Viscount Xuefeng's Encouragement

Clap, clap, clap. A crisp sound of applause rang out from the side of the training ground, followed by two figures approaching, interrupting the session.

"It's Viscount Xuefeng and Master Heide." Someone whispered.

The two walked slowly to the instructor's side. Viscount Xuefeng nodded slightly to the gathered students before turning to the instructor.

"Thank you for your hard work, Burke."

"At your command, Lord Xuefeng." Burke stood at attention and replied respectfully.

"Very well, take a short break. Master Heide and I have a few words for these children."

"Yes." He immediately turned and stepped aside to yield his position.

Viscount Xuefeng stepped onto the wooden platform. He did not look old, perhaps in his forties, sporting a short, black handlebar mustache. His physique was sturdy, and the thick knuckles and wrists revealed that he was a man who frequently practiced swordsmanship and other combat techniques; he was no mere pampered noble.

His gaze swept slowly across the crowd, and he nodded slightly.

"It is my good fortune to see such talented children here in Scorched Stone City."

Talent, especially talent possessing an extraordinary Aspect Power, was, in a sense, the greatest wealth within a territory.

"Master Heide is not only your teacher but mine as well. I studied under him when I was young, and I still look back on that time with a touch of nostalgia."

"To be admired and respected, one must inevitably put in a great deal of sweat and effort. You should all understand this principle, though when I was young, I was just like you—distracted by all manner of temptations, often wasting my time."

"Considering you are still in your formative stages and should not be distracted by external matters, I have decided to provide some rewards to help you focus more on your studies." With that, he clapped his hands, and two attendants brought up trays.

"If you can secure first place in the assessment two months from now, I will grant this 'Crimson-Dyed Cloak' as a reward." As he spoke, he lifted the cloth covering the tray, revealing a cloak made of fiery red fur.

[Crimson-Dyed Cloak] (Tier 1 - Blazing Sun - Excellent): Crafted from the fur of a wolf-beast with the "Blazing Sun" Aspect Power. It can "enhance stamina," resist slashes from ordinary blades, and provide insulation and water resistance. Its vibrant color makes it a prized item even among the nobility.

"Furthermore, I have rewards for those who take second and third place in the assessment." He then had someone lift another cover, revealing two pairs of finely stitched boots.

[Red Wolf Boots] (Tier 1 - Blazing Sun - Good): Crafted from the fur of a wolf-beast with the "Blazing Sun" Aspect Power. It can "slightly enhance stamina," protect the feet, and provide insulation and waterproofing, making them especially useful in winter.

"Thank you, Lord Xuefeng." The students bowed in gratitude, many of them looking visibly excited.

In the days that followed, the students were filled with energy, as if injected with adrenaline, throwing themselves into various training and studies. Even the trio of noble friends rarely caused trouble and stopped clashing with Solin and his group.

Gradually, the students grew familiar with one another, and even the noble students memorized the names of all the commoner students in their cohort.

One afternoon.

"Mick, want to spar with me?" Solin walked over from the side of the training ground, holding a wide wooden sword. He wore a short vest, and his wrists were wrapped in cloth strips.

"Heh, bring it on."

The boy with the triangular eyes readily agreed, picked up a training sword from the side, and walked onto the field with him.

"Tia, they're going to spar again." Leaning against the wooden railing, Comia rested her cheek on her hand, sounding slightly bored.

"And it's supposed to be our lunch break."

"Diligence is a good thing." Karen approved of the behavior. She glanced at the archery range not far away, preparing to go practice for a while.

"Ah, is Karen going too? Fine, Tia and I will tag along." Comia was wearing a loose dress today, shaped like an inverted morning glory, with no cinched waist.

The three walked and talked about recent gossip.

"Iona didn't come this afternoon either. She seems very uninterested in the training sessions; she only shows up when it's time for riding practice." Comia continued.

"They say Iona's family has great influence in the military and possesses many combat techniques and related secret arts." Karen mentioned with envy.

"It's not easy for ordinary people to learn advanced swordsmanship, let alone secret arts involving extraordinary Aspect Powers." Comia shook her head.

"By the way, Tia."

"Hmm?" The girl adjusted her glasses.

"Have you learned any special secret arts while following Master Heide?"

"Not yet." The girl shook her head.

"Does Master Heide teach such things?"

"He does." Comia nodded.

"My father told me, and he heard it from an uncle of his."

"Although Master Heide practices the 'Castle' Aspect Power path, as a scholar, he possesses vast knowledge and skills. Not to mention the high-level stuff, he definitely isn't lacking in secret methods below Tier 1."

"The best way for ordinary people to learn these secret arts is to join a guild, such as the 'Alchemist Guild,' but the secret methods taught by guilds are very limited—only the basic ones. If you truly want to excel, you usually have to find a mentor on that specific career path."

"Although the secret methods taught by guilds are already beyond the reach of ordinary people, their growth ceiling exists. For example, the most powerful alchemist in the guild is only a 'Tier 3' professional."

"Viscount Xuefeng has three 'Tier 3 - Castle' Aspect Power knights under his command, and the capital is a gathering place for even more powerful figures; they say there are even legendary figures above Tier 5." Comia said, her voice filled with longing.

"Such figures probably aren't something a guild could cultivate." The girl recalled what the merchant Vandhi had said.

"True. Everyone knows that nobles often have scholars as staff advisors, but few people know the organizations these scholars belong to." Comia turned around and whispered into Tia's ear.

"I heard that in other countries, the advisors beside the lords aren't scholars, but powerful witches, or even ageless sorceresses who guide emperors."

She pulled her hand away from the girl's ear and continued.

"In the mountain tribes of the past, there were many witch-hags. The ancestors of Lord Viscount Xuefeng were granted their territory by the King precisely because they had slain a powerful witch-hag."

As the two whispered to each other, Karen turned around from the front.

"What are you two chatting about?" She asked, unable to catch their drift.

"It's nothing, Karen. Have you ever hunted a beast that possessed the power of a complete Aspect Power?" Comia trotted a few steps to catch up, then waved at Sylutia behind her, signaling that they would talk more next time.

"A first-tier beast with a complete Aspect Power, that could be called a 'Fang Beast' by then..." Karen said as she walked, recounting memories of hunting in the mountains with her father.

In the training grounds, young figures gathered in twos and threes; some were drenched in sweat, others leaned in the shade to chat, and some chased each other with laughter.

The afternoon sun fell upon the dry ground, and gusts of hot wind blew by, carrying the intoxicating haze of youth.