In the reception room, Delin slammed his chair and walked up to Lin Ke, pointing at him: "You’re talking nonsense!"
The atmosphere in the reception room suddenly became tense.
Lin Ke didn’t move a muscle, his expression as calm as still water.
He even felt a bit like laughing.
Antova and Fulon looked a little anxious, but Lin Ke gestured for them to remain calm, so they sat silently.
"You misunderstood Young Master Lin Ke." Butler Fidel sighed and stepped forward.
From the performance in the last few minutes, their Young Master Delin really couldn’t compare to Lin Ke at all!
But as a member of the Deep Blue Clan’s butler team, he had to be responsible for Young Master Delin, so he bowed and said to Lin Ke:
"We’ve come this time mainly to celebrate your birthday and to kindly remind the Azanen Clan about the debts... Besides, Viscount Azanen’s movements are something we learned from your family and have nothing to do with us. As for collecting the debt early, that’s completely unfounded."
Ah, the primary purpose is to celebrate the birthday, and by the way, remind about the debt; everything else is completely unfounded.
This butler really understands the art of speaking.
Lin Ke laughed lightly, ignoring the child with a face of white powder in front of him, and replied to Butler Fidel: "I sincerely welcome your arrival and hope the radiance of Deep Blue always shines upon the Gula Kingdom!"
"May the name Azanen resound throughout the Gula Kingdom." Butler Fidel bowed once more and responded lightly.
In front of Lin Ke, Delin became even angrier for being ignored: "Country bumpkin! I challenge you to a knight duel!"
Lin Ke didn’t care inside, but his expression darkened; anyone would get upset being constantly called a country bumpkin.
"Master, this is inappropriate." Concerned internally, Fidel hurriedly stopped him.
To everyone’s surprise, Delin got even angrier: "I want to show this country bumpkin how powerful my ’Water Flow Control’ lineage is! I’m a level one [Knight]! Isn’t the meaning of Azanen exactly rapid waters?"
Water Flow Control lineage...
Lin Ke was surprised he straightforwardly revealed his lineage; lineage is supposed to be a secret.
The original meaning of Azanen really is rapid waters, probably enlightened by his father Garoce with a lineage related to rapid waters.
Seeing Lin Ke’s expression, Delin laughed: "Haha, country bumpkin, you don’t know, do you? Decades ago, lineage wasn’t a secret anymore; only by letting your mentor know your lineage, can they better tailor your profession."
"Only a country bumpkin would guard their lineage like a miser, haha."
An update of knowledge and perception?
However...Lin Ke still felt lineage should remain a secret known to few.
Of course, it can be essential to disclose some important information when necessary.
Lin Ke still smiled: "Mr. Delin, I’m a [Scholar]. Are you sure you want to duel with a [Scholar]?"
Not that [Scholars] are strong, but initially, when facing [Knights] in melee, [Scholars] are generally at a disadvantage.
"[Scholar]? You’re a weak [Scholar]? Haha, Uncle Fidel, listen, this guy is a laughable [Scholar]..." Delin laughed.
But before he finished laughing, Fidel stepped forward expressionlessly, rudely covering his mouth.
Calling [Scholars] weak...
If Delin’s words spread, not only how other professionals view it, but even just the Deep Blue family wouldn’t let him off.
The Deep Blue Clan has many powerful professionals taking the [Scholar] path, many with statuses not much different from the Deep Blue Duke.
Who knows what was wrong with Delin today; maybe coming to the countryside exposed his true nature... Fidel looked at Delin.
While Delin’s mouth was covered, his eyes darted around, and he realized too.
After all, he wasn’t stupid; he just couldn’t shake off his pride upon thinking Lin Ke was a [Scholar].
He pushed aside Fidel’s hand and said, "Hmph, I bet you don’t dare to duel with me, I’ll let you off this time."
Tsk, how could that wise and powerful Deep Blue Grand Duke have such a naive offspring? Lin Ke shook his head with a smile.
Just then, thunder rolled outside the window: "Lin Ke, have a duel with him!"
Simultaneously, dressed in the Azanen Clan’s black and red attire, Ove flew directly in through the window, electricity crackling around him.
A formidable presence!
Fidel’s pupils contracted, recalling the rumors heard along the way; the Azanen Clan had someone above level fifteen!
Judging by the pressure from Ove now, Fidel guessed this elder was at least above level eighteen.
Ove barely entered before regretting it, as his grand entrance made everyone in the reception room focus immediately on him.
He suddenly felt his scalp tingle, completely uneasy.
Nevertheless, he braved the gazes and said to Lin Ke: "Lin Ke, someone insults [Scholars]; you must defend the honor of [Scholars]!"
The honor of [Scholars]... We aren’t always shouting "Knight’s Glory," charging at the forefront like [Knights].
Aren’t we [Scholars] quite strategic and cautious?
However...since Teacher Ove requested, it’s just as well Lin Ke wanted to try fighting too.
The Azanen place was too remote; the guards were ordinary people, and Ove was too powerful while John was too weak, not even level one yet.
So, Lin Ke was quite looking forward to this duel.
He hadn’t practiced since becoming a level one professional!
"Let’s go, downstairs."
Lin Ke smiled, gesturing with a polite invitation.
Delin huffed and strode out first, followed closely by the butler and a line of blue-clad attendants.
Ove looked at Lin Ke, nodded heavily, and transformed into lightning, dashing out the window.
Your esteemed nodding, what does it mean??
Lin Ke was left laughing but also a bit exasperated, feeling like his teacher was acting a bit childishly.
But... when it comes to noble honor, Lin Ke cannot lose.
After all, to many, especially the citizens, it doesn’t matter if a [Scholar] is weak in the early stage; losing is losing, with no other excuses.
A tarnished reputation makes things inconvenient.
And defeating Delin, that child, could perhaps elevate his dominance and influence even further.
After all, he would be defeating a scion of the Deep Blue family!
"Little Lin Ke, perhaps you shouldn’t duel!" Fulon seemed worried.
Though Lin Ke had accomplished much and was very wise, she always saw him as a child.
From past incidents, it’s evident that Fulon was very much like a little girl herself, often wanting to avoid and cry when facing problems and only confronting them when there was no way out.
"Have you decided, Lin Ke?" Lady Antova also frowned as she asked.
"I’m about to become a level two [Scholar]." Lin Ke assured them both.
Fulon didn’t quite grasp it, but Antova cast a deep look at Lin Ke.
Several people quickly went down and onto the lawn a short distance from the castle entrance.
Delin was already waiting for Lin Ke.
Delin held a slender sword in his right hand, pointing it obliquely to the ground, while his left hand was behind his back, trying to stand upright.
His stance might be lacking, but he certainly had some aristocratic duel flair.
Lin Ke casually stopped twenty meters away, gesturing gentlemanly with an invitation: "Shall we...begin?"
"By the way, where’s your mount?" Lin Ke looked around, seeing no mount.
"I don’t need it!" Delin uncomfortably huffed, then brandished his sword and charged, his short legs moving fast with sand and stones flying along the way.
Indeed, Delin’s physical condition was impressive, seemingly even faster than an average adult man from his past life.
"Ha!!" Delin quickly closed in, letting out a slightly milk-sounding shout.
But before he could finish the yell, Lin Ke pointed to the ground beneath Delin’s feet, unleashing a burst of magic: "Smooth Move!"
The rushing Delin promptly went sprawling forward.
PS: Thank you for your rewards and votes, Noble Masters! Much appreciated~