The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 193: The Fourth Year in the Hidden Grove

Vol 2 Chapter 193: The Fourth Year in the Hidden Grove

Two weeks later, under Seraph's guidance, Sylutia not only learned the 'False Bouquet' spell but also gained a deep understanding of the twelve types of runic patterns used to construct it.

"Now, let's give it a try, Ya," Seraph said, leading the young woman to a clearing outside the garden.

"Alright, Instructor."

Facing a target 50 meters away, Sylutia raised her hand. Within her consciousness, a brand new Card on her Fate Plate lit up.

It was a Card intricately woven with numerous interlacing pale purple and cyan patterns. These patterns resembled threads, or perhaps circuits, flowing with the power of the 'Verdant Nectar' Aspect. At the three-dimensional center of the Card they outlined, a bouquet of 'Bright Flame Cornflowers' was sealed like a heart.

As the patterns brightened, the central 'Bright Flame Cornflower bouquet' also emitted a faint golden halo.

In reality, an intangible fiery cornflower gathered in Sylutia's hand, blazing brilliantly like burning gold. Compared to a real Bright Flame Cornflower, it appeared even more dazzlingly vibrant and fiercely radiant.

She tossed this fiery bloom into the air, scattering it to the wind. The shattered petals struck the distant target, and just a single small fragment was enough to incinerate it completely.

Seeing this scene, Seraph's expression was complex, but he nodded nonetheless.Noticing her instructor's strange look, Sylutia couldn't help but ask the reason.

"Because the effect you demonstrated... is somewhat different from the original concept behind this spell's development," Seraph had to tactfully point out.

"The person who originally invented the 'False Bouquet' actually intended it to be a useful curse-type spell."

"He would specifically seek out high-tier flowers possessing the two characteristics of 'rare toxicity' and 'powerful negative effects' to serve as the construction material for the spell Card."

"The completed 'False Bouquet', when cast, would afflict enemies with rare curses of 'toxin' and 'negative effects', weakening and killing them in this way."

"Compared to common 'curse rituals', the False Bouquet could be conveniently cast repeatedly without needing to prepare rare raw materials each time."

"However, in your hands, the so-called 'toxin' and 'negative effects' are not as potent as the 'purifying flames' effect inherent to the 'Bright Flame Cornflower' itself."

"So, what was meant to be a perfectly good auxiliary curse-type spell has become a direct attack-type spell in your hands," he said with a sigh.

"Of course, this isn't your fault. It's just that your talent and strength are too great, and the Cornflowers you cultivate are too powerful, directly overshadowing the negative effects the spell was originally designed to emphasize."

After hearing Seraph's explanation, Sylutia understood why he had such a complicated expression.

She had indeed constructed an excellent spell Card, but its effect direction was completely different from the original design intent, even though it was still very powerful.

"It's fine, Instructor. If I ever cultivate a Cornflower with potent toxicity in the future, I'll use it to replace the current 'Bright Flame Cornflower'."

"I hope so."

Afterwards, Sylutia sought further tutoring from Seraph on various esoteric knowledge, including the high-tier characteristics of different Aspects, and the fragmented meditation method 'Memory Maze' she had previously obtained from Morris.

"This intermediate meditation method should be a secret art of the 'Secret Word' Aspect. I wonder if you, Instructor, could perfect and complete it."

Taking the meditation method notes Sylutia provided, Seraph began to carefully examine and study them.

"This type of meditation method..." he mused, gaining a general understanding after a few minutes.

"This is indeed a meditation method of the 'Secret Word' Aspect," he nodded.

"However, it's not particularly rare. Many scholarly factions teach it; it's probably a fairly common intermediate meditation method. If you wish to learn it, I have the complete version."

"Given your special status, I can teach it to you directly. But because this meditation method originates from the 'Scribe School', you'll need to exchange some resources for contribution points."

"What kind of resources does the 'Scribe School' typically want?" Sylutia asked curiously.

"Very simple. You just need to give me twenty portions of 'Third Tier · Bright Flame Cornflower' of Superior quality."

"Although our organization is a scholarly faction, our mission is to seal forbidden books and prevent their dissemination. Sometimes we directly burn forbidden books, so we require some high-tier resources with 'flame' attributes."

"I see," Sylutia nodded.

Later, she took out twenty portions of Bright Flame Cornflower from the reserves in the 'Sunblaze Garden' and exchanged them for the complete 'Memory Maze'. She also inquired with Seraph about information on the 'Black Dream Meditation Method'.

