The Cornflower Witch Chapter 19

Chapter 19: First Day of Class

At Hylial’s home.

The serene girl was currently sitting in front of a mirror, combing her long hair, but unlike usual, there was a small basin next to her containing fine black powder.

She dipped a wet cotton cloth into water, stained it with the fine black powder, then applied it to her long hair, and evenly brushed it with a comb. Her originally silver-white long hair gradually turned black.

“Does Lia really have to dye her hair black?” Talil stood beside her, helping to spread out the girl’s long hair and assist with combing.

“Yes, that way with makeup techniques to draw my brows, I can change my appearance and aura,” Hylial said, using a technique she learned from the thief’s diary.

“Oh, is this to conceal your looks?” Talil thought of something.

“Yes.”

The girl smoothed the fine black powder with a comb, then used the wet cotton cloth again to dye parts of her snow-white silver hair black.

“Why is that?” Talil didn’t understand. Shouldn’t being beautiful be something to be envied and proud of?

“Because it saves a lot of trouble,” the girl replied softly, occasionally turning her head to check the side of her hair in the mirror.

“Perhaps my former identity was quite extraordinary, but now I don’t have very strong power to protect myself. Being low-key is always a good thing.”

Hylial had recently become aware of the situation in Burntstone City.

There were at least three ‘Level 3 – Castle’ knights here. Their strength was completely overwhelming for ordinary people, and they were also from noble families. If she caught the eye of some important figure, the girl truly wouldn’t know how to escape or refuse.

Sometimes she also felt that her figure and appearance were too striking, but she couldn’t say such things to Talil, otherwise, it would sound like she was showing off.

In the mirror, the girl with pitiful eyebrows, merely by gently shifting her eyes, possessed a charm that made it difficult for others to look away. Hylial didn’t know how her past self had lived; she was probably very well protected.

An hour later, with Talil’s help, she finally dyed all her hair black. At this point, she checked her own status again.

——

Name: Hylial · ※※※※

Race: Human (※※※)

Status: Healthy (Disguise – Low presence)

Talent: Star [Unknown level], Cornflower’s Affection [Rare, upgradeable]

Fate Card: [Sleeping Girl] (Rank: None)

–

Effect: [Discernment Eye Lv.2]

Ability Card: [Breathing Method Lv.2] [Dew Prayer Method Lv.1] [Empty Slot]

Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship Lv.4] [Basic Spearmanship Lv.4] [Gardening Skills Lv.1]

——

After tidying up, the girl changed into a simple robe, which made her look much more ordinary.

However, those eyes… the girl looked at the sky-blue eyes in the mirror and felt they still needed to be concealed. She rummaged around and found some flat glasses she had bought, putting them on. This finally hid her lively eyes, making her appear roughly like an ordinary girl with a studious air.

“Now you’re completely unrecognizable,” Talil circled the girl, observing her several times, astonished by the change in her appearance.

“Going to Scholar Hyde’s classes from now on, I should be able to enjoy a peaceful time,” the girl looked in the mirror, nodded in satisfaction, then stood up.

…

On a new morning, a dozen young figures gathered at Scholar Hyde’s mansion. They varied in height, male and female, and were generally between 14-18 years old. Several of them, by their attire, were clearly not commoners, wearing brightly colored clothes.

Another figure approached from the main gate, wearing a light brown robe. His short, plump figure looked somewhat comical as he walked.

“Why is this fellow Jaero here too?” Some people present recognized the chubby young man.

“They say he couldn’t make it in Creek Valley City, so he had to come back,” a noble scion commented dismissively.

“If Scholar Hyde hadn’t taken him in, he probably wouldn’t have anywhere to study.”

“He’s useless.”

“My dad said before that we could try to win him over and get along, but I think there’s no hope for him.”

“Every year, countless young people seek education, but only a few truly become scholars.”

They discussed the chubby young man until he passed by, and their voices quieted down. It wasn’t that they were afraid of offending Jaero, but simply because Jaero was an officially recognized student of Scholar Hyde, and they didn’t want to displease Scholar Hyde.

