Clobber didn't notice what was happening on the training field.
At that moment, he was completely immersed in mastering his internal energy, focusing all his attention on channeling his Golden Blade, a technique from the Golden Heart martial arts manual.
It's clear that Clobber is incredibly gifted. Although the Golden Blade is a basic technique in the Golden Heart manual, it's just as difficult as the advanced techniques found in lower-tier breath techniques.
This is where talent truly shows. Not everyone can succeed at practicing high-level techniques just because they have access to a higher-tier breathing method. After all, if someone struggles with low-tier techniques that consume a lot of time and energy, they'll have to put in even more effort and sweat to master intermediate or advanced ones.
Low-tier breath techniques work by sacrificing some of the practitioner's energy and physical strength to make the practice easier. They offer smaller benefits, but the difficulty is much lower. As one progresses to higher levels, the techniques become stronger, providing greater combat power—but, of course, the difficulty also increases drastically.
In this magical world, especially for powerful and wealthy families, martial arts manuals passed down through generations can be sold or traded, and they may even be taught to others—though there's always a cost.
Take the Moonlight Mushroom family as an example. Their entire family possesses a secret intermediate martial arts manual and has acquired three more through various means. However, these precious manuals aren't locked away; instead, they're given as rewards to loyal and accomplished family members. This not only encourages greater contributions to the family but also ensures these valuable resources are used efficiently.
But while the idea is good, very few knights actually succeed in practicing these advanced techniques. Knights from humble backgrounds or with poor talent usually opt for low-tier breath techniques as their first choice. Only those who have confidence in their talent or those with family support to fund their training can afford to exchange military merits for intermediate techniques.
The reality is that most knights who choose intermediate techniques end up wasting their lives in mediocrity or eventually give up and switch to low-tier methods just to achieve some sort of breakthrough.
Clobber's talent was evident early on and he was exceptional. That's why Baron Adam entrusted him with the Golden Heart, the family's most precious martial arts manual. This manual is especially suited for those with the Golden Rose bloodline, allowing them to better absorb the magical potions made by the Golden Rose family to enhance their training.
Golden Heart is what many call a bloodline manual because it works best for those with the corresponding bloodline. Outsiders may barely benefit from it, possibly even less than from a basic breathing method.
Clobber closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling. He focused his mind and began to draw out the hidden energy in his body. As he willed it, the energy surged through his veins like a powerful flood.
He guided the flow of energy carefully, making sure it followed specific paths through his body. Each pulse of energy brought a slight sting, but Clobber gritted his teeth, knowing this was a necessary step. Once his body adapted to the rapid flow of energy through his veins, it would mean that he was ready to begin improving his physical abilities.
As his energy continued to build, it began to gather at the tip of his sword. The sword seemed to come alive, glowing with a faint golden light.
The golden glow wasn't intense, but it was striking—just like his own golden hair. This was why the technique was called Golden Blade.
With the golden energy coursing through it, the sword could effortlessly split through boulders. A fully armored knight on horseback could be cleaved in half with a single strike.
This is why formal knights hold such high status. Once you become a knight, you step into the realm of the extraordinary, with strength and physical abilities far beyond ordinary people.
Successfully executing the Golden Blade would prove that Clobber had mastered the technique. After that, he would just need to become familiar with how the energy flows.
Clobber sheathed the sword, feeling the noticeable depletion of energy in his body. He estimated the amount left and prepared for the next step.
"Looks like I can manage about five or six uses," Clobber muttered, sheathing his sword. "For someone like me, who's just stepped into the rank of a formal knight, entry-level techniques like this are definitely the most practical. Low energy cost, and in a real fight, the efficiency is hard to beat."
Clobber had just put his sword away when he noticed a crowd gathering on the other side of the training field. Curiosity sparked, he started walking toward the commotion.
Before he got halfway there, he saw Baron Adam emerging from the crowd, with Foster following closely behind. Both of them froze when they noticed him.
It was Baron Adam who recovered first, his expression quickly shifting to one of approval as he called out, "From the look on your face, you've mastered the Golden Blade?"
Clobber nodded without hesitation. "I've managed to pull it off. Now, I just need to spend some time getting more familiar with the flow of energy."
Hearing this, Baron Adam gave a satisfied nod. He couldn't help but feel proud. Clobber's talent was truly exceptional. The baron himself had trained in the Golden Blade before and still remembered how it had taken him nearly two weeks to get the hang of it. He'd been chewed out by the knight overseeing his training for "lowering the family's standards."
The memory brought a faint flush of embarrassment to Baron Adam's face. Determined to keep that chapter of his life buried, he vowed never to share it with anyone—not even Clobber. The last thing he wanted was to tarnish the towering image his nephew had of him.
"Since you're done training, let's get moving to Deepwater Keep," Adam said, seamlessly changing the subject. "Once we've dealt with your issue there, we'll head back to the family estate for your coming-of-age ceremony. After that, you'll join the western campaign. With your abilities, I wouldn't be surprised if you snag a title from the war. A barony might be a stretch, but becoming a knight is a certainty. And once you're running your own knightly domain, all you'd need is to break through to the rank of grand knight. A baronship would be well within reach. Even in the Golden Rose family, not every baron is a grand knight. Some are formal knights, just like you're about to be."
Adam's tone turned sour as he continued, "Take Deepwater's baron, for instance—that gluttonous pig! If he can hold a title, there's no reason my nephew can't do the same. Honestly, Klarl has lowered the prestige of the baron title to rock bottom."
As the three of them chatted, they returned to the castle to prepare for their departure.
Clobber took a moment to instruct his attendant to inform Frank of their plans. Frank had stayed up late the night before and was still fast asleep. Clobber didn't want to wake him and trusted the servant to deliver the message.
Back in his quarters, Clobber changed into a clean outfit—his training clothes were drenched with sweat—and carefully donned the gear he had purchased. Fully equipped, he made his way to the stables to retrieve his horse.
On the way, he crossed paths with Baron Adam's personal attendant, who was fetching the baron's steed. The attendant mentioned something offhandedly that stopped Clobber in his tracks: it seemed the baron had uncovered some truth about his mother's death.
The revelation hit like a hammer, and Clobber's good mood evaporated instantly.
His thoughts turned to his mother—a woman he had never met. His feelings were a tangled mess of love, resentment, and sorrow. Yet, in the end, none of it seemed to matter.
He was Clobber, the son of Lilith Golden Rose. That was the only truth that mattered. Everything else? Irrelevant.