Cornflower Witch

Chapter 62: The Boy in the Past

Two days later, Madame Fran returned from her trip.

"Have you decided to go to the Hidden Woods?" The blonde noblewoman pressed her hand lightly on the armrest, tapping it occasionally, as if deep in thought.

"Actually, I've been to that place before, but not the Kingdom of Legas, but the area of ​​the Commercial Union." She recalled briefly.

"The competition inside is extremely fierce; they are all geniuses and promising individuals selected from various regions."

"If you don't have any background or connections, going there is indeed the best choice, although it is also somewhat dangerous."

“I was thinking of keeping you by my side a little longer, and in two years, I could recommend you directly to those organizations without having to go through the selection process of the Hidden Woods.”

“That path would be easier and safer.” She looked up at the girl in front of her.

"But since you want to go out and try it yourself, I won't stop you. In fact, you'll get more experience that way."

"As the old proverb says, 'A warm room cannot nurture a resilient flower,' people generally need to go through some experiences to grow." As she said this, Madame Fran seemed to recall something.

"Little Tiya, do you like growing flowers?" she suddenly asked another question.

"I like it because the process fills me with anticipation and hope."

"That's an interesting way to put it, but most people plant and cultivate crops for the final harvest."

“Some people care about the result, while others care about the process. Although it’s impossible to judge which is better, but…” Her expression became slightly more serious.

"Tia, the result is only a matter of a moment, and you spend most of your time waiting."

"If you can't enjoy the process of waiting, you will suffer because waiting is the most boring thing. You face all kinds of unknowns, speculate about the future development, and feel uneasy and anxious about the future outcome."

"This anxiety and pain will eventually slowly devour your talent, your spirituality, and the serene state of mind you had when you first set out."

“I understand, madam.” She realized that Madame Fran was conveying a lesson that needed to be kept in mind at all times.

“It’s so comforting to talk to a smart child.” Mrs. Fran nodded slightly when she saw that Hiltiya was listening.

"Since you've decided to compete for a spot next year, as your mentor on your path to becoming a horticulturist, I need to teach you some real skills as soon as possible."

"It's not just about 'pruning' and the 'horticulture apprentice' job title, but also about some of the ways that gardeners protect themselves when facing danger."

“If you really want to enter the Hidden Woods, you almost have to learn this skill, otherwise even if you go, it will be difficult to adapt to that environment.” She thought of something.

“Starting tomorrow, I will have Lining teach you some practical combat skills. In addition, I will gradually pass on some of my early notes and the secret manual of the gardener’s inheritance to you.”

"Even if you can't learn the things above right now, you will be able to master them spontaneously once you reach a certain rank in the future."

"Thank you, Madam." Siltia also became expectant and curious.

……

Since the day everyone talked about the future, everyone has become busy. Karen is working hard to practice breathing techniques, hoping to reach the third level this month.

In fact, breathing techniques are a unique ability. If your companions and comrades have reached a higher level of breathing techniques, even if you haven't broken through yet, you will gradually synchronize with them under the influence of that unique breathing rhythm and slowly feel the true meaning of the rhythm.

In this way, breakthroughs become relatively easy.

Historically, there have been many similar events. For example, when the Kingdom of Regas was first established, almost everyone in Regard's legion knew the Breathing Technique, and countless 'Tier 3 Castle' knights were born from among them. This is why Regard Bouvier was revered as the 'Knight King'. Such a period of great talent is often recorded in history as the golden age of a nation's early days.

As combat learning and training gradually reached a plateau, the trainees stopped going to the training ground every day and instead made their own arrangements.

"Brother Jero!"

In the afternoon, Mick returned to his familiar little courtyard in the south of the city and shouted loudly. "Oh, it's Mick, the kid, back!" Everyone saw him and waved with smiles.

"You've changed a lot lately, you're much stronger and more muscular now." Someone came over and punched him, testing his muscles.

"Hehe." Facing these familiar faces and seniors, Mick scratched his head, feeling like he had become that naive young man who had just started his adventures again.

"I have indeed learned a lot during this time," he replied with a touch of emotion, then looked around.

"Where is Brother Jero?"

"He... he's resting in his room right now." The team members' expressions became somewhat subtle as they said this.

Sensing the strange atmosphere, Mick didn't ask any questions. Instead, he quickly walked towards the house in the courtyard, pushed open the simple wooden door, and went inside.

The room's coarse cloth curtains were drawn tightly, with only a few rays of light filtering in through the gaps and rips. Several wine bottles lay scattered on the floor, while loud snoring echoed from the bed.

Seeing that Jero was sleeping, Mick felt a little relieved; he had thought something had happened.

Picking up the bottles one by one from the ground and placing them in the wooden frame, Mick moved a small stool from the room and sat down in front of the fast-sleeping Jero.

"Brother Jero, I've advanced to the next level." Mick's voice wasn't loud; probably only the two people in the room could hear it.

In the past, he would probably have announced it loudly, making everyone envious. But now, he has become much more composed and has met more impressive people, so he doesn't think that advancing to 'Tier 1' is a crazy achievement.

Unfortunately, the person in the room wasn't listening at all and continued snoring.

Mick shook his head helplessly, feeling a sense of disappointment. He stood up, looked around the dilapidated house, and recalled the scene when he first came here.

He was born in a village far from Jiaoshi City, located on a major transportation route. The village inn was bustling with activity in every season, and his mother worked there.

She was an ordinary woman, but because she had to deal with those greasy customers every day, her personality gradually became shrewish. She was completely unlike the gentle and kind mother that Mick had imagined. She could hardly be said to care about Mick; she only made sure the child didn't starve to death.

When he grew up, Mick began looking for work, starting with odd jobs in the village, just like other children.

The thing that truly changed his fate was probably the day Jero brought a group of teammates to the village to complete a mission and deal with the powerful beasts that were rampant in the surrounding area.

He stumbled upon the breathing technique and spent several days completing the cycle for the first time. Jero, who thought he was a promising talent, discussed with Mick's mother and brought him out of the village.

Almost two years have passed since he left the village. Not only has he grown taller and his physique changed significantly, but more importantly, he is no longer as reckless as he used to be.

Knowledge really can change people, Mick thought, looking at himself in the mirror and recalling the changes over the past few months.

After finishing his reflections, he turned his attention back to Jero and prepared to say goodbye before leaving.

First, he straightened Jero's sleeping body, then simply smoothed out the wrinkled and messy sheets. At this moment, Mick suddenly noticed something. He picked up the half-burnt, dry brown tobacco on the bed and sniffed it.

This is the smell of 'sunflower', yes, it's roasted 'sunflower'. Mick frowned slightly.

When this herb is roasted and then burned, it emits a pungent odor that most people dislike. However, if one gets used to the smoke, it can provide a kind of intoxicating stimulation that can suppress pain and relieve anxiety.

Does Gero like this too? I've never seen Gero use it before.

It was probably to suppress the pain, Mick made an excuse for him, because Jero did have quite a few hidden injuries.

But this kind of thing is not a good thing if you get addicted. When Mick was a child, he saw addicts in hotels. They were completely listless and only became energetic when they smelled 'sunflower'.

With some apprehension, Mick tidied up the room briefly and then left.

"I'll be back in a few days, and I'll share the results with my brother then," he said to the sleeping Jero, before closing the door.

(End of this chapter)