Wildness and Masks

Perhaps out of courtesy, Lange didn't make the first move.

Surprisingly, it was Thrandic, who seemed weaker on the surface, who initiated the attack.

The blond youth took two deep breaths, and the power of the Dawn Breathing Technique spread through his body.

A faint golden aura emanated from Thrandic, and in just two breaths, he mobilized the immature Battle Qi within him.

The efficiency was so high that even Foucault, who was watching, was a bit surprised.

At the apprentice level, only pure Martial Artists have no additional powers. Apprentice Mages can use some magic, and Knights can use some simple Battle Qi.

Thus, some even believe that Martial Artist apprentices can't really be considered Professional apprentices.

However, Martial Artists who achieve the Three Qi Unity and develop vitality can rival Knights who have completed the Circle of Life, which is why the preliminary stage of Martial Artists is classified as apprentice level.

"Your junior brother's Circle of Life seems well completed. As expected of a Knight trained by the Church of Dawn," Foucault sincerely praised, watching the blond youth's performance.

With just this display of Battle Qi, he knew Thrandic was no weakling.

The standard for a Knight to become a Professional is simple—complete the Circle of Life.

The so-called Circle of Life involves using the Breathing Technique to mobilize the latent Battle Qi within, until this seed of Battle Qi grows strong enough to cover the entire body's muscles and organs, forming a true Battle Qi force of one's own.

Those without Knight aptitude can never take this step.

Martial Artists train in the Breathing Technique only to recover breath and enhance training effects, but Knights practicing the Breathing Technique can indeed cultivate Transcendent Battle Qi.

Of course, pure Breathing Techniques can also directly activate Battle Qi, but those who can activate it independently are one in a million.

Typically, a Knight's awakening requires the guidance of an experienced Knight, who introduces the seed of Battle Qi to the novice, marking the true beginning of a Knight apprentice.

This step can also be completed by taking potions or elixirs with Transcendent power stimulation.

Judging by this standard, Thrandic's Circle of Life is quite well completed, as he can already project his Battle Qi externally.

"Thrandic's Battle Qi seed awakened on its own, and he's been training in Battle Qi for less than two years," Ogre added.

Ogre's simple statement made Foucault's previously calm eyes widen slightly: "No wonder you're so confident. With such aptitude, he'd be highly sought after where we come from, and even here, it's a bit of a waste. But that's still not enough."

Someone like Foucault naturally understood how valuable the aptitude of a Knight who could generate Battle Qi independently was.

Knight aptitude isn't something everyone possesses.

Determining if someone is a Knight is simple—just test them with any Transcendent power.

If they awaken their Battle Qi upon contact, there's no doubt they're a Knight.

If their body rejects mana and wizardry, they're also a Knight.

If their body absorbs the power brought by vitality, then they are very likely a Knight.

Knight aptitude can only be inherited through bloodline. If neither parent has Knight aptitude, the probability of being a Knight is almost zero—except for a tiny chance indicating you're not their biological child.

This is different from Mages, where even if the parents have no aptitude, the child might still have the potential to become a Mage.

Therefore, to become a Knight, one must have a Knight ancestor.

However, having Knight aptitude isn't necessarily a good thing, as it repels mana, meaning those with Knight aptitude can never become Mages.

Though legends often speak of the combination of Knight and Mage powers creating the strongest Knight, it's just a legend.

In reality, the combination of a Knight and a Professional Mage rarely results in offspring...

Moreover, having Knights sense mana or practice meditation is inefficient to an absurd degree.

Believing in this legend usually results in nothing but wasted time.

"No, I just wanted to say Thrandic's aptitude is excellent, but his reliance to defeat Lange isn't his aptitude; his physique isn't as good as Lange's."

As Ogre finished speaking, Thrandic, executing Martial Skills, had already swiftly intercepted all of Lange's counterattacks.

"Thrandic isn't just a Knight; in a sense, he's also a quasi-Martial Artist," Ogre said, recalling the scenes of him and Thrandic training Martial Skills together.

They trained against the river's current and climbed steep cliffs under Yard's supervision.

Strength doesn't come from nowhere; it's the result of accumulated training.

Ogre chose to master the use of various weapons among the Martial Skills.

Thrandic, however, always used his fists!

"A quasi-Martial Artist, indeed. It's clear you both come from the same school," Foucault never hesitated to praise.

Though he thought Thrandic was wasting his talent, Foucault quickly remembered himself—wasn't he also here to better prepare for entering Serris Academy?

Knight, Martial Artist, Mage.

These three professions are separated not just because of innate aptitude.

The core power training of these professions also has significant conflicts.

