Chapter 2068: Chapter 2068: Horseback Riding, Elf, and the Girl Beneath the Night
"Clearly, it’s my issue, yet I have to trouble you all."
"What are you talking about? You’ve already controlled nearly half of the Grand Witches in the Council. If you still have to do everything yourself, we’d think you don’t trust us."
"Although I’m very touched, I still feel you’re deliberately teasing me with your wording."
The Red-Haired Witch did not object but affectionately grabbed Shard’s hand:
"Today is Saturday, and you surely have to go into town for a meeting in the afternoon. But since you’re here with me this morning, how about going out for a stroll with me? Let’s take a trip to my farm, you can ride a horse and carry me with you, I’ll sit side-saddle in front of you, and you’ll hold my waist. Knight, you wouldn’t refuse me, would you?"
She winked at Shard, a look that was simply irresistible.
So, Shard, who originally planned to take advantage of the morning to visit the black market at Moon Bay, completely abandoned the idea of leaving Tobesk today. Spending the morning on a romantic outing outside the city with the Duchess and having lunch together, he then took Mia to the Schneider Psychological Clinic in the eastern part of the city.
Shard arrived a bit late, as the rest of the group, including Priest Augustus who was absent last week, was already there. The Priest showed no difference from usual; when Shard entered the reception room on the second floor of the clinic, he was discussing the upcoming exam week in a month’s time with Luviya.
The most important matter in this week’s group meeting was still the summer off-campus practice activities for the students mentioned last week:
"The date has been set. The two ladies and one gentleman have already departed from the Academy, entered the northern border city of Draleon through unified channels, and will take a train to the Tobesk Region. The Academy has notified me to welcome them at the train station next Tuesday morning, which is the first day of Thunder Moon. Ladies and gentlemen, remember I mentioned last time there’s a student with a special identity?"
The doctor asked the four of them. Although the priest didn’t know earlier, he knew now, and he also nodded:
"Bill, is it someone related to a professor from the Academy, so we need to take care of them?"
"No, no, of course not. Traditionally, students who come to our districts closely monitored by the Church are humans, or at least appear to be pure humans. But this time, one of the ladies is an Exotic Species student, simply put, she’s an Elven Miss."
He was a bit disappointed to see that no one showed surprised looks:
"The Elven Miss has an Illusion Magic Spell crafted by the professors and will wear a talisman to maintain the appearance of a human girl while staying in Tobesk. However, the Academy requests our group to pay special attention to her. She belongs to the Moon Creek Clan... To be honest, I’m not very familiar with Elven clan divisions, but an acquaintance at the Academy told me that Miss Emilia Sianod is part of the Elven nobility."
Hearing "Moon Creek Clan," Shard thought of his acquaintance, and upon hearing the name, he was convinced.
"I know her."
So Shard raised his hand and said. Except for Luviya, who had personally seen unicorns and elves, the others weren’t very aware of Shard’s experiences, so Shard briefly explained some things from his adventures in the Randall Valley.
Luviya also helped to add:
"I have a very beautiful unicorn tail feather hairband that was a gift from Miss Emilia."
Usually, one would address someone with the "surname" followed by "Miss" or "Lady." However, elves are a bit different, and her full name should be Emilia Sianod Rille, so addressing her as "Miss Emilia" is also customary.
"It’s convenient if it’s an acquaintance."
Dr. Schneider breathed a sigh of relief:
"I was originally worried about hosting them since I don’t know much about elves... Shard, I heard that elves are vegetarian?"
"Doctor, did you hear that from a fairy tale?"
Shard asked with a smile, which even made the doctor himself laugh.
"But doctor, why are there Exotic Species students coming to us this time?"
Dorothy glanced at Shard:
"Did she suggest it herself?"
"No, the Academy considers that the world hasn’t been peaceful in recent years, so they hope students, whether on-campus or correspondence students, can adapt to the changing world in advance. The scale of this year’s off-campus practice is unusually large, and even Exotic Species students who rarely leave the Academy are forced to participate in the activities."
