"What's the matter? Do you want to be a mediator for your sister?" Char lifted the ceramic teacup and took a sip, smiling as he spoke.
Upon hearing his words, Sylvestra shook her head repeatedly. "No, no, don't misunderstand. I just... just wanted to come and ask you."
She had initially wanted to say "I'm worried about you," but she felt that it might sound too intimate, so she changed her words at the last moment.
As he observed her demeanor, Char let out a soft sigh and sat up straight. "Actually, you all don't understand at all what this title and surname mean to me, what kind of past they represent, and the weight they carry. As for the things Anjelica mentioned, such as reputation, status, and wealth... to me, they are worthless."
"Even if we set aside personal emotions, please don't forget that I am still a knight. If I were to retreat out of fear of power, it would contradict the path of a knight's training."
There was an almost irreconcilable contradiction between him and Anjelica.
Although it seemed from Sylvestra's words that it was Nia's teacher who made the decision, Anjelica's constant targeting was also evident.
Neither of them, the teacher and student, seemed to have cared about Char's thoughts from the beginning to the end.
Years ago, and even now, they always treated him as a pushover, manipulating him at will.
Upon hearing this, Sylvestra's lips slightly parted, but seeing his resolute expression, she could only weakly utter, "My sister's teacher, Miss Mevis, was promoted to Archmage three years ago..."
Char fell silent.
Archmage was a rank above Grand Sorcerer, and at this level, they possessed the ability to cast forbidden spells. Their every move would draw high-level attention from the country.
The atmosphere became somewhat oppressive.
Sylvestra noticed that he seemed reluctant to discuss this topic and forced a smile. "Char, you're my friend, and I'm sorry that my sister's arrogance has affected your normal life."
Char chuckled. "No need for that. You were just an innocent bystander who got caught up in it. Don't blame yourself."
"By the way, are you short on money lately?" After a moment of silence, Sylvestra, in an attempt to lighten the mood, pointed to the paper on Char's table and shyly stuck out her tongue. "I accidentally took a glance earlier and noticed that you seem to have a need to sell properties."
He didn't feel embarrassed and spoke frankly, "Hmm, I'm planning to purchase something very important that requires a large amount of cash, and I'm currently figuring out how to manage it."
"I have money!" Sylvestra instinctively raised her hand but quickly realized that it wasn't a ladylike gesture. She shrunk her slender body inward, her cheeks slightly blushing. "Uh... I mean, if you need it, you can come to me for help."
Char shook his head and declined, "That's not a small amount. It would require at least—"
"Would 20,000 be enough?" Sylvestra interrupted him, taking the initiative to speak, then blinked her eyes. "Um, in gold coins."
Char blinked his eyes and swallowed the second half of the sentence, "8,000 gold coins."
He stared at Sylvestra in astonishment, realizing that she showed no hesitation or distress. Her expression was as relaxed as if she had just taken a sip of water.
Could this be the legendary "Don't challenge my pocket money with your entire fortune"?
Seeing Char staring at her in silence, Sylvestra misunderstood his meaning and said with guilt, "If it's not enough, I still have around 20,000 gold coins in the treasury of my estate. That would be all... Even so, it's still much less than my sister has. I'm sorry."
"Wait!" Char finally snapped out of his daze, forcefully suppressing the idea of living off someone else, and shook his head. "I won't accept this money. The amount is too large, and I may not be able to repay it in the short term. It's also unfair to you."
After a slight pause, he continued, "Even if we're friends, we shouldn't do this. You have to understand that once money is involved, even close siblings can turn against each other. I don't want our friendship to be tainted by this."
"But..." Sylvestra tilted her head slightly, "Please put yourself in my shoes. If our positions were reversed, what would you do, Char?"
Char opened his mouth but ultimately remained silent.
If Char had tens of thousands of gold coins as pocket money and happened to have a friend in urgent need of 8,000 gold coins... he would most likely lend it.
"Right?" A strand of wavy hair gently fell by Sylvestra's ear, and a soft smile bloomed on her fair face. "Besides, I have conditions too."
Char paused slightly. "What conditions?"
"Do you remember that notebook?"
Sylvestra lifted the ceramic teacup again and took a sip, a mischievous glint flashing in her smile, as if she remembered something.
The notebook?
Char subconsciously recalled the events that took place during their first encounter.
It was the first class of the semester, a session on Hellenistic Modern History. Knight and Mage students were attending the lecture in the same large classroom. Char, sitting in the back row, felt his head spinning from the lesson.
To pass the time, he took out his notebook and contemplated writing the opening of his new work. Although he had the original content in his memory, Char made artistic modifications to align with the cultural style and historical background of this world. He improved many details and managed to finish the first half just before the end of the class. However, while leaving the classroom, he accidentally left the notebook behind.
When he realized this and went back to search for it, the notebook had already disappeared.
Char thought the best outcome would be rewriting it again, or even worse, someone with malicious intentions might have sent it to a publishing house pretending to be him. But the next day, Char found a note on his desk.
"Your notebook is with me. If convenient, please come to the open-air balcony on the third floor of the Opal Inn to claim it before noon."
