Clyde refused to surrender despite the seemingly insurmountable odds against him. He was resolute in his desire to demonstrate his abilities as a warrior to Adam and show him what he was truly capable of. Instead of relying on his destructive attack spells, Clyde chose to engage in close combat, eager to prove his skills in hand-to-hand combat.
Clyde was acutely aware of the pressing nature of time as his mana continued to dwindle. With no warning, he launched another attack against Adam, trying a new approach. Despite his efforts, Adam easily dodged his attacks and countered, leaving Clyde reeling from several solid blows. The two warriors engaged in a fierce exchange of blows for several intense minutes.
But despite his determination, Clyde's mana finally depleted and he was unable to defend himself against a powerful blow to his stomach. He staggered back, coughing up blood, as the reality of his defeat set in. Despite his valiant efforts, Clyde was no match for Adam's superior skills and experience.
Clyde collapsed onto the floor, completely exhausted and injured from the intense battle. Meanwhile, Adam was filled with immense admiration as he watched Clyde gasp for breath.
He couldn't help but reflect on the young man's incredible abilities. If the young master had more experience in battle, Adam knew that he would not have been able to dodge Clyde's attacks with such ease. With the addition of a mana shield in his arsenal, Clyde would have been a formidable opponent, and it would have been extremely difficult for anyone to defeat him.
But even so, Adam was shocked by the immense force displayed by Clyde. Those raw power attacks were equivalent to a level 10 fighter, and Adam believed that Clyde had acquired other skills that had enhanced his attributes and had trained it also to a much higher level.
Adam assisted Clyde in getting back on his feet, handing him both a healing potion and a recovery potion. "Young master," Adam began, offering words of advice. "Your abilities are remarkable, but without any means of attack, your defense will prove to be ineffective." Clyde, now fully restored to health, replied to Adam's words smiling. "I understand that, which is why I came to you seeking your assistance in training me."
Clyde then approached one of the racks located in the corner of the room and carefully selected a wooden hunting knife. With a determined look on his face, he turned to Adam and stated, "I want you to teach me how to use this knife properly." He grasped the handle of the knife firmly in his hand, admiring its weight and balance. Clyde was eager to learn the proper techniques for using this tool.
Meanwhile, Ivory was summoned to the office of Clyde's father, Frank. Upon arrival, she knelt in respect as she greeted her master. Frank instructed her to stand up and after a brief exchange of courteous greetings, he got straight to the point.
"Ivory, as Clyde's maid, you have been accompanying him in the dungeon, is that correct?" Frank asked, referring to the report given to him by Butler Wang.
"Yes, Master," Ivory replied sincerely, not daring to make eye contact with Frank.
Frank had summoned Ivory today with a specific purpose in mind. He wanted to gather some details about the time she and Clyde spent in the dungeon. "Tell me, where were you and Clyde in the dungeon?" Frank asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Ivory, who had already expected that Frank would be inquiring about their time in the dungeon, replied respectfully, "We were in the goblins' woodland, Master." With a bowed head, she stood in silence.
Upon hearing Ivory's response, Frank's suspicions were confirmed, and his curiosity was piqued. He asked her to provide a detailed account of their time in the dungeon, from the moment she entered until their departure.
Ivory obliged, carefully explaining every event that took place during their time in the dungeon. She left out some of the more intense details, but overall, her account was comprehensive and straightforward. However, she chose to simplify the events leading up to the defeat of the goblin camp and concealed some of the crucial details, not wanting to reveal too much to Frank.
As Ivory continued with her story, Frank listened and watched intently to her expressions. As a powerful being, he could easily tell that Ivory was hiding some parts of her account. But instead of punishing her for her deception, Frank interrupted her with a calm demeanor.
"I admire your courage to lie to me," Frank said, causing fear to run through Ivory's body.
"Master, I..." Ivory tried to speak, but before she could finish her sentence, Frank cut her off once again. Frank's aura was released, and Ivory felt suffocated as she struggled to breathe under the pressure. However, the intense pressure only lasted for a moment, and Frank then began to smile.
"I will not reprimand you for your actions, as you are someone my son trusts and values," Frank said, his tone conveying his approval. "I am merely pleased that he has found a dependable companion in you."
Frank comprehended that Clyde likely asked Ivory to keep certain information from him, and he respected her unwavering loyalty to his son. He acknowledged her as an important part of Clyde's life and was content that he could trust her to be by his son's side.
Butler Wang was shocked by Frank's words, as it was a rare occurrence for the mighty Frank Evirille to praise anyone other than his son. This display of approval from Frank was a testament to Ivory's character and the trust that Clyde had placed in her.
However, Frank's demeanor quickly shifted as he asked, "How strong is my son currently?" This question caused Ivory to hesitate, as she kneeled deeply in fear.
"Master, I dare not reveal the extent of young master's power as he has instructed me not to share it with anyone," Ivory said, her voice shaking. "However, I can assure you that your son is... extremely powerful."
Ivory paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before making this bold statement about Clyde's strength. Despite being intimidated by Frank's power, she remained loyal to Clyde and honored his request to keep his abilities confidential.
Ivory couldn't help but recall the day she first accompanied Clyde back into the dungeon. The intense aura of bloodlust that surrounded him was so overpowering that it greatly impacted her. The memory was still vivid in her mind and the feeling of being overwhelmed by Clyde's presence was something she would never forget.