Mixed Blessing System

The Province Conference, which took place in each administrative subdivision of Leopoldine, benefited the families with the best results, that is, with the most significant future potential.

But there were not always new benefits. On the contrary, on many occasions, what was part of the prizes in these competitions were already explored lands, items, or advantages.

Regarding land, this meant that most of the time, the land was just reallocated to new families. In other words, they were not new areas of exploitation given by the imperial family to its vassals. An example is the Frost family's mines. This organization could lose part of its possessions if it ended badly in this competition.

Thus, it was unusual that this competition brought new benefits in terms of exploration areas to the best-placed organizations.

Therefore, when the old man from before talked about five new areas, among them a crystal mine, an indispensable resource for high-level cultivators, the nobles in the coliseum went into turmoil.

"Crystal mine?"

"My goodness, I didn't think something so valuable would be the prize for the winner of this edition!"

"Imagine how rich this family will become with this prize? They will surely enter a new level!"

Many comments arose in the common area of the coliseum, as the VIP viewers and the event participants showed more interest.

"Crystal mine, huh?" Lothur commented to his wives, surprised by this.

He had already learned about all the currencies in Concordia and the importance of crystals for cultivation at higher levels.

In short, a spiritual crystal could be used by cultivators from the 2nd stage on, generating attribute points for those who used them.

Lothur had concluded that after talking with Elke and Annaliese, so he understood how important it was to have crystals.

Families usually had to work on several projects to produce enough gold coins to buy crystals. So, how valuable would it not be to have a mine?

Viktoria nodded upon hearing Lothur's interested tone and said. "That's a surprise... Or perhaps, a way for the emperor or the imperial family to reward their favorite?"

Annaliese looked curiously at her older sister since she was not aware of the essential matters of the family. "What do you mean?"

Lothur answered in his wife's place. "Viktoria doubts whether this is a prize from an actual competition or a benefit that the imperial family is giving to House Waldauer."

Viktoria was pleased to see her husband understanding her so well. "Everyone knows that House Waldauer is the strongest in the province, having placed first in the Province Conference rankings for many years. So, to put that possibility as a prize for first place is tantamount to giving that family such a thing..."

"Oh?" Annaliese realized the problem.

Viktoria sighed and continued. "But at least there are prizes for the other families who place in the top three positions. So, that's not bad, even considering that the Waldauer family will once again come in first."

The other families ahead of Viktoria's house were not that different from each other.

Yes, some were stronger than others, but it was not a difference to the point that it would be impossible to think of, for example, the 7th place ranking beating the 5th. Such a thing was possible, and that's why Viktoria did not think the remaining prizes would necessarily go to families already 'chosen.'

As they continued talking about this, the members of the highest ranked families in the last tournament were vibrant about these prizes.

No one doubted that the Waldauer family would be in the top position at the end of the Province Conference. So every person preparing to represent their family or even assist their juniors had the prizes for 2nd and 3rd place in mind.

That was something they knew they could get, so they could not help but be excited about the presentation of this event.

The old man speaking of such a competition continued with his words. "We will also follow up with the arrangements from the last tournament. The 1st place will get a 100% tax discount for the first year, decreasing by five percentage points each year until the next competition. The 2nd with 90%, followed by 80% for the 3rd... And 10% for the 10th place in the rank."

"In addition, those who rank up to three positions below their previous ranking will lose part of their territories, and those who rank up to three positions above may gain new fractions in their territories."

He looked thoughtfully at the areas where the leaders of these competing organizations were. "This will be judged and can be followed up after the conference is over, as in previous years."

After he explained all that, only the newcomers in this competition were surprised by these methods since the older ones there were already used to such a thing. So, without much discussion among the audience, the old man soon proceeded to the part where he would explain how the following days of competitions would be.

"In the next few days, we will begin the competitions between the tournament candidates in their respective areas of expertise." He gestured with his hands, looking from one side of the coliseum to the other.

"As everyone should know, the candidates are free to join whatever contest they prefer, but they are required to participate in at least one trial per day and a maximum of five trials, with at least one combat."

This was why the Frost family could not subdivide any more trials among its family members. There was an upper limit on the number of trials a candidate could take.

On the other hand, although it was common in this world for people to learn at least two professions, usually warrior plus something else, there were not many like that in House Frost.

As such, the elder from earlier had thrown the responsibility on Lothur to do more examinations in the place of the two young men who were bedridden.

But these tests such old man was talking about were not necessarily entirely different exams. In this world, there was also a subdivision of warriors, those who fought individually and collectively.

Because of this, an individual who was only a warrior could participate in two tests involving fighting. One in teams and one individual.

As for the others, such an individual would need to have a spiritual profession for this.

In the case of Viktoria and Annaliese, neither of them had Lothur's professions, but they studied different fields. For example, his wife did spiritual painting, as well as being a musician. As for his sister-in-law, she was a spiritual sculptor and a cook.

In this way, both could participate in four tests each, and because of their limitation of professions, the family could not put even more weight on their shoulders.

Anyway, Lothur was pleased to hear those sweet words of the old man presenting the rules of the Province Conference, already pondering how he should go about this competition.

'For now, I only have three professions since I have not yet learned medicine nor alchemy, which are my interests. Then I will have to participate in collective combat...' He pondered as he listened to that man explain the trials.

...