It was mysteriously intriguing.
This was the only thought that crossed Char's mind when he saw the contents.
Choosing to meet during lunchtime was a deliberate attempt to avoid the crowds. It seemed that the other person didn't want their meeting to be known by others.
With some curiosity, Char eventually followed the instructions on the note.
As a result, at the designated location, he encountered a meticulously dressed Sylvestra, who held the notebook in her arms, her smile radiant and joyful.
"Cain, I've finally found you!"
Even until now, Char couldn't figure out how she had managed to uncover his pseudonym with just a notebook. Nevertheless, the "fan" and the "author," with such disparate identities, had a dramatically memorable first meeting.
Whether it was an illusion or not, from that day on, Char noticed an increasing frequency of chance encounters and coincidences between the two of them.
Eventually, they gradually became friends.
..................
"So, what are your conditions?" Char asked after finishing his reminiscence, glancing at Sylvestra.
"First, please answer my question," Sylvestra gazed at the young man in front of her. "What was the name of the story you wrote in that notebook?"
Char remained silent for a few seconds before responding, "You can call it... 'Romeo and Juliet.'"
Sylvestra nodded, a hint of resentment flickering in her eyes. "Focusing only on the beginning and neglecting the ending, don't you understand, Char, that such behavior is incredibly torturous for loyal readers?"
"My condition is simple: I'm asking you to hurry up and write the second half!" Sylvestra stared at Char with seriousness, her cheeks slightly puffed.
Cough cough...
Seeing the expression of someone who had been "tormented by an author who went missing in action," Char almost couldn't hold back his laughter.
Trust me, young lady, you wouldn't want to see that ending.
He pondered for a moment, then forced a bitter smile, attempting to persuade her not to dwell on it. "That book took some unexpected turns in its continuation, so there were no plans for its publication, and the ending may not be what you expect."
Char hinted subtly.
However, Sylvestra simply looked at him in silence without uttering a word.
Seeing her reaction, Char could only continue with a determined tone, "Of course, if you insist on seeing it, I can find the time to write it, it's not a hassle."
Only then did Sylvestra reveal a hint of reserved smile.
Another case of delayed updates and a disappointing ending. Who knows, after she finishes reading this book, she might just blacklist me altogether.
With these thoughts in mind, Char suddenly noticed a small, fair hand reaching out, holding a ring in its palm.
"This is a Dimensional Mage Device. Inside, there are 20,000 gold coins, and if it's not enough, you can let me know," Sylvestra placed the ring on the table in front of Char and added, "Consider it as the full buyout fee for the completion of that book."
In other words, once it's written, it no longer matters whether Char reads it alone with the original manuscript or if he finds a publishing house for printing and distribution.
Of course, considering Sylvestra's wealth, she most likely wouldn't choose to approach a publishing house.
Perhaps afraid that he would think she was greedy, Sylvestra repeated in a low voice, "...If you think it's not enough, you can let me know."
Not enough?
Even the best-selling "The Count of Monte Cristo," with three editions and royalty shares, only earned a total of slightly over 4,000 gold coins.
Is this what the world of the wealthy is like?
Char suddenly had doubts about life. He had worked so hard to earn money in the first ten years, only to end up feeling empty. It was all just trivial matters in the end.
After a moment of silence...
"I-I should be going," Sylvestra said somewhat embarrassedly.
As a lady, her upbringing didn't allow her to spend too much time alone with a gentleman without receiving an invitation. It could easily lead to some strange misunderstandings.
Considering the time, it had been about ten minutes.
"I'll walk you out," Char replied, standing up and accompanying her to the door.
Watching Sylvestra's petite feet step lightly into her high-heeled shoes, Char opened the door for her.
"You can stop here. There's a carriage waiting for me downstairs," Sylvestra said, gently tucking her platinum hair behind her ear, her voice pleasant to the ears.
After hesitating for a moment, she suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes gazing at the young man in front of her. Gathering her courage, she spoke, "By the way, Char, do you still remember..."
"Hmm?"
Char blinked, then noticed a faint blush quickly spreading across Sylvestra's face.
"N-Nothing. See you tomorrow, Char!" Sylvestra hastily said, leaving behind a vague sentence before suddenly appearing shy and hurriedly escaping from the place.
Perhaps due to walking too quickly, she stumbled a bit at the corner, almost losing her balance before managing to regain it.
"..."
With her face flushed, Sylvestra turned her head and met Char's concerned gaze by the door, causing her to let out a soft "meow" sound, as if she were a startled kitten, before running off.
"Weird."
Char shook his head and closed the apartment door.
Back in the living room, he stared at the small, exquisitely beautiful women's ring on the table, emitting a dim silver light.
He never expected that the money would come so easily.
...............
Hurriedly leaving Char's apartment, Sylvestra didn't raise her head as she returned to the carriage on the side of the road.
She pulled the curtains shut and sat alone on the soft cushion, finally letting out a sigh of relief.
Then, she covered her slightly flushed and warm cheeks with her hands, kicked off her shoes, placed her feet on the edge of the seat, and buried her face in her knees.
"Sob... I can't face him anymore..."
