The Cornflower Witch Chapter 112

Chapter 112: A Sunset Skirmish

While Hylial was preparing these past few days, the other students were also going about their lives.

Burntstone City training ground.

The sky was covered by thin, dark clouds, and the usually bustling training ground was rather deserted today. Only a few castle guards stood sparsely, chatting idly by the side of the training ground.

In the afternoon, Mick entered the South Gate of the training ground. He carried a broad steel sword in one hand, clad in a sleek leather armor, his legs, covered by long pants, striding with a firm gait.

Compared to the naive young man who had just started studying a few months ago, his steps were now agile and powerful, and his eyes no longer held the excitement and confusion of the past, but a calm clarity and composure.

Soon, another black-haired young man, similar to him, walked in. The對方 carried a broadsword of the same steel at his waist, his figure straight and tall.

After arriving at the training ground, the two exchanged glances, then put down their weapons, picked up the blunted training weapons, and stepped onto the fighting arena.

“There was no chance in the previous assessment.”

“But I think, this time we should have a proper fight.” Solin gripped his sword with both hands, slowly placed it in front of him, the tip pointing at Mick opposite him.

“If you’re not satisfied, I’m certainly game.” Mick’s eyes also showed a hint of mutual appreciation.

“Heh, as expected, you want to fight too, right?” Solin stretched his feet.

People with vastly different strengths rarely become friends, but if two people are of similar strength and constantly spar with varying results, they can easily become long-term rivals and enjoy the process.

Having a well-matched opponent is a blessing; it can reflect the changes in one’s own strength and provide feedback.

After a brief exchange, the two brandished their swords and charged at each other. Soon, the crisp sound of metal clashing echoed through the training ground.

They sparred back and forth, using familiar swordsmanship, but their styles were different and constantly switched, looking for each other’s weaknesses and concealing their own overly old moves.

The thick iron swords scraped against each other, leaving subtle nicks and occasionally spewing tiny sparks.

Hearing the commotion, a few guards curiously turned their gaze towards the two.

“Oh, it’s those two lads again.”

“Did they not fight well in the assessment? They’re sparring again.”

“They’re fighting quite intensely.”

“But speaking of it, their strength is indeed good, almost on par with some of us veterans.”

“They’re still very young, I recall.”

“Probably around seventeen or eighteen.”

“Youth is truly wonderful…”

The guards watched the two spar, occasionally reminiscing about the past. Many of them had grown up in Burntstone City and had once participated in the Woodland selection assessment, just like Mick and Solin, but failed and became ordinary citizens.

“The best person from our batch, I wonder where he is now. Haven’t seen him in about twenty years.”

“When he walked out of the forest with the head of a giant wolf, that bloody and fierce look, I still remember it clearly. None of the students from the same period dared to disagree.”

“Sometimes I also wonder, if I were the one who cut off the giant wolf’s head that day and successfully went to the Woodland, what would I be like now?”

“Probably, it would be much more exciting than my current life…”

The battle in the arena slowly drew to a close. As the breathing method circulated, the physical exertion of the two gradually reached its limit, and their movements began to slow.

They didn’t have Hylial’s special talent to temporarily break through and push their breathing method to the Fourth Stage; even the Third Stage was rare among their peers.

Solin leaned on his sword, panting heavily, sweat soaking his forehead. Some strands of hair covered his eyes, prompting him to blow them away with his lips, revealing his eyes fixed intently on his opponent.

Once again, he took a step forward, raising his broad iron sword high, and brought it down on his opponent.

The wide sword arcs collided in mid-air, and as if finally overwhelmed, both iron swords broke simultaneously, falling onto the ground, splashing a little dirt along with the sweat.

At this moment, seeing the broken swords in their hands, the two had to stop, then burst into relieved laughter.

“Looks like it’s still a draw this time.”

They dropped their swords and, supporting each other by the arm, walked to the resting area.

Cool well water was drawn and poured over their heads, cooling their boiling blood and bodies. The two shook their heads, then leaned against the guardrail, letting the wind dry their clothes and hair.

The overcast clouds in the sky dissipated slightly, revealing an orange-yellow sun that painted the surrounding clouds red like waves, coloring the entire horizon.

“I’m leaving, Mick.” Solin said slowly, his eyes reflecting the evening glow at the horizon.

“Where are you going?” Mick asked, turning his head.

“To the battlefield in the North.” He shrugged.

“Everything I want is there: plenty of opponents, abundant resources, and something to fight for with all my might.”

“I recall your father was a warrior who stayed away from the battlefield, right?” Mick replied.

“That’s right, he said he was originally going to die on the battlefield, which is the most heroic end for a Regas man.” Solin’s eyes were slightly closed, enjoying the brief evening breeze.

“But for me, he still chose to come back.”

“I used to think his words were just an excuse, that the old man was probably too scared of death after experiencing too many battles.”

“But now I understand.” He opened his eyes again and looked at the distant scenery.

“During the assessment, I started very smoothly, but due to a small careless mistake, I got snake venom and almost died in the forest.”

“At that time, I half-buried myself in the dirt, thinking this would preserve my body temperature and reduce the chances of being discovered and attacked. My consciousness was gradually fading then.”

“That process was truly agonizing.” Solin shook his head.

“Fortunately, Lia saved me, gave me detoxifying herbs, and then had me drink some water, which helped me slowly escape the line of life and death.”

“After returning home, I lay in bed for many days before slowly recovering.”

“On my sickbed, the old man asked me if I still planned to go to the battlefield.”

“I said I still had to go, and he smiled and asked why.”

“Because only by going can I use victory to erase past failures and fill the regrets from last time.”

“He asked me again, what if the regrets couldn’t be filled?”

“If they can’t be filled, then fill them until I’m tired of it.”

“I think my way of thinking is different from ordinary people; I really enjoy the tense and intense feeling of combat.”

“After every session, I’d reflect on the process, and look forward to the next time I encounter a similar situation, using different methods to turn the tide.”

“It’s truly exhilarating, Mick.” A faint smile appeared on his face.

“Now I understand.” Mick shook his head.

“You’re just like your father, born with a warrior’s blood.”

“But I’m different. I don’t really obsess over combat, but I enjoy the results it brings, whether it’s protecting my own life, or helping others achieve their wishes, receiving rewards, there’s a subtle sense of satisfaction.”

After Brother Jero left, Mick constantly reflected on his past during this time, and also went home to visit his mother, finally slowly understanding his true heart.

“Hahaha, that’s also very good, Mick.” Solin laughed heartily.

“Yes, your determination and wishes will eventually make you a powerful knight, protecting yourself and everything with sturdy armor and steel.”

“Let’s end it here today. The next time we meet, I hope we both get what we want and have another good fight.”

“By then, I’ll severely torment you and see if you’ve abandoned your former ideals.”

“Goodbye.” Solin picked up his jacket from the side and turned to leave.

He turned his back to Mick, raised one hand and waved slightly, bidding a man’s farewell.

“Goodbye, Solin.” Mick waved back at him, took a final look at the sunset, and then turned and left.

(End of this chapter)