The Cornflower Witch Chapter 15

Chapter 15: The Returning Student

In the afternoon, the scorching sun blazed.

A common, old horse-drawn carriage creaked slowly into Burntstone City.

Several minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of a quiet residence in the western district. A chubby boy, about 17 years old, jumped out. He was dressed in plain, durable brown robes, with a thick, brass-bound book hanging from his leather belt, and a wooden box with worn, whitened edges strapped to his back.

Arriving at the residence, he stood on tiptoe to look into the garden within the iron fence, then lifted the knocker on the iron gate and tapped it.

Soon, an old servant came at the sound and saw the chubby boy.

“Ah, Yero, you’re back. What brings you here?” He recognized the young man as one of Scholar Hyde’s former students.

“I heard that Mr. Hyde is preparing to teach again, so I rushed back immediately.”

“I didn’t expect someone as reserved as you to be so well-informed this time.” The old servant opened the iron gate, letting Yero in.

“Lord Hyde is taking an afternoon nap right now. You’ll probably have to wait a bit to see him. Go rest in the side hall for a while.”

“Okay, thank you, Grandpa Manson.” He familiarly walked into the small courtyard in front of the residence, then entered a small room in the side hall and sat down.

About an hour later, a soft footsteps sounded from inside the house, and then a long-bearded old man in a bathrobe came to the side hall. Soon after he sat down, a maid brought him fresh cold tea.

“Manson told me you were back as soon as I woke up.” He pushed up his reading glasses on his nose and carefully scrutinized the young man opposite him.

“I apologize, Teacher Hyde.” Yero first stood up and bowed apologetically, then straightened up to explain.

“For the past two years, I’ve been in Stream Valley City… it didn’t feel right, perhaps I couldn’t adapt to the environment there, so I earnestly request to return to you and continue my studies.” Yero sounded a bit ashamed and dispirited.

“Good child, tell me anything that’s bothering you. Why are you so reserved today, *chuckle*.” Scholar Hyde’s laugh eased Yero’s緊張 heart.

Yero held immense respect for this white-bearded old man, over eighty years old. Not only was he his mentor, but he also took great care of him in life. Otherwise, as a commoner, it would have been difficult for him to pursue knowledge and become a scholar.

“After I left you, I took your letter of recommendation to Stream Valley City to study under Scholar Halwin there…” He began to recount his experiences of the past two years.

“The environment in Stream Valley City is different from Burntstone City; it’s very superficial, and everyone is enthusiastic about various arts and fashions. I don’t know any of that, and I couldn’t join in the conversations.” In the new environment, this student from the countryside found it hard to integrate with his classmates.

“Furthermore, most of them are descendants of nobles, or at least from good families, and I…” His voice faltered, and even without him saying it, Scholar Hyde could guess the situation he faced at the time.

“It seems it was my mistake. I shouldn’t have recommended you to Stream Valley City back then.” Hyde shook his head slightly, stroking his beard as he spoke.

“No, it’s not. It’s my own inadequacy. Fitz, on the other hand, got along well with the local students.” Fitz was also a student who studied under Scholar Hyde two years ago, along with Yero.

“Everyone has different personalities and characteristics; there’s no need to compare yourself to others.” Hyde raised his hand slightly, signaling Yero to sit down.

“I roughly understand your situation.”

“Don’t let the past bother you. For a while, you can continue your studies here with me.”

Hearing this, Yero’s eyes lit up. He suppressed his inner joy and nodded gratefully.

“Thank you, Teacher!”

“*Chuckle*, you’re also lucky.” Stroking his beard, Hyde remembered something.

“Actually, I wasn’t planning on teaching anymore; you know I’m quite old.” He took a small sip from the teacup in front of him. “However, Viscount Xuefeng specifically asked me to take on a student this time, and I thought it wouldn’t be good to just teach one person in isolation.”

“Interacting with peers, and the resulting comparison, competition, communication, and friendship, are all essential for one’s growth.”

“‘If there is no mirror, how can one know one’s own appearance?’ This is the necessity of interacting with peers.”

“By observing children of the same age, one can understand their own strengths and talents, whether it’s eloquence, quick thinking, or being relatively ordinary, and so on.”

“Only by truly understanding oneself can one begin a life.”

“So, I had people spread the word that I would once again recruit young people for instruction.” He set down his cup.

“In that case, has my return interfered with your original intention?” Yero felt ashamed again.

“Heh, no need to be so cautious.” Scholar Hyde leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes slightly to rest.

“The student Viscount Xuefeng asked me to especially take care of is also 17 years old. She comes from a very distant place and is the daughter of the former Viscount Karen.”

“Viscount Karen?” Yero remembered something, his voice filled with doubt.

“Your guess is correct, it’s Viscount Karen, who was stripped of his title last year.” Hyde explained slowly.

“In the ‘Windmill War’ two years ago, the Kingdom of Regas suffered a great defeat, with heavy casualties among the knights and soldiers it had summoned. This infuriated the Grand Duke, and Viscount Karen, as the commander, was held accountable. He was stripped of his title after the war and has been imprisoned in the water dungeon of Whitecliff City ever since.”

“If not for the fact that Viscount Karen was once a favorite in the capital and accumulated many connections to intercede for him, he would have lost his life long ago.”

“He himself will likely never leave prison in this lifetime, but he has a daughter outside, who is the student I am to teach this time.”

“Why not seek education in Whitecliff City? Naturally, it’s because too many knights died in the ‘Windmill War,’ offending many nobles. Burntstone City is located in the remote southern part of the Kingdom of Regas, with less interaction with the central region, so the involvement is very shallow.”

“Two generations ago, Viscount Xuefeng had a daughter who married into the Karen aristocratic family, who is now the paternal grandmother of the current Viscount Karen. So, the two families have a kinship connection.”

“So, do you understand why Viscount Xuefeng specifically interceded and asked me to teach?” Scholar Hyde opened his eyes.

“I understand.” Even though he understood, another kind of unease rose in Yero’s heart. He didn’t understand why his teacher was telling him so many secrets.

“*Chuckle*, you’ll eventually come into contact with nobles and their peculiar circles anyway. This is also to train you in advance.” Hyde directly cleared up Yero’s confusion.

“That girl’s name is Iona. It’s said she was once a celebrated socialite in Whitecliff City, adored by many, but now her circumstances have plummeted. My colleagues in Whitecliff City tell me this child is not easy to get along with.” Saying this, Scholar Hyde paused.

“From now on, she will be your classmate. How do you plan to get along with her?”

“You don’t have to tell me the answer now; I just want you to start thinking and gradually find your own suitable method.”

“If your goal is to join the ‘Candlefort School,’ then you should also know that the best path for a scholar is to assist noble families in managing affairs, developing their territories, and solving various problems. In this process, you gradually verify what you have learned, achieve the balance of the Threefold Law, and then advance.”

“The path of suffering is unavoidable.” — An ancient sage’s箴言.

“Consider this the test I’ve set for you, Yero.”

“Yes, Teacher.” He bowed solemnly again, his small, earnest face filled with fighting spirit.

(End of this chapter)