Cornflower Witch

Chapter 87 The Beginning of a New Year

Viscount Schefeng's Mansion
"My lord, Miss Iona hasn't left her room for three days," a servant reported to Viscount Schefeng.

The middle-aged nobleman sitting behind his desk looked up, put down his glasses, and walked to the window to look at the distant tower inside the castle.

“Her sexuality is still there; it hasn’t disappeared or weakened.” The viscount instructed his men not to disturb her for the time being.

"If Iona hasn't come out in three days, then report back to me."

"Yes, sir." The servant withdrew.

Soon, only Viscount Xue Feng remained in the room, his gaze fixed on the distant tower.

With only half a month left until the assessment, Iona, what exactly are you preparing for? Do you always have higher expectations for yourself?

Such a sense of urgency is not a good thing.

……

After regaining mastery of the [Blooming Flower Technique], Hiltiya felt relieved. At least she wouldn't be so worried and flustered about the assessment in half a month.

I wonder what changes have occurred to Komia and the others over the past month or so. Winter break ends tomorrow, and I should be able to see them at Hyde's place again.

The next day, Siltiah changed into a relatively simple long dress again, paired with her dyed black hair, and entered the classroom.

Many students did not change at all in a month, except that they wore slightly thicker clothes and winter hats.

"Hi, Barron, how have you been lately?" a nobleman classmate greeted Barron as he entered.

The young nobleman, second only to Iona in the class, touched his blond hair with his finger and made a triumphant victory gesture.

"I recently learned 'Steel Blade,' so you'd better watch out." Instead of advancing to the Blood Law, he chose the 'Castle' path, which is most common among nobles.

"Wow, Barron didn't waste his vacation? That's surprising."

"Hehe, of course. My dad said that if I pass the second stage of the test, he will buy me a northern warhorse. I've been looking forward to it for a long time."

"Once I have a warhorse, and pair it with my gleaming armor, I guarantee I'll look as dashing as the knights of the royal city," Baron boasted.

"Really? Don't forget about us then. I also want to see what the excellent northern warhorses look like. It is said that the best warhorses are purchased from the Kingdom of Winter, while some of the ones in our country are crossbred and not purebred."

As they talked, the topic shifted to various interesting anecdotes from aristocratic circles.

……

Hiltiya sat by the back window of the classroom, not reading, but staring blankly at the snow scene outside, seemingly reminiscing about something.

"Tia~" Komia's familiar voice suddenly rang out, and then her icy hand rested on the girl's cheek.

"It's cold, Komia." The girl grasped the other's fingers with both hands, then turned around.

"I see you're spacing out. What are you thinking about?" Komia was wearing rabbit-shaped earmuffs today, looking quite cute.

"I'm thinking about the future." The girl blinked.

If she goes to the hidden woods, she will probably have to part ways with her companions.

"Oh, I see. We'll think about it later then." Komia winked at the girl.

"Don't let anything else interfere with your happiness today."

“Okay, then tell me, what made you happy today?” Hiltiya replied with a smile.

"Your happiness today comes from seeing me~" Komia held up two fingers, mimicking a rabbit.

"Isn't it cute?"

"A little bit."

"Hmph, Tia is still the same, not very generous in praising people." Komia teased, scratching Hilti's nose with her finger.

While the two were interacting, Karen and Mick walked into the classroom one after the other.

Karen's hairstyle had changed; it was now neater and shorter than before, while Mick's old, tattered iron sword had been replaced with a fine steel longsword.

During her vacation, Karen successfully entered the 'Tier 1 Blood Law' and also learned the 'Eagle Eye' ability. Her knuckles are now long and strong, and even though she is not physically strong, she has a cheetah-like sense of power.

On the other side, Mick briefly recounted his holiday experience.

"My brother Jero and I have participated in several missions and gained a lot."

Where's Lei?

"I don't know, maybe they forgot they had class today," someone guessed.

Just before class started, Lei finally arrived. Compared to before the winter break, he had lost a little weight and his skin was a bit darker, but his eyes were much brighter and more spirited.

"Where did you go this holiday?" Mick asked, somewhat curious about the changes that had occurred in Ray.

"I'm going to learn from Mu Yan the blacksmith." Lei rubbed his messy hair a little embarrassedly.

“Isn’t that blacksmith known for his explosive temper?” Mick knew the blacksmith’s reputation.

"Professor Hyde took me there. He talked a lot with Uncle Mu Yan, and the two have a very good relationship..."

After hearing Lei's account, everyone realized that the blacksmith Mu Yan had been a student of Maester Hyde when he was young, which explained why his recommendation was so effective.

As the most senior and prestigious scholar in Jiaoshicheng, he guided and educated generations of outstanding young people in the surrounding areas. It was only then that people suddenly realized how influential the kind old man was in Jiaoshicheng.

Many professionals, even if not taught by Mathematician Heidegger, are mostly students of his students.

