"I see." Sylutia nodded, thinking about what the witch rlinsa had told her yesterday.
The 'Night Dream Tea Party' was a witch organization primarily focused on the two major Aspects of 【Nightmare】 and 【Mist Shadow】. It gathered many witches, and it was said there were even sixth-tier Grand Witches presiding within it, giving it considerable influence within the Hidden Grove.
But co to think of it, she should be more inclined towards 'Luminous Moon', so joining the 'Night Dream Tea Party' seed a bit incompatible with her Aspect.
After understanding the general situation of the Hidden Grove, Sylutia decided to wait until she entered and studied for a while before making a decision.
…
On the third day, Sylutia rested at ho. Today, she sat under the eaves of the backyard, leaning back in a recliner to read.
From here, she could see the sky, blue as if washed clean. A gentle breeze blew, and before her eyes was a golden flower field, exceptionally peaceful and comfortable. Occasionally, when she got tired of reading, she would wrap herself in a blanket and doze off in the recliner.
She didn't need to tend to the flower field these past few days; Lady Franne was doing it herself.
In the afternoon, a few birds skimd across the sky, so landing in the courtyard to peck at grass scraps on the ground and search for worms before flying up and leaving.
Clear, pleasant chis ca from the front yard. Soon, Lining ca to tell Sylutia that friends had co to visit her.
"Is it Koa and the others?" She stood up.
"Yes, one of the young girls has the 'Mist Shadow' Aspect, so she should be the Koa you ntioned, Miss Tia." Lining recalled slightly.
"Alright, I'll go over right away." She put the blanket away, quickly checked the simple long dress she was wearing today, and then walked towards the front hall.
Lining was currently leading the group through the garden lawn of the front courtyard towards the main entrance hall.
Entering this incredibly luxurious mansion, the group looked around in surprise and with great curiosity.
"Wow, this is where Tia lives? It's so big!" Koa wanted to jump up to see the surroundings.
"This place... probably costs a lot, a lot of money." Mick felt that even if he sold himself, he couldn't buy a small piece of this mansion.
"Nice." Ray also gave his assessnt.
"It really is beyond imagination." Karen stretched her chestnut-colored hair, her gaze surveying the surroundings.
After leading the four to sit comfortably in the living room, Lining soon brought high-end tea to serve them.
"Is this Snow Orchid Flower Tea?" Koa looked at the slender white tea leaves floating in the tea and the special, delicate fragrance emanating from it, asking with extre surprise.
"It seems so, why?"
Sylutia drank this kind of tea often. It seed Lady Franne had served it to her when she first arrived.
"'Snow Orchid Flower Tea' costs five gold coins for a small packet, enough for only one pot. That ans two cups cost one gold coin." Koa quickly quoted the price.
"Ah." The others opened their mouths wide in astonishnt, feeling like they weren't drinking tea but rather shiny, white coins.
"Is it that expensive?" Karen looked at the teacup in her hand and took another small sip.
"Yes, it's said 'Snow Orchid Flower Tea' can regulate the body and reduce hidden injuries and strains, so many great nobles favor it, and the price remains high."
"Making Snow Orchid Flower Tea requires several rare orchids and tea leaves, and it must also include a supplentary ingredient with the 'Blazing Sun' Aspect to perfectly bring out the tea's effects." Koa explained further.
"I see." Sylutia nodded. Rare orchids and tea leaves could be bought with money, but supplentary ingredients with the 'Blazing Sun' Aspect weren't so easy to co by. And it just so happened that Lady Franne had no shortage of them here, so she hadn't realized it was so precious.
"By the way, Tia, Viscount Xuefeng asked us if we wanted to have anything made from the ogre leather. Recently, he sent soone to tell us the ogre leather has been tanned." Mick rembered.
"What are your plans?" That day, Mick and Ray each killed an ogre, though Mick's was defeated through the combined efforts of the group.
"We discussed it and plan to make a few pairs of gloves and boots." Karen answered.
"Ray has been learning blacksmithing recently and needs a pair of high-quality heat-resistant gloves. Mick and I could also improve our defense and combat power a lot if we had gloves in battle."
"As for Koa, she doesn't need gloves, so we can make her a pair of boots."
"No way, ogres are slly." Koa pinched her nose and shook her head vigorously.
Hearing her words, the others couldn't help but laugh.
Sylutia tilted her head and thought about it. Psychologically, she was also a bit resistant to ogre materials. Plus, she actually didn't lack protective gear. The set of outerwear Lady Franne gave her, although it looked plain, was actually exceptionally tough. During this assessnt, it had helped her withstand many minor injuries and cuts.
"I'll pass. If you need them, you can take my portion."
