On the day of the assessment, everyone arrived early at Viscount Xuefeng's training ground. A sizable gathering of noble families had assembled here to watch the trials, including many elderly folks and children, who seemed to treat the occasion as an outing and social gathering.
"If it isn't Moran? How have you been lately?"
"Ah, Shanna, long time no see." Several noblewomen gathered together, chatting about current events.
"I just returned from Valley City. The art exhibition there was truly magnificent, especially a piece called Red Lotus in Water by a rising painter. The lotus on the canvas looks as if it's burning. A master remarked that with this painting, he has already touched the threshold of the profession; before long, the work will attain the 'Blazing Sun' attribute."
"Oh? There's such an extraordinary rising painter? I thought such talents could only be found in White Cliff City."
"That's why it's so astounding. Word is the newcomer is only eighteen years old—a true genius."
"At the exhibition, countless young women were captivated by his painting, and many were clamoring to marry him."
"If I were ten years younger, I imagine I would have crowded around him as well. If I could just touch those hands that hold the brush, it would be a delightful memory to cherish for a lifetime."
"A painter like that is rarer than our knightly lords—not even one turns up in a decade, I'd wager." The others nodded in agreement.
While the noblewomen and the city's young ladies laughed and chatted, the students filed onto the training ground below one after another.
Today's trials were divided into two rounds. In the first round, the students drew lots to duel three times each; those with two or more victories would advance to the second round, where an open ring challenge would determine the ultimate victor.
There were only fifteen students in this class, so it wouldn't take much time at all.
"Does Kemiya have to go up too?" Kailun asked, noticing that Kemiya was also preparing.
"Yes." Kemiya picked up a sword and gave it a couple of swings, getting used to its feel in her hand.
"You're really going out there?" Kailun still sounded skeptical; Kemiya had never once participated in combat training.
"I have my own secret method for winning. You'll see soon enough, Kailun," Kemiya said with an air of mystery.
"All right, then." Seeing Kemiya put it that way, Kailun didn't try to dissuade her further. She knew Kemiya was very clever and surely had a plan.
What surprised both of them even more, however, was that Xilutaiya had also come to the training ground today, a training sword resting across the knees of her robe.
"Oh, no way. Tiya's going up too?" Now it was Kemiya's turn to be astonished.
"Mm. After all, everyone else is here, so I can't just run away at the last moment, can I?" The girl's reply led them to assume she merely didn't want to make an exception of herself.
"Whoever draws Tiya is in luck." Both knew Xilutaiya never took part in sparring practice, so going up would merely be making up the numbers.
Aside from the three of them, the other students had also arrived one by one. Some rubbed their fists and stretched their limbs in preparation, others strapped on protective gear to prevent injury, and a few, bold and self-assured, still wore attire resembling formal gowns.
Iona stood in the premier rest area, a spot usually reserved for esteemed knights. But since no knights were competing today, no one questioned her using it.
Her short blond hair was partially tied back today with a red ribbon. On top, she wore a tailored, dark brown formal jacket adorned with a neat row of delicate buttons across the chest, paired below with a skirt that allowed easy movement. This outfit had come from the Royal Academy in White Cliff City, though after leaving, she was no longer permitted to wear the Royal Academy insignia.
At her side, she held a one-handed sword with a gilded crossguard; the scabbard bore the emblem of a finch, the heraldry of Viscount Karen's house.
Glancing across the stands at the noblewomen and young ladies holding parasols in twos and threes, Iona felt an unprompted flicker of annoyance. If this were her family's own domain, she would have had these noisy people thrown out.
Under the circumstances, however, she could only take a deep breath to suppress her irritation.
*Let's just get this started.* Once the matches were over, she could go back and soak in a nice hot bath. Standing here, she felt as if a layer of dust was settling all over her.
More than ten minutes later, Viscount Xuefeng walked up to the stage and gave a brief introduction of the day's assessment duels before handing over the proceedings to one of his personal knights.
Heading to the cool private viewing box, Viscount Xuefeng sat down, prepared to enjoy the duels alongside Scholar Haide.
"First match: Lei versus Mick!"
*Facing an acquaintance right in the first match?* Mick stood up, picked up the unsharpened broadsword at his side, and made his way onto the platform step by step.
Under the blazing sun, the two stood five meters apart, lapsing into brief silence.
Though it wasn't a life-or-death battle, having two people on good terms matched up right from the start was certainly a bit of bad luck.
"Come on, Mick." Lei hoisted his hammer, holding it horizontally before him.
"Heh."
Mick dwelled on it no longer. Gripping his broadsword, he stepped forward, and the two clashed.
Held in both hands, Mick's iron broadsword swung with controlled power, leaving enough reserve to maintain agility. As the blade arced through the air, his footwork shifted unpredictably, making his attacks difficult to anticipate. Such fine technique drew quiet applause from the knowledgeable spectators.
"I don't know his name, but that boy is already a qualified warrior."
On the other side, Lei capitalized on his tremendous raw strength, swinging the warhammer with howling gusts of wind to suppress Mick's lines of advance and keep him at bay, preventing him from closing in.
Having sparred many times in daily training, both understood each other's tactical habits well, and for a time neither could gain the upper hand.
Now and then the blade parried to deflect the heavy hammer or briefly checked its momentum before Mick disengaged. Lei's hammer slammed into the raised platform, splintering wood in all directions.
This back-and-forth clash steadily heightened the audience's enthusiasm. Many began cheering for their favored fighter or placing wagers against one another.
"I'll bet on the big fellow to win. He has plenty of strength without being clumsy—a rare powerhouse. In low-tier combat, the advantage of pure strength is simply overwhelming."
"I favor the smaller one. As long as he keeps his composure, harrying and wearing down the big guy's stamina, he'll find an opening to break through."
"Fine, how about fifty silver coins?"
"You're on." The two nobles settled their wager up in the stands.
Down on the platform below, Mick and Lei's combat reached a fever pitch. By now, the hammer had smashed several cratered holes into the planks, and Lei found himself trapped in an unfavorable position: broken gaps lay behind and to his flanks, hindering his footwork and making backward maneuvering hazardous. His only choice now was a direct frontal assault.
Calculating Mick's approach, Lei swept the heavy hammer in a blocking arc.
Unfortunately for him, Mick had anticipated it. Kicking off the floor with all his might, he narrowly evaded Lei's strike, then lunged from an unexpected angle on Lei's left—where it was awkward for Lei to bring his strength to bear.
The broadsword swung down sharply, striking the leather armor on Lei's shoulder and sending up a puff of dust. In the same breath, Mick swiftly pulled back his blade and circled around to Lei's unguarded back, planting the point of his sword right against the center of Lei's back.
"All right, I yield," Lei said, resting his hammer on the ground as he conceded defeat.
"Just lucky."
Mick lowered his sword as well, his chest heaving violently. It took him a good while to recover from the strain of his Breathing Method.
"First match, Mick wins!" A wave of applause rippled through the grounds.
The first match was off to a fine start, leaving the spectators all the more eager for the bouts to come.
Chapter 28