The Girls' Situation / First Round of the Knockout Stage

"Sigh, after you comforted me like that, it suddenly became boring~"

Once again interrupted by Sakura, Mobius withdrew his pitiful expression and lazily shrugged with a smile.

"Doctor, there are no outsiders here. If you have any needs, you can just say so. We know and understand." Seeing Mobius's expression, Sakura shook her head helplessly and then suggested seriously.

"... Don't even think about it, at most one vial of blood."

Before Mobius could even speak, Bianca's expression changed, and she refused seriously.

Just as Sakura said, everyone, including Daigo, is very clear about and even understands the Mobius's needs and goals.

However, Mobius's stubbornness and infuriating nature were too much to bear. She could have easily achieved her goal by simply discussing it properly with Bianca, but instead, she insisted on using methods that infuriated people...

"Oh, only one vial of blood? I was originally planning to give Bianca a full check-up." After hearing Bianca's quick reply, Mobius said with a regretful and disappointed expression.

Although there wasn't a trace of disappointment in her tone.

"Mobius, forget about it. You know I won't agree. Letting you draw even one vial of blood is already a huge concession."

Bianca stared at the loli-like Mobius in front of her, crossed her arms, and spoke with a serious expression, devoid of any pity.

In Bianca's opinion, if Mobius weren't also herself, and if her request weren't actually beneficial to (?) research... Bianca would have already punched this annoying guy twice, instead of being so "amiable" as she is now.

"Sigh, Bianca... she's not cute at all~" Mobius said helplessly to Bianca's serious expression.

However, although Mobius still refused to budge and remained stubborn on the surface, the other two people present, sensing through their mutual understanding that someone had compromised, also remained silent.

Finally, after paying a large amount of research funding and a vial of blood, Bianca managed to send away that guy she hated so much the next morning.

That's right, only Mobius left. This time, Sakura did not follow, but chose to stay in the Great Knight's Territory.

The reason is quite simple: Sakura felt that staying in Kazimierz would be more useful than escorting Mobius on the road.

After all, no matter how you look at it, there are more known rats and scum here. Moreover, she knows very well that her Bianca wouldn't play dirty tricks, so there are some things she needs to handle privately.

Mobius chose to leave the Great Knight's Territory so early because many things and documents there no longer satisfied her; she needed to go to a larger and more suitable place.

Moreover, getting into Rhine Lab isn't easy; you need to produce some "achievements." Whether it's getting a degree from Columbia University or publishing some valuable papers, it all takes time.

Therefore, once he had earned enough money through the Bianca tournament, Mobius chose not to linger and instead headed directly to Columbia.

After all, this massive casino of capital is not a playground for a weak researcher like her... Let the cheers and applause go to the righteous knight.

"Knock knock--"

"No, this is getting annoying... We've already changed hotels several times." Bianca, who was sitting on the hotel sofa, showed a hint of annoyance in her blue eyes after hearing the knock on the door.

Although she had somewhat anticipated the current situation, she never expected it to be this troublesome...

After yesterday's events, Bianca's displayed strength has made her an overnight sensation... Now, it's fair to say that many people want to win her over or cooperate with her.

Many people even came to the door one after another this morning, which annoyed Dion so much that after seeing Mobius off, he even changed hotels.

But as it turns out... it was completely useless.

P. S.: I'm exhausted today (lying down). I submitted my only leave request on the first day of the month, ugh. One less update today, three more tomorrow. Don't worry, there will be more this month. Tomorrow, apart from the graduation ceremony, nothing else happens. Let's go!

Chapter 26 The Girls' Condition

"Oh--"

In the remote outskirts surrounding the Great Knight's Territory, a slender golden figure was training, constantly wielding an incredibly heavy-looking spear.

That's right, the person training right now is Bianca. After being annoyed by all the people inviting her, she simply left the bustling city and plunged headlong into the wilderness.

Others might lose a lot of information and opportunities by doing this, but for the goose, it's the best way.

After all, there's a Miss Fox in the city who can provide her with real-time intelligence, and here she's undisturbed and very relaxed—why not?

"Boom!"

"Call--"

After her final shot shattered the boulder in front of her with unstoppable force, Bianca let out a soft breath and sheathed the ordinary lance from her hand.

This also marked the end of her morning training session.

"..."

Bianca wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead, then slowly walked towards her makeshift campsite and sat down by the campfire.

Without Rita around, the goose's lifestyle is all about being carefree.

"Um?"

Just as Bianca took out a bottle of water to rehydrate, a message in her mind suddenly made her pause.

"Does he think I'm easy to bully... He's disgusting."

After hearing the message Sakura sent him, the goose showed no surprise, only disgust and a deep-seated coldness in its eyes.

Although Bianca had known for a long time that the high-ranking executives of Kazimierz would definitely take action against her, she did not expect it to happen so quickly.

He's already so angry and embarrassed after being rejected a few times, wanting to teach her a lesson and then give in? How ridiculous...

"Let me see what you have to offer to make me 'give in'."

As soon as she finished speaking, Bianca lost her appetite. She slowly put down her water glass, stood up, took out her spear again, and walked away into the distance.

The "crazy training" has begun again!

In the bustling workshop--

"Ding-dong... ding..."

"Sizzle..."

After some hammering, Maria Nearl was finally able to free herself a little by immersing the red-hot material in water to cool it down with the pliers. She wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Let me see..."

Just then, the old craftsman noticed what was happening and quickly came over, taking out the things Maria Nearl had put in the water to cool and examining them.

