The Cornflower Witch Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Path to Advancement (Thanks to Alliance Leader 1436508778528444416)

“Do you want to ask about advancement?”

After the morning lesson, Hylial went alone to the study to ask Scholar Hyde.

“Yes, teacher, if I cultivate a plant with a first-tier aspect, can I use it to advance?” the girl asked curiously.

“Of course, this is the most proud achievement and advancement method for Gardeners,” Scholar Hyde said, stroking his beard with a smile.

“Not only can you advance, but you can also gain some of the plant’s abilities. For example, in the Viscount Xuefeng’s mansion, there’s a Gardener who advanced by using a ‘Sickle Thorn Vine’. When he holds a whip made of the ‘Sickle Thorn Vine’, he can control it as if it were his own arm, and it can grow sharp, poisonous thorns.”

“An ordinary first-tier adventurer might not even be his match.”

“Before, I also saw a Gardener who advanced using ‘White Water Lily’. Because the White Water Lily, when its aspect is condensed, has the ability to release cold air, she also gained similar abilities.”

“Most first-tier plants have the Jade Nectar aspect, but as they advance further, many plants begin to exhibit different characteristics and different aspect powers. That is to say, not all Gardeners have the ‘Jade Nectar’ aspect,” Scholar Hyde reminded her.

“However, for Gardeners, the Jade Nectar aspect is indeed the most suitable for them.”

“So, if I use a first-tier aspect flower or plant when I advance, can I use other plants for my next advancement?” Hylial was worried about this. If she had to keep using Swan Orchid to advance, she would waste her Cornflower talent.

“That’s not mandatory, but the abilities gained from the previous fated card will dissipate and be lost,” Scholar Hyde thought for a moment before answering.

“If your ‘abilities’ have free slots, you can transfer these aspect abilities and turn them into ability cards, but compared to the original fated effect, they will certainly be greatly reduced and weakened.”

“Master-level Gardeners have various ways to utilize the extraordinary plants they cultivate. Don’t worry, past sweat and effort will not be in vain.” He dispelled the girl’s doubts.

“We’ve been talking for so long.” Scholar Hyde picked up his teacup and cleared his throat.

“You must have achieved something, Lia.”

“Almost, teacher. I’ll give you a surprise then,” Hylial said playfully, with her hands behind her back.

“Hehehe, then I’ll look forward to it patiently.”

“Oh, right, it should be Madame Faran who gave you the seeds and books, correct?” Scholar Hyde suddenly remembered something.

“Yes, but I haven’t met her. Sister Marilyn obtained the seeds and books for me.”

“Hmm, once you succeed in cultivating them, you can take your achievements to visit that lady’s house. Although she doesn’t like outsiders disturbing her, if you are such an excellent student, she won’t be stingy with praise.”

“Oh, right, don’t dress so plainly when you go, hehe.” Scholar Hyde’s lips curved upwards.

“When you visit, remember to restore your hair to its original beautiful silver-snowy luster, and wear a fitted and appropriate dress. Try to dress beautifully and show your inherent liveliness and cuteness, and then that lady will definitely like you.”

“Ah, I have to do all that?” Hylial didn’t understand.

“Of course, don’t tell me you thought she was just an ordinary noblewoman. Even Viscount Xuefeng has to make an appointment in advance to visit her.”

“She is one of the few third-tier extraordinaries in Burntstone City, a truly great figure who has condensed the ‘Gardener’ class.” Speaking of this, Scholar Hyde also felt a bit emotional.

He had been stuck at the second-tier his whole life, unable to advance further, so he could only envy those who were luckier.

“I understand, thank you for your guidance, teacher.” The girl placed her books in front of her and bowed in thanks.

Having such a teacher was truly her fortune.

…

Leaving Scholar Hyde’s study, Hylial went to the dining room for a meal.

“It took Lia so long to come. We’ve almost finished eating,” Komia called to her. Indeed, the plates in front of them were all empty.

“I was delayed a bit today.”

She sat down with a plate of bread and water. Karen, Komia, Mick, and Lei were all there.

After a short while of eating bread and drinking water, Hylial looked up.

“Why are you all staring at me?” They had stopped talking.

“Nothing, just looking at you,” Komia said with a light laugh, covering her mouth.

“We were just talking, Lia, about how you eat neither too fast nor too slow, and your movements are very graceful. The others didn’t believe it.”

“This, well.” Hylial slowed her movements.

She hadn’t really noticed it before, but now that she thought about it, some of her habitual actions in this life were indeed different from her previous one, more focused on etiquette and elegance.

Perhaps her family background was quite good before, but she wasn’t in a hurry to regain her memories now. Her current life was pretty good, wasn’t it?

Let everything take its natural course, no need to trouble herself.

“I’m finished.” The girl announced softly, putting a small piece of bread into her mouth and then drinking the water from her cup.

“Okay~”

With that, the others also picked up their plates and left with her, as if by some unspoken understanding, which made Hylial, who was used to being alone, feel a little happy.

Perhaps it was the joy of being surrounded by everyone, the girl thought.

This wasn’t so bad.

…

Arriving at the training ground, she once again helped them sort through knowledge. Her voice today was exceptionally light and cheerful. Occasionally, it would carry the unique娇意 (jiao yi, delicate charm) of a young girl, causing the others to lose focus.

