The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 122: Heading to Glittergold Plains

Florerella said she could teach Sylutia 'Aromatherapy', which made the young girl somewhat tempted. However, she currently only had one remaining [Ability Slot]. If she learned 'Aromatherapy' and then wanted to learn something else later, it wouldn't be possible.

Even so, Sylutia quickly thought of another solution: learn it first, then forget the ability after learning it. If she needed it again in the future, she could always re-learn it.

Her last experience falling into the Shadow World was a similar situation. The 'Flower Blooming Method' was shattered by Distortion erosion, but she quickly re-learned it afterwards, not taking much time.

However, this method was probably only usable by her. For others, firstly, they didn't have the time and energy to learn multiple abilities, and secondly, even if they re-learned, they wouldn't be as fast as her.

"Then thank you, Florerella." Having decided, Sylutia expressed her gratitude.

Afterwards, the two went to eat together, then returned to discuss learning 'Aromatherapy'.

"Aromatherapy is a unique secret art from my homeland. There should be very few people on the Fourth Continent who know it," Florerella introduced.

"It's an ability that uses the fragrance of aromatic plants to soothe mental fatigue and tension, with additional detoxification and healing effects."

"Compared to other healing abilities, its potency is weaker, but its advantages are that it can be used over a large area, covering an entire region, and its effects are gentle with few side effects."

After the brief introduction, Florerella took out a small bottle of aromatic essential oil and handed it to Sylutia to see."This is the aromatic essential oil necessary for performing 'Aromatherapy'. You can prepare it yourself in the future. Just like the Flower Blooming Method, the specific effects of Aromatherapy depend on the various aromatic essential oils you use."

【Aromatic Essential Oil (Clove)】(First Tier · Verdant Nectar): The fragrance can soothe mental fatigue and calm the spirit.

She pulled out the bottle stopper, then a faint light swirled in her eyes as a breeze carrying the fragrance wafted throughout the room.

An intangible floral scent diffused, instantly making Sylutia, who had browsed stalls all day, two parts more clear-headed. The original fatigue on her body also lessened somewhat.

Just as the 'Flower Blooming Method' amplified the effects of flowers, 'Aromatherapy' also amplified the originally weak effects of the aromatic essential oil, increasing them severalfold.

This did share some common ground with the 'Flower Blooming Method', the young girl thought. However, the range of effects from flowers activated by the Flower Blooming Method could be wider, while the essential oils required for Aromatherapy could also achieve higher quality and effects through alchemical refinement.

The two still had many differences in certain aspects.

In the following days, Sylutia followed Florerella to learn 'Aromatherapy', then returned to practice on her own.

Around the sixth day, she felt she had preliminarily mastered this ability and could condense it into an Ability Card and embed it into her Fate Plate at any time. However, after her previous experience with Lady Franne, she became a bit more cautious to avoid her performance being too eye-catching.

"How long did it take Florerella to learn it back then?" Sylutia asked while they were having dinner together.

"It took me about a month or so. Mom said I learned very quickly," Florerella narrated happily.

"I see. I've also gained some understanding now, but I'm still a bit short of time from fully mastering it." Indeed, she was only short of a 'bit' of time.

"No need to rush, Tia. We're still nearly a month away from reaching the Hidden Grove. You'll definitely learn it," Florerella nodded.

After preliminary mastery, Sylutia didn't need to follow Florerella for lessons every day, and their attention shifted elsewhere.

One day, Edgin found Sylutia.

"The Camel Tower will soon arrive at the Merchant Capital Alliance. Sylutia, do you have anything you need to purchase? You can make a list for me, and I'll report it to the teacher all together."

"Purchasing things..." She thought about it and didn't seem to need anything special.

"I'm not lacking daily necessities currently. As for other things, I don't know if senior has any suggestions."

Edgin picked up his teacup, drank half of it heartily, then spoke.

"If there's nothing particularly needed, then buy some seeds. I remember you're pursuing the gardener profession."

