The Cornflower Witch

Book 3: Chapter 100: Battle with the Enforcers

After obtaining the Evening Primrose, Sylutia began producing her improved version of the White Moon Potion.

First came material preparation. She soaked the Evening Primrose, then prepared the required medicinal solution. Two hours later, she poured the prepared solution into the water where the Evening Primrose had been soaking.

Soon the Luminous Moon Aspect leached from the Evening Primrose, and the liquid emitted a faint glow. At this point the plant’s essence had been drawn out, the plant body itself no longer needed.

Carefully removing the Evening Primrose from the water, Sylutia took out her specially made filter cloth and filtered the liquid, collecting the clear base solution beneath.

She then placed the base solution into a large beaker to heat, and prepared a second medicinal solution to add, causing impurities from the first mixture to precipitate.

Before long, pale blue crystalline powder settled, and she filtered again. Sylutia took out the remaining clear liquid and let it sit.

After letting it rest for two hours, she carried the large beaker outside to an open spot. The moon had already risen.

Under moonlight, Hedra followed the secret rites of the Luminous Moon Church to amplify the Luminous Moon Aspect’s vitality in the liquid base, then performed a purification casting spell once more.

When she finished, she brought the beaker back inside and began the final step of refining and compounding.

Another hour passed, and ten White Moon Potions were completed: seven bottles rated Third Tier·Good, three bottles rated Third Tier·Excellent.The result was better than expected. Sylutia wiped the fine beads of sweat from her brow.

For the following week she continued making White Moon Potions. In this fully immersed state, the quality of her potions steadily improved, and finally, when using those dried-stock high-quality Evening Primroses, she succeeded in producing a Third Tier·Superior White Moon Potion.

Out of sixty portions of raw material she produced thirty-three bottles of Good quality, twenty-two bottles of Excellent quality, and five bottles of Superior quality. That outcome surpassed many Fourth Tier alchemically specialized mages.

Good quality retailed at about 80 gold coins, Excellent at 120 gold coins, Superior at 180 gold coins. The total came to 80×33 + 120×22 + 180×5 = 6,180 gold coins.

If she sold directly to organizations or shops, the price would be discounted from retail; in the best case she might get about 5,000 gold coins. Potion prices were relatively transparent and sales stable, unlike other goods that could rot on the shelves.

Looking at the neatly arranged potion bottles on the table, Hedra tapped a bottle lightly. A clear chime rang through the room, with a faint tremor of the Luminous Moon Aspect woven into the sound, exceptionally pleasant.

Who to sell them to? Unsure whether the academy would buy, Hedra packed twelve bottles into a suitcase and headed to the usual place to take on tasks.

“You’re here again today, Hedra.” The receptionist was already quite familiar with the girl.

“Yes. Today I want to sell some potions. Do you accept them?” Sylutia set the suitcase on the counter and opened it, revealing twelve neatly arranged White Moon Potions.

Third Tier White Moon Potions were uncommon. The market usually sold Second Tier ones, usable to dispel the corruption contracted during Shadow World explorations.

At present, the Mage Alliance’s methods for removing Distortion corrosion were mainly rituals and potions. The Origin Hourglass school had a Restoration Ritual that efficiently removed mild corrosion, but deeper corrosion required potion assistance, or it would take a long time to recuperate.

In potions, the Four Salts School excelled, but their specialty was not purification; they mostly produced Second Tier White Moon Potions. Only a few skilled mages could make Third Tier quality.

More often, purification potions were purchased from the Hidden Grove Alliance or sourced from the Harp Flower Union.

Before the receptionist inspected the potions Sylutia brought, she thought for a moment and told Hedra,

“We’ll consign them for you. Unit price 80 gold coins, and the shop will take a 5-gold commission per bottle.” Today the items another customer brought were of dreadful Eighth Tier quality.

“How long to sell twelve bottles?” Hedra asked.

“About two weeks. People will buy even poor-quality potions when they need them,” the receptionist said. In truth, lower-quality items also exist on the market.

Eighth Tier mages often explored low-difficulty secret realms that took too long and thus used rituals more than potions. Teams would carry one or two bottles for emergencies. Seventh Tier mages venturing deep into the Shadow World’s secret realms were the ones who would use lower-grade potions more willingly.

“Understood. Then I’ll consign these twelve here.” The receptionist registered them and handed Hedra a voucher she could later use to claim payment.

Sales at the academy weren’t high. Sylutia decided to try a larger market. Back at her lodgings she repacked the remaining potions, taking twelve Good and twelve Excellent bottles to the Windfall Merchant Guild.

