Chapter 335
Chapter 335: How About I Go Up There and Fight for You?
Upon hearing Princess Auréliane's identity, Hilda immediately set aside her warm smile.
Her expression turned wholly solemn, her body bowing slightly as she offered Auréliane a warrior's salute of respect.
The Kingdom revered the strong, and when it came to the neighboring Empire, the most the Kingdom's people knew was the Empire's invincible Emperor.
And now, with this princess standing before them as that Emperor's child, they naturally paid her the same reverence.
Auréliane was mildly startled by Hilda's sudden gesture, then gave a small nod, steadied herself, and said calmly:
"Hello."
Hilda returned to her usual posture, then continued addressing the King with a measured tone:
"Today is the day the Academy evaluates our students' strength. Most of the 5th and 6th-year students will be gathering in this Training Ground to compete and receive their scores."
Every half month, Stardust Academy conducted its combat assessments on a regular schedule.
It was how they ranked the strength of their students.
All students were required to undergo evaluation during the assessment period, with each evaluation lasting 3 days.
It began with the 1st and 2nd-year students, followed 3 days later by the 3rd and 4th-years, until finally the 5th and 6th-year students were assessed.
The entire Academy strictly upheld a 6-year training system.
The King listened to Hilda's explanation, one eyebrow rising slightly:
"So an assessment is currently underway?"
"It seems I've arrived at just the right time."
He swept his gaze around the arena, his eyes finally coming to rest on Viktor and Auréliane, and said:
"Shall we go and observe the Academy's assessment together?"
"We may even catch a glimpse of some interesting students."
***
A black steel ring-shaped Colosseum stood imposingly at the center, its magnificent walls formed almost entirely from marble fused with exquisite craftsmanship.
The marble surface was clasped beneath a layer of thick steel ring-armor, and great steel barbs—like the fangs of some enormous beast—coiled around the entire Colosseum in a single circuit.
The spectator stands descended layer by layer outward from the dueling floor, until the lowest tier leveled perfectly with the stage itself.
Dust drifted across the broad, expansive stage, and at the center of its solid marble floor, a large red rectangular frame had been painted.
The judging instructors were already seated at the assessment bench, a curved metal table before them, thick score sheets arranged in tidy rows.
The spectator stands were packed with young men and women in school uniforms, crowded shoulder to shoulder, their eyes blazing with fierce intensity.
As though every one of them was aching to show what they could do on that stage.
The younger-year students were especially eager, craning their necks and jostling for a better view, eager to witness the prowess of their seniors.
The restless students fell silent without any prompting whatsoever. Every one of them held their breath, afraid that even the faintest noise might disturb the 2 figures standing on the stage.
2 students in school uniforms already stood at the center of the stage, their swords swaying gently in the breeze.
The male student had a powerfully built frame and carried a greatsword strapped across his back.
But he seemed somewhat tense, his gaze shifting and unsteady.
As though the mere sight of the girl before him had shattered whatever last trace of confidence in victory he'd managed to hold onto.
The female student facing him, by contrast, appeared perfectly composed—eyes firm, the arm holding her sword steady as bedrock.
Her dark gray hair drifted in the air, her breathing even, her bearing poised, like a knight of great distinction.
"Begin!"
At the instructor's command, sword met sword with a clash that rang out across the entire stage.
The moment the signal was given, the 2 of them moved like a pair of hunting leopards, circling along the edges of the stage.
Before long, the male student launched his charge. His footwork was fluid, and he closed the distance rapidly, bearing down on his opponent.
Whoosh—
A phantom flashed past, and the male student appeared directly in front of the female student in an instant, both arms swung back, his entire chest fully exposed.
The enormous silver blade tore through the air, and the powerful gust of force was enough for the female student to calmly sense the incoming danger.
She pressed her body swiftly downward, slipping clear of the buffeting force, then glided slightly backward to avoid the massive blade as it came crashing down.
The blade struck the floor of the stage, sending an enormous shockwave erupting outward.
By the time the shockwave faded, the person who had been there was gone without a trace.
The male student's composure began to falter. He scrambled frantically to locate his opponent.
Then a chill brushed the back of his neck, and he wheeled around in a hurry to defend himself, throwing his sword horizontally across his front.
But in the very next instant, the female student's attack abruptly shifted.
The blade's edge reversed direction in an instant, flicking upward against the flat of his sword.
A light application of force, carrying a clever, angled torque—the blade snapped upward with a sharp jolt.
The male student's great sword was sent flying from his hands in an instant.
Clang—
The sound rang out, and the greatsword had already been driven into the edge of the stage.
The male student sat down hard on the stage floor, stripped of every weapon.
Both elbows pressed against the ground, he stared at the sword tip now hovering inches from his face, completely still.
Only when the female student sheathed her blade and stepped gracefully off the stage did he move.