"That is the signature meditation method of the 'Night Dream Tea Party'. Based on this meditation method and combined with their faction's secret arts, multiple abilities can be derived. It has a wide range of applications. In terms of increasing Mental Power, it is also very effective."

"However, this meditation method is not without its flaws. Not only does it not increase mental stability, but during practice, it actually lowers mental stability."

"When mental stability is low, using spells becomes difficult to control, often leading to disturbances. It can even further affect a Transcendent's state of mind and emotions, gradually making them unstable and leading to breakdown."

"A rough evaluation is: a meditation method that trades 'mental stability' for rapid Mental Power growth and powerful attack effects."

"Personally, I don't recommend you learn it. Although it can greatly increase Mental Power, recovering mental stability is not easy. Unless you regularly consume certain high-tier teas for healing, or practice a meditation method of the 'Luminous Moon' Aspect to increase mental stability and neutralize its side effects."

"I understand," Sylutia nodded, thinking she might give it a try. Actually, her mental stability had always been very good, far exceeding normal values during previous tests, though her current instructor was unaware of this.

In the following weeks, Sylutia continued to research the 'False Bouquet' and learned the secret art 'Wind Calling Technique' (Vaulted Sky) provided by the Four Seasons Alliance.

This was a wizard-system spell that required 'Vaulted Sky' type materials to assist in learning. After raising it to Lv.3, she could use the method given by the Four Seasons Alliance to fuse it with the Branch Grooming Method, transforming it into 'Bountiful Wind' (Verdant Nectar · Vaulted Sky).

The materials were easy to solve. Now that Sylutia had reached the Fourth Tier, she met the requirements for cultivating 'Bubblegrass'.

For the rest of that year, Sylutia stayed in the 'Sunblaze Garden', slowly filling in the various knowledge and abilities she needed, and cultivating the flowers, plants, and crops she liked.

This year was probably also the most regular, fulfilling, and relaxed year she had experienced since coming to the Hidden Grove.

With her increased strength and no great pressure, her daily life followed a set routine: studying, reading, strolling in the garden, tending to the flowers and plants in her backyard, arranging the manor, and chatting with her companions about recent events.

Unlike 'Lantern Town', which bore the transit task and supplied various foods, the duties at the Sunblaze Garden garrison were very simple. Sylutia only needed to properly maintain the place and submit a certain amount of high-quality crops on time. Other miscellaneous tasks were handled by skilled companions.

Unconsciously, the fourth year within the Hidden Grove passed leisurely. Although there was no change in her height or appearance, many felt that compared to the past, Sylutia's demeanor had become much more serene and composed. It was as if a naive, innocent girl had transformed into a quiet and proper young lady.

Such a Sylutia naturally earned more respect from the garrison members and gradually solidified her own prestige. However, not everyone welcomed this change.

"Ah, the old Ti Ya who was often shy, soft, and cute is gone," Dorothy lamented softly, propping her chin under a sunshade.

In response to such words, Sylutia, sitting across from her, could only shake her head helplessly. Today she wore a black Gothic dress with a corseted waist. Beneath the black ruffled skirt was a layer of white petticoat lining. The pure white lace cuffs inside the black sleeves covered the back of her hands, revealing only her slender, pale fingers.

"The first time facing unfamiliar things, one is bound to be flustered and a bit panicked. But I can't be like that every time, can I?" She picked up the gold-filigreed enamel teapot and poured Dorothy a cup of the floral tea she had made, then poured one for herself.

"Even so, that version of Ya looked so cute. She seemed so innocent, so easy to tease," Dorothy said, lifting her teacup and recalling the scene when she first met Ya two or three years ago.

"You're speaking your true thoughts now, Dorothy," Sylutia felt like hitting this golden-haired beauty with something.

Unconsciously, the fourth year within the Hidden Grove passed leisurely. Although there was no change in her height or appearance, many felt that compared to the past, Sylutia's demeanor had become much more serene and composed. It was as if a naive, ignorant girl had transformed into a quiet and proper young lady.

"No can do, Dorothy. Help me make some more glass this week."

"Ah, glass again? I'm practically becoming your personal glass artisan. Now that you have the flower sea that isn't afraid of erosion, why do you still need so much glass? You're not building more Greenhouses now."

"It's a secret I can't tell Dorothy," the young woman blinked. Within her light blue eyes, it seemed as though layers of blue Cornflowers bloomed, easily captivating Dorothy.

"Fine, I'll listen to you."

"Thank you, Dorothy. I appreciate your hard work."