When Shao Yun returned to the Knights of Favonius Headquarters with Klee, it was just in time for the written portion of the Knightly Exam to end.
At that moment, Noelle emerged from the main gate alongside the other candidates who had just finished their written test.
Some of them were eager to stretch their muscles so they could unleash their full strength in the upcoming combat assessment.
Others made use of the thirty-minute break to fish a few candies from their pockets, replenishing their energy in preparation for the next challenge.
Shao Yun, holding Klee in his arms, approached Noelle with concern: "I didn't come too late, did I?"
The instant Noelle saw Shao Yun, a strange warmth welled up in her chest. Her lips curved ever so slightly into a barely noticeable smile.
Then she shook her head gently and replied softly: "No, the written exam just ended."
At that moment, her gaze happened to fall on the lantern floating beside Shao Yun. Curiosity got the better of her, and she asked: "And this floating lamp is…?"
Nestled happily in Shao Yun's arms, Klee beamed with delight.
She proudly pointed to the floating lantern and chirped: "This is a gift from Mommy! Isn't it pretty? And Mommy's voice comes from inside—it talks with me!"
As she spoke, Klee reached out with her tiny hand to touch the lantern, basking in its wonder and warmth.
From within the ornate lamp came Alice's familiar, soothing voice, carrying a gentle magic that calmed hearts: "Hello there, Miss Noelle."
The moment she recognized the voice as Klee's mother, Noelle's straightened posture grew even more erect. A radiant smile blossomed across her face.
Without hesitation, she bent her knees in a graceful maid's curtsey, offering Alice her deepest respect.
Even though she didn't know whether Alice could see her gesture through the lantern, Noelle's commitment to etiquette and respect remained unwavering.
"Miss Alice, greetings. I am Noelle, Maid of the Knights of Favonius, here today to take the knight's examination." Noelle said softly.
Hearing Noelle's sweet, honey-like words of address filled Alice with unspoken delight.
"Do your best, Noelle. I have high hopes for you!"
Encouraged by Alice's words, Noelle felt a surge of determination.
"Thank you very much for your encouragement, Miss Alice!"
She clenched her fists tightly, inwardly vowing to perform at her very best.
…
After a short while, Acting Grand Master Jean appeared before the assembled group, calm yet approachable as always.
Checking the time, she decided it was right. She clapped her hands lightly, signaling the candidates to gather.
"All right, candidates. Next we proceed to the critical combat assessment. The first task looks simple… but it is anything but."
"You must shatter the wooden stakes before you in under two seconds. You are not allowed to seek outside assistance. Beyond that restriction, you may use whatever methods you can think of. Remember—each of you has only one attempt."
"This will test not only your strength, but also your wisdom. I hope you all give it everything you've got."
At her words, the candidates' expressions turned solemn. Their hearts pounded with a mixture of nerves and anticipation.
They quickly assembled in orderly fashion, their synchronized movements as though polished by countless drills.
Noelle gave Shao Yun and Klee a gentle wave, her lips curving into a warm smile: "I'll head to formation now."
…
Once the candidates were in place, Shao Yun carried Klee to the training grounds of the Knights of Favonius. His eyes were fixed on the field, awaiting the first real trial.
Kaeya lazily glanced down at the list in his hand before calling out: "First up, Ellin!"
At once, a brown-haired girl with a simple ponytail stepped forward timidly, her trembling hands betraying her nerves.
"H-Here!"
Kaeya's lips quirked into his practiced professional smile.
"Your task is this: destroy eight wooden stakes within two seconds."
Hearing the requirement, Noelle couldn't help but murmur softly to herself: "Eight stakes in two seconds… that's no small feat. But with Ellin's strength, she should be able to manage it."
Standing close enough to converse, Shao Yun weighed the eight stakes as they were set in a half-circle.
"I'm curious to see how she'll approach this. It looks simple, but her method might surprise us."
Klee, however, was bouncing with excitement, cheering at the top of her lungs: "Big Sister Ellin, you can do it! I believe in you!"
Ellin often practiced her swordsmanship on this very training field, and Klee had spent plenty of time playing with her. They had long since become close friends.
Hearing Klee's encouragement filled Ellin with warmth.
She turned back with a bright, determined smile and nodded firmly: "Mm! Thank you, Klee. I'll make it!"