…Time passed once again. As the sun gradually rose higher and the temperature began to warm, a conspicuous young man entered the mansion’s front courtyard, accompanied by companions.

He appeared to be under sixteen, with disheveled hair and long, narrow eyes that held a hint of fierceness. He carried a sword strapped to his back in a leather scabbard and wore a homespun linen tunic. His exposed wrists bore many old scars, clearly from battles.

“We’ll see you off here, Mick.”

“Work hard, no, study hard, haha.” His adventurer companions waved.

“I know, you guys,” he tugged at the collar of his shirt, which he wasn’t quite used to, then walked into the front courtyard with watchful eyes.

Although he was also a commoner, he seemed out of place with everyone else here.

Like a wild beast that had just descended from the mountains, many people silently assessed him.

Upon entering the front courtyard, this new student named Mick found a place to stand, and the conversations of the others slowly drifted away from him.

Time quietly slipped by. As the sun climbed higher, some grew impatient.

“Everyone must be here by now. I think Scholar Hyde shouldn’t accept anyone later than this,” someone grumbled, glancing at the sun.

Just as many were growing impatient, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the mansion, followed by a valuable carriage made of walnut wood with gilded bronze trim stopping at the front door. Then the carriage door opened, and the first thing to step out was a pair of delicate small leather shoes, followed by black thigh-high stockings, a red short skirt, a fitted and intricate top, snow-white cuffs, golden short hair, and a girl with scarlet eyes.

“Is this Scholar Hyde’s house?” Her voice carried a hint of arrogance, and her gaze critically surveyed her surroundings.

“Fine, for a rural place, this is acceptable.”

With that, she instructed her attendant to bring down her luggage, who then followed her, carrying it.

The moment this girl entered, she captured the attention of all the students present. Whether it was the nobles or the commoner students, all eyes converged on her, some envious, some awestruck, some greedy, some disgusted, and so on.

Undeniably, the golden-haired girl’s appearance was rare. Dressed in a luxurious gown, she was like a golden peacock blossoming under the sun. Just a few simple movements set many young men’s hearts ablaze.

“Who is she?”

“She must be Viscount Xuefeng’s distant relative,” someone speculated.

“Never heard of her before,” a girl with chestnut-red hair walked over, her eyes full of admiration as she watched the golden-haired girl pass by.

“She came from Whitecliff City.” A noble student who knew the inside story finally revealed the information.

“Oh, Whitecliff City.” Those who heard couldn’t help but gasp softly.

Whitecliff City was the royal capital of the Regas Kingdom, a place countless people yearned for. Someone coming from there naturally elicited envy.

Ignoring everyone present, the dazzling golden-haired girl walked straight into the mansion’s main hall, then beckoned a servant to ask a question.

“Excuse me, is Scholar Hyde at home?” she asked, uncharacteristically toning down her arrogance.

“Please wait a moment.”

The servant, nervous about receiving such an important guest, asked the girl to wait and then hurried to the back courtyard to inquire.

Before long, footsteps echoed from the corridor, and then Scholar Hyde’s wide gray scholar’s robe and white beard appeared before everyone.

“I apologize for making this young lady wait. You are Iona, correct?” His voice was kind and reassuring.

“Hello, I am Iona, Scholar Hyde.”

The golden-haired girl curtsied slightly, then her scarlet eyes looked again at Scholar Hyde, noticing a girl of about her height standing beside the scholar.

With black long hair, dressed in a plain robe, wearing glasses, and holding a thick stack of books in both arms, she looked quite unremarkable.

She’s probably one of Scholar Hyde’s students, the golden-haired girl didn’t pay much attention.

“Since everyone has arrived, have them gather in the front hall,” Hyde instructed the servant beside him to notify the students in the front courtyard.

People gradually entered, and soon everyone gathered in the front hall, listening to the old man’s words and teachings.

The first day of class began just like that.

(End of this chapter)