The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 17: The Recruitment of the Four Seasons Alliance

Vol 2 Chapter 17 The Recruitment of the Four Seasons Alliance

While enjoying the cake, the two continued their conversation, and Sylutia gradually learned a lot about the baker profession.

Although she was initially surprised to see that the baker's Aspect was 'Gold Steam,' she quickly understood and accepted this reality.

Just as Mr. Fred had said, forging objects with metal and making pastries from food ingredients were essentially no different; both involved the refinement, recasting, and transformation of existing materials.

The negotiation process was pleasant. Sylutia and Fred agreed that she would provide 2400 jin of 'Excellent' quality wheat flour, and in return, he would pay 96 gold coins.

"I think I should post a task to purchase Excellent quality wheat, and then you can accept and complete it. That would be much better," the other party thought for a moment.

"Oh, why do it that way?" Sylutia picked up the tea on the table to cut through the richness, asking curiously.

"This way, firstly, it avoids taxes. Secondly, the task format allows the Hidden Grove association to supervise and guarantee the transaction. You don't have to worry about me reneging on payment, and I don't have to worry about receiving substandard goods."

"I see." The girl nodded, understanding the reasoning.

Indeed, this method had many benefits, and she could also earn some association points through the process of completing the task.The next day, a new task to purchase wheat flour was added to the association bulletin board in White Stone Fortress. The quantity was exactly 2400 jin, with a quality requirement of 'Excellent,' and the issuer was 'Wind Furnace Bakery.'

Using her apprentice status to register, Sylutia quickly accepted this purchase task and prepared to go to the valley with some people two days later to retrieve that batch of wheat flour.

On the third day, Sylutia came to the Hidden Grove association and met the teacher reviewing advancement cases.

"You are Sylutia, right?" The other party was a sharp-eyed old man wearing a light green floral cloak, with a badge adorned with flowers and leaves pinned to his chest.

Sensing his aura slightly, he should be a Third Tier Verdant Nectar Transcendent. Sylutia bowed in greeting.

"Hello, I am Sylutia." She had deliberately pinned that Hidden Grove Badge on the front of her attire today.

Seeing this badge, the other's gaze softened a bit, probably realizing that this girl was already a rare genius, so her faster advancement was understandable.

"Very good. First, come with me to the second floor of the association to check your specific situation." The other nodded and led Sylutia to the second floor of the association hall.

It was relatively quieter here, and most of those coming to handle affairs were senior Second Tier apprentices. They looked at Sylutia walking upstairs with slight curiosity but didn't pay too much attention.

Arriving at a room, the other asked Sylutia to sit down first. Then, he lifted the cloth covering the table, revealing a precisely crafted instrument. Its body was made of bright yellow metal, with a transparent crystal sphere at its center.

"This is an instrument that can detect the strength of Aspect power. Place your hand on it and slowly input the power of [Verdant Nectar]."

"I understand." The girl tried placing her hand on the crystal sphere and inputting power.

Soon, a faint emerald halo appeared, and some points of light also emerged within the crystal.

"Maintain this state for three minutes." His gaze fixed on the pointer below the instrument, he demanded in a deep voice.

Sylutia continued to comply.

About three minutes later, the other nodded, indicating it was enough.

"Next is testing your mental stability." After saying this, he took out another crystal sphere containing a blue liquid, with a small boat floating on the liquid's surface.

"Try using your mental power to make the liquid inside this sphere rotate."

"Alright." Sylutia looked at the crystal sphere and then concentrated.

Soon, the liquid inside the crystal sphere began to rotate, forming a vortex. The entire process was effortless.

"Now, make that hollow pearl inside the boat float up. Remember, the rotation of the liquid must not stop." The other continued to instruct.

Sylutia then complied, and the hollow white pearl steadily floated up, remaining stationary above the small boat.

And so, five minutes passed. Just as Sylutia thought she needed to continue, the other nodded, letting the girl lower the pearl back into the boat.

"Good, that concludes it." Covering the instrument on the table again, the old man walked to another desk and began writing a report.

