Chapter 267: Chapter 265: Hilia: How Could I Accept That?

That day, Hilia finished her morning meditation and opened her eyes, sensing around her, feeling quite disappointed.

"The people from the Polar Blood Alliance really aren’t coming? Fine, if they’re not coming, so be it. I’m off to school."

Today was the day she would head to school.

During this time, she’d spent every day meditating, practicing magic, bathing, and refining her magic power.

Up until the day she left for school, her magic power refinement reached a perfect 100%.

Since most of her efforts were focused on refining, her total magic power hadn’t changed much, nowhere near reaching the limit of her current tier.

In terms of magic proficiency, the Ice Shattering Skill and Crystal Arrow that Rose emphasized, thanks to her super-high ice element talent, had progressed smoothly to mastery. Mage’s Hand was still mastery level, but Rose’s so-called "minute control"... Hilia had no clue what that meant.

The recently learned Mithril Web didn’t progress as slowly as space element spells, but wasn’t as quick as ice element either; after so long, she was only just getting somewhat proficient.

For passive spells, both Water Reversal Disperse and Danger Sense had also become proficient, so now, when defending, her passives could unleash a force equivalent to a normal Tier One Fireball Skill.

"I haven’t tried it yet, but if I face the Blue-Winged Seahorse again, I definitely won’t be as pathetic as before. Maybe I could even withstand its final frenzy and shoot it dead!"

Hilia said confidently.

The most obvious benefit from increased spell proficiency and magic power refinement was that, when using ice magic, she could avoid wasting even a shred of magic power and wouldn’t let spell performance cause any excess.

Take the Crystal Arrow that once pierced the Ghost Ship: now, thanks to improved proficiency, she’d only need half the size and half the magic power, to achieve the same result, destroying the Ghost Ship. Unlike before, where she nearly drained herself dry just to barely obliterate it.

That way, she could save magic power and fire a few shots at the Blue-Winged Seahorse.

Feeling herself getting stronger, Hilia’s lips curled into a smile; she hummed a minstrel’s song and organized the things she planned to take to school.

Moments later, everything was packed up. Vanessa came in from outside, saw Hilia’s luggage was ready, and smiled, "Hilia, are you leaving soon?"

Hilia nodded, "I’m heading back to school, Vanessa Mom. Take good care of yourself while I’m gone! I’ll try to pick up some commissions here to come visit you!"

Vanessa was a bit reluctant to see Hilia go, but hearing this, she couldn’t help but laugh: "Just don’t destroy the rebuilt Divine Hall again when you come back."

"I won’t!"

Vanessa walked over, pushed Hilia’s hair aside and patted her shoulder, sighing, "Next time I see you, maybe you’ll be a Tier Three Mage. Keep going, Hilia! I look forward to seeing you become the Holy Daughter. It’s a shame your Vanessa Mom can’t really help you with anything."

Hilia laughed, "You being safe and well is the biggest help to me, Vanessa Mom! I’m the Holy Daughter—I’ve got God’s protection and help!"

Vanessa nodded, "Go on, if you’re any later you’ll miss the patrol caravan in Southern Border City. I’ll pack up your things at home. The Directional Teleporter isn’t finished yet—if it was, I’d let you stay till the first day of school."

The construction of the Directional Teleporter was much more complicated than the Divine Hall—even the small version couldn’t be finished in a day or two.

Now, the Divine Hall was more than halfway built, but the teleporter was still laying its foundation. It’d be at least another year before completion.

Hilia slung her backpack, summoned her magic puppet to carry her luggage, and walked out of the room, waving to Vanessa, "I’m off now! Vanessa Mom, goodbye!"

"Goodbye! When you get to Southern Border City, remember to say hi to the bishop and city lord, and bid them farewell."

"Okay!"

...

Leaving Star Ash Town, Hilia hopped onto her Flying Broom, heading toward Southern Border City. Along the flight, she asked Rose, "Lord Rose, do you think the Polar Blood Alliance just hasn’t noticed their base was destroyed, so nothing’s happened yet?"

Rose laughed, "Based on your description of the Polar Blood Alliance, this sect is way more cautious than the Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association. They wouldn’t be as high-profile as the Mutual Aid Association. And their faith crystal isn’t worth much—not like a Pure Magic Crystal.

"Maybe they already know, but they’re just chalking it up to bad luck. Unless there’s a spy among the Holy Court or the city lord, it’s tough for them to track you down."

Hilia thought a moment and nodded, "True—at the time, only Vanessa Mom, the bishop, and the city lord knew I called for help. No one else did. Even if there’s some undercover agent, they wouldn’t be able to find me."

"Don’t be thinking about stirring up trouble again before you go back to school. If you miss registration, your mentors will have to scour the world looking for you."

"Alright." Hilia let go of her schemes, then smiled, "Turns out all those things that happened before were just coincidence. There’s no way I’m that much of a devil, right, Mr. Rose?"

Rose just laughed, saying nothing.

Hilia pouted.

The journey to Southern Border City went smoothly, and she said farewell to the bishop and city lord, passing along her regards.

Upon hearing Hilia was heading to Huijin City, the city lord immediately offered her the use of Southern Border City’s Directional Teleporter—no need for a full day on the patrol caravan.

No matter how hard Hilia tried to decline, the city lord insisted she take the teleporter.

If she refused, he’d activate it anyway.

"It doesn’t take much at all to use the Directional Teleporter, Miss Xilia. Going from here to Huijin City, the patrol caravan costs 5 Silver Coins, while the teleporter only takes 20 Gold Coins."

"20 Gold Coins isn’t much?!"

Hilia was stunned.

How many scrolls would she have to sell just to earn 20 Gold Coins?

Patrol caravan is 5 Silver Coins, Teleporter is 20 Gold Coins—you think the price difference is only tenfold?

According to official exchange rates, the price gap is four hundred times.

An ordinary family would need at least two years to earn 20 Gold Coins.

If 1 Copper Coin is one unit of money, then at official rates, 20 Gold Coins is 200,000. Even Rose thought this price was way too high—far out of reach for most people.

He said, "I remember back when I was promoting transportation, the Directional Teleporter cost about 5 Gold Coins. Your patrol caravan fares seem about right."

Hilia nodded enthusiastically, "Exactly! So I only ever use it when the school pays. Otherwise, I never do—if it’s not free, I won’t ride!"

"That 20 Gold Coins isn’t yours. Miss Xilia designed the Protective Array for Southern Border City—that’s such a huge contribution. How could we charge you after that? From now on, no matter how many times you ride the Directional Teleporter, it’ll be free for life!" said City Lord Puniel.

Hilia’s eyes shone, "How can I accept that!"

Saying that, she followed Puniel toward the Directional Teleporter.