Read Novel Full Vol 3 Chapter 4 Part 2
Vol 3 Chapter 4 Part 2
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Part 2
“Arnorld-sama was very worried about you, Lexia-san.”
“And that knight guard was very upset.”
“Better write a letter next time.”
“Ara, it’s good to see them in such good health. The trial ceremony is about to begin. We have to get into the swing of things!”
Just as the four of them were discussing this, a voice called out to them from behind.
“Ara, Xiaolin, you didn’t refuse, did you? Recklessness will get you killed, you know?”
They turned to see Xiaolin’s brothers and sister standing there. Each of them was accompanied by three followers, and all of them were skilled.
The second heir to the throne, Yue, stepped back as if under pressure as soon as her eyes met Xiaolin’s.
“W-what is it? Has that girl’s atmosphere changed a bit?”
Unlike before, after training with Lexia and the others, Xiaolin’s back was now straight and imposing, and her eyes were filled with a strong light.
Mao, the third heir to the throne, was also puzzled, but he snorted to hide it.
“Well, you have some spirit, but you’re just a failure, you know? You can’t even use the dragon’s power, so you’ll probably fail in no time.”
“There is no way a half-breed like you can win the trial. It would be better for you to withdraw from the trial ceremony while you still can.”
The first brother, Lu Won, looked down at her, and Xiaolin bit her lip.
Lexia glared at the three of them as they sneered at her.
“What is it? Xiaolin-sama will definitely be the winner! You’ll see!”
“What do you think you’re doing? You’re just a tutor!”
Sparks flew between the two of them.
At that moment, a gong sounded as if to break the tense atmosphere.
A heavily dressed figure appeared on the platform.
“That must be Xiaolin-sama’s father!”
Xiaolin’s father, Emperor Liu Zhen of the Lianxi Empire, was a bearded, mature man.
He had bright orange hair, a crown, and a broad sword at his waist.
He looked at the heirs with slanted eyes and opened his mouth gravely.
“From now on, we will hold the trial ceremony. But first, I will test you to see if you are qualified to participate in the trial ceremony.”
“Eh?”
Xiaolin blinked, and the other princes and princesses looked doubtful.
“What does that mean, testing our eligibility?”
“Has there ever been such a thing in the history of the trial ceremony?”
The emperor gave the signal, and the soldiers brought out twelve huge stone tablets.
“Each of you must break three of the stone tablets prepared here in succession. If you fail even once, you will be disqualified immediately.”
“T-that’s… Can you really call that a stone tablet?”
“It’s almost a block of rock!”
Lexia and the others were stunned to see the thick stone slab was well over the height of a large soldier and seemed impossible to break under normal circumstances.
However, the princes and princesses smiled wryly.
“I see. First, the opening ceremony will be used to sort out the candidates.”
“Fufu, the loser without dragon power, will be eliminated here, right?”
“Father is also ruthless. He went out of his way to prepare such a test to eliminate the half-breed.”
The eldest brother, Lu Won, snapped his fingers as he stepped forward.
“Then I’ll go first.”
He raised his hand toward the stone tablet, and an orange aura of dragon power rose from his entire body.
“Haaahh!”
Bang!
The dragon power that was fused with his spirit roared like a giant arm, violently shattering the stone slab.
“Th-that’s amazing…!”
“That is the dragon power of Lu Won-sama…!”
The audience shouted in amazement.
In an instant, Lu Won broke the three stone slabs and brushed his hands off the slabs.
“Well, that’s it.”
But Yue laughed.
“You’re still as wild as ever, Lu Won-niisama?”
“What do you say, Yue?”
“Let me show you. This is how you use your dragon power, you know?”
Yue held her finger up to the stone tablet.
The dragon power shot out from the tip of her finger as a ray of light, smashing the stone tablets one by one.
“I see; Prince Lu Won is a melee type who emphasizes power, while Princess Yue seems to specialize in long-range attacks.”
“It really depends on the person and how they use it!”
Luna and Tito, who had witnessed Yue’s power for the first time, raised their voices in admiration.
“My goodness. I don’t want to show my hand too much, do I?”
The remaining Prince Mao shrugged and put his hand on the ground.
Then, an orange-colored snake crawled on the ground, crawled up to the stone slab, and wrapped itself around it.
“Hah!”
The moment Prince Mao made a gesture as if to grab the air, the snake tightened its grip on the stone slab and shattered it with a crack.
“Wow, he can do that!”
“Dragon power is amazing…!”
The guests of honor were also astonished.
“That is dragon power… what an incredible power…!”
“Whoever becomes the next emperor of the empire, it’ll be terrifying.”
The princes and princess had successfully earned the right to participate, and the audience’s attention turned to Xiaolin.
“Now there’s only one person left… but why don’t you just forfeit before you embarrass yourself, Xiaolin?”
“Fufu. It would be a shame to push her too hard, Lu Won-niisama.”
“Yes, let her at least try. Even if it’s useless, right?”
As the princes and princess laughed, Xiaolin quietly stepped forward and pulled out her twin swords.
“What, twin swords…? She can use those things?”
