The Path to Advancement

"Did you want to ask about advancement?"

After the morning's lessons ended, Sylutia went to Scholar Heide's study alone to ask him.

"Yes, teacher. If I cultivate a First Order Aspect Power plant, can I use it to advance?" the girl asked curiously.

"Of course. It's the greatest achievement and the means of advancement that gardeners take the most pride in." Scholar Heide smiled and stroked his beard.

"Not only can you advance, you can also gain some of the plant's abilities. For example, there's a gardener at Viscount Xuefeng's estate who advanced using a Sickle-Thorn Vine. When he holds the vine's long, whip-like tendrils, he can control them as easily as his own arms, and make them grow sharp, poisonous thorns."

"An ordinary First Order adventurer might not even be able to beat him."

"I once met a gardener who advanced using a White Narcissus. Since a White Narcissus with a condensed Aspect Power can release cold, she gained a similar ability."

"Most First Order plants have the Emerald Nectar Aspect Power, but as you advance further, many plants begin to show different traits and wield different Aspect Powers. In other words, not all gardeners have the Emerald Nectar Aspect Power." Scholar Heide reminded her.

"Still, for gardeners, a Class with the Emerald Nectar Aspect Power is indeed the best fit."

"If I use a flower or plant with a certain First Order Aspect Power when I advance, can I use a different plant the next time?" Sylutia worried about this. If she had to keep advancing with Swan Orchids, she would waste her talent for Cornflowers.

"That isn't necessary, but the abilities you gained from your previous Fate Card will dissipate and be lost," Scholar Heide replied after a moment's thought.

"If there's an empty slot in your 'Abilities,' you can transfer that part of your Aspect Power into it and turn it into an Ability Card. But it'll definitely be much weaker than the original Fate Card effect."

"Master gardeners have all sorts of ways to make use of the Transcendent plants they cultivate. Don't worry, all your sweat and effort won't go to waste." He put the girl's worries to rest.

"We've been talking for quite a while." Scholar Heide lifted his teacup and wet his throat.

"You must have made some progress, Tia."

"Almost, teacher. I'll definitely have a surprise for you when the time comes." Sylutia clasped her hands behind her back and spoke with a playful lilt.

"Heh heh heh. Then I'll wait patiently."

"By the way, Lady Falan must have been the one who gave you the seeds and books." Scholar Heide recalled something.

"Yes, but I've never met her. Sister Mailin got the seeds and books for me."

"Hmm. Once you've successfully cultivated them, you can take what you've grown and pay that lady a visit. She doesn't like being disturbed by outsiders, but she won't begrudge a reward to an excellent student like you."

"Oh, and don't dress so plainly when you go. Heh." The corners of Scholar Heide's mouth lifted.

"When you visit, make sure your hair is back to its original, beautiful silvery-white sheen. And change into a well-fitting, appropriate dress. Do your best to look pretty and show off the lively, adorable side of yourself. Then that lady is sure to like you."

"Ah, do I really have to do all that?" Sylutia asked, puzzled.

"Of course. You don't think she's just an ordinary noblewoman, do you? Even Viscount Xuefeng has to give her advance notice before visiting."

"She's one of the few Third Order Transcendents in Scorched Stone City, a true big shot who has condensed the Gardener Class." Scholar Heide sounded a little wistful as he said this.

He had been stuck at the Second Order all his life, unable to advance any further, and could only envy the lucky ones.

"I understand. Thank you for your advice, teacher." The girl held her books in front of her and bowed in gratitude.

Having a teacher like him really was lucky for her.

After leaving Scholar Heide's study, Sylutia went to the dining hall for a meal.

"Tia, you took so long to get here. We're almost done eating." Comia greeted her. Sure enough, everyone's plates were empty.

"I got held up a little today."

She sat down with a plate of bread and a cup of water. Karen, Comia, Mick, and Ray were all there.

After eating bread and drinking water for a while, Sylutia raised her head.

"Why are you all looking at me?" The others had stopped chatting.

"Nothing. We're just looking at you." Comia covered her mouth with a giggle.

"We were just saying that you eat at a steady pace and have such graceful manners, Tia. The others didn't believe us."

"Oh, that." Sylutia slowed down.

She hadn't noticed it before, but thinking back, some of her habitual mannerisms in this life really were different from those in her previous life. She paid more attention to etiquette and elegance.

Her family must have been quite well-off before. Still, she wasn't in a hurry to recover her memories. Her life now was pretty good, wasn't it?

She could just let things take their course instead of finding reasons to worry.

"I'm finished." The girl put the last small piece of bread into her mouth, drank the water in her cup, and announced it softly.

"Okay~"

After saying that, the others picked up their plates and left with her. Their unspoken understanding made even Sylutia, who was used to being alone, feel a little happy.

Maybe this was the joy of being surrounded by everyone, the girl thought.

It wasn't bad.

When they reached the Training Ground, she helped the others review their lessons again. Her voice was especially bright today, and every now and then she added a touch of girlish sweetness that made them lose focus.

