They all call me Great Master-Chapter 447 444: Fierce like a Cat, Docile like a Tiger!

The morning fog had not yet lifted among the trees, but South Los was already bustling, as the working adults bade farewell to their families and left their homes.

But they were not the earliest risers.

The paperboys in South Los were the first up, their crisp calls echoing through the streets and alleys of the town more than an hour earlier.

Moreover, unlike before, this time, the paperboys had almost effortlessly sold out the newspapers in their backpacks.

Because many people were keen on the results of yesterday's much-anticipated 'South Los Swordsmanship Competition' finals.

Even knowing the outcome, many still wished to see how the newspapers described it.

Of course, there were also quite a few who chose to collect them.

For example, Owner Tate from Tate's Wand Store.

This shop owner, with a cleanly shaven face and sparse hair revealing his scalp, wearing thick, black-framed glasses, had bought two newspapers from a paperboy — one to read and one to frame and hang on the wall by the entrance — he had missed yesterday's match due to the strict opening and closing hours of his store, arriving after the champion had already been decided.

However, he had watched everything that followed closely.

Especially upon the announcement that Arthur was the champion and had earned a 'Knighthood', this wand store owner was the loudest to cheer.

"You truly deserved the championship,"

Owner Tate said with a smile.

Suddenly, a bell rang by the door as an elderly lady entered.

"Good morning, Lady Amanda."

Tate greeted the aged lady and did not forget to wave at the small cat in her arms.

"Hi, Coul."

A black and white cow-patterned cat responded to Tate.

Immediately, Tate showed a bright smile.

The owner then turned around and took out a biscuit from behind the counter.

Since he was keen on keeping the shop clean, Tate didn't feed the cat, but he really loved cats, which was why he was familiar with Lady Amanda.

This time, when Lady Amanda needed a wand, not only did Tate use the best materials but also gave her a twenty percent discount.

"You admire Arthur a lot?"

The lady observed the framed newspaper and then glanced at the paper on the counter.

"Yes, I would have been long dead without Lord Kledos.

He saved me and asked for nothing in return.

Furthermore, he guided me to have a normal life."

Upon mentioning Arthur, Owner Tate became loquacious.

The gratitude was palpable, even to a blind person.

"Is that so?"

Lady Amanda turned to look at the framed newspaper which featured Arthur's portrait, marvelously captured in a teaching moment — his infectious smile particularly striking.

"You are close with Lord Kledos too?"

Tate inquired.

"His Pendragon was adopted from my store,"

Lady Amanda said proudly.

"I see — so would you like me to change the wand tip to Coul's likeness?

Lord Kledos changed his wand's tip to resemble Pendragon, one depicted as a cat's head and the other as a coiled shape."

Seeing Lady Amanda's confusion, Tate quickly explained.

Surprise spread across Lady Amanda's face.

Then she nodded, smiling.

"That would be nice. Is the process complicated?"

"Not at all, I'll change it for free."

As Tate pulled out his paints and started painting using Coul as a model, Lady Amanda sat down and quietly waited.

'Should I go through with it?'

The elderly lady hesitated.

Their way of life, once chosen, must inevitably change.

And she could not be certain whether the change would be for better or worse.

Thus, she hesitated.

After all, it involved the lives of three hundred forty-six people.

…

[You have successfully won the 'South Los Swordsmanship Competition', easing the minds of your supporters and infuriating your detractors, but regardless, your name will be widely discussed for a good while; XP+500]

[Your teaching during the championship made more people remember the 'Joel Jock Swordsmanship Club' and sparked regret in many who missed 'personal instruction' from you, increasing curiosity about you and your club; XP+300]

[More people have heard your name; XP+100]

…

Arthur looked at the text before him.

He wasn't surprised by the hefty XP gain following his victory in the 'Swordsmanship Competition'.

What concerned him more was the third point.

'Will I gain 100 XP daily for the next few days?

I wonder how long it will last.

If it persists for another ten days, I'll have enough XP to level up to Swift Bird Swordsmanship Lv5!'

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.

Arthur thought to himself.

At Swift Bird Swordsmanship Lv4, not only did it accelerate the restorative effects of his Bloodline, but it also introduced the 'Snake Wing' Bloodline effect.

Thus, Arthur was greatly anticipating the changes that would come with Swift Bird Swordsmanship Lv5.

Moreover, Arthur estimated that it wouldn't take as troublesome as ten days.

You see, he still had an uncompleted relic exploration pending.