Shao Yun recognized her—she was indeed the girl he'd seen training here. If he wasn't mistaken, her father was none other than that excited man in the distance, Hermann.
Ellin approached the eight stakes. If it was only about breaking them, she thought, she should be able to handle it.
She reached into the pouch at her waist, muttering to herself: "This has to work… the Honorary Knight's method!"
From her pouch, she pulled out… a Wind Catcher?
With a toss, it landed squarely in the middle of the half-circle formation.
The moment it shattered, a violent gale burst forth.
The surge of Anemo power tore the eight wooden stakes apart, splintering them in an instant.
Shao Yun blinked, a strange sense of familiarity washing over him—this was just like Sucrose's technique, or even Lumine's Anemo attacks…
Seeing the stakes reduced to fragments, Ellin clenched her fists, beaming with triumph: "Yay! The Honorary Knight's way really works!"
Shao Yun, however, was struck by a thought.
Honorary Knight? Lumine…? That's the third person today connected to her. What are the odds…?
"Wind Catcher, huh? Toss it and the gale blows the stakes away. Practical stuff Lumine taught her. Though this one… seems stronger than the normal wind field."
Jean calmly recorded Ellin's score and gave a satisfied nod: "Ellin, you pass. Next, Noelle."
Taking a deep breath, Noelle stepped forward.
Shao Yun waved encouragingly from behind: "Go on, I believe in you. You've got this."
Klee joined in with her tiny fists pumping: "Good luck, Big Sister Noelle!"
…
Kaeya explained Noelle's trial with unusual gravity: "Noelle, your task is 'simple.' In two seconds, you must shatter six stakes, divided into two separate groups of three."
He paused, his eyes gleaming with interest, and added: "You may, of course, use props as Ellin did."
But Noelle merely tilted her head slightly before answering, her voice firm: "Understood. But I trust in my own strength."
She strode toward the stakes—two groups, spaced apart.
Flexing her wrists lightly, she called forth her Favonius Greatsword in a flash of brilliance.
Though heavy in others' hands, to her it was no more cumbersome than a simple one-handed blade.
The gleaming weapon reflected sunlight like a shard of rock crystal, radiating awe.
Noelle's fingers tightened around the hilt. Taking a deep breath, she shouted: "Time to clean up!"
Her Geo Vision flared with golden light at her waist, imbuing the sword with radiant elemental power.
The Favonius Greatsword grew even larger, its blade extending like a jagged ridge of stone, exuding an overwhelming presence.
With a deceptively gentle swing, Noelle unleashed an explosive wave of force, the strike crashing down on the stakes.
The two sets of wooden posts shattered instantly, bursting apart into clouds of splinters.
Shao Yun whooped: "Woah, beautiful strike, Noelle!"
Whether it was truly astonishing or not didn't matter—he had to cheer for her.
Klee, on the other hand, was all sincerity as she jumped and waved: "Noelle big sis is so strong!"
Relaxing after her display, Noelle exhaled softly, a smile of relief crossing her face: "Phew…"
Jean, unsurprised, recorded the result with calm efficiency. She had long since known the measure of Noelle's power.
Then she looked up and said warmly: "Noelle, you pass. Next candidate."
Returning to the line, Noelle brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, flashing a modest smile when Shao Yun praised her: "Impressive."
Patting her toned arm proudly, she replied: "That's the fruit of constant training."
…
Shao Yun remained to watch as other candidates attempted their trials one by one.
Stifling a yawn, he asked Noelle idly: "So it's only stake-breaking? Nothing more challenging?"
Noelle pressed a finger to her chin thoughtfully, a hint of girlish innocence in her expression.
"If I recall, there should also be a 'three-choice' test—dueling a Favonius Knight in swordsmanship, archery, or elemental skill. And then, there's the round against troublesome slimes."
Shao Yun nodded with a small smile: "Let me guess—you'll pick swordsmanship, won't you?"
Noelle answered with firm conviction: "That's right. I'm very confident in my swordplay!"
…
As the stake-breaking phase drew to an end, Jean and Kaeya compared notes.
Once everything was confirmed, Kaeya's trademark smile returned as he announced loudly: "Next, the three-choice exam. Candidates, prepare to take your positions."
Hearing the next stage was about to begin, Noelle turned back to Shao Yun and Klee with a gentle smile: "I'll go take my test now. Wait here for my good news."