The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 107: Dark Dream Meditation Technique

Inside the carriage, purple velvet covered the interior. While it looked like a normal-sized carriage from the outside, the inside was as spacious as a house.

The vast space was laid with a deep purple carpet, with an elegant round table and chairs placed in the center of the carpet. At this moment, a pot of steaming hot tea sat on the table.

"Sit down." Merlinsa motioned for Sylutia to sit, then lightly tapped the table with her folding fan.

Upon hearing the sound, a Black Stork flew in through the window and landed on the table. As if possessing intelligence, it looked at Tia and Lady Merlinsa, then grabbed the teapot handle with one foot and poured tea into the two teacups on the table.

The gentle sound of pouring water was particularly clear in this quiet space. Watching the curling steam from the tea, Merlinsa picked up her cup first, blowing on it softly in small puffs.

She didn't seem in a hurry to explain anything to the young girl, merely savoring the tea leisurely.

Sylutia held her teacup with her fingers, her eyes slightly curious as she examined the Black Stork on the table.

This Black Stork didn't seem to be an ordinary creature, but rather a special bird of the Second Tier · Nightmare Aspect.

"This is a Dream-Stealing Bird. It flies into the dreams of living beings and steals their dreams." Merlinsa put down her cup, blew on it for a moment, and explained in a somewhat lazy voice.

"Steal dreams?""Correct. You can understand it as the disappearance of a certain strong desire. People become calm."

"However, this ability usually only manifests at the Fourth Tier or above. At most, it can only enter dreams now." Merlinsa placed her teacup down. Beneath her deep purple eyes, the corner of her mouth held a hint of teasing.

"That girl who died last night, her name was Iona, right?"

"Yes." Sylutia nodded.

"How do you feel about her death, Tia?"

"Probably some regret, or perhaps sadness."

"Oh, what is the regret about, and why the sadness?"

"As for regret, I think she didn't actually have to die there. The sadness lies in... I think if I were in her position, I might also find it hard to let go. The reason I didn't end up like that is just that I was slightly luckier."

"An interesting answer." Merlinsa covered her mouth with a light laugh.

"Also quite cute, Tia."

"This is probably your first time encountering such a scene, so you have many reflections. As for me, I've long stopped being moved." Her fingers lightly tapped the table.

"In the future, in the Hidden Grove, you will encounter even more people who will stop at nothing. I hope you are mentally prepared early on. I still have high hopes for you."

"Regarding Iona's death, you don't need to worry or explain. I will speak with Viscount Xuefeng later. He won't inquire about this matter, and other nobles won't bother with such trivial, boring affairs either."

"The team to take you to the Hidden Grove will probably arrive in about a week. Prepare yourself during this time. For at least three years, you won't be able to return."

"Keep that Badge safe. Its value and significance, you will slowly understand later."

"Consider it my early investment. This gem is for you. You have a pair of lovely eyes; using this will likely be very interesting." After saying this, she slowly pushed a purple octagonal gemstone across the table to Sylutia.

[Purple Gemstone (Inscribed)]: A gemstone inscribed with a certain secret technique or information. When placed on the forehead during meditation, one can glimpse its contents.

Although she didn't know what exactly was recorded inside, Sylutia still accepted it, carefully placing it in her palm.

"Alright, time is running short. I should also head to the next place. Let's say goodbye here."

"If you ever step into the Third Tier one day, you can visit me at the 'Night Dream Tea Party'. I believe by then, we will have many topics to discuss."

...

Outside the carriage, Scholar Hyde and Viscount Xuefeng, after hearing the account, learned that Sylutia was the true winner of this assessment. They were greatly surprised, but with the two most important individuals now absent, they suppressed their curiosity and began arranging for the students and team members to return.

Afterwards, Sylutia stepped out of the black carriage, and then that carriage slowly traveled into the distance, disappearing into the forest.

