Chapter 252: Knight Assessment!

"My lord!"

"My lord!"

The square of Wheatfield Town was packed with people.

The townsfolk had heard there would be a knight assessment today, and all came to watch.

Entertainment options in this world were already scarce, and in the remote backwater of Storm Lord's domain, even more so.

So for the townsfolk, watching a contest was no different from seeing a grand performance.

Amid a chorus of greetings, Gervas took his seat on the raised platform.

"Are you all ready?"

"Ready, my lord!"

There were twenty-six knight attendants total, and twenty-two were participating in today's assessment.

These twenty-two were confident in their strength and sword skills, so they all chose to take the test.

Though he knew only ten would pass, Gervas did not mind.

"Then begin!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Upon hearing this, Knight Mi Gen immediately smirked, then walked toward a nearby alley.

Knight assessments come in many forms.

But they usually test courage and combat skill.

After all, strength can be measured by stone-lifting—just meet the standard.

As for the other two, it all depends on performance under pressure.

No matter how beautifully you train daily, if you fail the on-site challenge, you still fail.

Only when one reaches the Great Knight realm does it become simple—aura can determine whether the requirement is met.

Amid the tense wait of the knight attendants, not long passed before Mi Gen returned.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Then, two reptiles nearly two meters and seventy-eight centimeters tall followed him onto the square.

Of course, these were not ordinary lizards—they were Iron-Scaled Fire Lizards.

Though juveniles, their terrifying appearance was already taking shape.

Coupled with bodies larger than even adult crocodiles, the crowd on the square erupted into panic.

The crowd, which had barely been held back by guards, instantly scattered to the sides, clearing a large open space in the square.

"Good heavens, it's a demon beast! Does today's knight assessment mean fighting a demon beast?"

"It really does seem that way—this is too hard!"

"Yes! Even if this demon lizard looks like a juvenile, it's still a demon beast!"

"Hah! The harder the challenge, the more exciting the show! You don't understand..."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Lei Meng, as knight captain, now addressed the crowd.

He confirmed that today's assessment would be combat against Iron-Scaled Fire Lizards.

Of course, the knight attendants were not expected to defeat the Iron-Scaled Fire Lizards—this was truly too difficult.

Instead, the knights must endure five minutes under attack from the two Iron-Scaled Fire Lizards.

During this time, they must not leave the designated area, and they are forbidden from using weapons—only a small round shield may be used for defense!

Roar! Roar! Roar!

No sooner had Lei Meng finished speaking than the Iron-Scaled Fire Lizards obediently roared, baring their already formidable fangs and bloody maws.

Swish!

Instantly, the knight attendants who had been eager to step forward were startled.

Several of them turned pale, their hands trembling.

Compared to human enemies, people often fear monstrous non-human races more.

This is not due to cowardice, but an instinct buried deep in the genes.

After all, this world still has mostly ordinary people—those without aura could die even from encountering a wild wolf!

So when people see these large, ferocious non-human creatures, fear arises instinctively.

This is true of humans on Blue Star too.

For example, humans and snakes have spent tens of thousands of years in mutual hatred and conflict.

Snakes have become the species humans fear and despise most.

In the wild, you often notice a long, slender shape in the grass at once.

Even while riding a bike, if a similar long shape suddenly appears on the road, it can make you jolt in fright.

This is the fear of snakes embedded in human genes.

Of course, the several knight attendants who turned pale and trembled—Gervas and Lei Meng exchanged a glance, and silently declared them failed.

This assessment tests courage and skill.

Since courage has failed, they must continue training.

Still, they were not immediately eliminated—Lei Meng ordered the assessment to begin.

To speed up the process, the knight attendants would participate in groups of five!

This slightly lowered the difficulty.

Of course, even so, those who must fail will still fail.

The first to be struck down were the few knight attendants who feared it most.

The more they feared, the slower their reactions, the more their movements faltered.

The next instant, they were directly hurled into the air by the Iron-Scaled Fire Lizard.

Of course, to add some spice.

The Iron-Scaled Fire Lizard didn't just hurl these knight attendants away—it opened its jaws and bit down.

It bit them until they bled profusely.

And the effect this produced was that the already timid knight attendants grew even more terrified.

Only those with unwavering will could pass the trial.

Of course, the Iron-Scaled Fire Lizard bit with restraint—Lei Meng and Knight Mi Gen, their masters, had already given prior instructions.

It would not sever the knight attendants' limbs outright.

It would only tear flesh, leaving wounds that bled profusely, appearing terrifyingly gruesome.

In the end, of the twenty-two knight attendants, only ten passed the trial.

And among them, the standout was Sai En, son of the chief blacksmith Lu Ka!

Sai En not only inherited his blacksmith father's burly frame, but his courage and skill were also exceptional.

While the other knight attendants during the trial truly fled in panic.

Only Sai En attempted to counterattack the Iron-Scaled Fire Lizard.

For instance, leaping onto its back and gripping its neck tightly, trying to flip it over.

Unfortunately, the Iron-Scaled Fire Lizard was immensely strong—and had companions.

Instead, Sai En's arm was bitten, bleeding profusely.

Yet even so, he endured for five full minutes with his wound.

"Now, I, Gervas Gail, Lord of Stormhold, hereby declare: you ten have officially passed the trial, earned my approval, and from this day forward shall become my Guardian Knights!"

"Thank you, my lord's grace! We swear to guard your safety with our lives!"

Then, one by one, the knight attendants came before Gervas, knelt on one knee, and received their investiture.

And Sai En was left for last!

"What is your name?"

"My lord, I am Sai En!"

"Oh, I remember—you are Lu Ka's offspring, correct? Lei Meng's knight attendant?"

"Yes, my lord!" Sai En nodded eagerly, astonished that Lord Gervas still remembered him.

Of course, what thrilled him even more was yet to come!

"Sai En, your performance today was excellent. To commend your bravery, I have decided to reward you!"

"Thank you, my lord!" Sai En's eyes brimmed with excitement.

Though the other knight attendants had passed the trial, none received praise from Gervas.

Only he—not only received praise, but also a reward.

To him, this naturally meant unparalleled honor!

Gervas immediately waved to Lei Meng beside him.

Lei Meng stepped forward swiftly and handed over a brand-new longsword.

"Sai En! For your bravery today, I award you this Starfall Sword—it now belongs to you!"

"This…?" Sai En was stunned.

He had assumed the lord's reward would be some beast meat or coins.

Yet he never imagined it would be the Starfall Sword.

He was, of course, no stranger to the Starfall Sword.

Whether Lei Meng, the knight captain, or Knight Mi Gen and others, all wore one at their waist.

And the Starfall Sword's sharpness, these knight attendants had witnessed firsthand.

Thus, the Starfall Sword was unquestionably the dream sword of every knight attendant.

They all longed for one in their dreams.

And now, that dream had come true!

The lord had truly granted him one.

"What are you standing there for? Don't you thank my lord?"

At Lei Meng's reminder, Sai En finally snapped back to himself, his eyes red as he looked up at Gervas: "Thank you, my lord's grace! My lord, I swear from this day forward to guard your safety with my life!"

Clearly, for Sai En, the lord's favor was a debt he could never repay.

And Gervas smiled in satisfaction.

He was well aware of Sai En's identity—but now, to bestow grace, he must enact "the noble's self-discipline."

Then, Gervas personally inspected Sai En's wound, ordered servants to bring healing draughts, bestowed them upon Sai En, and instructed him to rest well.

Only then did he conclude the trial, returning to the castle amid the reverent gazes of Sai En and the other knight attendants.