Although I'm not sure what exactly you misunderstood... Nevertheless, I accept your apology. After all, the title of "beautiful mentor" isn't baseless." Fyodor said with a generous smile. While speaking, his hand didn't follow the usual protocol, but instead, it quietly slid along Holland's slender fingers, gently clasping her hand.
Feeling the warmth transmitted by that broad palm, Holland felt a subtle shyness in her heart. Never before had a man held her hand so affectionately, leaving her feeling both unfamiliar and not entirely averse to it.
Fyodor evidently knew how to gauge the situation. After successfully holding hands, he didn't push further but maintained a proper distance, simply holding her hand halfway. Although he longed to explore that tenderness, he resisted the impulse.
Despite Holland's outward appearance suggesting she was in her mid-twenties, seemingly worldly-wise, her behavior just now revealed that emotionally she wasn't much different from girls like Hilda. This, Fyodor found particularly charming.
Therefore, he understood the importance of not rushing things, needing to let her adjust gradually and only proceed when the time was right. At this moment, Holland didn't show any signs of displeasure, which to him, was a significant victory.
Fyodor's warm hand made Holland's cheeks slightly blush, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she pretended not to notice and maintained the ladylike restraint, shifting the topic by asking, "So, are you free tonight?"
"A candlelit dinner?" Fyodor's face lit up with joy.
Seeing his reaction, Holland felt equally satisfied. Obviously, he was looking forward to a romantic dinner together. She nodded in confirmation, "Yes."
However, soon Fyodor's expression turned disappointed, which puzzled Holland, "What's wrong?"
"If I had known you were free for a candlelit dinner tonight, I wouldn't have taken this mission..." Fyodor said while presenting the task to investigate the Blood Land in Nofakla Forest.
Holland took a look and felt a bit disappointed, but she discerned the importance of investigating the Blood Land, which was crucial for the safety of Grylla City and the surrounding cities.
"More importantly, it's about your safety!" Fyodor added solemnly.
"Hehe, really? Not because of the reward?" Holland teased with a smile, her eyebrows raised.
"Of course not. If the Blood Land poses a threat to Grylla City, you'd be in danger too, as well as Veena. I don't want any harm to come to you!" Fyodor said earnestly.
To Holland, these words sounded like a delicate confession. She smiled even more brightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, letting it fall gently against her cheek. The soft sunlight outside accentuated her gentle and charming demeanor.
"So, you're like my guardian now," Holland said softly.
"It's my great honor!" Fyodor laughed heartily.
In the following moments, they exchanged silent glances, with Fyodor's hand finally no longer restraining.
Okay, so he couldn't resist the temptation after all.
His thumb gently touched the back of Holland's hand. Indeed, as a magic researcher, Holland had taken excellent care of her hands, smooth and delicate. Holding her hand felt like holding warm jade, slender and soft.
Holland felt a tingling sensation, but it wasn't uncomfortable; instead, it brought her a sense of pleasure. Especially in the silence, she felt a kind of tranquility in her heart, a feeling that she cherished.
Qiqi, who was watching them from the side, looked at their hands and then at them. Fyodor was smiling at Holland affectionately, while Holland rested her cheek on her hand, looking out the window with a faint smile.
Qiqi was confused.
But Qiqi also wanted to hold hands with the big guy.
The tingling sensation in her hand made Holland feel increasingly strange. It was a special feeling, so much so that she felt her cheeks getting warmer and warmer.
It seemed that not only her hand was tingling, but her heart was also itching inexplicably.
Holland couldn't stand it anymore, so she pretended to have seen something outside the window and gently withdrew her hand, pointing outside.
"There's a yellow maple bird flying by."
Fyodor felt a bit disappointed. He wanted to hold her hand a little longer.
But feeling Holland's reluctance, Fyodor didn't insist. Instead, he gently let go of her hand, allowing her to retract it, and then turned his attention to the window.
"Where? I've never seen one before."
"They've all flown away," Holland said with a smile.
"What a pity. I've heard that yellow maple birds are beautiful, and their appearance signifies that autumn is coming to an end," Fyodor said.
"Yeah, it's already late September. Once autumn passes, winter will be here soon, and after this winter, I'll be another year older," Holland sighed.
"That means you'll be nineteen," Fyodor said.
"Hehe, you have such a sweet mouth," Holland said happily.
Fyodor smiled and then remembered something, "How's Veena doing now? Is she adjusting to life in Heides?"
"She's adapted. I've been keeping an eye on her, and now she can attend classes and participate in magical research activities as usual," Holland nodded.
"But that child is a bit introverted. Until now, she hasn't made any friends, and it worries me."
"Don't worry, do you know how introverted people make friends?" Fyodor suddenly asked.
"How do introverted people make friends?" Holland asked curiously.
"They don't make friends," Fyodor chuckled.
"They wait for extroverted people to notice them, like them, and then accept them as friends."
Holland burst into laughter, "Isn't that still not making friends?"
"They don't need too many friends," Fyodor shook his head, "In fact, none of us need too many friends. We just need a few true friends."
"Friends you can talk to, share your heart with, and help each other."
"Others, they're just passers-by."
"She doesn't need too many friends," Fyodor continued, "Her personality dictates that she won't have too many friends, so there's no need to force it."
