They all call me Great Master

In Elta Square, Arthur saw Bern from the Joel Jock Swordsmanship Club and a somewhat unfamiliar face in the area designated for the top eight contestants.
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It wasn't surprising to Arthur that Bern was there.

The other party was originally in the same division as Little Lisop.

After Little Lisop volunteered to pledge his allegiance to him yesterday, it was not difficult for Bern, with his strength, to qualify from the division.

What did surprise Arthur was the other contestant.

He was from Division E.

Clearly, the fight between the three sons of Lord Bern's family allowed this contestant, also from the Joel Jock Swordsmanship Club, to take advantage of the situation!

Why was he sure it was the Joel Jock Swordsmanship Club?

Because the contestant wore clothing emblazoned with the lettering and emblem of the Joel Jock Swordsmanship Club!

After confirming that he was the new owner of the Joel Jock Swordsmanship Club, Arthur introduced this policy—no one understood the importance of advertising more than Arthur did.

And an advertisement for making the 'top eight' couldn't compare to two such advertisements.

Similarly, two advertisements for making the 'top eight' couldn't compare to one for making the 'top four'.

Of course, the most important thing was that the champion was still the owner of the Swordsmanship Club.

With this in mind, Arthur looked towards the Female Swordmaster Countess.

No need for any verbal communication.

A single glance, and the Female Swordmaster Countess understood Arthur's meaning.

Cheating?

How could that be possible!

This was merely a fair allocation of the competition order.

After all, the champion had already been 'predetermined'!

And before the drawing commenced, Bern approached Arthur with his young and somewhat naive apprentice—

"Master, this is our club's new apprentice, Bedivere.

A very talented apprentice, quick and agile."

Bern introduced the slender and young man beside him, who had a shy, awkward smile.

"'Lucky boy', the future is yours!"

Arthur repeated a sentiment similar to Gawain's and patted the young man's shoulder for encouragement.

Instantly, Bedivere was taken aback by the favor.

Though Arthur was not much older than him, Arthur's demonstrated strength, prestigious reputation, and noble character led Bedivere and everyone present to overlook Arthur's age.

Furthermore, yesterday's 'mentoring match' had paved the way for many, like Bern, to begin instinctively calling Arthur 'Master'.

"Master, I'll definitely work hard!"

Bedivere exclaimed loudly.

This drew the attention of the people around him.

Immediately, the young and naive swordsmanship apprentice blushed with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Arthur looked at the remaining five top eight contestants with a smile.

The arrogant 'Whale Slaying Sword' Kangsion nodded subtly with a sense of self-importance.

'Storm Sword' Deljo smiled in a friendly manner.

The rest—'Lord Ernest', 'Lord Dibwa', and 'Lord Bass'—the nephews of noble families, bowed respectfully.

Although all three were descendants of nobles, they were aware of the gap between themselves and Arthur.

Arthur's strength was simply beyond their ability to guess or estimate.

As for their proud noble heritage?

It's only temporary.

Once Arthur won the championship and was knighted, he would become a noble himself, and thus superior to them...

No!

He would be more noble than them.

After all, they were just noble descendants, not truly nobles in the full sense of the word.

Moreover, it was highly likely they wouldn't inherit the title and could only become Wanderer Knights earning a living.

So, of course, they knew how to treat Arthur with the appropriate respect.

No one is truly foolish.

Even the spoiled children of nobility knew who they could provoke and who they could not.

The harmonious scene in the drawing area sparked many discussions among the spectators.

Of course, most of the gazes were focused on the proud 'Whale Slaying Sword' Kangsion—

"Who's that tall guy over there?"

"Right!"

"Why does he act so arrogant towards Lord Kledos?"

"That is the Island Master of 'Whale Island,' rumored to be very strong!"

"But is he stronger than Lord Kledos?"

"Certainly not!"

"That's not necessarily true. 'Whale Island' has survived among so many pirates; it must have faced countless life-and-death struggles. This 'Whale Slaying Sword' is rumored to be able to cut a whale in half with a single strike. Even if Lord Kledos is strong, he may not be capable of that, right?"

"Hiss, cut a whale in half with a single sword strike?!"

"That's terrifying!"

"Does that mean Lord Kledos is in danger?"

...

Marinda naturally heard the audience's discussions.

The lady scoffed inwardly.

'Danger?

What danger?

If it weren't for the 'performance' for you all, would you believe that the 'Whale Slaying Sword' Kangsion would immediately kneel before that guy and call him master?'

To Marinda, Arthur's performance under 'the watchful eyes of the public' felt utterly childish.

Nevertheless, she felt a strange sense of relief.

The pressure Arthur had put on her was too great.

Always one step ahead, as if he knew everything.

Furthermore, he seemed like he never made mistakes.

And then there was his ambition he did not hide when facing her.

The lady was always worried that one day she would wake up to find that her own properties had become Arthur's.

But now, Arthur's childish display allowed the lady to see the 'human' side of Arthur.

'Hmph, always concealing and suppressing oneself; when there's a chance to perform, naturally one would add a little extra to their role—no wonder he cared so much about the reports on him in the newspapers.'

Marinda thought to herself as she picked up her pipe.

But after a single puff, the lady furrowed her brows once more.

Because she wondered—

Could this be a performance for her to see!

'Damn him!

When is it real, and when is it not?

I can't tell at all!'

Instantly, the lady felt torn.

Then, her gaze towards Arthur became fierce.

Arthur keenly sensed that Marinda's look at him was amiss.

'What's gotten into this woman?

Why does it feel like she wants to bite me?'

Arthur thought to himself, but followed the instructions of the Countess Swordsmanship Chief to the drawing box.

He reached into the box, and immediately a token fell into his hand.

'Tsk, high-tech, fully automatic draw!'

He pulled out the token marked with an A.

Afterward, the eight quarterfinalists drew in turn.

Kangsion also drew an A and immediately showed it to Arthur, revealing an excited look with a hint of savagery, which made the audience in Elta Square grow more anxious.

Bern and Bedivere got B's.

'Storm Sword' Deljo drew a C, and Lord Ernest's nephew also got a C.

Immediately, the face of this noble descendant fell.

But 'Lord Dibwa' and 'Lord Bass's' two nephews were both relieved, both were grateful for their luck.

Neither Arthur, 'Whale Slaying Sword' Kangsion, nor 'Storm Sword' Deljo considered themselves a match for each other.

Only the two commoners felt they stood a chance.

Unfortunately, they didn't draw each other.

However, it wasn't too bad; at least they knew each other well and had a chance of victory.

The two noble descendants exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

After the drawing and confirming that there were no issues with the participants, the Countess' Swordsmanship Chief loudly announced.

"The Swordsmanship Competition quarterfinals, begin!"

And just as her voice fell, the towering figure of Kangsion appeared in the arena.

The 'Whale Slaying Sword' gestured to Arthur, beckoning with his finger—

"Come!"