That relic would probably bring him plenty of surprises, right?

Thinking thus, Arthur quickened his pace.

Unnoticed by anyone, he made his way back inside the mansion.

By this time, the courtyard had already been tidied up by Mary and her team, leaving two people to clean up the fallen leaves while most others began arranging the main building's hall, guest rooms, and so forth.

Time ticked by, second by second.

Guests arrived in waves.

The first to arrive were naturally Arthur's friends.

Malz, Bob, Kuke, Scott, Wiggins, and Haywood arrived together in a carriage.

Then Linda Camille arrived in her family carriage, driven by the old butler Oer.

After waving to Arthur as a greeting, Linda cheerfully headed upstairs—where Marinda was making final preparations.

Lords Bern, Ernest, Dibwa, Bass, and Laurie's representatives arrived around ten-thirty in the morning.

Barons Korol and Hausman arrived around eleven.

Lords Dibwa and Bass naturally sent their own nephews, who were acquaintances of everyone.

Lord Ernest also sent that nephew who had participated in the Swordsmanship Competition.

Lord Bern's representation was his own old butler.

The two barons sent their Swordsmanship Chiefs.

Everything conformed to noble customs, even the order of arrival.

According to the schedule, the host of South Los made his entrance at eleven-thirty.

In the hall, musicians who had come with the guests began playing music.

The chefs were busy serving up some delicious yet quick and convenient food.

Although the banquet had not officially started, it was still imperative not to neglect the guests.

Everyone sat according to their circles.

Discussing matters pertaining to their own circles.

However, what most concerned Arthur was Lord Laurie's representative—according to Marinda, this lord was loyal to the 'Selina' family.

And now, Lord Laurie's representative was sitting alone on the side.

Not in a corner, but in the most conspicuous position in the hall, sitting proudly as if he viewed everything and everyone as beneath him.

It seemed he had noticed Arthur's gaze, for this tall, muscular man with a fierce face abruptly stood up, his intense aura of killing intent and death. Qi making everyone think they were seeing a tiger on the prowl.

Especially Barons Korol and Hausman's Swordsmanship Chiefs, who felt like they were facing a formidable enemy.

Arcana Level!

At least Arcana Level!

The two Swordsmanship Chiefs broke into a slight sweat on their foreheads, but the next moment, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

Because the representative of Lord Laurie was making his way directly towards Arthur.

Everyone knew this was not a man to trifle with.

Especially as they watched him head straight for Arthur, many shifted their gazes toward them.

Some worried, some indifferent, some schadenfreudic.

Sitting next to Arthur, Malz, Bob, Kuke, Scott, Wiggins, and Haywood stood up in unison, especially Bob, who narrowed his eyes and flashed a fierce grin.

Picking a fight with their boss on a day like this surely meant the person was an enemy.

And for enemies, Bob believed that a dead one was the best kind.

Malz, as an old friend of Bob's, shared this sentiment.

Unlike Bob's fierce demeanor, the old sheriff simply had a hole emerge in the palm of his hand—it was the muzzle of a heavy firearm.

Kuke, Scott, Wiggins, and Haywood kept it simple,

Kuke's dagger, Scott's poisonous pen, Wiggins' cane sword, and Haywood's two firearms appeared in their hands.

The four slowly shuffled their feet, subtly surrounding the approaching figure.

This wasn't messy positioning, but a military formation directed by Bob.

The four looked simple, but their formation integrated offense and defense.

Seeing this, Lord Laurie's representative's eyes flickered with excitement— he was all too familiar and fond of military formations, having been born into the military.

Although the four were slightly lacking, his hands itched for a fight.

Particularly Malz and Bob, whose presence made him almost unable to resist shouting for a hearty battle.

However, recalling the young lady's orders, Desa immediately calmed down.

If he dared to act today, once back in Barny, the young lady would break his legs and throw him into the stables to gnaw on horse dung for a month.

Then what?

And then he would be ridiculed daily by those fellows for not being able to handle such a minor affair.

He wasn't that foolish!

Hey, what had the young lady asked me to say?

Just seeing two worthy opponents, how did he forget the words Lady Selina had instructed him to say?

Desa thought hard but couldn't recall the exact words Lady Selina had given him. However, he remembered the gist quite clearly.

So, the next moment—

Thump!

Desa, with a tiger-like momentum, knelt on one knee before Arthur, and called out with full vigor—

"Greetings, Young Master Arthur!"

Suddenly, the hall fell silent.