A strand of long hair stuck to the corner of her mouth as she muttered to herself, her delicate face turning as red as a burning cloud.
It took a long, long time for her to relax from the atmosphere just now.
A faint blush remained on Sylvestra's cheeks as she lay on her side, hugging her legs. She then released her hands, letting her slender legs stretch out and lightly curling her small bare feet, with the tips touching the other end of the carriage.
After doing all this, she gently rolled over, lying on her back. Her left hand hung over the edge of the seat, while the back of her right hand rested against her forehead. Her developing chest rose and fell slowly.
Gazing at the pitch-black roof of the carriage, Sylvestra remained silent for a long time.
Then, she let out a barely audible sigh.
"I still couldn't bring myself to ask..."
Blushing, she whispered softly, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her eyes.
In fact, their first encounter was not when Char returned her notebook, but rather earlier.
It was a night eight years ago.
At that time, a young Sylvestra was sent by her father to the capital to receive education at the court. However, on the outskirts of the Dawn Forest, in the plains just before reaching the capital, they were ambushed by a group of bandits.
The leader of the bandits was the head of the Crimson Moon cult, claiming that their mission was to kidnap the youngest daughter of Grand Duke Althia and use her as a political leverage.
In order to protect her, the accompanying guards fought valiantly, but the leader was an incredibly powerful mage, resulting in heavy casualties among the soldiers.
In the midst of the chaotic battle, she managed to escape trembling with fear.
Although the capital was within sight, without a carriage or guards, even the low-level monsters in the Dawn Forest could have taken her life.
After dealing with the guards, the leader of the cult quickly caught up with her, unfurling blood-red magical wings on his back, appearing like a devouring demon against the backdrop of the night.
Who will come and save me?
As Sylvestra fell to the ground, tears streaming down her face, she watched the cult leader approaching with a smile, feeling helpless and praying in her heart.
Just as she was about to be caught by him, a unfamiliar voice suddenly sounded from beside her, "Look at me, you cultist scum!"
Before the words had even settled, a slender figure shot out from the bushes, wielding a short sword and charging straight at the cult leader.
The two clashed quickly, but it was a battle with a clear power disparity.
"I won't last long, run!"
The slender figure swung the sword while shouting loudly at her.
Sylvestra was shocked by the other person's fearless and noble appearance, her heart trembling. With tears streaming down her face, she gazed at that figure, illuminated by moonlight, and could clearly make out their appearance.
It was a handsome young boy of similar age to her,
"You, hold on! I'll go find help for you right away!"
She staggered away, shouting with a tearful voice.
"No! Don't come back to save me!"
Following that cry, there was a chaotic and indistinct argument between the boy and the cult leader.
Sylvestra ran fast because she was too frightened.
She could only faintly hear the cult leader's terrified voice intermittently mentioning something about "undead," "resurrection," and "monsters," while the boy continued to laugh manically, shouting strange phrases like "fat sheep," "so much experience points," and "attack here."
In the end, she was found by the arriving knight order.
She tearfully pleaded with the knights to rescue her guards and the boy, then she lost consciousness.
Returning to the capital, she had a high fever for several days. When Sylvestra finally woke up, her first question to the maid by her side was, "Where is that boy?"
To her surprise, after asking around, no one could answer that question.
In the end, it was the former captain of the knights who answered her question.
Aside from rescuing a few members of the guard, they searched an area of several miles but couldn't find the boy described by Sylvestra.
They did, however, discover a battlefield after a fierce fight, with the ground covered in splattered blood.
"Even if that person existed, they wouldn't have survived after losing so much blood."
Finally, the people around her concluded with this statement, closing the case.
But Sylvestra didn't give up because that young figure had left an indelible impression in her heart. For several decades to come, until her death, it would be impossible for her to forget.
From childhood to adulthood, surrounded by scheming relatives and flattering subordinates, Sylvestra had encountered such a person of the opposite sex for the first time.
That figure lingered, becoming the moonlight in her heart that could not be dispelled.
In the following years, Sylvestra never gave up on her search. She used her family's resources and her own abilities, investigating the matter both openly and discreetly, but unfortunately, she had no success.
Then one day, as usual, Sylvestra disguised herself as an adventurer and arrived at an adventurer's guild, intending to inquire about the boy as she had done before.
Before she could say a word, she suddenly heard a somewhat familiar voice coming from the mission counter.
"As usual, give me a task to apprehend a wanted criminal. The more formidable, the better."
Sylvestra couldn't believe her ears as she looked up at the figure behind the counter.
Several years had passed, and he had grown taller, transforming from a boy into a handsome young man. But the one thing that hadn't changed was his fearless and daring attitude.
Although Sylvestra was immersed in the joy of finding him again, she suppressed her excitement and didn't immediately reveal herself to him.
After he left, she discreetly inquired about the boy's information from the guide.
"Oh, that fearless kid? I don't know his real name, but he goes by 'Cain.' He lives on Mendon Street, not far from here."
Cain...?
An uncontrollable delight shone in Sylvestra's beautiful eyes, and her heart pounded intensely.
Cain, I've finally found you!