The Cornflower Witch Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Unexpected Ranking

Match after match took place, and the most outstanding students quickly emerged.

Iona took first place with three wins in the shortest time, followed by Balun, who had good luck with his draw and didn’t encounter any strong opponents. Mick also had three wins, but his first match against Lei was very difficult, consuming a lot of his stamina.

Solin, despite one loss, barely made it to the second round with two wins.

“The champion should be among these four,” Viscount Xuefeng stroked his short mustache and had a maid serve cool tea.

Closer to the mountains and grasslands, people in the southern Regas Kingdom preferred cool tea over hot tea.

“Besides Iona, who is undoubtedly the favorite, Scholar Hyde, who do you think will take second place?”

“I never guess in advance,” Scholar Hyde said with a smiling shake of his head.

“However, I’m optimistic about Mick and Solin.”

“Haha, indeed, those two are more diligent and hardworking than Balun,” Viscount Xuefeng also nodded.

“But, my nephew Balun, he’s got an extra trick up his sleeve today,” he seemed to know something.

While they were talking, a new round of matches began. After the first round of eliminations, five people entered the second round: Iona, Balun, Thoth, Mick, and Solin.

In the resting area, Hylial helped Komia sit next to Karen, letting them lean back in their chairs and watch the remaining matches.

“If that Solin guy wasn’t so tough, I’d be in the second round by now,” Komia said, a bit defiantly.

“Alright, just try to calm down a bit,” Hylial gently patted Komia’s head to comfort her.

Although Illusionary Eye was powerful, with Komia’s current strength, being able to use it twice a day was already good. Moreover, Solin wasn’t an unprepared ordinary person; he was already highly vigilant during the match. Komia’s victory over him consumed a huge amount of energy, and she had no reserves left to use ‘Illusionary Eye’ against anyone else.

“How about Karen, are you feeling better now?” Hylial brought a cup of clear water and fed it to the struggling classmate.

“Much better,” Karen, whose face had been pale earlier, was now feeling much more relaxed.

The three sat on the bench, watching the battle.

Currently, Balun was defending the stage, and Mick was challenging him. The two were locked in a fierce, even struggle.

After several exchanges, Balun was somewhat exhausted. His breathing technique was only at the first stage, while Mick, relying on his second-stage breathing technique, clearly surpassed him in stamina.

Balun gasped, gripping his sword with both hands, his eyes fixed on Mick. He circled slowly on the stage, avoiding a direct confrontation.

“How did this guy get so strong?” he muttered to himself, then glanced at Solin below the stage, and then at the blonde figure.

He couldn’t wait any longer. If he delayed, he might lose his chance. Balun flexed his wrist, and one hand left the hilt of his sword, moving towards his collar.

That was…

In the resting area, Hylial saw an invisible light radiate from Balun’s chest. The ripples and sensation were just like what she had seen in Linden Village.

Indeed, after being affected by the ripples, Mick, who had seized the opportunity to push forward, changed his expression drastically. His breathing technique, which had been rapidly circulating, was instantly suppressed. This feeling was like being struck in the chest by an invisible hammer, then having his blood vessels tightly clamped.

His movements faltered, but Balun didn’t stop. Seizing this rare opportunity, he knocked Mick’s weapon flying with a swipe of his sword, then slashed back, hitting Mick’s shoulder and cutting into the inner layer of his leather armor. With the pain and distorted movements, Mick fell backward, tumbling to the ground. He then tried to move to avoid the attack, but Balun didn’t give him the time. Instead, he stomped on Mick’s shoulder and then pressed his sword against Mick’s neck.

“Give up,” he gasped, revealing a hint of self-satisfaction.

“Pah,” Mick spat, turning his head away.

“Balun wins!” The referee quickly announced the result, and applause erupted from the spectators.

Most ordinary people were unaware of the method Balun used, with only a few noticing something amiss.

“How boring,” Iona shook her head, turning away with a hint of disdain.

After defeating Mick, only three people stood in Balun’s path to first place. Thoth was also a noble, and he had a good relationship with Balun. He also knew that he was a step behind Balun in strength, so he wasn’t in a hurry to go on stage. Iona also sat below, not moving, somewhat disliking the idea of fighting Balun.

“So, is it my turn?” Solin picked up his sword and walked slowly towards the high platform.

The two had been fighting since the first day of school, becoming sworn rivals. One was the leader of the noble students, the other the leader of the commoner students. During this period, their studies under Scholar Hyde were also filled with overt and covert competition, constantly comparing themselves against each other.

In secret history courses, Balun, with his better foundation, far surpassed Solin. Solin, however, having trained with his father since childhood, was superior to Balun in physique and combat skills. Overall, the difference between them wasn’t significant, and Scholar Hyde was happy to see this healthy competition, so he didn’t intervene.

As noon approached, the glare of the light was a bit harsh. Solin adjusted his breathing, focusing his mind on the upcoming match.

Previously, he had been knocked unconscious by Komia’s ‘Illusionary Eye’, leaving him with some lingering after-effects, a slight dimness in his head.

Although he wasn’t in peak condition, Balun’s early use of his trump card had alerted him, so he wasn’t entirely unprepared. Now, they were even.

“Balun versus Solin, begin!” the referee announced loudly.

The two didn’t immediately attack, but carefully moved around the platform, testing each other, occasionally faking a move to make the other react in vain.

Balun wanted to perform well in front of Iona, so he had to defeat Solin. He was very cautious. Solin also hoped to earn a ranking, so he could gain the appreciation of Viscount Xuefeng and make a name for himself in Burntstone City. He wasn’t from the same noble background as these other students, and if he couldn’t seize this rare opportunity, he might be forgotten.

After several probes, their patience and focus were nearly exhausted. In another feigned attack by Solin, Balun didn’t react quickly. Solin changed his footwork, turning it into a real surprise attack. He almost immediately unleashed his ‘Power Burst’ ability while sprinting, making his speed incredibly fast. Balun didn’t have time to activate his trump card before Solin closed in.

The rapidly moving blade swung in its widest arc, and after full acceleration and power, it circled back down and struck fiercely. The violent force directly knocked away Balun’s parrying sword and then hit him in the arm.

With a slight crack, Balun’s arm fractured, pressing against his face. His body then involuntarily knelt, crushing the wooden board.

After one move, Solin was almost completely exhausted, while Balun clutched his arm and knee, groaning in pain on the stage, his face contorted.

Seeing this scene, many noblewomen watching let out small gasps, and then the referee announced.

“Solin wins!”

The subsequent matches ended quickly.

Although Solin defeated Balun, his own condition was even worse. His whole body ached and he couldn’t use his breathing technique, so when he faced Thoth, the latter easily picked up the win.

Finally, Thoth faced Iona. He also secretly admired the golden-haired noble lady, but since Balun was ahead of him, he felt he couldn’t compete, so he never showed it.

Today, Balun not only lost badly and made a fool of himself, but it would also take who-knows-how-long to recover from his injuries. As the noble student whose academic performance was second only to Balun among his peers, Thoth immediately sensed an opportunity. Now, biting a fresh red thorny rose, he ascended the high platform.

When facing Iona’s blade, he didn’t fight back at all, but instead offered the rose, expressing his admiration.

Such a romantic gesture earned applause from the noblewomen and young ladies in the stands, but unfortunately, Iona was not moved and then simply turned and left the combat stage.

The final results: Iona in first place, Thoth in second, and Solin in third.

Solin, though defeated, was covered in glory. Many present witnessed his strength and potential, and some wealthy young ladies even secretly gave him their hearts.

(End of this chapter)