Although Tisdale's wish was adorable, it could not come to fruition under Baiyi’s efficiency. With his guidance, the arm was ready for re-attachment in just a short amount of time. Signalling for Tisdale to stop emitting the icebeam, he proceeded to release a jet of high temperature blue fire and welded the severed arm back onto the black Soul Armature’s arm.
Sigh... Tisdale could not help but let out a sigh of disappointment. As she silently watched Baiyi who was busy welding the arm with his head down, the corners of her mouth drooped down, just like a girl who was refused a snack.
As for Undine, she no longer forced her flavored-potions on Tisdale anymore. Instead, she sat down in total silence and carefully observed Baiyi’s repairing technique which was superb. The whole place became quiet as everyone was holding their breaths, only the voice of the black Soul Armature could be heard joking, "Ohhh... I can feel the heat on my arm…"
The entire process lasted till noon when the students were about to finish their classes. After Baiyi had used his Mana to reattach the consciousness in the arm to the black Soul Armature’s body, the whole process finally came to an end. Excited, the black Soul Armature stood up and moved his arm about. His movements was fluid and natural with no signs of stiffness at all, it was as if he had just grown a new pair of arms.
"Oh my god, you are so amazing, Master Hope! My arm feels even better now than when I was still human," Leo was amazed from the bottom of his heart, "Your exquisite skills deeply impressed me, Master Hope! Please allow me to give you my highest and utmost respect."
Having said that, he got down on one knee and with his right arm on his chest, he bowed his arrogant head down at Baiyi--- it was the highest courtesy one could give in aristocratic etiquette. Undine who was standing beside him quickly stood up and held both ends of her skirt with her two hands and gave a deep curtsy, exposing the fair skin of her chest to Baiyi as she said, "Thank you very much, Master Hope. The Dole family will always be indebted to you for your help. I believe that we will surely be able to establish a profound friendship between us one day."
Hmmm… She really knows how to utilize her beauty well, to the point of exposing her chest as a token of gratitude… Well, as for ‘friendship’ those kind of bullshit, I’d be grateful as long as you don’t find out that I was the one who slashed off your arm in the first place. Anyway, what’s the point of saying all these artificial polite words? I want to see real the rewards instead... Baiyi secretly thought to himself but at the same time, he still had on a facade of being indifferent to fame and wealth. Pretending as if he did not care, he said, "Don’t worry. It’s only a piece of cake."
Contrary to his expectations, after exchanging more platitudes, those two fellows boldly strutted out of the door and headed into their cariage. Ermm… could it be that those two find it hard to talk seeing so many students making their way here to the garden now? But wait a minute! Where the hell is my reward? How could you just leave like that without giving me anything in return?
MERCHANT! Is this the so-called manner of your descendant? What? Just because she's beautiful she thinks she can just come and take advantage of me like that? Did she really think that I've never seen a beautiful woman before? Oh puh-lease! Even Mia would be as outstanding as her when she grows up okay?! Frustrated, Baiyi lashed out on the Merchant. Most importantly, in order to maintain his current demeanor and fame, there was absolutely nothing that he could say.
"Errrr... I-I-It shouldn't have turned out this way... Our family would never produce such a rude child. I-I-I'm sure she's gonna come back with your rewards eventually..." The Merchant quickly explained.
When Undine left, Tisdale went to sent her off while hugging the little kitty coin bank to her chest. When she returned to place the coin back on the table, Baiyi told her suddenly, "Just take it if you like it."
From the way she was hugging the coin bank from the very beginning, it was obvious to Baiyi that she was very fond of it so he decided he might as well be generous and give it to her.
"Huh? Oh, thank you, Mr. Hope." Tisdale immediately expressed her gratitude. Then, with a slightly complicated look, she threw an awkward glance towards Baiyi and stuttered in a low voice, "Erm... About that..."
Her voice was so small that even a mosquito sound was louder. Nevertheless, how easy would it be for her to say out loud that she actually liked the feeling of how an elder guided her using his Psychic Energy? That was a privilege that only children could enjoy when they just started learning magic. Let alone Tisdale, even Mia's teacher would not use such an approach on her.
Still, Tisdale could not explain the reason why she enjoyed the feelings that she felt during the teaching. That warm, careful feeling had reminded her of the fatherly figure that she used to have when she was young. Especially when Baiyi gave her that little kitty coin bank, she almost blurted out "Let me be your student" on the spot.
Baiyi did not realize that he had accidentally crossed the soft line of defense inside the heart of the lively girl. Not hearing a word of what she just said, he asked, "What did you say just now?"
"N-N-Nothing..." Panicked, Tisdale immediately kept her real thoughts hidden away. Unfortunately, she was no better than Mia when it came to lying so with just a glance, Baiyi already knew that there was something that was bothering her.
