The Cornflower Witch Chapter 258

A week later, Sylphidya hosted Lucas, who had come to visit, at her mansion.

In the tall, empty, yet resplendent hall, Sylphidya wore a pale white and goose-yellow gown, even her hair tie was a pale white and goose-yellow silk ribbon. As she sat on the sofa, those familiar with the place might have felt a sense of déjà vu, for her demeanor subtly echoed Madam Fran’s back then.

However, amidst the similarities, there were subtle differences. Perhaps Sylphidya had a bit more of a maiden’s unique beauty and charm, and a little less of a mature woman’s graceful elegance.

“This is ‘Snow Orchid Tea.’ I wonder if Senior Lucas likes it.” At Sylphidya’s gesture, Lucas picked up the teacup on the table and sipped it slowly.

“It’s a very nice flower tea. Did Tiya blend it herself?” He took a small sip, savoring the flavor.

“I do make it myself sometimes, but the one you’re drinking today was left by my former teacher,” Sylphidya continued, noticing a hint of question in Lucas’s eyes.

“While studying Arcane History Knowledge with Scholar Hyde in Scorched Stone City, I also followed another gardener in this mansion, learning related skills and knowledge.”

“Many of my foundations were laid during that time.”

Recalling her path as a gardener, her most important abilities and secret arts were all learned from Madam Fran, who truly deserved to be called her enlightened mentor.

“Here? That’s a truly excellent starting point then.” Lucas looked around, a little emotional.

He was born into a commoner family in Scorched Stone City. Although his parents were also city officials and not impoverished, there was still a significant gap compared to Sylphidya.

“Yes, I’m very grateful that Teacher Fran took me in and taught me back then, otherwise I would probably have suffered a bit,” the girl blew on her tea, recalling past events.

The two sat and reminisced about many past events in Scorched Stone City, and the originally unfamiliar pair became a little more acquainted.

“I didn’t expect you to have studied with Winnie back then,” Lucas said, slightly surprised.

“Do you know Winnie, Senior Lucas?” Sylphidya asked curiously.

“Yes, but she had just arrived at Scholar Hyde’s at that time. She was still very small, a bit stubborn and shy, and the teacher even asked us older students to look after her.”

“But after that, everyone slowly got to know her. She was a rare type among girls, able to patiently read books and ponder questions.”

“Over time, everyone developed a certain impression of her.”

“However, her talent in the Transcendent Aspect path was mediocre, which made Scholar Hyde a little regretful, but he still doted on her and later helped her arrange a marriage.”

“I don’t know what happened after that. I had already left Scorched Stone City to study in the Forest Land by then.”

Having recalled the past, Lucas also felt a sense of nostalgia.

That night, the two dined with a group of old acquaintances at a restaurant in Scorched Stone City. Here, Sylphidya met students from Scholar Hyde’s previous cohorts, many of whom were in their thirties, in the prime of their lives.

Everyone gathered around them, thanking them for resolving the crisis in Scorched Stone City. The truth of the city’s transformation had gradually become clear to them during this time, as their assistance was needed to manage the city effectively.

Here, Sylphidya also met her classmate, Yerro, again.

The once chubby boy was now much tanner, his former fat replaced by some muscle, which significantly changed his overall demeanor.

“Tiya…”

Yerro, seeing Sylphidya, wanted to greet her familiarly, but the influence of the Aspect Tier emanating from her made him somewhat reserved.

“Senior Yerro, long time no see.” Sylphidya curtsied, her demeanor still the same as before, even a little more lively.

Seeing that his junior sister didn’t look down on him, Yerro breathed a small sigh of relief and began to recount his experiences over the past few years.

“I first traveled to several other cities for studies, and then the war broke out, so I hid in a village and lived there for almost a year.”

“Village life was very poor and simple, but it also made me realize the true situation of many farmers. It was during that year that I probably grew a lot,” Yerro explained, touching his head. “Now I work in Wheat Field Town, coordinating and guiding local farmers in their farming. The income isn’t much, but it’s more stable.” Saying this, he seemed a bit unsure of himself.