“It’s a child’s trick anyway. How can she cut stone tablets if she doesn’t have dragon power?”
“B-but something has changed in her…?”
Xiaolin’s face was full of confidence, and there was a strong light in her eyes.
She took a deep breath amidst the excitement that surrounded the venue.
“Finally, it was Xiaolin-san’s turn!”
“Let’s show them how great you are, Xiaolin-sama!”
“Yes!”
“Wait. Before you do that, let’s finish the final touch──Streamlines!”
Luna shoots a string at Xiaolin’s twin swords.
Shashashasha!
As countless strings caressed the blades, the blades were sharpened, and the sword’s luster increased.
“!? This is…!”
“I sharpened the sword with my strings. Until now, I’ve deliberately made you train with it as if it were for the performance, but now you can show its true value. Show them the results of your training and blow your brothers and sister away.
“Just relax and think of it as the total completion of your training!”
“Believe in yourself!”
Xiaolin smiled confidently and nodded vigorously.
She looked down at the stone tablet and let out a thin breath──.
“──Hah!”
She kicked the ground, and in a single breath, she was close to the stone tablet.
As she ran past, she swung her twin swords without hesitation.
Clink, clink, clink!
The sound of a beautiful bell and a high-pitched metallic clang rang out.
A few seconds later, the stone tablet seemed to shift at an angle, and then it collapsed with a deafening sound.
“What? S-she can use dragon power now? When in the world did she…?”
“N-no, she’s not using dragon power…?”
“Huh? Don’t tell me she cut the tablet with just her swordsmanship and no dragon power?”
“Huh!”
The prince and the others looked at each other in astonishment, and Xiaolin brilliantly cut the second stone tablet into two pieces.
“W-what in the world is going on? What the hell was that tremendous swordsmanship?”
“When did she become so strong?”
The people in the audience gasped.
“A-amazing…! I’ve never seen swordsmanship like that!”
“And with the twin swords… She’s like the second coming of Fa Lan-sama…!”
“With such power… even without dragon power, Xiaolin-sama will be able to protect the Lianxi Empire magnificently!”
“There’s only one piece left; go for it!”
The audience cheered, and Arnold and Owen, who were sitting in the guest of honor seats, leaned forward.
“At such a young age… she must have trained very hard.”
“Umu. The dragon power passed down in the imperial family of the Lianxi Empire is certainly powerful. I had heard that just because they have dragon power, they tend to rely on it, and other powers tend to be inferior… This power is definitely on par with the strongest of the army. Lexia is right. The Lianxi Empire has a good heir.”
The voices praising Xiaolin reached the prince and the others.
“Kuh! I will not let a half-breed failure participate in the trial ceremony…!”
Prince Mao gritted his teeth and thrust his hand into the ground.
Countless serpents of dragon power moved beneath the ground, stealthily reinforcing the stone tablet from below, unnoticed by the crowd.
Sensing a slight anomaly, Tito raised her voice.
“Ah, this is… Prince Mao is reinforcing the stone tablet with the serpent of dragon power!”
“What? He’s trying to sabotage Xiaolin-sama; that’s not fair!”
But Luna’s mouth turned up at the corners.
“No, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Eh? But…!”
Lexia was halfway through her words when Xiaolin threw herself at the last stone tablet.
“This is the last one! Haaaaaaah!”
She took a big step forward and swung her sword without hesitation.
Zubaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
A beautiful arc of silver lightning sliced the stone in two, along with the serpent of dragon power.
“Kishaaaaaaaaa?”
“Wha…!?”
“Hah, hah… I did it…!”
The audience cheered for the out of breath Xiaolin.
“Xiaolin-sama is so cool!”
“I heard that she couldn’t use dragon power, but I didn’t expect her to be so strong…!”
“D-don’t tell me… she cut the stone tablet along with my dragon power…?”
Luna gives the surprised Mao a cold look.
“How can a prince use such a stupid trick?”
“! Kuh…!?”
Amidst the excitement of the spectators, a gong sounds, signaling the end of the competition.
Lu Won protested to the emperor.
“Father! Xiaolin did not use dragon power! Her participation should be annulled!”
But before the emperor could open his mouth, Lexia’s voice rose.
“Ara, the emperor didn’t say anything about using dragon power. He only said to break the stone tablet. Didn’t he?”
“What? You’re just a tutor, don’t interrupt me!”
Lu Won was furious, but the audience agreed with Lexia.
“That’s right, he certainly didn’t tell anyone to use the dragon power!”
“Xiaolin-sama, it is admirable that you are so strong even at such a young age!”
“If you are so strong, you have every right to participate in the trial ceremony!”
The emperor closed his eyes several times but then opened his mouth solemnly.
“I will allow Xiaolin to participate in the trial ceremony. Everyone passes.”
Looking up at the slightly bitter expression on his face, Xiaolin murmured, “Father…”
Lexia hugged Xiaolin as the audience cheered loudly.
“You did it, Xiaolin-sama! Congratulations!”
“Hyah!”
“That was so cool!”
“You were so focused, and your training paid off. Great job!”
