Viscount Xuefeng’s Mansion

“Milord, Miss Iona hasn’t come out of her room for three days,” a servant reported to Viscount Xuefeng.

The middle-aged noble sitting behind the desk looked up. He took off the glasses on his nose, then walked to the window and looked at the distant tower within the castle grounds.

“Her Aspect is still there, it hasn’t disappeared or weakened,” the Viscount instructed his subordinate to not disturb her for now.

“If Iona still hasn’t emerged three days from now, report to me again.”

“Yes, Milord.” The servant withdrew.

Soon, only Viscount Xuefeng remained in the room. His gaze fixed on the distant tower.

Only half a month remained until the assessment. Iona, what exactly are you preparing? Could it be you still hold yourself to an even higher standard?

Such an anxious state of mind is not a good thing.

……

After regaining mastery of the [Flower Blooming Method], Sylutia felt she could breathe a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn’t be so worried and panicked about the assessment half a month later.

Over this past month or so, she wondered what changes had occurred with Komea and the others. The winter holiday ended tomorrow, so she should see them again at Scholar Hyde’s place.

The next day, Sylutia once again changed into a relatively simple long dress, paired with her dyed black hair, and entered the classroom.

Many classmates hadn’t changed at all over the month, merely wearing slightly thicker clothes and winter hats.

“Hey, Baren, how’s it going lately?” a noble classmate greeted Baren who had just entered.

This noble youth, second only to Iona in the class, brushed back the golden hair at his temple and made a triumphant gesture with his fingers.

“I recently learned ‘Steel Sharp Blade,’ so you all better watch out,” he said. He hadn’t advanced in Bloodline, but instead chose the most common noble path, ‘Castle.’

“Whoa, Baren actually didn’t waste this holiday? That’s surprising.”

“Haha, of course. My father said if I pass the second stage in the assessment, he’ll buy me a Northern Warhorse. I’ve been looking forward to it for so long.”

“Once I have the warhorse, paired with my shiny set of armor, I’ll definitely be as dashing as the knights in the royal city,” Baren boasted.

“Really? Don’t forget about us then. I’d like to see what a superior Northern Warhorse looks like too. I heard the best warhorses are procured from the Winter Kingdom, while some domestic ones are hybrids with impure bloodlines.”

As they chatted, the topic shifted to various interesting tidbits within noble circles.

……

Sylutia sat by the rear window of the classroom. She wasn’t reading a book at the moment, but rather gazing somewhat absently at the snowy scenery outside the window, seemingly reminiscing about some things.

“Tia~” Komea’s familiar voice suddenly rang out, followed by her icy hand resting against the girl’s cheek.

“That’s cold, Komea.” The girl grasped the other’s fingers with both hands, then turned her head.

“I saw you daydreaming. What were you thinking about?” Komea wore rabbit-shaped earmuffs today, giving her a cute style.

“Thinking about the future,” the girl blinked.

If she went to the Hidden Grove, she’d probably have to part ways with these companions.

“Is that so? Then think about it later,” Komea winked at the girl.

“Today’s happiness shouldn’t be delayed by other matters.”

“Alright, then tell me, what’s the happiness for today?” Sylutia responded with a smile.

“Today, your happiness is seeing me~” Komea raised two fingers, imitating a rabbit.

“Isn’t it adorable?”

“A little bit.”

“Hmph, Tia is still like this, never generous with her compliments,” Komea teased, using her finger to gently tap Sylutia’s nose bridge.

While the two were interacting, Karen and Mick entered the classroom one after the other.

Of the two, Karen’s hairstyle had changed, becoming more neat and shorter than before, while Mick’s previous broken iron sword at his waist had been replaced with a fine steel longsword.

During the holiday, Karen successfully entered the ‘First Tier·Bloodline’ and had also preliminarily learned the ‘Eagle Eye’ ability. Her knuckles were now slender and powerful, and even though her physique wasn’t robust, she possessed a sense of power akin to a leopard.

On the other hand, Mick briefly recounted his holiday experiences.

“Brother Jello and I participated in several missions, and the gains were substantial.”

“What about Ray?”

“Not sure, maybe he forgot about class today,” someone guessed.

Just before class was about to start, Ray finally arrived. Compared to before the winter holiday, he had slimmed down a bit, his skin was darker, but his eyes were much more bright and spirited.

“Where did you go this holiday?” Mick was somewhat curious about the changes that had happened to Ray.

“I went to learn from Blacksmith Mu Yan,” Ray rubbed his messy hair somewhat sheepishly.

“Isn’t that blacksmith known for having a terrible temper?” Mick knew of the blacksmith’s reputation.

“Teacher Heide took me there. He spoke a lot with Uncle Mu Yan, their relationship is very good…”

Only after hearing Ray’s account did everyone learn that Blacksmith Mu Yan had also been a student of Scholar Hyde in his youth. No wonder his recommendation was so effective.

As the most senior and prestigious scholar in Scorchstone City, he had guided and educated generations of outstanding young people in the surrounding areas. It was only then that everyone suddenly realized how vast the influence of this usually gentle and kind old man was within Scorchstone City.

Many professionals, even if not directly taught by Scholar Hyde, were mostly students of his students.

