Book 3: Chapter 292: "Blue Eucalyptus Sorceress" Jane Norridge

On the second day after the grand banquet concluded, Sylutia declined visits from other guests and strolled alone through the Griffin family's courtyard, looking at the places she had once lived in, as well as the trees, flowers, and plants within the grounds.

Occasionally, maidservants and attendants would pass by, bowing reverently to the young woman before carefully moving away.

At noon, a relatively simple family meal was held in the manor, attended only by the Griffin family itself, including Alanfude Griffin, Lady Haier, Ecor, and Eriel with her husband.

Eriel had married three years ago. Her husband was the second son of the prestigious House Lanks of Hodes Harbor, Sheno, a young man of only twenty-seven who had already reached Third Tier. He was quite outstanding and handsome as well.

"Hedra the celestial being." When they first met, he was wearing an indigo military uniform, crisp and streamlined, standing out prominently among the crowd of guests.

No wonder Eriel was captivated by him. According to Ecor, when House Lanks sent over the marriage proposal, Eriel was instantly conquered by his charm and urged their father to agree every single day.

Considering that House Lanks not only had a long history but also an excellent family reputation, Alanfude and Lady Haier discussed it for a while before agreeing to the match.

Currently, Sheno served as a warship captain, belonging to the Golden Laurel Fleet under the Golden Harvest Horn, one of the three major fleets the Golden Harvest Horn maintained on Meteorite Lake. His prospects were excellent.

At the family meal, Mr. Alanfude sat at the head of the table, Sylutia sat on the right side, Lady Haier on the left, followed by Eriel and her husband further down, while Ecor sat beside Sylutia.

The six of them dined and conversed together. Mr. Alanfude would casually inquire about Ecor's recent circumstances and how Eriel was settling in at Hodes.

In truth, everyone in the family already knew the answers to these questions. Though nominally Mr. Alanfude was asking, he was really introducing these matters to Sylutia.

"I'm currently studying battlefield equestrian skills under Knight Garba, including lance techniques for charges, and I'm also training the Solar Radiance Breathing Technique."

"A Breathing Technique of the Scorching Sun Aspect." Sylutia looked at Ecor, this nominal older brother of hers, who was now a Third Tier Scorching Sun practitioner. He had only advanced a year ago, and his aptitude was considered decent.

Counting up his age, Ecor was now about twenty-eight. His talent was decent, and with Sylutia having mailed back plenty of resources over the years, the Griffin family lacked neither the resources nor the money to support him, which was how he managed to complete his advancement and step into Third Tier at this age.

Otherwise, he might have needed to wait until after thirty to enter Third Tier.

Though among the classmates and circles Sylutia had encountered, this pace was already extremely slow, back in Quebec it placed him among the top three of his peers.

Ecor had a bright and decisive personality. He might not be suited to inherit Mr. Alanfude's merchant business, but as a knight or warrior, he would be excellent. Moreover, in this world, the status of high-tier Transcendents far surpassed that of ordinary merchants.

Eriel was still Second Tier. Since getting married, her mind was no longer on cultivation. Word had it that she now devoted herself entirely to socializing and household affairs. House Lanks was a large family with complex kinship networks and connections. Though Eriel had always loved socializing, those had mostly been playful interactions among young people. When it came to navigating family politics and exchanging favors, she was a complete novice.

Fortunately, thanks to Sylutia's connection, no one in House Lanks dared to make things difficult for her. The environment she found herself in was quite good. She was currently studying under Lady Lanks, Sheno's mother, who also managed the family's major affairs.

Sylutia listened as they spoke, gradually learning about the changes that had occurred in the years since she had left.

On the other side, Sheno also introduced the situation of the Golden Laurel Fleet he belonged to. This newly formed fleet consisted of twenty-six warships, including three sail-powered capital ships and twenty-two escort vessels. Its primary duty was to combat pirates and raiders on Meteorite Lake, and occasionally to sortie and deal with large water monsters and magical creatures that threatened shipping routes.

"Possibly affected by the shifting of the wind seasons, from the first half of the year onward, the water monsters and magical creatures in Meteorite Lake have actually been decreasing. Lately we've hardly had any time to rest, and we've even split the fleet into three squadrons to handle monster reports from different areas separately." Sheno remarked.

"How strong are these magical creatures?" Sylutia asked curiously.

"Most are between Fourth and Fifth Tier, with occasional Sixth Tier appearances that require careful handling. If a Seventh Tier water monster shows up, we'd need to report it to the Golden Harvest Horn, and dedicated personnel would be sent over to deal with it." Sheno answered.

"The captains of our fleet's three sail-powered capital ships are all Sixth Tier. They have rich experience dealing with such threats, so ordinary Sixth Tier water monsters and magical creatures can all be handled."

"I see." Sylutia nodded slightly.

Water monsters, huh. She had never actually seen one herself. But during the Sinking Fog season, magical creatures did tend to appear more easily. That was because of the Mist Shadow Aspect, which caused the boundary between the Shadow World and the physical surface continent to blur, no longer clearly divided. Some creatures from the Twilight Sea might cross through the fog, passing from the Shadow World to the physical surface.

