Cornflower Witch

Chapter 352 Farewell Banquet
Time seemed to have been sped up. Immersed in her studies, Hiltiya was unaware of the changing days and nights outside. All she knew was that she needed to wear a simple coat when she went out recently, otherwise her maid would remind her.

"Miss, be careful not to catch a cold."

"Okay, I understand." After taking the coat and putting it on, Hilti said goodbye to Margot and set off on her way to the lighthouse.

During this last month, she was exposed to extremely advanced and complex rune knowledge, which is usually only available to fifth or sixth-tier mages. Right now, she could only learn it by rote memorization, and she would gradually digest and practice it when she was stronger enough.

In the evening, after Hiltiya finished copying the last large composite rune of 'Divine Wings', Nox's voice sounded behind her.

“You’re learning very quickly, five days ahead of schedule.” He pushed his wheelchair over and picked up the exquisite runes that Hilutiya had just copied and engraved. The lines on them were clear and beautiful, and the huge bird-shaped outline was drawn with an extremely complex structure and pattern.

“This is one of the essences of the ‘Bionic School.’ I broke through to the sixth rank back then because I mastered it and used it as a foundation to develop a brand new spell. However, that spell is still too profound for you at your current level.” He slowly put it down.

"I've already contacted someone I know who will arrive in six days and take you to the border of the Mage Alliance to help you with the entrance exam."

"After passing the assessment, you will receive a letter of recommendation and then be assigned to one of the three regions: 'Gomoshu', 'Mirne', or 'Asra'."

"That's where the Mage Alliance teaches newcomers. There are many lower-level academies and peripheral organizations there. You can come into contact with many mage schools there and see their recruitment notices."

"After you've gotten to know them for a while, you can choose the college you like to enroll in. As long as you pass the assessment, you can enter their college to study. They will develop a training plan for you, and of course, there are additional obligations."

"In the Mage Alliance, the obligations attached to the academy's training of talents are inescapable. Even if you are very rich, you must complete the assigned tasks. This is the cornerstone for the school's long-term survival and is unshakable."

"The content of the voluntary work is quite extensive, and it will mostly be tailored to your area of ​​expertise. Generally speaking, it won't be too strenuous, but that's just a general rule. In times of war, the various schools of the Mage Alliance will forcibly conscript all their subordinate mages to participate in preparations for war, or send them directly to the front lines."

"Schools are very important organizations in the Mage Alliance. Once you join a school, you will be marked by that school for life, so you should be as careful as possible and it is best to join a stronger faction, so that you can have more room for development."

"Although I come from the 'bionics school,' I do not recommend that you join that school."

"Why is that, teacher?" Hiltiya asked, slightly puzzled.

“Because it’s unnecessary. I’ve already taught you most of the essential parts. Going in to learn more would be a waste of the opportunity. Besides, the bionics school is declining, and its strength has been gradually decreasing in recent years. For the sake of your future, it’s better not to force yourself to learn more.” Knox shook his head.

“Every ten years, the Mage Alliance ranks the achievements and strength of the various academies. I suggest you choose to join one of the top ten academies, as that will provide you with greater room for development.”

"As for the secret techniques I teach you, it's best not to reveal them before you reach the third rank, to avoid causing trouble. After you reach the third rank and receive certification from the Mage Alliance, you can be a little more at ease."

Knox then gave Sylvia some more details, including tips for living in the Mage Alliance and what criteria to look for when choosing an academy.

Afterwards, Knox escorted Siltiah away from the lighthouse.

"Spend the next few days at home with your family, because you won't have many more chances to see them in the future."

"I will."

After saying goodbye to her teacher, Hiltiya carried her schoolbag out of the lighthouse. After taking only a few steps, she turned around and gazed at the white tower, whose doors had already closed, for a long time.

I'm leaving.

Although they hadn't spent much time together, she gradually became familiar with the lighthouse and the indifferent-looking teacher inside.

As a teacher, Knox was not good at it, and even quite bad at teaching. He was often immersed in his own ideas and narration, completely ignoring the professional terms and things that required specific knowledge to understand, which were not something that ordinary students could understand.

Fortunately, Hilti was no ordinary apprentice. She had already reached the fourth level, and her perception and understanding of sexuality far surpassed that of her peers. Coupled with her extremely high talent, she was able to adapt to such an obscure and strange teaching method.

The process was somewhat bumpy, but fortunately, the result was a safe landing. Hiltiya laid a good foundation here, and Knox's imaginative ideas and concepts broadened her horizons, preventing her from being confined to those established knowledge frameworks.

Upon returning to the Griffin family home, Hilti told everyone that she was about to embark on her journey.

"So fast, Hedra?" Alanford had expected it, but still feigned surprise.

