Chapter 3: The Beginning
Whispers of Abundance
“The crop yields are simply too high…”
“They’re probably more than double Hosgard’s output!”
“No surprise there.” Among the traveling group, the merchant spoke casually. Meanwhile, the white-haired elder trailing behind remained silent.
“Lord Aiton’s mother must be far stronger than we imagined. I once heard the Earl, after too much wine, say he was mentored by a reclusive hero.”
“That’s impossible. Aren’t all heroes throughout history men?”
“The Earl’s over fifty, isn’t he? No matter how you calculate it, the Lady can’t be young.”
“Who knows? Everyone, rein in your thoughts. Offend the Lady, and you might as well find a plot to bury yourself.”
“Shh…”
The knight leading the group gestured for silence. On the field path, a black horse approached slowly. The elderly rider’s posture remained upright, his calm gaze carrying unshakable resolve.
Following closely was a girl in a long dress. Vey seized the moment, demanding, “Who are you people?”
Just minutes earlier, they received word from the valley’s entrance. A small, disciplined cavalry had arrived. Consequently, it was clear that even the village’s full strength couldn’t stop them.
However, among the group was a familiar traveling merchant. Rhine said nothing, quietly observing the knight.
“We come on Earl Holm’s orders to escort the Lady to the capital,” declared Kailos, the leader, pressing a hand to his chest as if swearing an oath.
“Teacher hasn’t left the house today. She’s probably deep in study and might not emerge for a while,” Vey whispered to the village chief, covering her mouth. Then, muttering to herself, she grew excited. “I wonder why Mr. Bam is with these fierce-looking people. Hopefully, he’s brought something good this time…”
Her words, however, couldn’t escape the keen ears of the elite soldiers with superhuman physiques.
“Please, rest for a bit. We’ll inform you immediately if there’s news. Vey, take care of our guests,” Rhine instructed.
“Got it~”
“Thank you.”
As the group settled, the village buzzed with restless energy. Meanwhile, the person at the center of it all remained oblivious to the commotion.
Wenger’s Quiet Contemplation
Since waking that morning, Wenger had sat alone in her room, meditating. Over the years, when not farming or tending flowers, she honed her mental strength through meditation.
Mental strength was vital for all professions, but especially for mages. Both the casting speed and precision of spells depended on it.
More importantly, meditation advanced her ascension progress. It was a slow cultivation method.
Normally, ascending a single rank could take fifty years—long enough for a human to perish before succeeding.
Now, she needed only a Holy Source Crystal and a Sun-Moon Rose to perform the ritual. She considered finding a workaround, but it seemed impractical for now.
The Sun-Moon Rose required time to mature. Moreover, its potency peaked only when both the moon and sun were visible.
The Holy Source Crystal was a crafted item, made from Dragon Vein Stone and Colorless Crystal Shards.
Colorless Crystal Shards were easy to obtain, though they required quantity. Dragon Vein Stone, however, could only be gathered in the Dragon Nest dungeon. Alternatively, dragon-type monsters had a chance to drop it.
Was this a joke? Where would she find dragons in this remote corner? Besides, at level thirty-something, could she even defeat one?
Nevertheless, her daily training had pushed her mental strength beyond the average for her rank.
Thus, she had long foreseen the day her student would leave.
Over the years, she felt her progress was slow. Choosing comfort meant missing opportunities that required desperate effort.
If the era were different, Wenger, post-transmigration, would’ve grabbed a Luoyang shovel and raided every imperial ruin. Why else would she endure this quiet life?
‘Grow stronger or stay safe.’
Clearly, this wasn’t a choice.
“Must I really travel far?” Her murmurs offered no answers. A sigh echoed in the small room.
Crafting the Elixir
After a break, it was time to tackle her long-neglected potion-making.
She had recipes for key items—toss them in a cauldron, and the game system auto-crafted them. However, today’s task was an elixir from a miscellaneous book. It carried a mild poison, perfect for triggering her [Purity] blessing.
Wenger grabbed various herbs from her pouch and tossed them into the cauldron without much prep. Channeling magic through her hands, she regulated the herbs’ refinement.
Half an hour later, she wiped sweat from her brow. She poured the bubbling green concoction into bottles and jars.
After cooling slightly, Wenger downed a small jar.
[Health -0.01-0.01-0.01…]
[Poison Resistance Increased]
[Purity lv.2 (749/1000): Reduces all abnormal statuses and curses by 50%]
Resistances and blessings didn’t stack to cause losses. The calculations were abstract. If [Purity] offered percentage-based penetration, poison resistance was fixed penetration. Moreover, percentage penetration was calculated first!
Sadly, she wasn’t a masochist. Drinking poison daily wasn’t her idea of fun.
The elixir’s effects lingered, so she sealed the rest for later.
Village Duties and New Arrivals
Wenger rarely meddled in village chores, but some matters required her attention. By her estimate, the blacksmith’s shop was nearly complete. Once the visitors were brought in, Colorless Crystal Shards wouldn’t be an issue.
Pushing open the door, she greeted the day’s first sunlight. By the tree, the stream washed over mossy stones, splashing crystal droplets.
Her senses caught a restless stir in the air. Her mental energy spread from the treehouse, flowing like water across the ground and sky, unrestrained.
The sound of boiling tea came from the courtyard. Wenger leaped from the platform, a breeze briefly lifting her descent.
“Rhine, what’s going on?”
The village chief stood, ushering her into the pavilion. “Bam brought the blacksmith as you requested. There’s also a group here for you, from Hosgard.”
Wenger recalled the name from a map—an eastern region. So, her dear son had sent them.
“Handle the blacksmith’s shop and the mountain mine as the village sees fit.”
“Understood, my Lady.”
She mounted a horse to meet the visitors. “I still prefer when you were little, trailing behind and calling me Sister.”
Everyone grows up. Rhine’s choice to take on such duties warmed her heart.
The heavy barrier was filled with the bitter winds of Glenmbak.
A Meeting with Power
Minutes later, Kailos sensed a fleeting, probing presence. His hand swiftly gripped his sword hilt.
In the distance, a figure glided over the river.
The silver-haired Witch landed lightly on a haystack, calmly surveying the group. In response, they knelt swiftly on one knee, heads bowed in respect.
A gust gently lifted the group to their feet. Her immense magical aura quietly receded.
“You’re here to escort me to the capital?” Wenger studied their faces, her heart racing with surprise.
‘Such robust vitality—every one of them is at least fourth-rank!’
‘Have I really fallen behind the times…?’