Vol 8. Chapter 14: A Good Draw — Why Call It a Good Draw?

South-central Samael Continent, Biyun Valley.

The outdoor combat assessment for the Hatchling Division of Saint Heath Academy, newly reopened, was being held here—

Strictly speaking, it was a joint assessment. And the partner was...

“The Blazing Sun Clan?”

At the entrance of Biyun Valley, after listening to Claudia’s brief explanation, Muse, Hefei, and the other little hatchlings couldn’t help but feel curious.

“Vice Principal, Vice Principal! The Blazing Sun Clan isn’t part of dragonkind, right? Is this our first time working together with a race that’s not dragons?”

“Summer vacation’s coming up, I thought the Academy would reuse the same exam format as Senior Noa’s year for their division promotion test.”

“I’ve never even heard of this Blazing Sun Clan before. Could it be they’re our new allies?”

...

The children buzzed with chatter. Muse and Hefei exchanged a smile, but didn’t join the discussion.

At home, she had occasionally overheard her parents mention the Blazing Sun Clan. And every time, her father wore a troubled look. But today the Academy was holding a joint assessment with them.

“Could it be that in Father’s stories, the dangerous parts had turned for the better? Or... was it for some other reason?”

“Alright, quiet down, children.”

Claudia’s voice broke Muse’s train of thought. She looked up and listened as Claudia continued:

“The Blazing Sun Clan is one of the most ancient races on the Samael Continent. We cannot call them our allies, but our ties with them are close. To bring about this assessment, both we dragons and the Blazing Sun Clan put in great effort. I hope all of you will give your utmost in this joint test, even if you don’t get the results you wished for. Now, my assistant, Samantha, will explain the rules of this joint assessment.”

As she spoke, Claudia glanced to the side where Samantha gave a small nod. Samantha quickly stepped forward, taking Claudia’s place.

Claudia moved aside. Leon had been waiting here for some time already. While Samantha explained the rules, Claudia leaned toward Leon and murmured:

“To think up such a way to ease the tension between us and the Blazing Sun Clan—that was your effort.”

Leon smiled:

“Though the Blazing Sun aren’t very warm toward the descendants of the other primeval deities, after repeated talks I found they aren’t impossible to communicate with. The current City Lord of the Blazing Sun, Fuyuan—his temperament may be harsh, but great matters such as alliance with dragonkind aren’t decided by him alone. Fortunately, in the end we secured this chance for a joint assessment, and many high-ranking figures within the Blazing Sun also support it.”

Claudia nodded thoughtfully. After a moment of reflection, she said:

“This idea of yours is indeed icing on the cake. It lets us learn more about the Blazing Sun, while also solving the Academy’s problem of restarting the assessment.”

She sighed, crossed her arms, and went on:

“You don’t know how much of a headache I’ve had ever since the last test went so far off script—negotiating the next exam with the Academy, while at the same time contacting the clans about the Demon Sword fragments. You’ve helped me again this time, Leon.”

“It’s only right, Vice Principal,” Leon replied.

“And I only suggested the idea. In these past months it was still the Academy that negotiated with the Blazing Sun, and that finally brought about this joint test. Credit goes to you as well.”

Claudia smiled, then smoothly changed the subject:

“Are those mysterious noble guests of yours ready? Once Samantha finishes explaining the rules, we’ll begin.”

“Yes.”

With that, Leon turned and walked toward the camp tents. Claudia’s eyes went back to Samantha, who was addressing the children.

“The core focus of this assessment is—point cards.”

Samantha pulled several cards from the pouch at her side.

“Scattered throughout Biyun Valley are point cards like these. There are five grades of cards, each worth different points: three, five, seven, ten, and fifteen. You will obtain these cards by completing certain tasks, unexpected battles with enemies, future exploration, and various other methods. There is no point limit. When the assessment ends, the Academy will rank you based on how many points you hold.”

The rules were easy to understand, and sounded simpler than last time’s item collection test in the Redstone Forest. The more ways there were to earn points, the more choices the children would have.

Hefei thought the same. The little red dragon girl was already impatient.

“With so many ways to earn points, and no upper limit, Muse, we can really go all out this time!”

Muse gave a small nod, but her brows knit slightly.

