The Cornflower Witch

Book 3: Chapter 2: First Arrival in Asura

The train sped along the tracks, cutting through level, perfectly even plains. The view outside the windows was especially grand, fields laid out in neat squares, pale yellow and green alternating.

A day had passed since departure, and the new students in the carriage had gone through the initial excitement. Except for a few still chatting with companions, the car had quieted down.

Some leaned on the tables and slept, some took out the books they had brought and opened them on their seats to pass the time.

Sylutia had expected other new students to take the seat beside her, but after a day of travel the spot remained empty, as if the ticket for that seat belonged only to her.

She leaned against the window, covered her body with a thin blanket, then tilted sideways a little, closed her eyes, and slowly drifted into a nap.

The carriage rocked as it sped, occasionally emitting a clanking sound, but this environment helped many new students adapt; many were able to fall asleep and rest as they would in normal surroundings.

Two days later, the train stopped at a mid-route town to resupply fuel and food, and the new students could disembark to stretch their legs. This station was built on a hillside outside the town, offering a view of the distant scenery.

Wrapped in a warm knitted shawl, Sylutia put on her small leather shoes and stepped down from the train onto the stone-bricked station platform. A few paces ahead, she could see various wildflowers growing along the steps.

“Finally out. I almost went crazy these past two days,” a new student shouted at the edge of the steps, releasing pent-up energy, then jumped down. That action drew a crowd of onlookers.

Some other new students followed suit, jumping down the one-meter-high steps to run and stroll on the grass below. The station staff saw this and did not stop them. Sylutia walked to the edge of the steps and gazed into the distance. The fresh scent of plants and grass reached her nose, and her mood improved considerably.

“Hello, my name is Attalie. May I know yours?” a girl in a stitched green long dress approached, accompanied by a male companion.

“Hello, I’m Hedra.” Sylutia nodded slightly and looked at the two of them.

Judging from their clothing and the confident, gracious way they greeted her, Sylutia guessed they came from a well-off background.

Sure enough, the newcomers began to introduce their family background and origins. It turned out they were nobles from the border nation Service, her father a duke of the state, and the young man beside her the son of a count from Service.

“Miss Hedra, where are you from?” they asked curiously, their deep emerald eyes sizing the girl up.

“I’m from the distant southern Merchant Capital Alliance, the port city Quebec.” Sylutia pressed a hand to her chest and spoke softly.

“Oh, so that’s such a faraway place.” The two of them were a little curious, and then asked more questions, striking up a conversation.

From their talk, Sylutia slowly learned about Service. It was a nation within the Mage Alliance. Nobles there held higher social status than commoners, but they did not possess absolute authority like in some other kingdoms; they were more like wealthy elites with stable incomes. The nation’s enforcement and military forces were largely overseen directly by Mage Alliance personnel. Nobles could serve as senior officers, but major movements and large operations required orders from the Mage Alliance.

“And what’s the culture like in the Merchant Capital Alliance?” they asked, intrigued by the country Sylutia had mentioned.

“Well…” Sylutia began to recount her experiences over the past six months and gradually organized her life story into a familiar introduction template.

The three of them walked around the station, chatting for a long time and becoming more acquainted. Attalie even invited Sylutia to visit her home during future holidays.

“Thank you,” the girl said. At that moment the station’s departure bell rang, indicating resupply was complete.

The three returned to the carriage. Sylutia noticed they were all in the same carriage; Attalie had sat behind her earlier, so she hadn’t recognized her at first.

The train restarted, steaming forward into the distance. In the last few carriages a small, thin figure appeared, hiding among stored items. She locked herself inside a trunk, hugged her knees, and slowly fell asleep.

Three days later.

“Terminal station, Asra campus has arrived.”

A clear female voice came from the brass speaking tube in the carriage. The train, accompanied by heavy mechanical noises, gradually braked and finally stopped.

When the thick steam and mist dispersed, a crowded station appeared outside the window, and in the distance a tall clock tower loomed. Many people were coming and going in autumn and winter coats.

The air was a bit cold. Sylutia recalled being by the milder climate of Meteorite Lake just days ago, and now she needed to wear thick outerwear.

Following the crowd down from the train, Sylutia carried her suitcase and stood on the iron-hard ground, looking up at the slightly overcast sky and the dense crowd around her. It felt strangely dreamlike, as if she had returned to the busy city of her previous life.

Fortunately, fantasy creatures occasionally flying across the sky broke the reverie.

Like countless new students arriving at Asra, she slowly made her way to the new student registration area and queued with other expectant apprentices.

