Cornflower Witch

Chapter 15 The Returning Student

In the afternoon, the sun was blazing.

An ordinary, old horse-drawn carriage, creaking and groaning, slowly drove into Jiaoshi City.

A few minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of a quiet mansion in the western district, and a chubby boy jumped off. He looked to be about 17 years old, wearing a simple and durable brown robe, with a thick copper-covered book hanging from his belt and a worn-out wooden box on his back.

Arriving at the mansion, he stood on tiptoe, looked into the courtyard inside the iron fence, and then picked up the latch on the iron gate and knocked on it.

Soon, an old servant came over upon hearing the noise and saw the chubby little boy.

“Oh, it’s Hiero. What brings you back?” He recognized the young man; he was a former student of Maester Hyde.

"I heard that Mr. Hyde was preparing to give another lecture, so I rushed back immediately."

“I never expected you, who are usually so quiet, to be so well-informed this time.” The old servant opened the iron gate and let Hiero in.

"Lord Hyde is taking a nap right now, so you'll probably have to wait a while before you see him. Why don't you go and rest in the side hall for a bit?"

“Okay, thank you, Grandpa Manson.” He walked familiarly into the small courtyard in front of the mansion, then went into a small room in the side hall and sat down.

About an hour later, a soft footstep came from inside the house, and then an old man with a long beard wearing a bathrobe came into the side hall. Soon after he sat down, a maid served him fresh cold tea.

“I just got up and Manson told me you were back.” He lifted his reading glasses and carefully examined the young man opposite him.

"I'm sorry, Professor Hyde." Yero first stood up and bowed to apologize, then stood up to explain.

“These past two years, I haven’t felt well in Valley City… perhaps because I couldn’t adapt to the environment there, so I humbly request to return to your side to continue my studies.” Yero said with some shame, his voice low.

“Good boy, tell me if you have any problems. Why are you so reserved today? Hehe.” Maester Hyde’s smile eased Yero’s tension considerably.

Yero held this white-bearded, over-eighty-year-old man in the highest esteem. The man was not only his mentor but also took great care of him in his daily life. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for someone of his humble origins to pursue knowledge and become a scholar.

"Since I said goodbye to you, I took your letter of recommendation and went to Valley City to study under Scholar Harwin there..." He began to recount his experiences over the past two years.

“The environment in Xigu City is different from that in Jiaoshi City. It’s very glamorous there, and everyone is enthusiastic about all kinds of art and fashion. I don’t know anything about those things, and I can’t join in the conversation.” In the new environment, this student from the countryside found it difficult to integrate with his classmates.

“In addition, most of you are descendants of nobles, or have good family backgrounds, I…” His voice was slow and hesitant, and even without Maester Hyde’s words, one could guess the situation he was in at the time.

“It seems it was my fault. I shouldn’t have recommended you to Valley City back then.” Hyde shook his head slightly and stroked his beard as he spoke.

“No, that’s not true. It’s just that I’m not capable enough. Fitz, on the other hand, gets along well with his local classmates.” Fitz was also a student at Hyde College two years ago, studying there with Hierro.

“Everyone has a different personality and characteristics, so there’s no need to compare yourself to others.” Hyde slightly raised his hand, gesturing for Hiero to sit down.

"I roughly understand your situation."

"Don't dwell on the past. For the time being, continue your studies with me."

Upon hearing this, Yero's eyes lit up. Suppressing his joy, he nodded gratefully.

"Thank you, teacher!"

"Heh, you're lucky too." Hyde stroked his beard, as if remembering something.

“Actually, I wasn’t planning to continue teaching. You know I’m quite old.” He picked up his teacup and took a sip. “However, Viscount Xue Feng specifically asked me to take on a student. I think it’s not a good thing to just teach one person alone.”

"Interacting with peers, including comparisons, competition, communication, and friendship, is an essential part of a person's growth."

"'If there were no mirror, how would we know what we look like?' This is the necessity of getting along with our peers."

"By observing children of the same age, one can understand one's own strengths and talents, which may be eloquence, quick thinking, or relative mediocrity, etc."

"Only when you truly understand yourself can you begin your life."

"So I had someone spread the word that I would be recruiting young people to teach again." He put down his cup.

“In that case, does my return hinder your original intention?” Yero felt ashamed again.

"Hehe, no need to be so cautious." Scholar Hyde leaned back on the sofa and closed his eyes slightly to rest.

"The student that Sir Schevon asked me to take special care of also happens to be 17 years old. She came from a very far place and is the daughter of the former Viscount Cullen."

“Viscount Karen?” Yero asked, his voice filled with doubt as he recalled something.

“You guessed right, it’s Viscount Karen, who was stripped of his title last year,” Hyde explained slowly.

"Two years ago, in the 'Battle of the Windmills,' the Kingdom of Regas suffered a crushing defeat, with its assembled knights and soldiers suffering heavy losses. This enraged the Grand Duke, and Viscount Karen, as the commander, was held accountable for his dereliction of duty. He was dismissed from his post and stripped of his title after the war and has been imprisoned in the water dungeon of White Cliff City ever since."

"If it weren't for the fact that Viscount Karen was a prominent figure in the capital and had accumulated a lot of connections to plead for him, he would probably be dead by now."

"He himself will likely never get out of prison, but he has a daughter outside, who is the student I will be teaching this time."

"The reason why we didn't study in White Cliff City is naturally because too many knights died in the 'Battle of the Windmills' and we offended many nobles. Scorched Stone City is located in a remote area in the southern part of the Kingdom of Regas and has less contact with the central region, so it is less involved."

"Two generations ago, Viscount Sheffield had a daughter who married into the family of Viscount Karen, who is now Viscount Karen's grandmother, so the two families are related by blood."

"So, you understand why Viscount Scheffer went out of his way to plead for me to teach, right?" Maester Hyde opened his eyes.

“I understand.” Although he understood, Yero felt a different kind of unease. He didn’t understand why his teacher had told him so many secrets.

"Hehe, you'll inevitably come into contact with nobles and their strange circle sooner or later. This is just a way to train you in advance." Hyde directly addressed Yero's doubts.

“That girl’s name is Iona. It’s said that she used to be a socialite in White Cliff City, and was very popular. But now her situation has plummeted. I heard from my colleagues in White Cliff City that she is not easy to get along with.” At this point, Scholar Hyde paused.

"She will be your classmate from now on. How do you plan to get along with her?"

"I don't need to tell you the answer now. I'm just getting you to start thinking and gradually find a way that suits you."

"If your goal is to join the 'Candleburg School,' then you should also know that the best path for a scholar is to assist those great nobles in managing affairs, building territories, and solving various problems. In this process, you can gradually verify what you have learned, achieve a balance of the three phases, and then advance in rank."

"The path of suffering cannot be avoided." — A wise saying from ancient times.

“Consider this a test I’ve set for you, Hiero.”

"Yes, teacher." He bowed again solemnly, his small, honest face full of fighting spirit.

(End of this chapter)