The Cornflower Witch

Book 3: Chapter 68: Farewells and Setting Sail

Outside the airship, students waited curiously. Even though other colleges were holding exams too, nowhere near as many people were paying attention here.

Everyone wanted to know how that first girl who entered the airship to take the exam had fared in the end.

“Hedra should be able to pass, right?” Lovier and Aurora stood under the trees not far from the airship, waiting.

“If she can’t pass, then maybe no one here will get into Tetis College.” Aurora answered. Today she held a black-and-blue parasol, shading herself and Lovier.

“Still, those mages might raise the difficulty of the exam.” Aurora guessed.

“I’ve heard that everyone who gets into Tetis College is a genius. That makes them resent students who only rely on rote memorization to cheat their way into grades.”

“If Sylutia performs too well, it’ll easily trigger those members’ competitive nature and curiosity, and they’ll give her insanely difficult tests.”

“Wow, they’re that mean?” Lovier rested her head on Aurora’s shoulder and complained.

“Geniuses tend to be proud. If you’re average, they won’t care about you, but if you show something different they’ll want to probe your true level.”

“Hedra’s rising fame will make her tests tougher.”“But that’s not all bad. If Hedra conquers the exam by strength, she’ll receive a lot of attention and privileges in the academy later, and access to more resources.”

“Geniuses are forgiven for almost anything. Even if they act out, people are quick to excuse them.” Aurora spoke from experience.

“I want preferential treatment too—Aurora, tell me, how do you get lots of favors if you enter the Opera School?” Lovier suddenly became interested.

“As for you…” Aurora glanced at the golden-haired young lady beside her.

“They’ll probably dote on you like a treasure when you enter.” She thought of her uncles and the veteran members she knew.

“They love pretty, elegant girls. You’ve got it all, and among this year’s freshmen I haven’t seen anyone prettier than you.” Aurora considered.

“Really?” Lovier beamed and lifted her head, those pale pink eyes sparkling with excitement.

“This is the first time Aurora’s praised me so much, I’m so happy~”

“You’re like a child.” Aurora rolled her eyes.

The three roommates had different temperaments: if Lovier was a sunlit sunflower in full bloom, Aurora was a frost-white tulip on a high mountain, and Hedra was a black iris that only opened at night.

While they chatted and teased, noise suddenly rose from the crowd ahead, making Aurora look up and scan.

The students who had been surrounding the airship split again, and a black-haired girl walked down the steps. She held books with one arm and lightly lifted her skirt with the other, her steps calm and serene, as if the surrounding clamour meant nothing to her.

When her foot landed on the stone pavement, the mage standing at the airship’s exit formally announced to the crowd.

“Congratulations to student Hedra, the first to pass this academy’s assessment.”

At the news, loud cheers erupted, spreading outward like waves.

Even if they weren’t directly involved, everyone felt proud on behalf of Asra District that Sylutia, representing this year’s students, had passed the premier school’s assessment.

“As expected of Hedra.”

“So beautiful and powerful!”

“After all, it’s her—the Untouchable Black Griffin.”

“Now Xinke’s fame doesn’t even come close to hers.”

“It’s a pity Xinke preferred the Opera School and didn’t take the first-three-schools’ exams. If she had, they would’ve been the twin stars of Asra District.”

“That kind of thing can’t be forced.”

The students chatted, but few realised this was only the beginning of a legend.

A few days later, more students gradually passed Tetis College’s assessment. After receiving admission letters, they learned just how terrifyingly difficult Hedra’s exam on day one had been.

“Even among geniuses there are gaps. If I passed with a score of ninety, Hedra probably scored nine hundred. They publicize the same result outwardly, but it’s not the same.”

“Is the difference that big?” some students found it hard to believe.

“Of course. The examiners don’t rigidly use the same test for everyone. They adjust the assessment based on your performance and try to squeeze every drop of talent out of you.”

“If you truly have strength, the process is painful and exhilarating. But if your foundation is shaky and your skills aren’t refined, under those penetrating eyes you’ll feel terrified, like you’re suffocating.”

“They’ll sharply find your flaws and point them out precisely, rendering any excuses powerless, forcing you to admit your shortcomings in shame.”

“I won’t give more details. Tonight we should all go out to celebrate. Don’t worry, it’s my treat~”

“Haha, seriously? Let’s go.”

Assessments at various academies were in full swing. Many students who received admission letters were too excited to sleep. In the days that followed, restaurants and hotels across Asra District were filled with celebratory gatherings.

Windflower Restaurant · Second Floor

Tonight, Sylutia and her classmates gathered to celebrate. Though only a few passed, the whole class still came.

“It’s the first year. Those who took and passed the exams are top geniuses. Ordinary people shouldn’t be too discouraged.” A student comforted a friend.

“Haha, exactly. Historically, few students take exams in the first year; you’re lucky to be in the same class as some special darlings.” The teacher attended too.

“If Hedra, Lovier, Aurora, and Carmilla all leave, this class will lose its everyday charm.” Some students felt downcast.

“Right, especially without Miss Lovier, who’ll generously treat us to feasts in the future?”

“And Aurora and Carmilla are rare beauties—seeing them in class lifts the mood and makes those painful courses easier to swallow.”

“Let’s not forget Hedra. She’s beautiful too.”

“Although Hedra is quiet and gentle in class, her fame is so big that sometimes I suspect she’s deliberately acting mild around us, so I dare not offend or judge her.”

Students discussed the four special girls. By now they knew Lovier had joined the Opera School, Aurora entered the Puppet Shadow School, and Carmilla went to Origin Hourglass.

“A year already gone, that was fast.”

“Geniuses don’t stay long in one place, so they seem cold.”

