Chapter 23: Viscount Xue Feng’s Encouragement
Clap clap clap, clear applause sounded from one side of the Training Ground, and then two people walked over, interrupting the training.
“It’s Viscount Xue Feng and Teacher Heide.” Someone whispered.
The two walked slowly to the Instructor’s side. Viscount Xue Feng nodded slightly to the students present, then turned to the Instructor.
“You’ve worked hard, Burke. As for the remaining Miss Tiya, there’s no need to test her Combat Technique. Her situation is similar to Komiya’s.” When Viscount Xue Feng walked over, Scholar Heide told him the name and situation of the girl wearing glasses.
“Your will, Lord Xue Feng.” Burke stood at attention and replied respectfully.
“Alright, take a break for now. The Old Man Heide and I have some words to say to these children.”
“Yes.” He immediately turned and left, making way.
Viscount Xue Feng stepped onto the wooden platform. He didn’t look old, probably in his forties, with a short black mustache, a sturdy build, and thick finger bones and wrists that showed he also regularly exercised Sword Technique and other Combat Techniques, not some useless noble.
His gaze slowly swept over everyone, and Viscount Xue Feng nodded slightly.
“Being able to see children with such Talent in Jiaoshi City is my fortune.”
Talent, especially talent with extraordinary Nature Power, is in a certain sense the greatest Wealth in the territory.
“Scholar Heide is not only your Teacher but also my Teacher. When I was young, I studied under Scholar Heide, and that time still brings me some nostalgia to this day.”
“To be admired and respected by others, one must pay a lot of sweat and effort. You should all understand this principle, but when I was young, I was just like you, often distracted by various Temptations and wasting time.”
“Considering that you are still in the Growth stage and shouldn’t be distracted by external Things, I decide to offer some Things as rewards to make you more focused on your studies.” After speaking, he clapped his hands, and two Retainers brought over trays.
“If any of you can take first place in the Assessment two months from now, I will give this ‘Crimson Cloak’ as a reward.” As he spoke, he lifted the cover cloth on the tray, revealing the fiery red fur Cape inside.
【Crimson Cloak】（First Order-Blazing Sun-Excellent）: Made from the fur of a Wolf Beast with ‘Blazing Sun’ Nature Power, it can ‘enhance Stamina’ and resist ordinary Sword chops, while also being warm and waterproof. Its fur has a bright color and is also a fine product in noble circles.
“Additionally, for those who take second and third in the Assessment, I also have rewards to give.” Then he had someone lift another cover cloth, revealing two pairs of finely sewn Boots inside.
【Red Wolf Boots】（First Order-Blazing Sun-Good）: Made from the fur of a Wolf Beast with ‘Blazing Sun’ Nature Power, it can ‘enhance a small amount of Stamina’, protect the feet, and is warm and waterproof, especially useful in winter.
“Thank you, Lord Xue Feng.” The group of students bowed in thanks, many with excitement on their faces.
……
In the following days, the group of students were filled with Motivation like they had been injected with chicken blood, throwing themselves into various training and Study. Even the three noble friends rarely caused trouble and no longer clashed with Suolin and the others.
Gradually, the students also became familiar with each other. Even the few noble students memorized the names of all the Commoner students in their cohort.
Another afternoon.
“Mike, want to spar with me?” Suolin walked over from one side of the Training Ground holding a wide wooden sword. He was wearing a short sleeveless vest with cloth strips wrapped around his wrists.
“Heh, come on.”
The boy with droopy triangular eyes readily agreed, picked up the training wooden sword from nearby, and walked with him into the field.
“Tiya, they’re sparring with swords again.” Leaning against the wooden railing, Komiya propped her cheek with her hand and said somewhat boredly.
“It’s supposed to be midday break time.”
“Diligence is good.” Karen approved of this behavior. She glanced at the Shooting Range not far away and prepared to practice Bow and Arrow.
“Ah, Karen’s going too? Alright, I’ll follow along with Tiya then.” Komiya was wearing a loose skirt today, shaped like an inverted bellflower, without a corseted waist.
The three walked while chatting about recent Interesting Stories.
“Iona didn’t come again this afternoon. She seems uninterested in training classes and only shows up for riding practice.” Komiya continued.
“I heard Iona’s family has a lot of influence in the military, with many Combat Techniques and related Secret Arts.” Karen mentioned enviously.
“It’s not easy for ordinary people to learn advanced Sword Technique, let alone Secret Arts involving extraordinary Nature Power.” Komiya shook her head.
“Right, Tiya.”
“Hm?” The Maiden adjusted her glasses.
“Following Scholar Heide, have you learned any special Secret Arts?”
“Not yet.” The Maiden shook her head.
“Will Scholar Heide teach such things?”
“He will.” Komiya nodded.
“My Father told me. He heard it from an Uncle.”
“Although Scholar Heide practices the ‘Castle’ Nature Power profession, as a Scholar, he masters much Knowledge and Skills. Not to mention high-level ones, he definitely has no shortage of Secret Arts below First Order.”
“For ordinary people to learn these Secret Arts, the best Method is to join a Guild, like the Apothecary Guild, but the Secret Arts taught publicly by Guilds are very limited, only a few basic ones. If you really want to advance, you often still need to find a Mentor in that professional path.”
“Although the Secret Arts taught by Guilds are already beyond the scope of ordinary people, their Growth ceiling also exists. For example, the most powerful Apothecary in a Guild is only a ‘Third Order’ Professional.”
“Viscount Xue Feng has 3 ‘Third Order-Castle’ Nature Power Knights under him, and the Royal Capital gathers even more powerful figures. It’s said there are even legendary figures above 5th Order.” Komiya said, her voice full of longing.
“Such figures probably can’t be cultivated by Guilds.” The Maiden recalled what Merchant Fanderxi had said.
“Yes, everyone knows that nobles often have Scholars as Staff Advisors, but few people know the Organization these Scholars belong to.” Komiya turned around and whispered in Tiya’s ear.
“I heard that in other countries, the Advisors by Lords’ sides are not Scholars, but powerful Witches, even immortal Witches who specifically guide emperors.”
At this point, she released her hand from covering the Maiden’s ear and continued telling.
“In the past, there were many Witches in the Mountain Forest tribes. Lord Xue Feng’s ancestors were granted territory by the King for slaying a powerful Witch.”
While the two whispered, Karen turned around from ahead.
“What are you two talking about?” She couldn’t quite understand.
“Nothing. Karen, have you ever hunted Wild Beasts with complete Nature Power before?” Komiya jogged a few steps to catch up, then waved to Xilutiya behind her, indicating they’d chat next time.
“A First Order Beast with complete Nature Power—that could be called a ‘Fang Beast’…” Karen said as she walked, recalling Past Events of hunting in the Mountain Forest with her Father.
In the Training Ground, young figures gathered in twos and threes. Some swung sweat, some leaned in the tree shade chatting idly, some laughed and chased each other.
The afternoon sunlight fell on the dry ground, with waves of hot wind blowing, bringing a slight intoxication of youth.
