"Haha!" This is hot barbaric blood!

The baron laughed loudly at my decision.

He could laugh like that because he knew nothing about barbarians.

Barbarians were not absolutely fearless creatures. As Ainar said in the past: "We are born warriors. If we don't fight, we will die." They just carried that fear and went forward because that was what they had to do. My decision was the same. No matter how calm it has been so far, something big can finally happen.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried...

But so what? Choosing to avoid an uncertain future out of fear can only lead to collapse. How could I go into the maze and make rational decisions with such a mindset? If I had been like this from the beginning, I would not be alive now.

While I sat in silence and put my thoughts in order, the baron soon returned.

"I have just spoken to the Count. He is very pleased.

He seemed delighted with my decision.

"Oh, but is this necklace really that important?"

His question sounded like the necklace had greatly influenced my decision. I did not deny it.

"Numbered items are sold for good money.

"Hmm... Since you say so.

Judging by the expression on his face, the baron suggested that there must have been another reason for my decision, but he did not inquire. He only asked:

"By the way, how strong are you?"

"Huh?"

Judging by your aspirations, you are already thinking about winning. Are you really that confident?

I grinned.

How strong was I?

There were too many monsters in this world to confidently answer this question.

However... If the term "apprentice knight" was attached to the question, then an opponent equivalent to a 3rd floor researcher would be a completely different matter.

"To be honest, I don't really want that. But if you lose too easily, I'll lose face.

"Oh, don't worry about that," I replied. "10 seconds is enough.

"Is that enough?"

"During this time, I can crack the skull of almost anyone," I confirmed to the embarrassed baron.

It was my sincere, without exaggeration, truth.

I think my sincerity had an effect.

"Eeek!"

The butler, whose eyes suddenly met mine, fussed.

***

As in the Middle Ages, knights here were the definition of strength. Of course, this is provided that they were without the additional title of "student".

How can one be called a knight who cannot use the aura?

The horror of the knights lay precisely in their aura - the ability to ignore 90% of Defense and 90% of Magic Resistance.

The combination of aura and advanced swordsmanship skills allowed them to cut almost anything.

That alone could create a monster.

But leveling up with elixirs and buying a bunch of high-ranking essences while possessing immense wealth? It is not surprising that human society continues to be ruled by those who wield power.

In a world dominated by different races and magic, the knight was a spear and shield that protected someone's interests. Considering that the maximum level that could be reached with elixirs was 5th, a proper knight could single-handedly break through several advanced explorers. This is how knights specialized in waging war.

However, if it is a student, then his level is not higher than the 3rd. Even their essence wouldn't be higher than rank 7.

And this is provided that this is the maximum. No aristocrat would invest so much money in a knight who didn't even know how to use the aura yet.

In fact, the tournament is not a real problem...

I was worried about what might have happened next. The Count's excessive interest included that if some barbarian suddenly became the winner by a significant margin, then people with selfish interests might not look at me too favorably.

For now, I will focus on this.

When I was quietly spending time in the corner thanks to the Baron's attention, deciding to worry about the future after winning the championship later, three guys in knightly armor approached.

"You've said some pretty bold words.

I recognized them all. Even if it was a fleeting meeting, I could not forget because these were faces that I had only seen today.

— Is 10 seconds enough? Have you forgotten your place by playing clown all day like a foolish barbarian?

First of all, this guy. When I was entertaining the nobles at an open-air banquet, he ridiculed me and called me Little Clown.

As I sat staring at his rat-like front teeth, the guy next to him took over.

"Barbarian, you will have to sincerely pray to your ancestors not to run into me there. I'll slit your throat right away. Of course, it won't take even 10 seconds.

I didn't know his name because he didn't say it. It was he who showed his stupidity and said that the pride of a warrior was a thing of the past. Judging by the way he spoke, he seemed to be bluffing too.

"When do we collide-...

Just as the relay was about to pass to the next runner, I quickly stood up and interrupted him. Usually, I tried not to talk as much as possible, but at this point, I had no choice but to ask honestly.

— Do you all have serious problems with your head?

It was a euphemism. If I had asked, "Are you idiots?" I would have been accused of disrespecting the nobility.

"Wh-what?"

"Do you think you're going to frighten me by jumping on me like a bunch of cowards?" In my tribe, even a 3-year-old warrior would not be scared!

— ... A bunch of underpants? You dare to insult...

"If not, then what is it?" Have you suddenly regained courage when the Baron is not here? What a great honor!

"This...!"

The fact is that they did not even dare to approach me when the baron was next to me. When I pointed it out, the three little pigs just blinked at me like goldfish. However, since I was an impartial barbarian, I did not believe that they had speech defects. Perhaps they were just stunned because they didn't imagine that I would expose their insignificance in such a loud voice.

"That's why I'm asking!" I've heard that a knight is a proud creature! But to take advantage of the numerical superiority to act in such a childish way with another participant? You must have something wrong with your head!

The next shout accurately reflected the actions of the bastards.

"Shut up!" Shut your mouth!

The three little pigs looked desperate now. This was to be expected. Insignificant or not, if this continues, they will be known as those who were told by the barbarian that they had problems with their heads.

But they seemed to understand that further conversations would only make things worse.

— ... We'll see!

The three pigs left in anger.

He was a local, so he had some great phrases that go beyond clichés.

The intention was delightful, so I reciprocated his feelings:

"Anyway, don't worry too much!" The next time we meet, I'll definitely get rid of the problem in your heads!

