In the backyard of Scholar Haide's estate.
On the lush green lawn, everyone sat on chairs of various sizes arranged in a semicircle around Scholar Haide, listening to him impart his knowledge.
"As is widely known, the earth on which we stand—the continent—rests upon the back of a giant serpent, rising and falling as it travels across a sea of clouds."
"There are seven such continents in total, arranged unevenly, and conditions differ vastly from one continent to the next."
"However, does anyone know where this vast expanse of land beneath our feet truly came from?" he asked, stroking his broad white beard.
Most of the commoner students were curious and puzzled by the question, while several noble students seemed somewhat bored, having long known the answer.
"Yelu, why don't you answer?" Haide pointed his slender wooden rod at the chubby youth on his front right.
"Me? Yes, Teacher."
Yelu stood up, faced everyone, gathered his thoughts, and spoke.
"The continents and Celestial Courtyards known to us today were formed from the corpses of giant fish that swam through the celestial sea in an ancient age."
"In that era, the entire world resembled an ocean with neither top nor bottom, and many giant fish cruised through it. Some may have stretched for tens of thousands of li, making them the largest creatures ever known. These giant fish were also the manifestation of the True Fish attribute."
"That era lasted for an unfathomable span of time, until an alien star shattered the world's embryonic shell and descended upon existence."
"The terrifying wound torn open by the alien star shook the world, and countless flames bloomed across the pitch-black celestial sea, giving birth to the first lights—the Blazing Sun and the Phantom Moon."
"The Blazing Sun boiled the celestial sea, and countless living beings perished in the process. Afterward, their corpses drifted across the celestial sea and became the primal earth and soil, while the True Fish attribute gradually evolved into today's Conch Fish attribute."
"Good. We will stop there for now," Scholar Haide said, gesturing for Yelu to sit down.
"As for how those scattered masses of soil and earth became the seven continents we have today, that involves the turbulent upheavals of several eras, which you will learn in time."
"Now, let us continue our discussion of this vast world in the present."
"The giant serpent travels through the twilight sea of clouds, causing our continent to rise and fall in turn. When we are perched above the clouds, the Blazing Sun beats down intensely, which is what people commonly refer to as the Rising Wind Season."
"When the serpent descends, the continent sinks toward the sea of clouds with it. The rushing atmosphere scours the land, bringing fierce gales and torrential rain. During this period, the Firmament attribute flows freely, known as the Gale Season."
"And when the serpent descends to the very depths, plunging the entire continent inside the sea of clouds, sunlight dims, all things fall silent, and the world is enveloped in dense mist, sinking into obscurity. During this period, the Sleeping Winter and Mist Shadow attributes permeate the land, bringing the most grueling Deep Mist Season."
"Once the hardest part of the year has passed, the serpent rises once again. The continent breaks through the sinking fog and reaches the sky once more. The Firmament attribute manifests again during this time, which is known as the Trade Wind Season."
Scholar Haide's lectures were engaging and rich in detail. Even complex knowledge was made easy to understand, and soon all the students were completely absorbed.
***
In the afternoon.
After finishing lunch, the students had a break, and it was only then that they truly began to mingle.
"Is your name Tiya?" a girl with freckles across her face, dressed in a gray hemp dress, curiously greeted Xilutaiya.
"Yes," the girl replied, turning around.
"Hello, I'm Kemiya." The other girl lightly pressed a hand to her chest in introduction.
As the two spoke, another commoner girl walked over. She was taller and had calloused hands, clear signs of having done plenty of physical labor.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Kailun." Kailun had chestnut-gold hair with slight curls at the ends.
The three commoner girls sat together chatting, while four commoner boys huddled nearby in conversation. Farther away, Yelu sat alone in a corner reading and studying. Inside the round gazebo, several noble youths gathered around Iona.
"Lady Iona, you are so beautiful... I wish to become your most devoted suitor..." A noble youth clad in velvet knelt on one knee, passionately reciting his plea while holding a red blossom produced from who knows where.
"Tch." Iona clicked her tongue in sheer annoyance. Showing him no courtesy, she turned her head away.
"Who is this guy?" she asked the others beside her.