“I wonder what they’ll achieve years from now, and whether they’ll remember this year in Asra District, and us.”

“Enough thinking—come eat. Tonight’s feast is specially ordered by Lovier. Every dish is a delicacy above Second Tier; if you don’t eat now you’ll miss out.”

“Okay, I’m coming.” A few students laughed and hurried forward, squeezing into the center of the banquet.

On stage, the four girls received praise from teachers and the principal, then gave their remarks.

Aurora stayed brief. She stood at the far left wearing a black-and-blue Gothic gown. Under lights her silver-gray hair glimmered; when she turned, a mercury-like earring trailed from her hair, giving her a frosty, aloof air.

Lovier sat on a high stool near the center. Her gorgeous gown had complex golden pleats and floral ornaments. Pale, tender skin peeked from between waves of hair; her beautiful pale-pink irises blinked like they could speak.

As one of the event’s focal points, she possessed flawless stately grace and the liveliness of a young maiden, holding many gazes in thrall.

Beside her, also on a high stool, sat Sylutia. The two held hands, fingers interlaced, resting on their skirts.

Today Sylutia wore the same elaborate black gown as Lovier, decorated with delicate pleats and draping blue bows. The dress accentuated her features and temperament perfectly, especially her snow-white arms and neck, which contrasted with the black fabric, delivering a striking visual impact.

While Lovier spoke, Sylutia’s gaze dropped slightly as if listening and recalling. Her crystal-clear eyes had a charm that drew people in.

Behind and to the side of Sylutia stood Carmilla, in a red court gown. Her blond-gold hair lay across her chest; she leaned forward slightly as if whispering something into Sylutia’s ear. Her crimson eyes swept the hall with an odd brilliance, then she smiled and lifted a folding fan to partially cover her face.

“…I’m very happy to have spent this year with everyone.” Lovier finished her remarks, then it was Sylutia’s turn.

The girl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, thinking what to say, when Carmilla’s familiar voice murmured into her ear.

“Thinking about what to say? You could share Hedra’s daily likes and habits.” At that prompt she nodded slightly.

Talking about mundane things now instead of study or serious topics would preserve the atmosphere. This might be their last time together, and Sylutia’s heart softened.

“Thank you for accompanying me this year…” Sylutia recalled.

“When I first came to the Mage Alliance and Asra District, many things felt strange. Fortunately many people helped me. I gradually adapted and began my studies.”

“There are many matters of study; my experiences may not suit everyone, so I won’t go on.”

“In life, I like to sit on the windowsill and read leisure books. I sometimes take walks and enjoy dusk.”

Sylutia slowly described small everyday details—buying vegetables in Asra District, cooking, shopping, strolling.

Those details made her three-dimensional and real to classmates. She was no longer the distant Untouchable Black Griffin, but a gentle girl who liked quiet and sometimes napped lazily.

“…Lately I like the new ice cream. I actually suggested a bit during development, and I didn’t expect the suggestion to be adopted.”

“I hope everyone keeps improving, and that we meet again someday.” After speaking, she leaned forward on the stool; her graceful posture resembled a black swan stretching.

Sylutia finished, and then Carmilla spoke.

The transfer student, unfamiliar to many, abandoned her usual understated fragility. Clad in a striking blood-red gown, her crimson eyes gleamed under the lights with an arresting radiance.

“Although it was only half a year, I’m happy because I met friends who’ll matter my whole life, and I made decisions that give me peace.” She blinked slightly.

“Thank you to the teachers and everyone for your care. Even after I leave, I’ll remember this time.”

“I wish everyone achieves their wishes in the future.” She closed her remarks and opened her fan again to partially veil her face, retreating behind Sylutia to let the girl take the spotlight.

The four girls finished speaking to warm applause, and the teacher announced the banquet officially began. The restaurant’s second floor buzzed with cheer.

Tonight would be a memorable night for many. These four girls, drawn together by some miracle, would now temporarily part. They would each follow different paths until some day they might reunite.

…

A week later, after finishing graduation matters, Sylutia finally found time to return to Asra District’s underground world.

This was a newly dug cavern. Though somewhat simple, it had been neatly arranged.

The two major headmen of the underground world and their important cadres had gathered to hear the black-haired girl’s orders.

Sylutia stood on a stone platform, looking at the wide wall where lines had been etched into a grand mural of a massive black griffin, majestic and beautiful.

“What’s this?” She remembered the cavern was newly built. How had someone already carved a mural so quickly?

“We specially made and carved this. We hope Lord Hedra will be pleased.” Two of Four Fingers’ subordinates stepped forward to report, looking at Sylutia expectantly.

“Your beauty and strength should be displayed in a grand mural so everyone remembers forever.” They voiced their thoughts. For these labourers turned stonemasons, carving commemorated great moments or important things they could not forget.

“This will be Asra District’s underground world’s new starting point, built as a unified whole in your name.” The Bird-Beaked Old Man at Fire Pig’s side kowtowed, flattering her.

“All right, then.” Sylutia shook her head, putting aside these petty matters for now.

She had finished her academic affairs and could finally reorganize this chaotic underground world. She believed these changes could validate the ideas and plans she’d accumulated over the year.

This was not only to solve the Mage Alliance’s neglected potential problems, but to search for a harmonious coexistence for the Hidden Grove Alliance and more races.

A magnificent building needs a solid foundation, and the strongest, most talented transcendent arises from countless people acting as cornerstone.

A prosperous organization unites more resources, defeats stronger enemies, climbs to higher ranks, and gains the grand power to change the world.

There were many things she would try and accomplish in the future.

Although she sometimes wanted to nap, using her own hand to draw a beautiful, colorful world was worth looking forward to.