The Cornflower Witch Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Promotion to Emerald Honey

Two days later than expected, Madame Faran returned to her mansion.

Sitting at the table, she held a gilded teacup in one hand, slowly blowing on it before sipping the rich black tea, listening as the young girl standing before her reported on recent events.

This mysterious and powerful noblewoman had flowing golden hair and an elegant, regal demeanor, completely unlike someone one would expect to see in a remote area like Burntstone City.

After listening to Hylial’s report, she nodded slightly in approval.

“You’ve taken care of the flower fields very well. You are indeed the child I had my eye on.”

“This way, I can worry less in the future.”

“Regarding the advanced knowledge, choices, and precautions you are keen to know, I can explain them to you in detail.”

She put down her teacup, beckoned Hylial to her side, then gently pressed her right hand on Hylial’s hand, inviting her to sit.

“How much do you currently know about advancement?” she began.

“I’ve generally heard about four ways to advance,” Hylial recounted what Scholar Hyde had taught her.

“Hmm, Hyde is right. These are indeed the four most suitable methods you can choose from now,” she re-emphasized the word ‘now’.

“The condensation of a first-order aspect actually doesn’t have many requirements. As long as your ability strength meets them, or if you receive external nourishment, your fate can advance.”

“However, by the second and third order, you can’t be so casual. Especially for certain professions, specific Ability Card combinations are required,” she explained slowly.

“Since you have already learned the Dew Prayer Method, advance with the ‘Dew Prayer Method’ first. Later, I will teach you the ‘Branch Combing Method,’ and then combine the ‘Branch Combing Method’ and ‘Dew Prayer Method’ to transform your fate into a [Gardening Apprentice].”

“When you transform your Fate Card into [Gardening Apprentice], you can integrate the abilities of the ‘Branch Combing Method’ and ‘Dew Prayer Method’ into the effects of the Fate Card, thereby freeing up two [Ability Card] slots to learn other things.”

“Ah, can abilities also be fused?” Hylial heard this for the first time.

“Of course, otherwise, do you think just three abilities would be enough to support a powerful expert?” Madame Faran said playfully, seeing Hylial’s adorable surprised expression.

“However,” she then became serious.

“Not all extraordinary beings do this, because fusing different abilities requires exponentially higher talent, aptitude, and control. If one’s own mastery is average, then don’t even try.”

“I have high expectations for you, Lia.”

“Yes, thank you, Madame,” Hylial thanked her again.

“Alright, since you’re almost ready, let’s advance tonight. I’ll also watch over you during the process to prevent any accidents.”

“Yes, Madame.” Fortunately, she didn’t advance using Swan Orchid. Although that would have granted her the abilities of the Swan Orchid, it would have prevented her from forming a Fate profession like [Gardening Apprentice].

…

At night, Hylial knelt on the carpet in her bedroom, hands clasped over her chest, eyes closed, keenly sensing. As her thoughts moved, the ‘Emerald Honey’ aspect power, originally overflowing from the [Dew Prayer Method], gradually flowed towards the center of her fate disc, towards the [Sleeping Girl] card with its silver vine border.

This subtle ‘Emerald Honey’ aspect continuously flowed into the [Sleeping Girl] card, and the colors in the drawing gradually became more vibrant. Especially the cornflowers next to the girl in the background, which went from sparse to numerous, and their leaves also became denser and more flourishing.

Accumulating bit by bit, a faint, shimmering glow also appeared on the girl’s body, floating and moving around her before disappearing again.

In the dead of night, as the solitary chime of the mansion clock sounded, the [Sleeping Girl] on Hylial’s fate disc gradually reached a critical point.

With what felt like a slight tremor, emerald branches wrapped around and covered the edges of the card, and then the entire Fate Card transformed into [Girl in a Sea of Flowers] (First Order – Emerald Honey).

In the card, the silver-haired girl lay peacefully in a sea of cornflowers. The dense flowers and plants obscured much of the distant sky, with only barely visible shooting stars occasionally twinkling through the gaps in the blossoms.

