"Competitive points transfer?"
"Hmm, if I'm not mistaken, Plastic Knight's original points have been transferred to an unknown Knight."
"What does that mean?"
"Plastic Knight had quite a few points. With these points, this Knight, who came from who knows where, will quickly qualify for the melee round, and qualifying at this time makes it very likely they will encounter Maria."
Noah explained in detail, but Manner didn't understand the competitive Knight point system, so Noah could only explain the content bit by bit, making it as easy to understand as possible.
"Melee involves multiple Knights. Because the battle is chaotic and difficult to control, it's the type most likely to result in Knights being injured or even disabled. However, because melee itself is popular, Knight sports has tried to cancel the melee round several times but failed. Ultimately, everyone just likes to watch chaotic, rule-less brawls—" Noah also explained why melee exists, as well as its specific rules and dangers. "Maria will participate in this kind of… battle in the next round."
"…You mean? You want me to persuade Maria not to continue competing?"
"If I meant that, you shouldn't be seeing me discussing it with you… instead, the withdrawal certificate would be sent to you immediately." Noah shook her head, "Maria is already famous. I don't think I need to emphasize what that means. The last time Margaret made it to the finals, how many dirty tricks were played against her? Although I wasn't present at the time, I can imagine. And as a spokesperson, my every move is almost monitored, so it's difficult for me to interfere with the arrangement of this melee."
"Maria will be in danger—"
"And the current public opinion is also a bit off. Although Maria did show her rapid progress before, it seems many people are also questioning whether Maria's matches are a kind of show, and there are even rumors that Plastic Knight was bribed, and the venue was actually prepared with explosives in advance, and so on. In short, someone is trying to slander Maria as a Knight hyped up by capital."
Noah continued to add, and at this point, she also found it somewhat absurd.
"…Maria's sword strike was indeed powerful, but honestly, Maria's true strength hasn't reached the level they imagine." Noah said bluntly, "She just can't control her Stone source art, right?"
"Yes." Manner nodded, "I only taught her this release technique, and her own talent in Stone source art is outstanding, so when using this move, she tends to exert too much force. In fact, after that one sword strike, she couldn't continue fighting. It's an all-or-nothing way of using it. If Plastic Knight hadn't conceded and tried to attack Maria, she would have immediately lost that match."
"As I expected… her strength couldn't possibly reach that level in such a short time…" Noah sighed. She knew back then that Maria had more talent in Stone source art than Manner, even making Noah think she was more suited to be a sorcerer or a medical operator, rather than a Knight. However, she also didn't expect Maria's reckless, all-or-nothing approach to create such power.
Unfortunately, this move is a one-shot deal… once used, she's done. In future battles, unless absolutely necessary, she shouldn't be allowed to use this move…
"Maria's training will be temporarily entrusted to you… Uncle Manner, I'll approve a week of paid leave for you first." Noah immediately signed the leave slip, "During this time, try your best to let Maria learn to control her Stone source art. I think this should be prioritized and entrusted to you rather than Kuro."
"…I understand." Manner suddenly regretted teaching Maria the light sword so early. Of course, he also didn't expect that the light sword, originally a simple method of attaching Stone source art to the blade, would turn into a light cannon when Maria used it…
After Manner left, Noah finally breathed a slight sigh of relief, then asked Kuro, who was beside her. "Do you think… Maria will really be alright in the melee? Should I still…"
"She would be very sad." Kuro replied, "I know you care about her and really want her to just withdraw from the competition. But she isn't fighting for anyone now… she's fighting for herself, to protect the Nearl Family family. And now she's even called the Shining Knight Reborn… she can't possibly tarnish her sister's name."
"…I know, I know all of that, which is why I'm worried that child will push herself." Noah was truly walking on thin ice now, worrying about Maria's situation while also having to contend with those old geezers. Her identity as a Commercial Federation spokesperson was also a huge constraint; any attempt she made to protect Maria would immediately lead to impeachment. Although her position might not be affected, the other party would certainly take advantage of the situation to further smear the Lingguang Family.
In fact… this kind of thing had already happened several times in the past.
After Old Tianma, Margaret's grandfather, passed away, the Lingguang Family became a thorn in the side of these people, who wished to kick down this rotten house. Expelling Margaret was just a small test; what they truly wanted, perhaps, was to completely tarnish the glory of the Lingguang Family.
Why do these people hate the Lingguang Family so much… Noah really couldn't quite understand.
However, she had also gotten used to it. In Kazimierz, the capitalist class and the Knight class both wished each other dead, yet had to rely on each other. Only in Kazimierz could one see such a situation.
The soldiers who protect the country and the domestic consortiums have such deep conflicts… It's no exaggeration to say that if domestic capital didn't at least provide military funds to the Zhengzhan Knights, the Zhengzhan Knights would have probably already overrun the Great Knight Territory.
"I think Margaret should be informed first…" Noah thought it over and finally decided to inform Margaret about this matter. As for how to handle it next, it would depend on Margaret's attitude. "Margaret needs to know about this!"
Recalling her childhood friend, Noah's heart inexplicably felt a bit more at ease. As long as Margaret was there… perhaps all these problems before her could be easily resolved.
Sometimes she felt as if she was overestimating Margaret, but she couldn't stop herself from thinking that way—
If Margaret were here, there would always be a way.
Thus, a letter was sent out through Noah's secret channels, and with the help of a familiar messenger, it was delivered to Rhodes Island at the fastest possible speed.
That is, where Margaret was—
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