The Cornflower Witch

After Sylutia walked over, she pulled up a chair for her to sit. The masters’ conversation, which had been about problems encountered during the support mission, shifted to the arriving Ti Ya.

Because she looked very young, almost underage, the masters were quite interested and curious about Ti Ya.

“How long has Hedra been in the Fourth Tier?”

“What are you majoring in now and which secret arts are you practicing?”

“Do you have any other siblings at home?”

“I heard you did a lot on the journey. Did you ever feel scared?”

Questions came one after another. Ti Ya didn’t know which to answer first, so she replied slowly to each one.

“I entered the Fourth Tier about a year ago.” She advanced last summer, and it was not yet summer now.

“I’m majoring in rune spells of the Secret Word Aspect, enchantment carving, and fine crafting. I’m also studying summoning contracts of the alien star class and star-protection secret techniques as a secondary focus.” She described what she had mainly learned and mastered so far.

“I have an older brother and an older sister, but they live on the shores of Meteorite Lake, which is far from here.”

“There were some difficult moments and things that made me anxious on the trip, but fortunately they were all resolved.”

Seeing the girl answer each question deliberately and with clear memory, the masters present admired and were pleased. The tone grew relaxed, and when they asked Sylutia questions they sometimes recalled and told stories of their own youthful studies.

“Really from as far as Meteorite Lake?” Master Ein of the First Train Crew was a bit surprised.

To him, this girl with such excellent results, perfect manners, and striking presence clearly did not come from an ordinary family. He subconsciously assumed she was the descendant of a distinguished house within the Mage Alliance.

This notion was reasonable. Young mages who show outstanding results and power often benefited from parental legacy. The mage profession demands a huge amount of knowledge and the absorption of precise, complex theory to build a professional foundation.

Without careful guidance from elders, rural schooling alone typically leaves gaps that only get filled after attending the three main school districts, and catching up takes time. Students from well-off families usually reached that level around their late twenties.

“That’s right.” Sylutia’s slender pale fingers pressed gently at her collar as she nodded.

“As for me, I also come from far outside the Mage Alliance,” Master Welsa recalled.

“My hometown is beyond the Alliance too, in the Chesks range of rubble mountains thousands of kilometers west of Meteorite Lake. It’s a very small country. I was the third daughter; I have two older sisters.”

“My eldest sister married early. I was ten at the time, and many details are now forgotten. My second sister was closer to me; I depended on her as a child.”

“After that, I followed my teacher to the city of Moris on the Alliance’s southern side, the city locals call the Dark Blue Flora. That’s where I encountered many new things and first wanted to become a mage, and then gradually embarked on this path.”

“But that was fifty years ago. My eldest sister died ten years ago; my second sister still lives at home. I went back once last year, and the family is doing well.”

Her recollections sparked others’ interest, and they began to share memories.

“My hometown is within the Mage Alliance, but it wasn’t very prosperous. It was a small marginal city; law and order were not the best,” Hiden briefly introduced, occasionally frowning while recalling, suggesting dissatisfaction with some early events.

“Master Ge Zhen, you remember when we went on missions together when we were younger. I was actually quite dashing back then, from a scholarly family, and popular with the boys outside the team.” At that, Young Scholar Sylutia teased.

That made the others laugh, and then it was Young Scholar Sylutia’s turn to introduce herself first.

“As for you—well, you’re not exactly one of the crowd. You truly come from a family in the Alliance’s central district, but it’s not as terrible as some imagine.” Young Scholar Sylutia lifted her wine cup and shook it heavily.

“The Mentrell family produced a Sage two hundred years ago, which brought honor to the clan, and allowed you early access to Secret History Knowledge. Your elders personally coached your enlightenment. Those things do give you a head start compared to most people. You weren’t the only one in your generation with that advantage; you often fought with peers outside your small clan. There weren’t large groups backing you, so you sometimes got bullied too.” Though she spoke with false modesty, Young Scholar Sylutia’s underlying pride and ease were things many of the others lacked.

After that, the conversation moved on to Ein Ya’s studies, and Young Scholar Sylutia asked mischievously.

“Hedra is studying the Astronomical Clock Page, right?”

“Yes.”

The girl nodded, not fully understanding. At that exchange, Master Hiden looked surprised. It seemed he was the first among them to grasp this girl’s special situation.

“How are your studies progressing? Do you have confidence in advancing within a few years?” Master Ein continued to ask.

“A few years? Umm, probably another five or six years.” Sylutia humbly extended the timeline, though by her own estimate two or three years might suffice.

Seeing Sylutia so guileless, Master Ge Zhen couldn’t help himself. He cleared his throat and interrupted, steering the topic elsewhere, such as impressions after arriving in Candela and thoughts on the journey.

The other masters were perceptive and, when Ge Zhen changed the subject, stopped pressing. They exchanged knowing smiles.

As the meal neared its end, Master Ein spoke: “This is our first time meeting. Seeing such promising juniors is truly heartening. As elders, we should not be stingy.”

He then produced a crystal orb. Inside the orb was a highly miniaturized airship sealed within. It looked like a chubby red carp, with its fins doubling as sail-oars.

“This is one of the small airships I made earlier. I gave one to my granddaughter, and kept this one. I wonder if Hedra would like it.”

[Crystal Orb · Red Carp Airship] (Fourth Tier · Superior); the orb contains an ultra-small airship for one to two passengers. Though it appears toy-like, the internal mechanisms are complete and it could even be used for long journeys.

As a spatial sealing item, the crystal orb itself is valuable, even more so than the tiny airship stored inside.

Everyone was surprised at such a precious gift from Master Ein, but they seemed to understand.