Before the meal concluded, the family gathered in the manor courtyard for a rest. Earlier, Alanfude and Haier had engaged in a sparring session with swords. During the exchange, neither used Breathing Techniques, purely exchanging sword skills.

One could tell that the two excelled in different areas. Alanfude's swordsmanship was faster and more ferocious, while Haier's was more refined and economical, with minimal foot movement and a very stable lower stance.

Upon careful comparison, one could see that Alanfude's fighting style was better suited to horseback—the kind of swordsmanship that exploded in an instant to overwhelm an opponent. Haier's swordsmanship, meanwhile, was better suited to a ship's deck—a stable stance, cutting through wind and waves.

After exchanging blows for a while, the two stopped at the point of mutual understanding. The family applauded, and the two accepted towels to wipe off their sweat before walking back with smiles.

They seemed to get along well, Sylutia thought to herself.

Afterward, the family went for a stroll along the seaside. During the walk, Sylutia bought some small gifts for everyone, and also picked out a few items that caught her own interest, such as the local Blue Lagoon Seaweed and Quebec Crystal.

When that was done, Sylutia headed alone to the lighthouse by the sea to visit her former instructor, Nox.

Around four in the afternoon, waves crashed against the reefs while seagulls and waterfowl occasionally skimmed across the surface, letting out cries.

After knocking on the weathered white wooden door, Sylutia soon heard the sound of wheels rolling. Another two minutes passed before the door opened, and Sylutia saw Mage Nox, whom she had not seen for many years.

"Instructor Nox." The young woman bowed respectfully.

His hair was now completely white, and he sat in a wheelchair wearing a plain robe. The muscles on his face had loosened somewhat, but upon seeing Sylutia, a hint of joy still surfaced in his eyes.

"You're back. Good." He then turned his wheelchair, clearing the way for Sylutia to enter.

Sylutia stepped up the stairs in small strides, closed the wooden door behind her, and then pushed Nox's wheelchair forward slowly.

"I heard from Brennan yesterday that you were back." Nox spoke slowly.

"I didn't expect you to come over today. You could have spent more time with your family."

"Mm, but instructors are important too." Sylutia answered softly, then pushed Nox up to the third floor.

The spacious desk was still there, along with various books and materials scattered in disarray. A yellowed drawing hung in one corner, now covered in dust. Sylutia had seen many of these things before. It seemed that not much had changed here over the years.

Nox asked Sylutia about the situation of the Mage Alliance. Sylutia held nothing back, recounting everything step by step—from her studies in the Aslan District, to her experiences there, to going to Tetis College, then the Western Mountain Range, heading north to Candela, then to the Mishil District, and finally the grand occasion of the Silver Bell Festival.

Nox listened quietly, nodding from time to time, until the sun set and the sea outside the lighthouse was bathed in twilight.

Before they knew it, evening had arrived.

"Oh, it's already this late." Nox opened his eyes and looked out the window.

"I'm sorry for making you talk for so long." He raised a hand, and a faint ripple swept through the air as the lights throughout the lighthouse lit up, shining especially brightly.

"It's fine. There's still a lot more. I'll come again tomorrow to continue telling you, instructor." With that, Sylutia thought for a moment, then took out from her Seven Blossoms Hairpin the book that Kidi had entrusted to her.

"This is a gift from Mr. Kidi, saying it's to thank you for your guidance back then." Sylutia produced the book.

"He's thoughtful." Nox accepted the book, his fingers slowly tracing across its cover.

"Actually, I can no longer remember what he looked like. I only have a vague impression of the name. My time teaching at the school back then wasn't long, and I had little teaching experience. I imagine I didn't teach very well."

"Speaking of which, I feel rather ashamed. When you studied under me back then, you must have found it quite difficult." Years later, as Nox recalled the past, he had gradually come to realize that his teaching ability truly was lacking.

Since Sylutia had risen to fame, some mages had come to visit, and local children from Quebec had also come to study under him, but the results were all poor. It was at that point Nox finally understood his true level as a teacher.

It could only be said that Sylutia's talent was simply too extraordinary, and her ability to self-study was rarely seen in this world, which was how she managed to complete the foundational curriculum of the mage system under him.

"This..." Sylutia wanted to say something comforting, but she didn't know where to begin. Some words of praise felt too hollow and false, and saying them might do more harm than good.

"But the expectation you conveyed to me, instructor, and your perseverance toward your ideals—I truly felt them." Sylutia spoke slowly.

"Is that so? If that's the case, then I have nothing left to regret." Nox nodded slowly.

His words were not empty courtesy but genuine heartfelt relief. After all, to have such a student had already surpassed many of the achievements of his entire lifetime.

Afterward, the two talked for a while longer, until Nox urged Sylutia to go back and rest, saying she didn't need to stay and keep him company.

"Instructor, I'll come again tomorrow." Sylutia said her goodbyes.

