Viscount Xuefeng's Manor.
"My lord, Miss Iona hasn't come out of her room for three days," an attendant reported to Viscount Xuefeng.
The middle-aged noble seated behind the desk looked up. He took off the spectacles on his nose, walked to the window, and gazed out at the distant tower within the castle grounds.
"Her attribute is still present. It hasn't faded or weakened." The viscount instructed his subordinate not to disturb her for now.
"If Iona still hasn't emerged after three days, report to me again."
"Yes, my lord." The attendant withdrew.
Soon, Viscount Xuefeng was left alone in the room, his gaze fixed on the distant tower.
Only half a month remained until the assessment. *Iona, what on earth are you preparing? Do you always hold yourself to such impossibly high standards?*
*Such impatience is no good thing.*
***
Having regained Bloom Art, Xilutaiya felt a wave of relief. At least she wouldn't be as anxious about the assessment half a month away.
She wondered what had changed with Kemiya and the others over the past month. The winter break ended tomorrow, and she would likely see them all at Scholar Haide's academy again.
The following day, Xilutaiya changed once more into a relatively simple dress, her dyed-black hair framing her face as she stepped into the classroom.
Many classmates hadn't changed at all over the month, merely dressing in thicker clothes and wearing winter hats.
"Hey, Baron, how have you been?" a noble classmate greeted Baron, who had just walked in.
The young nobleman, second only to Iona in the class, flicked back the blond hair at his temple and made a smug victory gesture.
"I recently learned Steel Sharp Blade, so you'd better watch out." Rather than advancing in Blood Law, he had chosen the Castle path, the most common among nobles.
"Whoa, Baron didn't slack off this break? That really is a surprise."
"Heh, of course. My father said if I pass the second stage of the assessment, he'll buy me a northern warhorse! I've been looking forward to it for ages."
"Once I have a warhorse to go with my gleaming armor, I'll definitely look just as dashing as the royal capital's knights," Baron boasted.
"Really? Don't forget about us when you get it! I want to see what an exceptional northern warhorse looks like. They say the finest warhorses are bought from the Winter Kingdom, while some of the domestic ones are crossbreeds without pure bloodlines."
As the boys chatted, the conversation drifted to various gossip from noble circles.
***
Xilutaiya sat beside the classroom's rear window. Instead of reading, she was gazing out at the snowy scenery, daydreaming a little as if reminiscing.
"Tiya~" Kemiya's familiar voice suddenly called out, followed by a pair of icy-cold hands pressing against the girl's cheeks.
"That's cold, Kemiya," Xilutaiya said, clasping her hands around Kemiya's fingers before turning around.
"I saw you spacing out. What were you thinking about?" Today, Kemiya wore cute, bunny-shaped earmuffs.
"Thinking about the future," the girl said, blinking.
If she went to the Hidden Woodland, she would probably be separated from these companions.
"I see! Well, then leave thinking about the future for the future," Kemiya said with a wink. "Today's joy shouldn't be ruined by other things."
"All right. Then tell me, what joy is there today?" Xilutaiya replied with a smile.
"Your joy today is seeing me~" Kemiya held up two fingers, mimicking bunny ears. "Aren't I adorable?"
"A little."
"Hmph, Tiya is always like this, so stingy with compliments." Kemiya playfully tapped the bridge of Xilutaiya's nose with a finger.
As the two girls joked around, Kailun and Mick walked into the classroom one after the other.
Kailun's hairstyle had changed, cropped shorter and neater than before, while the battered iron sword Mick previously wore at his hip had been replaced by a refined steel longsword.
Over the break, Kailun had successfully advanced to First-Order Blood Law and even mastered the rudiments of Eagle Eye. Her knuckles were now slender and strong; though her frame was not bulky, she radiated the sleek power of a leopard.
Mick, on the other hand, briefly shared his experiences over the break.
"I took part in several missions with Big Brother Jieluo and the others. The harvest was pretty good."
"Where's Lei?"
"Don't know. Maybe he forgot class starts today," someone guessed.
Just before class began, Lei finally arrived. Compared to before the winter break, he had grown slightly leaner and his skin was darker, but his eyes were notably bright and spirited.
"Where did you go this break?" Mick asked, curious about the changes in Lei.
"I went to learn from Blacksmith Muyan." Lei rubbed his messy hair, looking a little embarrassed.
"Doesn't that blacksmith have a terrible temper?" Mick knew the man's reputation.
"Teacher Haide took me there. He talked with Uncle Muyan for a long time—they're on very good terms..."
Only after listening to Lei's explanation did everyone realize that Blacksmith Muyan had also been a student of Scholar Haide in his youth. No wonder the recommendation had worked so well.
As the most senior and respected scholar in Burnt Stone City, Haide had educated and guided generations of talented youths across the surrounding area. Only now did everyone truly grasp how vast the influence of this usually kind and gentle old man was within Burnt Stone City.
Even if many professionals had not been taught directly by Scholar Haide, they were most likely students of his students.
Their discussion did not last long before the class bell rang across the courtyard. Shortly after, Scholar Haide appeared, trailing his heavy robe, accompanied by his current formal apprentice, Yelu.