Name: Hylial MXXXX

Race: Human (Mortal Body)

Status: Healthy (No abnormalities)

Talents: Stars [Unknown Grade], Cornflower’s Affection [Rare Grade, can be upgraded]

Fate Card: [Girl in a Sea of Flowers] (First Order – Emerald Honey)

‘A girl sleeping, not yet awakened, in a sea of flowers, possesses unimaginable potential. Now she has discovered some secrets of the flowers.’

–

Effect [Identification Eye Lv.3]: Originating from special talent and physique, you can discern colors and some essences of things that ordinary people cannot perceive. (When you upgrade the rank of your Fate Card, this ability will also be synchronously upgraded.)-

Effect [Nature Sense Lv.2]: Imbued by the Dew Prayer Method, your perception of all natural things is more delicate and sensitive. Even without Green Eye Potion, you can still perceive some states of plants. (Currently, the effect is about half of ‘Green Eye’.)

Ability Card: [Breathing Method Lv.3] [Dew Prayer Method Lv.3] [Empty Slot]

Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship Lv.4] [Military Swordsmanship Lv.4] [Basic Archery Lv.3] [Basic Spearmanship Lv.4] [Secret History Knowledge Lv.5] [Gardening Techniques Lv.4]

——

Huff, taking small, deep breaths, Hylial opened her eyes, blinked a few times, and then stood up.

Although advancing didn’t directly improve her physical qualities like the ‘Blood Discipline,’ she gained other benefits, progressing further on the path of a gardener.

Reviewing her post-advancement information, the girl walked in the darkness, her fingertips tracing the chair in front of her. Even without her eyes, she could clearly perceive its grain, woody fibers, and hidden structure.

She also heard faint hints of the wind outside and distant street sounds.

Also, she blinked her eyes slightly, and the previously dim world once again became clear and colorful in her vision. Although not as bright as it would be with light, it was certainly sufficient.

Identification Eye was upgraded to Lv.3, and she gained Nature Sense Lv.2. These were the biggest gains from this advancement. Additionally, she felt a faint, abundant power within her, as if she could further promote and guide plants. This was likely the general effect and ability of the ‘Emerald Honey’ aspect.

However, it was already night, so she would have to test it tomorrow.

After checking everything, she gracefully spun a few times on the soft carpet before happily and lightly slipping on her slippers.

She wondered if Madame Faran was asleep yet. She had said she would watch over her to prevent any accidents.

Hylial lit the candle lamp in her room, then carried it and pushed the door open.

The hallway was still lit at night, and in the backyard’s flower fields, numerous sunflowers glowed faintly yellow in the darkness, blurring the night. This scenery made the entire mansion beautiful and pleasant even in the dead of night, not dark at all.

Holding the candle lamp, she came to the bright and splendid living room on the first floor. Madame Faran was still sitting there. She wasn’t surprised by Hylial’s appearance, but nodded approvingly.

“Come here, Little Lia.”

“Since you’ve successfully advanced, you can now be considered my formal student.” Saying this, she beckoned to the girl coming down the stairs.

“Here, this outfit is for you. You can wear it at home or when receiving guests.” She patted the sofa next to her, where a neatly folded delicate yellow dress with white accents lay. Its style was similar to Madame Faran’s usual attire, luxurious and bright, but it looked younger. The white bows added a touch of cuteness.

“Besides this one, there are three other pieces, making a total of four outfits. The reason it took a bit longer this time was because I asked an old friend to tailor them for you.”

“No matter what, since you are my student, like a daughter to me, you must always be dressed beautifully,” she clapped her hands gently, gesturing for Hylial to put away the exquisite and luxurious dress.

“This is the key to the underground storage room. Lining also has one. You can go down and look around by yourself from now on. You can use anything inside as you please, just don’t waste it.”

“Yes.” She took the golden key, which had a beautiful blossom-like end.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Go to bed soon. Remember to put on an outfit tomorrow and let me see it.”

“Yes.”

Holding the dress, Hylial returned to her bedroom with a mix of anticipation and comfort.

But she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

(End of chapter)