065 News of the Exchange Student

The enormous bouquet of pink Cymbidium roses moving through St. Alberta Academy was such an eye-catching spectacle that Teresa wore a bitter expression, cursing the mysterious admirer whose name she did not even know. Really, if you're going to pursue someone, must you make it so dramatic and conspicuous? The bouquet was so huge and expensive that she couldn't even find an opportunity to discreetly stash it in her spatial ring—such magical items were so valuable that, with Teresa's current abilities, owning one would only draw unwanted attention. So, she chose to carry the Cymbidium roses openly.

All along her path, she stunned countless onlookers; everywhere she went, she drew envy and resentment. Teresa felt as though she might be pierced and battered by those burning, jealous gazes. Fortunately, Benita, loyal and compassionate, walked beside her, occasionally patting her shoulder in silent comfort.

As the two paraded through the campus, at a corner of the main avenue, a handsome young man watched Teresa and Benita with a surprised arch of his brow. His golden eyes glimmered with a lazy smile as he murmured to himself, “So, she's this young… That does make things rather peculiar…”

The giant bouquet not only caused a sensation within St. Alberta, but also sent tremors through the Aubrion household.

“What is this nonsense?” Achille glared at the roses in Teresa’s arms, his face dark with displeasure. “Which clueless brat dares set his sights on you?”

Achille was truly furious this time. Of the four Aubrions, three were always busy with work; the responsibility of looking after Teresa fell mostly to him. Whenever Teresa felt even the slightest discomfort, the “three mountains” of parental and brotherly authority would descend upon him, regardless of circumstance, to chastise him first. Now, with such a significant event as a ‘suitor’ appearing, if his parents and brother were to find out, he would surely be skinned alive—charged with failing to protect his sister.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became; the angrier he was, the more frustrated he felt. Naturally, Achille’s expression grew darker.

“I don’t know either,” Teresa replied with a wry smile at Achille’s stormy face. Benita, however, was not pleased by Achille’s words and protested loudly—

“Hey, Achille. What’s that supposed to mean? Why is someone admiring Teresa considered ‘clueless’?”

Achille shot her a sideways glance and retorted, “Teresa’s just a child. Anyone interested in her at this age can’t have normal intentions. He’s a pedophile!”

Benita was momentarily silenced. She herself had protested when she first learned someone was pursuing Teresa, but Achille’s tone was so gruff that she huffed in annoyance and turned away, refusing to engage further.

Teresa reached out to hug Benita’s shoulders in a gesture of comfort, then said to Achille, “The one who delivered the flowers didn’t say who sent them, so I don’t know whose impulse led to this. If you’re going to investigate, remember to tell me the result.”

“Alright, I will.” Achille’s eyes grew somber as he stared at the bouquet. Inwardly, he was already plotting how to root out this ‘pedophile.’

***

Teresa stood before Carol’s cottage, her expression tinged with helplessness as she saw Achille off. Watching him ride away, she habitually shook her head and sighed. Since the suitor incident, Achille, who had suffered undeservedly, was scolded by Betty pulling his ears and then dragged into the training grounds by Pedia for a thorough “exchange.” Since then, Achille changed his wild ways, no longer roaming about when classes were over, but following Teresa everywhere like a territorial beast. Well, perhaps that description was a little harsh, but not far from the truth. Recently, whenever Teresa left the house—except when out with Benita—Achille was always by her side. Even if Teresa visited the old mansion, Achille would follow her to the West District and wait nearby until she emerged.

Sighing, Teresa stepped into Carol’s cottage to begin her regular alchemy lessons. No sooner had she entered the classroom than Patricia lifted her head sharply, nostrils flaring subtly—

“Hmm? That’s the scent of Cymbidium roses, isn’t it?” Joan exclaimed first, “Teresa, did you use Cymbidium rose perfume?”

“Huh? Really? You can still smell it?” Teresa looked down at herself in surprise and sniffed. Perhaps her own nose had grown accustomed to the scent, for she could detect nothing special.

“I didn’t use any perfume. Cymbidium rose perfume is expensive—I’m not that extravagant,” Teresa replied, giving up on figuring it out, and addressed Joan. “I just received a bouquet of Cymbidium roses recently and I’ve been experimenting with extracting rose essential oil. Although oil from older roses isn’t as high-quality as from fresh ones, it’s still good enough for alchemy.”

