The Cornflower Witch

Chapter 45: The Overflowing 'Dew-Praying Technique' 7

After the joyful dinner gathering at Komea's home, Sylutia returned to her residence.

The 'Swan Orchid' in the backyard continued to bloom quietly, with faint invisible ripples spreading throughout the courtyard, making the air seem cleaner.

"It's already bloomed, Tia." Talier carefully followed behind the girl, observing the beautiful Swan Orchid blooming within the glass cover.

"So beautiful~" she naturally exclaimed, unable to look away just like Sylutia.

The two stayed in front of the Swan Orchid for a long time before finally going back to bathe and sleep.

...

Three days later, the end-of-month assessment that Scholar Heide had mentioned began, and today Iona also came to the venue.

"The questions are on the blackboard, I've already written them." He hung up the blackboard.

"The time limit is set for 2 hours, and I'll collect the papers uniformly afterward."

"If you rank in the top three, I'll gift you a bottle of 'Blood Wine', with the first place receiving additional instruction in secret technique knowledge." He announced the rewards."Now then, begin answering the questions."

The quiet room filled with the rustling sound of writing, with some people looking at the questions on the blackboard, some deep in thought, and others simply giving up and casually looking around.

Time slowly passed, and when Sylutia finished all the questions, she saw there were still 50 minutes remaining.

Should she submit her paper? She looked around and saw most people were still writing with heads bowed, even Iona seemed stuck on some question, appearing somewhat frustrated.

Better check once more, she thought, reviewing the questions and answers again.

More than twenty minutes passed, and Sylutia had already reviewed the question answers several times. After thinking it over, she decided not to wait any longer and stood up.

Seeing her submit her paper, other students were somewhat surprised but not exactly shocked. Sylutia had performed well in Secret History class for quite some time now - their slower pace didn't mean this girl couldn't complete the answers.

When Iona saw Sylutia finish early, it seemed to impact her mentality. She stopped dwelling on the difficult problems and shifted her attention to the remaining questions.

Half an hour later, amid sighs from many students, the examination concluded.

"That was so difficult, this time." Someone lamented immediately after it ended.

"The difficulty level is completely different from before."

"Some things were really complicated to calculate." The exam involved many mathematics-related elements.

"I even saw Miss Iona struggling with answering."

"Only Tia finished early - wonder how many points she'll get this time."

While everyone discussed the exam, Iona leaned against the stone pillar by the door, quietly listening. She occasionally raised her gaze to look toward the classroom corner where that girl was surrounded by several friends, an inexplicable light flashing in her eyes.

Soon, Teacher Heide finished grading the papers and announced the results.

"Tia first place 100 points, Iona second place 84 points, Komea third place 81 points... Mick 68 points, Karen 64 points, Ray 57 points." The score gaps surprised the students present.

No one was surprised that Tia took first place, but they were astonished by how large the score difference was, since previously both Tia and Iona often scored perfect marks, with Iona only occasionally scoring slightly lower than Sylutia.

But after this more difficult exam, everyone suddenly realized that the performance gap between these two wasn't as small as it appeared on the surface.

Also, Mick, Karen, and Ray showed noticeable improvement in their scores, moving away from the bottom ranks to reach the middle of the class.

After hearing the rankings, Iona didn't linger any longer and directly left the room.

"Lady Iona." Valeny followed behind, trying to remind her that she hadn't collected her prize yet.

"You can deliver the wine to my residence later." Iona tossed this statement before disappearing around the corridor corner.

"Uh, okay." Hearing that she could visit Iona's residence, Valeny suddenly felt happy, not even minding that Iona had left without proper farewell.

Subsequently, Scholar Heide had servants bring out three large bottles of Blood Wine, each approximately 800 milliliters - significantly larger than the 500 milliliter bottles sold at the Adventurers' Guild.

【Blood Wine】(First Tier-Bloodline): Medicinal wine refined from supernatural beast blood that can enhance abilities related to the 'Bloodline' Aspect, also very suitable for Breathing Technique training. (Brewed by Scholar Heide, excellent quality)

The dark brown wine bottles were sealed with stoppers, covered with straw paper tied with thin strings, bearing the brewing time and origin - indeed brewed personally by Scholar Heide last month.

The quality is a notch better than what the Adventurers' Guild sells - this bottle probably costs 80-90 silver coins, Sylutia thought to herself after receiving it and examining it.

"Thank you."

Sylutia and Komea held their wine bottles with gratitude, making the other students present both envious and speechless that precisely two girls who didn't specialize in Breathing Technique obtained the Blood Wine.

"(＾－＾)V~ Happy" Komea made a victory gesture.

When leaving, Baren and several noble students approached, directly asking if the Blood Wine could be transferred.

"One gold coin - this is an enormous favor." Baren raised a finger - he knew his stuff, aware that Scholar Heide's Blood Wine brewing ability far surpassed that of Adventurers' Guild personnel.

The other two noble students offered similar prices; actually, even if they had money, they wouldn't dare offer higher than Baren since among them, Baren's status as baron heir was the highest.

"Hmm... okay, here you go." Komea thought it over and directly handed over her Blood Wine for money, since she had no use for it anyway.

Then it came to Sylutia's turn - after consideration, she decided to keep hers.

"I'll pass, planning to keep it for other uses."

Although Baren felt somewhat displeased, having obtained one bottle made him care less about the remaining one.

"Suit yourself, you won't get such good prices elsewhere." He waved his hand and left directly.

After it ended, everyone dispersed. Since exams had finished, Scholar Heide gave them half a day off - no training in the afternoon either.

Placing the Blood Wine in her bag, Sylutia carried it back to her home residence.

What's this?

Returning home and just putting her things away, she suddenly felt the 'Verdant Nectar' aura dispersing in the courtyard had thickened considerably.

The expectant and joyful girl walked with light steps to the backyard, and she got her wish - seeing three blooming 'Swan Orchids', all three now displaying complete 'First Tier-Verdant Nectar' Aspect.

Like three elegant swans gradually spreading their wings, the three 'Swan Orchids' emitted subtle halos of light. If in the wild, such flowers would definitely attract many special animals, but now with the glass cover barrier and being within the city, only she knew about them.

Lifting the glass cover and slowly bending down, Sylutia gently touched the blooming 'Swan Orchid' - the intangible ripple aura connected, making the 'Dew Prayer Method' in her Fate Plate grow substantially. Originally not far from advancement, it directly stepped into the third stage.

【Dew Prayer Method Lv.3】(Verdant Nectar): Gathers morning mist at dawn, transforms into verdant dew water, can promote growth, heal withered plants. (Verdant Dew Water extraction amount increased, purity improved, adds healing effect for withered plants)

It seems the advancement path of gardeners and cultivating supernatural plants complement each other - various abilities used for cultivation, and then these cultivated plants also nourish oneself, accelerating personal growth.

When 【Dew Prayer Method】 reached Lv.3, Sylutia felt like she was using a bowl to hold overflowing water - the 【Verdant Nectar】 Aspect power within this 【Dew Prayer Method Lv.3】 Ability Card felt like it was about to spill over.

If she directed this nearly overflowing 【Verdant Nectar】 Aspect power toward the 【Slumbering Maiden】 card at the center of her Fate Plate, continuing to gently nurture it for a while, she could probably advance to 'First Tier·Verdant Nectar', and the additional fate effect obtained would also relate to Dew Prayer Method.

It seems advancement is imminent, but for now, she stood up and touched the black hair at her chest.

Since the 'Swan Orchids' have been cultivated to completion, she needs to visit that Lady Franne - perhaps as a senior gardener, she could offer better advice.