The discussion didn't last long before the school bell rang in the courtyard. Soon after, Maester Hyde appeared, dragging his thick robes, accompanied by his now-official apprentice, Yarrow.

Reaching the wooden platform in front of the classroom, the elderly man with a long beard slowly sat down with Yero's help. He then looked down at the students below, and seemed to have aged even more compared to before the winter break. "Long time no see, children," he said, raising a hand in greeting, before introducing the semester's schedule.

……

"Now that many of you have officially entered the first rank, I will explain some more urgently needed secret techniques to you."

"However, everyone's situation is different. You can come to me after class and I will help you analyze and plan individually."

"is teacher."

"Alright, now let's continue with the early stages of the Covenant Era, the paths to the rise of various powers and nations on the continent..."

……

During the morning break, students chatted and played in small groups in the courtyard, and occasionally some discussed current events.

"Iona didn't come today."

"He didn't come on the first day of school? That's so disrespectful to the teacher."

"She's a noble lady," someone said sarcastically.

"Oh, if only I had a father who was a viscount, I could live a life of plenty every day."

……

In the corridor not far from the courtyard, Hilti tidied her clothes slightly, then gently knocked on the door and entered Maester Hyde's study.

"Teacher, did you call me?" Just now, Yero came over and asked Hilti to come to Maester Hyde's study.

"Yes."

The old man raised his head from the table he was lying on, then leaned back in his chair and waved to Siltia.

"Come here, there's something I want to talk to you about today."

Then, with a hint of curiosity, Hilti walked over and stood beside him.

“Another winter is about to pass.” Maester Hyde turned his chair around and looked out the window at the courtyard.

"When the wheat seedlings in the fields sprout, messengers from the Hidden Woods will come to examine and test the outstanding young people of Jiaoshi City, and select the most promising ones to enter the Hidden Woods."

"This is how they recruit new members, and it is also an obligation of the local nobles."

"obligation?"

"Do nobles have any additional obligations besides loyalty to the royal family?" the girl wondered.

“Yes, the world is vast. While the power of the monarchy is great, it is not invincible. It still needs the support of many other forces to maintain the current peaceful order.” Maester Hyde gazed into the distance.

"In the early days of the Kingdom of Legas, we encountered many difficulties, and in the end, we relied on their strength to overcome them, which allowed us to truly establish ourselves on the southern border of this continent. Cough cough." After saying that, he coughed.

Hilti already knew this.

"In return, or rather, as agreed upon at the time, each region of the Kingdom of Regas would periodically send high-quality and promising young people to the Hidden Woods."

“The Hidden Woods are very dangerous places. Every year, many young people who go there die or are injured. Less than 20% of them return alive after five years. Most noble children are actually unwilling to go there.”

"However, as I just said, if a noble descendant is naturally gifted and capable, they will still try to go there to obtain valuable secret techniques and various resources. For commoners of poor birth, it is the only place where they can start on the same footing as nobles."

"Compared to ordinary organizations, they don't value background but rather personal talent and strength. As long as you can show your strengths, you can get corresponding rewards. And that environment with abundant resources is also the place where superhumans can advance and grow the fastest."

"Risk and reward go hand in hand; it all depends on your personal choice. With your intelligence, you should understand this easily." After saying this, he looked at the girl beside him.

“There are many outstanding children in this cohort, but you and Iona are exceptionally special, far surpassing other children your age.”

"In other words, if you are interested in participating in the selection process, the final selection will be among you."

"Are you planning to compete for a spot, or do you choose not to and continue studying with Mrs. Fran?" he asked the young woman.

“I want to participate,” Hiltiya replied.

"Oh, why aren't you keeping a low profile this time?" Maester Hyde teased her, a rare occurrence for him.

"Well, I guess I've found what I truly want," the girl replied, slightly embarrassed.

“That’s fine. If you still have any doubts about the Hidden Woods, you can ask Mrs. Fran. Because I’m from Candleburg, there’s an agreement that I can’t reveal a lot of information to outsiders.”

"I understand." The girl nodded and prepared to take her leave.

"By the way, after class, don't go back yet. Come with me to Viscount Schefeng's castle."

"Where are we going?" Hiltiya asked, somewhat surprised.

“After all, the assessment is approaching, and it’s necessary to let the Viscount get to know the outstanding young people in the territory. Also, Iona has been sick recently.” He thought for a moment.

"Perhaps you could visit her and get closer to her. After all, you both have a long life ahead of you and are both very capable. Maybe you'll have someone to rely on in the future."

"Can Iona get sick too?" This wasn't meant to be sarcastic, but rather because as a transcendent being who has condensed the 'blazing sun' aspect, it's rare for her to catch a minor illness like a cold.

“Her situation is probably due to being rushed,” Maester Hyde shook his head.

"She values ​​certain things highly and can never let go of them."

“Tiya, you… never mind, your personality means you don’t need to worry about these kinds of problems.”

"It's okay, go ahead."

"Okay, see you later, teacher."

(End of this chapter)