Chapter 383

Chapter 383 – Serene Afternoon

In the sparse sunlight of the valley, several tall red pines were distributed near the foot of the mountains on both sides. Their high canopies covered the valley, casting shadows over the large open spaces among them. Under the bright afternoon sun, these shadows appeared somewhat deep, making the small world within the valley appear a bit blue.

Several cicadas hid deep in the pine needles, their figures unseen, but their cheerful chirping echoed back and forth between the valley and the forest. Occasionally, the wind blew through the treetops, and a few Daiju warblers landed on the branches, chirping curiously, taking a quick look, and then flying away swiftly.

In the open area under the tree shade, a large, dark reddish-brown clay pot was set on stones, with a layer of charcoal burning beneath it. The surface of the charcoal was covered with white ash, revealing faint dark red flames in the middle.

Lolan Hill stood on a large stone nearby, watching the steam rising from the pot and the occasional bubbles that surfaced. She would occasionally add some prepared powdered ingredients, then pick up a long wooden pestle to stir, her expression serious yet composed.

Besides her, there was another girl with red hair sitting quietly on a high branch, wide-eyed and curious, watching Lolan Hill brew her potion.

“Phew, it’s going well.”

Looking at the potion in the pot slowly changing color, Lolan Hill let out a sigh of relief, her expression gradually relaxing. Next, she needed to control the fire and wait patiently. She turned her head to look at the girl on the tree next to her.

“Keti, how’s it going? Have you learned?”

“Mm, I think I got it,” Keti replied, nodding with a hint of pride. Today, she wore a light purple dress with white flowers on the hem and edges, her ankles wrapped in white ankle socks and light shoes.

“You’re so smart.” Lolan Hill gave a small compliment before turning back to sit on the large stone, watching the potion in the pot form slowly.

Since the competition ended, Ousuna had been unconscious, leaving the ‘Black Veil’ leaderless and internal chaos increasing. Especially after Yan Liuyan woke up from his previous state of being misled, he led his subordinates to publicly declare their departure from the club, causing this newly formed small organization to fall apart. Currently, the Fortress Academy was gradually taken over by the ‘Black Water Lily’ and its allied clubs, with the old order beginning to restore itself.

However, the situation of Siye and Chris remained unknown. Despite Lolan Hill’s many thoughts, due to insufficient intelligence, she was also unclear about the current states of these witches.

If necessary, after resolving the abnormalities of students and teachers this time, she would seek out Tides. She must know much and have ways to find these people.

As she thought, the young lady slowly extinguished the flame and began collecting the potion.

—

The Observatory Room of the Sealed Book.

The phantom occasionally appeared and wandered within the hall, flying above the high dome, diving into layers of bookshelves, then constantly harassing and attacking the two witches at the center.

Chris looked at the empty space opposite her and spoke.

“What is Agatha doing by dragging this out?” she inquired cautiously, trying to find a loophole.

But there was no answer in the vast hall; only those distorted phantoms let out wails.

Chris knew that this witch must be somewhere in the hall, merely concealing herself using her special ability.

The mirror witch, frustrated from not getting results, grew restless, as this situation had persisted for nearly two weeks. Although it was insignificant to a witch’s lifespan, she was concerned about the situation at the school.

“Stay calm, Chris,” Night Mistress said as she took hold of Chris’s hand.

“There will be a way,” she said calmly and confidently, but the phantoms in the hall became even more active.

—

In the small town west of Temple Academy.

It was May, a time of bright sunshine. The residents of the town took advantage of the clear weather to dry their damp clothes and bedding at home. White sheets fluttered gently in the breeze, hanging on ropes.

The streets were relatively quiet in the afternoon, with occasional chatter from people having lunch heard from nearby homes.

A young lady dressed in a white blouse and plaid skirt walked along Green Stone Street. Her brown round-toe shoes stepped over fresh green sprouts growing between the stone slabs. She pushed open a light wooden door and entered one of the small courtyards.

White fabric fluttered in the slight breeze. The young lady extended her hand to shield her eyes from the glaring sunlight, allowing the fabric to slide over her light red hair. After passing through various patterns and fabrics like a ‘screen’, a small clearing appeared before her.

At the center of the clearing, a noblewoman was dozing in a reclining chair, seemingly taking a nap.

This girl did not wake the woman abruptly but fetched a small stool to sit on, then opened her satchel and took out a book, waiting quietly.

After some time, the woman opened her eyes.

“How is life at the school, Fûn?”

“It’s good, Lady Services.”

The girl put away her book and replied respectfully.

“There’s no need to be so formal. Being a bit more lively would be better. I heard you weren’t very lively before, right?” the woman slowly sat up, glancing at the delicate pocket watch beside her, which indicated it was just after two in the afternoon.

“In the past, indeed, but now I’ve become a bit more sensible,” Fûn softly replied.

“That’s good too, but sometimes being a little impulsive can be more enjoyable,” the woman said. Her long hair at the back was adorned with delicate gemstone nets, reflecting colorful glints in the sunlight.

“Has anything significant happened at the school recently? I haven’t…”

The noise was quite loud a few days ago.”

“The school has organized a biennial inter-college competition, but this time it’s quite unusual,” Fēnā slowly recounted what she had heard.

“Indeed, quite rare. Could it be that those old men suddenly realized that previous competitions were too simple?” the woman commented casually.

“It doesn’t seem so. Apparently, the sages and teachers in the school have become quite peculiar, barely managing affairs and merely rigidly adhering to the rules in their classes,” Fēnā continued.

“Peculiar?” The woman felt a surge of curiosity and then stood up, gazing at Emanas in the distance, the academy under the sunlight. Flocks of birds flew across the sky, and the blue and purple glass tiles shimmered with light under the sun.

After a long while, she spoke again.

“Stay here for now and don’t go back to school. I’ll head over to Emanas to check things out and make a decision when I return.”

“Eh?” Fēnā covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide as she looked at the woman.

“Lord Services, what’s this about?”

“It’s not clear yet. We can discuss it later. By the way, there’s something else I forgot to tell you. Your little maid has already found you, and she’s currently helping out at the shop. You should go meet her later.”

“Oh, is it Penny? How did she find me? Didn’t I give her some money to live freely?”

Fēnā recalled their parting, feeling uncertain about her future and the decline of her family. She gave Penny a sum of money to live independently, thinking she wouldn’t have to follow her poor master anymore. But this girl still came looking for her.

“That child went through a lot to find you. Don’t abandon her again. Maybe you think freedom is great, but she misses and worries about you more.”

“In the future, don’t be constrained by your past roles. You two can be friends and support each other. Having such companions is truly fortunate.”

“Then, see you in a few days.”

After saying this, Services’ figure dissolved into colorful particles, dispersing into the wind.

Thank you to Tangmen Infantry, Determined Lettuce, Eevee Eievui, Kiss Xiū, Focused Daydreaming, Otaku, Emergency Food, Commander Big Wolf Fang, Dhveh, Regret Not Being J, Observer, Qiwu Wuxin, Not a Book Friend 20771334, Sakura Yulisa, Book Friend 20201114202137712, Do You Want to See Something Funny, Ink Stain Trace, Book Friend 20170422163512764, Sky Centipede, Immortal-like, Human-like, A Fish with Salt, Not a Book Friend 20771334, Night Dance Ice Dream, SuperH707, Tree Growing Backwards, and other book friends for their support.

Thank you all for your support 0 0/~

Recently, I haven’t been writing well.

(End of Chapter)