The doctor explained, having caught on to what Dorothy meant, so he explained very thoroughly:
"Alright, alright, let’s not stray off topic. Listen to me, these three gentlemen and ladies from the Academy will probably stay with us for about a month. The content of their off-campus practice from the Academy is to track down the whereabouts of a Scribe Level Relic. Of course, unless they actively seek help, this doesn’t concern us. Around the end of next month, just before we start exams, they’ll leave. I hope they have a pleasant time here locally this month. But a Scribe Level Relic, in my opinion, is almost like a summer vacation trip... ahem, as for next Tuesday’s trip to the train station, there’s no need for all five of us to go; it’s too conspicuous."
Dr. Schneider glanced at the four:
"I’m the leader, so I definitely need to go along. Shard, since you know Miss Elf, you should come with me."
"Alright, Doctor, I’ll make time."
"No need for Priest Augustus to go; it’s not good if he’s recognized. But since there are two ladies this time, I think our group needs a lady to go with us to the train."
Luviya and Dorothy exchanged a look, and Dorothy took it upon herself to agree:
"I’ll go; Luviya still has work at the Prophet’s Society and can’t easily take leave."
"Alright, see you at the train station then. Don’t underestimate this task. Before formally heading to the Academy, establishing contact with the Academy is the simplest way. How do you think I met all my acquaintances at the Academy? This is a great opportunity to make connections."
Besides the summer practice tasks, everyone also has their own matters to handle. The approaching exam week has finally made everyone tense, like Dorothy, who, due to the failure of the winter exam week, has decided to spend the remaining month focusing on revising.
Although Shard is again taking the most subjects, he has already basically completed his exam preparations during the month and a half of rest, so he doesn’t have many tasks to manage. However, Miss Danester promised Shard she would find the "Black Flame Ice Wine" for him, and it arrived that afternoon through the paper manuscripts the doctor was holding.
The wine was stored in a palm-sized flat-necked bottle, its color pale as water. Mia seemed quite interested in it, especially when she saw Shard shake the bottle, turning the transparent liquid into a cluster of black flames, which piqued her curiosity even more.
Besides the "Black Smoke Ice Wine," the Fifth Era publication "Mirror Fairy Tale" that Shard sought was also found through Old John. After the group meeting, Shard and Dorothy went together to pick up the book, and Old John kindly gifted Shard the corresponding translation text for free.
On the carriage ride home, Shard browsed the book and found it contained the "Mermaid" story he had been learning recently:
"It seems this story originated earlier than the late Fifth Era... Seems I said something redundant, if later than the Fifth Era, it would be the Sixth Era."
Miss Writer showed a gentle smile, reaching out to take the book:
"Let me see, which version of ’Mermaid’ is recorded here. This week in our class, we’ll use two Mermaid Scales from Lecia. After dinner, let’s set off, this time Lecia and I will teach you in the water."
"In the water?"
"Yes, to Green Island."
The Golden-haired Girl blinked at him:
"Although some Church people are still on the island, didn’t you say there’s a lake on the island not open to others?"
This refers to the island where Megan and Audrey ascended. As for why it’s closed to others, naturally, it’s because they and Shard formed... confirmations of feelings and further relationship in the center of that lake.
"The island’s water quality is excellent; while teaching, you can also relax by swimming. Always studying in the study isn’t good; it’s nice to go out occasionally... Although Lecia can’t come personally, she prepared a very beautiful..."
She blushed, biting her lip gently:
"Swimsuit."
Thus, that night, under the moon and water, the scene of the Golden-haired Girl smiling and waving to Shard became yet another unforgettable visual memory for the Outlander of this world. He wanted to praise Dorothy at that moment under the moon as a true "Mermaid," but the association of the words "water" and "Mermaid" triggered Shard’s instinctual reaction, leading him to dive into the water to verify whether the body of Miss Writer beneath the water was human or something else.
"Oh, Shard, don’t tease me."
Dorothy laughed and dove into the water too. Later, somehow, their clothes floated to the water’s surface. Embracing Miss Writer and the young Detective appeared out of nowhere on that island in the Heart Lake where stories had happened. Shard lay on the grass, moonlight illuminating the dewdrops on the grass blades and the glimmering golden hair of the Girl, who pinned his arms down.
At the edge of this memory picture, the disgruntled cat stood at the water’s edge watching their "game," adding more interesting color to this deeply buried memory besides romance.
"Meow~"
Shard knew Mia didn’t like getting wet, so although there was no wardrobe here, putting it on Heart Lake Island was akin to putting it inside a wardrobe.
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