For that reason, Baiyi slowly walked to her side and asked softly, "What's the matter? It's alright Tisdale, just say whatever that's on your mind. You once saved Mia when you were young and till now, that little girl is still very fond of you, to the point that she still keeps that plushie that you gave to her. So, don't worry, I'll accept it, whatever your request may be.
"Is that so?" At once, a gentle smile appeared on Tisdale's face. But after just one second, she regrettably hung her head down again in embarrassment. "B-B-But, I've been so busy that I never had the chance to visit her at all. Can you help me to apologize to her, Mr. Hope?"
"Just because of this? Oh, okay, I understand. I will convey your apology to her," Perplexed, Baiyi wondered as he replied. How could a girl of this age, even if she's one of the students from the elite class, be so busy to the extent that she does not have time for herself at all? But, judging from how she was here for the whole day from morning until now, her golden rose class must have quite a lenient and relaxed learning schedule, right?
After seeing how Tisdale did not say anymore words, Baiyi decided not to press on the matter anymore. Just like that, the two of them said their goodbyes and with a slight disappointment, Tisdale left while hugging the little kitty coin bank in her arms. Looking at her silhouette that was gradually disappearing, Baiyi somehow felt that her glow was not as dazzling as when she first came in. Perhaps she's just tired? He wondered as he shut the workshop's door and went to pick Mia up from her class.
During that time when everyone was busy enjoying their lunch, Tisdale slipped to the other side of the academy where a small lake was situated all by herself. Sitting on a bench, with her long white-silk-stockinged legs crossed, she played with the lovely kitty coin bank and mumbled to herself,"I can't believe that there would come a day that I'd want to be spoiled as well. It was such a good opportunity just now! Why didn't I...? Sigh... Forget it. Mr. Hope certainly would not like that kind of rude behaviour too right? We just got to know each other anyway..."
While Tisdale was confusing herself with all sorts of nonsense, the Archmage told Baiyi from the Void, "Somehow I feel like there's something going on with little Tisdale. You should talk to her more. She's a really warm and friendly girl."
Baiyi observed Mia who was eating beside him as he answered, You feel this way just because this girl is pretty and has natural talent, huh? Please don't tell me you're gonna be like the Lich and tell me she's like your granddaughter now! C'mon, tell me, do you even have a granddaughter?
"No, I don't. I don't have any kin." The Archmage announced bleakly, "I had immersed myself in the pursuit for power for too long when I was still alive. I had zero interest in anything else at that time."
Ah... no wonder your almighty empire fell to the hands of your foolhardy brother in the end and eventually ended up as a fallen empire! Baiyi secretly thought to himself. He would never dare to say such words in front of his beloved teacher.
"Perhaps, you could consider taking her as a disciple too?" The Archmage asked again.
Huh? What are you thinking about, my beloved teacher? I can't even take care of one little Mia properly! Baiyi immediately rejected his idea.
"Well... I suddenly got a little worried." The Archmage continued, "I'm just worried that you would be heading down the same path as I did, being tied down by responsibility and duties and forgetting everything else... You're my one and only student, and also the best out of all 33 of us Voidwalkers. I really do not wish to see you repeat my mistake."
You have been thinking too much, my teacher! When I first got to know you, you're no longer the Sage-Emperor of the Magi who was all mighty and powerful but a geezer who was trapped in the Void. There won't be another you, don't worry! Baiyi comforted him in his own way.
"Oh, yeah... I guess there won't be another me..." The Archmage mocked himself as he laughed. As his mood took a turn for the better, he suddenly said, "Alright, you know what? Let me draw a card! This time I want to use the
"Alright alright!" Baiyi quickly simulated the game for his teacher and raised the odds of winning by 20 times, allowing him to be stuck on the thrill of drawing cards. At the same time, he could not help but let out a sigh of relief. Phewww... He can be quite taxing when he's overthinking things. I'd rather go through the troubles to simulate these games and let him immerse himself in them instead.
Come to think of it, when I first met him in the Void, he was not as friendly as he is now. That time, he was so serious with that deadpan look on his face all the time. Wow, it really took several thousand years to transform him into the person he is now. I guess, this could be considered as some sort of accomplishment, right?
Just as Baiyi was reliving the past, a small voice could be heard asking, "Mr. Hope, where did the little kitty coin bank go?"
"Eh? Erm... I gave it away to a student." Baiyi replied honestly.
"What? You gave it away? W-W-Was is a cute female student?" Mia fumed slightly as she asked.
"Well, I guess so? Eh? Why are you looking at me angrily like that?" Baiyi lifted his hand up and poked Mia's slightly puffy cheeks--- soft and puffy, how fun it was to play with. He continued, "C'mon, dont be so stingy. Although I can't tell you who exactly I've given it to right now but I promise you, you'll be happy when you find out who it is later on."
He had managed to use several thousand of years to change his teacher. Would his student be able to change him too?