This kind of purity was often only born from tribes that constantly faced existential crises, needed to band together for warmth, and placed the survival of the collective above the individual.
Even if they did not become Knights, they would likely have become the most fanatical and devout Believers of some god.
And the critical oaths required to become a true Knight demanded precisely this kind of pure, unyielding, and intense will for support.
Calvin waved a hand behind him and said to the nervous young female Knight, "Anna, go test their strength."
"Me?" Anna was a bit surprised and pointed at herself. But upon seeing Calvin’s unquestionable gaze, she nodded forcefully, took a deep breath, and tried to calm herself down.
"Yes, Teacher!"
Hearing this, the Lizardmen turned dozens of pairs of amber, slitted pupils to focus on her in unison. This made the already nervous Anna feel even more pressure, and she subconsciously clenched her fists.
"She’s... a Knight, too?" Salaman was eager to give it a try.
This human female Knight before him looked young and slender. Furthermore, her expression and demeanor suggested she was a novice who hadn’t seen much real combat. ’She’s probably... not that strong, right? Maybe I can put on a good show for the new instructor.’
Calvin seemed to have seen through his thoughts. He reached into his coat, pulled out a Gel Ball, and tossed it casually in his hand.
"Defeat her, and this ball of Gel is your prize."
"His Majesty’s Gel?" Salaman’s eyes lit up. He had heard Mr. Pu Mu mention these magical Gel Balls. It was said that they sealed the wondrous powers of all sorts of monsters, and that obtaining even one was enough for a Lizardman to be reborn.
"The ’Dragon Bloodline’ sealed by His Majesty. You should be familiar with it," Calvin added. His tone was still placid, but his words were like a giant boulder dropped into a calm lake.
"The Dragon Bloodline?!" the Lizardmen exclaimed in low voices. They all swallowed hard, trying to moisten their suddenly dry throats.
It was more than just familiar; it was a power their ancestors might have possessed thousands of years ago, an ancient memory lingering deep within their bloodline.
And now that it had appeared before them once again, it carried an irresistible allure, making them yearn to draw closer, to possess it.
In a corner of the camp, Oldes quietly asked Turk, who was beside him, "Child, what is that? That glowing thing seems to contain a very special power."
Turk didn’t know much either. He had only heard Pu Mu mention the uses of the Gel Balls and was unclear on their specific origin or how they were made, so he answered truthfully.
Oldes naturally interpreted this to mean it was some kind of wondrous Magical Creature, born from the mysterious Alchemy of the Slimes.
He nodded to himself. ’A Demon wouldn’t know such wondrous Alchemy. It seems this Slime King is indeed the Forest Sage I’m looking for.’
The old man could finally breathe a small sigh of relief. Now, all that was left was to have a formal meeting for final confirmation and discussion.
In the center of the camp, Salaman, as the acknowledged number one Lizardman Warrior, volunteered and stepped forward, issuing a challenge to Anna for a duel.
"Knight Anna, please do not hold back," Salaman said in the most standard Common Language he could manage, gripping the training spear in his hands and assuming a combat stance.
"Oh, o-okay!" Anna frantically drew the sword from her waist, took several deep breaths, and silently cheered herself on.
’Anna, come on, you can do this. You’ve trained with the teachers for so long, you can’t bring shame to them.’
"Begin," Calvin announced placidly, stepping aside.
The moment his voice fell, Salaman’s figure shot out with a WHOOSH.
Lizardman Warriors specialized in agility, and while on the offensive, Salaman’s speed was astonishing.
His scale-covered body blurred into a green streak through the air, crossing several meters in an instant to appear before Anna.
All the onlooking Lizardmen watching this scene thought it would be a swift and decisive duel—with Salaman’s speed and strength, the seemingly frail and nervous human female Knight probably wouldn’t even have time to react before being hit.
And the outcome was indeed just as "swift and decisive."
However, the one who was hit was not Anna.
"BANG!"
Salaman only saw a blur. He didn’t even see how Anna moved. He only saw an incomparably swift flash of a blade, and the next moment, his entire body was sent flying backward uncontrollably, as if he’d been hit by a charging swamp rhinoceros.
The spear flew from his hand, spun a few times in the air, and landed diagonally in the soft mud nearby, its shaft still trembling slightly.
Huh?
Across from him, Anna stood with her sword already sheathed, an incredulous look on her face. She glanced down at the hand holding her sword, then at the flying Salaman, as if to say: ’Am... am I that strong?’
The Lizardmen were unaware of Anna’s true strength, but Anna herself also lacked a clear perception of it. Having undergone Extraordinary training for years and constantly facing opponents much stronger than her, she had long grown accustomed to fighting under high pressure.
She always felt she was still very weak and needed to train even harder.
She never expected to send Salaman flying with a single blow, which made her feel mortified.
"An Elite Professional?"
A more knowledgeable Lizardman Warrior muttered to another. They quickly ran over to help up Salaman, who was lying dazed in the mud.