Inside Xilutaiya's home.
The quiet girl sat before the mirror, combing her long hair. Unlike usual, however, a small basin filled with fine black powder sat beside her.
Dipping a damp cloth in water, she dabbed it into the fine powder and smoothed it through her long locks, working it through evenly with a comb. Her snow-silver hair gradually turned black.
"Do you really have to dye your hair black, Tiya?" Taliel asked, standing beside her as she helped spread out the girl's long tresses and comb through them.
"Yes. That way, once I shape my brows with makeup, I can alter my appearance and general demeanor," Xilutaiya replied, citing the techniques she had picked up from the rogue's journal.
"Oh... is this to conceal how you look?" Taliel realized.
"Yes."
Using the comb to work the fine powder smooth, the girl used the damp cloth once more to darken another section of her snow-white silver hair.
"Why, though?" Taliel asked, puzzled. Shouldn't having such good looks be something to take pride in and be envied for?
"Because it will save me a lot of trouble," the girl answered softly, turning her head every now and then to inspect the hair along the side of her head in the mirror. "Perhaps I held an extraordinary status in the past, but right now I don't possess great strength to protect myself. Keeping a low profile is always for the best."
Xilutaiya had recently learned about the situation in Burnt Stone City.
There were at least three knights here who possessed the "third-order Castle" Destiny. Their strength was utterly overwhelming compared to ordinary people, and they also belonged to the nobility. If some high-ranking figure took an interest in her, she really wouldn't know how to escape or refuse.
At times she felt that her figure and features were simply unfair, but she couldn't say such things to Taliel, as it would sound like bragging.
In the mirror, the delicate, lovely girl held a charm so arresting that a mere glance of her eyes made it hard for anyone to look away. Xilutaiya had no idea how she had managed to live her life before this—most likely, someone had protected her exceptionally well.
An hour later, with Taliel's help, she finally finished dyeing all her hair black. She then checked her status once more.
—
Name: Xilutaiya ※※※※
Race: Human (※※※)
Status: Healthy (Disguised - Low Presence)
Talent: Stars [Unknown Grade], Cornflower's Attachment [Rare Grade, upgradable]
Destiny Card: [Sleeping Maiden] (Rank: None)
-
Effect: [Appraisal Eye Lv. 2]
Ability Cards: [Breathing Method Lv. 2], [Dew Prayer Method Lv. 1], [Empty Slot]
Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship Lv. 4], [Basic Spearmanship Lv. 4], [Gardening Technique Lv. 1]
—
After tidying herself up, she changed into a plain robe, which instantly made her look far more ordinary.
As for her eyes, she looked at the light-blue, sky-tinted irises in the mirror and felt they still needed some obscuring. Rummaging around, she retrieved the pair of non-prescription glasses she had bought and put them on, finally masking the vivid brightness of her eyes. Now, she looked like an ordinary girl with a scholarly air.
"I can't recognize you at all now." Taliel walked circles around her, looking her over repeatedly, astonished by the transformation.
"Now I should be able to enjoy a peaceful time attending Scholar Haide's lessons." Looking into the mirror, the girl nodded with satisfaction and rose to her feet.
...
Early the next morning, about a dozen young figures gathered in the courtyard of Scholar Haide's manor. Tall and short, male and female, they appeared to range in age from fourteen to eighteen. Judging by their vibrant, stylish attire, several of them clearly did not come from commoner backgrounds.
Another figure approached from the main gate, clad in light-brown robes. His short, chubby build lent a comical bounce to his gait.
"What is Yelu doing here?" A few people in the crowd recognized the pudgy youth.
"Word is he couldn't make it in Valley City, so he had no choice but to come crawling back," a noble youth remarked dismissively.
"If Scholar Haide hadn't taken him in, he probably wouldn't even have a place to study."
"Useless fellow."
"My father actually told me before that I should try to recruit him and get along with him, but looking at him now, he's a lost cause."
"Who knows how many youths seek an education each year, but only a handful ever actually become scholars."