Riding the steam vehicle, she arrived again and went to the apothecary on the fourth floor to inquire.

“Are you selling potions you brewed yourself?” The clerk glanced at the Second Tier girl, his tone slightly dismissive.

“First of all, don’t bother bringing up anything below Third Tier; we don’t need those.” Although selling on consignment earns commission, it carries risks. If a potion is problematic, the shop’s reputation suffers.

“I’m selling Third Tier potions.” Sylutia took one bottle out and placed it on the counter.

“White Moon Potion…” The clerk picked it up and handed it to the apothecary on duty to inspect.

About half an hour later they replied.

“The quality is acceptable. We’ll buy them at 50 gold coins a bottle, payable in a lump sum if you agree.”

That price was somewhat below Sylutia’s expectation. At that price the apothecary might take a loss when reselling.

After all, not everyone succeeds at this consistently and achieves such high quality.

“I’ll look elsewhere,” she said.

“You won’t be willing to,” the clerk sneered, mocking her naivety.

“I don’t know where you got these potions, but I suggest you don’t ask around. Shops won’t pay high prices for unknown origins. Fifty gold is already generous, and that’s only because you’re a Tetis College student.” The apothecary didn’t believe the potions were her work.

Hedra wanted to retort but thought better of it; arguing here served no purpose. She commanded her magic hands to pick up the suitcase and left.

Seeing her ignored, the clerk’s expression turned sour. He waited a moment in the shop, then hurried out to find the enforcers and report her.

Meanwhile, Hedra continued browsing shops, occasionally asking if they bought potions, but she did not present them openly again as before.

After a round of checks, she found most shops were unwilling to buy for the same reasons: they didn’t want extra risk and their own stock was unsold.

Life isn’t easy, Hedra thought, sitting on a bench on the floor to rest and considering trying other places.

Footsteps approached quickly, and the clerk she’d met earlier arrived with two enforcers.

“It’s her. I found her carrying a large quantity of unknown potions. Her student identity might be forged!” he pointed at Sylutia.

Startled, the girl rose. Two Third Tier official mages had already come forward. Under their robes they wore reinforced armor lining, and large circular discs hung on their chests, inscribed with rescue incantations that allowed the Alliance’s authority to suppress criminals.

[School of Royal Authority · Enforcement Zone]

As they approached, the Castle Aspect’s force field spread, suppressing the Aspect levels of other Transcendents inside it, making it difficult to use abilities or cast spells.

Seeing this, Sylutia tried to explain, “These potions are all brewed by me, not of unknown origin. Besides, do you have any evidence to arbitrarily accuse me?”

Her explanation fell on deaf ears. The burly enforcer in front ignored her and moved closer, ready to use his control device on the girl.

The clerk shouted excitedly, “You’re panicking and trying to run. Don’t let her get away!”

For the first time, Hedra felt anger flare. Rather than cower, she raised her hand and several silver threads appeared at her side, quickly condensing into the shape of birds before dissolving into Flying Bird constructs.

“How dare she resist. Don’t you know there are prohibited arrays carved on every floor? Once the enforcers activate them, everything disperses.” The clerk mocked her again.

Sure enough, the two mages immediately activated runes under their feet. Silver patterned lights rose on the floor, and people on the level felt an invisible suppression—many abilities and spells were restricted.

In that state, the Flying Birds at Sylutia’s side dispersed rapidly. At that moment one enforcer opened his hand and lashed a long hand-claw toward her leg; if it landed she would be immediately seized.

Thanks to the Breathing Technique’s assistance, Hedra dodged with a flash and narrowly escaped.

Although many spells were suppressed, internal-circulation abilities like the Breathing Technique were barely affected.

It was clear appeals would not work. Sylutia looked around; some bystander mages stood at a distance, merely curious and not intervening.

If she shouted for injustice, few would believe her—she had to rely on herself.

Sylutia reached toward her waist. The small box holding Magnetite Sand opened and grains flowed out. Under her strong Mental Power they condensed into the form of a sword.

Seeing her still able to use makeshift magical abilities in that environment surprised the enforcers. They drew their own weapons—whip-swords that resembled chains. When swung, the blades stretched into chain-like forms, usable to attack or bind.

A simple swing produced explosive snaps in the air as afterimages surged toward Sylutia. Ordinary mages could not dodge such speed.

But Sylutia’s physical training had once reached Fourth Tier as a knight. Without Aspect augmentation, her base still exceeded common mages in reflexes, strength, and agility.

The girl rolled nimbly and avoided the whipping blade. Her magnetite-sand longsword sliced across another incoming whip-sword, sparks flying.

