The Cornflower Witch Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Assessment Approaches

“Elder Jero, are you going on a mission?” Back home from school, Mick curiously watched the group getting ready.

“Yes, but you probably can’t come this time. It’s quite far from Burntstone City, near Gutter Town.”

During his last holiday, Mick had again joined Jero’s adventure team, and the significant changes in his strength surprised the team members.

During missions, his performance in combat, scouting, analysis, and planning had greatly improved.

“He’s certainly improved after studying with Scholar Hyde,” everyone commented.

With the mission rewards from the holiday, Mick successfully bought a new sword and saved up a sum of money.

‘Unfortunately, I’m still quite a bit short of forging a black steel sword.’ He regretted that the holiday was too short. If he had enough time, he could have gone to Gutter Town with Jero.

“What kind of mission is it in Gutter Town?” Mick asked casually before they left.

“Actually, it was issued last year. It seems some unnamed monster attacked a merchant caravan,” a team member, who was packing ropes and nets, replied.

“At that time, an adventure team also took the mission to go there, but the monster didn’t show up, so they came back empty-handed.”

“After several months, it’s reappeared now, and since Jero had time this time, he took it on.”

“Is that thing strong?” Mick leaned against the wall, head resting, and asked.

“Who knows, but there weren’t any signs of violent destruction at the scene, so it shouldn’t be too strong.” With that, they were almost done packing.

“Alright, we’re off. Mick, you just keep studying hard with Scholar Hyde during this time, haha.”

Although they lost Mick, a significant combat force, there were also fewer people to share the money with, so no one was too troubled, treating it like a simple, ordinary mission.

“Okay, you all come back soon.” Mick noticed the faint smell of tobacco emanating from Jero’s backpack and couldn’t help but remind him.

“Smoke less of that stuff. I used to hear adults at the inn say that too much of it is very harmful.” This tobacco called ‘Sun-Dazzling Grass’ could be addictive if used over time.

“Heh, you kid, even telling me what to do, scram.” Jero waved his hand, telling him to go away.

Mick could only shrug and walk to one side. He planned to practice his swordsmanship again, recalling the ‘Leaping Steps’ he had recently learned from Scholar Hyde.

…

Madame Faran’s mansion, the madam, who had been away for several days, returned.

“Lia, how is your progress with the Bloom-Flowering Method?” Upon her return, she had Lining summon the young girl and inquire about her progress.

“I have initially learned it,” Hylial answered honestly. There was no point in hiding it now.

“Oh?” Madame Faran raised an eyebrow, a little disbelieving.

She had always trusted Hylial’s talent, but when it came to the Bloom-Flowering Method, she found it hard to believe that the girl could learn it so quickly.

Actually, there were some things she hadn’t told Lia. Generally, a Gardener could only cultivate plants of their own rank. That is to say, a first-rank Gardening Apprentice could at most cultivate a first-rank plant, a second-rank cultivate a second-rank, and so on. Hylial’s ability to cultivate a first-rank ‘Swan Orchid’ at zero rank was completely unexpected and quite astonishing to her.

Therefore, when teaching Hylial later, she intentionally sped up the pace and progress, because she couldn’t treat this girl as an ordinary student, but rather as a genius on par with herself.

As for the Bloom-Flowering Method, this ability is generally only encountered by second-rank Gardeners. Even if they learn it, it takes a lot of effort, and occasionally requires other materials to assist in achieving the desired effect.

Having Hylial learn it ahead of time was partly due to her belief in her talent and partly due to her belief in her own teaching ability.

However, even so, the girl’s progress still exceeded her imagination.

Even if she had practiced before the winter break, the time lost due to retraining meant it had taken her less than two months to learn it.

“Let’s go to the flower room and see.” She and Hylial went to the small greenhouse, which was where Hylial kept the plants she was cultivating.

“Try the effect by placing your hand on the ‘White Camellia’ next to it.” Let’s check first; if it’s not right, it won’t damage other more valuable plants.

“Okay.” Hylial complied, approaching the small camellia sapling. She gently pinched a twig and then closed her eyes to perceive.

After a few seconds, she found the rhythm of the ‘White Camellia’ and then channeled the power of ‘Jade Nectar’ from her body.

New shoots sprouted from the still-growing camellia tree, then tender leaves unfolded. After that, a small flower bud appeared, slowly blooming to reveal white petals.

Once in full bloom, a delicate fragrance filled the entire flower room, quickly intensifying.

“Good, that’s enough.” Madame Faran nodded.

It seemed Hylial had really learned it and wasn’t just boasting.

“Since that’s the case, it’s time to give you that thing.”

“In the coming time, you will focus all your efforts on cultivating the ‘Fire Cloud Orchid’ to prepare for the assessment in the Hidden Grove. Don’t neglect your swordsmanship either.” Her folding fan twirled, seemingly contemplating what other preparations or reminders were needed.

“That should be all for now.”

“Yes, teacher.”

…

Far beyond the mountains, a black carriage slowly traveled through them. The carriage body was iron-like, painted black, with its edges shaped like curving vines, quite elegant yet ancient, as if it had been in use for centuries.

The carriage was pulled by a black horse with a magnificent mane and occasional red eyes that kept many forest animals from approaching.

“An ogre’s aura? This is interesting.” A lazy yet charmingly magnetic voice came from inside the carriage.

“Since there’s an ogre here, let’s set the assessment location here.”

With that, the carriage stopped, and a snowy white wrist, like a spirit snake, reached out from the car window. The slender fingers gestured towards the distant mountains and forests, as if pulling a canvas. The trees and grass of the entire mountain began to deform and twist, some large trees even tearing open twisted facial features, transforming into terrifying apparitions.

…

A Black-Crowned Magpie flew into Burntstone City, its blood-red beak tapping on the Viscount’s bedroom window.

A few days later, Viscount Xuefeng gathered all the students at the training ground. Scholar Hyde was also present today.

“The assessment for the Hidden Grove has been set for three days from now, near Gutter Town. There’s a dangerous forest there that will be your proving ground.”

“There are three stages to the trial, three objectives. If you complete the first objective, I will reward you with a suitable steel weapon, valued at about 100 Silver Coins.” This reward might take an ordinary person five years to accumulate.

“If you complete the second objective, I will have a craftsman tailor a suit of armor or a uniform for you, valued at about 600 Silver Coins.” This is also quite a good item.

“If you complete the third objective,” he looked at everyone, pausing for a moment.

“I will bestow upon you a special badge and grant you a residence in the West District.” This was an asset that many commoners could not earn in their lifetime, and more importantly, it was a symbol of status, as only the rich and powerful lived in the West District.

After Viscount Xuefeng finished speaking, Scholar Hyde stepped up and offered a few words of advice, generally urging them to act within their capabilities and prioritize their safety. Finally, he dismissed the students to prepare, instructing them to depart for Gutter Town together tomorrow.

“It’s finally here.” Countless students were eager to prove themselves, full of ambition.

Solin looked at Mick and made a provocative gesture, and Mick responded in kind, not to be outdone.

On the other side, Iona glanced at the black-haired girl in the distance, then returned to the castle with Viscount Xuefeng.

It’s about to begin, Lia, I hope you don’t disappoint me. She secretly resolved to seize this opportunity to prove herself and firmly grasp the key to the door of the future.

(End of this chapter)