The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 132: Flowers Scattered to the Wind

Vol 2 Chapter 132: Flowers Scattered to the Wind

One week later, Sylutia received the visiting Lucas at the mansion.

In the tall, spacious, and resplendently golden hall, Sylutia wore a formal dress of pale white and goose yellow, even her hair ribbon was a silk ribbon of pale white and goose yellow. When she sat upright on the sofa, those familiar with this place might have felt a sense of daze, because her bearing faintly carried the shadow of Lady Franne from back then.

Yet within the similarity, there were subtle differences. Perhaps it was that Sylutia possessed a bit more of the unique, moving beauty of a maiden, and a bit less of the dignified elegance of a mature lady.

"This is 'Snow Orchid Flower Tea.' I wonder if senior likes it." At Sylutia's indication, Lucas picked up the teacup on the table and took a small sip.

"A very nice floral tea. Did Tia blend it herself?" He took a small sip, savoring it carefully.

"I do know how to make it myself, but what we're drinking today was left behind by my former teacher." Seeing Lucas had some questions, Sylutia continued.

"While studying Secret History Knowledge with Scholar Hyde in Scorchstone City, I was also here at this mansion, learning related skills and knowledge from another gardener."

"Much of my foundation was also laid during that time."

Recalling the path of the gardener, the most important of her abilities and secret arts were learned from Lady Franne. She truly could be considered her enlightening mentor."Here? That's a very good starting point then." Lucas surveyed the surroundings, feeling somewhat emotional.

He was born into a commoner family in Scorchstone City. Although his parents were also city employees and not poor, compared to someone like Sylutia, there was still a significant gap.

"Yes, I'm very grateful that Instructor Franne took me in and taught me back then. Otherwise, I probably would have suffered quite a bit." The young girl blew on the tea, reminiscing about past events.

The two sat there reminiscing about many past events from Scorchstone City. The two originally unfamiliar and distant people also became slightly more acquainted.

"I didn't expect you studied under Winnie back then too." Lucas was somewhat surprised.

"Senior knows Winnie?" Sylutia asked curiously.

"I do. But back then, she had just arrived at Scholar Hyde's place, still very small in stature, with a bit of stubbornness and shyness. The teacher asked us older students to look after her."

"But after that, everyone gradually got familiar with her. Among the girls, she was a relatively rare type, able to quietly finish reading book after book and still ponder some questions."

"As time passed, everyone had a certain impression of her."

"However, her talent on the path of supernatural Aspects was average, which Scholar Hyde found somewhat regrettable, but he was still very fond of her. Later, he even helped arrange a marriage for her."

"As for what happened after that, I'm not clear. By then, I had already left Scorchstone City to go study in the Hidden Grove."

After reminiscing about the past, Lucas also felt a bit sentimental.

That evening, the two dined with a group of old acquaintances at a restaurant in Scorchstone City. Here, Sylutia met students from several classes ahead of her under Scholar Hyde. Many of them were already in their thirties, right in the prime of their lives.

Everyone gathered around the two, thanking them for resolving Scorchstone City's crisis. During this period, the truth about Scorchstone City's transformation had gradually become known to them, as their assistance was also needed to properly manage the city.

Here, Sylutia also saw her classmate Yero again.

This former little fatty was now much darker, with some of his former fat replaced by muscle, which changed his entire spirit and appearance considerably.

"Tia..."

Although Yero very much wanted to greet Sylutia familiarly when he saw her, he became somewhat reserved due to the influence of the Aspect rank emanating from this young girl.

"Senior Yero, long time no see." Sylutia lifted her skirt slightly and curtsied, her manner still the same as in the past, even a bit more lively than before.

Seeing that this junior didn't look down on him with disdain, Yero breathed a small sigh of relief and then began to talk about his experiences over the past few years.

"I first went to study in several other cities. Later, when the war broke out, I hid in a village and lived there for nearly a year."

"Life in the village was poor and simple, but it also made me realize the true circumstances of many farmers. It was also during that year that I probably grew up quite a bit." Yero explained, rubbing his head.