"If there's any left, give it to Lord Viscount Xuefeng. I rember he seed to need these to equip his warriors."
"That's true. The person who ca also told us that if we didn't use it, Viscount Xuefeng would buy it from us at 30% above market price as compensation."
"Mhm, then let's do that. Actually, our previous studies under Teacher Heide also relied on subsidies from Lord Xuefeng." Otherwise, the little tuition they paid couldn't possibly have hired Scholar Hyde, the training ground instructor, and allowed free use of the castle's training grounds.
After finishing the discussion about the spoils, the group talked about their future arrangents.
"I'll probably go to teorite Lake in the east later. On the opposite shore of teorite Lake, there's a relatively small witch organization recruiting students. They don't have high requirents for aptitude." Koa spoke about her future plans.
"This is a referral channel Scholar Heide helped
find by contacting other mbers of Candlekeep." Koa spoke with considerable gratitude.
"Congratulations~" The others offered their congratulations.
Afterwards, Ray, who usually spoke little, also scratched his head and spoke up.
"I'm currently learning under the blacksmith uncle in the city. It'll probably take about two years to learn the basics and beco a qualified apprentice craftsman."
"Ray has been working very hard recently. Last ti, Karen and I saw him at the blacksmith shop, covered in sweat." Koa praised.
"What about Mick?" Sylutia was curious about the boy who had always been clamoring about becoming an adventurer.
"..." Mick thought for a mont, not answering quickly.
"After that day ended, I went back to the city and talked with Big Brother Jello for a whole night, said a lot of things."
"He plans to leave here and go to another city." Mick's tone was sowhat emotional.
"Probably because he doesn't want to be here, thinking about so bad mories."
"Before leaving, Big Brother Jello told
that being a guard in Scorchstone City is actually a good choice."
"However, he didn't strongly persuade , just told
that."
"I thought about it for a long ti, and I still find it hard to let go. I want to go out and see the world, to venture out. Even if I want to settle down as a guard, I'll do it ten years from now." Mick's gaze looked towards the distance outside the gate.
"That's fine too." Everyone thought about it and nodded one by one.
"What about you, Sister Karen?"
"I'm going to Valley City. There's a high-level Hunter's Guild there where I can learn many abilities and receive better training." Karen didn't have as grand ambitions as the others.
"I heard from the teacher that in a little while, Tia will also be leaving Scorchstone City, right?"
"Yes." Sylutia nodded, feeling a bit sad about the impending separation.
"It's okay, we'll see each other again in the future." Koa hugged Sylutia, feeling each other's warmth.
A few days later, facing the imminent departure of Koa and Karen, the group gathered again, this ti for dinner together at a restaurant in Scorchstone City, sponsored by Scholar Hyde.
"Wah, I'm leaving, I really can't bear to part with everyone." Even though it was Koa who comforted Sylutia before, now she was the one who found it hardest to leave.
The others comforted her for a while, and soon they were all sitting around the dining table again, talking about their respective futures.
"I went back ho and gave my mother a sum of money, all earned from my adventures and the rewards from the Viscount. It should be enough for her to live comfortably for nearly ten years." Mick spoke about his experiences these past few days.
"Although Scorchstone City is nice, there really aren't many opportunities here. I asked Big Brother Jello about things outside and plan to go north to take a look. It's more prosperous there, with more opportunities."
"If I can achieve sothing, I'll co back then and buy a house in Scorchstone City for my mother, so she can retire peacefully." Mick envisioned the future.
"Don't talk about achievents. No matter how things go outside, let's all co back and gather again." Koa raised her cup, though unfortunately it only contained honey water, not wine.
"Five years. Five years from now, we'll return to Scorchstone City, right after the start of spring, when the wind chi trees are in full bloom." Koa thought of the plant knowledge she had learned.
"Alright then! In five years!" Mick stood up at this mont, raising his wine glass.
Hearing this proposal, Ray and Karen stood up one after another. Sylutia also picked up her cup and drank the wine in it with everyone.
The light fruit wine made Sylutia slightly tipsy, her face flushing with a faint red that made her look sowhat charmingly cute. However, she was still quite sober; this amount of wine wasn't enough to affect her mind.
The group talked about their experiences during this period, from getting to know each other to participating in training, hunting, and adventures together. Then they talked about their respective families, their thoughts on life, plans, and so on.
Unconsciously, the sumptuous food on the table slowly turned into leftovers, and the wine bottles emptied one by one. Mick drank the most and ended up lying on the table, fast asleep.
After the gathering ended, everyone felt sowhat sad. It would probably be a long ti before they saw each other again after this parting.
There were only two days left before Sylutia's departure.
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