Cornflower Witch

Chapter 123 Heading to the Radiant Plains
Florella said she could teach Sylvia 'aromatherapy', which made the girl somewhat interested. However, she only had one [ability slot] left. If she learned 'aromatherapy' and then learned other skills, she wouldn't be able to.

That being said, Hilti quickly came up with another solution: learn it first, then forget it after learning it, so that she can learn it again whenever she needs it in the future.

The last time she fell into the world of shadows, it was a similar situation. The 'Blooming Flower Technique' caused distortion, erosion, and shattering, but she quickly relearned it without spending much time.

However, this method might only work for her. Others either don't have the time and energy to learn complex numbers, or even if they retake the course, they won't be as quick as her.

"Then thank you, Florella." After making her decision, Silti expressed her gratitude.

Afterwards, the two went out for a meal together, and then went back to discuss their studies on 'aromatherapy'.

"Aromatherapy is a secret art unique to my hometown; very few people here on the Fourth Continent probably know it," Florella explained.

"This utilizes the fragrance of aromatic plants to relieve mental fatigue and tension, and also has certain detoxifying and healing effects."

"Compared to other therapeutic abilities, its efficacy is weaker, but its advantage is that it can be used over a wide area, covering an entire region, and its effects are gentle with few side effects."

After a brief introduction, Florella took out a small bottle of aromatic essential oil and handed it to Silti.

"These are essential aromatic oils necessary for performing 'aromatherapy.' You can also prepare them yourself in the future, just like the flower blooming method. The specific effects of aromatherapy depend on the various essential oils you use."

【Aromatic Essential Oil (Clove)】(Tier 1: Honey): The fragrance can soothe mental fatigue and calm the mind.

She uncorked the bottle, and a faint light shone in her eyes as a gentle breeze carried the fragrance throughout the room.

The invisible fragrance of flowers spread, instantly making Hilti more alert after browsing the stalls all day, and relieving some of her fatigue.

Just as the 'flower blooming method' amplifies the effect of fresh flowers, 'aromatherapy' also amplifies the originally weak effects of essential oils, increasing them several times over.

This does have some similarities with the 'Blooming Flower Method', the girl thought. However, the Blooming Flower Method can activate a wider range of flower effects, and the essential oils needed for aromatherapy can also be refined through alchemy to obtain higher quality and effects.

However, there are still many differences between the two in some aspects.

For the next few days, Hiltia studied 'aromatherapy' with Florella and then practiced on her own.

Around the sixth day, she felt that she had initially mastered this ability and could condense it into an ability card at any time and embed it into her destiny plate. However, after the experience with Mrs. Fran last time, she became a little more cautious in order to avoid making her performance too conspicuous.

"How long did it take Florella to learn it?" Hilti asked during their dinner together.

"It took me about a month, and my mom said I learned very quickly," Florella said happily.

"I see. I've gained some insights now, but it's still a little while before I've fully mastered it." Indeed, it's only a little while.

"No rush, Tia. There's still almost a month before we reach the woods. You'll definitely be able to learn it." Florella nodded.

After gaining a basic understanding, Hilti no longer needed to study with Florella every day, and the two of them shifted their attention elsewhere.

One day, Edelkin found Siltia.

"The Camel Tower is about to arrive at the Commercial City Union. Hilti, is there anything you need to purchase? You can make a list for me, and we can report it to the teacher together later."

"Buying things..." She thought for a moment, then realized there was nothing she particularly needed.

"I currently have all the necessities I need. As for other things, I wonder if you have any suggestions?"

Edelweiss picked up her teacup and drank half of it in one gulp, then spoke.

"If you don't have any special needs, then buy some seeds. I remember you're pursuing a career as a horticulturist."

"It's quite troublesome to buy seeds on short notice. Give me 50 gold coins and I'll have the local gardeners' guild prepare a complete set of local seeds for you."

“Okay, thank you then, senior.” Hilti returned to her room, took out 50 gold coins, and handed them to Edelkin.

Seeing her make such a decisive decision, Adeline was in a good mood. He was rather annoyed by girls who hesitated, asked questions, and kept going back and forth.

"I've accepted the gold coins. They'll be purchased in about two weeks and delivered to you." After saying that, he finished the remaining half cup of tea, got up again, and left to notify the next student.

Three days later, the mysterious camel, as large as a mountain, stopped, and Hiltiya was finally able to see the scenery outside the window.

The place where they are currently staying should be a mountain city by Meteor Lake. The vast Meteor Lake has a deep blue color and stretches for thousands of miles, with no end in sight. The hills along the lake rise and fall, and a city is built on the mountainside in the shape of a crescent moon. Down from the city, near the place where the mountains meet the water, there is a port. Many 'large ships' are docked in the port, and people are constantly getting on and off to transport goods.

To reduce unnecessary trouble and prevent students from getting lost or becoming difficult to manage, students inside the camel building are currently not allowed to leave and can only wait inside. Moreover, only students who have obtained badges can specify items to purchase.

Ten days later, the first batch of supplies arrived, and the restaurants and shops inside the camel building were stocked with fresh ingredients and goods. Many trainees began to browse the shops and buy daily necessities.

New goods were replenished every three days thereafter, and this continued until twenty days later. "Yes, put these boxes in the warehouse first," a worker in the camel building directed, as three large boxes, each 2 meters by 2 meters, were carried up to the camel building and placed in the warehouse on the lower level.

He flipped through the booklet in his hand, ticked off a line, and then took out a piece of paper and stuck it on the box. It read 'Student' 'Siltia'; Floor 3, Unit 22'.

“This one is ready.” He then waved for someone to bring over another box.

Inside the box was a huge glass tank, in which several large fish with orange-blue gradients and shimmering scales swam continuously.

