Chapter 168: Always Together
"Master Yuki, your Wisdom Flame Strike is now as powerful as a level sixty-five swordsman's advanced sword technique. Have you leveled up?"
"Yes, I'm level fifty-one, almost fifty-two."
Teacher Lilly, who was evaluating her, suddenly exclaimed in admiration, "Wow, amazing! Truly our Kingdom's Sword Saint."
"You're too kind."
People who can become vice deans are not as weak as they may seem on the surface. Though Yuki didn’t know Lilly's exact level, she wouldn't underestimate her.
Of course, she wouldn't underestimate anyone, whether they be children or enemies.
"The Sword Saint is indeed working hard. It's been quite troublesome tonight, I didn't expect the evaluation puppet to arrive so late."
Yuki looked at the misty night and said, "No problem. I must make the best of this opportunity with the guidance teacher, so this time spent is nothing."
"We just need to wait for the results. Sword Saint, are you hungry? I have some food here."
Lilly, being a little attentive, took out some things from a magical ring and eagerly looked at Yuki.
Yuki hesitated for a moment, then shook her head, "No need, I have something here."
"Let's go over there to eat together."
Lilly pointed to a cluster of tree stumps ahead, where several trees, each as wide as a person, had been cut down by Yuki's sword and energy.
Yuki watched the teacher, who had taken away the test results, walk further away, and then nodded gently as she looked back.
The two of them found a nearby stump to sit on.
Yuki took out a metal lunchbox and heated it with fire magic stones, watching the steam rising gently, her eyes soft and gentle.
Lilly tilted her head, stared for a moment, and then suddenly chuckled, saying, "Yuki, you're different from before."
Yuki paused slightly, lifted her head, and replied calmly, "What do you mean?"
"It's just... umm, how do I say this, at first, it felt like Yuki was very distant from everyone, so cold and indifferent, to be a bit disrespectful, it's like she didn't care about anything, which could be quite hopeless."
"Now... I can't quite put it into words, but it feels like I can see warmth in your eyes."
"Is that so?"
Yuki softly muttered to herself, "Maybe it's because there's someone she cares about, and a future to look forward to."
Lilly was a bit bewildered, not really understanding what Yuki meant by "future."
After all, Yuki was the respected Sword Saint, a pillar of the future of humankind. Shouldn't she be steadfast and hopeful?
Nonetheless, Lilly understood the first part, which sparked a strong sense of curiosity in her heart.
Does this mean... Yuki has a boyfriend? Who could it be? Someone who can match up to Sword Saint?!
Seeing that the meal box was heated up, Yuki picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth, her eyes shimmering like the stars in the Milky Way.
Just like that, she kept eating the food her brother prepared for her, using everything her brother had prepared, refusing to look back at despair and darkness, experiencing a happiness and joy that was once unimaginable.
"Wow, smells good, um, Sword Saint... can you, please let me..."
"No."
Yuki immediately refused without expression, like a guarding dog, turning her body slightly and eating much faster.
The completely different appearance from usual stunned a certain girl principal.
After having supper, Yuki stood up, asked how long until the next evaluation, got a response, then quietly walked into the forest alone for a walk.
Looking up at the moon again, Yuki tightened her grip on the sword handle.
She really wanted to go home quickly, return to her brother's side, hug him, and watch him peacefully fall asleep.
Later becoming her brother's tutor, they could live together for a long time without running back and forth like before or only being able to protect him in secret.
Just thinking about it made her heart so eager that it seemed to sprout wings and fly towards a future hand in hand.
...
"Little Rin, let's study together!"
The silly elk once again invited the dazed Rin.
Rin nervously shrugged, but still looked directly into Elise's clear eyes.
"Huh? Even though Elise and I are already the very best of friends and can do many things together, but... would it be strange to study together like this?"
"After all, it seems quite embarrassing."
"But, but, I just want to... be closer to Little Rin? Is that okay?"
Seeing Rin's weak resistance, Elise took the opportunity to act cute out of habit.
Whether it was the courage from drinking a bit of alcohol, or seeing Rin in his current state, or a mix of both reasons, the present silly elk was more aggressive compared to her usual self.
Rin fell quiet for a moment, looking at Elise's eyes which softened his own gaze, and eventually, he reached out and pinched Elise's cheek.
"If it's Elise, I won't say no, and... I also want to be closer to you, no matter how embarrassing it is, because I want to respond to you."
"Hee hee."
The silly elk blushed and thought how wonderful Little Rin was...
No, I should say, no matter how Little Rin is, he is the best! I can't resist him at all!
She rubbed her little hands, approached Rin, and whispered a few words.
Rin widened his eyes in surprise, "We still have to study from books... won't that be even stranger?"
"Little Rin just said he won't refuse!"
"Alright, I understand."
So, Rin looked around nervously, with his hand on his collar.
...
Learning is always the best way for people to explore the new world.
Only by learning first and then putting it into practice, can one unlock the door to the world with more accurate knowledge.
When humans face new knowledge that they have never encountered before but are interested in, they often find it difficult to understand and feel lost at first. Through deeper research and exploration, pondering and seeking answers, they can slowly grasp the basics and improve gradually.
Of course, the saying "The sea of learning knows no bounds, yet your boat is small" means that when the boat carrying knowledge creates splashes and struggles to move forward, it indicates that it is time to pause, digest the knowledge, and then continue the journey.
The only drawback was that although Elise had done some preliminary reading, she had not finished it completely. She had just learned how to operate and drive the magical device and was not aware of its deeper functions.
Nevertheless, for first-time students exploring a new field, uncovering the knowledge, actively communicating, and conducting manual research are already sufficient.
"Elise, no matter what our friendship turns into, in the future, we will always be together."
"Yes, always together."
"With everyone."
"Hmm?"
...
