Cornflower Witch

Chapter 44 The Path to Advancement (Thanks to the patron 1436508778528444416)
"Do you want to ask about advancing to the next level?"

After finishing her morning classes, Hilti went to the study alone to ask Maester Hyde a question.

"Yes, teacher, if I cultivate a plant with a first-tier phenotype, can I use it to advance to the next tier?" the girl asked curiously.

“Of course, this is the proudest achievement and advancement method for gardeners.” Bachelor Hyde smiled and stroked his beard.

"Not only can you advance in rank, but you can also gain some of the plant's abilities. For example, in Viscount Xuefeng's mansion, there is a gardener who advanced using the 'Sickle Vine'. When he holds the long whip of the 'Sickle Vine', he can control the whip as if he were manipulating his own arm, and it will grow sharp, poisonous thorns."

"Even an ordinary Tier 1 adventurer might not be a match for him."

“Previously, I also saw a gardener who advanced using ‘white daffodils’ because the condensed phase of white daffodils has the ability to release cold air, and she also gained a similar ability.”

"Most of the first-tier plants are of the 'Emerald Honey' type. As they progress to higher tiers, many plants begin to exhibit different characteristics and develop different types of power. In other words, not all gardeners are of the 'Emerald Honey' type," Scholar Hyde reminded.

"However, for gardeners, the rank of the 'Crimson Honey' attribute is indeed the most suitable for them."

"If I use a certain first-tier flower when advancing, can I use other plants when advancing again?" Hilti was worried about this. If she kept using Swan Orchids to advance, she would waste her Cornflower talent.

"This is not necessary, but the abilities gained from the Destiny Card will dissipate and be lost," Scholar Hyde replied after thinking for a moment.

"If you have an empty slot for your 'ability', you can transfer that attribute ability to an ability card, but it will definitely be reduced and weakened compared to the original fate effect."

“Master-level horticulturists have all sorts of methods to utilize the extraordinary plants they cultivate. Rest assured, your past sweat and effort will not be in vain.” He dispelled the girl’s doubts.

“We’ve been talking for so long.” Maester Hyde picked up his teacup and moistened his throat.

"You must have achieved something, Tia."

"It'll be soon, teacher. I'll definitely give you a surprise then," Hiltiya said playfully, her hands behind her back.

"Hehehe, then I'll wait patiently."

"Oh, right, it must have been Mrs. Fran who gave you the seeds and the book," Maester Hyde said, remembering something.

"Yes, but I've never met her. My sister Mylin got the seeds and the book for me."

"Well, once you've successfully nurtured her, you can take your results to visit that lady's house. Although she doesn't like outsiders disturbing her, she won't hesitate to reward such an outstanding student as you."

"By the way, don't dress so plainly when you go, hehe." Scholar Hyde's lips curled up.

"When you go to visit, remember to restore your hair to its original beautiful silver shine, and change into a well-fitting dress. Try to dress up nicely and show your natural liveliness and cuteness. Then that lady will definitely like you."

"Sigh, do we still have to do this?" Hiltiya asked, puzzled.

"Of course, you don't think she's just an ordinary noblewoman, do you? Even Viscount Xuefeng has to give advance notice before visiting her."

"She is one of the few third-tier transcendents in Jiaoshi City, a truly important figure who has embodied the 'Gardener' rank." Scholar Hyde said with some emotion.

He was stuck at level two his whole life, unable to make any further progress, so he could only envy those who were lucky.

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, teacher." The girl placed the book in front of her and bowed to express her gratitude.

She is so lucky to have such a teacher.

……

After leaving Maester Hyde's study, Hilti went to the dining room.

"Tia, you took so long to get here. We were almost finished eating." Komia greeted her, and indeed, the plates in front of them were all empty.

"I was a little delayed today."

She sat down with a plate of bread and water in her hands. Karen, Komia, Mick, and Ray were all there.

While eating bread and drinking water, after a short while, Hiltiya raised her head.

"Why are you all staring at me?" The group of them stopped talking.

"Nothing, just wanted to see you." Komia covered her mouth and chuckled.

“We were just chatting and we were saying that you eat slowly and gracefully, but the others didn’t believe us.”

“This one?” Hiltiya slowed down.

Actually, she hadn't noticed this before, but now that she thinks back, some of her habitual actions in this life are indeed different from those in her previous life, and she pays more attention to etiquette and elegance.

She probably came from a good family, but she's not in a hurry to regain her memories. Her life is pretty good right now, isn't it?

Just let things take their natural course; there's no need to create unnecessary trouble for yourself.

"I'm finished eating." The girl announced softly, putting a small piece of bread into her mouth and then drinking the water from her glass.

"Good~"

After saying that, the others picked up their plates and left with her, as if by unspoken agreement, which made Hilti, who was used to being alone, feel a little happy.

It's probably the kind of joy that comes from being surrounded by everyone, the girl thought.

That's not so bad.

……

Upon arriving at the training ground, she once again helped the group review the material. Today, her voice was exceptionally light and cheerful, occasionally carrying a girlish charm that made it difficult for them to concentrate.

