Chapter 87: The Start Of A New Year
Viscount Xue Feng’s Mansion
“Lord, Miss Iona has not come out of her room for three days already.” A retainer reported to Viscount Xue Feng.
The middle-aged noble sitting behind the desk raised his head, put down the glasses on his nose, then walked to the window and looked at the tall tower in the distance inside the castle.
“Her nature is still there and has not disappeared or weakened.” This viscount told his subordinate to not disturb her for the time being.
“If after three days Iona still hasn’t come out, report to me again.”
“Yes, Lord.” This retainer withdrew.
Soon, the room was left with only Viscount Xue Feng alone, his gaze fixed on the tall tower in the distance.
There was only half a month left until the assessment, Iona, what exactly are you preparing for? Could it be that you have always had higher demands on yourself?
Such an urgent state of mind is not a good thing.
……
After regaining mastery of 【Flower Blooming Technique】, Xilutiya felt herself breathe a sigh of relief; at least the assessment in half a month would not be so worrisome or panicked.
Over this past month or so, she wondered what changes Komiya and the others had undergone. Winter break ended tomorrow, so she should be able to see them at Scholar Heide’s again.
The next day, Xilutiya changed into a relatively simple long skirt again, paired with her dyed black hair, and stepped into the classroom.
Many classmates had no changes in a month’s time, merely wearing slightly thicker clothes and winter hats.
“Hey, Baron, how have you been lately?” A noble classmate greeted Baron who had just entered.
This noble youth, second only to Iona in the class, brushed back the golden hair at his temple with his finger and smugly made a victory gesture.
“I’ve recently learned ‘Steel Sharp Blade’; you all should be careful.” He had not advanced in Blood Law, but chose the most common ‘Castle’ path among nobles.
“Whoa, Baron didn’t waste the holiday? That’s really surprising.”
“Heh, of course. My dad said if I pass the second trial in the assessment, he’ll buy me a northern war horse. I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time.”
“Once I have the war horse, paired with my shiny set of armor, I’ll be as handsome as the knights in the royal city.” Baron boasted.
“Really? Don’t forget us then. I also want to see what an excellent northern war horse looks like. I heard the best war horses are procured from the Winter Kingdom side, while some domestic ones are hybrids with impure bloodlines.”
Several people chatted, and the topic turned to various interesting stories in noble circles.
……
Xilutiya sat by the back window of the classroom. At this moment, she was not reading but gazing slightly blankly at the snowy scene outside the window, as if recalling some things.
“Tiya~” Komiya’s familiar voice suddenly rang out, then her icy cold hand rested on the maiden’s cheek.
“Very cold, Komiya.” The maiden grasped the other’s fingers with both hands, then turned her head back.
“I saw you spacing out. What were you thinking about?” Komiya was wearing rabbit-shaped ear protectors today, in a cute style.
“Thinking about future matters.” The maiden blinked.
If she went to the Secluded Forest, she would probably have to part with these companions.
“I see. Then think about it later.” Komiya blinked at the maiden.
“Today’s happiness must not be delayed by other things.”
“Okay, then tell me, what happiness is there today?” Xilutiya responded with a smile.
“Today’s happiness for you is seeing me~” Komiya raised two fingers, mimicking a rabbit.
“Isn’t it very cute?”
“It is a little.”
“Hmph, Tiya is still like this, not generous with compliments.” Komiya teasingly scraped Xilutiya’s nose bridge with her finger.
While the two were interacting, Karen and Mike entered the classroom one after another.
Of the two, Karen’s hairstyle had changed, more neat and shorter than before, while Mike’s previously tattered iron sword at his waist had now been replaced with a fine steel longsword.
During the holiday, Karen successfully entered ‘First Order · Blood Law’ and preliminarily learned the ‘Eagle Eye’ ability. Her knuckles were now slender and powerful; even though her build was not robust, she had a power like a cheetah.
On the other side, Mike simply recounted his holiday experience.
“Brother Jieluo and I participated in several tasks, with plentiful gains.”
“What about Lei?”
“Don’t know, maybe he forgot class today.” Someone guessed.
Just before class started, Lei finally arrived. Compared to before winter break, he was a bit thinner, his skin a bit darker, but his eyes were much brighter and more spirited.
“Where did you go this holiday?” Mike was somewhat curious about the changes in Lei.
“I went to learn at Mu Yan Blacksmith.” Lei rubbed his messy hair somewhat embarrassedly.
“Isn’t that blacksmith very hot-tempered?” Mike knew that blacksmith’s reputation.
“Teacher Heide took me there. He talked a lot with Uncle Mu Yan; the two have a good relationship…”
After hearing Lei’s account, everyone realized that Mu Yan Blacksmith had been Scholar Heide’s student in his youth, no wonder his recommendation was so effective.
As the most senior and prestigious scholar in Jiaoshi City, he had guided and educated generations of excellent young people in the surrounding areas. At this moment, everyone suddenly realized the immense influence the usually kind old man had in Jiaoshi City.
Many professionals, even if not directly taught by Scholar Heide, were mostly students of his students.
