Cornflower Witch

Chapter 89 Changes Among the Students
“Miss Iona’s swordsmanship still has room for improvement, but you are not feeling well right now, so it’s probably not the time to train.”

"Oh, you can tell I'm not feeling well? Never mind, it must be Mr. Hyde who told me." She waved her hand.

"Since you say my swordsmanship still has room for improvement, then analyze it for me." She had demonstrated her swordsmanship a few times in front of her classmates before, but those were not the full extent of her abilities.

After thinking for a moment, Hiltiya pointed out some details in Iona's usual training that could be improved.

……

"Perhaps I underestimated you." This time, Iona's opinion of Sylvia had changed significantly, and her tone had also changed somewhat.

“You do have a very good eye.” She thought for a moment.

"Since you have demonstrated your value, I can respect you. From now on, just call me by my name in class; there's no need for any honorifics."

"This is for you." She took out a copybook from the cabinet.

"The above is the method for learning 'Bee Dance Steps'. I won't teach you directly. As for how much you can understand and learn from it, that depends on your own talent."

"Alright, that concludes our conversation for today. If you wish to contact me in the future, please inform the maid beforehand." She waved her hand, preparing to see the guest out.

Hilti expressed her gratitude for the booklet she received, and then took her leave.

Soon, the room returned to silence, and Iona stared blankly at the metal box in the corner for a long time.

"I never expected to see a true genius in a place like this."

What is genius? People from different regions will have different concepts and answers, but as Iona from the White Cliff Royal City, she has a deeper understanding of genius.

She has seen true geniuses, and she knows that she is not that kind of genius, which is why she feels anxious and uneasy.

"Since she has such keen insight, her strength can't be too bad either."

……

Shortly after her visit, Iona returned to Hyde's classroom. To the surprise of many of her classmates, this noblewoman, who had previously disdained associating with commoners, had become more amiable. She would occasionally visit the training grounds to watch and participate in some practical training exercises.

What surprised many people even more was that she would actually take the initiative to talk to Hilti and stand with her to talk. This scene was unbelievable to many classmates, especially Valenie.

'Why? I was here first.' She bit her lip and complained inwardly in the corner, but she didn't dare say it to Iona's face.

One day, Iona jumped down from the stands on one side of the training field and landed next to Sylvia.

"Can you dance, Tia?" she asked, directly addressing the other person by name.

"I probably won't." She couldn't recall any dancing at all.

“That’s a bit of a shame. The ‘Bee Dance’ originates from an ancient court dance. If you can’t dance, it’s hard to understand its rhythm.” Iona shook her head, looking regretful.

"I see." Hilti thought for a moment. In fact, she had practiced the bee dance steps a few times. Although she was a little rusty, she could still learn them. However, she was currently focused on the 'flower blooming technique' and did not have time to learn it.

"Thank you for the reminder, Iona." Iona shook her head at her expression. This girl really had no social skills. Didn't she understand that her previous statement was a way of telling her she could ask her for dance lessons?

However, Iona actually liked Siltia's innocent appearance, probably because she was tired of the scheming and intrigue she had with the socialites and young ladies in White Cliff City.

Forget it, let's just get straight to the point.

“If you want to learn to dance, I can teach you a little.” Hearing this, Valenie, who was not far away, pinched her fingers until they turned red.

Why was it that when she last asked Iona if she could learn about the court dances performed in White Cliff City, Iona simply said she didn't have time?

"As for dancing, I probably don't have the energy to learn it right now." Hiltiya shook her head. She had to tend to her flower field and cultivate her flowers on weekdays, and she also had to find time to practice and become familiar with several skills. She simply couldn't spare any more time.

However, she wasn't completely oblivious to romance. Perhaps sensing Iona's good intentions, Hilti added, "I'll be free after the assessment, so please teach me then, Iona."

"In that case, let's talk about it later." Iona thought that once she passed the test, she wouldn't have much time left in Scorched Stone City.

As their relationship grew closer, Iona would occasionally ask Hiltya questions about the secret history course and tell her interesting stories about White Cliff City in return, which broadened Hiltya's horizons considerably.

"Right now, what rank is the strongest person in the Kingdom of Legas?"

“Well, many people are indeed curious about this. I’ve heard my father talk about it before.” Iona ran her fingers through her short, golden hair.

"The strongest one on the surface is 'First Knight' Velto, a 'fifth-tier' Winter Branch Knight, but secretly, the Kingdom of Regas should have a hidden sixth-tier being," Iona replied.

Is it only at the fifth rank? Hiltiya recalled the records in the ancient books. It seemed that the pinnacle of the history of the Kingdom of Regas was only at the sixth rank. Indeed, this was the strongest combat power.

However, based on her vague childhood memories, she should have seen many beings of higher rank, and her mother was at least a seventh-rank figure, otherwise she would not have been able to perform that miraculous scroll painting spell.

Unfortunately, she has not yet seen any beings above the fourth rank, and the most powerful person she knows so far, Lady Fran, already makes her feel invincible. She can't imagine what a fifth-rank superhuman would be like.

Could he single-handedly slaughter an entire city and destroy a nation? Or could he easily sweep away low-level opponents over a distance of several kilometers? It remains to be seen.

The two chatted easily, which was noticed by many classmates. Usually, even Mick and Komia would not approach easily at this time, for fear of disturbing or offending Iona.

"Ugh, Tia was snatched away by that wicked woman." Komia was just as unhappy as Valenie.

"I really wanted to tell Tia that I recently made a good friend, a snow-white tigress, who is very obedient." Her biggest gain during this holiday was meeting a clever and interesting person while practicing the Illusionary Eye.

At first, Komia was afraid that the wolf would attack her, so she used the 'Illusionary Eye' to influence it. Soon, the wolf showed friendly characteristics, and the two gradually became familiar with each other.

Because it was pure white, Komia named it 'Dough,' which was probably a slightly better name than 'Little White.'

On the other side, Mick and Thorin, because of their last encounter, have become rivals who often spar with each other. They admire each other but are unwilling to get too close, which is a kind of subtle competition.

In the new year, everyone has experienced new changes, and the assessment time in the Hidden Woods is getting closer and closer.

(End of this chapter)