The Cornflower Witch

Book 3: Chapter 94: Exchanges in the Exhibition Hall

"The freshman got off to a good start." On the spectator stands, Norez commented on their match.

Beside him, the girl with chestnut-colored wavy hair nodded with a smile.

"This puts quite a bit of pressure on us veterans."

After Sylutia and Spencer's exhibition match ended, the Chiefs from the second and third years took the stage one after another, each showcasing their own strength and creativity.

As the grade level increased, the techniques and spells displayed in the performance matches grew more powerful and impressive. Even without much embellishment, the spectacle was already breathtaking enough.

By the time Norez, the fifth-year Chief, stepped onto the stage, his techniques shattered the stone tiles of the entire plaza. Countless rocks lost their weight and floated up, piecing together in midair to form a massive new clock tower. The clock face spun, time accelerating around him, before a cascade of dazzling rainbow-colored spells overwhelmed his opponent.

"With strength like that, I doubt even many Fifth Tier mages could stand against him," elites from other schools marveled.

"Norez is just one step away from reaching the Fifth Tier. I bet he could have advanced long ago. The reason he hasn't taken that step yet is probably because he wants to see the other apprentices and Chiefs through this year's Silver Bell Festival before advancing. Once he steps into the Fifth Tier, he'd automatically graduate and no longer be a student of the academy."

"From that perspective, he's got a strong sense of responsibility. He'd rather delay himself by a year."

"A year isn't that bad. He's the steady type anyway—a year's difference doesn't bother him."The freshman exhibition match concluded, followed by other performances showcasing the school's latest techniques and achievements. There were also friendly performances from other schools, highlighting the friendships and exchanges within the Mage Alliance.

Time passed quickly. When the final performance ended, there were only about twenty minutes left until midnight. At this point, the traditional waiting period for the bell to chime began. The audience in the venue gradually relaxed from all the exciting shows, chatting with companions and discussing the grand spectacle of this year's Silver Bell Festival.

"Wonderful. I hope I can come again next year," a guest stretched, feeling the trip was well worth it.

"Ha-ha, that depends on luck. Even though the Mithril Clock school sends out plenty of Invitation Letters, not everyone gets one."

"After the bell chimes, there'll be a simple trading session. Representatives from other factions will bring out some things for exchange. Let's go take a look later."

"Sure."

On the other side, Sylutia sat under the starlight on a seat, looking up at the massive, slowly rotating clock face. She replayed the various programs and performances she'd seen today.

The Mage Alliance was truly powerful. Some of their technical innovations felt fresh and surprising even to her. Compared to the traditional and peaceful Hidden Grove Alliance, things here were developing at a breakneck pace. No wonder the high-ranking officers of Hidden Grove felt such immense pressure.

Just then, a familiar figure wove through the seats of the audience and came to a stop in front of Sylutia. Under the faint starlight, his face was revealed.

Spencer looked at the black-haired girl sitting in a somewhat relaxed posture. Recalling the scene from their exhibition match not long ago, he suppressed the complicated emotions churning in his heart.

"Thanks for today." His words made Sylutia turn her head in surprise.

This guy actually knew how to say thank you? She'd thought he'd come back with some sullen, awkward expression of wounded pride and disdain.

"It's nothing. We're classmates. Helping each other is only natural," she replied briefly.

Is that so? Spencer's thoughts swirled for a moment. He didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly at the girl before turning and leaving.

Watching his retreating back, Ti Ya opened her mouth as if to speak, then pressed her slender fingers against her brow.

That guy... he's really going to take that incident that seriously, isn't he? Actually, you just acted on a whim back then. You figured you were all classmates, and letting him embarrass himself too badly would hurt the academy's image. After all, you also didn't want to leave an overly aggressive or overly weak impression on the outer world.

Forget it. Let it be. It's probably for the best anyway.

Several more minutes of waiting passed. The hands on the clock face aligned, and the massive chime rang out, spreading like silver ripples across the ocean, rushing in all directions.

So that's it. Last year, the sound I heard at Rorik College during the Silver Bell Festival came from here.

The chime was melodious. The intervals between each strike were precise and clear, carrying a unique beauty for every mage present.

After the bell chimed twelve times, the second half of the Silver Bell Festival began, leading into relatively free exchange activities.

The students rose from their seats and headed toward the exits below. Inside the lower levels of the various sub-towers were different exhibition halls for the second half's exchanges between mage schools. Representatives from other factions also came to visit.

"Chief Hedra, where are you planning to go?" Many people instinctively followed the girl, curious about what she might be interested in.

This situation made Sylutia laugh helplessly. She had absolutely no plan—after all, this was her first time participating in such a grand celebration.

She wandered aimlessly through the exhibition halls. Unlike the scene of recruiting new students in Asra District, these halls were primarily for exchange. Various unique products from different schools were for sale, and orders and business deals were also being arranged.

When Sylutia passed by the exhibition hall of the Puppetry School, she saw countless exquisite dolls displayed on shelves. Many were made to human scale, their clothes extremely detailed, drawing many visitors to stop and admire.

"They're really beautiful."

"If I could buy one and take it home, I'd be so happy."

"But the price is way too high." The cheapest doll here cost nearly 3,000 gold coins. Even for Official Mages, many couldn't afford it or were unwilling to spend that much.

As Sylutia walked among them, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure. Aurora stood in the middle of the crowd of dolls, wearing a delicate little blue hat. Her indifferent eyes and demeanor made her look just like a real doll. Occasionally, she would move her wrist, startling quite a few onlookers.

Seeing the massive crowd packed tightly around the display stand, Sylutia had to shake her head and back away for now. She really wanted to go over and say hello, but it was far too noisy and crowded here.

She simply waved at Aurora from a distance. The girl with silver-gray hair nodded slightly in response. A small doll flew up from her arms, carrying a tiny gift box, and landed in front of Sylutia, handing her the box.

"What's this?" Sylutia took the box and opened it curiously.

Inside lay an exquisitely crafted ring. The band was made of Mithril, set with an indigo gemstone. Around the gem were delicate little ribbon bows. After putting it on her finger, Sylutia followed the enchantment inscribed on the ring and established a strange connection with the silver-haired girl across from her. It was as if they could communicate through their minds.

"Happy festival, Hedra." Standing on the display stand, Aurora brushed a strand of hair from her ear, turned around, and continued interacting with the visiting guests, but in her mind, she chatted with Ti Ya, talking about recent events.

It seemed Aurora had learned quite a few new things this past half-year. Sylutia looked curiously at the ring on her finger, then continued walking down the exhibition hall's corridor, occasionally conversing sporadically with Aurora through the ring's connection.

Passing through the corridor, Ti Ya arrived at the next exhibition hall. This was the venue of the Appraisal School. The shelves were lined with transparent glass lenses, all used for appraising the quality of various items—Appraisal lenses.

There were fewer guests here. Most of those approaching to talk and make purchases were Appraisers. They discussed the craftsmanship and quality of these lenses, exchanging technical details, occasionally throwing out jargon that outsiders couldn't understand.

After a quick loop here, Sylutia moved on to the next exhibition hall.

This hall was brightly lit. Test tubes filled with potions of various colors were arranged like gradient gems, lined up on the shelves. The crisp sound of glass clinking occasionally filled the air.

The Four Salts School's exhibition hall had arrived.