Chapter 322: The Disadvantage of an Ordinary Background

Over the next few days, Luoning occasionally accompanied Blanche for walks in Golden Feather Palace, while the rest of his time was spent either crafting Spell Scrolls or reading history books he had obtained from Blanche.

Much like in Europe on Earth, there were no historians here; historical records were scattered and had not formed a system.

Although he caught glimpses of words like "catastrophe" and "war" in the books, he could not verify them, and they all had the flavor of reading knight novels.

Time slipped by, and in the blink of an eye, it was September 25th, Blanche's birthday.

According to the schedule arranged by the Golden Feather Palace officials, a Martial Arts Tournament would be held in the grand plaza during the day, and a grand banquet would be hosted in Golden Feather Hall in the evening.

Although the temperature in Golden Feather City at the end of September already had a distinct chill, the slowly rising morning sun brought warmth to the city.

"My Lord, you need to have a suit of armor made for yourself!"

Tangmu and Dawei were clumsily tidying Luoning's clothes; although he was going to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament, Luoning was still wearing clothing that was slightly tight-fitting but convenient for combat.

It was not that he did not want to wear armor, but rather that he had grown quite a bit taller during this period, and his original armor no longer fit.

"With our current conditions, we have to tighten our belts to get by; where would we find the money to forge armor?"

This was just a joke; he now had both iron ore and a Master Blacksmith, so forging a suit of armor for himself would be an easy task.

It was just that he had possessed Chishan Town for too short a time and had not yet had the chance to forge it.

Luoning buckled on his Yanliu Sword and moved around a little: "Let's go, don't let the knights of the Wangong wait too long."

Outside the residence, the Wangong had already arranged a carriage, and they would take the three of them to the martial arts plaza.

Luoning lifted the curtain of the carriage, which was embroidered with a Jinyu Griffin pattern, and looked at the scenery along the way.

Golden Feather Palace was particularly lively today; on the road to the martial arts plaza, luxurious carriages followed one after another. Some were nobles like Luoning who lived directly in the palace, while others had rushed over from their respective residences in Golden Feather City.

Of course, besides carriages, there were also knights riding mighty warhorses and wearing shining armor, as well as Guards standing spiritedly on the side of the road.

At this moment, Golden Feather Palace gave Luoning a feeling of great power.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the venue.

Under the guidance of a Wangong knight, Luoning arrived at the place where the golden mountain range flag was flying; this was the seat specially prepared for him.

Like him, other nobles also had seats, and flags of various colors surrounded the martial arts venue.

Watching this group of people interacting, laughing, and chatting with one another, then looking at his own side, which was very cold and indifferent, Luoning could not help but hum softly: "That year I was eighteen, at the Martial Arts Tournament, standing there like a nobody~"

It was clear that as a Marquis family below the Duke, there was not even a single person coming over to strike up a conversation.

"My Lord, look over there, why are there no flags?"

Tangmu pointed to a corner opposite them and asked. A dozen or so people were sitting there, clearly belonging to an organization, yet there was no flag representing their family.

Luoning shook his head; how would he know about such things?

"Count Luoning."

Just then, a familiar voice came; it was Lisi Danisi walking over.

Since they had parted ways in Golden Feather City, this was the first time Luoning had seen him.

Luoning smiled: "I thought you wouldn't be able to get in."

Lisi's expression was somewhat indifferent, but there was still a hint of a fake smile at the corners of his mouth, and it seemed his mood was quite good.

"Using my family's emblem, reporting your name, and then adding my status as a student of the Royal Knight Academy, it is still possible to get in."

He must have heard Tangmu's confusion just now, so he said: "That is the teachers and students of the Royal Knight Academy and the Ox Niujiao Bay Extraordinary Academy. Since the two are arranged together, they did not put up flags."

So that was it.

He looked around and did not see a single commoner; those who could enter the venue were likely all people with some connection to the nobility.

"Are you going to participate in today's Martial Arts Tournament?"

Lisi nodded without hesitation: "Of course!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Luoning: "Although I cannot win the championship, it is my honor to be able to participate in this Martial Arts Tournament!"

Luoning gave a thumbs up: "I admire this knightly spirit of yours!"

Lisi's gaze turned toward the academy side and said: "Please allow me to remind you of one thing; although you are strong, there is someone you must be careful of in today's Martial Arts Tournament."

This sentence caught Luoning's attention: "Who?"

"That knight with light purple hair over there. Although he comes from the Ox Niujiao Bay Extraordinary Academy, at twenty-five years old, he has already been a Silver Knight for more than two years. With his lightning attribute, his combat power is very formidable."

Luoning looked over; at this moment, the purple-haired knight introduced by Lisi was looking at the grandstand directly in front, as if searching for someone.

"Becoming a Silver Knight at twenty-three, how could someone with such talent not join the Royal Knight Academy?"

"He comes from an ordinary family; it is said his parents are both farmers who till the land. Although his talent is good, without someone to recommend him, it is impossible to join the Royal Knight Academy."

It was not that there were no commoners in the Royal Knight Academy, but to get in, one first needed a recommendation letter from a noble.

He did not have this thing, which was equivalent to not having the key to open the door; it was impossible to enter the room.

"What is his name?" Luoning asked.

"Kalada."

Lisi looked at Kalada, who was looking around: "It is said he has a secret crush on a noble young lady, but with his status as a commoner, it is unlikely there will be any result."

Luoning smiled and said: "For an ordinary person with such strength and potential like him, it is not difficult to change his fate."

Lisi, however, shook his head: "There is indeed an opportunity, but that requires time. Ten or eight years pass, the beloved person has already married someone else; even if you become an Honorary Knight at that time, what does it matter? Furthermore, up until now, he hasn't even been able to join the Royal Knights."

Luoning looked at Lisi suspiciously; the other party had a lot to say today. Could it be that after communicating with his classmates for a few days, his mood had brightened?

However, he had to admit that what the other party said made a lot of sense.

The Royal Knights also required a recommendation letter. If one could not join the Knight Order, how could one speak of performing meritorious deeds?

Luoning could not help but ask: "If he cannot join the Royal Knights, he can choose to pledge loyalty to other nobles. For an ordinary person like him without a complicated background, there must be nobles willing to accept his loyalty."

Not to mention others, Luoning himself had already developed the intention to recruit him.

"Lisi, can you help me contact him?"

"You want to recruit him?"

Lisi was somewhat surprised, but upon thinking about it, it was also easy to understand.

"I advise you not to try; the person he secretly loves is in the Royal Knights, and it is impossible for him to pledge loyalty to other nobles."

"Luoning."

As the two were conversing, a crisp voice came over.

Luoning turned to look, only to see a female Knight with short golden hair, looking somewhat heroic and spirited, walking over in soft armor.

"Are you... Knight Mixi?"

He stood up in surprise; if he hadn't remembered her voice, he wouldn't have recognized her.

Mixi nodded and smiled slightly: "Her Highness the Princess asked me to convey her blessings to you, hoping you can achieve a great victory today!"

"Thank you!"

Luoning looked toward the spectator stand and met Blanche's gaze.

Today, Blanche was wearing a gorgeous outfit with green as the main color, which matched the green Silk shawl Luoning had given her very well.

The two nodded to each other across the distance, and Luoning turned his gaze back: "Will Knight Mixi also be participating in today's Martial Arts Tournament?"

"It is my honor."

Mixi nodded in greeting once more, then slowly walked away to make preparations for the match.

Lisi was somewhat surprised, not expecting Luoning to know Mixi.

He turned his head to glance at Kalada, and sure enough, the other party was currently looking in their direction. (End of chapter)