Knights can't become Martial Artists because Battle Qi disrupts the balance of the Three Qi Unity. Even if they cultivate vitality, it gets consumed by Battle Qi as nourishment.

More importantly, Battle Qi affects meditation efficiency, making it nearly impossible to unify the Three Qi balance.

However, theoretically, coexistence is possible—you can become a Professional Martial Artist first, then awaken Battle Qi to become a Knight. During this time, your Knight aptitude shouldn't be too good; otherwise, you'll cultivate Battle Qi while practicing the Breathing Technique.

So, not many people do this; it's too roundabout, almost like joking with one's career.

Martial Artists can't become Mages because Mages need the combination of mental power and mana perception, while Martial Artists need the Three Qi Unity, which naturally conflicts.

Once the Three Qi are refined into vitality, it means saying goodbye to the condensation of a magic core. The mingled mental power of essence and qi can't be used to condense a magic core to become a Professional Mage.

Unless you choose to abandon the prestigious path of a Mage and willingly become a Professional Martial Artist who can use low-level magic—remember, the first person to do this was a joke until death.

As for the similar coexistence of Knight and Martial Artist, first condensing a magic core before becoming a Martial Artist is also unfeasible. A Mage who has condensed a magic core can't balance the Three Qi—the divine and qi surpass essence too much.

Thus, there's no situation of dual cultivation of Martial Artist and Mage.

Generally, when faced with career choices, Martial Artist is always the last resort.

Of course, all the above refers to the incompatibility of main professions.

The mysterious Imagist, excluded from the main professions, doesn't have these restrictions. It's said this mysterious profession can be compatible with any professional power.

As for whether the other profession excluded from the main professions (Wizard) can be compatible with the above professions, Ogre isn't sure—it's a rather taboo topic.

Generally, once someone becomes a Professional, whether Knight, Mage, or Martial Artist, they wouldn't choose to become a Wizard unless they lack the aptitude and can't become a Professional through regular means, forcing them to pursue forbidden power at the risk of their lives.

"Most Knights just keep training their Battle Qi and bodies, using their strong physique to defeat others, often neglecting skills, but Thrandic is different; he has a good teacher."

Ogre's face showed a confident smile.

Knights can't practice meditation techniques, but that doesn't mean they can't train in Martial Skills.

Martial Skills aren't limited to Martial Artists; it's just that other professions rarely value Martial Skills.

(Because Martial Artists need to reach an advanced level to have the power to project vitality remotely, while other professions can project externally at the ordinary Professional level.)

Yes, compared to the powerful attribute Battle Qi, Martial Skills are indeed weak, but that doesn't mean they're useless.

At least in low-level Professional battles, Martial Skills are quite useful, as shown by Lange, who is almost being pressed to the ground.

"Martial arts are the best weapon for the weak to fight the strong. Thrandic has never seen himself as a strong person," Ogre said.

Investing in Martial Skills training does indeed sacrifice some enhancement in Battle Qi training, but Yard believes it's worth it.

'Danger can come at any time. Only by strengthening yourself can you consider the future. You must seize any opportunity to increase your survival chances, but skills are ultimately just skills; they can be relied on for a moment, but not a lifetime,' Yard taught.

The debate over whether skills or absolute power are more important has always existed, but the reality is—absolute magical and Battle Qi power is far more important than so-called skills.

Even to move a thousand pounds with four ounces, you need those four ounces.

Usually, only when strength and hard power hit a bottleneck do people consider training in Martial Skills, even Ogre and Thrandic primarily focus on physical training.

"I don't quite understand you Martial Artists, but I think winning is all that matters," Foucault said, waving his hand.

Modern Mages also do some physical training to compensate for weaknesses. They can have shortcomings, but they can't be too obvious.

Mana can be used to enhance the body, but it can't replace physical exhaustion.

"The outcome is about to be decided," Ogre said.

The battle was nearing its end.

"I lost. You were indeed worth the price I paid," Foucault said, looking at Lange, who had been knocked to the ground.

"How could... this happen?" Lange was genuinely questioning his life after being beaten, the feeling of having every move intercepted was unbearable.

Even though his physique and equipment were clearly superior...

"Lange, you and I have only trained a bit longer than them..." Foucault extended a hand to the fallen Lange.

"I'm sorry, young master... I embarrassed you."

"There's no such thing as embarrassment. Your goal isn't to compete for first place, just to protect me," Foucault smiled gently at Lange.

"I, I won't..."

"Lange, put away your arrogance. We still have a broader world to explore. This is just our starting point. Losing is nothing; you're still unharmed..."

Foucault pulled up the heavy Lange, his face showing no blame, only advice beyond his years.