"Haha, not bad this time. Maria Nearl, you're quite talented. Keep it up!" The old craftsman said, giving Maria Nearl an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

"Yes! I'll keep working hard, Master Koval!" Maria Nearl perked up after hearing the old craftsman's encouragement and replied excitedly.

"..."

Afterward, the two didn't continue chatting but instead threw themselves back into their work. Maria Nearl, in particular, was incredibly energetic.

Since her conversation with Bianca, Maria Nearl has become increasingly interested in the profession of artisan. And because of her own little schemes, she has been working harder and more enthusiastically lately.

As for what those little thoughts were... well, that's a girl's secret.

Time flew by quickly amidst the busy and fulfilling lives of these girls. The points-based stage had completely ended, and the knockout stage was about to begin.

"Hmm, the Bianca knockout stage is about to begin. Are you ready? I heard your opponent in the first match is a powerful knight." In the restaurant, Maria Nearl put down her fork and asked with a curious expression.

"Don't worry, everything is ready. Don't worry about Maria Nearl, I will bring victory back." Hearing this, Bianca took a sip of her black tea and said confidently with a smile.

"Yes, I believe you."

After hearing Bianca's answer, Maria Nearl put aside her concerns and replied with a smile in her eyes.

As they spent more time together, and after witnessing a glimpse of Bianca's training, Maria Nearl grew to trust her and her abilities more and more.

"Don't just talk about me, Maria Nearl. You seem to have been very busy lately. Have you finally found your goal?" Bianca slowly put down her cup, then looked at Maria Nearl with a smile and asked.

When Bianca suddenly asked her this question, Maria Nearl's expression stiffened at first, then she answered with a slightly evasive look in her eyes:

"Well... you could say that. But I really do enjoy the work of a craftsman."

"...?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt and curiosity slowly flickered in Bianca's azure eyes.

However, knowing her friend's personality, she didn't press the matter further. Instead, after a smile, she changed the subject:

"If you like it, then do your best to do it. Although effort doesn't guarantee results, it will eventually bring rewards."

"Yes, I will."

After hearing Bianca's words, Maria Nearl secretly breathed a sigh of relief before responding.

The little pony almost thought it was about to be exposed. So it secretly breathed a sigh of relief when the silly goose didn't ask any more questions.

Although Maria Nearl wasn't entirely sure whether Bianca knew her little secret or not, it didn't matter anymore. Even if she did know but didn't ask or bring it up, it meant she didn't know!

"Heh~"

Bianca couldn't help but chuckle as she watched someone whose emotions were written all over their face without them even realizing it.

Of course, Silly Goose knew that Maria Nearl was keeping some secrets from her, and she was also quite curious about them. However, out of respect for her friend, she didn't pry.

Now that the little pony wants to keep it a secret, Bianca will naturally go along with it, neither investigating nor asking.

"Huh? Bianca, what are you laughing at?"

Maria Nearl, who had just withdrawn her own thoughts, heard her friend's laughter before she even looked up. Feeling a little guilty, she asked nervously.

"Hmm... guess?"

"Hmm? Bianca, you've gone astray! Tell me!"

P. S.: There have been quite a few unexpected situations these past few days, but I've gotten back into the swing of things today, and there will be two more updates tonight. I'll try to write as quickly as possible.

Give it a push.

Chapter 27 Elimination Round 1

In the tavern--

"So, what about Maria Nearl?" the old craftsman asked the old knight beside him, a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"I told you, old Koval, you're getting senile. Don't you even know what day it is today?" The old knight said smugly after taking a big gulp of wine.

"What... Oh, it's that little girl's extremely powerful friend today, oh well, it's alright then."

Upon hearing this, the old craftsman muttered under his breath before retorting irritably, "Who are you calling senile? I can still forge iron for a few more years, but can you even go to the battlefield?"

"Of course I can! If this country still needs me... I'm just old, not that my sword is dull." The old knight snorted in response to his old friend's retort.

"Alright, you two, stop arguing. The match is about to start, but I have to say Bianca is really strong. I even regretted not betting on her last time," Old Fu said slowly to the two of them after handing the drinks to his guests.

"Of course, if I had bet on Maria Nearl's friend last time, I probably wouldn't have to worry about money for drinks for a long time." The old knight nodded in agreement with Old Frey's point of view.

"So, did you bet this time, you old drunkard?" Upon hearing this, the old craftsman glanced at the person beside him and asked.

After listening to the old craftsman's words, the old knight raised an eyebrow, took another sip of wine, and then slowly replied:

"Hmph, that goes without saying. Although Knight Left Hand is very strong this time, in my opinion, he's still far inferior to that young girl."

"Indeed, I also placed a bet this time. I hope that little girl Bianca will pull it off." With that, the old craftsman picked up his wine glass and took a big gulp.

Then, as the live broadcast of the match on television was about to begin, everyone on the battlefield, including the old knight, slowly focused their attention on it.

Flameblade Arena

Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Flameblade Arena! Welcome to today's matches!

[This match has already attracted a lot of media attention; at this moment, eight media outlets from the Rose Newspaper Group are all focused on this arena!!!]

Even before the match officially began, Big Mouth Mob, distinctive voice pierced the arena's atmosphere and reached the ears of everyone watching.

[The two sides in this battle are, firstly, the mysterious but currently rising star, the beautiful female knight Bianca!]

[The other is Titus White Poplar, the "Left Hand" from the Sharphelm Knights, who is at the height of his power and quite valuable!]