“Wow, a whole bouquet? You really spend lavishly,” Joan exclaimed again. Since it was a bouquet, it must be more than just a couple of flowers, and enough to experiment with essential oil extraction—no wonder he was amazed.

Teresa sighed in resignation and explained, “It wasn’t bought—it was a gift. Let’s not talk about it. Where’s the teacher?”

“Grandfather is tutoring Zoe. You haven’t been here lately, so you might not know—Zoe was chosen as an exchange student. Teacher is checking his Elvish and other basics.”

Exchange student! The phrase struck Teresa’s heart, stirring her emotions. For a moment, she could focus on nothing else but the news that Zoe had been selected as an exchange student!

Joan was chatting happily; Teresa was lost in her own thoughts; neither noticed the hint of jealousy in Patricia’s lowered eyelids. The tale of the giant pink Cymbidium bouquet had already spread like wildfire through the social circles of Cervantes City. Most people still didn’t know who the main characters were, but that didn’t dampen their enthusiasm for gossip. Among adult women, the event was viewed with amusement and nostalgia; among girls, it spurred sour envy—

Why had no one ever sent them such a bouquet?

Naturally, Patricia, proud as she was, counted herself among the majority.

While the three children were lost in their own thoughts, the classroom door swung open. Instantly, they composed themselves and looked up to see the aloof Zoe follow Carol into the room.

Carol smiled as soon as he saw Teresa. “Teresa, have you rested enough?”

That ‘rest’ referred both to her health and her emotions. Teresa blinked and nodded.

Carol, seeing her spirits were good, nodded in approval. “Zoe has just qualified as an exchange student. Listen as he shares his experience in passing the selection.”

At this, Teresa, Patricia, and Joan all looked at Zoe with shining eyes, full of anticipation—was this the legendary sharing of ‘exam’ experience?

Zoe nodded to Carol, then strode to the small blackboard, his usual arrogance apparent. “The threshold for exchange students is high. The basic requirement is to reach Level Four, Stage Two, before age twenty. The Realm of Nature is far more advanced than our Empire in the study and use of magic arrays, so your foundation in arrays must be solid. Otherwise, you’ll only embarrass us when you get there. And Elvish, of course—without it, you’d be deaf and mute, wasting your opportunity. All three of you are lacking in these basics. Though you have several years before your last chance to apply, you shouldn’t slack off. The sooner you pass selection, the greater your honor, and the longer you can stay in the Realm of Nature. Most importantly, I don’t ever want to hear people say my junior apprentices are incompetent—that would be mortifying.”

Zoe’s arrogance was notorious; a prodigy in alchemy since childhood, he was always admired by others and so had no qualms about speaking his mind, regardless of politeness. In just a few sentences, he had Joan frowning, Patricia scowling, and Teresa rolling her eyes…

Despite their annoyance, the three dared not miss this precious opportunity and listened intently. Zoe’s words might not have been pleasant, but his alchemist’s logical mind made the entire process clear and thorough, leaving the three deeply enlightened—and under immense pressure.

Unconsciously, Teresa clenched her fists, silently cheering herself on—she would be an exchange student! She would go to the Realm of Nature!

After the “experience session,” Zoe departed in haste—he had much to prepare for his journey to the Realm of Nature. Carol, meanwhile, checked Joan and Patricia’s progress and assigned them new work, then motioned for Teresa to follow him—he wanted a private talk.

“Betty said you’re very interested in the exchange student program, and the sooner you qualify, the better. Is that true?” As soon as they were alone, Carol went straight to the point.

Teresa did not hide her intentions and nodded. “Yes, teacher. I must go to the Realm of Nature, and the sooner, the better!”

After more than half a year together, Carol knew Teresa’s character well: once she made up her mind, not even ten horses could drag her back. He sighed lightly. “It won’t be easy. You have talent, but your time studying is too short. Even with your effort, reaching Level Four before twenty is extremely difficult—your chances are few.”

Teresa gazed stubbornly at Carol, her resolve unwavering.

Carol rubbed his temples. “Very well. If you insist, I won’t stop you. Starting next week, you’ll have an extra course in Elvish. If you have spare time, seek advice from Master Twilight—he’s well acquainted with the examiners.”

Teresa’s eyes brightened at his words, and she nodded enthusiastically, again and again! (To be continued)