Did my sincerity reach them?

I couldn't tell just by looking at their backs, as they were moving away quickly.

The banquet, filled with various entertainments, soon reached a climax. In other words, the moment had come when the tournament prepared by the Count was to take place.

"The barbarian we saw in the afternoon is taking part. Isn't that interesting?

"Hmm, I don't know. He's still just a researcher. He may have become famous recently, but I've heard that his career is not yet a year old.

The meeting place was the lawn in the open banquet hall. There were already a lot of people around, and some nobles even sat down on the terrace on the 2nd floor of the mansion to take a good look at everything.

As I sat quietly in the prepared tent, the baron began to talk to me as if he were my coach.

"Aren't you nervous?"

— No, I don't.

"Wow, truly a heart of steel. Even I can't contain my excitement.

I wasn't aware of the excitement that preceded it, but it was clear that he was excited as he promised me a bonus that I didn't even ask for.

"If you win, I'll give you another million stones." So do your best. My public dignity now depends on you.

"I'll try!" "Thanks to unexpected financial therapy, there was a sudden wave of enthusiasm.

"Sir Saboin of the house of Baron Serpia and Sir Arpheon of the house of Viscount Henslovania, please take your seats!"

A little more time passed, and the first fight began. Two knights pronounced the oath of duel on the stage and wielded their swords with great skill, causing cheers from the crowd.

It is such things that show what a barbaric world it is.

When I secretly left the barracks and watched the duel, a strange impression made on me. It was almost like in the Roman Colosseum.

In fact, the difference was not great. There was a rule not to kill an opponent if possible, but conversely, it also meant that there would be no problems even if you did.

Well, in a fight with a real sword, it is even strange to do without sacrifices.

Even though it was only the first duel, the two knights continued their bloody duel in front of the heated crowd. As tense as the fight was, so dramatic was the moment of separation of the winner and the loser.

"The winner is Sir Harpheon of the house of Viscount Henslvanius!"

The other knight's hand holding the sword was completely cut off, and the direction of the duel was determined. Of course, the knight's wounded arm was quickly set by the priest, but the blood that spurted like a fountain remained a visual decoration of the stage.

"Ah!"

Listening to the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, I felt it again. It was a different world, and I was already starting to feel like I belonged here.

"Are you also aroused by the sight of blood?"

Well, I don't know about that. But I knew it was my turn now.

"Sir Sylvania, of the house of Baron Hesse, and of the house of Baron Martoine—" Bjorn Yandel. Take your positions!

At the direction of the host, I made my way through the crowd to the stage.

Just at that time, a knight was rising from the other side. All this was very accidental. I didn't know his name, so I couldn't infer from the program's list.

"Haha, I think you're surprised.

I nodded slightly, acknowledging this. To think that one of the three pigs would be my opponent in the first match. What a surprise.

In addition, it turned out to be the most annoying.

Unbeknownst to myself, the corners of my lips curled upwards. Because I had interrupted the relay, I did not hear his determination, but how could I forget him?

"I heard he got his nickname primarily because he's little down there."

That was the man who said this nonsense. A simple man.

Maybe it was a little strange of me.

Before the duel began, the bastard had taken an oath, a conditional oath to take the duel seriously, to fight with the honor of a knight, and not to resort to dishonest tactics. It was my turn.

'Behella

I let out a wild cry in which there were no words.

The heat of the crowd became even stronger.

"Ah!"

The attention to me made him even angrier, and he muttered:

"How vulgar and rude.

Did you think that a barbarian would be glamorous and sophisticated?

Soon, under the guidance of the leader, we came close and pointed our weapons at each other. The bastard held out a long sword. Instead of the mace that I had left with the baron, I held out a huge double-sided battle axe.

... I'm not used to sharp tools.

It was sad, but the method of ownership was not much different. I just had to wield it as usual. The result would probably be the same.

The only difference was whether he would leave a scratch or cut off a limb entirely.

"Hah!

As the duel began, the bastard quickly got up from the ground and lunged at me. It seems that he wanted to cancel the promise of 10 seconds that I had made earlier.

Interesting.

I stepped back and struck a pose to observe the situation for the time being. Since it was my first encounter with fencing, I was curious.

*Whoosh!*

Although he was called a disciple, he was still a knight and his sword was quite sharp.

"Die!"

It was like the advanced stance from the novel Uxia, a sword attack with a three-way illusion. For a moment, I wondered which one was real, but it quickly passed. If I couldn't tell which one was real, I could only fight them all off.

I became a real barbarian.

Raising the blade of the axe to the side, I swung as wide as possible. That alone was enough.

*Clang!*

The trajectory of the sword was distorted by the powerful force, and the bastard began to lose his balance. However, despite the blow, he did not let go of his sword. Although he must have been frightened, he twisted his body and swung his sword at my neck in one motion.

Definitely, this is not a person who should be taken lightly.

The sword attack drew a soft curve from below, like a tornado. Regardless of his character, I have to admit that it was indeed a sword prowess passed down from generation to generation.

His weapon technique is a few steps higher than mine.

If the conditions had been the same, I definitely wouldn't have been able to beat him.

However, this was not a major problem.

'Behella

This guy and I were not on equal footing.

[You have used [Wild Surge]. Your threat level is temporarily increased by 3x, and your physical stats increase in proportion to this value].

There was still a lot of time left before the 10 seconds were up.