Cornflower Witch

Chapter 442 The Rising Star

Boarding the roaring train, Hiltiah once again arrived in the Asura district.

Light snow was falling from the sky, and the air was filled with puffs of white mist. The station was still bustling with activity, with students and people coming and going, making Hiltiya inconspicuous among them.

She walked by carrying a light suitcase, surrounded by the sounds of conversation and footsteps, and a flood of information.

Most people talked about trivial matters in their lives, and occasionally some chatted about current events in the Asura district.

"I heard that there's a formidable new student in this year's class, I think his name is something like Gray Raven."

"Grey Raven is his nickname; his real name is Luke."

"It is said that he likes to challenge other geniuses. He has only been in the Asura District for half a year, but he has already visited forty-five schools and specifically asked to compete against the best students in each school."

"Then there's his near-perfect winning streak, and now a lot of people in the Asura district are talking about him."

"I've heard that some students are also dissatisfied and are planning to find his weaknesses and defeat him next year."

"Of course the teachers don't care; they think this kind of competition is a good thing."

Stepping out of the station, Hilti stopped and looked at the city buildings under the gray sky, a familiar feeling washing over her once again.

Time flies! Four months have passed in the blink of an eye, and a new remarkable figure has emerged in this region.

She pulled up her hood to cover her beautiful hair, and then stepped into the snow.

In the afternoon, Hiltiya visited the clothing store "Wisteria Flower Moon" again.

Because of the cold weather, there weren't many pedestrians on the street, and the place was rather deserted.

As she approached, she first knocked lightly on the door, then took off her hood and shook off the snowflakes.

Just then, a woman dressed in elegant black robes emerged from behind the shop. Upon seeing Hilti, she greeted her with a welcoming expression.

"Hedra is back, that's rare." She smiled, then walked over and brushed the few snowflakes off the girl's hair. She then led her to the backstage room, which was quite spacious and had a small stove with tea and oranges brewing on it.

Yingzi poured hot tea for Xilutiya and then sat down as well.

"Why did you suddenly think of coming here? You don't seem like the kind of person who's so nostalgic, hehe."

“I’m not that heartless, am I?” Hiltiya held her teacup, looked around, and saw that it was almost exactly the same as last year, with no changes.

"I've come here this time because I have something to trouble Yingzi with."

"Oh, tell me, the only thing you'd come to me for is making clothes, right?" the other person thought for a moment.

"That's right, because the Silver Bell Festival is starting this year, and I'm going to participate, so I need to prepare a little more elaborately."

"A bit more formal? Judging from your usual way of speaking, that would be quite formal." She teased Siltiia's statement.

"Let me think. Since you came to me instead of Grace, I'll definitely make you a nice dress."

"Tell me your requirements and taboos first, and then I'll help you think of a style."

"The requirements... are roughly that the main colors should be black, silver, and dark blue, with a cool and dark color scheme, and should be as dignified as possible, without being too revealing."

Because the Academy of Tethys represents the premier school of the Mage Alliance, it requires its members to be more solemn and serious, unlike other schools, such as the 'Feast School', which is more exaggerated and flamboyant.

After hearing Xilutiya's request, Yingzi nodded to indicate that she understood.

“This is quite similar to the ‘Prayer for a Good Harvest’ ceremony at the Eastern Academy.” Seeing Xilutiya’s curiosity, Yingzi added a few more words.

“Every year during the New Year season, each academy will hold a ‘prayer ceremony’ to pray for good weather and abundant harvests, and also to pay respects to ancestors and teachers.”

"At the same time, the masters of the academy will also give the students rope pendants to bless them as they grow another year older."

“I’ve taken similar orders before, which involved making clothes for students participating in the prayer ceremony. They all requested the same style, and the clothes were all provided by the academy.”

"By the way, I graduated from 'Songgao Academy,' which is an academy that specializes in training talents to be kings and ministers. Although it is extremely famous, it also has a lot of rules." Yingzi said, talking about her experience at the academy.

At that time, she wore the same uniform as all the other students and practiced the art of gentlemanly conduct every day according to the sundial. Her life was austere.

"After graduation, I never went back there. Although I sometimes miss my former teachers and classmates, the atmosphere at the academy was too serious and boring."

"What style are you planning to use this time? If there are no special requirements, then just go with my style."

There didn't seem to be any specific style requirements. Hilti thought to herself, as long as the color scheme matched and the clothes were appropriate, no one would point fingers at her.

"The Mage Alliance has a very open atmosphere, I like that." Yingzi smiled, and then conceived a plan for Xilutiya.

"The main body is still a gothic-style dress, but I will use some oriental elements on the cuffs and collar, such as wide cuffs, delicate embroidery, and ribbon elements at the back waist."

Hiltiya didn't know much about clothing, but she trusted Yingzi, so she simply let her design the clothes.

When the topic of payment came up, Yingzi waved her hand, indicating that it wasn't necessary. "No need for payment, but I'd like to ask you for a favor," the other person said, holding up a finger.

"As you probably know, I've been searching for purple flowers and trees that I like and that I need for advancement for a long time."

