However, Gobber had no intention of letting Hiccup go, as Hiccup's performance today had truly exceeded everyone's expectations.
Night fell, and the entire Valhalla was illuminated by dim candlelight. Gobber and a group of young Viking Warriors sat around a table.
They planned to conduct a combat summary of the first day's training.
After scanning the room, Gobber looked at the blonde, blue-eyed Astrid and asked, "So, Astrid, what do you think you didn't do well during training today!?"
Because Astrid was the strongest among the younger generation, she was asked first, and Astrid tacitly accepted this order. After glancing at Hiccup, she clenched her fists and said with some annoyance, "I miscalculated the timing of the aerial flip; I was too careless!"
"As a result, the second continuous backflip wasn't done well, otherwise I definitely wouldn't have been eliminated!"
The Twin sister next to her quickly chimed in, "That's right, we all saw it!"
Fishlegs, the chubby boy, also chimed in, "No, no, no! Astrid has already done very well; I can't do it at all!"
He felt that with Snotlout currently seriously injured and unconscious, no one could compete with him for Astrid. At the same time, he subconsciously believed that Hiccup was still the same old Hiccup, and Astrid wouldn't be interested in him at all.
However, Astrid turned her head to Hiccup and asked, "Hiccup, what do you think of my backflip today!?"
Hiccup calmly drank a glass of hot water, controlled his breathing, and then tried his best to contend with the restless emotions of the original body. Then he said with difficulty, "Just so-so!"
After saying this, the emotions of the original body instantly plummeted, and at the same time, the original will was constantly trying to merge.
And his answer equally stunned his companions, and even Astrid herself found it unbelievable.
After all, she was just being humble, deliberately pointing out a mistake of her own, and then saying it with regret, never expecting to get such an answer.
Although Hiccup was not a master of romance or a seasoned heartbreaker, he understood the principle of playing hard to get. When everyone else is praising, it's time to do the opposite.
Give an ambiguous answer to pique a girl's defiance and curiosity, so that the conversation can continue, rather than just fawning over her.
But in fact, Hiccup had no intention of playing games with Astrid. After all, in his eyes, it was just learning a backflip and happening to encounter a sickly Gronckle.
If he had encountered a more agile Dragon, he would have been killed on the spot, with no surprises at all. A rookie is a rookie, and it's inevitable to become arrogant due to a little bit of excellence!
Indeed, Astrid was unconvinced, but she didn't get too angry and said, "What do you mean 'just so-so'!? Explain yourself!"
Seeing the atmosphere become delicate, Iron-worker Gobber quickly interjected, "Astrid is right, you must be strict with yourselves!"
At the same time, Gobber was thinking, "This Hiccup is such a blockhead; at a time like this, he's not even praising Astrid. It seems Hiccup's path to love will be a difficult one!"
Then, Gobber quickly steered the conversation to Snotlout. Looking at the seriously injured and unconscious Snotlout, Gobber said with a smile, "So, what do you think Snotlout didn't do well!?"
The Twins immediately said in unison, "Of course, he shouldn't have provoked the powerful Hiccup Warrior!"
"That's right, this is simply overestimating himself and asking for trouble!"
Fishlegs, the chubby boy, also spoke, "He shouldn't have even appeared. It's a miracle he wasn't eaten by a Dragon!"
"He never stays where he's supposed to be!"
Hiccup helplessly looked at these simple-minded, outspoken Viking youths in front of him and let out a long sigh.
Because according to the original plot, these derogatory terms would have been used against him. Now that Snotlout has become the loser, they naturally fell upon him.
In reality, this cannot be blamed on these young Vikings. Firstly, it's because of the environment they grew up in; they only revere the strong. When dealing with the weak, they find a sense of superiority while also slandering them when they are down.
Secondly, it's because the culture of these Vikings is pitifully sparse, and most of it is about combat. As for things like etiquette, they only ask if it's edible!
The vast differences between Eastern and Western cultures made Hiccup unwilling to join their discussion.
However, Hiccup's sigh caught Astrid's attention. She quickly looked at Hiccup and asked, "Hiccup, what do you think Fishlegs didn't do well!?"
Hiccup simply replied, "Too talkative!"
Everyone didn't understand what Hiccup meant and stared at him blankly.
Meanwhile, the Twin sister embraced her hair and said with a captivated expression, "So handsome! Today's Hiccup Warrior is simply too handsome! He makes me absolutely crazy with fascination!"
"Did you see, my foolish brother? Today, Hiccup Warrior defeated Snotlout with just one move. When, if you can be even one percent, no, one ten-thousandth of Hiccup Warrior, I will already worship you enough!"
The Twins (Brother) was so angry he couldn't speak. He could only leave a harsh remark, "Hmph! Foolish sister, just wait. Today is only the first day of training. One day I will make you deeply worship me!"
"Oh! Will that be the day the North has no snow, or the day the oceans dry up? My foolish and arrogant brother!"
As she spoke, the Twin sister's eyes remained fixed on Hiccup.
And when Astrid saw this scene, a competitive feeling immediately arose in her heart, as if to say, if she couldn't have something, no one else should either.
Once a woman's heart develops a desire to win against other women because of a man, then that man is bound to experience a period of painful yet joyful days!
Don't ask me how I know; if you ask, it's because a friend told me.
Hiccup saw the two terrifying women looking at him with eyes that could eat people, while Fishlegs, the chubby boy, drooled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Gobber, observing this scene from the side, clearly understood that today's summary would likely end here.
However, when he saw that two girls had a liking for Hiccup, he still gave Hiccup an encouraging look.
Coupled with Gobber's thoughtful smile, it was as if one could read Gobber's wish for Hiccup to win them all from that expression.
And Hiccup said with a hint of disdain, "I'm tired! I'm going back to sleep!"
The Twin sister immediately said excitedly, "It's so dark already, let the brave Ruffnut escort you back!"