"Your mental power is very stable, arguably the most outstanding apprentice I have ever seen." He told Sylutia the situation while writing.

"This essentially rules out you using shortcut methods, as such methods often bring many problems, frequently leading to schizophrenia, loss of control, mental dispersion, and so on."

"The Verdant Nectar Aspect is also exceptionally pure, with no traces of heterogeneous contamination. This indicates you haven't used external substances to enhance yourself, and your advancement process is very solid."

After finishing the inspection report, he stamped it with his seal, indicating approval, and then stood up.

"My name is Yude. I am a gardener and a formal member within the 'Four Seasons Alliance.' Our organization focuses on the development, cultivation, and utilization of various resources, with branches spread across the continent."

"If you wish to join, I can act as your recommender to help with the application."

"I heard joining the 'Four Seasons Alliance' generally requires the Third Tier. I'm only at the 'Second Tier' right now. Can I still apply?" The girl was slightly surprised.

"Formal membership indeed requires the Third Tier. However, the mechanisms within the Hidden Grove are different from those on the surface. Here, Second Tier apprentices are allowed to become the organization's reserve members, enjoying some benefits in advance." It was somewhat similar to a large company recruiting university students before their official graduation in the girl's previous life.

"Becoming a formal member grants you a special 'magic potion' as a new member benefit. Our organization possesses an extremely unique 'Four Seasons Magic Potion,' a rare treasure you cannot buy elsewhere and is difficult to obtain." He introduced the benefits of the Four Seasons Alliance.

"If you become a reserve member now, although you won't receive the magic potion, you can obtain other resource rewards for cultivation. I can show you the reward list."

After saying this, he rummaged through a drawer, pulled out a form, and handed it over.

'Benefits for Second Tier apprentices upon joining the 'Four Seasons Alliance':'

Can apply for one free course within the organization per quarter. (Course difficulty must not exceed intermediate level.) Provided with ten portions of 'Tranquil Black Tea' per quarter that enhance meditation effects. (Quality: 'First Tier Verdant Nectar') Provided with three portions of 'Orchid Fragrance Healing Potion' per quarter. (Quality: 'First Tier Verdant Nectar Excellent') Provided with one set of organization apprentice uniform every two years, can choose from spring, summer, autumn, and winter styles. (Quality: 'Second Tier Superior') Can participate in one secret realm exploration organized by the Four Seasons Alliance per year. Gains during the process do not need to be surrendered.——

'Obligations for Second Tier apprentices upon becoming reserve members of the 'Four Seasons Alliance':'

Must advance to the Third Tier within ten years, otherwise automatically lose reserve member qualification. Annual Hidden Grove association evaluation must be 'Good' or above. If failing to meet the standard accumulates three times, qualification is revoked. Cannot become a reserve or formal member of other organizations. Must not slander or betray the 'Four Seasons Alliance.' Must participate in two 'Four Seasons Alliance' organized exchange gatherings per year to get acquainted with members of the same period. Should trade various resources produced and obtained within the organization as much as possible. If, upon advancing to the Third Tier, one chooses not to join the 'Four Seasons Alliance,' must pay additional fees for the benefits received during the apprenticeship period.After reading the form, Sylutia nodded, indicating she would consider it.

"I plan to first stabilize my current state, learn and understand matters at this stage, and then choose an organization to join."

"That is natural." This Third Tier gardener expressed understanding. Then, after thinking for a moment, he simply wrote an address at the bottom of that form and handed it to Sylutia.

"This is my residence in the city. If you have questions or need help, you can come here to find me." He usually didn't leave his address to avoid disturbance, but this silver-haired girl in the black hood had exceptional talent. Showing some goodwill was worthwhile.

"Thank you, Teacher Yude." Sylutia bowed in thanks.

Seeing her quiet, polite demeanor and peaceful mindset, the old man was quite appreciative. He then encouraged Sylutia a few more words before letting her leave.

Thus, Sylutia was officially registered as a Second Tier apprentice in the Hidden Grove association, enjoying many rights and supplies.