"Others' expectations would become a burden to her."
"She has me, she has you, for now, that's enough."
"Perhaps she'll have more friends in the future, but they'll have to pass our test first."
"That's right, we're like her parents," Holland chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Haha, I've always felt that way," Fyodor said.
Holland nodded, "Yeah, me too."
The two looked at each other, blinked, and couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, I have to go now, there's still a task to be done, and Veena is in your hands," Fyodor stood up and said.
Holland felt a little reluctant, but nodded, "Okay."
"Oh, by the way, where's Hilda? I've already prepared the materials for forging the sword. I need to get the down payment from her," Fyodor said.
Holland didn't know that Fyodor was going to Nofakla Forest with Hilda because F
yodor cunningly didn't mention it.
She also didn't suspect anything and said, "She should be in the Student Union President's office."
"Doesn't she need to go to class?"
"She's a genius. She's already finished most of the courses for the next few years. Except for occasional classes, she doesn't need to attend class most of the time," Holland smiled.
"Wow, that's impressive. Then I'll have to ask for a bigger down payment," Fyodor nodded, teasing Holland.
"Don't cheat her. Although she's wealthy, she's not stupid," Holland reminded.
"Of course not, I'm not a swindler," Fyodor smiled and waved his hand, "See you later."
"Hmm... Wait a minute," Holland suddenly said.
Fyodor turned back, looking puzzled.
Holland said, "Because of what happened between you and Hilda, the whole school knows about it, and they probably... have some misunderstandings about you."
"You know, Hilda has many suitors, they might cause trouble for you. You have to be careful," Holland reminded.
"Don't worry, I can handle it," Fyodor smiled. Once again, he waved his hand, "Goodbye."
Holland nodded in relief, softly saying, "Goodbye."
Fyodor's strength was undeniable, and he could defeat Hilda, so those people probably wouldn't pose any threat to him. So she didn't need to worry too much.
And so, Fyodor left the library with Qiqi.
At this moment, Qiqi gently pulled Fyodor's finger.
Fyodor looked at her.
Qiqi reached out her small hand, "I want to hold hands too, meow."
Fyodor was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, "Of course you can."
With that, he reached out his hand and gently held Qiqi's small hand.
Her hand was even smaller than Holland's.
Feeling the package sensation in her hand, Qiqi smiled and bounced as she walked.
From a distance, it looked like a father was holding his daughter's hand for a stroll.
!ChatGPT
Through the teaching building, Fyodor found the student union building.
Indeed, the student union of Haidis Academy even had its own exclusive building. No wonder it was considered influential. Now looking back, in Fyodor's eyes, it was just a student union playing house games, but in reality, it wielded significant power.
It was estimated that coming out of the student union, one could even directly enter the imperial system as an official.
At the entrance of the building, there were students on duty, and any outsiders would be stopped by them like security guards.
The student union building was strictly off-limits to students.
However, Fyodor looked like a regular visitor, with Qiqi sitting on his shoulder, hands in his pockets, swaggering his way in. So much so that the duty students didn't know whether to stop him.
Part of it was because Fyodor was quite famous now. Yesterday, the news of Hilda losing to a big guy had spread like wildfire.
They were unsure of Fyodor's identity, so in the end, they didn't stop him.
Fyodor hummed a tune as he wandered around the building.
It wasn't that he wanted to wander, but he didn't know where the office of the student union president was. So he decided to search floor by floor while exploring.
He could have chosen to ask a student, but that would have exposed him as an outsider.
Although it was already certain that Fyodor had been dispatched by the Haidis Academy, it wasn't official yet. If someone were to take it seriously, he would still be kicked out.
Anyway, the scenery here was nice, so he could treat it as a little outing.
And so, he continued to wander until he reached the third floor. Coming towards him were five students, and Fyodor noticed the number 6 on their armbands, indicating they were sixth-year students.
Haidis Academy's highest level was sixth year.
Hilda was currently in her second year, while Veena was a first-year transfer student.
Fyodor didn't pay much attention. Just now, several sixth-year students had passed by, showing only slight surprise and curiosity at him and Qiqi, but they didn't say anything.
As Fyodor passed by, he even slightly turned sideways, being courteous, as he knew he was blocking most of the hallway with his stature and had to give way.
However, as he turned, the students coming towards him didn't move aside. The one leading even deliberately leaned towards Fyodor, and as they passed, intentionally bumped into him with his shoulder.
As a result, Fyodor didn't budge, but the other guy stumbled back two or three steps, then glared at Fyodor, full of anger: "Are you blind?!"
Fyodor raised an eyebrow.
Oh, picking a fight?
Looking at the blond student in front of him, Fyodor observed him for a moment. He wasn't curly-haired, but why was he acting like he lacked upbringing?
Fyodor had noticed the blond guy's little move just now. It was intentional. Fyodor didn't remember provoking this person, so according to Holland's words, he should be one of Hilda's suitors.
Thinking of this, Fyodor smiled.
"Really sorry..." he said, then walked forward, his face full of sincere smiles.
Seeing this, the blond guy's eyes flashed with disdain, muttering under his breath: "Walking without eyes... Ugh!"