Approaching the wooden dais at the front of the classroom, the long-bearded elder sat down slowly with Yelu's assistance. He then looked over the students below. Compared to before the break, he seemed to have aged a few years more.
"It has been a while, children," he greeted them with a raised hand, then went on to introduce the schedule for this semester.
***
"Now that quite a few of you have officially stepped into the first order, I shall also explain some of the more urgently needed occult knowledge to you."
"However, each person's circumstances are different. You may come find me after class, and I will analyze and plan for each of you individually."
"Yes, Teacher!"
"Very well. Now let us continue with the early Covenant Era—the rise of various powers and kingdoms across the continent..."
***
During the morning recess, the students gathered in small groups around the courtyard to catch up and play, occasionally discussing current affairs.
"Iona didn't come today."
"Skipping on the very first day of school? That's far too disrespectful to the teacher."
"Well, she is a noble young lady," someone sneered sarcastically.
"Ah, if only my father were a viscount. I could live every day without a worry in the world."
***
In a corridor not far from the courtyard, Xilutaiya smoothed her clothes, knocked softly on the door, and entered Scholar Haide's study.
"Teacher, did you summon me?" Just moments ago, Yelu had come to tell Xilutaiya to visit Scholar Haide's study.
"Yes."
The old man lifted his head from where he had been leaning over his desk, leaned back against his chair, and waved to Xilutaiya.
"Come in. There are a few things I wish to discuss with you today."
With a touch of curiosity, Xilutaiya walked over and stood beside him.
"Another winter is about to pass." Scholar Haide turned his chair to look out at the courtyard through the window. "When the wheat sprouts in the fields, an emissary from the Hidden Woodland will arrive to assess and test the outstanding youths of Burnt Stone City, selecting those with the greatest potential to enter the Hidden Woodland."
"This is their method of recruiting new members, as well as an obligation of the local nobility."
"An obligation?"
*Do the nobles have additional obligations beyond pledging fealty to the royal family?* the girl wondered.
"Yes. This world is vast. Though royal authority possesses great might, it is by no means invincible. It still requires the support of many other forces to maintain the calm and order we have today." Scholar Haide gazed into the distance. "In the early days of the Raygas Principality's founding, many difficulties arose. In the end, it relied on their power to resolve them and truly secure a foothold here on the continent's southern frontier. Cough, cough." He coughed lightly after speaking.
Xilutaiya was already somewhat aware of this.
"In return—or rather, as the payment stipulated back then—the various regions of the Raygas Principality must periodically supply talented, promising youths to journey to the Hidden Woodland."
"The Hidden Woodland is an extraordinarily perilous place. Each year, many of the youths sent there perish or suffer grave wounds; fewer than twenty percent return alive after five years. Most noble children are actually unwilling to go there."
"However, as I mentioned, noble scions who possess both exceptional talent and true capability will still venture there to acquire precious occult legacies and abundant resources. For commoners of humble birth, it is an even rarer place where they can stand on the very same starting line as nobles."
"Unlike worldly organizations, they do not care about family background; they value individual talent and strength above all else. So long as you display your strengths, you will reap corresponding rewards. With its rich resources, that environment is also where a transcendent can advance and grow the fastest."
"Risk and reward walk hand in hand; it all depends on what you choose. With your intellect, this should be easy to grasp." Having said all this, he looked at the girl beside him.
"Among the students in this cohort, there are many fine children, but you and Iona are truly exceptional, far surpassing your peers."
"In other words, if both of you intend to compete for the selection quota, the final candidate will be chosen between the two of you."
"Do you intend to compete for the spot, or do you choose to decline and continue studying under Madame Falan?" he asked, inquiring about the girl's thoughts.
"I want to participate," Xilutaiya answered.
"Oh? Not keeping a low profile this time?" Scholar Haide teased her, a rare occurrence.
"Well... perhaps because I've found something I truly want," the girl replied, feeling a little self-conscious.
"That works too. If you still have doubts about the situation in the Hidden Woodland, you may ask Madame Falan. Because I hail from Candle Fortress, I am bound by an agreement and cannot disclose much of that information to outsiders."
"I understand." The girl nodded and prepared to take her leave.
"By the way, do not head back right after class ends. Come with me to Viscount Xuefeng's castle."
"Why are we going there?" Xilutaiya was somewhat surprised.
"With the assessment drawing near, it is only proper to let Lord Viscount become acquainted with the outstanding youths of his domain. Furthermore, Iona has recently fallen ill." He paused in thought. "Perhaps you can visit her and draw a little closer. After all, you both have long lives ahead of you and are exceptionally gifted; the day may come when you have need of one another."
"Can Iona get sick too?" This was not meant as sarcasm; as a transcendent who had condensed the Blazing Sun attribute, she was almost immune to minor ailments like colds.
"In her case, it is likely due to rushing things," Scholar Haide said, shaking his head. "She places great weight on certain matters and has never been able to let them go."
"Tiya, you... Never mind. With your temperament, there should be no need to worry about such issues."
"It's fine. Off you go."
"Yes. See you later, Teacher."
Chapter 86