"If you want, I can take you to experience it later if there's an opportunity, but for now, focus on your studies, boys. As you grow older, those terrifying things will become as cute as little kittens," Feld said, while rubbing the little head of KiKi affectionately.
Hearing this, Jelly and the others fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you, we understand."
"No need to thank me. If anyone, thank Professor Hollan. She's the one who truly cares about you," Feld replied.
"Thank you, Professor Hollan," Jelly and the others said sincerely.
Hollan came back to her senses and waved her hand. "No need. It's the duty of a professor. I won't stand by and watch you do foolish things."
"Now, go back and take notes. Review what you've transcribed today in the evening. I'll check it tomorrow."
"Okay!" Jelly and the others nodded, then bowed to Feld before returning to their studies diligently.
"You seem to be quite suited to be an instructor," Hollan said to Feld with a smile.
"Haha, I feel the same way," Feld chuckled, hands on hips.
"Is what you said about... the sesame mites true?" Hollan asked in a low voice, as even she had never heard of such terrifying creatures.
Feld leaned in and whispered, "Fake. I made it up."
"Hmm," Hollan murmured, looking surprised.
"You're quite wicked," Hollan couldn't help but remark.
"Hehe, but you can't deny that I did a great job with the task, can you?" Feld grinned.
"Indeed," Hollan nodded with a hint of amusement, then added, "Let's go."
With that, she strode towards the private room they were in before, reminding the students to continue transcribing diligently.
Feld followed along with KiKi.
Entering the room, Hollan opened the cupboard to prepare tea but frowned upon finding it empty.
"I might... need some time to give you your commission," Hollan turned back, informing Feld.
"Out of tea?" Feld asked.
Hollan nodded, then looked surprised as Feld took out a bottle of Mountain White Peach Blossom from his bag.
"Is this yours?" Hollan asked in amazement.
"Of course not," Feld said seriously. "I handpicked it myself, not far from here, in the Aronas Mountains. KiKi can testify."
"Really, meow! Handpicked, meow!" KiKi immediately said, then shrank its neck. "But it was terrifying coming down the mountain, meow..."
Hollan was somewhat touched.
Taking the bottle and opening it to smell, she was slightly intoxicated. "It's preserved very well."
"Of course, this is for you. I have to preserve it well," Feld smirked.
"For me?" Hollan raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't it just picked on the side while on a mission?"
Feld: "..."
No wonder she's a professor. She's really hard to fool!
But Feld had thick skin and said immediately, "Of course not!"
At that moment, he did think that Hollan would like it, so he picked extra, not just as a "by the way". Besides, these things grew on cliffs, not easy to come by.
"Well... I'll give you the benefit of the doubt," Hollan said, turning around with the bottle in her arms, like a happy little girl, plucking out the peach blossoms one by one, removing the stems and pistils, and placing them into the teapot.
It was evident that she was in a good mood, humming a tune involuntarily.
Feld leaned on his hand, watching her graceful figure, feeling her difference from intellect to playfulness and cuteness. His mood was equally good.
How does that saying go again?
Beautiful women make me happy!
And the little kitten... she had milk to drink, biscuits to eat, and a big guy to keep her company. She must be very happy.
"Ah, so comfortable," Feld exclaimed after taking a sip of the steaming hot flower tea, his face filled with contentment.
Holan chuckled and took a sip of her own flower tea before leaning on the table, propping her chin up with her elbow. "How's the promotion going?"
"Just three more gold-tier missions to go. Should be able to wrap them up within five days," Feld replied confidently.
"So fast?" Holan exclaimed in surprise.
"Of course, I'm determined to become a legendary mercenary," Feld said with conviction.
"Is that so? Achieving your dreams as a legendary mercenary won't be easy," Holan chuckled.
Indeed, any profession associated with the term "legendary" was never easy.
Feld chimed in, "Especially finding a woman who can be a legendary mercenary."
Holan raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Huh?"
Feld clarified, "I mean, it's hard to find a woman suited to be a legendary mercenary."
Holan laughed and playfully patted Feld on the shoulder. "You're quite the charmer."
Feld grinned, not avoiding her touch. He knew that appropriate physical contact could increase attraction, especially now.
After the playful interaction, Holan seemed more relaxed, as if the burden of being a mentor didn't exist in Feld's presence. Or did it ever exist?
Despite addressing him as "mentor" with utmost respect, Holan couldn't ignore the fact that Feld had teased her several times. But his teasing was always just right, more like "flirting," though Holan was unaware of it.
She lazily rested her head on the table and asked, "Do mercenaries have a lot of free time to schedule?"
"Somewhat. As long as there are no missions, it's all free time," Feld replied.
"But wouldn't that mean no income?" Holan inquired.
"Haha, indeed. That's why lazy mercenaries will accept a mission and then slack off for several days until their pockets are empty before thinking of taking on another mission," Feld explained casually, lounging on the soft sofa.
"Slack off?" Holan brightened at the term.
"It's more like saying 'I'm not doing it'." Feld described, painting a vivid picture of the situation, which amused Holan to no end.
"I see. I sometimes feel like slacking off too," Holan confessed.
"Oh? Don't you enjoy being a mentor?" Feld asked.
"It's alright. Neither love nor hate. What I truly love is focusing on my magical research, not being a mentor who also dabbles in magical research," Holan stirred her tea gently with a silver spoon, explaining.
"I see," Feld pretended to be attentive, though he felt pleased inside.
When a woman was willing to share her life and hobbies with you, it indicated some level of affection.