They murmured among themselves about the chubby youth, only quieting down as he passed by. It wasn't out of fear of offending Yelu, but because Yelu was officially recognized as Scholar Haide's student, and they didn't want to disrespect the scholar.
...
Time passed. As the sun climbed higher and the air began to warm, a conspicuous youth entered the front courtyard, flanked by his companions.
He looked not quite sixteen, with messy hair and narrow, sharp eyes that gave off an edge of ferocity. A scabbard bound with leather straps was slung across his back, and he wore a coarse hemp shirt. The exposed skin of his forearms bore numerous old scars—marks clearly left by battle.
"This is as far as we go, Mick."
"Do good work—wait, no, study hard, haha!" his adventurer companions laughed, waving.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it, you bastards." Tugging at the collar of his unfamiliar shirt, Mick stepped into the front courtyard, his eyes filled with wary vigilance.
Even though he was also a commoner, he seemed completely out of place among the others.
*He looks like a wild beast that just walked out of the mountains,* many thought to themselves.
Stepping into the front courtyard, the new student named Mick picked a spot to stand, and the idle chatter gradually drifted away from him.
Time slipped by quietly. Watching the sun climb higher and higher, several youths began to grow restless.
"Everyone should be here by now, shouldn't they? If anyone arrives any later, Scholar Haide shouldn't even accept them," someone muttered, squinting up at the sun.
Just as impatience was setting in, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from outside the manor. A luxurious carriage crafted from walnut wood and edged in gilded bronze trim pulled up before the front entrance. The carriage door swung open, and the first thing to touch the ground was a pair of delicate leather shoes, followed by black stockings hugging slender legs, a red short skirt, a tailored and intricately adorned blouse with snow-white cuffs, short golden hair, and bright crimson eyes.
"So this is Scholar Haide's home?" Her voice carried a trace of haughtiness as her discerning gaze took in the surroundings. "Fine. For the countryside, I suppose it will do."
With that, she had her attendants unload her luggage and carry it behind her.
The moment the girl stepped through the gates, she drew the attention of every student present. Whether in the noble clique or among the commoners, all eyes converged on her—some filled with envy, some with awe, others with greed, distaste, and more.
Undeniably, the blonde girl possessed rare beauty. Dressed in her lavish garments, she resembled a golden peacock blooming in the sunlight; a few simple movements from her were enough to set the hearts of many young men racing.
"Who is she?"
"Probably a distant relative of Viscount Xuefeng," someone guessed.
"I've never heard of her before." A girl with auburn hair walked over, her eyes full of admiration as she watched the passing blonde girl.
"She came from White Cliff City," a noble student who was in the know finally revealed.
"Oh, White Cliff City!" A hushed gasp rippled through those within earshot.
White Cliff City was the royal capital of the Raygas Principality—a place countless people yearned for. Someone arriving from there naturally earned everyone's envy.
Paying no mind to anyone around her, the dazzling blonde girl strode straight into the manor's main hall and beckoned a servant.
"Excuse me, is Scholar Haide at home?" she inquired, subduing her haughtiness by a rare fraction.
"Please wait a moment, my lady."
Attending such an esteemed guest made the servant nervous as well. Asking her to wait, he hurried toward the rear courtyard to inform his master.
Before long, footsteps sounded from the corridor, and Scholar Haide's loose gray scholar's robes and white beard appeared before the crowd.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting, young lady. You must be Iona, correct?" His voice was warm and relaxed.
"Greetings, Scholar Haide. I am indeed Iona."
The blonde girl lifted the hem of her skirt slightly in a polite curtsy. As her vivid red eyes turned back to Scholar Haide, she noticed a girl about her own height standing beside him.
She had long black hair, wore plain robes and a pair of glasses, and held a thick stack of books in her arms. She looked thoroughly unremarkable.
*Probably one of Scholar Haide's apprentices,* the blonde girl thought, paying her little mind.
"Now that everyone has arrived, have them gather in the front hall," Haide instructed the servant beside him.
One after another, the students filed inside. Soon, the youths were gathered in the front hall, listening to the elderly scholar's words and teachings.
And so, their first day of lessons began.
Chapter 19