“Thanks, Lexia-san and the others made it possible.”
Seeing the four happy people, the princes and princess gritted their teeth in annoyance.
“Kuh, it’s unheard of for a half-breed to participate in the prestigious trial ceremony…”
“I-it’s just a patchwork. She’ll drop out early anyway…”
“That’s right. You’ll be sorry you didn’t quit the competition, you know?”
On the stage, the Emperor began to explain the trial ceremony.
“You will now take on the three trials that are scattered throughout the country. The first trial is to obtain a piece of the Mirror of Truth at the Lake of Sorrow. Once you have each piece of the mirror, the next trial will be revealed. Only those who have the strength, determination, and courage to overcome the second trial will be able to take on the final trial. Up to three followers may accompany you. As candidates for the next emperor, you must show unashamed strength.”
The soldier handed the scroll to the heirs.
Mao and Yue frowned as they quickly unfolded the scroll.
“Is this… ‘Show me your power’…?”
“Is this all there is? What in the world does that mean?”
The scroll said only one word: “Show me your power.”
“I see, that’s it.”
Lu Won placed his hand on the scroll and manifested the dragon’s power.
The moment he touched the orange light, a map appeared on a blank sheet of paper.
Seeing this, Yue and Mao also poured their dragon power into the scroll.
“Heh. The destination appears on the map through the dragon power.”
“The dragon power must be used to reach the trial. Fufu, too bad, right, Xiaolin?”
“…..!”
Xiaolin desperately tried to use her power, but the scroll remained blank.
Lu Won told his followers.
“Now, let’s go! We’ll get the Mirror of Truth before anyone else!”
“Will you witness our courage, Father?”
Mao asked, and the Emperor shook his head solemnly.
“No. I have urgent business to attend to. I wish you well in your endeavors.”
There was a shadow of thoughtfulness in his expression.
The emperor took one last look at Xiaolin and left the hall.
“Father…”
“Then, Xiaolin. At least make sure you don’t die.”
“Well, if you don’t have the map, you won’t even be able to reach the destination, will you?”
The prince and the others started to leave.
Lexia stood in front of Mao.
“Get out of my way.”
“No. You should apologize to Xiaolin-sama for your cowardly interference earlier.”
“What? That’s none of your business.”
“It is our business. We’re Xiaolin-sama’s tutors.”
“Tch, don’t you dare tell me what to do!”
“What? You’re Xiaolin-sama’s brother, right? Be nice to your little sister! Or I will punish you!”
“Wha, hey, don’t touch me like that!”
Mao raised his eyebrows as Lexia tugged at his side, and Lu Won and Yue shouted in annoyance.
“Hey, don’t mind the fool. You’re wasting your time.”
“Fufu, I’ll leave you to it, right, Mao?”
“Kuh…! If you ever interfere with me again, I won’t tolerate it! Let’s go, guys!”
The prince and the others, each accompanied by three attendants, left, leaving Xiaolin behind.
“Goodness, that’s rude!”
“Don’t waste your energy on unnecessary quarrels, Lexia. The trial has already begun.”
Xiaolin, holding a blank scroll in her hand, was at a loss.
“But what can I do? I can’t reach the Lake of Sorrow… I don’t have the dragon power; I can’t even try the trials…”
Then Lexia smiled wryly.
“I actually put incense powder on Prince Mao’s clothes earlier for just such an occasion!”
“Eeeehh!? Lexia-san, you did that in such a short time…!”
“Well, Tito, go after him!”
“Yes, I’ll take care of it!”
“Lexia-san, you’re amazing…!”
Luna looks back at Xiaolin with the luggage.
“Come on, we’re leaving too. Are you ready?”
“Yes! ──Ah, I’m sorry, please wait a moment!”
Xiaolin rushes over to her mother, Yuri, who is watching from the royal seat.
Watching with bated breath, Yuri took Xiaolin’s hand, her eyes moist.
“Oh, Xiaolin. You have become so strong and… admirable. I never knew you had that kind of power… and I’m so glad that Lexia-sama and the others were able to tutor you.”
“Thank you. I’ll be going now, Mother.”
“Yes, please be safe. I’ll wait for you when you return.”
Xiaolin smiled and nodded, joining Lexia and the others.
In the midst of all this, there was one person who stood out in the guest of honor area.
“Lexia──! Don’t go, come back! I knew it; I can’t let you go through that dangerous trial…!”
“Your Majesty, please calm down…!”
Lexia waved cheerfully at the distraught Arnold and at Owen, who desperately tried to hold him back.
“Well, I’ll be off then, Father, Owen! Look forward to your souvenirs!”
“What are you going to bring me as a souvenir of this grueling trial? Let me go, Owen! I will do whatever it takes to get Lexia back!”
“This is a public event! If the royal family is shown to be in disarray, some nations may see an opportunity to take advantage of us!”
“My beloved daughter, who is dearer to me than anything else, is about to die, and I will not stand idly by! Enough, I’m going with her!”
“Are you really the king? Kuh, Lexia-sama, just be safe and…!”
Lexia and the others left for the trial, much to the chagrin of Arnold and Owen.