The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 60: Spiral Spear

Vol 2 Chapter 60: Spiral Spear

In the valley, golden wheat fields swayed gently in the autumn wind.

Toads of various colors were methodically tending to these crops. Some were responsible for fetching water, some cleared away pests, and some performed the emerald-green Dew Prayer Method to promote plant growth.

After finishing three consecutive days of classes, Sylutia returned to this valley.

First, she spent half a day inspecting the condition of the field crops. Then, she returned to her small cottage for a nap.

In the afternoon, Sylutia stood in the open space of the backyard garden, contemplating her current situation.

Regarding abilities related to cultivating crops, she had already learned very well. To improve further, she would have to wait until the Third Tier.

Knowledge-wise, she was currently learning in an orderly manner, slowly enriching herself, so there was no need to worry.

However, when it came to combat, she was still somewhat lacking. Although she had abilities like 'Vine Overgrowth' and 'Vegetation Frenzy', their applicability was ultimately limited. If facing a powerful enemy, they always felt a bit insufficient.

Thinking of this, she drew her Tree Jade Spirit Sword and practiced in the garden, going through all the previously learned 'Basic Swordsmanship', 'Military Swordsmanship', and 'Garden Swordsmanship'.If she could master an offensive ability like the 'Golden Needle Piercing Blade' Iona used back then, which possessed explosive power and breakthrough force, that would be much better. Facing that Petrification Lizard earlier, if it had been a Third Tier creature skilled in combat, her sword blade wouldn't have been able to pierce its defense at all.

Unfortunately, the strength of 'Verdant Nectar' lay in cultivation. When it came to combat, it was always somewhat lacking.

Among the moon Aspects, 'Luminous Moon' also leaned towards healing, purification, and recovery. For true offensive power, one had to look at the 'Nightmare' Aspect.

Sylutia sat under the apple tree, pondering.

In another three or four months, she would be heading to the Border Outpost. Even though, as a gardener, she wasn't a primary combatant, considering her own safety, she still needed to prepare.

What should she do?

She thought for a moment, then stood up, took out a seed, and held it in her palm. Soon, a vine grew along her wrist, then became sturdy, extending into a nearly three-meter-long tough vine whip covered in thorny blades.

This was the Sickle Thorn Vine she had purchased before her last adventure, but she never had a chance to use it during the trip.

Swinging the vine whip, Sylutia lashed at a stone in front of her, leaving a scratch mark. If it hit a living creature, it would likely tear and mangle its body.

Afterwards, she tested its strength a few more times, slowly making estimations in her mind.

Against First Tier creatures, this vine whip would be very useful. It could not only injure the enemy but also bind them. However, if facing a Second Tier enemy, like the Blood Basin Giant Python they encountered, its effectiveness would be very poor. The python's scales could resist the thorn blades on the whip, and the whip's strength would also struggle to bind it.

This ability was probably meant for gardeners to defend themselves and provide support. From the start, it wasn't expected to have exceptionally powerful offensive effects.

On the other hand, 'Vegetation Frenzy', another ability she rarely used before, could catalyze thorn grass, causing trouble for many creatures. It could cover a large area at once, eliminating a large number of low-tier enemies.

After testing a few times, Sylutia formed some evaluations in her mind.

Finally, she took out her long-used Tree Jade Spirit Sword again. After infusing it with her Verdant Nectar Aspect, the sword blade hummed, suddenly brightened, then became sharper and more solid.

Although it didn't have any special effects, it could freely adjust its shape and length, making it exceptionally handy to use.

Afterwards, she manipulated this Tree Jade Spirit Sword, transforming it into the forms of a knife, a sickle, an axe, and a spear, feeling a kind of effortless flexibility.

Finally, as the Tree Jade Spirit Sword changed, she suddenly thought of something.

Returning to her room, she took out the potted 'Fire Glow Orchid', plucked a flower stamen from it, and incorporated it into the Tree Jade Spirit Sword.

Orange-red fine thread-like Patterns spread from the stamen across the originally emerald-green sword blade. Then the entire blade became scalding hot, glowing with a faint orange firelight.

At this moment, Sylutia swung the sword again. It was as if large swathes of flames were dancing, leaving traces in the air.

It could indeed attach flame and high-temperature effects, but...

Sylutia looked at the softened, almost melting sword blade and shook her head slightly.

This kind of enhancement still had conflicts, causing the sword blade's own properties to rapidly deteriorate.

Retrieving the stamen and placing it aside, Sylutia then brought over the Ice Cup Flower that 'Florerella' had given her earlier and placed it into the sword's guard.

An icy-white luster spread from the guard along the blade, and then the blade became snow-white and ice-cold.

Sylutia swung the sword to test it again. A faint chill spread in the air, and a few snowflakes drifted down.

【Tree Jade Spirit Sword】(First Tier·Rare): A resin jade sword empowered by the 'Ice Cup Flower', its power somewhat increased. (Sturdiness +1, Sharpness +1, Ice-cold +1)

This was much better than using the 'Fire Glow Orchid'. At least there was no conflict.

Sylutia nodded in satisfaction, but this still wasn't enough. It merely made using various powers a bit more flexible and improved versatility.

