"You an… Sir Orion is…"
"Oh, you don't know?" The woman feigned surprise. "They are a recognized couple in Ohema. They even went to the public bathhouse together a while ago, very much in love."
Castorice's vegetable basket dropped to the ground. Ingredients rolled everywhere, but she couldn't care less. Orion… is Lady Aglaea's lover? How could this be?
"Little girl, are you alright?" The woman asked with feigned concern.
"N-nothing…" Castorice didn't pick up the scattered items and stumbled away. She felt like her world was collapsing. Turns out, she had been wishful thinking all along. Turns out, the person who gave her warmth already had soone else in his heart.
The next day, when you ca to find her again, Castorice gathered her courage and asked.
"Sir Orion, are you… are you Lady Aglaea's lover, is that true?"
You were silent for a mont. "Yes."
A simple word, yet it pierced her heart like a knife.
"I see…" Castorice lowered her head, trying hard not to let tears fall.
"Castorice?"
"It's nothing." She forced a smile. "I just… wanted to confirm. You and Lady Aglaea are a perfect match."
After saying that, she felt like her heart was shattering. But she didn't say anything. She just quietly buried that feeling deep within her heart. She wasn't worthy. How could soone cursed by death hope to be loved? To have soone not despise her, soone willing to touch her, was already the greatest blessing.
Weeks later, Aglaea summoned Castorice.
"Castorice, I have a proposal." The golden-haired demigod sat gracefully in her chair, her gaze calmly fixed on her. "Would you be willing to study abroad at the Mind-Awakening Tree Court?"
"Mind-Awakening Tree Court?"
"Yes, it is a sacred place for the pursuit of wisdom." Aglaea smiled. "I believe, with your aptitude, you will learn a great deal there. This will also help you control your abilities."
Castorice hesitated. Going to the Tree Garden ant leaving Ohema. Leaving… Orion. But what good would staying do? Watch him and Aglaea in their loving relationship? Moreover, the Council allowed her to stay in Ohema on the condition that she obey Aglaea. If she refused…
"I understand." Castorice took a deep breath. "I am willing to go."
"Very good." Aglaea's smile deepened. Only she knew the true reason behind this decision. 'Recently, Castorice and A Mo have been getting too close…' 'Although A Mo said he was just helping her adapt to Ohema, but… The way that girl looks at A Mo, I couldn't be mistaken.' 'They must be separated.'
"Thank you for your kindness, Lady Aglaea." Castorice bowed and withdrew.
At the Mind-Awakening Tree Court, the land of sages, Castorice was awestruck by the sight. Giant ancient trees stood tall, their branches and leaves flowing with a faint glow. Scholars moved through the forest paths, discussing profound philosophies. Here, there was no hustle and bustle of Ohema, only the pure pursuit of knowledge.
"You must be Castorice?" A gentle voice sounded.
Castorice turned and saw a refined, one-eyed man. He had deep eyes, and his every movent exuded a scholar's composure.
"I am Anaxagoras."
"Teacher Anaxagoras!" Castorice quickly bowed. "I am Castorice, please guide ."
"No need for formalities." Anaxa smiled. "Aglaea ntioned you in her letter, saying you are a special child."
Special… Castorice gave a bitter smile; she was indeed very "special."
"Teacher, will my abilities… cause trouble for the Tree Garden?"
"All things have their principles." Anaxa said aningfully. "Death is also part of the natural law, nothing to be taboo about. It is you, however, who must learn to reconcile with your abilities."
This made Castorice pause. Reconcile? She had only ever thought about how to suppress, how to escape. But she had never thought about reconciliation.
"Teacher Anaxa!" A clear voice ca. A girl with pink twin pigtails walked quickly, carrying a stack of books in her arms.
"Hyacine, just in ti." Anaxa introduced. "This is our new student, Castorice."
"Castorice, this is Hyacine, an assistant lecturer in the Wisdom Seed School, and also my teaching assistant."
"Hello!" Hyacine showed a friendly smile. "I heard you're from Ohema? I've been there too!"
"Hello, Miss Hyacine."
"Just call Hyacine." Hyacine blinked. "We should be about the sa age."
Looking at the lively girl before her, a hint of warmth welled up in Castorice's heart. Perhaps, life at the Tree Garden wouldn't be too lonely.
The first few days were not easy. The courses at the Tree Garden were much more profound than she had imagined.
"What is the essence of all things?"
"Reason and emotion, which is the path to truth?"
"What is the aning of death?"
These questions often made her fall into deep thought. And Anaxa always patiently guided her to think.
"Castorice, do you think your ability is a curse?" One day after class, Anaxa suddenly asked.
"…Yes." Castorice replied softly. "It took away my right to touch others."
"But it also gave you a unique perspective." Anaxa said. "You understand life better than anyone. Because you have seen too much death."
Castorice fell silent. She recalled what Orion had once said. The person who could touch her… No, she couldn't think about him anymore. He was Aglaea's lover.
"Teacher, can I control this power?"
"Of course." Anaxa said affirmatively. "But first, you must accept that it is a part of you."
Hyacine also often ca to accompany her. The two would read books together under the trees during their free ti, discussing academic problems.
"Butterfly Baby, do you have soone you like in Ohema?" One day, Hyacine suddenly asked gossiping.
The book in Castorice's hand almost fell. "N-no…"
"Liar!" Hyacine narrowed her eyes. "Your face is all red."
"I…"
"Who is it? Who is it? Tell quickly!"
Faced with Hyacine's persistent questioning, Castorice eventually revealed a little. Of course, she omitted Orion's na. She only said there was soone who wasn't afraid of her ability and would even hold her hand.
"Wow, how romantic!" Hyacine's eyes lit up. "And then what?"
"There was no 'then'." Castorice gave a bitter smile. "He already has soone he likes."
"Ah…" Hyacine's expression turned sympathetic. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
"It's okay." Castorice shook her head. "It's all in the past."
Yes, it was all in the past. Hadn't she decided to forget him when she ca to the Tree Garden?
A full decade passed. Castorice grew from an innocent girl into an excellent scholar of the Tree Garden. Her understanding of the power of death deepened, and she could even temporarily completely conceal her aura. The current Castorice was able to face her abilities calmly. Although she still couldn't touch others freely, at least she no longer wallowed in self-pity. She even began to assist Anaxa with so research on life and death.
Hyacine had also grown a lot. As a Chrysos Heir, a qualified bearer of the Fire Seed aptitude, her responsibilities beca heavier. But she still maintained that lively spirit.
"Butterfly Baby, I heard there's a powerful Chrysos Heir in Ohema recently, nad Orion… He helped Lady Aglaea manage Ohema very well."
Hearing that na, Castorice's heart skipped a beat. "Is that so…"
"Mm! I really want to et him soday!"
"I see…"
"Oh, by the way, it seems like a new transfer student is coming today." Hyacine changed the subject. "They're also from Ohema."
"Really?" Castorice didn't pay much attention. Ohema was so big; it was normal for soone to co to the Tree Garden to study.
Class that day was the sa as usual. Castorice sat in her usual seat, quietly flipping through her notes.
"Everyone, today I'd like to introduce a new classmate." Anaxa's voice sounded.
Castorice looked up, casually glancing over. Then, she froze.
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