"Reny~!"
The moment that word came out of Lavenza's mouth, Soren felt like his heart skipped a beat for a moment before he regained his senses and said:
"Lavenza. You, did you try to say my nane right now?"
"Kyuu~, kyuu~, Reny~." Lavenza nodded happily.
"Awww, that is so cute." Then Soren hugged Lavenza while Lavenza hugged him back as well.
Laventhign was a bit jealous, but she felt happy to see her daughter so happy, even though she wasn't the one to make her happy, but nontheless, she still felt happy. Toby was smiling as well seeing this happy duo. It also reminded him of the days when he used to take care of his own son.
"So, how do you feel right now Lavenza? Better?" Soren asked.
"Kyuu~." Lavenza nodded.
"Glad to hear that" Soren said happily.
*cough* *ahem*
At that point, a coughing sound was heard from Toby before he said:
"I'm sorry that I have to ruin this happy atmosphere, but our time is up already and can't delay work anymore."
Soren felt slightly degected that the atmosphere was ruined, but it was true that he couldn't spend all his time here, since he had a lot work ahead of him and he couldn't afford to slack off anymore.
"I see. Well, I guess we now have to part ways for the time being." Soren said with a relaxed tone.
"Let me escort you until the entrance." Toby said before Laventhign spoke and said:
"Actually, let me handle that. You should go first to work. After I escort them, I'll return to work."
Toby was taken a bit aback, but he wasn't too suprised since this occasionally happened whenever she was in a good mood.
"I see. Then, for now, we have to part ways, but maybe one day when fate wills, we might again. But until then, farewell Soren." Toby said with a respectful voice before he left the room.
"Take care bishop Tobias." Then moment Soren said that, Toby then threw a chuckle and left completely.
"Come now. We don't have a lot of time." Laventhign said seriously. After that, the three of them left the room and started swimming towards the entrance. While they were swimming, Soren decided to ask:
"May I ask something out of curiosity?"
"Sure, feel free to ask me whatever." Laventhign answered back.
"About the talk from before, will you tell anyone at some point, or will this stay un-" Soren asked, before he was cut off and Laventhign said:
"Under wraps. I don't need any more trouble. Besides, I don't think that person would want to see them suffer for something that happened a long time ago. They should find their own path in the world and the only thing I can do for them is to pray for their safety."
Soren figured out what she wanted. She didn't want Lavenza to be weighed down with such a story. She wanted Lavenza to live her life without being burdened and let her see the entire world. She wouldn't be with her at all times, but she would pray everyday that she would stay safe.
"Kyuu~? Reny~?" Lavenza didn't have any idea about what the two of them were talking so she decided to ask.
"It's about a friend of hers. That's what it is for." Soren answered back. He thought that she didn't need to know this kind of stuff.
After a little while, the three of them made it to the entrance of the church. The first one to speak was Laventhign and said politely:
"Thank you for visiting the temple and I hope you had a satisfactory time."
"Indeed, we did. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this audience." Soren answered back politely. He figured that someone could be nearby and they could eavesdrop on their words of parting, so he decided to put the act for now.
"Until our next meeting, I bid you farewell." After that, Laventhign left the duo. Now that the duo were alone, they made their way towards the exit. The moment they reached there, they were greeted by the old man and the lady with the purple hair from before.
"Hey guys. Glad to see you alive and well. So what did you talk for?" The woman with the purple hair asked.
"Wait, wait, hold it. Why are you getting so excited all of a sudden?" Soren answered back with another question a bit nervously.
"Well, you don't get a meeting with the Arch-Priestess every day. So, it is pretty reasonable to have the curiosity to ask. So? Tell me, what did you two talk for." The woman answered back energetically.
"No need to get riled so much about, so calm down a bit." Soren felt a bit uncomfortable right now. This woman was definitely persistent.
"Luna, calm down a bit. You can't just force a topic like that, out of nowwhere. You need to strike a normal conversation with normal topics, then you ask about business. Don't forget that." The old man said with a serious expression.
"Dad. Don't be such a stick in the mud. Besides, aren't you just as curious to ask about the things they talked for?" The woman named Luna, retorted back at the old man.
"Luna, how many times have I said it? Don't call me "dad" in front of so many people. You should call me Mr.Claus or-" Just as the old man was a bout to finish his sentence, Luna interruped his, by saying mockingly:
"Or Marquess Asterius, I know. Come on dad, you know you can't always keep that act all the time, since it tires you, so why jeep it up?"
"It's pride, my daughter. I can't show up in front of them in a state of weakness. My pride just can't accept it and you know that better than anyone." Claus answered back.
"Dad, we are getting sidetracked. Shouldn't we ask for the audience?" Luna said a bit nervously.
"That is true. So, can you say anything about that at least?" Claus answered back at Luna before he asked Soren. As for Soren, he was a bit suprised to see these two acting so casually but once that question came to him, he answered:
"Sorry, but it's secret. I can't say anything about. The Arch-Priestess' orders."
"Oh, I see... That is a bit of a bummer, but what can we do? So, whay do you think of her?" Luna asked with a hint of excitement on her face.
"What do I think of her? I guess that she has quite the character. I mean, our conversation wasn't that long but it took a little while, so I got a good idea of her character, but I can't be sure." Soren answered back.
"Interesting. Usually people would think of her either as benevolent or arrogant, sometimes even scary, but never that kind of response. What makes you give that answer?" Claus asked.
"To tell the truth, I don't really look at their looks, positions or achivements. I look at their character and personality and I keep myself open-minded so I don't judge people." Soren answered truthfully. He wasn't the kind of person to judge a person from just what he hears, he judges them from what he sees in front of them. Although, people won't show their true character at first, after some time, it will come out. That was Soren's way of judging people.
"I see. What a profound way to look at people. Hahaha. You are an interesting kid, for sure. You know what? Let's keep contact, since I would like to hear more of stories." Claus was happy with Soren. To think he would see a kid both naive and smart, that thought would have never even occured to him, yet now he was interested.
"Well, I don't have a phone with me, but introductions are more than enough for me." Soren answered back to Claus.
"It's alright. It's alright. Besides, you can always look for me either at big events such as these, or you can ask fir the location of my manor, since I rarely leave that place. Anyways, my name is Claus Asterius or Marquess Asterius. If you ever wish to find me, just ask the locals at the northern side of the citcity." Claus said with a polite voice.
"My name is Luna Asterius. Second daughter of the Asterius family and one of the teachers at Crystalia City's Magic Academy. If you ever wish to ask for an audience with me, just mention my name to the entrance and you will be allowed to enter as well." Luna said politely as well.
"My name is Soren and my friend here is Lavenza. We may be starting now at our quest to becone great adventurers, but we will make sure to rise faster than falling stars." Soren said politely with a hint of confidence.
"Soren, Lavenza. The only thing I wish of you now, is the best of luck. Until then, farewell." Claus said politely.
"Take care as well you two and never overestimate yourselves." Luna said politely as well.
"Mr. Claus, Ms. Luna. Farewell for now and may fate allow us to meet again." Soren said politely as well before they parted ways.
While Soren and Lavenza were leaving, Soren thought about the encounters for today. The bishop Tobias, the Marquess Claus Asterius, the teacher Luna Asterius and most importantly, the Arch-Priestess Laventhign, those were the encounters that created an impact and gave him a new view for the world and his situation. And that was something that would trigger even more changes to him, but at the time he wasn't aware of it.