The First Day's Lecture

Inside Sylutia's home.

The quiet maiden was currently sitting before a mirror, combing her long hair. Unlike usual, however, a small basin filled with fine black powder sat beside her.

She dipped a damp cotton cloth into the water, coated it with the fine black powder, and then applied it to her long hair, using a comb to distribute it evenly. Her originally snowy-silver hair gradually turned black.

"Must you really dye your hair black, Tia?" Talia stood beside her, helping to spread out the maiden's long hair and assisting with the combing.

"Yes. If I do this and then use makeup techniques to draw my brows, I can change my appearance and aura," Sylutia said, referring to the skills she had learned from a thief's diary.

"Sigh, is this to hide your looks?" Talia wondered.

"Yes."

The maiden continued to smooth out the fine black powder with her comb, using the damp cloth to dye more sections of her snow-white hair black.

"But why?" Talia was puzzled. Shouldn't being beautiful be something to be proud of and envied?

"Because it saves me a lot of trouble," the maiden replied in a soft voice, occasionally turning her head to check the appearance of her hair from the side in the mirror.

"Perhaps my former identity was quite extraordinary, but I don't have the powerful strength to protect myself right now. Keeping a low profile is always a good thing."

Sylutia had recently learned about the situation in Scorched Stone City.

There were at least three knights with the "Tier 3 - Castle" Fate here. Their power was absolutely overwhelming to ordinary people, and they belonged to the noble faction. If she were to catch the eye of some big shot, the maiden truly wouldn't know how to escape or refuse.

Sometimes she felt that her figure and appearance were simply too unfair, but she couldn't say such things to Talia, or it would sound like she was showing off.

In the mirror, the maiden with the pitiful, lovely brows only had to turn her eyes slightly to possess a charm that made it hard for others to look away. Sylutia didn't know how her past self had survived; she had likely been well-protected.

An hour later, with Talia's assistance, she finally finished dyeing all her hair black. She then checked her status once more.

Name: Sylutia · ****
Race: Human (***)
Status: Healthy (Disguised - Low Presence)
Talent: Stars [Unknown Grade], Cornflower's Affection [Rare Grade, Upgradable]
Fate Card: [Sleeping Maiden] (Tier: None)
- Effect: [Identification Pupil Lv.2]
Ability Card: [Breathing Technique Lv.2] [Dew Prayer Technique Lv.1] [Empty Slot]
Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship Lv.4] [Basic Spearmanship Lv.4] [Gardening Technique Lv.1]

After tidying up, the maiden changed into a simple robe, which made her look much more ordinary.

However, she looked at those sky-blue eyes in the mirror and felt they still needed to be concealed. She rummaged around until she found a pair of flat-lens glasses she had purchased and put them on. Finally, her lively eyes were hidden. Now, she looked roughly like an ordinary girl with a scholarly air.

"Now you're completely unrecognizable." Talia circled the maiden several times, amazed by the change in her image.

"I should be able to spend some peaceful time attending Scholar Heide's classes from now on." The maiden looked in the mirror, nodded with satisfaction, and stood up.

On the morning of a new day, a dozen young figures gathered inside Scholar Heide's mansion. They were of varying heights, male and female, aged roughly between 14 and 18. Several of them clearly didn't look like commoners, dressed in brightly colored clothing.

Another figure walked in from the gate. He wore a light brown robe, and his short, stout figure looked somewhat comical as he walked.

"How did that guy Yero end up here?" Some people present recognized the little fatty.

"Word is he couldn't make it in Valley City, so he had to come back," a young noble commented with disdain.

"If Scholar Heide hadn't taken him in, he probably wouldn't have anywhere to study."

"He's useless, that guy."

"My father said before that I could try to recruit him and get on his good side, but I don't see any hope for him."

"There are countless youths seeking knowledge every year, but very few actually become scholars."