During the wait she felt a long-forgotten emotion and slowly recalled many memories—scenes of studying during youth in her previous life.

After time, looking back at the past can evoke strange emotions. If one could relive youth, what thoughts would surface? There would probably be nostalgia and a faint sadness, a sense that, even standing in an enthusiastic crowd, one knows the flowers will inevitably wither and fade.

Why was she feeling so sentimental? Sylutia shook her head and pressed a finger to her brow to bring her attention back to the present surroundings.

She could see new students from different places: some like her from distant foreign lands, some local students from within the Mage Alliance—discernible by similar clothing styles—and many varied beastfolk, some tall and powerful, some small and slight.

Sylutia noticed a few new students with small curled horns or tails and found it slightly curious that lizardmen and elves were rarely seen here, quite different from the Hidden Grove in the south.

After half an hour in line, it was finally Sylutia’s turn. She handed over her recommendation letter, and the clerk checked it before giving her a stamped slip of paper and a small booklet.

“Narcissus Street, number 109, room 4. That will be your residence. Within a week, please report to the nearby No. 89 school. If you have questions about daily life, consult this booklet; it contains answers.”

“All right, next.”

Receiving the items, Sylutia left and, like many bewildered but curious new students, stepped out of the station onto the streets.

The road was busy with steam-powered vehicles and horseback riders. Occasionally she saw some unusual beasts that resembled lions, sporting curved horns and sharp claws.

“Students going to Crabclaw Lotus Street, come here! One silver coin will take you to your lodgings and we’ll help move your luggage!” called a shirt-clad man nearby.

“Want insider tips on how new students can save money and avoid pitfalls? Three silver coins per copy, totally worth it.”

“Free lessons in standard pronunciation to help you fix accent problems so teachers and classmates won’t look down on you!”

“Essential warm wool blankets for life in Asra, perfect for breaks or sleeping. Only ten silver coins each.”

Vendors shouted at the incoming new students. Sylutia looked around and found a vehicle that could take her to Narcissus Street.

The black steam carriage was about three meters high and seated six people, with storage space at the rear and underneath.

“Is this the carriage to Narcissus Street?”

“Yes, miss. One silver coin and we’ll take you there.”

“All right.” Sylutia took out a silver coin and handed it over.

After stowing her luggage, a few young people around her age boarded. Six passengers assembled quickly. The driver moved a curved linkage to start the engine; the vehicle roared and set off.

At first it drove slowly because the area around the station was crowded. Once it cleared that zone, the view opened up and Sylutia held her small suitcase, watching the shops pass by. Her hair was lifted by the wind. The bustling street scene unfolded before her.

Here she saw luxury boutiques and jewelry shops found only in large cities, as well as rarer stores: bookshops, oil painting studios, florists, small alchemy workshops, gemstone retailers, housing agencies, perfume shops, and specialty flower shops for various aspects.

The proportion of young people on the street was notably high; nearly ninety percent were Transcendents, radiating different aspects and powers. Occasionally she even glimpsed professionals above Third Tier. Some pets also displayed aspect ranks, which was intriguing.

Afternoon sunlight glinted on her hair as it fluttered against the side of her face. Her fine features drew the curiosity of her carriage companions, but they retained student modesty and did not directly approach with questions.

Half an hour later the vehicle stopped, and the driver helped Sylutia unload her not-too-heavy luggage.

“This is Narcissus Street, No. 109. You can use the slip to register.”

“Thank you.” The girl bowed in thanks, picked up her suitcase, and entered the building’s lobby.

The floor was paved with polished stone. Though somewhat old, it was still tidy, though the lighting was a little dim.

Since it was a residence for new students trying to save on expenses, it wasn’t overly luxurious.

After asking at the front desk, a middle-aged woman arrived and led Sylutia to the third floor. She opened the room, which was a four-person dormitory; the other occupants had not yet arrived.

Given the key, Sylutia examined the dorm. The layout included a central living room that doubled as a dining area and study space, a bedroom on the right with four single beds, and a kitchen and bathroom on the left.

The environment was pleasant, somewhat reminiscent of old university dorms but much wider, with good natural light in the bedroom.

After putting down her luggage, Sylutia made up her bed; the sheets and pillow were new, so she didn’t need to buy extras.

Lying on the bed for a while to collect herself, she then rose, thinking of exploring the surroundings, when someone knocked on the door again. The same dormitory aunt explained that a cold-faced girl had arrived.