“Heh heh, don’t be embarrassed. This isn’t something I’m attached to. I think the other masters have prepared small gifts as well.” Master Ein’s words made it hard for Sylutia to politely decline, and drew the others in.

Although they had not planned on giving gifts, with Master Ein leading, they couldn’t refuse. Each smiled and produced one or two items they carried to present to Ti Ya.

Master Welsa gave Sylutia an exquisite folding fan that could unleash frost and blazing winds and generate powerful air currents. It was a Fourth Tier · Superior crafted item.

[Frostfire Folding Fan] (Fourth Tier · Superior)

Master Hiden presented a thick spellbook with a copper casing. The cover mixed in a small amount of Mountain Copper, making it especially sturdy and heavy. Because it was inscribed with a Levitation magic array, it could float and follow, assisting in casting the engraved spells.

[Mountain Copper Spellbook] (Fourth Tier · Superior)

Master Ge Zhen offered a small drum that sealed the spirit of an ancient mammoth. With a strike, it could summon a Fourth Tier “Ghost Mammoth.”

[Soul-Summoning Drum (Ghost Mammoth)] (Fourth Tier · Superior)

After thanking the four masters for their gifts, Sylutia finished the lavish afternoon meal amid laughter and conversation.

.......

Two days later the storm had completely subsided, leaving only a gentle warm breeze.

“According to scholars’ observations and studies, things should remain quiet for the next month or two, but the storm will return around July or August, although it likely won’t be as intense as last time.” Novadon returned from the Furnace core with several technicians and updated Sylutia on the recent situation.

“During this calm period we need to go to the North Wind Defense Line to inspect and repair the wind turbines and equipment along the route. Hedra, do you want to come along? Staying in the city all the time would be boring.”

“If I go, will there be work to do?” Sylutia wanted to know if she was being drafted for labor.

“Heh heh heh, you’ll probably be set to take the air and watch the equipment, to prevent theft,” Novadon replied with a smile.

“Alright, I’ll come too.” Sylutia wanted to see the scenery. She had heard the area around the North Wind Defense Line was vast and open.

“Good. Prepare a little. This trip might take four to five days. Bring a few changes of clothes. We leave tomorrow morning.”

“Understood.”

Back in her room, Ti Ya rummaged through her luggage. Besides the two dresses she had been wearing recently, she had several sets of clothing: a battle uniform from the Inspection Department, a windcoat uniform from Tetis College, and a long-sleeved dress for attending banquets.

She stored the clothes in her storage key. To free space, Ti Ya took out a small box of snacks from the key. Some snacks were gifts from Amisa, some were made by the train’s head chef Kubo, and some were leftovers she had prepared earlier.

Because she didn’t have a large appetite and usually dined in the cafeteria, these snacks were consumed slowly.

Prepared, the next day she came to the agreed meeting point in the dining hall and saw Novadon, Amisa, and several physicians under Amisa.

“Good morning, Hedra~” Amisa greeted her with a smile as if she had been waiting.

“Amisa is coming too?” the girl asked curiously.

“Yes, just a nice chance to get out and look around,” Amisa and her companions answered.

“Is Cerise not with you lately? On the train I saw her always staying by your side.”

Thinking of the loyal, dependable subordinate, Sylutia raised a hand to her forehead and nodded slightly.

“I had her assigned to duty. She’s leading the audit of supplies transported to Candela, tallying the inventory.” Otherwise Cerise would have been following her every day again.

“Giggling, that child is too responsible. She might make Hedra feel a bit unaccustomed.” Amisa covered her mouth and laughed, then invited the girl to sit beside her for breakfast.

They ate while chatting about recent amusing events, including the dispute that took place in the cafeteria a few days prior.

“Word is that after that day the Second Train Crew and the First Train Crew had a few more fights outside, though not as large.”

“Given the conflict between the two sides, higher-ups arranged for the First Train Crew to prepare to return, but they’re still loading and unloading cargo.”

“Candela needs massive supplies. Many craftsmen are gathered here, producing goods that help fill the fiscal gap.”

“When will we return?” Ti Ya asked curiously.

“That’s unknown. No notice yet, but it shouldn’t be long. Expect news within a month.”

“Alright, I understand.”

After breakfast, Sylutia and Amisa’s group went to the lower station of Candela. There they boarded a small train. Its locomotive was roughly half the size of the Ninth Train’s, and the cars were much smaller, loaded with several mechanical units and spare parts.

“Our carriages are in the last few sections. Follow me.” Novadon led them to the rear cars, which housed small private bedrooms, a dining room, and a kitchen—very convenient.

“Let’s go. We’ll depart soon.” Once Sylutia and the others were seated, Novadon went to the locomotive with his team. Soon the whistle sounded and the train slowly started, entering a tunnel within the city walls and heading toward the distant North Wind Defense Line.

An hour later the train had left Candela’s jurisdiction. On one side of the tunnel a line of circular ventilation and light openings lit the tracks brightly.

“The side with the air shafts faces south and provides light and ventilation. The other side is completely sealed to the north to block outside airflow.” Novadon returned to the carriage to sit and explained the internal passages of the city walls to them.

He went on to describe the history and process of building the North Defense Line and its several rounds of upgrades and extensions.

“Its completion was not only a marvel in Alliance history, but building it allowed research and verification of many frontier technologies. What had been theoretical possibilities were realized, and new discoveries and insights were made in the process.”

“After construction, the Alliance gained many Transcendents with the Gold Steam and Castle attributes; their advancement was related to working near the North Wind Defense Line.”

As Novadon spoke, the train passed through a long tunnel. The wall with air shafts disappeared, revealing a completely open view.

Outside, emerald grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see, connecting to the horizon.