They talked about the little fatty until he passed by, at which point their voices lowered. It wasn't that they were afraid of offending Yero, but rather that Yero was considered an official student recognized by Scholar Heide, and they didn't want to disrespect the scholar.

Time passed, and as the sun rose higher and the temperature began to climb, a youth with a striking appearance walked into the front courtyard, accompanied by his companions.

He looked to be under sixteen, with messy hair and long, narrow eyes that held a hint of ferocity. A leather-strapped scabbard was slung across his back, and he wore a coarse hemp shirt. His exposed wrists bore many old scars, clearly left by combat.

"We'll drop you off here, Mick."

"Work hard—no, study hard, haha." Several adventurer companions waved.

"I know, you guys." He tugged at his uncomfortable shirt collar and walked into the front courtyard, his eyes full of vigilance.

Even though he was also a commoner, he seemed completely out of place with everyone else here.

Like a beast that had just come down from the mountains, many people evaluated him in their hearts.

Walking into the front courtyard, this new student named Mick found a spot to stand, and the topics the others were discussing slowly shifted away from him.

Time slipped by quietly. As the sun rose higher and higher, some began to grow impatient.

"Looks like everyone's here. Any later and I doubt Scholar Heide would accept anyone else," someone remarked, glancing at the sun.

Just as many were growing impatient, the sound of hooves echoed from outside the estate. A luxurious carriage crafted from walnut wood and trimmed with gilded bronze pulled up to the front gate. The door opened, and a pair of delicate leather shoes stepped out, followed by black leggings, a short red skirt, and an intricate, form-fitting top with snow-white cuffs. A young girl with short golden hair and bright crimson eyes emerged.

"Is this Scholar Heide's home?" Her voice carried a hint of arrogance as she cast a critical gaze over her surroundings.

"Oh well, for a place in the countryside, I suppose this will do."

With that, she ordered her attendants to unload her luggage and follow her inside.

The moment the girl entered, she drew the attention of every student present. Whether they were from the noble circles or the commoner group, all eyes converged on her—some filled with envy, others with awe, greed, or even disgust.

There was no denying that the golden-haired girl possessed rare beauty. Dressed in her magnificent attire, she was like a golden peacock blooming under the sun; her simple movements alone were enough to stir the hearts of many young men present.

"Who is she?"

"Probably a distant relative of Viscount Xuefeng," someone guessed.

"I've never heard of her before." A girl with chestnut-red hair walked over, her eyes filled with admiration as she watched the golden-haired girl pass by.

"She came from White Cliff City," a noble student who knew the inside scoop finally revealed.

"Oh, White Cliff City." Those who heard couldn't help but gasp softly.

White Cliff City was the royal capital of the Regas Kingdom, a place yearned for by countless people. Naturally, anyone coming from there would be the object of immense envy.

Ignoring everyone present, the dazzling golden-haired girl walked straight into the estate's main hall and beckoned a servant.

"Excuse me, is Scholar Heide at home?" She asked, uncharacteristically tempering her arrogance.

"Please, wait a moment."

The servant was nervous to be hosting such an honored guest. He asked the girl to wait and hurried to the backyard of the estate to inquire.

Before long, the sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor, and Scholar Heide appeared before the crowd, his long white beard flowing beneath his wide, gray scholar's robe.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Miss. You must be Iona, correct?" His voice was kind and relaxed.

"Greetings, I am indeed Iona, Scholar Heide."

The golden-haired girl lifted her skirt slightly to curtsy. As her crimson eyes turned back to the scholar, she noticed another girl standing beside him, roughly her own height.

With long black hair, simple robes, and glasses, she held a thick book in her arms and looked entirely unremarkable.

Probably just another one of Scholar Heide's students, the golden-haired girl thought, paying her little mind.

"Since everyone has arrived, have them gather in the front hall," Heide instructed the servant beside him to notify the students in the front yard.

People filed in one after another, and soon the group gathered in the front hall to listen to the old man's words and teachings.

And so, the first day of lessons began.