The Cornflower Witch

Book 3: Chapter 88: Rising Newcomer

Boarding the rumbling train, Sylutia arrived once again at the Asra District.

A light snow was falling in the sky, and each breath of air puffed out as white mist. The station was still bustling with noise and activity, students and crowds flowing back and forth in an endless stream, making Sylutia blend in as she walked through.

Carrying her lightweight suitcase, she passed through the area, all kinds of chatter and footsteps reaching her ears as various pieces of scattered information surged toward her.

Most people were discussing trivial matters of daily life, occasionally a few talked about recent current events in the Asra District.

“I heard that among this year’s new students, another formidable one has appeared. Something like... Grey Crow, I think.”

“Grey Crow is his nickname. His real name is Luke.”

“Apparently, he really enjoys challenging other geniuses. In just six months since arriving in the Asra District, he’s already stormed through forty-five schools, demanding to duel the strongest student at each one.”

“And then there’s his nearly perfect winning streak. A lot of people in the Asra District are talking about him right now.”

“I’ve also heard some students are unhappy about it. They’re planning to find his weakness and defeat him next year.”

“The instructors don’t care, of course. They think this kind of competition is a good thing.”Stepping out of the station, Sylutia stopped in her tracks and looked out at the urban buildings beneath the gray, overcast sky. A familiar feeling washed over her once again.

Time really flew by. In the blink of an eye, four months had passed, and now this district had a new standout figure.

She pulled up her hood to cover her beautiful hair, then stepped into the snowy landscape.

In the afternoon, Sylutia once again arrived at the clothing shop called Wisteria Flower Moon.

Because the weather was cold, there weren’t many people on the streets, and the shop was a bit quiet as well.

Approaching, she first gently knocked on the door, then took off her hood and shook off the snowflakes.

At that moment, a woman dressed in elegant black attire walked out from the back of the shop. When she saw Sylutia, a welcoming expression appeared on her face.

“Hedra’s back. That’s quite rare,” she said with a smile. She walked over, helped the young girl brush a few stray snowflakes from her hair, then led her to the backstage room. The space was quite spacious and had a small stove, on which tea was brewing and oranges were warming.

Ying Zi poured Sylutia a steaming cup of tea, then sat down as well.

“What made you suddenly think of coming to see me? You’re not exactly the nostalgic type, hehe.”

“I’m not that cold-hearted either.” Sylutia held the teacup and looked around the place. It was almost exactly the same as last year, with no changes.

“This time, I do have something I need to trouble you with, Ying Zi.”

“Oh? Tell me about it. If you’re coming to me, it must be about making clothes,” the other woman guessed.

“That’s right. Since this year’s Silver Bell Festival is about to start, I’ll be attending, so I need to prepare something a bit more formal.”

“A bit more formal? From the way you usually talk, that probably means you want something very formal.” She teased Sylutia’s choice of words.

“Let me think... Since you came to me instead of going to Grace, I’ll definitely make you a fine garment.”

“Tell me your requirements and restrictions first, then I’ll help you figure out a style.”

“Requirements... roughly, I need black, silver, and deep blue as the main colors, leaning toward cool, dark tones. It should be as dignified as possible and not too revealing.”

Because Tetis College represents the top-ranked school of the Mage Alliance, its members are also expected to be more solemn and serious, unlike other schools such as the Feast Ritual School, which tends toward the flashy and extravagant.

After listening to Hedra’s requirements, Hu Tao nodded, indicating she understood.

“That’s actually quite similar to the Eastern Academy’s Prayer Ritual.” Seeing Sylutia’s curiosity, Ying Zi went on to explain a bit more.

“Every year during the New Year season, the various academies hold a Prayer Ritual to pray for favorable weather and to pay respects to ancestors and teachers.”

“At the same time, the senior masters of the academies will hang tassel pendants on the students, blessing them for another year of growth.”

“I’ve taken orders like that before, tailoring clothes for students attending the Prayer Ritual. They all require the same style, and it’s always distributed uniformly by the academy.”

“By the way, I graduated from Songgao Academy, which specializes in training talents fit to be king’s advisors. Although it has an enormous reputation, it also has a tremendous number of rules.” Ying Zi spoke of her own experiences back at the academy.

Back then, she also wore the same uniform as all the other students. Every day, she had to practice the arts of a gentleman according to the daily schedule, living a simple and austere life.

“After graduating, I never went back. Although I occasionally miss my former teachers and classmates, the atmosphere of the academy is still too serious and dull.”

“What style are you planning to go for this time? If there’s no specific request, I’ll just follow my own preferences and let my creativity flow.”

Since there weren’t any overly strict style restrictions, Sylutia tilted her head in thought. As long as the color scheme was right and the clothes were proper, no one would nitpick.

“The Mage Alliance does have an open-minded atmosphere. I like that.” Ying Zi smiled, then began brainstorming ideas for Sylutia.

“The main body will still be a Gothic-style formal gown, but on the cuffs and collar, I’ll incorporate some Eastern elements, like wide cuffs, delicate embroidery, ribbon details on the lower back, and so on.”

Sylutia didn’t know much about clothing design and trusted Ying Zi, so she simply left the design in her hands.

When it came to discussing payment, Ying Zi waved her hand and said it wasn’t necessary.

“You don’t need to pay me. Instead, I want you to help me with something.” She raised a finger.

“You should also know that I’ve been searching for a long time for the purple flowering tree that I like and need for my advancement.”

