CHAPTER 1388: CHAPTER 1388: ILUNA’S FAREWELL GIFT

In the material world, creating a space passage directly is not really difficult, at least not for Grand Witches who have inherited ancient knowledge. The real trouble lies in the fact that creating a space passage is a rather dangerous act, and only a Grand Witch of Space would dare to do so.

"Who all were involved in the Randall Valley incident this time?"

Shard asked curiously:

"Benanis, Sylvia, myself, and Hevy. Yes, just like during the Pantanal Swamp, the three of us went there. After all, we three are among the few Grand Witches in the Council who have contacted The Chosen One. Hevy is in Carsonrick, and she will soon bring the information on ’Contact Ground Worm’ by train with her followers. You should see us next week."

Miss Galina said, while Iluna asked in an unhappy tone:

"What does the Witch Council need me to do? Also, why should I work for the Witch Council?"

"Because you are my student, you must cooperate with Benanis and Sylvia in the ritual to open the Space Gate. The commotion from the ritual is too big, and to avoid being discovered by the Church, we also need your help."

Miss Galina said with a smile to her, Iluna muttered something under her breath that Shard couldn’t hear but didn’t object.

"It seems you’re a bit unhappy?"

Miss Galina continued to ask, but Shard thought it looked like she was intentionally asking this. Fortunately, before Iluna could truly get angry, the witch added:

"Sorry to interrupt your date time."

Iluna’s face immediately turned red, she stole a glance at Shard, and then stammered in rebuttal:

"What date time?"

Tifa, standing aside, smilingly poured red wine for Miss Galina, who also shook her head with a smile:

"When you get to Randall Valley, there’s plenty of time... Besides reminding you to help Sylvia and Benanis when the time comes, there is indeed something to give you."

She instructed Tifa, and thus the maid left the dining room. When she returned, she was carrying a lacquered red wooden box. After opening it, inside was a scroll of ancient parchment manuscript.

"This is a manuscript copy of the Fifth Era’s ’Morahafat Codex,’ the original version. Reading this can give you Enlightenment Spirit Runes like ’Law,’ ’Rule,’ ’Order.’ This will be very helpful to you as you continue to learn the Edict series of Arcane Techniques. Take this with you on the business trip, and when you return to Tobesk, I will check your learning progress."

Iluna quietly thanked her and put away the manuscript. Then Miss Galina said again:

"By the way, how’s the progress on the new Arcane Technique you developed using those two ’Empty Bottle Fruits’?"

Such a question reminded Shard of when he was interrogated by Miss Danester, and sure enough, Iluna also got as nervous as he did:

"There is some progress. I consulted with the local stationed Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer Mr. Hog Lendel’s suggestions, and it’s currently being improved."

"Don’t spend too much time on this. Remember to report your progress in the spring."

The Red-Haired Witch said, and so Iluna, unable to stay mad, said:

"There will definitely be progress before spring. I’ve always been working hard."

"That’s good."

Miss Galina stood up:

"Sorry, I’m going to the washroom."

She said as she walked towards the restaurant door with Tifa. The young girl with long brown hair turned to watch her back, and after the two left the room, she curiously asked Shard:

"What was she wearing just now?"

Shard recalled for a moment:

"A very vibrant red long dress. What’s the matter? Are you testing my memory? Or did you see something different than I did?"

"No, no."

Iluna said a bit shyly:

"I was talking about the legs... black... very glossy and textured... very beautiful... long socks... what are those?"

She pursed her lips after speaking.

"Oh, that. Didn’t you mention it yourself last time we encountered the Plague Merchant at the Three Cats Inn? Miss Galina said that if your recent learning progress satisfies her, she’ll give you a pair of beautiful textiles."

Shard said while cutting the steak on his plate with a knife, and as for Mia, the cat was lying on the tabletop with its chin resting on the surface, body in a long strip shape, watching Shard’s actions intently at the plate’s edge without blinking.

"Those are textiles made by Witch Sylvia. I gave her some ideas, and she, through the Enlightenment of The Chosen during the Battle of Pantanal, very creatively invented artificial synthetic fibers, and that pair of textiles is the application of this invention."

Shard nodded while speaking, and Iluna, not in the mood for eating, eyes slightly widened:

"So the thing she said she’d give me is this... it looks similar to the style of pure cotton knee socks, but more translucent and lightweight. However, wearing them in winter might be cold... but if they’re so beautiful, it’s unnecessary to consider whether they’re cold... really nice... Witch Sylvia, doesn’t have Succubus bloodline, right?"

