The Cornflower Witch Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Viscount Xuefeng’s Encouragement

Clap, clap, clap, clear applause rang out from the side of the training ground, and then two people walked over, interrupting the training.

“It’s Viscount Xuefeng and Teacher Hyde,” someone whispered.

The two walked slowly to the instructor’s side. Viscount Xuefeng nodded slightly to the trainees present, then turned to the instructor.

“Thank you for your hard work, Burke. As for Miss Lia, there’s no need to test her combat skills. Her situation is similar to Komia’s.” As Viscount Xuefeng walked over, Scholar Hyde told him the name and situation of the bespectacled girl.

“Your will, Lord Xuefeng,” Burke stood at attention and replied respectfully.

“Alright, take a break for now. Old Man Hyde and I have something to say to these children.”

“Yes.” He immediately turned and left, making way.

Viscount Xuefeng walked onto the wooden platform. He didn’t look old, probably in his forties, with a short black walrus mustache. His figure was sturdy, and his large knuckles and wrists showed that he regularly practiced sword fighting and other combat skills, not like a useless noble.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone, and Viscount Xuefeng nodded slightly.

“It is my good fortune to see talented children like you in Burntstone City.”

Talent, especially talent with extraordinary qualities, was in a sense the greatest wealth of a territory.

“Scholar Hyde is not only your teacher but also my teacher. When I was young, I studied with Scholar Hyde, and I still miss that time a little.”

“To be respected and admired, one must put in a lot of sweat and effort. You should all understand this principle, but when I was young, like you, I was often distracted by various temptations and wasted time.”

“Considering that you are still in your growth phase and should not be distracted by external things, I have decided to offer some rewards to make you more focused on your studies.” After speaking, he clapped his hands, and two attendants brought up trays.

“If you can get first place in the assessment two months from now, I will give you this ‘Crimson Cloak’ as a reward.” With that, he uncovered the cloth on the tray, revealing a fire-red fur cloak.

[Crimson Cloak] (Tier 1 – Blazing Sun – Excellent): Made from the fur of a wolf beast with the ‘Blazing Sun’ quality, it can ‘enhance stamina’, resist ordinary sword slashes, keep warm and waterproof. Its bright fur color is also a fine product in aristocratic circles.

“In addition, for those who get second and third place in the assessment, I also have rewards to give.” Then he had someone uncover another cloth, revealing two pairs of well-made boots.

[Red Wolf Boots] (Tier 1 – Blazing Sun – Good): Made from the fur of a wolf beast with the ‘Blazing Sun’ quality, it can ‘slightly enhance stamina’ and protect the feet, keep warm and waterproof, and will be especially useful in winter.

“Thank you, Lord Xuefeng.” All the trainees bowed in gratitude, many with excited expressions.

…

In the following days, the trainees were highly motivated, like they had been injected with chicken blood, and threw themselves into various training and studies. Even the three noble friends rarely caused trouble and no longer clashed with Solin and the others.

Gradually, the trainees also became familiar with each other. Even the few noble trainees remembered the names of all the commoner students in their cohort.

Another afternoon.

“Mick, want to practice with me?” Solin walked over from the side of the training ground, holding a wide wooden sword. He was wearing a brief vest and had cloth strips wrapped around his wrists.

“Heh, come on,” the boy with the triangular eyes readily agreed, picked up the training wooden sword at hand, and walked into the arena with him.

“Lia, they’re going to practice swords again.” Leaning against the wooden fence, Komia propped her cheek with her hand and said with a hint of boredom.

“It’s clearly lunchtime.”

“Diligence is good.” Karen highly approved of this behavior. She looked at the shooting range not far away and prepared to practice archery. “Ah, is Karen going too? Alright, Lia and I will just follow.” Komia was wearing a loose dress today, shaped like an inverted morning glory, without a cinched waist.

The three walked along, talking about recent interesting things.

“Iona didn’t come this afternoon again. She doesn’t seem very interested in training classes, only coming when it’s time to practice riding,” Komia continued.

“It’s said that Iona’s family has a lot of power in the military and possesses many combat skills and related secret arts,” Karen mentioned enviously.

“It’s not easy for ordinary people to learn advanced swordsmanship, let alone secret arts involving extraordinary qualities,” Komia shook her head.

“By the way, Lia.”

“Hm?” The girl pushed up her glasses.

“Have you learned any special secret arts from Scholar Hyde?”

“Not yet,” the girl shook her head.

“Will Scholar Hyde teach such things?”

“Yes, he will,” Komia nodded.

“My dad told me, and he learned it from an uncle.”

“Although Scholar Hyde practices the ‘Castle’ quality profession, as a scholar, he masters a lot of knowledge and skills. Not to mention the high-level ones, there are definitely plenty of secret methods below Tier 1 in his possession.”

“The best way for ordinary people to learn these secret arts is to join guilds, such as the ‘Apothecaries’ Guild’. However, the secret methods taught by guilds are very limited, only a few basic ones. If you really want to improve, you often need to find a mentor in that professional path.”

“Although the secret methods taught by guilds are already beyond the scope of ordinary people, their growth ceiling also exists. For example, the most powerful pharmacist in the guild is only a ‘Tier 3’ professional.”

“Viscount Xuefeng has 3 ‘Tier 3 – Castle’ quality knights under his command, and even more powerful figures gather in the royal capital. It is said that there are even legendary figures above Tier 5.” Komia said, her voice filled with longing.

“Such individuals should not be cultivated by guilds, right?” The girl recalled what the merchant Van der Heath had said.

“Yes, everyone knows that nobles often have scholars as advisors, but few people know the organization these scholars belong to,” Komia turned around and whispered into Lia’s ear.

“I heard that in other countries, the advisors to lords are not scholars, but powerful witches, and there are even ageless witches who specifically guide emperors.”

She then released her hand from covering the girl’s ear and continued narrating.

“There used to be many old witches in the mountain tribes. Viscount Xuefeng’s ancestors were granted land by the king because they had slain powerful witches.”

While the two were talking softly, Karen, who was ahead, turned around.

“What are you talking about?” She didn’t quite understand.

“Nothing, Karen. Have you ever hunted a beast with complete qualitative power?” Komia jogged a few steps to catch up, then waved to Hylial behind her, indicating that they would talk next time.

“A Tier 1 beast with complete qualitative power, that would be called a ‘fang beast’…” Karen said as she walked, recounting her past hunting experiences with her father in the mountains.

In the training ground, young figures gathered in twos and threes, some sweating, some chatting under the shade of trees, some laughing and chasing each other.

The afternoon sun fell on the dry ground, and gusts of hot wind blew, bringing a youthful intoxication.

(End of this chapter)