The assessment concluded.

In the combat trials, first place scored 120 points, second place 100 points, third place 90 points, fourth and fifth both 85 points, with the remaining students scoring between 70 and 30 based on their performance.

"Komea scored 65 in combat," Yero announced, surprising many students present, though they quickly understood.

Indeed, Komea had defeated Solyn. Even though that ability could only be used once or twice a day, it still demonstrated decent combat prowess.

"Sylutia scored 60 in combat," Yero read out another girl's score, which left many students baffled and confused.

"How does that make sense? Tia didn't even participate in the matches, so how did she get points?" someone protested.

"Tia already had high scores in Secret History class. If you add combat scores to that..." someone felt their ranking was being stolen.

"Miss Tia spent extra time and effort learning gardening-related skills and has formally mastered the Dew Prayer Method, so the teacher converted that into combat points," Yero explained.

"The Dew Prayer Method? What's that?" someone asked, not understanding.

"Doesn't seem particularly useful. Giving 60 points for that is too much—30 would be more appropriate," someone muttered jealously.

"Silence," Yero, as Scholar Hyde's student and current teaching assistant, explained again.

"Miss Sylutia learned the 'Dew Prayer Method' in less than ten days from first exposure to mastery. The teacher considers this quite an achievement, hence the 60-point conversion."

"Additionally, Mick received an extra 10 points for breaking through to the second stage of the Breathing Technique, and Solyn got 10 points for learning 'Power Burst.'"

"If any of you achieve breakthroughs in your skill cultivation during future studies, the teacher will similarly grant bonus points." After his explanation, the students finally accepted it.

"So Solyn's 90 points are essentially tied for second place."

"Wonder who will take second and third in this assessment." The crowd buzzed with discussion.

In the afternoon, Teacher Hyde supervised the Secret History exam and graded the papers on the spot.

"The full score is 100 points. Iona scored 98, Tia scored 100—not much difference. Next is Baren with 91, Komea with 87, Solyn with 85..."

"Finally, Ray scored 43, and Mick scored 36." Those two were like brothers in misfortune when it came to Secret History, ranking at the bottom.

"Composite scores: first place Iona with 218 points, second place Solyn with 185 points, third place Baren with 176 points, fourth place Tia with 160 points, fifth place Toss with 157 points, sixth place Komea with 152 points..."

Once the rankings were posted, students crowded around to look, discussing animatedly.

"Iona took first place as expected. That cloak was probably reserved for her by the Viscount."

"Well, she is his niece, and daughter of Viscount Caren after all."

"Didn't expect Solyn to beat Baren. Those extra 10 points were crucial—otherwise Baren would have been second."

Naturally, Baren was furious about this outcome, but unfortunately he needed to recover from his injuries and wouldn't be attending classes for some time.

"Tia, you were so close to making top three!" Komea threw herself at the girl, and Sylutia caught and set her down.

"Not that close—17 points difference," she replied, not particularly concerned about rankings.

"Let's celebrate tonight! Come to my house—my mom said she'd prepare a feast for us. She told me after watching the matches at noon."

So Komea's parents had come at noon? Sylutia thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, sitting in a private lounge, Iona listened to Valeny's report on the exam results.

First place was undisputedly hers, but she was surprised someone had scored full marks in Secret History, higher than her own score.

"Tia? That girl who wears glasses every day and always carries textbooks?" Iona turned around.

"Yes, Lady Iona, that quiet commoner girl," Valeny spoke with some envy.

"She just memorized everything and took advantage when you weren't paying attention to get high scores."

"Just memorization?" Iona was skeptical. Considering Scholar Hyde hadn't been teaching long and the questions weren't particularly difficult yet, while losing first place was unexpected, it wasn't unacceptable.

"Memorization won't get you high scores later on," Iona mused, having previously studied at the Royal Academy in White Cliff City and knowing the advanced content to come.

Regardless, the name Tia appeared in Iona's memory for the first time, and she grew curious about that usually low-profile figure.

...

That evening, Sylutia and Karen arrived at Komea's home.

It was also in the eastern district, but in a better location. The entire house was built with stone bricks coated in white lime, with an orange-red terracotta tile roof. Creeping vines climbed the side walls, making it particularly charming.

"Welcome~ Tia, and Karen!" Komea's mother looked very kind and capable, wearing an apron with a cloth covering her hair to keep dust off.

After leading her two classmates inside, Komea happily scurried about the house, bringing them delicious honey water, showing off a flower basket she'd made recently, childhood toys, and newly purchased cloth dolls.

The three girls chatted about everything in Komea's bedroom until dusk fell, when Komea's father finally returned home from work at the guild.

"You must be Tia and Karen! I've been hearing about you from Komea lately, haha." Komea's father had a small potbelly and seemed to be a minor supervisor at the guild, with plenty to keep him busy normally.

Once guests and family were all present, everyone sat around a long table chatting, while Komea's mother brought out the prepared dinner course by course.

The main dish was pan-fried steak with butter specially prepared by Komea's mother, sprinkled with expensive spices, accompanied by translucent red currants and a small amount of roasted celery.

Such a main course would cost about 1 silver coin per serving in a restaurant. Even buying the ingredients would cost about 30 copper coins per serving. With five servings plus other side dishes, preparing tonight's meal would total around 2 silver coins—a significant expense even for a relatively wealthy family like Komea's.

During the meal, Komea's father occasionally asked about Tia and Karen's family backgrounds, but didn't pry too much. He seemed more concerned about Komea's recent studies with Scholar Hyde.

Komea's mother spoke less. According to Komea, her mother had a comfortable upbringing, had studied and worked in Valley City, and only later returned to her hometown to marry her father. Her father had originally been a young man from the countryside who came to Scorchstone City and gradually prospered, eventually gaining the guild master's recognition and working his way in.

"They both love me very much, but I feel their relationship is rather plain, not very romantic," Komea shared her feelings while walking Sylutia and Karen out.

"Tia, do you think they had to be together because of me?"

"I don't know," the girl shook her head slightly.

"But even if that were the case, you shouldn't feel guilty or sad about it, because it was their choice."

"What Komea should do is grow up healthy and happy. When you're capable, you can help them solve some problems."

"I see..." Komea looked up at the night sky.

"I always feel like Tia is someone easy to rely on. Even though you might not be strong in fights, being around you is relaxing, and I can't help sharing what's troubling me."

She took a few steps forward, then turned around.

"Thanks for comforting me, Tia. Actually, I'm quite strong—I just overthink things occasionally."

"I'm really happy you and Karen came to my house today. Mom always worries I'm too energetic at Scholar Hyde's and might offend classmates. I'm actually quite clever, but adults..." she shook her head slightly.

"Anyway, today was wonderful—not just showing off in front of teachers and classmates, but having you both with me too."

"See you tomorrow, Karen, and Tia~" With that, she waved goodbye at the intersection and ran back toward the house whose door remained open, light spilling out.

How nice, Sylutia thought quietly to herself.

The past life was beyond recovery. If she still had family in this world, where might they be?

The road ahead is long, with much to seek and explore. The future truly holds anticipation.