The towering youth immediately caught Kael's attention. There was something unusual about the power emanating from him.
"Lord Marquis Kael, I—I want to challenge you!" The giant scratched his head sheepishly, grinning at Kael with an almost childlike enthusiasm.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly. He sensed an odd energy from this young man, yet couldn't discern his actual power level.
"What's your name?" Kael asked.
"My name is Thunderclap, my lord!" the giant boomed, his face lighting up with joy at being addressed directly. His expression was so guileless it bordered on naive—clearly, this was a man of simple thoughts.
"Thunderclap, get down from there! You can't beat the Marquis!" someone from the crowd shouted, evidently familiar with the giant.
"Who is this Thunderclap?"
"Huh? You don't know him? He's the biggest eater around here—damn it, yesterday I saw him devour over twenty blackbread loaves in one sitting!"
"Twenty? That's insane..."
From the murmurs around him, Kael pieced together that Thunderclap was indeed somewhat famous—though not for his strength, but for his bottomless stomach.
"Thunderclap? A fine name. Come, let's see what you've got!" Kael gave him an encouraging smile. His instincts screamed that this unassuming giant was anything but ordinary.
"Thank you, my lord!"
Beaming, Thunderclap cracked his knuckles and lumbered onto the arena. His massive frame blocked Kael's line of sight like a moving hillock. The sheer bulk of him—every inch radiating raw power—made even Kael blink. This was undoubtedly the most physically imposing being he'd encountered in this world.
Rubbing his head again, Thunderclap said apologetically, "You'd better be careful, my lord. I'm about to attack. I don't know battle qi, but I'm really strong."
No battle qi? Kael's brow furrowed.
"What nonsense is this? He doesn't even know battle qi and dares challenge the Marquis?"
"Who knows? Probably worse off than Oliver earlier—at least he was a peak ninth-tier warrior."
The crowd erupted into chatter at Thunderclap's admission. A qi-less nobody challenging Kael—the unspoken strongest of the younger generation?
"Is this some kind of joke?!"
Yet Kael showed no trace of mockery toward the giant Thunderclap. With an easy smile, he said, "Come at me."
Thunderclap's expression turned serious. Though simple-minded, he adopted an entirely different demeanor in battle—then suddenly, he moved!
So fast! Kael's eyes narrowed. Despite his massive frame, Thunderclap's speed rivaled that of tenth-tier warriors Kael had encountered!
With a sonic boom, Thunderclap closed the distance in a single stride, his charge sending shockwaves through the air.
The crowd nearest to them staggered back as if a mountain were bearing down, the sheer pressure forcing retreat.
Kael's face grew solemn. Raising his staff, silver astral runes flared to life. "Wall of Flames!"
A barrier of frostflame—denser and far more formidable than his earlier casual defense—materialized before him. This was a genuine tenth-tier defensive spell!
The ground trembled violently as Thunderclap's footfall struck earth. Kael's estimation of the giant rose another notch. This power... already far surpassed the middle-aged warrior from before!
BOOOOM!
The collision shook the arena. Without using a shred of battle qi, Thunderclap's fist shattered the fiery wall, forcing Kael to activate Phantom Star Steps and retreat like a specter.
But the punch's residual force plowed into the ground—and the magically reinforced stone tiles within a hundred-meter radius exploded into powdered cracks!
"I constructed these grounds with premium enchanted materials..." Grace paled slightly. "Even tenth-tier battle qi shouldn't breach them, let alone pulverize everything!"
Kael, still backpedaling, felt genuine astonishment.
This Thunderclap—without question—possessed the most terrifying raw strength Kael had witnessed since arriving in this world.
Other warriors, no matter how strong, relied on battle qi to achieve such feats—but Thunderclap seemed born with supernatural strength, capable of toppling mountains with sheer brute force.
Kael grinned at him. "Incredible power!"
The onlookers stood dumbfounded. By the gods, is this even human? The man was a monster—achieving this without battle qi! How terrifying would he be with it?
Those who had mocked Thunderclap earlier fell silent, their disbelief slapped away by reality. Their gazes now held only awe.
Thunderclap rubbed his head sheepishly. "Thank you, Lord Marquis. I hope I didn't hurt you..."
Kael chuckled. The man was simplicity itself, yet his combat instincts were frightening. In battle, he transformed entirely—as if forged for war.
"I'm fine. You're impressive, Thunderclap!" To shatter his magical defense without using battle qi? Thunderclap's strength defied measurement but surely rivaled tenth-tier experts. That raw power could pulp even a high-tier mage with one blow!
"Thunderclap, how would you like to follow me? Become my follower?"
The giant's eyes lit up—but then dimmed as he mumbled awkwardly, "Lord Marquis... I eat too much. Twenty bread loaves per meal barely fill me. I'd be a burden..."
Kael couldn't help but laugh. No wonder he's so massive!
"Don't worry. I'll keep you fed—unlimited portions."
Thunderclap's face blazed with joy. He thumped his chest. "Lord Kael, I pledge myself to you!"
Envious stares followed him. As Kael's follower, Thunderclap's future was now radiant.
Meanwhile, Kael inwardly rejoiced. A natural treasure fallen into my lap! This mountain of a man was a freakish genius in his own right—destined for greatness.
"Thunderclap, gather your things. You're coming with me."
"Yes, sir!"
The giant scampered off eagerly.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother!" Grace bounded over, playfully patting Kael's shoulder—her usual mischievous self—while Amelia smiled warmly.
Kael nodded. "Let's wait for Thunderclap at the gates."
Kael's gaze swept across the training grounds as he declared, "All who prove their worth shall find honor in Raife City! Today marks only the beginning—I invite you to join me in building our future together!"
The crowd erupted in fervent nods, their eyes alight with inspiration. Oliver and Thunderclap had shown them the path—true strength would always be rewarded here.
As Kael stepped outside with Amelia and Grace, two familiar yet unwelcome figures abruptly came into view.
Vesper and Toms.
The old men lurked by the gates, clearly having watched Kael's duel with Thunderclap. Their presence made Kael's brow furrow instinctively. These schemers never appeared without reason.
Vesper waved with exaggerated cheer. "Young Kael! Long time no see!"
"Old pervert," Kael retorted bluntly, "what brings you here?"
Vesper's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Heh. Luck smiles upon you, boy—to stumble upon a bloodline of the Titans!"
The moment the words left his mouth, both Amelia and Grace stiffened in surprise.
"Titan bloodline?" Kael's eyes sharpened. "You're saying Thunderclap...?"