"It's troublesome to think about buying specific seeds on the spot. Give me 50 gold coins, and I'll directly have the local Horticulture Guild prepare a full set of local seeds for you."

"Alright, thank you, senior." Sylutia returned to her room, took out 50 gold coins, and handed them to Edgin.

Seeing her make such a straightforward decision, Edgin was in a good mood. He was quite annoyed by girls who hesitated, asked endless questions left and right, and then constantly changed their minds.

"I'll accept the gold coins. They should be uniformly purchased and delivered to you in about half a month." After saying this, he finished the remaining half cup of tea, stood up again, and left to notify the next student.

Three days later, the mysterious camel as large as a mountain stopped, and Sylutia could finally clearly see the scenery outside the window.

The place where they were currently stopping should be the mountain city by Meteorite Lake. The vast Meteorite Lake had deep blue water, stretching for thousands of miles, with no end in sight for the moment. The hills by the lake rose and fell, and a city was built halfway up the mountain, presenting a semi-circular crescent shape. Below the city, near where the mountain met the water, there was a port where many 'large ships' were docked, with people constantly going up and down, transporting goods.

To reduce unnecessary trouble and prevent students from getting lost or being difficult to manage, students inside the Camel Tower could not go out now and could only wait inside. Moreover, only students who had obtained Badges could specify items for purchase.

Ten days later, the first batch of daily supplies arrived. The restaurants and shops inside the Camel Tower had fresh ingredients and goods, and many students began browsing the shops, purchasing daily necessities.

Afterwards, new goods were replenished every three days, continuing like this until twenty days later.

"Yes, put these boxes in the warehouse first." A staff member inside the Camel Tower directed, having three large 2-meter by 2-meter boxes transported onto the Camel Tower and placed in the lower-level warehouse.

He flipped through the booklet in his hand, checking off one line, then took out a slip of paper and stuck it on the box. It read 'Student 'Sylutia'; Third Floor, No. 22'.

"This one's ready." Then he waved again, having another box brought over.

This box contained a huge glass tank with several large fish swimming inside, their colors transitioning from orange to blue, their scales refracting light.

"Bluefin Spearfish. These important people's requests are really peculiar, but they're prepared anyway." He checked off another line in the booklet.

Inside the Camel Tower, many students were gathered and assembled in the central halls of several floors, including Sylutia's floor.

At this final stop, she finally saw all the students on her floor who possessed Badges.

There were 19 in total, each with distinct styles.

Among them were the familiar elf girl Florerella, the blue-coated youth Edgin who had received her, and many others she hadn't seen before. Nearly half were of noble birth, wearing formal attire or intricate, beautiful dresses. The other half wore relatively plain clothing.

Some were completely wrapped in black robes, some wore masks on their faces, some wore full-body armor with visors, some wore loose flax clothing carrying crude curved blades, some wore veils with one long leg exposed adorned with a golden ring that restrained the curve of the thigh, and some wore fur short shirts, like wild mountain people, which was quite astonishing.

After waiting a few minutes, the black-clad middle-aged man Sylutia had seen once when she entered the Camel Tower appeared again. He held a thick-bound book under his arm, opened it, and the pages quickly flipped, verifying and checking the faces and images of each student in the hall.

"No need for idle talk. Tomorrow, the Camel Tower we are in will depart for the Hidden Grove." His gaze swept over everyone, ensuring each person was attentively listening.

"The Hidden Grove is a general term. In fact, we have many outposts in the Shadow World. These outposts were also built jointly by various organizations within the Grove."

"Organizations that contribute more naturally have more authority and resources at that outpost. Each organization has a different style, which also creates differences in the style of that outpost."

After saying this, he flipped to the end of the book. 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, though the base color was gray.

On this gray Shadow Continent, dots of varying sizes were marked, each with small explanatory text behind it.

"Students going to the Grove will be assigned to different outposts. Considering fairness, as the most outstanding members, you cannot choose the same outpost; each must be separate."

