The Cornflower Witch Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Changes Among Students

“Miss Iona’s swordsmanship still has room for improvement, but your current health is not good, so it’s probably not the time for training.”

“Oh, you can also tell that I’m not feeling well? Never mind, Scholar Hyde must have told you.” She waved her hand.

“Since you say my swordsmanship has room for improvement, then analyze it for me.” She had demonstrated her swordsmanship a few times in front of classmates before, but those were not all of her abilities.

Hylial thought for a moment and pointed out some details in Iona’s usual training that could be improved.

…

“Perhaps I underestimated you.” This time, Iona’s impression of Hylial changed significantly, and her tone shifted subtly.

“You really have good judgment,” she mused.

“Since you’ve shown your value, I can give you respect. From now on, you can call me by my name directly in class, no need for honorifics.”

“Here, this is for you.” She pulled out a transcribed booklet from a cabinet.

“It contains the practice methods for ‘Bee-Dance Steps’. I won’t teach you directly. How much you can comprehend and learn from it depends on your own talent.”

“Alright, that’s enough for today’s discussion. If you want to find me later, you can tell the maid in advance.” She waved her hand, preparing to dismiss her guest.

Hylial thanked her for the booklet and then took her leave.

Soon, the room returned to silence, and Iona stared blankly at the iron box in the corner for a long time.

“I didn’t expect to meet a true genius in such a place.”

What constitutes a genius varies among people and regions, but as Iona, who came from Whitecliff City, she had a deeper understanding of genius.

She had seen true geniuses and knew that she was not one of them, which was why she felt anxious and uneasy.

“Since she has such insight, her strength won’t be far off either.”

…

Not long after this visit, Iona returned to Scholar Hyde’s class. To the surprise of many students, this noble daughter who previously disdained interaction with commoners had now become more approachable. She occasionally watched training sessions and even participated in some practical drills.

Even more surprisingly, she would actively seek out Hylial to talk to, and stand and converse with her. This scene was unbelievable to many classmates, especially Valeni.

‘Why her? I was here first.’ She bit her lip in silent resentment in the corner, but dared not speak in front of Iona.

One day, Iona leaped from the spectator stands on one side of the training ground, landing beside Hylial.

“Do you dance, Lia?” She addressed her by her first name.

“I don’t think so.” In her current memories, there were no dancing fragments.

“That’s a bit of a shame. ‘Bee-Dance Steps’ originated from ancient court dances. If you don’t know how to dance, it will be hard to understand its rhythm.” Iona shook her head, feigning regret.

“Is that so?” Hylial tilted her head, pondering. In fact, she had practiced Bee-Dance Steps a few times. Although a bit rusty, she could learn it. It was just that her current energy was focused on the ‘Bloom-Flowering Method’, leaving no room for other studies.

“Thank you for the reminder, Iona.”

Seeing her like this, Iona couldn’t help but shake her head. This person truly had no social experience. Didn’t she understand that what she just said was an invitation to teach her how to dance?

However, Hylial’s innocent demeanor actually made a good impression on Iona. Perhaps she was tired of the scheming and rivalry with other noble ladies in Whitecliff City.

Forget it, I’ll just say it directly.

“If you want to learn to dance, I can teach you a bit.” Hearing this, Valeni, not far away, almost bit her fingers raw.

Why? The last time she asked Iona about the court dances popular in Whitecliff City, Iona simply said she had no time.

“As for dancing, I probably don’t have the energy to learn it right now.” Hylial shook her head. She had to manage her flower garden, cultivate her flowers, and also make time to practice and master several skills on weekdays, leaving no spare time.

However, she wasn’t completely oblivious to social cues. Perhaps sensing Iona’s good intentions, Hylial added, “I’ll be free after the assessment. Please teach me then, Iona.”

“In that case, let’s talk about it later.” Iona thought that once she passed the assessment, her time in Burntstone City would be limited.

Their relationship gradually grew closer. Occasionally, Iona would ask Hylial about questions in secret history class, and in return, she would tell her interesting stories about Whitecliff City, which greatly broadened Hylial’s horizons.

“What is the highest rank of the strongest person in Regas Duchy currently?”

“That’s a good question. Many people are curious. I used to hear my father talk about it.” Iona ran her fingers through her golden short hair.

“On the surface, the strongest is ‘First Knight’ Wilton, who is a ‘Level 5’ ‘Winter Branch Knight’. But secretly, Regas Duchy probably has a hidden Level 6 existence,” Iona replied.

Only Level 5? Hylial recalled the records in the classics. It seemed that the peak of Regas Duchy’s history was only Level 6; this was indeed the strongest combat power.

However, according to her vague childhood memories, she should have seen many higher-level beings, and her mother was at least a Level 7 individual, otherwise, she couldn’t have performed those miraculous picture scroll spells.

Unfortunately, she had not yet seen any beings above Level 4, and the strongest person she currently knew, Madame Faran, already felt invincible to her. She couldn’t imagine what a Level 5 transcendant would be like.

Would they be able to slaughter cities and destroy nations single-handedly? Or would they easily sweep away low-level opponents for several kilometers? She had no way of knowing.

The sight of the two conversing casually was noted by many classmates. Usually, at this time, even Mick and Komia wouldn’t easily approach, fearing to disturb or offend Iona.

“Hmm, Lia has been stolen by that bad woman.” Komia, like Valeni, was unhappy in her heart.

“I wanted to tell Lia that I recently made a good friend, a snow-white Teewolf, very obedient.” Her biggest gain during this holiday was meeting a clever and interesting fellow while practicing Illusionary Eye.

At first, Komia was afraid that this Teewolf would attack her, so she used ‘Illusionary Eye’ to influence it. Soon, the other party showed friendly characteristics, and the girl and the wolf slowly became familiar with each other.

Because it was entirely white, Komia named it ‘Dough’, which was probably a slightly better name than ‘Little White’.

On the other side, Mick and Solin, due to their previous encounter, had become ‘rivals’ who often sparred with each other. It was probably because they both admired each other, but did not want to get too close, having a sense of unspoken competition.

With the new year, everyone had new changes, and the time for the assessment in Hidden Grove was also drawing closer.

(End of Chapter)