“Actually, I’ve almost gathered everything I need now. I’m only missing the last type, but it will be very difficult to obtain. That is the Purple Jacaranda that blooms in the ‘Land of the Moon.’”

“The Fourth Continent was once a place blessed by the Luminous Moon Hour, the Silver Moon Dragon, who once dwelled in the ‘Land of the Moon.’ That is a place where the moon rests and sleeps, pure and flawless in its environment, nurturing rare and precious flowering trees.”

“After the Silver Moon Dragon passed away in the Eighth Epoch, the Land of the Moon fell into the Twilight Sea, but it is still possible to enter part of its remaining area through the Shadow World.”

“And the one who controls this part of the Shadow World is the most powerful mage faction at the very center of the continent, the Mithril Clock. If you ever get a chance to go there, just break off a twig of Purple Jacaranda for me.”

“I understand. If I go there in the future, I’ll help you look for the Purple Jacaranda, Ying Zi.” Sylutia thought it over and agreed.

After finalizing the details of the dress order, Sylutia bid farewell to Ying Zi.

By then, it was already afternoon. She checked the weather, then hailed a carriage on the street and headed toward the Fox Family residence.

Several of her old acquaintances from before had graduated and gone off to various academies. Now, only Hu Tao was still in the Asra District. Coincidentally, she also needed to discuss further development of the ice cream business with her.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the Fox Family’s luxurious mansion. After the servants announced her arrival, Sylutia soon met Hu Tao, who was home on break.

When Hu Tao saw her, she waved and called her over to hurry up.

“Since Hedra is back, stay with me for these few days. Besides, we were supposed to be roommates anyway.” If Hu Tao had chosen to move into the dormitory apartments back then, she would indeed have been roommates with Sylutia and Lovier.

Before settling in, Hu Tao took Sylutia for a stroll along the mansion’s corridors to admire the snowy scenery. The two chatted about things since they last parted, Hu Tao asking about the situation at Tetis College while also talking about recent events in the Asra District.

“You have no idea how arrogant this kid named Luke is,” Hu Tao complained about the recently famous figure.

She was naturally proud by nature, but she never expected to meet someone even more arrogant and overbearing than herself. Naturally, she couldn’t swallow that resentment.

“Last month, he came alone to our school and just planted his sword in the middle of the school square. He said he welcomed anyone to challenge him, and if anyone could beat him, he’d give them the Third-Tier gemstone in his hand.”

“At first, only a few people stepped up to challenge him. Then, when he saw no one else coming forward, he openly taunted our school, saying we were all useless, none of us had any guts...” Hu Tao even mimicked his arrogant posture with her hands as she spoke.

Hearing this, Sylutia finally became curious.

“What kind of fighting style does he use? No one can beat him?”

“His fighting style isn’t straightforward at all. It’s extremely underhanded and despicable.” Hu Tao finally couldn’t help but use some harsh words to describe it.

“Can you imagine it? A mage apprentice, yet he wins by using methods similar to an assassin’s ambush. And he absolutely loves taunting and deceiving his opponents during battle.”

“This... Is he of the Mist Shadow Aspect?” Sylutia recalled the characteristics of that Aspect.

“That’s right, he is of the Mist Shadow Aspect.” Hu Tao nodded, then linked her arm through Sylutia’s and begged.

“Hedra, why don’t you go teach him a lesson and show him who the real genius is?”

“That’s not a good idea. I’ve already graduated, after all.” It would feel like a senior student bullying a junior one, Sylutia thought to herself.

“You haven’t advanced yet. You’re still Second Tier too, so it’s not bullying.” Hu Tao was already making excuses for Sylutia.

“Let’s just forget it. I won’t be staying long this time anyway.” Sylutia didn’t want to get caught up in this kind of petty rivalry.

Seeing Sylutia shake her head, Hu Tao had no choice but to give up. However, she quickly forgot about the matter and went back to chatting with Sylutia about their favorite foods.

“The new product we created last time sold really well. Even though it’s winter now, there’s still a decent amount of sales.”

“Hedra, do you have any more good ideas? We can try them out!” Her focus wasn’t really on her studies; she was far more invested and interested in her family’s business.

“Well...” Sylutia couldn’t think of any food products suitable for promotion at the moment.

“Speaking of food, I’ve noticed there isn’t much seafood in the Mage Alliance,” Sylutia recalled what she’d seen in everyday restaurants.

The Fourth Continent has two major inland seas. One is the Ice Sea in the north, and the other is Meteorite Lake in the south.

Around Meteorite Lake, there are many specialty aquatic products, as well as coconuts and tropical fruits. If your family could transport those things over here, you could probably make a good profit.”

Afterward, Sylutia explained in detail that coconuts could be processed into coconut candy, coconut water, and could even be paired with coffee to create new types of beverages.

In this world, where industrial sugar hadn’t become widespread, sweet foods were still a rarity. Candy was always expensive, and the profit margins were huge.

After listening to Sylutia’s description, Hu Tao’s eyes lit up, and a flood of inspiration and ideas came to her.

“Wait, Hedra, say that slower. Let me go find something to write this down.”

At night, the two of them had dinner together. Afterward, Sylutia returned to her room, read a book for a while, and then went to sleep.

Since the dress would still take several days to finish, she planned to visit the various streets of the Asra District tomorrow, to see how Fire Pig and Four Eyes had been managing the place in her absence, and also to verify some of her own ideas.