Chapter 89: Changes Among The Students
“Miss Iona’s Sword Technique Skills still have room for growth, but your body is not in good condition right now, so it’s probably not the time for training.”
“Oh, you can tell my body is not in good condition too? Whatever, it must be Teacher Heide who told you.” She waved her hand.
“Since you say my sword technique has room for growth, then analyze it for me.” She had shown her sword technique a few times in front of classmates before, but those were not her full ability.
Xilutiya thought for a moment and pointed out some details in Iona’s usual training that could be improved.
……
“Perhaps I underestimated you.” This time, Iona’s view of Xilutiya changed greatly, and her tone shifted a bit.
“You do have good insight.” She thought for a moment.
“Since you have shown your value, I can give you respect too. In the future, in class, you can call me by name directly, no need for honorifics.”
“Here’s this thing for you.” She took a transcribed booklet out of the cabinet.
“It contains the method to practice ‘Bee Dance Footwork’. I won’t teach you directly. How much you can comprehend and learn from it depends on your own talent.”
“Alright, that’s all for today’s communication. If you want to find me in the future, you can tell the maid in advance.” She waved her hand, preparing to send her guest off.
For the small booklet received, Xilutiya expressed thanks, then took leave and left.
Soon, the room returned to quiet again, while Iona stared at the iron box in the corner, lost in thought for a long time.
“I didn’t expect to meet a real genius in a place like this.”
What is a genius? People in different regions have different concepts and answers, but as Iona from White Cliff Royal City, she had a deeper understanding of genius.
She had seen real geniuses and knew she was not that kind of genius, so she felt anxiety and unease.
“Since she has such insight, her strength won’t be too far off either.”
……
Not long after this visit ended, Iona returned to Scholar Heide’s class again. To the surprise of many classmates, this noble daughter who used to disdain associating with commoners had become more approachable, occasionally going to the training ground to watch and participate in some practical training.
Even more surprising to many was that she would actually take the initiative to talk to Xilutiya and stand with her chatting. This scene was unbelievable to many classmates, especially Valenie.
‘Why? I was here first.’ She bit her lip in resentment from the corner, but didn’t dare say it in front of Iona.
One day, Iona leaped down from the stands on one side of the training ground and landed beside Xilutiya.
“Do you know how to dance, Tiya?” She directly used the other’s name.
“I probably don’t.” There was no dancing segment in the memories she could currently recall.
“That’s a bit of a pity. ‘Bee Dance Footwork’ originates from ancient court dance steps. If you don’t know how to dance, it’s hard to understand the rhythm in it.” Iona shook her head, looking regretful.
“I see.” Xilutiya tilted her head and thought. Actually, she had already practiced Bee Dance Footwork a few times. Though a bit unfamiliar, she could learn it, but currently her energy was focused on ‘Flower Blooming Technique’ and she had no spare time to study it.
“Thanks for the reminder, Iona.”
Seeing her like this, Iona couldn’t help shaking her head. This girl really had no social experience. Didn’t she understand that her previous words meant she could ask her to teach dancing?
However, Xilutiya’s innocent demeanor was actually a point that Iona viewed favorably. Perhaps she was tired of the scheming with those socialites and young ladies back in White Cliff City.
Whatever, better say it directly.
“If you want to learn dancing, I can teach you a bit.” Hearing this, Valenie not far away pinched her fingers until they turned red.
Why? Last time she asked Iona if she wanted to learn the court dances that everyone in White Cliff City danced, Iona directly said she had no time.
“As for dancing, I probably don’t have the energy to learn it now.” Xilutiya shook her head. She had to tend to the flower field and nurture her flowers every day, and also squeeze in time to practice and familiarize herself with several skills, with no extra time to spare.
But she wasn’t completely oblivious to social cues. Probably seeing Iona’s good intentions, Xilutiya added: “I’ll have free time after the assessment ends, so please teach me then, Iona.”
“In that case, we’ll talk about it later.” Iona thought that once she passed the assessment, she wouldn’t have much time left in Jiaoshi City.
The relationship between the two gradually drew closer. Occasionally, Iona would ask Xilutiya about some doubts in Secret History Class, and in return tell her some interesting stories from White Cliff City, which broadened Xilutiya’s horizons quite a bit.
“In Regas Kingdom nowadays, what rank is the strongest person probably at?”
“This one? Many people are curious indeed. I heard my father talk about it before.” Iona ran her fingers through her golden short hair.
“The strongest on the surface is ‘First Knight’ Virto, a Fifth Order ‘Winter Branch Knight’, but in secret, Regas Kingdom should have hidden Sixth Order existences.” Iona answered.
Only Fifth Order? Xilutiya recalled the records in the classics. It seemed the peak in Regas Kingdom’s history was also only Sixth Order, so that was indeed the strongest combat power.
However, according to her vague childhood memories, she should have seen quite a few higher rank existences, and her mother was at least Seventh Order or above, otherwise she couldn’t have used that miracle-like scroll technique.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t seen any Fourth Order or above existences yet, and the most powerful person she knew so far, Madam Fran, already felt invincible to her. She couldn’t imagine what a Fifth Order transcendent would be like.
Single-handedly slaughter a city or destroy a country? Or easily sweep low-rank opponents across several kilometers? All unknown.
The two chatting casually was seen by many classmates. Usually at such times, even Mike and Komiya wouldn’t approach easily, for fear of disturbing and offending Iona.
“Ugh, Tiya was taken by that bad woman.” Komiya, like Valenie, felt unhappy inside.
“I clearly wanted to tell Tiya that I recently made a good friend, a snow-white Ti Lang, very obedient.” Her biggest gain this holiday was encountering a clever and interesting guy while practicing Phantom Curse Eye.
At first, Komiya was afraid the Ti Lang would attack her, so she used ‘Phantom Curse Eye’ to influence it, and soon the other showed friendly traits. One person and one wolf gradually got familiar.
Because it was pure white all over, Komiya named it ‘Dough’, which was probably a slightly better name than ‘Little White’.
On the other side, Mike and Suolin, because of their previous spar, became ‘rivals’ who often sparred against each other, probably both appreciating each other but unwilling to get too close, with a sense of secretly competing.
In the new year, everyone had new changes, and the time for the Secluded Forest assessment was drawing closer and closer.