"If only Hedra could stay a little longer," Mrs. Haye said, feigning sadness, but her eyes were filled with joy.

"Should I give you some parting gifts?" Ariel said casually, propping her head up with her hand. She had never liked this younger sister.

"Is it safe for Hedra to go so far away alone?" Ecol was genuinely concerned about his sister.

“No problem, the teacher said he contacted an old friend who will take me to the Mage Alliance,” Siltiya replied. “That puts my mind at ease.” Alanford breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that he didn’t have to find someone himself.

“But it must have been quite expensive along the way. You’ll need a lot of money to go there to study.” Alanford stroked his beard.

"Don't worry, I'll prepare everything for you. Hedra, just go with peace of mind." He wasn't stingy with the money; he was just thinking about what to prepare so as not to be impolite, since he was the only one among the people present who knew the girl's true strength.

The next day, Rosalie also heard the news that Hilti was about to set off, and went to visit Griffin's house.

"Hedera~ Are you leaving so soon?" She hugged the girl's arm, very reluctant to part with her.

"Yes, because school is about to start." Hiltiya patted her forehead reassuringly.

“I wanted to go too, but my uncle and aunt wouldn’t allow it. They said the Mage Alliance is too far away, and I don’t know how to explain it to my mother if I go there, um,” Rosalie complained.

"Hehe, they're doing this for your own good." Rosalie's personality is indeed not suited to studying there; she probably wouldn't be able to learn anything there anyway.

"Then I'll take Hedra to have a good time in Quebec during this time. Oh, by the way, I'll also buy you things you'll need for the journey and for future trips there. Don't worry, I'm very good at picking things out, hehe."

For the next three days, Rosalie took Siltiya on a tour of various places in Quebec, including underground hot springs that the girl had never been to before, a private orchard on the north side of the city, the tulip garden in the city lord's mansion, and so on. She also bought a lot of things for Siltiya, from shoes and clothes to coats, scarves, hats, suitcases, and weapons for self-defense.

Five days passed quickly. On the night before their departure, the Griffin family held a small banquet, attended by familiar faces, including the city lord's family and Sandra's second daughter, Verlena.

“I haven’t thanked you for what happened last time, Hedra.” Verlena held Sylvia’s hand and bowed to express her gratitude.

"I heard you're leaving soon, so I've prepared a gift for you."

After she finished speaking, a maid behind her brought over a small box, which, when opened, contained a red rose gemstone with a regular pentagonal outline.

【Frand Rose】(Tier 2, Excellent); A true red rose gem, refined and condensed from roses of the same tier using a secret method. It can be used to make precious ornaments, as well as for ritual consumption and crafting items.

If it were the old Siltia, such a treasure would not have been of much significance, but now that she is the adopted daughter of the Griffin family, the amount of wealth she can reasonably possess is very limited. Therefore, this special rose gem is of extraordinary significance and can greatly alleviate her economic difficulties in the early stages of the Mage Alliance.

"Thank you, Verlena. I will make good use of this treasure." Hiltiya gratefully accepted it.

Afterwards, the two held hands and walked into the banquet hall together. At Verlena's invitation and suggestion, they danced a short dance before being separated by Rosalie's clamor.

"I want to dance with Hedra too!" she complained enviously. Unfortunately, this beautiful young lady didn't know how to dance like a lady. After taking a few steps like Verlena, she gave up.

Amidst the laughter of those around them, the group walked out of the dance floor. At this moment, Hilti also saw the city lord of Quebec, who waved to her, beckoning her over.

"You must be Hedra, right?"

"Yes, Lord City Lord." The young woman respectfully lifted her skirt and bowed.

Although the city lord was also a graduate of the Woodland Alliance, he was unaware of the girl's true identity. Since she was Knox's apprentice, he offered her a few words of encouragement and then said...

"You can focus on your studies there. I will have someone mail you 30 gold coins every six months for living expenses, so you don't have to worry about the Griffin family being unable to support you."

"Thank you, sir." Brennan then waved his hand, telling Hilti and Rosalie, who had followed them, to go play and not stay any longer.

The banquet continued. After responding to several guests who came to offer their greetings, the city lord left Lady Sarah to deal with them and sat aside, slowly savoring the red wine in his hand.

He glanced at the young men and women on the dance floor, then looked at Hiltiah, who was surrounded by people in the distance.

"Such a vibrant age..."

In fact, he didn't have high expectations for the apprentice Knox was teaching, because he knew very well that Knox was not a good teacher at all, and that the things he had learned in his life were extremely complex and numerous, far beyond what a girl who had just come into contact with the extraordinary world could learn.

However, since he is the descendant of an old friend, he will still take care of him as a way of repaying that youthful and innocent time.

Time flies, and the silly boy who used to follow Knox around is now a big shot in his own right.

(End of this chapter)