First Month Assessment

On the day of the assessment, everyone arrived early at Viscount Xuefeng's training grounds. Many noble families had gathered here to watch the proceedings, including quite a few elderly folk and children; they seemed to treat the day as some sort of outing or social gathering.

"Isn't that Sister Moran? How have you been lately?"

"Oh, if it isn't Sanna, long time no see." Several noblewomen gathered together, chatting about recent current events.

"I just returned from Valley City. The art exhibition there was truly magnificent, especially the work Red Lotus in Water by a rising painter. The lotus on the canvas looked as if it were burning. Masters have commented that this painting has already touched the threshold of a professional grade; in a little while, it will likely acquire the 'Blazing Sun' Aspect Power."

"Wow, is there really such an impressive new painter? I had assumed one could only see such talent in White Cliff City."

"That's why it's so surprising. They say the painter is only eighteen—a true genius."

"I don't know how many girls at the scene were captivated by his work; many are fighting over who gets to marry him."

"If I were ten years younger, I'd probably be crowding around him too. If I could just touch those hands that paint, it would be a wonderful memory to last a lifetime."

"Such a painter is rarer than a knight; I doubt we'll see another one in a decade." The others nodded in agreement.

As the noblewomen and socialites chatted and laughed, the students began to enter the training grounds below one by one.

Today's competition is divided into two rounds. The first round consists of students drawing lots to face off in three separate matches; those with two or more wins advance to the second round, followed by a tournament-style challenge to determine the final victor.

There are 15 students in this cohort, so it shouldn't take too much time.

"Does Comia have to go up too?" Karen looked at Comia, who was also preparing.

"Yes." Comia gripped her sword and swung it in her hand to get a feel for the weight.

"Are you really going?" Karen was still somewhat skeptical; Comia had never participated in combat training.

"I have my own secret method for victory. You'll see soon enough, Karen." Comia spoke with a feigned air of mystery.

"Alright then." Seeing that Comia was set on it, Karen stopped trying to dissuade her. She felt that Comia was a very clever person and must have a plan.

However, what surprised the two of them even more was that Sylutia had also arrived at the training grounds today, a training sword resting on the knees of her robe.

"Wait, no way. Is Tia going up too?" Now it was Comia's turn to be surprised.

"Mm. Regardless, everyone else is here, so I can't just run away from the challenge." The young girl's reply led the two to believe she simply didn't want to stand out, and that was why she was participating.

"Whoever draws Tia is in luck." Both of them knew Sylutia never participated in sparring; she was clearly just there to make up the numbers.

Aside from the three of them, the other students had arrived one after another. Some were limbering up, others were putting on protective gear to prevent injury, and some of the bolder, more confident ones were still wearing attire that looked more like formal gowns.

Iona stood in the best rest area. This was usually reserved for noble knights, but since no knights were competing today, no one questioned her using it.

Her short, golden hair was partially held back by a red ribbon today. She wore a dark brown, form-fitting formal jacket with a row of exquisite buttons on the chest, and a skirt designed for ease of movement. This outfit came from the Royal Academy in White Cliff City; unfortunately, since leaving, she could no longer wear the Royal Academy badge.

A single-handed sword with a gilded hilt rested at her side, the scabbard bearing the image of a bird—the family crest of Viscount Callen.

Glancing over at the noblewomen and socialites on the stands holding their parasols, Iona felt an inexplicable sense of annoyance. If this were her own family's territory, she would have had these noisy people thrown out.

But for now, she could only take a deep breath and suppress the irritation in her heart.

Hurry up and start, she thought. Once it's over, I can go back and have a proper hot bath. Standing here, I feel like I'm covered in a layer of dust.

Ten minutes later, Viscount Xuefeng stepped onto the platform, gave a brief introduction to the day's assessment, and then had one of his personal knights preside over the matches.

Arriving at the cool, shaded viewing box, Viscount Xuefeng sat down to enjoy the duels with Scholar Heide by his side.

"First match: Ray versus Mick!"

Facing an acquaintance in the first round? Mick stood up, picked up the unsharpened broadsword at his side, and walked onto the stage step by step.

Under the scorching sun, the two stood five meters apart, falling into a brief silence.

Although this wasn't a life-or-death battle, it was certainly bad luck for two friends to be paired against each other in the very first round.

"Come on, Mick." Ray raised his hammer, holding it horizontally in front of him.

"Hah."

Mick stopped overthinking it. He gripped his broadsword and stepped forward, and the two began to trade blows.

He held the iron broadsword with both hands, his movements powerful yet with a hint of reserve, losing none of their agility. As the blade swung, Mick's footwork shifted, making his attacks difficult to predict. This excellent technique drew quiet applause from the knowledgeable spectators.

"Though I don't know his name, this boy is already a qualified warrior."

On the other side, Ray utilized his own immense strength, swinging his great hammer with a whistling wind to suppress Mick's attack routes and force him to keep his distance, making it difficult for him to close in.

The two had sparred many times and were very familiar with each other's tactical styles, making it hard to determine a winner for the time being.

The blades occasionally clashed, deflecting the hammer's strikes or merely blocking them for a split second before slipping away. Ray's hammer slammed into the platform, sending splintered wood flying.

This back-and-forth exchange gradually raised the excitement of the audience; many began to cheer for their chosen side or place bets with one another.

"I bet on the big guy. He's got the strength, and his movements aren't sluggish. He's a rare powerhouse; in this kind of low-level combat, the advantage of raw strength is just too great."

"I'm rooting for the smaller one. As long as he keeps his cool and constantly harasses him, wearing down the big guy's stamina, he'll find an opening to break through."

"Fine, a 50-silver bet?"

"Deal." The two nobles finalized their wager in the stands.

On the platform below, the battle between Mick and Ray reached a fever pitch. The stage was already riddled with holes from the great hammer, and Ray had been forced into a disadvantageous position. With broken floorboards behind him and to his sides, it was difficult for him to shift his stance or retreat, leaving him no choice but to launch a frontal assault.

Ray calculated Mick's attack route and blocked with a horizontal sweep.

Unfortunately, Mick had anticipated this. He pushed off with his feet, narrowly dodging Ray's attack, and lunged forward from Ray's left side—the angle where it was hardest for him to exert force.

The broadsword slashed down violently, striking the leather armor on Ray's shoulder and kicking up a spray of dirt. Mick quickly retracted his blade, circled around to Ray's undefended back, and pressed the tip of his sword against the center of his opponent's spine.

"Fine, I lose." Ray slammed his hammer onto the ground and ceased his attack, conceding the match.

"Just luck."

Mick lowered his sword as well, his chest heaving violently as he took a long moment to recover from the side effects of his Breathing Technique.

"First match, Mick wins!" A round of applause erupted from the crowd.

The first match had gotten things off to a good start, leaving everyone even more eager for the battles to come.