“That’s very impressive, Senior Yerro.” The girl clasped her hands together, her eyes filled with admiration, a gaze that made Yerro a bit uncomfortable, causing him to quietly turn his face away.

The girl couldn’t help but compare him to the quiet, chubby boy in her memories, thinking, “I never thought Senior Yerro could be shy too.”

“Wheat Field Town, I remember that used to be Knight Levin’s territory. How is Valenny now?” Sylphidya thought of the girl who had taken her notebook.

“Valenny…” Yerro’s expression was a little emotional.

“When the war broke out, she hid in the countryside, avoiding the most dangerous period. However, her father, Knight Levin, died in battle, and the town owned by their family is now occupied by the Anti People.”

“Now she lives in the remote Taishi Town, where she has a distant relative, but it’s said she’s not happy living there.”

“It seems her elder relative asked her to help with family chores, and she was particularly unwilling, feeling wronged, and argued several times.”

“I see. What about the other classmates?” Sylphidya wanted to know what happened to her other friends.

“Most of the others are still in Scorched Stone City, but they are generally ordinary, without any special changes.”

“Barron, the former heir to Baron Horlin, the one who tried to pursue Iona, his grave is in the mountains on the west side of the city,” Yerro recalled events from two years ago.

“At that time, when the Anti army arrived, Scorched Stone City resisted for a while, only surrendering when they were truly no match.”

“In that battle, Barron and his father, Baron Horlin, were struck by an expert archer from the enemy army and died on the spot.”

“Ray went to Forge City after studying as a blacksmith in Scorched Stone City for a year. At that time, the war had just broken out. Forge City, having many craftsmen, and the Anti People also needing these craftsmen, adopted a conciliatory policy, so they probably didn’t suffer much damage.”

“Komia went to a witch organization north of Meteor Lake. I received a letter from her a year ago, saying she was doing well there.”

“Solin had previously gone to Wind Cliff City, which was the front line against the Anti People and the most severely war-damaged place. I don’t know what happened to him afterward.”

“Mike went to other cities to become an adventurer. I haven’t heard from him in a long time and don’t know his whereabouts, but as long as he doesn’t directly participate in the war, probably no Anti People will target him. With his abilities, if he just hides in some deep mountain, the Anti People won’t find him.”

“Karen occasionally returns to Scorched Stone City. She should be in Stream Valley City now, but the situation there is very unclear, as Stream Valley City has changed hands twice and is now a key target for suppression by the Anti People.”

Three years later, familiar classmates and friends had scattered like flowers.

Afterward, Sylphidya thanked Yerro, and after some thought, gifted him a White Stone Chess Piece.

【White Stone Chess Piece】(First-tier Castle): A chess piece condensed by a noble with a title, possessing the “castle” Aspect power, capable of elevating a person with the capacity to bear it to a “First-tier Castle” (the bestowal of such a chess piece often signifies ennoblement).

She had kept it for Madam Fran when she stayed at her residence, and later Madam Fran directly gave it to her.

Although Yerro primarily focused on ‘Secret Words’, he had also learned many castle-related secret arts from Scholar Hyde, so it should be useful to him.

Sylphidya actually had a more valuable “Third Tier Castle” chess piece, which was a gift from the “Iron Wall Crown Furnace” school. However, giving such a treasure to Yerro, who was only “First-tier,” would only bring disaster upon him.

After some thought, Sylphidya decided to also give Yerro some of the 【Sunflower Seed Oil】 (First-tier Blazing Sun) that Madam Fran had left for her in the mansion.

“I won’t be staying in Scorched Stone City for long, and I’ll probably have to trouble you a lot in the future, Senior Yerro. Please don’t be a stranger,” the girl said softly.

Under the young girl’s gentle words, Yerro accepted with both gratitude and a touch of embarrassment.

In just three short years, this once delicate junior sister had grown into a prominent figure.