Chapter 110: Parting With Classmates
“I see.” Xilutiya nodded, thinking of the story told by Witch Melinsa yesterday.
‘Nightmare Tea Party’ is a witch organization mainly based on 【Nightmare】【Mist Shadow】 natures, gathering many witches inside, and it is said that there are even sixth order great witches in charge, with considerable influence in the woodland.
However, speaking of which, she should be more inclined towards ‘Brilliant Moon’, so joining ‘Nightmare Tea Party’ is somewhat mismatched in nature.
After understanding the general situation of the Secluded Forest, Xilutiya decided to wait until after entering to study for a while before making a decision.
……
On the third day, Xilutiya rested at home. Today, she sat under the eaves of the backyard, leaning on a lounge chair to read.
From here, she could see the clear blue sky, with a gentle breeze blowing, and a field of golden flowers in front of her, exceptionally peaceful and comfortable. Occasionally, when she got tired of reading, she would wrap herself in the blanket and take a nap on the lounge chair.
These past few days, she didn’t need to tend to the flower field; Madam Fran was doing it herself.
In the afternoon, some birds flew across the sky, some landing in the yard to peck at grass crumbs and hunt for insects, then flying away.
A clear bell sound came from the front yard. Soon, Lining came to tell Xilutiya that friends had come to visit her.
“Is it Komiya and the others?” She stood up.
“Yes, one of the little girls has the ‘Mist Shadow’ nature; it should be Komiya that Miss Tiya mentioned.” Lining recalled slightly.
“Okay, I’ll go right over.” She put the blanket away properly, checked her simple long skirt for today, then walked toward the living room.
At this moment, Lining was leading the few people through the garden lawn of the front yard toward the main gate living room.
Walking into this extremely luxurious mansion, the few people’s gazes were surprised yet full of curiosity.
“Wow, is this where Tiya lives? It’s so big!” Komiya wanted to jump up to look at the surroundings.
“This place must cost a lot of money.” Mike felt like even if he sold himself, he couldn’t afford a small piece of this mansion.
“Nice.” Lei also gave his evaluation.
“Indeed beyond imagination.” Karen stretched her chestnut long hair, her gaze scanning the surroundings.
Leading the four to sit comfortably in the living room, soon Lining brought high-grade tea water to entertain them.
“This is Snow Orchid Tea?” Komiya looked at the slender white tea leaves floating in the tea water, and the special fresh fragrance emanating from it, asking in utter surprise.
“Seems like it. What’s wrong?”
Xilutiya often drank this kind of tea. It seemed like the first time she came, Madam Fran had entertained her with this.
“‘Snow Orchid Tea’ is five gold coins for a small pack, only enough to brew one pot, which means two cups make one gold coin.” Komiya quickly stated the price.
“Ah.” The others opened their mouths in surprise, feeling like they weren’t drinking tea, but white gleaming coins.
“This expensive?” Karen looked at the teacup in her hand and took another small sip.
“Yes, it’s said that ‘Snow Orchid Tea’ can regulate the body and reduce hidden injuries and fatigue, so many great nobles like it, and the price remains high.”
“Making Snow Orchid Tea requires several rare orchids and tea leaves, plus auxiliary ingredients of ‘Blazing Sun’ nature to perfectly bring out the effects of the tea water.” Komiya explained again.
“I see.” Xilutiya nodded. Rare orchids and tea leaves could be bought with money, but ‘Blazing Sun’ nature auxiliary ingredients weren’t that easy, and coincidentally, Madam Fran had plenty here, so she hadn’t noticed how rare it was.
“By the way, Tiya, Viscount Xue Feng asked us if we wanted to craft something with the ogre leather. Recently, he sent someone to tell us that the ogre leather has been tanned.” Mike remembered.
“What are your plans?” That day, Mike and Lei each killed an ogre, though Mike’s was defeated through everyone’s joint cooperation.
“We discussed it and plan to make a few pairs of gloves and boots.” Karen answered.
“Lei is recently learning blacksmithing skills and needs a pair of high-quality heat-resistant gloves. If Mike and I have gloves in battle, it can also greatly improve our defense and combat power.”
“As for Komiya, she doesn’t need gloves, so we can make her a pair of boots.”
“I don’t want it; ogres are stinky.” Komiya pinched her nose and shook her head vigorously.
Hearing her words, the others couldn’t help but laugh.
Xilutiya tilted her head and thought for a bit. She also had some psychological resistance to ogres, plus she actually didn’t lack defensive gear. The coat that Madam Fran gave her looked plain but was exceptionally tough, helping her block many minor injuries and cuts during this assessment.
“I don’t need any. If you need it, you can take my share.”
