originally very close, on par with each other. In the fierce fight just now, the saber-wielding youth had only unfortunately fallen for his opponent's pre-calculated trick due to a moment of carelessness, ultimately losing because of this single misstep. It was truly a bit pitiful and unjust.
Seeing this, "The Calculator" Sammy's face instantly showed an expression of extreme regret and annoyance, and he repeatedly sighed, "What a pity, what a pity."
"What's wrong? What's so pitiful?" Elara still hadn't been able to discern any particular insights from the brief and fierce fight just now. However, seeing that there was a ready-made "commentator" beside her who seemed to know the situation on the field like the back of his hand, it would be a great disservice to her own curiosity if she didn't ask for clarification.
"Alas, you don't know!" Sammy sighed heavily upon hearing this and explained, "If Big Brother Billy's side had won this match, then they would have won three in a row. According to the prior agreement, the final, decisive match wouldn't even need to be fought, and we would have won directly! What a pity, what a pity, just by a little bit, we still couldn't win!"
"Oh, so that's how it is." Elara finally nodded in understanding.
"However, it doesn't matter too much!" Sammy's previously somewhat dejected expression quickly lifted again, becoming excited and expectant. "Now there's only this final, decisive match left! And, the person from Big Brother Billy's side who is appearing last to hold the line is renowned among our batch of apprentices as the one with the highest martial skill! His family's inherited 'Rushing Thunder Saber Technique,' when unleashed, is unmatched in its ferocity and as swift as lightning. It's said he can even shatter hard rocks and cut through fine metal! Haha! To have the chance to witness Senior Apprentice Rory's signature saber technique today, my trip here hasn't been in vain! I dare bet, no matter who Charles Blackwood's side sends out to fight next, we've already won! Absolutely won!" When "The Calculator" Sammy spoke of the upcoming "Senior Apprentice Rory," his face was filled with undisguised admiration and fervor, appearing to have absolute confidence in Senior Apprentice Rory's strength.
"Oh? Is it already the final match?" Elara merely responded casually, not paying much attention to Sammy's excited words. In her heart, however, she was secretly pondering: Who is this "Senior Apprentice Rory" who sounds so formidable? Why have I never heard his name before, nor do I have any impression of him?
Just then, from "Glutton" Billy's camp, a youth with a cool expression and resolute face slowly walked out. This youth tightly gripped a long saber that glinted menacingly under the afterglow of the setting sun. He walked step by step, with utmost steadiness, to the center of the field, then fell silent, merely closing his eyes slowly, as if focusing his spirit and gathering energy, or perhaps waiting for something.
"Senior Apprentice Rory! Senior Apprentice Rory! Senior Apprentice Rory! ..."
The moment this cool youth appeared, the crowd, which had been somewhat subdued due to the previous loss, instantly erupted as if a pot had exploded. Everyone's face showed extreme excitement and anticipation. They spontaneously and in unison shouted the youth's name. The cheers and cries of support, one after another, wave after wave, like earth-shattering cheers, echoed under the entire cliff, vibrating everyone's eardrums. At this moment, no one in the crowd could distinguish between the elite disciples of wealthy origin and the ordinary apprentices from impoverished families. In everyone's heart, there was only one common emotion—an utterly fervent admiration for this Senior Apprentice Rory who was about to fight, and their unreserved cheers and support!