In the afternoon, the sun was scorching.
A common, old carriage slowly creaked into Cinderstone City.
A few minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of a quiet residence in the West District, and a chubby young man jumped out. He looked about 17 years old, dressed in simple, durable brown robes, with a thick, brass-bound book hanging from his leather belt, and a worn, white-edged wooden box strapped to his back.
Arriving at the residence, he stood on tiptoes, peered into the courtyard through the iron railings, and then used the knocker on the iron gate.
Soon, an old servant came over at the sound and saw the chubby young man.
"Oh, it's Yelo. Why are you back?" He recognized the young man; he was a former student of Scholar Hyde.
"I heard that Mr. Hyde is preparing to teach again, so I rushed back immediately."
"I didn't expect you, who usually dislikes socializing, to be so well-informed this time." The old servant opened the iron gate, letting Yelo in.
"Lord Hyde is taking his afternoon nap right now. You'll probably have to wait a bit to see him. Go rest in the side hall for now."
"Alright, thank you, Grandpa Manson." He familiar walked into the small courtyard in front of the residence, then entered a small room in the side hall and sat down.
About an hour later, soft footsteps came from inside the house, and then a long-bearded old man in a bathrobe came to the side hall. Not long after he sat down, a maid brought him fresh cold tea.
"I just woke up and Manson told me you were back." He pushed up the reading glasses on his nose and carefully scrutinized the young man opposite him.
"I'm sorry, Teacher Hyde." Yelo first stood up and bowed in apology, then straightened up to explain.
"For the past two years, I haven't felt good in Stream Valley City... Perhaps I couldn't adapt to the environment there, so I humbly request to return to your side to continue my studies." Yelo sounded somewhat ashamed and downcast.
"Good boy, tell me if you have any problems. Why are you so reserved today, haha." Scholar Hyde's laughter eased Yelo's nervous heart considerably.
Yelo held the utmost respect for this white-bearded old man, over eighty years old. Not only was he his mentor, but he also took great care of him in life. Otherwise, it would have been very difficult for someone of common birth like him to pursue knowledge and become a scholar.
"Since bidding you farewell, I took your letter of recommendation and went to Stream Valley City to study under Scholar Harwin there..." He began to recount his experiences of the past two years.
"The environment in Stream Valley City is different from Cinderstone City. It's very ostentatious, and everyone is enthusiastic about various arts and fashions. I'm not good at any of that, and I couldn't join in the conversations." In the new environment, this student from the countryside found it difficult to integrate with his classmates.
"Moreover, most of them are descendants of nobles, or from good families. I..." His voice trailed off. Even without him saying it, Scholar Hyde could guess the situation he faced at the time.
"It seems it was my mistake; I shouldn't have recommended you to Stream Valley City then." Hyde shook his head slightly, stroking his beard as he spoke.
"No, it's not. It's my own inadequacy. Fitz, on the other hand, got along well with his classmates there." Fitz was also a student who had studied with Yelo under Scholar Hyde two years ago.
"Everyone has different personalities and characteristics; there's no need to compare yourself to others." Hyde raised his hand slightly, signaling Yelo to sit down.
"I generally understand your situation."
"Don't let past events trouble you anymore. For the foreseeable future, you will continue your studies here with me."
Hearing this, Yelo's eyes lit up. He suppressed the joy in his heart and nodded gratefully.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Haha, you're lucky too." Stroking his beard, Hyde remembered something.
"Actually, I wasn't planning on continuing to teach. You know I'm very old." He took a small sip from the teacup in front of him.
"However, Viscount Snow specifically asked me to take on a student this time. I thought that teaching just one person alone isn't a good thing."
"Interacting with peers, the mutual comparison, competition, communication, friendship, and so on that occur, are indispensable in a person's growth process."
"'If there is no mirror, how can one know one's own appearance?' This is the necessity of interacting with peers."
"By observing children of the same age, one can understand their strengths and talents, whether it's being eloquent, quick-witted, or relatively mediocre, etc."
"Only by truly understanding oneself can one begin life."
"So, I had people spread the word that I would once again recruit young people for instruction." He set down his cup.
"In that case, does my return interfere with your original intention?" Yelo felt ashamed again.
"Haha, there's no need to be so cautious." Scholar Hyde leaned back on the sofa, closing his eyes slightly to rest.
"The student Viscount Snow specifically asked me to look after also happens to be 17 years old. She comes from a very distant place and is the daughter of the former Viscount Kalun."
"Viscount Kalun?" Yelo remembered something, his voice filled with doubt.
"Your guess is correct; it's the Viscount Kalun who was stripped of his title last year." Hyde explained slowly.
"In the 'Battle of Windmill' two years ago, Regas Kingdom suffered a great defeat, and the summoned knights and soldiers were severely decimated. This greatly angered the Grand Duke, and Viscount Kalun, as the commander, was held responsible. He was dismissed and stripped of his title after the war and is still imprisoned in the water dungeon of White Cliff City."
"If not for Viscount Kalun being a favorite in the Royal Capital before, accumulating many connections to plead on his behalf, he would probably have lost his life long ago."
"He himself will find it very difficult to leave prison in this lifetime, but he still has a daughter outside, who is the student I am to teach this time."
"Why not study in White Cliff City? Naturally, it's because too many knights died in the 'Battle of Windmill,' offending many nobles. Cinderstone City is in a remote southern region of Regas Kingdom, with less interaction with the central region, so the involvement is very shallow."
"Viscount Snow of two generations ago had a daughter who married into the Viscount Kalun family, who is now Viscount Kalun's grandmother, so the two sides have a kinship connection."
"So, you understand why Viscount Snow specifically interceded and asked me to teach, right?" Scholar Hyde opened his eyes.
"I understand." Although he understood, another kind of apprehension arose in Yelo's heart. He didn't understand why his teacher told him so many secrets.
"Haha, you will eventually come into contact with nobles and their strange circle. This is also to train you in advance." Hyde directly resolved the doubts in Yelo's heart.
"That girl's name is Iona. It is said that she used to be a famous socialite in White Cliff City, highly sought after by many, but now her situation has plummeted. I heard from colleagues in White Cliff City that this child is not easy to get along with." At this point, Scholar Hyde paused.
"In the future, she will be your classmate. How do you plan to get along with her?"
"You don't have to tell me the answer now; I'm just asking you to start thinking and gradually find a method that suits you."
"If your goal is to join the Candlekeep School, then you should also be aware that the best path for a scholar is to assist those great nobles in managing practical affairs, developing their territories, and solving various problems. In this process, you gradually verify what you have learned, achieve the balance of the three-phase law, and then advance."
"The path of suffering cannot be avoided." — An ancient sage's maxim.
"Consider this the test I've set for you, Yelo."
"Yes, Teacher." He bowed respectfully again, his small, earnest face full of fighting spirit.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
[500 Power Stones → +1 Bonus Chapter]
[10 Reviews → +1 Bonus Chapter]
Enjoyed the chapter? A review helps a lot.
P@treon: Fiction_fun (80+advance chapters)