She had attractive silver-gray hair, her bangs just touching her earlobes and revealing a faint mercury-colored earring. Her hair flowed to her waist, and she wore a finely made indigo short dress. She hugged a plush doll to her chest, which softened her otherwise sharp, icy air.

“Hedra, this is your new roommate. Her name is Aurora. You two must get along.” After the aunt’s explanation, she handed the key to Aurora and left.

Now the two of them sat alone in the living room chairs and the room fell silent.

The newcomer did not seem like someone skilled at socializing or inclined to speak first. Sylutia felt compelled to make the first move.

“Hello, I’m a new student from the southern Merchant Capital Alliance. How about you?”

“Aurora, from the Greater Alero District.” Her frost-blue eyes looked at Sylutia without moving, as if trying to see through the girl.

That made Sylutia uneasy; she lowered her gaze occasionally to check if something about her attire was wrong.

It turned out Aurora was a Transcendent of the Slumbering Winter aspect, a type Sylutia had rarely encountered before. The few sentences Aurora offered were curt, leaving Sylutia unsure whether Aurora was uninterested or simply reserved by nature.

Silence settled between them until the third new student arrived.

Even before she reached the door, Sylutia heard a lively, bustling sound.

“Yes, yes, that thing needs four people to carry it. Be careful, don’t break it!” The speaker’s voice sounded pleasant, like tender new petals in a summer breeze.

When the door opened, Sylutia saw a girl with brilliant golden hair. She seemed to carry her own aura, and her presence instantly dissolved the dormitory’s chill into something pleasant.

This was Sylutia’s second time feeling such a reaction; the first had been when she met Florerella, the elf noble lady from the distant continent.

“Hello, I’m Lovier.” She placed a slender white hand on the large, goose-egg-sized transparent golden gem at her chest and blinked, her gaze sweeping the room’s furnishings.

“Quite ordinary, but within my expectations.”

She stepped aside to let the more than twenty people carrying her luggage file in behind her.

“Replace my bed. Clean the rest of the dorm. Put out the porcelain, tablecloths, rugs, and the paintings I brought.”

“Yes, Miss Lovier,” her attendants promptly replied and set about doing as instructed.

Sylutia and Aurora had to step out into the hallway to avoid the congestion. Lovier waved to them.

“You must be my roommates, right?” She came a little closer, scrutinized the two of them, then nodded.

“You’re both lovely, matching my aesthetic.”

“From now on, if we live together and you need anything, tell me. I get a monthly allowance of one thousand gold coins, so life will be easy and fun.”

Sylutia covered her mouth in surprise and gaped, while Aurora remained calmer and simply nodded, then began to stroke the plush doll on her lap, lost in thought.

Half an hour later the three returned to the dorm. Everything had been thoroughly cleaned and repaired. Walls and floors gleamed as if new. Even some worn or damaged spots had been fully restored by unknown means, leaving the place spotlessly neat.

A white rug with a black border lay in the living room. The table was covered with a snow-white embroidered tablecloth, with a vase of blazing sunflowers and a small golden alarm clock on top. The bedrooms had been entirely refreshed; one bed in particular had been replaced with a luxurious princess bed in pink and gold, adorned with gauze and pink ruffles. A gorgeous wardrobe had been added beside it, filled with expensive dresses and beautiful clothes.

The three acquainted themselves with the new environment again. With Lovier’s presence, conversation picked up. Lovier then seemed to remember something. From among her arranged luggage she produced an ornate golden cage, used the key on the necklace at her chest to unlock it, and Sylutia heard a faint chorus of mews.

A plump golden-shaded cat was taken from the cage and brought before them by Lovier.

“This is my cat. It’s a bit lazy but very cute. Its name is Dye-Dye.”

Lovier lifted the cat by its front legs. The round-faced feline emitted a languid meow, then snuggled into Lovier’s arms and rubbed against her. It stretched lazily and its claws hooked Lovier’s dress at the bodice, but the girl had anticipated this and pressed the cat’s paw down to remove it.

“No, Dye-Dye, you may not do that. Lucky it’s all girls here. If you behave like that outside, I’ll skip a meal of cat food.” She cradled the cat and scolded it softly into its ear.

She then placed the cat on the table for it to meet her two new roommates.

“From now on, Hedra and Aurora are your new roommates. Obey them as you would obey me.” After saying this, she held up one of the cat’s small paws and cheerfully waved it toward the two of them.

“We’ll be friends, Hedra, Aurora~” Her sweet voice could melt anyone. Were the two of them boys, they would likely be captivated by the young lady instantly—her charm, appearance, and noble background made Lovier a rare presence in the world.