"Now I work in Wheatfield Town, coordinating and guiding the local farmers in their cultivation. The income isn't much, but it feels relatively solid." Saying this, he seemed somewhat lacking in confidence.

"That's truly remarkable, Senior Yero." The young girl clasped her hands together, her eyes holding a touch of admiration. Such a gaze made Yero a bit uncomfortable, and he quietly turned his face away.

I never expected Senior Yero could be shy too, the young girl couldn't help but compare him to the memory of that somewhat quiet little fatty.

"Wheatfield Town... I remember that was once Knight Levin's territory. How is Valeny doing now?" Sylutia thought of the girl who had taken her notebook.

"Valeny, ah..." The expression on Yero's face became emotional.

"When the war broke out, she hid in the countryside, avoiding the most dangerous period. However, her father, Knight Levin, fell in battle, and the town their family owned is now occupied by the Anty people."

"Now she lives in the remote Mossstone Town. She has a distant elder relative there, but it's said she isn't very happy living there."

"It seems that elder makes her help with household chores, which she is extremely unwilling to do, feeling wronged. They've argued several times."

"Is that so? What about the other classmates?" Sylutia wanted to know about the whereabouts of her other friends.

"As for the others, most of them are currently in Scorchstone City as well, but they are mostly quite ordinary, without any special changes."

"Baren, that is, the former heir of Baron Horlin, the one who used to try to pursue Iona... his grave is in the mountains west of the city." Yero recalled events from two years ago.

"Back then, when the Anty army attacked, Scorchstone City also resisted for a while, surrendering only when they truly couldn't hold out."

"In that battle, Baren and his father, Baron Horlin, were hit by a divine archer from the enemy army and died on the spot."

"After studying blacksmithing in Scorchstone City for a year, Ray went to Scorchstone City. That happened to be just when the war broke out. Because Scorchstone City had many craftsmen, and the Anty people also needed these craftsmen greatly, they adopted a conciliatory policy. He probably didn't suffer great harm."

"Komea went to the witch organization north of Meteorite Lake. A year ago, I still received a letter from her, saying she was doing quite well there."

"Solyn went to Windcliff City before. That place is the front line against the Anty people and also suffered the most severe war damage. I don't know what happened to him afterwards."

"Mick went to another city to become an adventurer. I haven't been in contact with him for a long time now, so I don't know his whereabouts. But as long as he doesn't directly participate in the war, the Anty people probably wouldn't target him specifically. With his abilities, if he just ducked into some remote mountains, the Anty people wouldn't be able to find him."

"Karen occasionally returns to Scorchstone City. She should currently be in Valley City. The situation there is very unclear now, as Valley City has changed hands twice and is also a key target for suppression by the Anty people."

Three years later, the once familiar classmates and friends had scattered like flowers, each drifting their own way.

Afterwards, Sylutia thanked Yero and, after some thought, gifted him a White Stone Chess Piece.

[White Stone Chess Piece] (First Tier - Castle): A chess piece condensed by a noble with a title using their own status, possessing the power of the 'Castle' Aspect. It can allow a person with the capacity to bear it to advance to 'First Tier - Castle'. (The bestowal of such a piece often represents an enfeoffment.)

This was something she had received and kept in trust while living at Lady Franne's place, and later Lady Franne directly gave it to her.

Although Yero primarily focused on 'Secret Word,' he had also learned quite a few secret arts related to the Castle under Scholar Hyde, so it should be useful to him.

Originally, Sylutia also had an even more precious 'Third Tier - Castle' chess piece in her possession, a return gift from the 'Ironwall Crown Furnace' school. However, such a treasure, rashly given to Yero who was still only at the 'First Tier,' would only bring disaster upon him.

After some thought, Sylutia also prepared to gift Yero some of the [Sunflower Seed Oil] (First Tier - Blazing Sun) that the lady had left for her in the mansion.

"I won't stay in Scorchstone City for very long. I'll probably have many matters to trouble you with in the future, Senior Yero. Please don't stand on ceremony."

Under the gentle words of this young girl, Yero accepted the gifts, both grateful and feeling somewhat embarrassed.

In the short span of three years, this once delicate junior had already grown into an important figure.