The group’s discussion didn’t last long before the class bell rang in the courtyard. Soon, Scholar Heide appeared, dragging his thick robe, accompanied by his current official apprentice, Yero.

Walking to the wooden platform at the front of the classroom, the long-bearded elder slowly sat down with Yero’s support, then looked at the students below. Compared to before the winter holiday, he seemed to have aged a few more years.

“Long time no see, children.” He raised a hand in greeting, then began explaining the arrangements for this semester.

……

“Since many of you have officially stepped into the First Tier, I must also teach you some more urgently needed secret art knowledge.”

“However, everyone’s situation is different. After class, you can come find me, and I will help analyze and plan for you individually.”

“Yes, Teacher.”

“Alright, now let’s continue discussing the paths of the various powers and nations that rose across the continent during the early Covenant Epoch…”

……

During the morning break, students gathered in twos and threes in the courtyard to catch up and play, occasionally discussing some current events.

“Iona isn’t here today.”

“Not coming on the first day of the new term? That’s too disrespectful to the teacher.”

“She’s a noble young lady, after all,” someone sneered sarcastically.

“Ah, if only I had a father who was a Viscount, life would be so good, living carefree every day.”

……

In the corridor not far from the courtyard, Sylutia slightly adjusted her clothing, then gently knocked on the door and entered Scholar Hyde’s study.

“Teacher, you called for me?” Yero had just come over and asked Sylutia to go to Scholar Heide’s study.

“Yes.”

The old man lifted his head from the desk he was leaning over, then leaned back in his chair and beckoned to Sylutia.

“Come over. There are some things I wanted to discuss with you today.”

Sylutia, filled with some curiosity, walked over and stood beside him.

“Another winter is about to pass.” Scholar Hyde turned his chair to look at the courtyard outside the window.

“When the wheat seedlings sprout in the fields, envoys from the Hidden Grove will come to verify and test the outstanding young people of Scorchstone City, selecting the most promising among them to enter the Hidden Grove.”

“This is their method of recruiting new members, and it is also an obligation of the local nobility.”

“Obligation?”

Could it be that nobles, besides pledging allegiance to the royal family, have additional obligations? the girl wondered.

“Yes, this world is vast. The power of royal authority is great, but not invincible. It still requires the support of many other forces to maintain the current peaceful order.” Scholar Heide’s gaze fixed on the distance.

“During the early establishment of Regas, many difficulties were encountered. It was only by relying on their power to resolve them that the country could truly establish itself in the southern frontier of the continent. Ahem.” After speaking, he coughed.

Sylutia was already somewhat aware of this point.

“In return, or rather as the agreed-upon compensation at the time, various regions of Regas must periodically provide them with high-quality, promising young people to go to the Hidden Grove.”

“The Hidden Grove is an extremely dangerous place. Every year, many of the young people who go there are injured or killed. Less than 20% return alive after five years. Most noble children are actually unwilling to go there.”

“However, as I said earlier, if they are naturally gifted and capable noble descendants, they will still try to go there to obtain precious secret art inheritances and various resources. For commoners of humble origins, it is the only place where they can obtain the same starting line as nobles.”

“Compared to mundane organizations, that place does not value background, but rather personal talent and strength. As long as you can demonstrate your strengths, you will receive corresponding rewards. That environment, rich in resources, is also the fastest place for Transcendents to advance and grow.”

“Risk and reward coexist. It depends on your personal choice. With your intelligence, you should easily understand.” After saying this, he looked at the girl by his side.

“Among this cohort of students, there are many excellent children, but you and Iona are particularly special, far surpassing your other peers.”

“That is to say, if you intend to participate in the selection for the spots, the final candidates will emerge from between you two.”

“Are you prepared to participate in the spot competition, or choose not to participate and continue learning with Lady Franne?” He inquired about the girl’s thoughts.

“I want to participate,” Sylutia answered.

“Oh? Not being low-key this time?” Scholar Heide teased her, a rare occurrence.

“Well… probably because I’ve encountered something I truly want,” the girl replied somewhat sheepishly.

“That’s fine. If you still have doubts about the situation in the Hidden Grove, you can ask Lady Franne. Because I am from Candlekeep, I made an agreement, and much information cannot be disclosed to outsiders.”

“I understand.” The girl nodded, preparing to take her leave.

“By the way, after class ends later, don’t go back immediately. Come with me to Viscount Xuefeng’s castle.”

“Go there for what?” Sylutia was a bit surprised.

“After all, the assessment is approaching. The Viscount should become familiar with the outstanding young people within his territory. Also, Iona has been ill recently,” he thought for a moment.

“Perhaps you can visit her, build a closer relationship. After all, your life paths are still long, and you are both outstanding. You might rely on each other in the future.”

“Iona can get sick too?” This wasn’t meant as sarcasm, but as a Transcendent who had condensed the ‘Blazing Sun’ Aspect, it was difficult to contract minor illnesses like colds.

“Her situation is probably due to being too hasty,” Scholar Hyde shook his head.

“She values certain things greatly and has never been able to let go.”

“Tia, you… never mind. Your personality probably doesn’t need to worry about such problems.”

“Alright, go on.”

“Mm, see you later, Teacher.”

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