Chapter 284

Chapter 284: Evening Party on the Bridge

After leaving the Clear Spring Palace of the Temple Academy, it was already close to noon. Lolan Hill thought for a moment and decided to return to her own place to have lunch, then organize the potions she had prepared during the holiday.

Upon returning home, she closed the black iron gate and entered her small courtyard. The little house built with white stone bricks looked somewhat weathered, covered with green moss and vines. Next to the arched wooden door was a stone window sill, adorned with a row of small potted plants. However, none of the plants were blooming; only a few snow-covered shrubs stood there. Occasionally, a breeze would come, causing the branches and leaves to tremble, and some snowflakes would fall and melt.

Opening the wooden door, she walked into a hall. Lolan Hill first lit the fire in the hearth, then took out several sweet potatoes she had recently bought from the backyard and buried them in the ashes under the fire. She then sat down on a wooden chair by the hearth and placed the potions she had brewed during the holiday—[Golden Moon Potion] and [Ice Cup Potion]—on the table, pondering how to use them.

She had already taken one dose of the [Golden Moon Potion] and hadn’t fully digested its effects. The remaining nine doses and the [Ice Cup Potion] were temporarily useless, but they could be used to help others. Although she didn’t know the system’s purpose, she decided to follow through for now.

Speaking of her mission progress, it had unknowingly reached 2/7. Besides Puerman, the other one was Yixuegelin. This deceased ice elf princess had shown much greater potential than expected. After teaching her the methods of practicing the Necromancer Sequence of the Mercury Dynasty before leaving, she quickly advanced in rank. It was hard to imagine what level she had been at in life.

Currently, the ones she could cultivate in a short time were Bumansa and Ye Ling, but she still needed three more. How should she solve this? Letis and Alena were good, but they seemed to have their own pursuits, so she couldn’t force them.

Among the acquaintances left, only Vimya had great potential, though this girl rarely interacted with others and maintained her solitary state.

Who else?

Lolan Hill leaned her head against her arm, looking at the bright yellow flames in the hearth, recalling those who could be persuaded.

“Lanlir, Lingxin? It’s too presumptuous to teach seniors.”

“Xingliu? Though she is a senior, she seems quite obedient, but unfortunately, she is about to graduate.”

Wait, I do have a good friend.

Florasia.

Unlike other friends met by chance, Florasia was one of the rare friends whose interests aligned closely with Lolan Hill’s. This daughter of the Landsworth family, whether in knowledge, values, or worldview, matched well with Lolan Hill, thus they quickly became friends last semester.

Should she say she made a new drink and trick her friend into drinking it? Lolan Hill shook her head. That was too wicked, but her intuition told her that this friend would probably drink it without hesitation.

It would be better to tell her directly. Lolan Hill disliked lying. Not because she wanted to be good, but because unnecessary lies were imprudent. They required constant maintenance and occasional worry about being exposed, which was troublesome and sometimes made her feel guilty.

Just as the young lady was lost in thought, a pleasant aroma began to waft from the fire.

The sweet potatoes are ready~

Lolan Hill lifted her head, walked to the fire, crouched down carefully to avoid dirtying her white dress, then used a stick to push aside the ashes and gently prodded two charred sweet potatoes. Feeling that the insides were soft, she pulled out a small one and flipped the larger one to cook the other side.

Tearing off the blackened tip, she peeled off a thin layer to reveal the yellow, soft inside, slightly translucent, emitting warm steam and fragrance.

As she slowly ate the sweet potato, Lolan Hill began to form ideas and plans for the end of the year.

—

That evening, the Winter Festival party began.

At the horizon, the pale sun approached the horizon, and the air felt cold. Even the sunset only turned a small circle around it into a tangerine hue, while the rest remained icy.

Students from Emanas gathered at the Bridge Academy, standing on the giant city wall of the war fortress to look down at the vast river and majestic bridge below.

This year’s Winter Festival party would be held here. However, the students still didn’t know the exact stage location and were merely asked to wait here.

Some students began to murmur.

“It’s so cold. Will the organizers make us wait all night in the cold wind?” complained a freshman.

“It shouldn’t be. Luwei Ji’s strength is evident. She has been highly praised by Teacher Filia and is likely to become the next Blue Songstress,” replied a senior.

“But singing ability and organizational skills are different aspects.”

While the students were discussing, the setting sun gradually sank into the water and sky. Several students wearing half-capes appeared on both sides of the bridge, dressed in green uniforms, holding small harps. As they strummed the strings, a clear melody floated in the air.

Then, thick vines began to grow on both sides of the bridge, spreading towards the center, where they intertwined and continued to grow, becoming thicker.

“How impressive! Are these the upperclassmen from the Fortress Academy?” Alena exclaimed from the watchtower, pulling her roommates over to see.

Soon, the vines on the bridge gradually changed color from light green to dark green, then brown, finally turning into sturdy wood.

Swish—

Green wind blades emitted a faint glow in the evening, flying out from both sides, slicing through the vines. With the scattering of wood chips and leaves, tiered seating began to take shape.

A whirlwind swept across the bridge, sweeping up all debris into the river. A long, wooden, stepped platform appeared on the bridge, and loudspeakers began guiding students onto the bridge, directing them to sit in designated class areas.

This opening scene aroused everyone’s curiosity. Was the stage on the river surface? But how could performances be conducted on water?

As students gradually took their seats, a transparent wind barrier slowly formed, enveloping the bridge. Though not strong, it was enough to block the cold night wind. Thus, students sitting on the wooden steps gradually felt warmth.

Lolan Hill watched the sunset slowly sink, the last sliver of light fading away, and the world gradually turning dark. Florasia, sitting beside her on the wooden steps, reached out to hold her hand, and they watched the sunset together.

A star-like firework rose from the distant river, no one expecting it to shine so brightly.

It seemed like the only light in the dark world, rising to the peak of the sky, then bursting into thousands of points of light. These points traced consistent arcs in the air, then flew toward the bridge, illuminating the entire river and even the banks.

Carrying the mist and breeze from the river, these points passed under the bridge, giving the audience a refreshing sense of cool mist, invigorating their spirits.

The Winter Festival party officially began.

(End of Chapter 284)