The discussion among the group did not last long; the class bell chimed in the courtyard. Soon, Scholar Heide appeared dragging his thick robe, with his current formal apprentice Yeluo by his side.
Walking to the wooden platform in front of the classroom, this old man with a long beard slowly sat down with Yeluo’s support, then his gaze turned to the students below. Compared to before winter break, he seemed a few years more aged.
“Long time no see, children.” He raised one hand in greeting, then introduced this semester’s arrangements.
……
“Since many of you have formally stepped into First Order, I also need to explain some more urgently needed secret arts knowledge to you.”
“However, everyone’s situation is different. After class, you can come find me, and I will analyze and plan individually for you.”
“Yes, Teacher.”
“Alright, now we continue with the early Covenant Epoch, the paths of rise of various forces and nations on the continent…”
……
During the morning class break, the students gathered in twos and threes in the courtyard to catch up and play, occasionally discussing current events.
“Iona didn’t come today.”
“Skipping the first day of school? That’s too disrespectful to the teacher.”
“She’s a noble young lady.” Someone sneered sarcastically.
“Sigh, how great it would be if I had a viscount father; I could live worry-free every day.”
……
In the corridor not far from the courtyard, Xilutiya slightly adjusted her clothes, then lightly knocked on the door and entered Scholar Heide’s study room.
“Teacher, did you call for me?” Earlier, Yeluo had come to ask Xilutiya to go to Scholar Heide’s study room.
“Yes.”
This old man raised his head from the desk he was leaning on, then leaned back in the chair and beckoned to Xilutiya.
“Come over. Today, there are some things I want to talk to you about.”
Then Xilutiya walked over with some curiosity and stood by his side.
“Another winter is about to pass.” Scholar Heide turned his chair to look at the courtyard outside the window.
“When the wheat seedlings in the fields grow, envoys from the Secluded Forest will come to verify and test Jiaoshi City’s excellent young people, selecting the most promising ones to enter the Secluded Forest.”
“This is their method of recruiting new members, and also the duty of local nobles.”
“Duty?”
Could it be that nobles have additional duties besides loyalty to the royal family? the maiden wondered.
“Yes, this world is very vast. The power of kingship is great, but not invincible; it still needs support from many other powers to maintain the current peaceful order.” Scholar Heide’s gaze fixed on the distance.
“In the early days of Regas Kingdom’s founding, it faced many difficulties, and ultimately relied on their power to resolve them before truly establishing itself in this southern continent frontier, cough cough.” After speaking, he coughed.
Xilutiya already knew this point.
“As repayment, or rather the reward agreed upon at the time, Regas Kingdom’s various regions must provide high-quality and promising young people to them at intervals, to go to the Secluded Forest.”
“The Secluded Forest is a very dangerous place. Every year, many young people who go there suffer deaths and injuries; fewer than 20% survive to return after five years. Most noble children actually do not want to go there.”
“However, as I said earlier, noble descendants who are inherently talented and strong will still try to go there to obtain precious secret arts inheritance and various resources. For commoners of poor origin, it is the only place to gain a starting line equal to nobles.”
“Compared to mundane organizations, they value personal talent and strength more than background. As long as you showcase your strengths, you can gain corresponding returns, and that environment rich in resources is also the fastest place for transcendents to advance and grow.”
“Risks and rewards coexist; it depends on your personal choice. With your intelligence, you should easily understand.” After saying this, he looked at the maiden by his side.
“Among this batch of students, there are many excellent children, but you and Iona are particularly special, far surpassing other peers.”
“In other words, if you intend to participate in the quota selection, the final candidates will be among you.”
“Are you preparing to compete for the quota, or choose not to participate and continue studying with Madam Fran?” He inquired about the maiden’s thoughts.
“I want to participate.” Xilutiya answered.
“Oh, not keeping a low profile this time.” Scholar Heide rarely teased her.
“Well, probably because I’ve encountered something I truly want.” The maiden answered somewhat embarrassedly.
“Alright. If you have any doubts about the Secluded Forest, you can inquire with Madam Fran. Because I am from Candle Keep, I have a promise, and much information cannot be revealed to outsiders.”
“I understand.” The maiden nodded, preparing to take leave.
“By the way, after class later, don’t go back first. Come with me to Viscount Xue Feng’s Castle.”
“Going there for what?” Xilutiya was a bit surprised.
“After all, the assessment is approaching. We should let Lord Viscount get familiar with the excellent young people in the territory. Also, Iona has been ill recently.” He thought for a moment.
“Perhaps you can visit her, to build some rapport. After all, your life paths are still long, and you are both excellent; there might be times in the future when you need to rely on each other.”
“Iona gets sick too?” This was not sarcasm, but as a transcendent who condensed the ‘Blazing Sun’ nature, it was hard to catch minor illnesses like colds.
“Her situation is probably rushing too much.” Scholar Heide shook his head.
“She values some things greatly and has always been unable to let go.”
“Tiya, you… never mind, your personality should not have such issues.”
“It’s fine, go ahead.”
“Mm, see you later, Teacher.”