“That one isn’t a mage; she must be a thief in disguise,” the clerk shouted again.

Sylutia no longer cared. She fought back with everything she had.

Using the force of the incoming whip-sword, she sprang back. Her blade bloomed a pale silver radiance midair; faint silver patterns spread along the edge, covering the sword.

Enchantments were suppressed in this environment but not completely nullified. She slanted her sword in a diagonal slash, grazing past one enforcer. The silver arc cut through his robe and inner lining, leaving a streak of crimson on the ground. She had held back—otherwise the blade would have cut him open.

The other enforcer, terrified, activated a defensive orb and blocked Sylutia’s second strike, then retreated and triggered a distress device, hoping for backup.

Seeing that the enforcers could not subdue her, the clerk panicked and ducked into the crowd to flee.

Sylutia activated the small orb she carried. Its silver glow shimmered and a spreading wisteria-like shield protected her.

The bystander mages who had been about to intervene fell silent and watched.

“That orb looks like Tetis College’s,” someone murmured. After all, this was Tetis College’s jurisdiction; residents knew certain things.

“Could she really be falsely accused?”

“This will be entertaining.”

Soon more enforcers arrived. Seeing the orb protecting the girl, they hesitated.

They did not hesitate for long. A silver light streaked like a comet across the sky. Circling once above the guild, it shattered the dome roof, and amid countless broken glass shards a powerful mage descended alone, his aura suppressing the crowd. Four illusory floating eyeballs orbited him, scanning until they located Sylutia, then rushed over.

“What happened?” The mage, at least Sixth Tier, asked coldly as he swept his gaze across the scene.

Hedra removed her shield and hurried forward.

“I activated the orb. This is what happened…” she explained her encounter.

After hearing it, the mage’s brow knit. He looked at the nervous enforcers across from him.

“You’re Hedra, right? You don’t need to handle the rest. Go back and rest.” When he addressed Sylutia his tone softened considerably.

“I saw you at the Silver Bell Festival. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they give you a proper explanation.” He then recharged Sylutia’s silver orb and returned it to her.

For such a talented and likeable student, his patience was naturally greater.

That statement was effectively a death sentence to the overconfident enforcers; they began to wonder if they would make it through the day.

“Thank you, Professor.” Although she did not know exactly which instructor he was, Hedra answered gratefully and picked up her suitcase to descend the steps.

Spectators’ expressions soured. With such a powerful figure present, they couldn’t leave even if they wanted to.

The subsequent investigation moved quickly. Bystanders pieced together the illegal capture attempt, and the elf who had sold the Evening Primrose to Sylutia came forward to testify that Sylutia had purchased the raw materials from her, and shop ledgers corroborated the sale.

Once the facts were clear, the enforcers were left speechless. The clerk who reported Sylutia was shackled and cried out; beyond facing punishment for false accusation, he was held liable for the damages caused by this incident, including the shattered dome roof the mage had broken. The cost would likely burden him for life.

The two enforcers who had believed the false report were suspended and dismissed, likewise facing staggering compensation.

In the merchant guild’s top-floor office, the general manager in charge paced angrily before his assembled staff.

“I don’t understand. Didn’t you know this is Tetis College’s territory? You see students with their academy badge and treat them like that without any solid evidence?”

“Sir…” the enforcement captain sweatily tried to explain.

“Maybe they’re used to making arrests. People have forged Tetis badges before.”

“Besides, it’s inconceivable that a Second Tier apprentice could produce a large quantity of high-quality Third Tier potions, so they didn’t bother investigating closely.”

“Enough!” The general manager glared.

“Don’t think I’m ignorant of your habits. If that girl truly had potions of unknown origin, you would have confiscated them and split the takings among yourselves.”

“You took the bait for that idiot clerk’s words because you were after a little gray income.”

“Well now you’ve hit the iron plate. Don’t say you’re not in trouble—my apologizing alone won’t suffice; I’ll have to summon people from the guild headquarters to mediate.”

He paced again, venting his frustration. Others in the room fell silent, not daring to speak for fear of inciting his fury.

Ten minutes later his temper had calmed somewhat. He turned to those still present.

“This month—no, this half year—don’t expect any bonuses or pay. Go back and reflect properly.”

“And those two in custody, keep them alive and under strict watch. Make sure they learn their lesson.”

“Repair the dome as quickly as possible. That shop involved—shut it down, never let them reoccupy a stall here.”

“Finally, find out that student’s background and report back to me. I’ll prepare a personal gift to apologize.”

“Yes, sir.” The staff breathed a collective sigh of relief and hurriedly left the office.