"I'm in charge of the magical research department, so I have to take on the responsibility," Holan continued.
"You're the gardener of knowledge," Feld complimented, finding the metaphor fitting. "Thank you. Hearing you say that makes everything worth it," Holan smiled warmly.
"Haha, you're welcome!" Feld grinned broadly.
"Oh, have you met Bai yet?" Holan asked suddenly.
"Of course. She asked me to bring back the letter and school badge to you. She said she didn't want to go to school anymore," Feld nodded slowly, recounting the conversation.
"What?!" Holan stood up abruptly, her face filled with concern. "Did you agree?"
But Feld remained nonchalant. "Of course not."
Holan breathed a sigh of relief but then glared at Feld. "Why are you telling me this now?"
Feld blinked innocently. "Because it's all sorted out."
Holan sighed and then scolded him gently, "Such a big issue, and you're only telling me now?"
Feld shrugged, "Because it's all taken care of."
"Taken care of? What do you mean?" Holan pressed.
"You know her well?" Feld didn't answer immediately but instead posed a question.
"Of course!" Holan nodded, but under Feld's unwavering gaze, she felt unsure. "Well, I know some things about her."
"She's a talent, naturally suited to be a magical researcher and even a genius!"
"She can excellently complete the magical research tasks I assigned to her. She..."
Before she could finish, Feld shook his head. "Her life is very difficult."
Holan was stunned for a moment, then continued listening silently.
Feld lowered his head, staring at the cup in his hand, as if the calm tea water reflected the image of the mushroom girl.
"Her life is difficult, and they live frugally, but that's not the key issue. They've been living like this for years, and your financial support won't change much," Feld explained.
"On the contrary, the money you gave them, they will save it. Their lives will still be difficult and frugal because they're used to it."
"Especially after the establishment of the new regulations in Haidou City, they lost an important source of income. Your money won't be spent recklessly."
"So, their lives won't change. They will continue to live frugally."
"And your attention only adds to her academic burden."
"She's grateful for everything you've done for her, so she'll do her best to complete the tasks you assigned. But do you know how she's doing at the Haidou Academy?"
Holan trembled slightly, continuing to listen quietly.
Feld continued, "You came to the Haidou Academy to recruit students for your team, which is a rare opportunity for Haidou students. So
"I..." Holan couldn't bring herself to meet Feld's eyes, lowering her head and clenching her hands slightly.
Feld sighed. "So, in that kind of situation, she couldn't possibly leave the orphanage and come to study at Haidis Academy."
"Why didn't she fight back?" Holan asked, biting her lip.
"Because those who bullied her could easily flatten the orphanage," Feld explained.
"But... but doesn't Haidis Academy do anything? What about the mentors there?" Holan pressed.
"As I said before, not all gardeners of knowledge possess both responsibility and wisdom," Feld said. "Those people wouldn't bully her in front of the mentors. They might even act friendly towards her in front of them."
"She's not good at expressing herself or fighting back, and the mentors didn't realize she was being bullied."
"Even if someone did realize... would a mentor risk offending Haidou's high officials for their student?"
"I would!" Holan gritted her teeth.
"Well, that's why I say your student is lucky, but she is unfortunate," Feld remarked, taking a sip of tea.
Holan fell silent, feeling the weight of Feld's words.
Feld didn't interrupt her, allowing her time to process.
"And... what happened next? You said you resolved it..." After a moment, Holan lifted her head and asked, hope shining in her eyes.
She hoped Feld had truly resolved the situation.
And Feld didn't disappoint.
"Yes, I resolved it," Feld grinned.
"Before those girls could do anything worse, I intervened."
"How did you do it?" Holan asked eagerly.
Then Feld briefly explained his actions at the time.
"I sneaked into Haidou Academy... and then... and then they... "
"That's how it happened."
"I also resolved the orphanage issue. I bought the orphanage and allowed the old lady and the children to live there. When the time comes, I will truly improve their lives and alleviate their suffering and difficulties from the root."
"As for those bullies, I think if that high official isn't foolish, they won't let their daughter stay and study there anymore."
With that, Feld asked, "Professor Holan, do you think what I did was cruel?"
Holan looked at him and suddenly burst into laughter.
"No, you did great!"
"Really, really, really great!" she exclaimed.
"Haha, I knew it," Feld snapped his fingers and laughed.
"Thank you for telling me all this, and for what you did for her. Thank you sincerely," Holan exhaled, looking at Feld earnestly.
"It's what I should do," Feld smiled.
"Really?" Holan looked at Feld curiously. "As far as I know, mercenaries wouldn't accept such thankless tasks, after all, you can't gain anything from them."
"Who said so? I gained a lot!" Feld retorted.
"Oh? Tell me about it." With the assurance that Bai was safe, Holan relaxed and smiled.
"There's happiness, pride, a bright future for an excellent researcher, gratitude from a beautiful mentor, and a delicious dinner she treated me to," Feld grinned expectantly at Holan.
"Hmm... she'll treat me to dinner, won't she?" Feld's face was filled with anticipation.
Holan couldn't help but laugh.
This guy's cheekiness was truly something.
But oddly enough, Holan didn't dislike it, nor could she refuse.
Compared to a dinner, what Feld did for Bai was the real contribution. In comparison, her financial support seemed insignificant.
So, she nodded with a smile. "Yes, she will."
Feld beamed. "See? I gained so much."
"Haha, indeed," Holan chuckled.
Qiqi, the little kitten, watched the two smiling at each other and tilted her head.
She felt that the way these two people spoke was so complicated.
Was this how smart people communicated?
Meow, envious.