“Senior... does the release of this mission mean we won't have a vacation anymore?”
“Probably not. The academy won't give us missions that are too difficult; they'll all be within our capabilities.”
“Why? Do you have plans for the vacation? Where are you planning to go?”
Ain thought for a moment and shook his head.
“I haven't decided yet.”
Either he would head south to investigate the situation regarding the holy spear beforehand, or he would spend it with Lillian.
He had no idea what that girl was up to. Could her so-called surprise be related to the summer break?
“Sigh, Ain, real couples are always sweet and affectionate. They either go to the beach for a romantic getaway or travel all over the place. Now, that's living!”
“I know you're envious, and so am I!”
“But don't worry! If you have nowhere else to go, spend the summer break with me! I'll take you down south!”
“Hmm... that works too.”
Ain felt like he didn't really mind either way.
It was so nice. Living a life where he didn't have to worry about finding a job or studying, just leisurely passing the days.
It was incredibly comfortable.
“Oh, by the way, let me let you in on some insider info I know.”
“This mission will most likely be in the south.”
The south?
The location of the holy spear!
So it really was related to Act Three...
Emil leaned in close to Ain's ear and whispered, “I heard that other empires have also dispatched people to the south. And among them is a Blessed of the Water God.”
“A Blessed?!”
“Shh! Shh! Keep your voice down! You absolutely must not speak of this to anyone!”
Emil almost wanted to cover Ain's mouth.
“Our academy has always fallen under the sphere of influence of the Radiant Empire, you know that, right?”
Ain nodded.
Across this continent, the five great empires and five great churches stood as equals, each worshipping entirely different gods, maintaining a delicate balance in the world.
The Radiant Empire happened to worship the Goddess of Light.
“The Water God refers to... that Mother of the Tidal Moon, Ceci—”
“Stop! How—how could you address a deity by her true name?! If she hears your disrespect, she might bring down punishment upon you!”
Emil hurriedly covered Ain's mouth in a panic.
The Mother of the Tidal Moon, Cecilia.
【The God of Light states that you can call that bitch whatever you want; He will shield you from everything!】
Ain blinked.
This was the first time he had ever heard the God of Light swear.
Ain suddenly recalled the true name of the Goddess of Light.
Eliana.
As for the Blessed in the original game, they didn't make their first appearance until the mid-to-late stages.
“Anyway, the church of our empire is also heading there this time. It seems to be related to the Blessed of the God of Light, and they also seem to want to recover something important. I don't know the exact details.”
Does the 'Blessed' refer to... me?
【The God of Light states that He has not sent any guidance to the church.】
That was strange.
Ain pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, “Making such a huge fuss, could it be that they want everyone to know something big is going to happen in the south?”
“Could this be a smokescreen? To cover up their true intentions?”
“Probably. No one can ever guess what the church is thinking. Come to think of it... I did see a few people from the church at the academy this morning.”
“Let's not talk about that anymore. Let's go grab some food first.”
Before they knew it, the two had arrived at the cafeteria.
Emil led Ain to a random table, and the two sat down side by side.
There weren't many students in the cafeteria yet.
“What do you want to eat? I heard the wraps on the second floor are pretty good.”
“Wraps? No, forget it.”
Ain waved his hand.
Ever since he mentioned eating wraps with Lillian, he had been force-fed them by her for an entire week!
He was utterly sick of them.
“It's been a long time since I've eaten at the academy too. Ah, I really miss it.”
Just as Emil was feeling sentimental, a wrap wrapped in a bag was suddenly handed over, landing steadily on the table in front of them.
“Why didn't you reply to me just now? I waved at you like that.”
Emil was slightly startled, his gaze colliding with an incredibly cute face.
Sitting across from them was a purple-haired girl. At this moment, her lips were slightly pouted, like a little cat protecting its food, as she softly voiced her dissatisfaction.
Ain shrugged and replied casually, “I didn't see you.”
“Well, you see me now.”
“Oh.”
Emil frowned.
Ain, oh Ain, that's not how you talk to a girl!
No wonder you can't even hold a girl's hand! Just look at those third-rate tricks you used when you were pursuing Erylin!
Ain, are you really still too young after all...
“Are you going to eat this or not?”
Sitting opposite them, Lillian shook the wrap. Seeing that Ain didn't respond, Emil subconsciously assumed she was speaking to him.
Could it be... this girl has finally been deeply captivated by my boundless, irresistible charm?!
Emil chuckled softly.
Ain, oh Ain, this is the gap between us. Watch closely, and let your senior teach you how to win a girl's heart!
“Tha—”
Just as the syllable escaped his mouth, Emil subconsciously halted his train of thought, his pupils dilating uncontrollably.
Emil...
What on earth are you doing?!
Right now, you are acting as a senior...
A senior!
If I accept, what will Ain think?
He's already yearning so desperately for a passionate romance. If he sees me taking the lead right in front of him, how devastating of a blow would that be to his heart!
You are his role model! Ain's role model!
You are the lighthouse guiding him forward!
How could you think only of satisfying your own selfish desires!
We are brothers!
Dear friends!
How could I abandon my brother!
Today, no matter who comes—even if it's Erylin herself—I will never betray my brother!
At this moment, Emil's eyes were filled with absolute determination.
“Thank you, but I won't eat.”
Emil's lips curled up slightly. He praised himself in his heart, feeling incredibly satisfied with his performance just now.
Lillian blinked in confusion and replied, “I wasn't asking you.”
“Yes, I know, which is why I won't—”
Huh?
What did she just say?
Emil froze.
Ain looked at the wrap she handed over and replied with some impatience, “I've eaten so many wraps lately that I'm about to throw up.”
Hearing Ain's reply, Emil instantly panicked.
No, no, no, Ain! How can you only care about your own feelings!
That's not how you talk to a girl!
“Eh~ Didn't you say you wanted me to buy you wraps for a whole month~?”
“Well, that depends on the actual situation.”
Emil blinked in a daze.
These two... what were they talking about?
With a hint of a pout, Lillian stood up and quietly walked around behind Ain.
The girl gently leaned her soft, warm body against his back, her cheek pressing against his familiar shoulder. Holding the wrap with her fingertips, she brought it to his lips, leaving him no room for argument.
“Are you really not going to eat it?”
“I don't want to.”
Lillian took a fierce bite of the wrap, then held it to Ain's mouth once more.
“It's delicious! How could you get sick of it?”
“Why are you giving me something you already bit into...”
“Didn't you say before... ‘Isn't this even better?’”
“Uh...”
Ain reluctantly took a bite.
“How is it?”
“Average.”
Sitting to the side, Emil was completely dumbfounded.
He couldn't comprehend their intimate behavior at all.
Am I still dreaming...
Ain... is snuggling with such a beautiful girl?
And eating together?
They're even sharing bites?
Goddess above, if I have sinned, please wake me from this nightmare!
As if in response to Emil's plea, another silver-haired girl wearing the uniform of the Typhon Chain walked over from the distance.
“Ain, you're here. Lillian has been waiting for you for a long time.”
Emil stared at the girl before him in sheer disbelief.
Erylin.
Rate on N.U.