"His name is Baron, son of Baron Quide," someone replied with gloating amusement.
"Never heard of him."
Iona waved her hand dismissively and walked to the other side of the gazebo for some fresh air, with Walaini, the daughter of Knight Laiwen, hurrying after her.
"Lady Iona," she called in a delicately pitched voice, eager to ingratiate herself with the young noblewoman.
"Yes? What's your name?" Iona asked without looking back.
"My name is Walaini," the girl answered excitedly.
"All right, sit here."
Iona's attitude softened slightly, perhaps simply looking for a lackey to keep her company.
"Tell me about Burnt Stone City. Who are the notable figures here?"
"Notable figures? I admire Madam Saier the most! She frequently hosts salons and invites the elite of Burnt Stone City, including distinguished artists and painters, keeping us informed on the latest trends and fashion..." Walaini spoke with longing and excitement.
"A salon? For that sort of thing?" Iona shook her head, finding it almost laughable.
Back in White Cliff City, she had hosted countless salons and gatherings herself, and she had even set some of the fashion trends across the Raygas Principality. What could be so impressive about a salon organized by some countryside noblewoman?
"I meant powerful transcendent figures, not people dabbling in art and fashion," she cut Walaini off.
"Transcendent figures... ah, that..." Walaini faltered.
"My father, Laiwen, is a very formidable knight!" she said, suddenly remembering and eagerly recommending her father to Iona.
"Knight Laiwen swore fealty to Lord Xuefeng, right?" Iona turned her head to ask.
"Yes, Lady Iona," Walaini replied proudly.
"Heh, then how could I possibly compete with my own uncle for men?" Iona thought to herself that this girl's head was filled with nothing but useless sludge.
Besides, judging by Walaini's age, her father could not be young. Even if he was a knight of the third-order Castle, that was likely the ceiling of his potential with little room left to advance. In the past, her father had commanded countless men like him.
At the thought of her father, Iona's expression darkened, and her mood soured once more.
If only her father had won the Battle of the Windmill, how could she ever have been reduced to staying in such a desolate backwater?
The conversation inside the gazebo quieted down, turning somewhat somber.
***
"So Kailun used to hunt?" Kemiya asked curiously, stifling a soft laugh behind her hand.
"Yes. My father is a hunter in our village, so I've been around it since I was little. But drawing a bow easily damages your hands, so my father hasn't let me touch one for the past two years." Kailun held out her palms, showing numerous scars and calluses.
Among the three of them, Kemiya's parents worked for a merchant association, while Kailun was the daughter of a village hunter.
"Then how did you end up in Burnt Stone City, Kailun?" Xilutaiya asked with mild curiosity.
"Because I learned a breathing method before the new year. The village elders felt a child like me would be wasted if I stayed there, so they pooled their money together to send me here to make a living and learn some trades." A touch of nostalgia appeared on Kailun's rugged, well-defined face.
"The people in your village sound very kind," Xilutaiya said warmly.
"Yes, they're all wonderful people," Kailun replied.
"What did you do after coming to Burnt Stone City?" Kemiya leaned in to ask.
"What did I do? At first, I didn't know anything. An older boy from my village told me to find work."
"First, I helped out at the market, where they always need extra hands. Then, because I knew about bows and arrows, I went to work at an arrow-making workshop in the city. It's hard work, but the pay is decent—about four silver coins a month." Kailun smiled, sounding thoroughly content.
Arrows were consumables, and crafting them personally took immense effort, so many adventurers and wealthy patrons preferred to buy them directly.
"What about you, Tiya? Have you always studied under Scholar Haide?" This morning was the first time they had seen her, and she had arrived right beside him.
"No. But my previous teacher was a student of Scholar Haide, so we're a bit acquainted," the girl answered.
"I see."
Sitting on the wooden bench beneath the tree, the three chatted and gradually grew closer. Kemiya was slightly lively, while Kailun was plainspoken and honest. As for Xilutaiya, their impression of her for now was that of a very pretty, somewhat delicate girl who had rarely interacted with the outside world.
Gradually, the three of them grew familiar with one another.
Chapter 20