Cornflower Witch

Chapter 28 First Month's Assessment
On the day of the assessment, everyone arrived at Viscount Xue Feng's training ground early. Many noble families had gathered there to watch the assessment. Among them were many elderly people and children, who probably regarded today as some kind of outing or gathering.

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

"Ah, it's Shanna, long time no see." Several noblewomen gathered together and talked about recent events.

"I just came back from Valley City. The art exhibition there was amazing, especially the work of a new artist, 'Red Lotus in the Water.' The lotus in the painting looks like it's burning. A master commented that his painting has already reached the professional level, and in a while, the painting will acquire the 'blazing sun' quality."

"Wow, are there really such talented new artists? I thought you could only find them in Baiya City."

"That's why it's so surprising. It's said that the up-and-coming artist is only eighteen years old. He's a true genius."

"Countless girls at the scene were captivated by his paintings, and many were vying to marry him."

"If I were ten years younger, I probably would have surrounded him too. If I could touch his hands that he used to paint, it would be a wonderful thing that I would remember for the rest of my life."

“Such painters are even rarer than knights; you probably won’t see one like them for ten years.” The others nodded in agreement.

The ladies of leisure chatted and laughed with the city's socialites, while below, in the training ground, a group of trainees entered one by one.

Today's competition is divided into two rounds. In the first round, students will compete three times according to a draw. Those who win two or more times will advance to the second round, followed by a ring challenge to determine the final winner.

There are 15 students in this session, so the actual time spent on them won't be too much.

"Does Komia have to play too?" Karen asked, noticing that Komia was also getting ready.

"Yes." Komia picked up the sword, swung it around in her hand, and got used to the feel.

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

"I have my own secret way to win, Karen will find out soon," Komia said mysteriously.

“Alright.” Karen saw that Komia had already said so, so she didn’t stop her anymore. She thought that Komia was a very smart person and would definitely have a solution.

However, to the two's surprise, Hilti also came to the training ground today, with a training sword on her knees.

"Oh no, is Tia going to go too?" Now it was Komia's turn to be surprised.

"Well, anyway, everyone's here, I can't just run away now." The girl's answer made the two think that she must not want to be treated specially, which is why she participated.

"Whoever draws Tia is lucky." Both of them knew that Tia never participated in battle practice and was only there to make up the numbers.

Apart from the three of them, the other trainees also arrived one after another. Some were eager to get started, while others put on protective gear to prevent injury. Some were bolder and more confident, still wearing dresses that resembled formal gowns.

Iona stood in the best rest area, which was usually reserved for distinguished knights, but no knights were present today, so no one would question her use it.

Her short, golden hair was partially tied back with a red ribbon. She wore a dark brown fitted dress top with a row of delicate buttons at the chest, and a skirt that allowed for easy movement. This outfit came from the Royal Academy in White Cliff City, but unfortunately, after leaving there, she could no longer wear the Royal Academy's badge.

A one-handed sword with a gilded hilt rested at his side, its scabbard adorned with a bird pattern—the family crest of Viscount Karen.

As Iona's gaze swept over the groups of ladies and socialites in the stands, each holding a parasol, she felt inexplicably annoyed. If this were her own family property, she would have told these noisy people to get out.

At this moment, however, she could only take deep breaths to suppress her agitation.

Let's get started quickly. After the competition, she'll go back and take a nice hot bath. Standing here, she feels like she's covered in a layer of dust.

More than ten minutes later, Viscount Xue Feng stepped onto the stage, gave a brief introduction to today's assessment and competition, and then had a personal guard knight preside over the entire competition.

Upon reaching the cool VIP box, Viscount Schefeng sat down and, together with Maester Hyde beside him, watched today's matches. "First match, Ray versus Mick!"

"Is my first match against someone I know?" Mick stood up, picked up the unsharpened broadsword beside him, and walked step by step onto the stage.

Under the scorching sun, the two stood five meters apart and remained silent for a moment.

Although it wasn't a life-or-death battle, it was really unlucky for two people who were on good terms to face each other in the very first match.

“Come on, Mick.” Ray picked up the hammer and held it horizontally in front of him.

"Ah."

Mick stopped hesitating, gripped his broadsword, stepped forward, and the two began to fight.

He gripped the iron broadsword with both hands, his movements powerful yet slightly restrained, yet still agile. As the blade swung, Mick's footwork shifted, making his attacks even more unpredictable. This superb skill earned him quiet applause from the knowledgeable audience.

"Although we don't know his name, this child is already a qualified soldier."

On the other side, Ray used his immense strength to swing the hammer with a whooshing sound, suppressing Mick's attack route and forcing him away from him, making it difficult for him to advance.

The two had practiced together many times and were very familiar with each other's tactical styles, making it difficult to determine a winner for a time.

The blades occasionally clashed, deflecting the hammer's attack, or merely blocking it for a moment before breaking free. Lei's hammer slammed onto the high platform, sending shattered wooden planks flying.

This back-and-forth exchange gradually heightened the audience's interest, with many cheering for their chosen side or making bets on each other.

"I bet on the big guy to win. He's strong enough, his movements are nimble, and he's a rare strongman. In this kind of low-level combat, the advantage of strength is too great."

"I have more faith in the smaller one. As long as he stays calm and keeps interfering, exhausting the bigger guy's stamina, he will find an opportunity to break through."

"Okay, how about we bet 50 silver coins?"

“No problem.” The two nobles agreed on the bet in the stands.

On the high platform below, the battle between Mick and Ray had also intensified. There were already many craters on the platform from the hammer blows, and Ray was forced into a disadvantageous situation. The craters behind and to his sides made it difficult for him to change his position. If he retreated, he would encounter the enemy, so he had no choice but to launch a frontal assault.

Hammer anticipated Mick's attack route and blocked and swept through.

Unfortunately, Mick had anticipated this. He pushed off with all his might, narrowly avoiding Ray's attack, and then charged forward from Ray's left side at an unexpected angle, a direction from which Ray could not easily exert force.

The broadsword slashed down, striking the leather armor on Ray's shoulder and kicking up a cloud of dirt. At that moment, Mick quickly sheathed his sword, circled around again, and came to Ray's unsuspecting back, pressing his sword against Ray's back.

"Fine, I lost." Lei slammed the hammer on the ground and stopped, admitting defeat.

"lucky."

Mick also put down his sword, his chest heaving violently, and it took him a while to recover from the side effects of the breathing technique.

"Mike wins the first match!" A round of applause erupted from the audience.

The first match got off to a good start, which made everyone even more excited for the upcoming battles.

(End of this chapter)