“If there’s any left over, give it to Lord Viscount Xue Feng. I remember he seems to need these to arm his warriors.”
“That’s true. The person who came even told us that if we don’t use it, Viscount Xue Feng will buy it back at 30% above market price as compensation to us.”
“Mm, then let’s do that. Actually, when we were studying with Teacher Heide before, we also relied on Lord Xue Feng’s subsidies.” Otherwise, the tuition they paid couldn’t afford Scholar Heide, the instructors at the training ground, or free use of the training grounds at the castle.
After chatting about the loot, the group talked about future arrangements.
“After this, I’ll probably go to Meteor Lake in the east. On the opposite shore of Meteor Lake, there’s a smaller witch organization recruiting students; they don’t have high requirements for aptitude.” Komiya spoke of her future plans.
“This is the referral channel that Scholar Heide found for me after contacting other members of Candle Keep.” Komiya spoke gratefully.
“Congratulations~” The others congratulated her.
Afterward, Lei, who usually spoke little, rubbed his head and spoke up.
“I’m currently apprenticed to a blacksmith uncle in the city; it’ll probably take two years to preliminarily master it and become a qualified apprentice craftsman.”
“Lei has been working very hard lately. Last time Sister Karen and I went to see him, he was at the blacksmith shop, covered in sweat.” Komiya praised.
“What about Mike?” Xilutiya asked curiously about the boy who had always been shouting about becoming an adventurer.
“Me…” Mike thought for a moment and didn’t answer quickly.
“After that day, I returned to the city and talked with Brother Jieluo all night, saying many things.”
“He plans to leave here and go to other cities.” Mike’s tone carried some melancholy.
“Probably doesn’t want to stay here and think of some bad memories.”
“Before leaving, Brother Jieluo told me that becoming a guard in Jiaoshi City is actually a good choice.”
“However, he didn’t force me to do it; he just told me that.”
“I thought about it for a long time and still couldn’t let it go. I want to go out and see the world, make a name for myself. Even if I become a guard to settle down later, it’ll be at least ten years from now.” Mike gazed toward the distance outside the main gate.
“That’s good too.” Everyone thought for a moment and nodded one by one.
“What about Sister Karen?”
“I’m going to Gully City. There’s an advanced Hunter Guild there where I can learn many abilities and receive better training.” Karen didn’t have ambitions as grand as the others.
“I heard from the teacher that Tiya will also leave Jiaoshi City in a while, right?”
“Yes.” Xilutiya nodded, feeling some melancholy at the impending separation.
“It’s okay; we’ll see each other again in the future.” Komiya hugged Xilutiya, feeling each other’s warmth.
A few days later, facing the soon-to-depart Komiya and Karen, the group gathered again, this time having dinner together at a restaurant in Jiaoshi City, with the meal sponsored by Scholar Heide.
“Wah, we’re leaving; I can’t bear to part with everyone.” Clearly, Komiya had been the one comforting Xilutiya before, but now she was the one who couldn’t bear to part the most.
After the others comforted her, soon they were all seated around the dining table again, talking about their respective futures.
“I went home and gave Mother some money, all earned from my adventures, plus what Viscount rewarded; it should be enough for her to live comfortably for nearly ten years.” Mike spoke of his recent experiences.
“Although Jiaoshi City is nice, opportunities here are indeed limited. I asked Brother Jieluo about things outside and plan to head north to see; it’s more prosperous there with more opportunities.”
“If I achieve something, I’ll come back then and buy Mother a house in Jiaoshi City so she can retire in peace.” Mike envisioned the future.
“Don’t talk about achievements. No matter how it goes outside, everyone come back for another gathering then.” Komiya raised her cup, which unfortunately held only honey water, no wine.
“Five years, five years from now we’ll return to Jiaoshi City, right after spring begins when the wind chimes bloom.” Komiya recalled the botanical knowledge she learned.
“Great! Five years from now!” Mike stood up at this moment, raising his wine glass.
Hearing this proposal, Lei and Karen stood up in turn, and Xilutiya also lifted her cup, drinking the liquid in the cups together with everyone.
The light fruit wine made Xilutiya slightly tipsy, her face flushing faintly red, appearing somewhat cutely alluring, but she was still fairly sober; this much alcohol wouldn’t affect her mind.
The group talked about their experiences during this time, from getting to know each other to training together, hunting, adventuring, then chatting about their families, life ideas and plans, and so on.
Unknowingly, the abundant delicacies on the table gradually turned into leftovers, the wine bottles one by one emptied, and Mike, who drank the most, had passed out snoring on the table.
After parting, everyone felt some melancholy; the next reunion after this separation would probably be a long time later.
There were two days left until Xilutiya’s departure.
