The evening breeze lifted the two girls' long black hair as they stood side by side, gazing at the star‑strewn sky.

The stars would remember promises carried off by the wind—until the day their dreams came true.

A short while later, Hessel packed up the helicopter and went downstairs with Luo Wei.

Rose Castle was large, divided into three sections, each with its own tower, the towers linked by corridors suspended in midair.

Hessel lived in the central section; Luo Wei lived in the lower. They parted on the hanging corridor and returned to their dorms.

March ended beneath persistent drizzle.

April came: the barren slopes outside flushed green; mulberry saplings in the orchard shed their straw covers, new leaves opening to gentle sun and nourishing rain.

In the Star Luo Residence backyard, the composting finished. Luo Wei had the hired hands rake it open—cow manure had decomposed into fine brown soil.

Next would be trenching and turning the fields to plant wheat.

Early April was just right for sowing spring wheat.

Bella, on Luo Wei's instructions, had long since selected different seed lines.

Tall‑stalked, short‑stalked, long‑awned, thick‑husked—every batch had been selected and cold‑treated, with shriveled and diseased grains removed.

Spring wheat needed only three months from sowing to harvest—a short growing period. Ideally it should have been sown half a month earlier so the seeds could vernalize in the soil.

Even so, they were not too late. Luo Wei ordered the workers to spread compost evenly over the plots and begin plowing.

"The tilling depth has to reach at least twenty centimeters. Then spread another layer of soil on top. Spacing between ridges should be…"

She dug through farming knowledge from her previous life in the countryside, explaining as clearly and briefly as she could.

After finishing with the trial field, she inspected the porcelain works.

A merchant who had asked about porcelain last year at the Escore Dessert Shop had already visited twice this year. Troy looked into him: his name was Tim Swift, from a small southern principality, a noble family in decline. His father was a baron, but the title would pass to his elder brother.

Tim was active across major royal cities, sourcing rare curios and reselling them at high prices to great nobles—a merchant of solid reputation.

Luo Wei signaled Teresa Sissi they could agree to cooperate and let him handle the shop's porcelain sales.

A single white porcelain plate was priced at one gold coin; Tim would cover packing and transport. He agreed readily.

His appetite was large—he immediately ordered a thousand full sets (bowls, plates, soup spoons). Workers at the porcelain plant had been working overtime to meet it.

Stolen novel; please report.

Troy was swamped too, flying his griffin to the west coast to quarry porcelain stone and kaolin.

The kiln's heat was brutal; just standing nearby made sweat bead. Luo Wei didn't stay long before returning to the Academy.

The Academy buzzed—everyone was talking about next month's magic tournament.

"Did you hear? Besides the top ten academies, St. Teno Divine College is coming to Siria this year!"

"St. Teno Divine College? Didn't the Church say they don't take part in secular competitions?"

"They never said they wouldn't. The Divine College people were just too proud to bother before."

"So why come this year?"

"Prince Alfried pushed it. He said the Church exists to redeem worldly suffering, so Church people shouldn't stay aloof—they should see more of the world. So the Divine College students are joining the tournament."

"Prince Alfried is so kind!"

"Yeah, he's the most approachable of the nine princes. I hope he's the next Pope."

"His support is the strongest—he'll definitely be elected!"

Luo Wei was pricking up her ears, eavesdropping, when Winnie came running over, cheeks rosy.

"Miss Luo Wei!"

"Winnie?" Luo Wei stepped forward. "Why're you in such a hurry?"

Winnie pulled a torn scrap of cloth from her skirt pocket, a little embarrassed. "I got a reply from home—they agreed to come to Siria to see me!"

"That's great—congratulations," Luo Wei said, smiling. "Once they're here they won't keep forcing you to marry. When are they coming? I'll have servants prepare two guest rooms."

"No, no, I can't keep troubling you." Winnie shook her head quickly. "I already booked an inn. They can stay there."

"It's no trouble." Luo Wei disagreed. "With the magic tournament coming up, more people will flood into Siria. An inn won't be safe. Better they stay with me."

"But…"

"No buts. We're friends. You won't let me help with something this small?"

Moved, Winnie's eyes welled. "Miss Luo Wei, thank you."

"If you really want to thank me, study hard and become a Magic Swordsman soon," Luo Wei teased, handing her a handkerchief. "Who knows—I might need your protection someday."

To her surprise, Winnie declared at once, "Miss Luo Wei, when I become a Magic Swordsman I'll serve as your guard. I'll definitely keep you safe!"

"I told you—no honorifics," Luo Wei said sternly. "Or am I not your friend?"

"No, no!" Winnie corrected herself fast. "You're my best friend!"

Luo Wei's brows and eyes smiled. "Alright then—tell me, when are your parents coming?"

Winnie unfolded the scrap and squinted at the circles and crosses. "They have to, um… plant peas—peas and the wheat first, and wait till—this one… is the pigs—till the sow has finished having her piglets. They'll probably set out late this month."

"It takes seven or eight days from our village to Siria, so they should arrive near month's end."

She had mailed a letter at the end of February. The message that came back then was they wouldn't come. She sent two more in March before they finally agreed to visit.

But March and April were busy farming seasons, so the trip was delayed to month's end.

"That long?" Luo Wei asked. "Is your village far from Siria?"

"Mm. Very far—over three hundred kilometers north!"

"Three hundred kilometers isn't far. Why seven or eight days?"

Even the worst horse could cover that faster.

Luo Wei looked at her. Winnie lowered her head, voice small. "They can't ride. They'll walk."

Luo Wei paused. Walk… what an alien concept.

She wanted to ask if she should send someone to fetch them, then thought better of it and only asked, "Will it be safe?"

Winnie nodded quickly. "Safe. They'll bring the dogs."

That topic closed; the two strolled, chatting idly.

Every group of students they passed was still discussing the Divine College's participation. Hearing it so often, Luo Wei finally asked, "Is St. Teno Divine College really that formidable?"

"Very," Winnie said. "Divine College apprentices all have light‑element affinity. After graduation they hold high clergy posts in the Church. The most gifted even compete to become Holy Knights."

"They're all dual‑element mages—major in Spellchant, minor in swordsmanship."

"Prince Alfried's godson—Prince Feiru Bu'erwei'er of the Kelo Principality—was admitted last year. His magical talent is outstanding. He only has light and lightning affinities, but his mana is very strong. He'll probably come compete in Siria this year!"

…

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