"Well, that's all for today. Let's take a break now." She put down the small wooden stick, and now she realized why the others had been distracted.

"I still can't let loose too much," Sylvia thought to herself as she sipped her water. While the others were relaxing in the rest area, a figure entered the training field, searching the area before quickly finding Sylvia.

"Why is Valerie here today?" someone remarked, noticing her passing figure.

"Isn't she always by Iona's side? Iona didn't come today, but she showed up alone."

The reddish-brown-haired girl went straight to the rest area, walked up to the seated Siltia, and extended her hand.

"Where are your recent notes? Show them to me." Her voice was arrogant.

"The notes..." Hilti looked away, considering whether to give them to her.

Before she could agree, Mick jumped up and stood in front of Hilti.

“I say, Miss Valenie, this isn’t how you ask someone to fetch something.” He crossed his arms, his height, a head taller than Valenie, making him appear imposing.

Faced with the approaching, fierce-looking boy, Valerie took a step back and covered her nose with her hand, as if she couldn't stand the smell of sweat on Mick. In fact, Mick's training hadn't started yet and he hadn't sweated.

"Who are you? What right do you have to stand in my way? Don't you know who I am?" Her father was Knight Levin, a third-tier superhuman who could easily kill dozens of people with a single sword strike.

Even Maester Hyde was only a second-rank scholar. As the daughter of Knight Levin, she was indeed proud and confident, believing that no one would dare to offend her.

Upon hearing this question, Mick felt a pang of panic. As an adventurer, he knew all too well that there was a huge gap between each level of the extraordinary realm, and if he offended Valenie, the consequences would be unpredictable.

"I can't stand your behavior. Even if you borrow something, you should at least explain why and when you're going to return it." He took a deep breath and began to reason with him.

"Ha, you dare to talk to me like that?" Valenie tossed her short hair and spoke with disdain.

She reached out and tried to push Mick aside, but he didn't move. Not only Mick, but Ray also came over. His massive body was so close that Valenie felt the light above her head being blocked.

Even without touching her, the heat emanating from her body made Valerie take a few steps back, unwilling to get close.

"You too!" she said, somewhat annoyed.

Seeing the situation turn into a conflict, Hilti stood up, walked around Mick, and stood in front of him.

“These are my notes, which I can lend to Miss Valenie. But could you tell me what they’re for? Perhaps I can offer some better suggestions.” She didn’t think Valenie wanted to learn these things herself, because the other girl was always inattentive in class and didn’t seem to care much about her grades.

"Hmph, just take it, why ask so many questions?" Valenie took it and glanced at the group.

A short while later, the knight's daughter left the training ground with her notes, leaving Hilti and the others to discuss what had just happened.

"Isn't it a waste to just give it to her like that? But it's definitely a good thing that there was no conflict," Komia thought to herself.

"After all, they are nobles; we can't afford to offend them."

“Why would she need notes? She doesn’t study them herself,” Mick couldn’t understand.

"It's probably Iona's side." Hilti sat down, lost in thought.

"Iona, isn't her academic performance very good?" Karen asked, puzzled.

“It’s good, but…” Hilti thought about the recent situation.

“Iona has been attending class less often lately, probably because she has fallen behind on a lot of material. Given her pride, she would probably be too embarrassed to ask other students for help, and she wouldn’t want to lose face in front of Mr. Hyde.”

"Forget it, let's not offend that young lady. Let's just pretend we don't know anything." She shook her head.

“But Tia’s notes.” Komia couldn’t bear to part with them; she had to look at Hilti’s notes every day to supplement them.

"Okay, I'll explain it to you. Actually, I've memorized most of what's in my notes," the girl said with a smile, reassuringly.

"That's the only way. That woman is really wicked, hmph!" Komia said angrily.

"If I ever advance to the third tier, I'll definitely come back and slap her in the face, make her bring me water and apologize, and make her kneel down and lick my shoes," Komia continued to mutter.

"Ah, is Komia really that vengeful?" Hiltia found it somewhat amusing.

"Of course, you have to take revenge to be happy, otherwise you'll feel terrible if you keep it bottled up every day," Komia said, sharing her philosophy of life.

“Exactly, exactly,” Mick agreed, raising his hand.

“Me too,” Lei replied in a muffled voice.

"Some things you really have to resist, otherwise the other party will take advantage of you," Karen said, sharing her ordinary philosophy of life.

"Alright, if I ever have the power, I'll make them apologize and bow down to me," Hiltiya agreed with a smile.

"That's exactly right, Tia, don't be so gentle and forgive everyone. Some guys are just naughty." Komia gave a thumbs up.

"Alright, let's call it a day. How about we head over to my house? My mom said she's prepared a big dinner for us tonight and asked me to invite you all over," Komia suggested again, raising her hand.

"Is there anything good to eat?" Mick asked, his heart pounding.

“I love to eat it,” Lei replied directly.

“Looks like we have to go tonight.” Karen nodded.

"let's go."

So, the previous three-person group became a five-person team, and they left the training ground hand in hand, heading towards Komia's home.

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(End of this chapter)