"Ahem. That's all for today. Let's take a break." She set down the small wooden pointer and realized why the others had been distracted.

I still can't let myself get too carried away. Sylutia drank some water and thought to herself.

As the others sat in the rest area, chatting and unwinding, someone entered the Training Ground. She scanned the area and quickly spotted Sylutia.

"Why's Valenie here today?" someone remarked as she passed.

"Isn't she always with Iona? Iona didn't come today, but Valenie showed up alone."

The red-brown-haired girl went straight to the rest area and stopped in front of Sylutia, who was sitting down. She held out her hand.

"Your notes. Hand them over." Her voice was haughty.

"My notes..." Sylutia looked away, wondering whether she should give them to her.

Before she could answer, Mick sprang up and stepped in front of Sylutia.

"Hey, Miss Valenie, that's no way to ask someone for something." He folded his arms. Standing a head taller than Valenie, he loomed over her.

Facing the fierce-eyed boy as he came closer, Valenie took a step back, then covered her nose with a hand, as though she couldn't stand Mick's sweaty smell. In fact, he hadn't started training yet and wasn't even sweating.

"Who are you? What gives you the right to stand in my way? Don't you know who I am?" Her father was Knight Levin, a Third Order Transcendent who could cut down dozens of people with a single sword stroke.

Even Scholar Heide was only Second Order. As Knight Levin's daughter, she had every reason to be proud and confident, believing no one would dare offend her.

At her challenge, Mick panicked inwardly. As an adventurer, he knew better than anyone how enormous the gap was between each Order of Transcendent Aspect Power. If he offended Valenie, the consequences could be hard to predict.

"I don't like the way you're acting. Even if you're borrowing something, you should at least explain why and when you'll return it." He took a deep breath and tried to reason with her.

"Hah. You think you're worthy of saying that to me?" Valenie flicked her short hair and sneered.

She reached out, trying to push Mick aside, but he still didn't move. Ray came over too. His massive frame blocked the light overhead as soon as he approached.

Even without touching her, the heat radiating from his body made Valenie step back several paces. She didn't want to get close.

"You too!" She was getting angry now.

Seeing the situation veer toward a confrontation, Sylutia stood up and walked around Mick to face Valenie.

"These are my notes. You can borrow them, Miss Valenie, but could you tell me what you need them for? I might be able to offer better advice." She didn't think Valenie wanted to study them herself. The girl was usually distracted in class and didn't seem to care about her grades.

"Hmph. Just give them to me. Why ask so many questions?" Valenie took the notes and shot them all a glance.

A short while later, the knight's daughter left the Training Ground with the notes, leaving Sylutia and the others behind to discuss what had happened.

"You gave them to her just like that? Isn't that a bit of a loss? Still, it's good that things didn't turn into a fight." Comia thought it over.

"She's a noble. We can't afford to offend her."

"What does she want the notes for? She doesn't even study." Mick couldn't figure it out.

"Probably for Iona." Sylutia sat down, looking thoughtful.

"Iona? Isn't she doing pretty well in class?" Karen asked, confused.

"She is, but..." Sylutia considered what had been happening lately.

"Iona's hardly been coming to class recently, so she's probably missed quite a bit. With her pride, she must be embarrassed to ask the other students, and she doesn't want to lose face in front of Teacher Heide."

"Never mind. We shouldn't offend that young lady. Let's just pretend we don't know." She shook her head.

"But Tia's notes..." Comia couldn't bear to lose them. She read Sylutia's notes every day to catch up.

"It's fine. I can explain everything to you. I've already memorized almost everything in the notes." The girl smiled, reassuring her.

"I guess that's the only way. That woman's awful. Hmph!" Comia said indignantly.

"When I reach the Third Order, I'm definitely coming back to slap her in the face. I'll make her serve me water, apologize, kneel down, and lick my shoes." Comia continued grumbling.

"Ah, Comia, do you hold grudges that badly?" Sylutia found it amusing.

"Of course. You can only be happy if you get even. Otherwise, you bottle it up every day, and it's bound to make you miserable." Comia was sharing her philosophy on life.

"Exactly!" Mick raised his hand in agreement.

"Same here." Ray answered in a deep, rumbling voice.

"Sometimes you really do have to stand up for yourself. Otherwise, people will keep pushing you around," Karen said, sharing the wisdom of ordinary people.

"Then, if I get strong enough someday, I'll make them apologize and bow their heads too." Sylutia smiled and agreed with them.

"See? That's how it should be. Tia, don't be so kind that you forgive everyone. Some people are just nasty." Comia gave her a thumbs-up.

"All right, that's enough training for today. Why don't we come over to my place early? Mom said she's making a big dinner tonight, and asked me to invite you all." Comia raised her hand to make another suggestion.

"Is there good food?" Mick was tempted.

"I love food." Ray answered at once.

"Looks like we have to go tonight." Karen nodded too.

"Let's go, let's go."

And so, the original group of three became a team of five. They left the Training Ground together and headed to Comia's home.