Chapter 70
Sylas quickly shook her head like a frightened little wild animal and darted away from Xerath.
She ran downstairs, then stood against the wall scared, her heart beating fast, not knowing what happened.
She quickly changed clothes, went to the living room and activated the Fire Lord Chef, and whispered to her that Xerath was back. The Fire Lord immediately started cooking.
When Titus saw her safely appear in the living room, he excitedly ran towards her, circling around her anxiously. Sylas picked him up and sat on the couch, comforting him. Titus sniffed her, and when he saw that she was okay, he nodded seriously.
They heard pecking sounds from outside the window. Sylas opened it and let Shamodial fly in. After taking out a letter, Shamodial impatiently flapped its wings and flew away, probably tired.
Inside were several letters, two of them were from Sylas. This was unprecedented! One was from "Red Leaf Primary School," clearly written by twins, and the other was from Xerath, with the postmark from Salaratlo. When Sylas saw the handwriting, she felt overwhelmed with joy. Although she had woken up with Xerath that morning, she had never received a letter from her.
But wouldn't it be embarrassing to read her letter in front of Xerath? Sylas quickly glanced at the door and then opened the envelope.
It was written on the usual draft paper at home, with Xerath's own handwriting. If you wanted to find differences between writings done by the Water Lord and those done by the mage, it would probably be that a pen would leave subtle bends and marks, making the ink appear differently than when it was solely controlled by magic.
Without a doubt, this letter that Xerath wrote herself, even later than her arrival home, was completed by her personally. Sylas could almost imagine her holding the pen seriously under a glowing ball of light.
She had a gracefully arched neck, delicate earlobes, fine strands of hair, eyeglasses with golden rims, faded eyes that sometimes slightly pursed her lips while considering her words.
"Dear Sylas,
Although research is a personal matter, the results of one person's research will undoubtedly be included in the academic community. The collective research of everyone forms this fictional group.
However, one's consciousness cannot be known to others beforehand. Therefore, announcing one's achievements to others and the act of conducting research itself are equally important, especially when you are certain of your correctness and realize your responsibility as a researcher.
Meetings are an important means of announcing. Conferences often have a theme, and people in related research fields present their achievements, exchange opinions, and collide ideas at the conference. Such communication often helps generate new ideas, which undoubtedly brings tremendous benefits that are tangible and visible.
However, humans are also quite complex beings. Different individuals with different purposes intersect with each other. They form circles based on relationships such as blood ties, mentors, nations, and interests, and compete and argue with each other. Sometimes, such arguments can fall into a vicious cycle, even disregarding facts and truths, resulting in very chaotic and noisy interpersonal relationships.
Many researchers are not good at dealing with people, but due to the importance of meetings, researchers have no choice but to be involved. Unfortunately, I am one of them. When it comes to interpersonal relationships, I often have to rely on the help of my senior colleagues. This makes me very clear that with their protection and tacit approval, I can focus on doing what I love in a place far from the world.
However, I think you have also noticed that my relationship with them is undoubtedly a part of interpersonal relationships. Such things are unavoidable in human society. You will have friends and enemies, and you will continually interact with strangers. But unfortunately, I can't teach you more about this. I'm glad you have your own friends, and I hope you cherish them.
Not significant."
Sylas couldn't quite explain these feelings, but she felt something blocking her in her heart. Xerath was so pitiful.
Maybe Xerath also had things she couldn't do, and this knowledge was the most frustrating thing for her. Before this, she always thought Xerath was all-knowing and capable of constantly pleasing herself.
Elemental King wasn't all-powerful either. She had things she couldn't handle but had to force herself to do.
She knew how beautifully her teacher would bloom doing what she loved, so she felt incredibly sorry for having to force herself.
Wanting to protect her. Maybe all the elements around her felt the same. The wind element whispered.
Suddenly, a crisp sound of footsteps came down the stairs. Sylas was startled and quickly hid all the letters under Titus' cushion, earnestly saying, "Cutie, please hide them for me, don't let the teacher see!"
"Woof!"
Titus must have agreed, as it shuffled the letters under itself. Although Sylas couldn't see its eyes or expression, she could feel its seriousness and solemnity. This must be an agreement between best friends.
Xerath walked in. Her previously casual appearance had been tidied up, with her golden hair meticulously arranged on her head. However, she didn't come out wearing a robe. She only had a loose-sleeved shirt and a vest on top, paired with slim-fit pants and leather shoes below. The perfectly tailored outfit accentuated her tall and graceful figure. Virgil called this a "cultured pretty boy."
