Book 3: Chapter 259: A Teacher and Student Reunion

Instructor Franne, could it really be her? Countless thoughts surged through Sylutia's mind.

Had the other party recognized her, or was it just a coincidence, or perhaps she had simply come to confirm something.

Carrying a mix of anticipation, excitement, and complex emotions, Sylutia descended the stairs to welcome this teacher she hadn't seen in years.

Arriving at the living room, she spotted that familiar figure. A cascade of flowing, radiant golden hair, a voluminous formal gown of pure white and gold, with pale yellow silk flowers and bows adorning the hem. It was indeed Lady Franne.

Upon seeing Sylutia, Lady Franne gave a slight bow of courtesy, then those pale blue eyes regarded the black-haired young woman with curiosity.

Come to think of it, the first time Sylutia had met Lady Franne, she had also had black hair. Back then, she'd needed to keep a low profile and had dyed it black with ink powder. However, Lady Franne had actually preferred her original silver color. In the past, when taking her to gatherings and banquets, she'd always had Sylutia keep her snowy silver locks.

"Greetings, Miss Hedra." Lady Franne's polished voice snapped Sylutia back from her reminiscence.

"Hello, Lady... Franne." Her voice wavered slightly.

At that moment, several maidservants were still present in the living room, so she couldn't directly reveal her identity. Fortunately, Lady Franne across from her showed no sign of anything unusual and simply continued normal conversation, which put Sylutia at ease.

The young woman lightly touched her cheek. Although her hair and eye color had changed, and her features had shifted somewhat, it would still be very easy for someone who knew her well in the past to associate her with the name and identity of Sylutia.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Sylutia thought for a moment, then invited Lady Franne to take a stroll by the lake outside the manor.

Along the way, Sylutia dismissed the attending maidservants, and the two stood beneath a large tree by the lakeside, gazing into the distance. Finally, they could speak freely.

"So cautious, Ti Ya." Lady Franne smiled, directly calling out the young woman's name.

"Eep, Instructor Franne." Sylutia's voice softened and turned gentle now, just like when she'd first met Lady Franne.

"A voice like that is far too weak and timid." Lady Franne shook her head.

"But it's also quite nostalgic." She turned to look at the lake's surface.

"I learned of your identity on the day you visited Duran Manor."

"Huh? Was there something that gave me away?" Sylutia asked in surprise.

"No, it's just that the hat you wore was custom-made by someone I personally commissioned. Though the style didn't look particularly unique, how could there possibly be two perfectly identical items like that?"

"Besides, your features left a deep impression on me. It's hard to forget them." Lady Franne replied.

"So that's how it was." The young woman answered with an embarrassed smile.

"But you're quite something special too. You went to the Hidden Grove, and now here you are in the Mage Alliance, having apparently become quite the remarkable figure." Lady Franne teased.

"This... there are many reasons for that." The young woman replied in a slightly coaxing tone.

"Then I won't keep prying into it." Lady Franne said with a beaming smile.

Afterwards, the two briefly caught up, and Lady Franne spoke of her experiences returning to the Wind Chime Grass Plains.

"Though I set out quite early, I encountered some matters along the way that delayed me. It wasn't until four years ago that I finally arrived at the Wind Chime Grass Plains." Her sleeves hung lightly, fingers emerging from the bright yellow lace cuffs, delicate wisps of gentle breeze swirling around them.

"You're probably curious why I returned yet still haven't gone to see Lady Edeline."

"Just a little."

"Human emotions are complicated, Ya." Lady Franne replied.

"In your early years, you left with a heart full of defiance and the desire to carve your own path. In a fit of stubbornness, you traveled incredibly far. Over the decades, you roamed various places, learning the knowledge of gardening, meeting many people, and witnessing many different families and lives."

"Though I still don't care for Lady Edeline, I've come to let go of many things from the past."

"About ten years ago, I no longer held any resentment, and I could already look upon the past with equanimity." Her pale blue eyes gazed toward the sky.

"However, that doesn't mean I want to return to Lady Edeline's side. I still cannot come to like this mother of mine, and her personality and habits have accompanied her through life, unable to change."

"She did feel remorse, and I believe that remorse was genuine. But if I were to return, she couldn't accept the reversal of positions between us. As a mother, when I was young, she was the strong one. Now, having her lower her head and change, deferring to her daughter's opinions, would be something she'd find terrifying and resist with all her being."

"She could love and dote on an obedient daughter, but she could never accept that daughter becoming the head of the household. That would only highlight her past mistakes and her current decline and weakness."

"So I never met with her. I only occasionally gaze at her from afar, watching her sit alone in the courtyard."

"Though I once harbored long-lasting regret, I know her regret is even greater. She regrets not being able to seize the opportunity that could have made the family flourish."

"If I had stayed back then and fulfilled her wishes, in the decades that followed, she would never have mourned the early deaths of my two elder brothers. Because that's just the kind of person she is. Unless she absolutely cannot find an excuse, she will never admit her own faults." Lady Franne shook her head gently.

After saying all this, the two stood quietly by the lake for a long while, until Lady Franne broke the silence.

"Alright, regarding my background, Ya should have a clear understanding now." She turned around with a faint smile.

"And you? Have you recovered your lost memories?"

"Mhm, I've remembered quite a bit." The young woman nodded.

"So, do you have any plans?"

"I'll probably find a suitable opportunity to set out for the First Continent." Sylutia answered frankly.

"The First Continent, that truly is an extremely distant place." Lady Franne mused.

"Once Lady Edeline passes away, I'll probably leave as well. I'll find a chance to board a merchant ship to the Second Continent. There lies the kingdom of the Elves, and deep within the vast forests, a sacred tree is said to have been reborn. As a gardener, going there is probably the dream of many."

"But before that, I'll stay by your side and help you with whatever I can. As long as this former student of mine doesn't mind having her teacher around, hehe."

"How could I ever mind having you, Instructor?" Sylutia shook her head adorably, then looked at Lady Franne.

"If I have your assistance, I can save so much thought and effort, and I'll also have someone here in the Mage Alliance to talk to."

Afterwards, the two continued chatting at length. Lady Franne was also curious whether Sylutia still remembered the gardening knowledge she'd learned before.

After their exchange, Lady Franne nodded slightly.

"Though you've now taken the path of a mage, I can tell that before you left the Hidden Grove, your skill on the path of gardening had already reached no small level of achievement."

"How truly remarkable. In just a few short years, you reached such astonishing proficiency, then suddenly gave it up to walk the path of a mage, and then reached heights on that path that ordinary people could scarcely dream of." Lady Franne marveled.

When they finished, the two returned from the lakeside back to the manor.

Though the process had been a bit convoluted, Sylutia had completely achieved the goals of her visit to the Perika District and the Wind Chime Grass Plains. Not only had she secured a large quantity of grain through cooperation and trade, but she had also found her former instructor, Lady Franne, to serve as her assistant. From now on, she wouldn't be so lonely in the Mage Alliance.