"Young master... I won't disappoint you again. I'll be your strongest shield!" Lange's eyes were full of emotion.

"Alright, just stop looking down on people and change your temper, that's better than anything," Foucault said, patting Lange's back armor with a smile.

"Ogre, have they always been this close?" Thrandic asked, rubbing his fists in confusion.

Even with Battle Qi protection, hitting a tin can was bound to hurt.

"Probably," Ogre yawned.

In Ogre's high-speed dynamic vision, this battle seemed too dull, lacking interest.

"Ogre!"

Just then, Lange, clad in armor, suddenly turned and shouted at Ogre.

'Yelling so loudly, are you trying to regain face by challenging me... it suits me just fine, I'm short on money anyway.' Ogre's impression of Lange was probably the common view of border people towards inland noble Knights—flashy but useless.

"What, do you want to fight me too?" Ogre casually stretched his wrists and asked indifferently.

He had only fought in the ring for the sake of entertainment—his only misjudgment was Lange's durability.

"Sorry! I underestimated you before!"

To Ogre's surprise, Lange pounded his left fist on his shoulder and gave a Knight’s Courtesy.

This obvious apology caught him off guard.

He hadn't expected the kid to reflect so quickly.

"Just luck, just luck," Ogre wasn't one to hold grudges, and without a clear benefit, he wouldn't make enemies for no reason.

"But I still want to challenge you! Not now, but at the end of the adventure group! Do you dare accept?" Lange said seriously.

He had been awakened, realizing the importance of skills.

Previously, he thought he lost to Ogre due to luck, but after being thoroughly beaten by Thrandic's boxing, he realized he might be lacking more than he thought.

After his defeat, he finally faced himself and recalled his fight with Ogre—he realized he was led the entire time.

"Always welcome, just pay," Ogre smiled, extending his right fist.

'Weakness isn't an obstacle to survival; laziness combined with arrogance is...' This was his father's advice, which Ogre always remembered.

"Uh... okay."

Ogre's words and actions made Lange pause, but he quickly responded, bumping his fist against Ogre's.

Thus, the grievances were settled.

Foucault's apprentice adventure group was truly formed at that moment.

"Ogre, what type of Breathing Technique do you want?"

This was said by Foucault, who lacked no money.

"Preferably something related to lightning attributes," Ogre replied casually.

"Lightning attributes?"

"After you shocked me last time, I wanted to find a lightning attribute Breathing Technique to practice. For a Martial Artist like me, I can't cultivate much Battle Qi anyway, so I'm not picky about compatibility. Trying a lightning attribute might increase my resistance to lightning, since lightning magic is the hardest to dodge."

"Your request is a bit unusual, but it shouldn't be hard to fulfill."

"Then I'll thank Young Master Foucault in advance."

"By the way, when are we setting out to hunt goblins?" Thrandic asked.

He was more concerned about that.

"We'll register the adventure group today and set off tomorrow."

"Uh... Thran, Thrandic, can you teach me boxing?" Lange asked, though he had always learned swordplay.

"Ah? Uh, sure, I could use a sparring partner," Thrandic wasn't good at refusing, especially since he had just received a bag of money from Foucault and felt a bit guilty.

"Thank you so much!"

"Actually, Ogre is better at Martial Skills..."

"Ah, are you calling me? If you want to learn martial arts from me, that's fine, I'll teach you, just pay," Ogre, walking on the outermost side, poked his head out.

Lange, Foucault, Thrandic: "..."

Of course, in the end, Ogre didn't earn that money.

"Alright, prepare a bit, we're officially starting the mission tomorrow, don't mess up."

Foucault glanced at the distant Demon Beast Forest, feeling a unique anticipation.

Every man has an adventure dream in his heart—it's a yearning for heroism, a longing for the legends sung by bards...

Foucault was no exception.

"Have you thought of a name for the adventure group?" Ogre asked.

"Uh... not yet," Foucault hadn't considered it, mainly because he didn't expect the formation to go so smoothly.

"Since it's for Young Master's path to Serris Academy, why not call it the Entry to Serris Adventure Group?" Lange suggested.

"Sounds a bit lame..." Thrandic whispered.

"A bit petty," Ogre added.

"My goal isn't just to enter Serris Mage Academy; I'll surpass their achievements eventually. Entering is just the first step," Foucault said confidently.

"Then let's call it the Surpass Serris Adventure Group, sounds grander," Ogre casually suggested.

"Surpass Serris... sounds good," Foucault seemed to like the name.

Thus, the adventure group's name was hastily decided, as Foucault was the core founder.

"Then it's settled, the Surpass Serris Adventure Group!"