“Ahem, that’s all for today. Let’s take a break now.” She put down the small wooden stick, realizing by now the reason for their distraction.

Still can’t be too open, Hylial thought to herself as she sipped water.

As the others sat in the resting area chatting and relaxing, a figure walked into the training ground, searching with her gaze, and quickly found Hylial’s group.

“Why is Valeni here today?” someone noticed the figure walking by.

“Isn’t she always with Iona? Iona isn’t here today, but she’s appeared alone.”

The red-brown haired girl walked straight to the resting area, stood in front of Hylial, who was sitting, and extended her hand.

“Where are your recent notes? Give them to me.” Her voice was arrogant.

“Notes, huh…” Hylial looked away, considering whether to give them to her.

Before she could answer, Mick, who was beside her, jumped up and blocked Hylial.

“I say, Lady Valeni, this isn’t how you ask for things,” he said, crossing his arms. His height, a head taller than Valeni, put pressure on her.

Facing the approaching fierce-eyed young man, Valeni took a step back, then covered her nose with her hand, as if she couldn’t stand Mick’s sweaty smell. In fact, Mick’s training hadn’t started yet, so he hadn’t sweated.

“Who are you? What right do you have to stand in front of me? Don’t you know who I am?” Her father was Knight Leven, a third-tier extraordinary who could easily cut down dozens of people with a single sword.

Even Scholar Hyde was only second-tier. As the daughter of Knight Leven, she indeed had pride and confidence, believing that no one dared to offend her.

Upon hearing this question, Mick’s heart fluttered. As an adventurer, he knew all too well that each tier of extraordinary abilities represented a huge gap. If he offended Valeni, the consequences were truly unpredictable.

“I can’t stand your behavior. Even if you’re borrowing something, you should at least state the reason and when you’ll return it,” he took a deep breath and began to reason.

“Hmph, you’re not worthy to say such things to me,” Valeni scoffed, shaking her short hair.

She reached out a hand, trying to push Mick out of the way, but he remained still. Not only Mick, but Lei also walked over, and his massive body simply being close made Valeni feel as if the light above her head was blocked.

Even without touching him, the heat radiating from his body made Valeni step back a few paces, not wanting to get closer.

“You too!” She was somewhat annoyed now.

Seeing the situation turn confrontational, Hylial stood up, walked around Mick, and approached the other party.

“These are my notes, and I can lend them to Lady Valeni. However, could you tell me what you’ll be using them for? Perhaps I can offer better suggestions.” She didn’t believe Valeni wanted to learn them herself, as the girl was usually inattentive in class and showed no ambition for good grades.

“Hmph, just give them to me, why so many questions?” Valeni took them, glaring at the others.

Soon, the knight’s daughter left the training ground with the notes, leaving Hylial and the others to discuss the situation.

“You just gave them to her? Isn’t that a loss? But it’s good that there wasn’t a conflict,” Komia thought for a moment.

“After all, they are nobles, and we can’t afford to offend them.”

“Why does she want the notes if she doesn’t study?” Mick couldn’t understand.

“Perhaps it’s for Iona,” Hylial said, sitting down, deep in thought.

“Iona, isn’t her performance very good?” Karen asked, puzzled.

“It’s very good, but…” Hylial thought about the recent situation.

“Iona hasn’t been coming to class much lately, so she’s probably missed a lot of content. And with her pride, she wouldn’t feel comfortable asking other classmates, nor would she want to embarrass herself in front of Scholar Hyde.”

“Never mind, let’s not defy that lady. We’ll just pretend we don’t know.” She shook her head.

“But, Lia’s notes…” Komia was reluctant; she relied on Hylial’s notes daily.

“It’s alright, I can explain it to you. Actually, I remember most of what’s in the notes,” the girl reassured her with a smile.

“That’s the only way. That woman is truly wicked, hmph!” Komia said indignantly.

“If I ever reach the third tier, I’ll definitely come back and make her apologize to me by fetching water, and make her kneel and lick my shoes,” Komia continued to grumble.

“Ah, is Komia really that vindictive?” Hylial found it a little amusing.

“Of course, only by seeking revenge can I be happy. Otherwise, holding it in everyday would be unbearable,” Komia shared her life philosophy.

“Exactly, exactly.” Mick also raised his hand in agreement.

“Me too,” Lei rumbled in response.

“Some things, you really have to resist, otherwise the other party will take advantage,” Karen said, stating a common person’s philosophy of life.

“Alright then, if I ever gain the power, I’ll make them apologize and bow to me as well,” Hylial replied with a smile.

“That’s how it should be, Lia. Don’t be too gentle, forgiving everyone. Some people are just bad,” Komia said, giving a thumbs up.

“Alright, that’s enough training for today. Why don’t we head to my place early? My mom said she prepared a lavish dinner for us tonight and asked me to invite you all.” Komia raised her hand again with a suggestion.

“Is there good food?” Mick’s heart stirred.

“I love to eat,” Lei answered directly.

“It seems we must go tonight,” Karen also nodded.

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

Thus, the previous three-person group became a five-person squad, and they left the training ground hand in hand, heading towards Komia’s home.

Many thanks to reader 1436508778528444416 for becoming an Alliance Leader. Thanks (ω)

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(End of Chapter)