Sylutia's home.

The serene young girl was currently sitting in front of the mirror combing her long hair, but unlike usual, a small basin containing fine black powder was placed beside her.

She soaked a damp cotton cloth in water, picked up some of the fine black powder, then applied it to her long hair, using a comb to distribute it evenly. Her originally silver-snow hair gradually turned black.

"Does Tia really have to dye her hair black?" Talier stood beside her, helping to spread out the girl's long hair and assisting with the combing.

"Yes, then by using makeup techniques to shape my eyebrows, I can change my appearance and aura." Sylutia explained the skills she had learned from the thief's diary.

"Sigh, is this to conceal your looks?" Talier thought of something.

"Yes."

The girl continued using the comb to smooth out the fine black powder, then used the damp cotton cloth again to dye another section of her snow-white silver hair black.

"But why?" Talier didn't understand. Shouldn't being beautiful be something to be envied and proud of?

"Perhaps my former identity was quite extraordinary, but right now I don't have very powerful strength to protect myself. Staying low-key is ultimately a good thing."

Sylutia had recently become aware of the situation in Scorchstone City.

There were at least three knights with 'Third Tier - Castle' Fate Cards here. Their power completely overwhelmed ordinary people, and they were also part of the noble faction. If she caught the eye of some important figure, the young girl truly didn't know how she could escape or refuse.

Sometimes she also felt that her figure and appearance were simply too unfair, but she couldn't say such things to Talier, as it would sound like she was boasting about something.

In the mirror, this girl with pitiable features only needed to gently shift her gaze to possess a charm that made it difficult for people to look away. Sylutia didn't know how her past self had managed to live like this—probably she had been very well protected.

An hour later, with Talier's assistance, she finally finished dyeing all her hair black. At this point, she checked her status once again.

——

Name: Sylutia·※※※※

Race: Human (※※※)

Status: Healthy (Disguised - Low Presence)

Talents: Star [Unknown Grade], Cornflower's Affection [Rare Grade, Can be Upgraded]

Fate Card: [Slumbering Maiden] (Tier: None)

-Effect: [Discernment Eyes Lv.2]

Ability Card: [Breathing Method Lv.2] [Dew Prayer Method Lv.1] [Empty Slot]

Skills: [Basic Swordsmanship Lv.4] [Basic Spear Technique Lv.4] [Gardening Skill Lv.1]

——

After finishing her preparations, the girl changed into a simple long robe, making her look much more ordinary.

However, these eyes... The girl looked at her light blue, sky-like eyes in the mirror and felt they still needed concealing. She rummaged around and found the flat glasses she had bought and put them on, finally covering those lively eyes. Now she looked roughly like an ordinary girl with a strong scholarly air.

"Now I completely can't recognize you." Talier circled around the girl several times, also amazed by the transformation in her appearance.

"From now on, when I go to Scholar Hyde's for lessons, I should be able to spend a period of peaceful time." The girl looked in the mirror, nodded with satisfaction, then stood up.

...

Early morning of a new day, about ten young figures gathered in Scholar Hyde's residence. They varied in height, some male, some female, their ages roughly between 14 and 18. A few, judging by their clothing, were clearly not commoners, wearing brightly colored clothes.

Another figure came through the main gate, wearing light brown robes, his short, stout body appearing somewhat comical as he walked.

"Why is Yero here too?" Some present recognized this little fatty.

"They say he couldn't make it in Valley City, so he had to come back." A young noble commented disdainfully.

"If Scholar Hyde hadn't taken him in, he probably wouldn't have anywhere to pursue his studies."

"He's pretty useless, that guy."

"Before, my father said we could try to recruit him, get along well, but I don't see much hope in him."

"Countless youths seek education every year, but very few actually become scholars."

They discussed this little fatty until he passed by, then their voices softened. Not because they feared offending Yero, but because Yero was considered a formal student recognized by Scholar Hyde, and they didn't want to disrespect Scholar Hyde.

