Cornflower Witch

Chapter 233 The Path to Advancement
"Tiya has advanced!"

Back at the mansion in town, Hilti originally intended to finish the work from the past two days, but she was soon noticed by the other trainees as something was amiss.

Hearing the shout, many trainees who were originally working also gathered around, looking on with curiosity and surprise.

Hilti's talent is very strong, and her advancement will be faster than theirs. This was something everyone was prepared for and expected, but the speed is still quite surprising.

Under normal circumstances, even the most talented first-level students would need about 1-2 years to advance from the first level to the second level. And after advancing to the second level, it would take at least 4-5 years, which is the best-case scenario for talent.

If a student has an average talent rating, it will take about 6-10 years to reach the second tier after entering the forest, and it may take 30-40 years to reach the third tier. This is why, on the surface continent, the third-tier professionals that can usually be seen are almost all over 40 years old, and those who can reach the third tier around the age of 30 account for less than 10%, which can be said to be excellent talent.

As for those who advance to the third tier before the age of 30, only those who achieve this can be considered geniuses, which was the goal that Iona once pursued.

After arriving in the woodlands, Hiltiya reached the second tier within six months. She spent her first year in the Radiant Plains and the next two years in Lantern Town. This was despite her being busy with the affairs of the garrison and having spent the last few months at Ironwall Cliff, which caused her to lose a lot of time. Even so, she still stood out and entered the third tier within two years. Her talent was so high that many students envied and were amazed.

Furthermore, according to Hilti's own estimated age, if she was 16 when she woke up, she is only under 20 now, which is exceptionally young.

The news quickly spread throughout the town, surprising and shocking many trainees, and even some tourists who were temporarily staying in the town were quite curious.

"Such an amazing girl, what a formidable junior."

Two middle-aged men sitting in the restaurant listened to the noisy discussion not far away and felt somewhat sentimental.

They had also progressed from the second and third tiers, so they naturally understood the difficulties involved. Unlike previous advancements, entering the third tier was almost a comprehensive test of themselves.

To advance from nothing to the first stage, one only needs to condense the 'power of nature and form'. As for advancing to the second stage, the difficulty is not high. One only needs to learn and practice multiple abilities and accumulate the 'power of nature and form' to gradually break through.

However, the third level is different. It requires developing one's core competencies from scratch and making breakthroughs in knowledge, concepts, and practical experience to become a complete person. This process cannot be achieved through brute force accumulation.

He picked up the large wooden cup, poured the bubbling beer down his throat, and felt a refreshing sensation. Then he put the cup down and looked across at the other side.

How much time did you spend back then?

"Hehe, it took me almost ten years back then." The other person held his wine glass and slowly sipped it.

"After reaching the second level, I carried my medicine chest and traversed the Green Vine Forest, identifying and collecting herbs, and learning the pharmacology of various plants. It took me about two years to build a foundation. After that, I left the Green Vine Forest and went to Cadsan's Hut to become a pharmacist apprentice, helping to process herbs, learn how to prepare potions, and learn various advanced pharmacological knowledge. I spent four years there."

"Later, after I had learned enough, on my teacher's advice, I went to Snowwind Harbor on the surface continent, reported to the Medical Association there, and became a local intern doctor, assisting others. Three more years passed like this."

"Once I had accumulated enough experience and knowledge, I went to a remote town on my own to replace a retired, elderly doctor and treat the locals. I also learned from that old doctor. Three years passed in this way."

"After ten years, I felt the time was right and everything was ready before I stepped into the threshold of the third stage."

"After advancing, the seniors in the faction all said that I have good talent and that I will be able to enter the third rank within ten years, making me one of the best among my peers."

"And you, Zalia?" The focus of the conversation shifted to the knight across from him, who was drinking beer. "I'm a little better off; it took me almost seven years." He picked up a piece of bread and began to eat it, slowly but steadily.

"When I first entered the second tier, I was quite strapped for cash. In order to obtain as many resources as possible in the woodland, I chose the remote and dangerous 'Strange Mountain Pass' as my base."

"There are many Twilight Beasts that have invaded from the edge of the Shadow World, which are what we often call monsters, unknown alien creatures, and so on."

"In the first month after I went there, I was seriously injured by a vicious black bird that fell from the sky. If it weren't for the senior swordsman who accompanied me shooting down that strange bird, I probably would have been captured and taken to the monster's lair."

"From then on, I started to train hard, learn all kinds of knowledge and combat skills, and I studied and trained almost day and night for a year."

"A year later, I joined the mountain patrol team, participated in the fight against those monsters, and fought and killed them constantly."

"Because I am only at the second tier, even with the support of my abilities and armor, I still find it extremely difficult to face some monsters of the same tier. Their forms are bizarre and their attack methods are unpredictable."

"In order to win and survive, I had to quickly learn about the monsters' behavior patterns, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities, as well as my own shortcomings and weaknesses."

"I spent five years in this high-pressure environment."

"Five years later, as if I had reached a critical point and suddenly had an epiphany, I was no longer afraid of these monsters and was able to fight them more bravely. Even when I encountered enemies I had never seen before, I was no longer flustered."

"I suddenly realized that even monsters are not perfect. Even if they are stronger than me in some aspects, this strength must have come at other costs. They cannot defeat me in every way, and my battle is by no means hopeless."

"With this mindset, even when facing seemingly powerful enemies, I remain remarkably calm and composed, and can fight bravely and rationally."

"And so, over the next two years, I distinguished myself from the patrol team, defeated one monster after another far stronger than myself, and completed the trials of the path of chivalry."

"Everyone says I embodied the chivalrous virtue of courage, but I think I simply gained a sense of peace after understanding a certain truth."

“I know what I want and I understand what I will lose, so I am not afraid to face challenges. In the end, I will find an opportunity to defeat the enemy in a thrilling battle.” After sharing his insights, he cleaned up his lunch plate.

“You…” The doctor opposite him shook his head.

"You still say you're not brave enough? Someone like you probably wouldn't be afraid of death."

“Everyone’s path to advancement is different. Although I am not a knight, I can see that someone like you is already a model among knights.”

After finishing their lunch, the two got up and gradually left.

Listening to the students' discussions along the way, they also felt a sense of curiosity.

'What concepts and truths did Hiltiah comprehend during her advancement?'

(End of this chapter)