Over the following days, Sylutia spent her time alternating between accompanying the Griffin family and visiting Nox. In her spare moments, she also helped Nox clean and repair the equipment in the tower, installing the latest communication devices and a new lighthouse lens.

When she finished, the entire tower was transformed, appearing much brighter and more spacious.

Before her departure, Nox handed a crate of documents to Sylutia.

"These are some of my research findings and insights from the past twenty or thirty years. Though they may not be of great use, I entrust you to deliver them to the Bionics School in the future."

"Though I studied there and even reached Sixth Tier, I spent most of my time away afterward and didn't contribute much to the school. I feel quite ashamed."

"I understand." Sylutia nodded and stored the crate away carefully.

"You'll likely be staying in the Hidden Grove Alliance for a few years. If you have free time, you can open it and take a look. There's no harm in that. In fact, if you find it interesting, that would be even better. But I know you'll be busy with many affairs in the future and may not have the time, so I won't push it."

Nox said many things, and finally, after thinking it over and finding nothing left to add, he slowly fell silent.

"Go now." With that, he waved his hand at Sylutia, and the lighthouse's wooden door slowly closed.

Sylutia carried the wooden crate, bowed to her instructor in farewell, then turned and walked down the cliffside path.

The sea breeze blew gently, her deep blue top and white skirt billowing like small waves, occasionally revealing her fair calves and slender ankles.

After walking several hundred meters, Sylutia stopped and looked back. Beneath the gray-blue sky, the white tower stood quietly. A few patches of lime plaster had fallen off the outer wall, revealing the bricks beneath.

At the top of the lighthouse, a small dark figure sat watching. Looking at that spot, Sylutia raised her hand, smiled, and waved once more before heading down toward the city below.

The next day, the massive camel rose once again, leading the group away from Quebec and heading south along the lake. It traversed several hundred kilometers before finally arriving at the nation at the heart of the Hidden Grove Alliance, Eucalyptus United.

This was a rather ancient country that had still not undergone the baptism of kingship. Instead, the land was ruled by witches and wizards, each controlling cities of varying sizes hidden within the forest sea.

This nation was now the capital of Incantation Forest, one of the Five Great Alliances. Representatives of various factions were stationed here, along with the Night Owl Legion, a force dedicated to patrolling the forest. Composed of night owl magical beasts and wizards, the legion was formidable.

Upon arrival, the camel slowly came to a halt, then crouched down. The building on its back gradually drew close to a platform on a massive tree, allowing the mages who had traveled within to step down slowly.

Standing on this platform more than a hundred meters above the ground and looking around, one could see towering trees everywhere—dense and straight, their white bark smooth with a faint gray-blue tint, their leaves slender and thick.

Vincent followed his companions down, raised a finger, and plucked a hanging branch, bringing it close for careful observation.

"This is a eucalyptus tree, one of the blue eucalyptus varieties." He spoke the tree's name.

"Blue eucalyptus?" His companion walked over, brushed off his windbreaker, then recalled something.

"I remember now—blue eucalyptus wood is excellent material for papermaking. Perfect for making books."

"I suspect that's also a consideration in placing us here. Among the Five Great Alliances, the ones most capable of understanding the framework of mage knowledge are precisely these wizards and witches."

"Still, blue eucalyptus is poisonous too."

On the other side, Sylutia and the bard arrived at a magnificent hall in the tree sea. It was like a dome hidden within the canopy. Through the curved branches, fragments of fractured sunlight streamed in. The gray-white trunk floor was polished smooth, revealing the massive circular growth rings at its center.

A host of witches and wizards had already gathered in the hall, waiting. Their styles of dress varied widely—some bold and avant-garde, some wearing ancient bone masks, some gripping silver holy staves, and some holding long staffs made from tree roots.

But the most eye-catching figure was the woman standing in the center, whose bearing was impossibly striking.

She wore a wide witch's hat, her black hair cascading down to cover half her face, revealing only a single sapphire-blue eye. That eye seemed to possess a strange, mesmerizing quality—within it, one could see phantom images of birds flying past.

This too-extraordinary eye made people unconsciously overlook her graceful, mature figure and the skirt slit that extended all the way to her waist.

As Sylutia approached with a hint of curiosity, the woman lightly swept aside the hair covering her face with her fingers, revealing that pair of sapphire-blue eyes as she looked at the young woman.

"Welcome~ child who returns like a bird to its nest." Her voice carried an inseparable sweetness, as if it could melt a person's very bones.

As her voice spread, the hall fell silent. Then, the sound of wings flapping came from beyond the domed hall. Through the gaps in the branches, one could see birds darting through the forest, light and shadow flickering.

It was at this moment that Sylutia recalled the introduction the bard Ailofeis had given her not long ago, and she knew the identity of the woman before her.

Jane Norridge, the legendary "Blue Eucalyptus Sorceress" who could make great trees grow and command birds to obey. Her words and voice already possessed the mesmerizing quality of Authority, capable of making people sink into it unconsciously.