“Didn’t Vice Principal Claudia say this was a joint test with the Blazing Sun Clan? I didn’t hear anything about them in the rules.”

Hefei blinked, scratching her head.

“Could it be the opponents we’ll face are the Blazing Sun?”

“Mm... that’d be too simple, wouldn’t it?”

Muse pressed her lips together and looked up at Samantha.

“If it’s just a simple fight, there’d be no need to come all the way here. Any arena would do.”

“That’s true...”

Their doubts were soon answered. Samantha spoke again:

“Next comes the most important part of this joint test, which will also be the key factor in your promotion assessment next term.”

Hearing that, the children quieted and listened closely.

Samantha continued:

“Each of you will be paired with an adult warrior from the Blazing Sun Clan, forming two-person teams. The Blazing Sun have also sent their own students to participate. They, too, will pair with dragon warriors. Once teams are formed, you will enter Biyun Valley together. The warriors of both races will score your performance during the assessment. Their evaluations will affect your final grades. Some tasks within the grounds must be completed alone, while others require cooperation with your partner warrior.

I hope you will all work well with your Blazing Sun teammates.”

These rules had been hammered out after repeated negotiations between the two races.

Two-person teams of different species, supervised by adult warriors from «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» the other race—this would not only make the results fairer but also ensure safety, preventing accidents like the last time in the beast cave.

Moreover, dividing the tasks into “solo” and “cooperative” meant both individual combat skills and teamwork would be tested clearly.

The adult warriors had been carefully chosen. They were responsible and strong enough to protect their partnered children in any situation.

The hatchlings were intrigued by this novel pairing system, their chatter rising again.

Samantha didn’t cut them off, but let them talk for several minutes.

At last, she looked at Claudia.

Claudia gave a slight nod, signaling the next step. Samantha turned back, clapped her hands, and said:

“Alright, alright, children. If you still want to chat, wait until the test starts. Now comes the most interesting part—drawing lots for your partners! Look to my right. That is the Blazing Sun camp. The warriors who will team with you are waiting in the tents. You’ll each draw a slip, then call out the name written on it. Your Blazing Sun brother or sister will come find you. So—who wants to go first?”

Egged on by their classmates, several children rushed forward to draw lots. Muse and Hefei stayed calm, waiting at the back.

“Whoever you draw is who you get. No rush.”

Hefei turned to her best friend:

“Muse, what kind of Blazing Sun warrior do you want?”

“Someone as strong as my father.”

“That’s a pretty sky-high demand.”

Muse smiled.

“And you, Hefei? What sort of partner do you want?”

Hefei thought a moment.

“Of course I want someone strong too. But also talkative and cheerful.”

Muse blinked.

“Why cheerful?”

“Because it’s easier to make friends with that kind of person. I don’t want to be stuck with some cold-faced chatterbox. That’d be boring to death.”

Muse was about to reply when Samantha called out:

“Hefei, Muse, your turn!”

“Coming, Teacher!”

Hefei grabbed Muse’s hand and they ran up together. Around them, those who had already drawn were returning to their supervising warriors, exchanging introductions.

Samantha crouched and held out the box.

“Which of you will go first?”

“You go first, Muse,” said Hefei.

“Alright.”

Muse reached in and pulled out a slip of paper. She opened it and read aloud:

“Teresa Keith.”

“Here, here, here, here~~ finally it’s my turn!”

The voice came before the person. A Blazing Sun warrior girl named Teresa came running eagerly from the tent, straight toward Muse.

Before Muse could react, the enthusiastic big sister had scooped her up into her arms.

“Mm, so soft.”

Muse didn’t know if this Teresa was as strong as her father, but her embrace was as soft as Mother’s.

“I should’ve let you draw first, Hefei,” Muse said, peeking out from Teresa’s arms at her friend.

Hefei understood. This Teresa was exactly the type she’d just described, even before things began—it was written all over her.

“No worries. Maybe I’ll get an even more cheerful brother or sister.”

At that, Teresa hugged Muse tighter, glanced left and right, then leaned down and whispered:

“Your wish is about to be dashed, little one.”

Hefei blinked.

“What do you mean...”

“Here you go, Hefei. The last one.”

Samantha handed over the final slip. Hefei lowered her eyes, slowly opened it, and read out the name,

“Orion Pyx...”