The Cornflower Witch Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Black Dream Meditation Method

Inside the carriage, purple velvet adorned the interior. From the outside, it looked like an ordinary carriage, but inside it was as spacious as a house.

Deep purple carpet covered the vast space, with elegant round tables and chairs placed in the center of the carpet. On the table, a steaming pot of tea sat.

“Please sit,” Melinsa instructed Hylial to sit, then gently tapped the table with her folding fan.

Upon hearing the sound, a Black Stork flew in from the window, landing on the table. It seemed to possess intelligence, looking at Lia and Madame Melinsa, then grasping the teapot handle with one foot and pouring tea into the two cups on the table.

The gentle gurgle of water was exceptionally clear in the quiet space. Gazing at the rising steam from the tea, Melinsa first picked up her cup, blowing on it gently.

She seemed to be in no hurry to explain anything to the girl, simply savoring her tea at a leisurely pace.

Hylial held the teacup in her fingers, her eyes curiously studying the Black Stork on the table.

This Black Stork did not seem to be an ordinary creature, but a special bird of the Second-Order Nightmare Aspect.

“This is a Dream-Stealing Bird. It flies into people’s dreams and steals them,” Melinsa said, setting down her cup, blowing on it for a moment, and explaining with a hint of languidness in her voice.

“Steal dreams?”

“Precisely. You can understand it as the disappearance of a certain strong desire, and people become calm.”

“However, this ability usually only manifests at the Fourth-Order and above. Currently, it can at most enter dreams.” Melinsa put down her teacup, a slightly teasing smile playing on her lips under her deep purple eyes.

“The girl who died last night, her name was Iona, right?”

“Yes,” Hylial nodded.

“How do you feel about her death, Lia?”

“Perhaps a little regret, or rather, sadness.”

“Oh, where is the regret, and why the sadness?”

“As for regret, I believe she didn’t have to die there. The sadness is that I think if I were in her shoes, it would be difficult for me to let go. The only reason I didn’t was that I was a little luckier.”

“An interesting answer,” Melinsa covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

“And rather endearing, Lia.”

“This must be the first time you’ve witnessed such a scene, so you’re filled with emotion. But I’ve long ceased to be moved by it.” Her finger gently tapped the table.

“From now on, you’ll encounter even more unscrupulous people in the forest. I hope you’re prepared. I still have high hopes for you.”

“Regarding Iona’s death, you don’t need to worry or explain. I will speak to Viscount Xuefeng, and he won’t inquire further. Other nobles won’t bother with such trivial matters.”

“The team picking you up for the forest will arrive in about a week. Prepare yourself during this time. You won’t be able to return for at least three years.”

“Keep that badge safe. You’ll gradually understand its value and significance later.”

“Consider it an early investment from me. I’m giving you this gem; you have beautiful eyes, and I think you’ll find it very interesting to use.” With that, she slowly slid a purple octagonal gem across the table towards Hylial.

[Purple Gem (Engraved)]: A gem inscribed with a certain secret art or information. When meditating with it on your forehead, you can glimpse its contents.

Although she didn’t know what was recorded inside, Hylial still accepted it, carefully placing it in her palm.

“All right, time is short. I must go to the next place. Let us part here.”

“If you reach the Third-Order someday, you can visit me at the ‘Night Dream Tea Party.’ I believe at that time, we will have much to discuss.”

…

Outside the carriage, Scholar Hyde and Viscount Xuefeng, having heard the account, were greatly surprised to learn that Hylial was the winner of this assessment. However, with the two most important people currently absent, they suppressed their curiosity and began arranging for the students and team members to return.

Afterward, Hylial stepped out of the black carriage, and then the carriage slowly drove away into the distance, disappearing into the forest.

Sitting in the returning team, Hylial was still thinking about her conversation with the witch, and recalling the scene of Iona’s mutation last night. Her head rested gently against the car window, her eyes quietly watching the table.

“What are you thinking about, Lia?” Komia asked, sitting beside her, unable to suppress her curiosity.

“It’s okay. Iona’s death has nothing to do with you. She brought it upon herself,” she whispered reassuringly.

At this moment, Hylial gently shook her head, pulling herself out of her immersed thoughts and memories. Her smooth silver hair made her stand out far more conspicuously than usual today.

Seeing the girl recover, the other students who had been secretly peeking in the car averted their gaze, then pretended to talk enthusiastically with their companions. However, their occasional furtive glances revealed some of their thoughts.

Without glasses and not having her hair styled in a low-key black like before, Hylial today was like a true young lady, surrounded by the focused attention of all the students. Her simple actions, in the eyes of others, seemed incredibly beautiful, and they wondered why they had never noticed such a dreamy girl in their class before.

At first, Hylial merely thought that everyone might be curious because of her significant change.

Later, she found that this attention had exceeded normal levels; even when she leaned back for a nap, many people continued to stare at her.

Awkwardly rubbing her forehead to slightly obscure their gazes, Hylial began to regret not having done a better job of dyeing her hair black again and putting on her glasses before descending the mountain.

For the other students, this journey was probably full of novel topics, a day where they could see a completely new, beautiful girl with silver hair. But for Hylial, the center of everyone’s attention, it was a day of discomfort, shyness, and embarrassment.

…

After returning to Burntstone City, Baron Xuefeng, as the witch had predicted, did not question anything about Iona. Regarding Iona’s death, it was publicly announced as an accident caused by her own undoing.

Although everyone was surprised by this result, Baron Xuefeng held the highest position in Burntstone City, and he was also Iona’s closest blood relative. With even he saying so, no one dared to pick a fight or protest, and few people genuinely cared anyway.

Upon returning home, Hylial was naturally caught by Madame Faran, who meticulously inquired about the process and the final outcome.

“So, you watched her descend step by step and eventually become a twisted monster?” Madame Faran leaned against the sofa armrest, listening to the girl’s narrative.

“That’s right,” Hylial answered honestly.

“That truly sounds like a nightmarish experience. Rest well today. I’ll prepare a soothing herbal tea for you to help you sleep.”

“Thank you, teacher.” At this, Hylial remembered something and pulled out the purple octagonal gem, handing it to Madame Faran.

“This was given to me by that witch, she said it was an additional reward from her personally.”

Taking the gem, Madame Faran examined it, a playful smile appearing on her face, then returned the gem to Hylial.

“Inside is a secret art of the ‘Nightmare’ aspect. It’s very practical and valuable.”

“It seems that witch truly thinks highly of you, to use such a method to tempt you.”

“Temptation?”

“Exactly. Most students newly arrived in the forest lack resources. To learn such a secret art, it would cost a lot of money and contribution points.”

“But if you get it for free, you’ll naturally make good use of it and learn the secret art. Once you’ve learned it, you’ll probably use it for a long time and make it your main core ability.”

“This way, you’ll gradually lean towards the [Nightmare] aspect, and who knows, you might even change your aspect at some point and join their organization.”

“Because the subsequent advancements and other uses for the secret art she gave you are only available through their organization’s lineage.”

“Now that I’ve told you their plan, the choice is yours.”

With that, Madame Faran handed the gem back to Hylial.

[Black Dream Meditation Method] (Nightmare): Mid-level meditation method. Recommended for use after reaching the Second-Order. It allows you to release the shadows deep within your heart in dreams and battle them. After overcoming them, your spiritual power will be further enhanced. Additionally, this meditation method can also be used against enemies, shrouding them in a fearful black dream, causing them to collapse on their own.

(End of Chapter)