"It’s not that exaggerated, actually I’ve seen similar fabrics back in the Fifth Era. However, the Witch Empresses of the Fifth Era used silk from now-extinct silkworms, which made them quite costly, whereas Miss Sylvia is able to produce them in large quantities. But for now, the factories are still being set up, and what Miss Galina has are just a few pairs of trial items."

Iluna nodded instinctively, with her legs clad in white cotton socks crossed under the table, blinking without knowing what she was thinking.

Soon, Miss Galina returned with Tifa, but Tifa was holding another paper box.

"The manuscript just now wasn’t a gift, just your study material. I still have a parting gift for you, it’s not very expensive, something to wear, young girls should also pay attention to their appearance."

The witch said.

Because of the discussion with Shard earlier, Iluna immediately thought of the fabric on her legs. But unfortunately, when she opened the box, she found it was actually a pair of brown lace-up women’s knee-high boots.

"Shard said that the temperature in Randall Valley is lower than here, so I gave you a pair of boots, don’t say I’m stingy with you."

Miss Galina said, and Iluna thanked her with slight disappointment. The witch glanced at Shard, who was looking at the boots, then said to Iluna:

"I know what you want; do I look nice in them?"

"What’s nice?"

Iluna was surprised to even say such a thing.

"The black silk fabric, I know no girl can refuse it."

She flicked her hair:

"I prepared a pair of white ones for you, yes, pure white."

Iluna tried her best to maintain a reserved expression, while the witch spoke and glanced at Shard again, who pretended not to notice the teasing in her eyes.

"But, I can’t give it to you now."

Although she was smiling at Shard, she looked at Iluna with a serious expression:

"Iluna Beath, in the upcoming major event at Randall Valley, show me the results of the past half-year of learning from me. Prove to me that our individual lessons every Sunday are not a waste of everyone’s time. After the Randall Valley event ends, I’ll give you a study reward based on your performance."

"I don’t want your reward."

The brown-haired girl stubbornly said, but a small corner of her heart was quietly joyful.

Miss Galina smiled and said nothing more, then she spoke to Shard:

"Because of Sylvia’s portal, it could be set up at any time, so I might leave at any moment. My journey only takes a few seconds, so there’s no need for a special farewell. Once I arrive at Randall Valley, let’s meet at the Wilder Opera House."

"Alright."

Shard nodded, then looked at Tifa:

"Besides those followers, will Tifa be going with you?"

Miss Maid stood expressionlessly behind the Duchess, who nodded:

"Of course, the Speaker said this time we should bring our apprentices, so they can gain some experience. This time it’s within the city area, and when it gets most dangerous, we can have them all retreat. As for the issues on this side of Tobesk, they will be delayed by a week, it doesn’t matter. Oh, although Grandma Aphrola is too old to come this time, if Sylvia manages to open a second portal, we can have her apprentice, Miss Rita Swift, come."

So this time, Shard could finally meet Miss Aphrola’s niece.

"Moreover,"

Miss Galina added, eyes fixed on Shard:

"I really hope that while I’m away, my lover doesn’t end up doing things in my bedroom with my personal maid that everyone else knows about besides me."

Shard, who was drinking soup, choked, which worried Mia a lot.

In short, Iluna’s "Farewell Luncheon" ended in a peaceful atmosphere. By the time Shard and Iluna took the carriage back to the city, Iluna couldn’t quite articulate her feelings, only sensing that Galina Cavendish was quite adept at manipulating emotions.

She was set to depart tonight, and depending on the weather and mid-journey steam hover Zeppelin maintenance, she could possibly arrive on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday next week. After completing the handover with the church at Randall Valley Parish, she would immediately look for Shard and Luviya at the Abundant Land Inn or the Wilder Opera House.

The two parted at the entrance of Saint Delan Square, and Iluna bravely leaned out the car window to plant a kiss on Shard’s cheek. As Shard waved goodbye to the departing carriage, he contemplated what type of Earthly Power Iluna might receive.

[Why would she necessarily receive Earthly Power?]

As Shard fumbled with his keys to open the door, "she" gently whispered in his ear.

"Iluna will always acquire some power from other Chosen Ones, even if just a portion. Could it be related to her newly developed Arcane Technique? Iluna is quite a talented girl... I’d better not speculate."

He entered his home.