Clap, clap, clap. Clear applause sounded from one side of the training ground, then two people walked over, interrupting the training.
"It's Viscount Snow and Scholar Hyde," someone whispered.
The two walked slowly to the instructor's side. Viscount Snow nodded slightly to the students present, then turned to the instructor.
"You've worked hard, Burke. As for Miss Tia, who is left, there's no need to test her combat skills. Her situation is similar to Komiya's." As Viscount Snow walked over, Scholar Hyde told him the name and situation of the girl wearing glasses.
"As you wish, Lord Snow," Burke replied respectfully, standing at attention.
"Alright, take a break for now. Scholar Hyde and I have some things to say to these children."
"Yes." He immediately turned and left, vacating the position.
Viscount Snow walked onto the wooden platform. He didn't look old, probably in his early forties, with a short black mustache. His physique was sturdy, and his thick knuckles and wrists showed that he also frequently practiced swordplay and other combat skills, not one of those useless nobles.
His gaze slowly swept over everyone, and Viscount Snow nodded slightly.
"It is my good fortune to see such talented children as yourselves in Cinderstone City."
Talent, especially individuals with extraordinary essences, is, in a sense, the greatest wealth within a territory.
"Scholar Hyde is not only your teacher but also my teacher. In my youth, I studied by Scholar Hyde's side, and that time still makes me somewhat nostalgic."
"To be admired and respected, one must put in a lot of sweat and effort. You should all understand this principle, but when I was young, I was just like you, attracted by various temptations, often wasting time."
"Considering that you are still in a growth phase and should not be distracted by external matters, I have decided to offer some items as rewards to help you focus more on your studies." After saying this, he clapped his hands, and two attendants brought up trays.
"If you can achieve first place in the assessment two months from now, I will grant this 'Crimson Cloak' as a reward." Saying this, he uncovered the cloth on the tray, revealing a cloak made of fiery red fur.
[Crimson Cloak] (First Tier · Blazing Sun · Excellent): Made from the fur of a wolf beast with the 'Blazing Sun' essence. It can 'enhance stamina' and resist ordinary sword slashes, providing warmth and water resistance. Its fur has a bright luster and is also a fine item in aristocratic circles.
"Additionally, for those who achieve second and third place in the assessment, I will also give rewards." Afterwards, he had someone uncover another cloth, revealing two pairs of well-stitched boots.
[Red Wolf Boots] (First Tier · Blazing Sun · Good): Made from the fur of a wolf beast with the 'Blazing Sun' essence. They can 'slightly enhance stamina' and protect the feet, providing warmth and water resistance. They will be especially useful in winter.
"Thank you, Lord Snow." The students bowed in thanks, many with excited expressions… In the following days, the students were invigorated and full of motivation, dedicating themselves to various training and studies. Even the three noble friends rarely caused trouble and no longer clashed with Soren 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?" Soren walked from one side of the training ground, holding a wide wooden sword. He wore a short vest and had cloth strips wrapped around his wrists.
"Heh, come on."
The narrow-eyed youth readily agreed, picked up the training wooden sword beside him, and walked into the arena with Soren.
"Tia, they're going to practice swords again." Leaning against the wooden fence, Komiya propped her face with her hand, saying with a hint of boredom.
"It's supposed to be our lunch break."
"Diligence is good." Karen approved of this behavior. She looked at the archery range not far away, also preparing to go practice her archery.
"Ah, Karen is going too? Alright, Tia and I will just follow." Komiya was wearing a loose dress today, its shape like an inverted morning glory, without a cinched waist.
The three walked and talked about recent interesting things.
"Iona didn't come again this afternoon. She seems very uninterested in training classes, only coming for riding practice," Komiya continued.
"It is said that Iona's family is very powerful in the military, possessing many combat skills and related secret arts," Karen mentioned enviously.
"It's not easy for ordinary people to learn even advanced swordsmanship, let alone secret arts involving extraordinary essences," Komiya shook her head.
"By the way, Tia."
"Hmm?" The girl adjusted her glasses.
"Have you learned any special secret arts while with Scholar Hyde?"
"Not yet," the girl shook her head.
"Does Scholar Hyde teach such things?"
"He does, yes," Komiya nodded.
"My father told me. He also learned it from an uncle."
"Although Scholar Hyde practices the 'Castle' essence profession, as a scholar, he possesses a great deal of knowledge and skills. Not to mention the advanced ones, he definitely has no shortage of First Tier and below secret arts."
"The best way for ordinary people to learn these secret arts is to join a guild, such as the 'Apothecary Guild.' However, the secret arts taught by guilds to outsiders are very limited, only a few basic ones. If one truly wants to improve, they often need to find a mentor for 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 the guild is only a 'Third Tier' professional."
"Viscount Snow has three 'Third Tier · Castle' essence knights under his command, and the capital city gathers even more powerful figures. It is said there are even legendary figures above Fifth Tier," Komiya said, her voice filled with longing.
"Such figures probably couldn't be cultivated by guilds, right?" The girl recalled what the merchant Vandersea had said.
"Yes, everyone knows that nobles often have scholars as advisors, but few people know the organization these scholars belong to," Komiya turned around and whispered in Tia's ear.
"I heard that in other countries, the advisors to lords are not scholars, but powerful witches, and there are even ageless sorceresses specifically guiding emperors."
She then released her hand from covering the girl's ear and continued to narrate.
"In the mountain tribes, there used to be many old witches. Lord Snow's ancestors were granted land by the king for slaying a powerful witch."
As the two talked in low voices, Karen in front turned around.
"What are you two chatting about?" She didn't quite understand.
"Nothing, Karen. Have you ever hunted a beast with a complete essence before?" Komiya jogged a few steps to catch up, then waved to Sylvia behind her, indicating they would chat next time.
"A First Tier beast with a complete essence, that would be called a 'Fanged Beast,' wouldn't it…?" Karen walked, recalling past hunting trips with her father in the mountains.
In the training ground, young figures gathered in twos and threes. Some swung, sweating, some chatted under the shade of trees, and some laughed and chased each other.
The afternoon sun fell on the dry ground, and gusts of hot wind blew, bringing a youthful intoxication.
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