"Bluefin silver tuna, these big shots have some really strange requests, but I'm all prepared." He ticked it off in the booklet.

Inside the camel tower, many students were gathered in the central hall of several floors, including the floor where Hilti was located.

At the final stop, she finally met all the students on her floor who possessed badges.

There are 19 people in total, each with a different style.

Among them were Florella, an elf girl familiar to Hilti, Edqin, the young man in the blue trench coat who guided her, and many others whom she had never seen before. Nearly half of them were of noble birth, dressed in formal attire or elaborate and beautiful dresses, while the other half were dressed relatively simply.

Some were completely shrouded in black robes, some wore masks, some were clad in armor covering their faces, some wore loose linen clothes and carried crude scimitars, some were covered with veils and had a golden ring on one of their long legs that bound the curve of their thighs, and some wore fur shirts, looking like wild men from the mountains, which amazed people.

After waiting for several minutes, the middle-aged man in black, whom Xilutiya had met once before when she entered the camel building, reappeared. He held a thick-covered book under his arm, opened it, and quickly flipped through the pages, verifying the faces of the students in the hall.

"No need for idle chatter. Tomorrow, our camel caravan will depart for the woodlands." He glanced at everyone, making sure they were all listening attentively.

"Hidden Woods is a general term. In fact, we have many bases in the film world, and these bases are also built by various organizations within the woods."

“Organizations that contribute more will naturally have more authority and resources in that location. Each organization has a different style, which also creates differences in the style of that location.”

After he finished speaking, he turned to the end of the book, and a page floated out, then quickly enlarged, floating in mid-air like a movie screen, showing the faint outline of the southern part of the continent, but the background color was gray.

On this gray, shadowy continent, there are dots of varying sizes marking the area, each with a small explanation following it.

"The trainees going to the woodlands will be assigned to different camps. To be fair, as the best members, you cannot choose the same camp and must each be separated."

"If all the geniuses go to the same base, firstly, there won't be enough resources to distribute, and secondly, it will be unfair to other organizations, because the operation of the forest requires the joint efforts of many organizations, and we can't be too biased towards one side." After giving a brief explanation, seeing that the students present had no questions, he nodded and continued.

"I will recommend suitable locations for you based on your different strengths, and you can choose them." After saying that, he ran his finger across the book again, and the pages floated up and flew in front of each student.

'Hiltiya, you excel in gardening, possess the [Emerald Honey] attribute, and have abilities such as 'Blooming Technique' and 'Breathing Technique'. The following is a recommended location for you to visit—'

Demon Blood Forest

The border outpost is dangerous, as twisted monsters frequently rush into it.

Hundreds of years ago, the 'Bloodthorn Garden' sent people to plant a large number of Demon Blood Trees here, which can strangle monsters that enter the forest and absorb their flesh and blood to condense 'Crimson Blood Fruits'. Members of the 'Wildfire Cult' are stationed here, and they are skilled in killing techniques of the 'Blood Law' nature. There is also the 'Fang Forest Garden', a school of beast tamers, who are proficient in raising powerful beasts to assist in battle.

If you go to this outpost, you can access the secret techniques of three organizations: 'Bloodthorn Garden (Blood Law - Emerald Honey)', 'Wildfire Cult (Blood Law - Beast Fang)', and 'Fang Forest Garden (Beast Fang - Emerald Honey)'. Because this outpost is dangerous, the annual supplies are doubled, and it's also easy to obtain high-value rewards.
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Huijin Plain

The peaceful plains are rarely attacked by twisted monsters and are a food source for many woodlands. In addition, 'Golden Wheat' is grown there, which can be used to refine metals.

The area is home to organizations such as the Four Seasons Alliance, the Forging Hammer, and the Holy White Knights Hall. The Four Seasons Alliance's branch here is skilled in cultivating crops and exotic metal products. The Forging Hammer's craftsmen forge numerous weapons and armor here. Many of the Holy White Knights Hall's young knight squires also receive training here. This is one of the top ten most populous areas, and many smaller organizations are also based here.

If you travel to this outpost, you can access the secret arts of the 'Four Seasons Alliance (Blazing Sun·Emerald Honey)', 'Forged Iron Hammer (Golden Steam·Castle)', and 'Holy White Knight Hall (Castle·Blazing Sun)'. Because this place is located in the core area, the environment is stable, but due to overpopulation, annual supplies are reduced by 30%.
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【Yinggu Cave】

In these remote underground caves, one often encounters troublesome monsters. Various fluorescent mushrooms and fungi can be found everywhere, and gems and some metals are also produced.

Many members of the 'Night Dream Tea Party' are stationed here, collecting local mushrooms as raw materials for potions, preparing potions, and honing their strange abilities. The 'Bone Cemetery' keeps many skeletal creatures in the caves for mining ores. The alchemist school 'Rainbow Glass Bottle' also sends many members to reside here, using local products to create alchemical artifacts.

If you travel to this outpost, you can access the secret arts of 'Night Dream Tea Party (Mist Shadow - Nightmare)', 'Bone Cemetery (Death Ashes - Snail Fish)', and 'Rainbow Glass Bottle (Radiant Moon - Golden Steam)'. Because the location is underground and the environment is harsh, supplies are increased by 50% annually.
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During the 'Tier 1' stage, students are not allowed to change their residence. However, once they enter Tier 2, they can spend points to change their residence.

As she glanced at the three options, Hilti slowly formed an idea in her mind. She decided to go to the [Golden Plains] first to learn for a while, broaden her horizons, and accumulate strength. Once she reached the second tier, she would then go and explore the other two places.

After all, Mrs. Fran had joined an outer organization of the 'Four Seasons Alliance,' so it would be a bit unreasonable for her not to go and check it out.

(End of this chapter)