...

Time passed again. As the sun gradually rose higher and the temperature began to heat up, a conspicuous-looking youth, accompanied by companions, entered the front courtyard of the residence.

He appeared to be less than sixteen years old, with messy hair, slender eyes that carried a hint of ferocity, a sword scabbard strapped to his back with leather belts, wearing a coarse linen shirt, his exposed wrists showing many old scars—clearly left by battles.

"We'll leave you here, Mick."

"Do well—no, study hard, haha." Several adventurer companions waved.

"I got it, you guys." He tugged at his somewhat uncomfortable shirt collar, then walked into the front courtyard with a wary expression in his eyes.

Although he was also a commoner, he seemed completely out of place with everyone here.

Like a beast just come down from the mountains, many people thought to themselves.

Entering the front courtyard, this new student named Mick found a spot to stand. The topics of others' conversations gradually shifted away from him.

Time slipped by quietly. As the sun climbed higher, some began to grow impatient.

"Pretty much everyone's here, right? Any later and I don't think Scholar Hyde should accept them." Someone looked at the sun and complained.

Just as many were growing quite impatient from waiting, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the residence. Then an expensive carriage made of walnut wood, edged with gilded bronze ornaments, stopped at the front gate. The carriage door opened, and the first thing to touch the ground was a pair of exquisite little leather shoes, followed by black thigh-high stockings, a red short skirt, a fitted and intricate blouse, snow-white cuffs, and a girl with golden short hair and bright red eyes appeared.

"Is this Scholar Hyde's home?" Her voice carried a hint of arrogance as her critical gaze swept over the surroundings.

"Fine, for a rural place, this will have to do."

After speaking, she had her attendants unload the luggage they carried and follow behind her.

The moment this girl entered, she attracted the attention of all the students present. Whether from the noble circle or the commoner students, all eyes converged on her—some envious, some reverent, some greedy, some disgusted, and so on.

It was undeniable that this golden-haired girl's appearance was rare. Dressed in splendid attire, she was like a golden peacock blooming under the sun. Just a few simple movements made many young men present feel their hearts grow fervent.

"Who is she?"

"Probably a distant relative of Viscount Xuefeng." Someone guessed.

"I've never heard of her before." A chestnut-haired girl came over, looking at the passing golden-haired girl with eyes full of admiration.

"She came from White Cliff City." A noble student who knew the inside information finally revealed the news.

"Oh, White Cliff City." Those who heard couldn't help but exclaim softly.

White Cliff City was the royal capital of Regas, a place countless people yearned for. Anyone coming from there naturally inspired envy.

Ignoring everyone present, this dazzling golden-haired girl walked straight into the mansion's main hall, then waved to summon a servant.

"Excuse me, is Scholar Hyde at home?" She surprisingly tempered her arrogance slightly to ask.

"Please wait a moment."

Receiving such a distinguished guest made the servants present very nervous. He asked the girl to wait briefly, then hurried to the mansion's rear courtyard to inquire.

Not long after, footsteps echoed from the corridor, and then Scholar Hyde's large gray scholar robe and white beard appeared in everyone's sight.

"My apologies for making you wait, young lady. You must be Iona, correct?" His voice was kind and relaxed.

"Hello, I am Iona, Scholar Hyde."

The golden-haired girl slightly lifted the hem of her skirt in a curtsy, then her bright red eyes looked at Scholar Hyde again, noticing that standing beside the scholar was a girl about her own height.

Black long hair, wearing simple robes, glasses, holding a very thick book in her arms, looking utterly ordinary.

Probably one of Scholar Hyde's students, the golden-haired girl didn't pay much attention.

"Since everyone has arrived, have them gather in the front hall." Hyde instructed the servant beside him to notify the students in the front courtyard.

People filed in one after another, and soon everyone gathered in the front hall, listening to the old man's words and teachings.

The first day of instruction had thus begun.