Sylas always remembered this word associated with Xerath, and as her reading expanded, she finally understood the meaning of this word.
It was quite appropriate.
Xerath instinctively touched her face and asked Sylas, "Why are you looking at me?"
Sylas shook her head, blushed, and lowered her head shyly. "Teacher, I... um... am willing to intrude into your room and accept any punishment..."
"Actually, I haven't made a rule that you can't enter my room, so I can't blame you for that. But I do want to emphasize that I have personal boundaries. Although I don't mind being in contact with you..."
Rarely, subtle expressions appeared on Xerath's face, indicating that she was considering her words and feeling a bit embarrassed. But Sylas patiently waited, her emerald eyes gazing at her, quiet and obedient.
Xerath suddenly smiled, "Just like what I said last night, I don't blame you for this. Thank you for waking up early and allowing Elvis to prepare breakfast."
"It's what I should do."
Unexpectedly, Elvis made hot pancakes, meat patties, and scrambled eggs today. Butter and honey melted on the hot pancakes, making one's mouth water even before they were plated.
"Sylas, did you receive my letter?"
"Um... not yet."
"Strange, Shamodial should have come back by now."
"After eating, I will go downstairs to take a look. Maybe Shamodial went straight back to their own perch."
Xerath nodded and silently finished her own portion before sitting on the sofa with a book in her hand.
Her steps seemed slow and heavy. Despite a night's sleep, the fatigue didn't seem to go away.
Sylas didn't know how to please her, so she walked downstairs in silence. Titus obediently followed behind her. They both sat on a step in the corner of the stairs. Sylas leaned down and picked up Titus's front paw, quietly explaining to it, "First, we need to hide the letters sent to me in the room. Then we'll take her letters upstairs. Come on, give them to me!"
Titus stood on its hind legs, revealing its white paw pads. In the middle of the paw pads, there was a fabric strip with several letters that Sylas had given it. Sylas took out the envelopes, hid two that belonged to her in the room, and gave the rest to Xerath.
Xerath just leaned against the sofa, with a cushion behind her. The book hung in front of her, but she didn't open it.
She seemed lost in thought, as if the meeting she mentioned had drained all her energy. She used to be a very energetic researcher, teaching Sylas during the day, reading books at noon, writing papers in the evening, staying up late to find information, and still managing to solve Sylas's puzzles. But now, she looked exhausted, like a cushion with all the cotton drained out.
"Teacher..."
Xerath stood up and took the letter, saying, "This won't do. I can feel my own decadence. I have to go back to the library to keep my focus." She said this and left, while Sylas sighed.
Unexpectedly, Xerath poked her head in from outside the door and said, "Sylas, what are you staring at? I need to check your homework. Could you please come with me to the library?"
Sylas hurriedly followed her, but for some reason, her mood became very cheerful. Xerath must be the kind of person who feels happy when she thinks. Sylas thought to herself as she followed behind Xerath, nervously took her hand, and Xerath naturally held it.
Sylas gave Xerath her reading notes and practice exercises. Xerath sat in front of her writing desk, put on her glasses, and carefully observed them.
Sylas stood in front of her.
After flipping through several pages, Xerath looked up and said, "You don't have to accompany me. You can do your own thing. Didn't Shamodial bring back the letters from your friends? And the letter I gave you... Are you planning to write back to me?"
Sylas shook her head and shyly smiled, "Do I have to give it to you in person? It feels a bit awkward to imagine."
Xerath nodded in agreement, "I also hope I don't have the chance to receive your letter."
Sylas sensed something unusual: only when she left Aimekotes did she need to write to Xerath.
If given the chance, she definitely wished to stay by Xerath's side.
She went back to her room, retrieved her own letter, and opened it to read the latest findings the twins had provided her.
Good news arrived:
"The longest water elemental spell is undoubtedly the troublesome water lord covenant spells, excluding curses, I mean spells like draining a lake to summon a rift storm. It's not something ordinary folks would know, but you've asked the right person. It's written in an enlightening kind of encyclopedia, just like the one I mentioned before. It's published by a small publishing house, with watercolor illustrations, very beautiful. I suspect it's the work of elves, so my sister who works at the library took it for her collection. But enough chatter, there are a total of eight lines."