The entire exchange had lasted no more than 5 seconds.
The instructors exchanged nods and raised their brushes to record the scores:
"Joanna—another point."
The students in the stands watched the battle that had just unfolded before them, unable to suppress their amazement.
Excited chatter rippled through the crowd.
"First place in this assessment is probably going to be Joanna again, isn't it?"
"She's only a 5th-year, and even the 6th-years can't match her."
"No wonder she's Instructor Hilda's younger sister… her talent is just on another level."
The students in the stands buzzed with discussion—lively, yet every voice remarkably hushed.
The reason was simple.
At the very front of the spectator stands, a host of noble lords were seated.
Most of them sat with arms folded, watching the battle that had just concluded with an air of casual amusement.
Though, truthfully, that was about right.
In the eyes of these noble lords, the skirmish between those students amounted to little more than children playing at fighting.
But even with the presence of these noble lords alone, it would not have been enough to keep the students this quiet.
What truly astounded them was the figure seated at the very center, crowned with a headpiece.
There sat the reigning King of the Kant Kingdom—Auguste.
At this moment, Auguste smiled and glanced to either side of him.
Seated to his left and right respectively were Auréliane and Viktor.
But Auréliane, seated to his right, wore an expression that clearly held a hint of displeasure.
What was this?
She had very much wanted to sit beside Instructor Viktor, and yet this King had no sense of occasion whatsoever.
Just then, the King's voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.
"Princess, how are you finding it?"
He turned toward her, a gentle smile on his face, and addressed Auréliane.
Auréliane quickly composed herself, drew upon her imperial etiquette, and replied with measured poise:
"It was a splendid match. One can tell that Joanna has devoted a great deal of time to her training."
"And she must have a truly exceptional instructor who has guided her every step of the way."
As her words settled, she glanced briefly at the female instructor seated beside her.
Hilda was deeply moved, her body trembling faintly, unable to suppress the smile that broke across her face:
"Thank you… thank you so very much for your kind words, Princess."
She drew in a slow breath, attempting to calm herself, then continued:
"At Stardust Academy, we hold a combat assessment every half month, using a points-based system to identify students of genuine ability."
"The top performer in each assessment will be awarded 1 point."
Those points carried tremendous weight.
Once enough had been accumulated, they could be exchanged at the Academy for the noble Star-tier ranking that represented the highest of honors.
Thus allowing one to be elevated to the rank of a newly minted Baron.
Auréliane listened attentively beside him.
After all, this was a diplomatic visit.
Anything worth learning from the Kingdom's institutions naturally deserved her full attention.
At this point, King Auguste eased the atmosphere slightly, speaking in a relaxed tone:
"Actually, Princess Auréliane is also trained in swordsmanship—you didn't know that, did you, Hilda?"
The moment Hilda heard this, her eyes lit up at once, her brows lifting ever so slightly.
She looked at Auréliane, an expression of genuine astonishment crossing her face.
Auréliane, however, merely smiled serenely:
"My primary field is actually magic. Swordsmanship is only a secondary pursuit."
Hearing this, Hilda could not help but let slip what was on her mind:
"I'd so love to see Princess Auréliane's swordsmanship…"
Abruptly, every noble lord and minister around them fell silent. Even the diplomatic attendants turned to stare at Hilda, dumbfounded.
The scattered murmurs and ambient noise cut off completely.
Even Grand Duke Balo, seated off to the side of the spectator stands, opened his tightly shut eyes ever so slightly.
A composed and imposing aura flowed naturally from his gaze.
And at the corner of Viktor's mouth, a faint smile appeared.
At that moment, on the stage, 2 new students stepped up to the platform.
The instructor below announced the start once more, the call ringing out with perfect clarity through the entire Colosseum.
The 2 students were evenly matched. They drew their swords and faced each other, launching into rapid combat.
This time, both of them gave every last ounce of their effort.
Perhaps it was the King and the assembled noble lords watching from the stands that drove them to push harder than ever.
Even if earning enough stars to become a noble was out of reach, being noticed by one of these lords and taken on as a personal guard was a future worth fighting for.
But clearly, the King and nobles seated in the stands had no interest in watching them at all.
It was only when Auguste glanced sideways at Hilda that the female instructor finally realized what she had just said.
"I… I'm so sorry, Princess. I was just speaking thoughtlessly—please don't take it to heart."
The King smiled, his voice gentle:
"Hilda is a swordsmanship fanatic—it was nothing more than a passing moment of enthusiasm. Think nothing of it, Princess."
"It's all right."
Auréliane smiled, but unlike her usual brightness, this smile carried a slight narrowing of her eyes that made it rather difficult to read.
Just as the noble lords around them all let out a quiet breath of relief—
Auréliane suddenly rose to her feet, pointed toward the vacant stage ahead, and looked down at Hilda with a tilt of her head:
"May I step forward and cut in line?"