Sitting in the returning procession, Sylutia was still pondering her earlier conversation with that witch and recalling the scene of Iona's transformation last night. Her head lightly rested against the carriage window, her eyes quietly gazing at the tabletop.

"What are you thinking about, Tia?" Komea, sitting beside her, couldn't help but ask curiously.

"It's fine. Iona's death isn't your fault. She was just bad herself." She whispered in comfort.

At this moment, Sylutia gently shook her head, pulling herself out of her immersed thoughts and recollections. Framed by her smooth silver hair, she appeared much more eye-catching and striking today than usual.

Seeing the young girl recover, the other students on the carriage who had been secretly looking away averted their gazes and pretended to chat enthusiastically with their companions. However, the occasional stolen glances from the corners of their eyes betrayed some of their thoughts.

Without glasses, and with her hair not styled into the low-key black of the past, today's Sylutia was like a true young lady of high society. Surrounded by the focused gazes of the students, even her simple movements seemed exceptionally beautiful to others, who also wondered why they had never noticed such a dreamlike girl in their class before.

At first, Sylutia just thought everyone might be curious because her change was so significant.

Later, she realized this attention had exceeded normal levels. Even when she leaned against the side to rest briefly, many people kept staring.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, she rubbed her forehead, slightly shielding herself from everyone's gazes. Sylutia began to regret not having done the necessary work when descending the mountain—re-dyeing her hair black and putting on her glasses.

For the other classmates, this journey was probably a day filled with novel topics and the chance to see a brand-new silver-haired beauty. But for Sylutia, the center of everyone's attention, it was a day of feeling somewhat restless, uncomfortable, shy, and awkward.

...

After returning to Scorchstone City, Viscount Xuefeng indeed acted as the witch had said, not pressing for any details about Iona. Regarding Iona's death, the public announcement was that it was an accident brought upon by her own actions.

Although everyone was surprised by this outcome, Viscount Xuefeng held the highest status in Scorchstone City, and he was also the person most closely related to Iona by blood. Since even he said so, naturally no one dared to court trouble by protesting, and frankly, not many people truly cared.

Upon returning home, Sylutia naturally couldn't avoid being caught by Lady Franne, who carefully inquired about the process and the final outcome.

"So, you saw her step by step descend into depravity, finally becoming a Distorted monster?" Lady Franne leaned lightly against the armrest of the sofa, listening to the young girl's account.

"That's correct." Sylutia answered honestly.

"That truly is a Nightmare-like experience. Rest well today. Later, I'll prepare a cup of soothing, sleep-inducing herbal tea for you."

"Thank you, teacher." At this moment, Sylutia remembered something and took out that purple octagonal gemstone, handing it to Lady Franne.

"This was gifted to me by that witch. She said it was an additional reward from her personally."

Taking the gemstone, Lady Franne examined it, a smile of keen interest appearing on her face. She then returned the gemstone to Sylutia.

"This contains a secret technique of the 'Nightmare' Aspect. Very practical and valuable."

"It seems that witch truly has high hopes for you, actually using this method to tempt you."

"Tempt?"

"Correct. Most new students going to the Hidden Grove lack resources. To learn such a secret technique, they would need to spend a lot of money and contribution points."

"But if you naturally possess it, you will naturally make good use of it and learn the secret technique inside. Once you've learned it, you'll likely use it for a long time and make it your main core ability."

"This way, you will gradually lean towards the [Nightmare] Aspect. Who knows, you might change your Aspect at some stage and enter their organization."

"Because the subsequent advancements and other applications of the inheritance for this secret technique they gave you are only available within their organization."

"Now that I've told you their intentions, the choice is yours."

After saying this, Lady Franne handed the gemstone back to Sylutia.

[Black Dream Meditation Method] (Nightmare): Intermediate-level Meditation Method. Recommended for use after reaching the Second Tier. Can release the innermost shadows within a dream and fight them. After overcoming them, further enhances mental power. Additionally, this Meditation Method can also be used against enemies, causing opponents to be enveloped by a fearful black dream, leading to their own collapse.