Taking the Ice Cup Flower out of the sword and placing it back in its pot, Sylutia temporarily set aside the idea of using the 'Verdant Nectar' Aspect to enhance her combat power.

Each Aspect had its own strengths. Why should she force herself to be all-rounder?

...

Two days later, Sylutia returned to White Stone Fortress again. This time, however, she came to the 'Holy White Knight Hall' garrison.

After showing her Badge and identity, the young girl was quickly welcomed into the training ground inside the castle. Here, she could see many Knight Squires undergoing training. They practiced swordsmanship, spear techniques, horsemanship, military knowledge, discipline management, and corresponding secret history codes and laws here.

Hearing of Sylutia's visit, a knight in silver-white armor walked over.

"Hello, I am Albert, the knight on duty today." He removed his helmet, revealing a handsome yet slightly melancholic face.

This knight looked to be around thirty, with grayish-white hair that gave him a somewhat weathered, but not aged, appearance.

"Hello, I am Sylutia. I came this time to learn an advanced swordsmanship from the Knight Order." This was the task and promise from that Knight Captain Cassius.

"I see." The other party nodded slightly, his expression still calm.

"Please follow me." He then led Sylutia into the inner part of the Knight Hall. Passing through gates guarded by squires, they arrived at the castle's interior, a hall resembling a temple.

Here stood numerous stone steles. The steles were carved with figures in motion and weapons, and below them were inscribed the names of those combat arts.

'Battalion-Breaking Greatsword' 'Swift Wind Horsemanship' 'Piercing Kill Lance'

'White Dove Swordplay' 'Silver Armor Holy Armor' 'Shield of Sanctuary'

'Meteor Archery' 'Spiral Spear' 'Luminous Stone Breathing Technique'

'Glitterstone Heavy Hammer' 'Fortress Wall Footwork' 'Shell-Breaking Great Axe'

...

A dazzling array of combat arts unfolded before Sylutia, making her eyes spin.

"These are combat techniques and abilities within the Knight Order, from Tier 1 to 2, that you can choose to learn. You may pick one," Albert introduced.

Walking before these steles, Sylutia carefully read the descriptions below. They detailed the technique's effects, learning requirements, and limitations.

The vast majority of abilities required the 'Castle' Aspect. However, some abilities were not limited to this;

other Aspects could also learn them. For example, the ability 'Shell-Breaking Great Axe' could be learned by both the 'Snail Fish' and 'Castle' Aspects. Its art originally came from fishmen fighting giant sea clams in the deep ocean.

However, later, the earth shattered, and complete oceans no longer existed. Now, fishmen were extinct, with only amphibious species surviving, like the group of toads in the valley.

After looking for a long time, Sylutia finally stopped before one particular stele.

'Spiral Spear';

Must be performed with a specially rune-inscribed spiral spear blade. Possesses powerful piercing force. Depending on the user's Aspect, it is accompanied by different lightning powers. Requires one of the three Aspects: 'Vaulted Sky', 'Blazing Sun', or 'Verdant Nectar'.

Note: This art ability imitates the 'Aedanil' of the Fifth Epoch. According to ancient legends, the Fairy Monarchs took branches from the World Tree, tempered them with the sun's fire, and had 385 Upper-tier Fairies bestow blessings and protection, making it a mythical weapon to slay the Doomsday Black Serpent. (After the Doomsday Black Serpent died, its remains split into the Seven Law Dragons.)

"I'll choose this ability." Since Verdant Nectar could also learn it, Sylutia was quite satisfied.

"No problem." Albert nodded, then walked to that stele, placed his hand on it, and knelt on one knee.

Soon, he prayed with a solemn expression, a stone-white halo emanating from his body, and invisible ripples spreading.

The characters on the stele lit up one by one, then formed a virtual, transparent card in the air above. Intricate lines crisscrossed within it, engraving the essence of the art.

After about ten minutes, this transparent card fully formed and hovered in the air.

Albert stood up and turned to look at Sylutia.

"Sylutia, come here. Stand before the stele and open your body and mind."

"Yes." Sylutia walked forward, somewhat curious, then gazed at the huge floating card. Numerous tiny points of light drifted and traced within it, vaguely forming the shape of a spiral spear.

When she stood still, this huge card slowly descended, immersing the young girl. In her consciousness, a special scene instantly unfolded, and an intangible, faint power also coursed through her body, demonstrating the method and details of power circulation.

"Now, memorize this art with all your might. It will only last for 20 minutes," Albert reminded.

"I understand." Sylutia nodded.

She closed her eyes, meticulously sensing the techniques and methods of execution within, memorizing the entire process.

About ten minutes later, as Sylutia became familiar with and mastered it, a brand new Ability Card appeared within her Fate Plate.

【Spiral Spear Lv.1】(Verdant Nectar): A combat ability that must be performed with a special spear blade, capable of attaching weak Verdant Nectar lightning attacks. (Lightning +0.3)

After waiting for Sylutia to open her eyes, Albert finally nodded slightly, showing her some recognition.

"This is the Knight Order's stele inheritance, allowing you to quickly learn a combat ability. However, as an advanced combat technique, you must at least raise this ability to the third stage to display its proper power and effect."

"Thank you, I understand."

Practice and raise it to the third stage, huh? Probably only then would she complete that Knight Captain's task.