novelraw Book 2: Chapter 69: Knight’s Flower · Sylutia 8
Book 2: Chapter 69: Knight’s Flower · Sylutia 8
Vol 2 Chapter 69 Knight’s Flower · Sylutia 8
White Stone Fortress, Holy White Knight Hall.
Sylutia rode a white steed, circling the training ground, repeatedly guiding the warhorse over obstacles, or accelerating to strike targets along the way with her lightweight lance.
(Riding Technique proficiency +11)
(Riding Technique proficiency +15)
……
The silver-haired girl wore a white hunting dress, continually getting used to controlling the warhorse, and gradually becoming familiar with the mount beneath her.
After an hour, Sylutia, sweat soaking her back, stopped training and went to a nearby seat to rest.
“Have some water, Tia.” Sophitina thoughtfully carried a cup of water over and handed it to her.
The two sat on a shaded bench, talking about recent events.“The association has arranged a lot of training for you lately, riding, archery, spear techniques, military administration. Are they grooming you to be a knight?” Sophitina asked with curiosity.
“No.” Sylutia shook her head and wiped the sweat from her forehead and face with a towel.
“It seems they want to cultivate me comprehensively, to test my potential in various fields.” She stretched her legs a little and loosened up.
“Riding and spearwork during the day, then classes with several instructors at night.” Sylutia counted the daily lessons on her fingers, feeling as if she were back in an intense high school routine.
Does this other world emphasize well-rounded development too? She shook her head, lifted the hair at the nape of her neck and tied it up to let air in, letting the sweat on her spine dry slowly in the breeze.
Still, learning new things was nice. During this period she had raised her Basic Spear Technique to Lv.5 and learned Knight Spear Technique to Lv.3. Today’s Riding Technique training also advanced to Lv.3, making her comparable to many knight squires.
“What are you studying at night, Tia?”
“Probably things like fiscal management and resource development. It includes many miscellaneous topics—basically the administrative knowledge a small town ruler would need.” Sylutia only wanted to lean back on the chair and nap for a bit.
Although her talent in this life was high and she learned several times faster than ordinary people, maintaining that concentrated state to raise perception still consumed a lot of energy, making her drowsy at times.
“You’ve worked hard, Tia. Sleep here for a while.” Sophitina cradled Tia affectionately, letting her rest her head on Sophitina’s thigh and drift off.
The afternoon breeze rippled, the bright sunlight on the training ground sparking a blinding white glare. Occasionally distant sounds of trainees sparring reached them, otherwise the air was relatively calm.
About twenty minutes later, Sylutia woke up slowly, feeling much better and especially clear-headed.
She stretched, waved to Sophitina sitting on the bench, then went back to the stables, led out the white horse, and began the afternoon’s training.
……
One month later
At the same training ground, young trainees gathered. This time not only members of the Holy White Knight Hall were present, but also some apprentices from the Four Seasons Alliance and Forging Gold Hammer. They clustered by the railings, curious to watch the matches inside.
On the knight track, two figures charged on warhorses toward each other, each holding a lance that leveled slowly as they sped up, aiming at the opponent ahead.
Then, at the instant they crossed, the lances clashed. One struck the other’s armor, sending splinters and wood fibers flying, and the struck rider fell from the horse, rolling onto the ground.
Because of the armor’s strength and the lances deliberately made of lightweight, breakable materials, there were no bleeding wounds, but the internal shock to the body was unavoidable.
After the match, the other rider guided his white horse to slow down. Amid cheers from the onlookers, he removed his helmet, revealing long hair like poured mercury, snow-white. The beauty of his figure and face made many trainees scream.
“Sylutia!”
The girl in silver armor and a white skirt nodded to everyone, then slowed the white horse and dismounted.
A formally ranked knight led the girl onto the platform and placed a woven crown of verdant branches and leaves on her head as the honor prize for winning the riding competition.
“Let us congratulate student Sylutia for winning the championship of this competition.”
Warm applause and cheers rose again. Then, as the host, the Holy White Knight Hall produced a White Stone token badge to award the girl.
With this Second Tier · Castle token badge, she could alter her Aspect and choose the Castle Aspect for career advancement. Even if she didn’t use it for advancement, she could rely on the badge’s effect to apply protection.
[Knight Squire Badge] (Second Tier · Castle): A badge symbolizing contest victory. Once every seven days, it can release ‘Holy White Battle Armor’. (1/1)
After attaching the badge to the girl’s armor, three Glittergold Plains magnates slowly stepped onto the platform, quieting the cheers below.
“Today, I must announce something.” Cassius’s sonorous voice instantly penetrated the venue, bringing everyone to silence.
“The Hidden Grove association’s headquarters has issued orders to mobilize. Approximately sixty trainees will depart to the Darkmist Mountains to establish a new garrison.”
“This expedition is of great significance. Personnel will be selected for each outpost. If you sign up, supply standards will be raised to 300%, and you will receive additional materials sponsored by the Glittergold Plains……” His words immediately sparked the trainees’ curiosity and excitement.
The three then detailed the personnel requisition and, at the end, announced the leader.
“Moreover, the leader of this pioneering mission will be our Glittergold Plains’ outstanding trainee, beautiful and remarkably talented—Sylutia!”
The announcement surprised many trainees. They had expected a Third or Fourth Tier seasoned member to lead, but the association had chosen the girl who had just won the championship.
In the past, many trainees would have objected, calling it favoritism from the association’s upper echelons. However, after recent training and the competition, everyone clearly recognized the girl’s beauty and strength. So although astonished, few openly questioned the choice.
“I didn’t expect them to be so bold, letting a Second Tier trainee lead a team.”
“Sylutia is impressive, I admit, but can she handle such an important mission?”
“With no Third Tier official knights, wizards, or professional members participating, can we really establish ourselves there with just our lot?”
While no one denied Sylutia’s qualifications, concerns remained. After all, she appeared very young, making it hard to feel completely secure.
“Let’s wait and see. According to the captain, we’ll mainly be responsible for logistics, not the most dangerous frontline work, so it should be fine.”
“Also, higher-tier professionals usually have their own assignments;
it’s hard to pull them away at short notice.”
The Hidden Grove association was not a strict military organization but a complex union of groups. Mobilizing professional members required coordinating the subordinate groups’ willingness and arrangements. For apprentices, however, transfers were much easier.
Once personnel were confirmed, the Glittergold Plains association began preparing supplies for the departing team.
Elsewhere, Sylutia went to the Forging Gold Hammer garrison to receive the newly completed White Flower Battle Armor.
This knight armor balanced aesthetics and protection: tough silver plates at the chest, waist, arms, shoulders, and the sides of the skirt, while the lining used softer materials so it resembled a princess’s travel dress. White-trimmed sleeves and hem softened the armor’s harshness.
[White Flower Battle Armor] (Third Tier · Rare): Armor crafted primarily from Mithril and Snow Steel, paired with pure white rose fabric and holy moon thread. It offers excellent overall protection while remaining exceptionally lightweight, not restricting movement—an ideal fusion of art and practicality.
The value of this suit alone was unimaginable. When receiving it, Sylutia felt both honored and overwhelmed.
“Accept it. I know you’ll feel uneasy, but don’t forget: this is the association’s expectation of you, and our recognition of you.”
Holding the armor, Sylutia’s emotions surged.
Since awakening in this world she had received much help. Even if some offered assistance as an early investment, that trust and generosity still moved her deeply.
“Thank you.” The girl silently made a firm decision in her heart.