"If all the geniuses went to the same outpost, firstly, resources wouldn't be enough to distribute, and secondly, it would be unfair to other organizations. Because the operation of the Grove requires the joint efforts of many organizations; one cannot be overly favored." After a brief explanation, seeing no questions from the students present, he nodded and continued.

"I will recommend suitable outposts for you based on your different strengths, for you to choose from." After saying this, his finger swept across the book again, and sheets of paper floated up, flying to each student's front.

'Student Sylutia, you excel at horticulture, possess the [Verdant Nectar] Aspect, and have abilities like 'Flower Blooming Method' and 'Breathing Technique'. The outposts recommended for you are as follows—'

【Demonblood Forest】

A dangerous border outpost, often invaded by Distorted monsters.

Centuries ago, 'Bloodthorn Garden' dispatched personnel to plant large numbers of Demonblood Magic Trees here, which can strangle monsters that intrude into the forest, absorb their flesh and blood, and condense 'Crimson Blood Fruit'. This place is permanently inhabited by members of the 'Wildfire Sect', who are skilled in the killing arts of the 'Bloodline' Aspect, and also the beast tamer school 'Fang Forest Garden', who are proficient in breeding powerful beasts to assist in combat.

If you go to this outpost, you can access the secret art inheritances of these three organizations: 'Bloodthorn Garden (Bloodline · Verdant Nectar)', 'Wildfire Sect (Bloodline · Beast Fang)', and 'Fang Forest Garden (Beast Fang · Verdant Nectar)'. Because this outpost is dangerous, annual supplies are doubled, and it's easy to obtain high point rewards.

——

【Glittergold Plains】

A stable inland plain area, rarely attacked by Distorted monsters. It is the source of food for many parts of the Grove. Additionally, 'Glittergold Wheat' is cultivated here, which can be used to refine metal.

The organizations stationed here include the 'Four Seasons Alliance', 'Forging Gold Hammer', and 'Holy White Knight Hall'. The branch of the 'Four Seasons Alliance' here is skilled in cultivating food crops and strange metal products. The craftsmen of 'Forging Gold Hammer' forge many weapons and armor here. Many young knight apprentices of the 'Holy White Knight Hall' also receive training here. This is one of the top ten outposts by population, with many small organizations also stationed here.

If you go to this outpost, you can access the secret art inheritances of 'Four Seasons Alliance (Blazing Sun · Verdant Nectar)', 'Forging Gold Hammer (Gold Steam · Castle)', and 'Holy White Knight Hall (Castle · Blazing Sun)'. Because this location is in the core inland area, the environment is stable, and there are too many residents, annual supplies are reduced by 30%.

——

【Glow Mushroom Cavern】

A remote underground cavern, often encountering troublesome monsters. Various fluorescent mushrooms and fungi are found everywhere here, and it also produces gems and some metals.

Many members of the 'Night Dream Tea Party' are stationed here, collecting local mushrooms and fungi as magical medicine ingredients to prepare potions and refine bizarre abilities. The 'White Bone Graveyard' raises many skeletal creatures in the caverns to mine ores. The alchemist school 'Rainbow Colored Glass Vial' also dispatches many members to be permanently stationed here, using local products to create alchemical artifacts.

If you go to this outpost, you can access the secret art inheritances of 'Night Dream Tea Party (Mist Shadow · Nightmare)', 'White Bone Graveyard (Dead Embers · Snail Fish)', and 'Rainbow Colored Glass Vial (Luminous Moon · Gold Steam)'. Because this location is underground with poor environment, annual supplies are increased by 50%.

——

At the 'First Tier', students cannot change outposts. If they reach the Second Tier, they can spend points to change outposts.

Sweeping her gaze over these three choices, Sylutia slowly formed an idea in her heart. She decided to go to 【Glittergold Plains】 initially, learn there for a while, broaden her horizons, and accumulate strength. When she reached the Second Tier, she would go to the other two places to take a look.

After all, Lady Franne joined a peripheral organization of the 'Four Seasons Alliance'. It would be a bit unreasonable if she didn't go take a look.