The Cornflower Witch Chapter 39

Chapter 39 The Connection of Silk and String

After Scholar Hyde examined Mick, reset his broken bones, and applied medicine, he instructed him to rest well and not move around for the next few days.

“Thank you, teacher.” Mick lay on the bed, feeling somewhat lost and ashamed.

“It’s fine, just rest for now,” Scholar Hyde stood up and motioned for the others to come out as well.

“You all did very well. In the future, you can help each other more with anything that comes up,” Scholar Hyde looked at them with satisfaction.

“Hehe.” Praised by their teacher, the students present couldn’t help but feel happy.

“Lia.” Scholar Hyde suddenly called her name.

“What is it?”

“Could you tutor Mick in his studies when you have time?” he asked.

“I can, but when should I do it?”

“You don’t need to set aside extra time; just during the idle moments of your regular afternoon training.”

“I understand, teacher.” She nodded slightly.

“I’m sorry to trouble you,” Scholar Hyde’s aged hand gently patted Hylial’s shoulder.

“In a couple of days, I’ll give you a treasured book from my collection.”

After speaking, the two left the house and walked side by side through the fields, looking at the golden wheat fields in the village that stretched to the horizon.

“You’re probably quite curious why I’m so concerned about Mick and asked you to tutor him,” Scholar Hyde began.

“A little,” the girl replied.

“Given your status and appearance, even receiving the same treatment as Iona wouldn’t be excessive. Asking you to tutor a child with very weak basics is indeed a bit of an imposition on you.”

“However, I know that you are not a child who envies vanity, and you are very approachable, which is why I reluctantly asked.”

…

“Lia, how do you view this world?” The two stood before the endless wheat fields, gazing at the horizon.

“Many people primarily care about themselves—whether they’ve grown, earned money, or gotten what they wanted, and so on. Few people look further afield.”

“I’m not saying this is bad, but it causes some regret.”

“In fact, many things happening in this world are closely related to us.”

“A flood in Valley City can lead to reduced grain production, causing many poor people who can’t afford expensive grain to starve. For you and me, it might just mean fewer varieties of food on the table.”

“Subtle differences are often overlooked, but these countless subtle differences ultimately affect and change the entire world.”

“Do you remember what I once taught about the origin of ‘phases’?”

“The power of phases we see today is not immutable. Just as the Scorching Sun split and the Phantom Moon disintegrated, other phases have also undergone a long evolution.”

“The ‘Jade Nectar’ you are currently cultivating is actually the legacy of the ancient primordial phase, ‘Mycelium’.” Scholar Hyde stopped walking.

Phase (Mycelium): The connection of silk and string, the mother of past life.

“In the earliest age, the world was like a dull, unmoving bedrock. Then, Mycelium gradually decomposed the bedrock, creating space.”

“Now, only some rare mushrooms still inherit a faint power of Mycelium.”

“Through gradual, subtle erosion, Mycelium took nearly a hundred million years to erode and decompose the chaotic bedrock, forming the vast world we live in.”

“We can now walk safely in the fields, thanks to the help of many people. Some help manage the fields, some maintain order, some drive away wild beasts, some are responsible for medical treatment, and so on.”

“Supernaturals possess power far exceeding mortals, but this power also relies on the fundamental assistance provided by the entire social system.”

“Yearning for a free and unconstrained life is a beautiful thing, but if you’re swimming in a muddy, polluted ocean, you probably wouldn’t be very happy.”

“I actually came from a commoner background. My early years of schooling were incredibly difficult because I lacked money, couldn’t afford books, and couldn’t borrow them. Sometimes I would beg people, only to be ridiculed and beaten. Even now, recalling those scenes saddens me,” Scholar Hyde sighed and stopped walking.

“I actually understand why Mick went to the mountains alone today, so I don’t want to blame him.”

“Everyone has their own circumstances, but some people get used to their own and forget to empathize with others’ situations.”

“I am eighty-seven years old, but even now, I dare not say that this world is full of goodwill. I’ve also seen some of my former classmates and friends, twisted in character and unrecognizable, all for the pursuit of power.”

“When they see me, they’ll laugh and say I’m too weak, which is why I’ve been stuck at the threshold of Level 3 for so long, unable to break through.”

“I’ve seen too many people lose themselves by pursuing certain things, ultimately straying onto the wrong path.”

“Mick has decent talent, but this talent is far from enough to make him stand out among his classmates. His foundation in knowledge is too poor, and the single-minded pursuit of money and power, without considering the impact of his actions and choices, will ultimately lead him astray.”

“In his current situation, I cannot tell him not to rush, to slow down, or to deal with it patiently and seriously.”

“He probably has family he cares about too, and the urgent desire to prove himself; you can tell from how he’s the last to leave the training ground every day.”

“Indeed, I’m already enjoying a comfortable and privileged retirement, but his life is just beginning, so I can’t persuade him with my own mindset and thoughts.”

“But I still hope that if this child doesn’t go astray, he might have a good future.”

“Because I once had an unforgettable regret, I especially don’t want to see similar things happen again.”

“So, Lia, do you understand my intention in asking you to help him?”

“Your talent is very high, and you will go to very distant places in the future. However, even the most formidable figures still have many trivial matters and needs to fulfill.”

“Having one more friend and trustworthy person is always good, even when you grow old, you’ll still have someone to chat with and reminisce with, hehehe.”

“Given your personality, if I hadn’t insisted, you probably wouldn’t actively interact with those boys. I know you’re not interested in romance, but you don’t need to be too low-key. If you occasionally showed the liveliness and cuteness of a young girl, I would appreciate you even more.”

“Not just Mick, but also a few other students, like Lei, you can try to help them sort out and answer their questions.”

“This is how human relationships work. When you have many friends, even if you don’t have strong combat abilities yourself, the people around you won’t easily bully you.” Scholar Hyde was probably concerned about Hylial’s social skills and the lack of support she might face in life due to having too few friends.

After listening to the old man’s lengthy narration, Hylial understood his intentions.

Friends? Or rather, companions to share abundance and joy with. Recalling her past life, she indeed didn’t have many friends, always preferring to be by herself. She never expected this old man to see through her personality and thoughts so quickly.

The connection of silk and string, countless subtle accumulations, the mother of life that changed the world. Was she also to walk this path?

(End of this chapter)