"Actually, I'm almost finished with all of them. I'm only missing the last one, but it will be very difficult to obtain. That is the Jacaranda that blooms in the 'Land of the Moon'."

"The Fourth Continent was once a place favored by the Silver Moon Dragon, the 'Radiant Moon'. He once lived in the 'Land of the Moon,' a place where the moon rests and sleeps, a pure and flawless environment where rare flowers and trees grow."

"After the Silver Moon Dragon of the Eighth Era passed away, the Moonlands fell into the Twilight Sea, but it is still possible to enter some of the remnant areas through the Shadow World."

"And the one who controls this shadow world is the most powerful mage faction in the very center of the continent, the 'Mithril Clock.' If you have the chance to go there, just pluck a branch of the Jacaranda tree for me."

"I understand. If I go there in the future, I will help Yingzi find the Jacaranda." Xilutiya thought for a moment and agreed.

After agreeing on the custom-made clothes, Xilutiya bid farewell to Yingzi.

It was already afternoon. She checked the weather, then took a horse-drawn carriage on the street towards Fox's house.

Several of her old friends went to different colleges after graduation, and now only Hu Tao is still in the Asura District. She also needs to discuss the future development of ice cream with her friend.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Fox family's luxurious mansion, and upon being announced by a servant, Siltia quickly met Walnut, who was on holiday at home.

Upon seeing her, Hu Tao waved to her, urging her to come over quickly.

"Now that Hedra is back, why don't you stay with me for the next few days? We were supposed to be roommates anyway." If Hu Tao had chosen to go to the dormitory apartment, she would indeed have become roommates with Sylvia and Lovell.

After settling in, Kurumi took a walk with Silti in the corridor of the mansion, admiring the snow scene outside. The two chatted about what had happened since they parted. Kurumi was curious about the situation at Thetis Academy and also talked about the recent situation in the Asura District.

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

She was already proud by nature, but she never expected to encounter someone even more arrogant and conceited than herself, so naturally she couldn't swallow this insult.

“Last month, he came to our school alone, planted his sword in the school square, and said that everyone was welcome to challenge him. If anyone beat him, he would give them the third-tier gem he was holding.”

“At first, only a few people went up to challenge him. Later, when he saw that not many people went up, he openly mocked us, saying that everyone in our school was useless and that none of them had the guts…” Hu Tao said, gesturing with her hands to show the arrogant look on the other person’s face.

Hearing her say that, Hilti finally became curious.

"What kind of fighting style does he excel at? Is there no one who can defeat him?"

"His fighting style is dishonest, extremely petty and despicable," Hu Tao finally couldn't help but use some harsh words to describe him.

"Can you imagine that a mage apprentice would win by using assassin-like sneak attacks and would enjoy teasing and deceiving his opponent during battle?"

"This... is the other party 'Mist Shadow' type?" Hiltiya recalled the characteristics of that type.

“That’s right, he is the ‘Mist Shadow’ type.” Hu Tao nodded, then took Silti’s arm and pleaded.

"Hedra, why don't you go teach him a lesson and show him who the real genius is?"

"This isn't a good idea, since I've already graduated." It would feel like an upperclassman bullying a lowerclassman, Hiltiya thought to herself.

“You haven’t advanced yet, you’re only at the second rank, so it’s not like you’re bullying him,” Hu Tao said, trying to find a reason for Xilutiya.

"Forget it, I won't be staying here for long anyway." Hiltiya didn't want to get involved in this kind of petty squabble.

Seeing that Siltia shook her head, Hu Tao had no choice but to give up. However, she quickly forgot about it and continued to chat with Siltia about their favorite foods.

“Our new product sold very well last time, and even though it’s winter now, we still have a certain sales volume.”

"Does Hedra have any other good ideas? We can keep trying!" Her mind wasn't on her studies, but rather on her family's business, which she cared about and loved very much.

"Well..." Hiltiya couldn't think of any suitable food to promote for the time being.

“Speaking of food, I’ve noticed that the Mage Alliance doesn’t have much seafood,” Hilti said, recalling what she usually saw at the restaurant.

The fourth continent has two inland seas: the northern Ice Sea and the southern Meteor Lake.

“Meteor Lake has many unique aquatic products, as well as coconuts and tropical fruits. If your family can transport those things over, you should be able to make a lot of money.”

Then, Hirutiya went on to explain in detail that coconuts can be processed into 'coconut sugar' and 'coconut water', and can even be paired with coffee to create new types of drinks.

In a world where industrial sugar production is not widespread, sweet foods are still a minority, and candy has always been expensive, with substantial profits.

After hearing Hilti's description, Hu Tao's eyes lit up, and she had many inspirations and ideas.

"Wait a minute, Hedra, speak slowly. I'll go find something to write down."

That night, the two sat down for a meal together. Afterwards, Hilti returned to her room, read a book for a while, and then went to sleep.

There are still several days until the clothes are finished. Tomorrow she plans to walk around the streets of the Asura District to see how 'Fire Pig' and 'Four Eyes' have managed the place while she was away, and also to verify some of her ideas.

(End of this chapter)