Leaving behind her final words, Lorelei turned and left without hesitation. Her tall figure, accentuated by the long boots she wore, quickly vanished into the depths of the shady path. The figure with the high, brownish-red ponytail had come and gone with clean efficiency.
The members of the Department of Policies, who had been kneeling, also glanced at Lu Kang and Kayneth in front of the courtyard before slowly retreating into the shadows and disappearing.
Kayneth sneered, "A pack of wild dogs!"
Lu Kang glanced sideways at him. He thought to himself, why didn't you curse them to their faces when Lorelei was here? He hadn't expected this Lemon-Head to be a guy who 'knows when to be pragmatic'.
Meeting Lu Kang's gaze, Kayneth just huffed and didn't comment further. He just said, "I thought you would accept Barthomeloi's recruitment."
"What difference would it make if I accepted or not?" Lu Kang said nonchalantly. The sun was at its peak but gradually beginning to set in the west. The afternoon sun at two o'clock was not as hot and intense as at noon, but the falling light still made his eyes feel warm. The youth's face was relaxed and carefree, as if the worldly-wise demeanor he had just shown had nothing to do with him.
Lu Kang said, "We'll have to fight in the end anyway—whether it's Barthomeloi or someone else." He was indeed not at his peak as he had been in his simulated life. But as long as it wasn't a genuine Grand-rank magus from the Clock Tower coming for him, he had nothing to worry about. Even if it were a Grand Caster, he could still fight them for a short time. Self-preservation was not a problem. All he lacked was the accumulation of magical energy.
"You are truly reckless, just like that 'Luvest'!" Kayneth gathered the golden hair that had been slightly mussed by the wind.
Lu Kang did not respond further. As the Sanctuary formula covering his clothes slowly dissipated, the flowing light spreading out and extinguishing, he turned with a slight arc and walked towards the courtyard gate. "Since those guys have already left, let's not just stand outside—"
Kayneth raised an eyebrow. Was this guy treating his manor as his own territory? The Head of the Department of Mineralogy was somewhat speechless, but he still followed. Even though this was his workshop, it felt more like he was being led in by Lu Kang.
The El-Melloi manor, after the departure of the Department of Policies' 'wild dogs', had already returned to tranquility. As the mystery receded like a tide, it revealed its original appearance. Lu Kang and Kayneth once again crossed the iron gate, passed through the fluttering grass and trees of the courtyard, and walked towards the low-key yet deeply韵味 (charming/elegant) mansion.
As he walked, Kayneth said, "A mere commoner daring to provoke Barthomeloi. Should I say you are bold and reckless, or that you are seeking death?"
"Do you think I will die?" Lu Kang, without stopping, glanced sideways at Kayneth walking beside him.
Kayneth had his hands behind his back. The shadows of the sunlight passed across his face. As his voice sounded, they also walked into the long corridor inside the mansion at the same time. The lecturer of the Clock Tower, dressed in a deep-colored long robe, had a smile on his lips.
He said, "You won't. Even if it's just by the name 'Luvest', there are some families within the Clock Tower who will ensure you don't die—but they will also be happy to see you suffer. I am the same."
Though he said this, Kayneth was actually very satisfied with Lu Kang's performance just now, satisfied with the fearlessness and dignity he had shown when faced with Barthomeloi's recruitment. If he had been in Lu Kang's position, he might not have been able to refuse so unhesitatingly... That was Barthomeloi. The oldest family in the Clock Tower. The Barthomeloi, whose status was second only to the head of the Department of Lore, the director of the Clock Tower!
The two of them sat down again in the great hall from before. The glass chandelier once again shed its light. Kayneth leaned back in his chair and continued, "Of course, if you are seeking further protection, I would be happy to accept—"
"You're not going to follow Barthomeloi's example and ask me to become your 'foster brother', are you?" Lu Kang spread his hands, speechless.
Kayneth picked up the coffee on the table. After taking a sip, he frowned slightly and put it down. In the corner of the room, a maid, untouched by the light, immediately stepped forward to replace the coffee. Lu Kang looked at the maid's unfamiliar face, clearly different from the one who had led him in just now. He couldn't help but sigh at the depravity of the nobility...
Kayneth continued, "I have no interest in having another 'foster brother' with no blood relation. But—you can consider marrying into the family."
Marrying in? A bad premonition suddenly arose in Lu Kang's heart...
"Although your bloodline is only two or three generations old, and has only continued for a few decades, we have never been stingy in recruiting talented commoners," Kayneth explained. "Of course, even if you marry in, it won't be into my main line. I've heard that in another branch under El-Melloi, there is a very talented girl—she is the sole heir of that branch. In terms of relation, she should be my niece. If you marry her, you can also inherit the name of that branch and become a family head in your own right... You can preserve your Magic Crest independently and also form your own faction."
"What's not to like?" Kayneth's words were very tempting. It was clear that after the display with Barthomeloi, he had begun to truly value Lu Kang—not for the name 'Luvest', but for Lu Kang himself! As he said, even the most stubborn noble factions would not hesitate to recruit a commoner genius. Mystery also needed fresh blood. If not for that, they would have long since been extinguished in the long river of time.
"With all due respect," Lu Kang raised his hand, "the sole heir girl you're talking about... her name wouldn't happen to be 'Luvia', would it?"
Kayneth frowned. "I think so? Such matters, I usually don't remember, nor are they worth remembering!"
And so Lu Kang was even more speechless. He certainly remembered the girl named 'Luvia', because she was also a character who had appeared in the works of the Moon World... the girl who would inherit the El-Melloi name after Kayneth's death. But if he remembered correctly, at this point in time, 1993, Luvia was only four or five years old!
Fucking hell, that's a crime! He wanted to refuse without hesitation...
"Don't be in such a hurry to refuse. We can discuss this matter later," Kayneth interrupted the swirling thoughts in his mind. He picked up the freshly brewed coffee the maid had served and said slowly, "Anyway, there's still plenty of time. You can stay in this manor and think about it properly. In accordance with the El-Melloi Contract, everything here, except for the secret places, will be open to you."
"The guest room is on the second floor, the library is on the third floor." Kayneth stood up leisurely. "Oh, right, there's one more thing you should be thankful for—that you came alone today, and didn't bring that arrogant and completely incompetent Mr. Waver Velvet, who only knows how to show off with his mouth. Otherwise, I would have definitely swept you both out the door!"
As he said this, Kayneth pointed to Lu Kang's pocket. Lu Kang finally realized he seemed to have forgotten something... He took out the brick phone from his pocket. The call was still connected. The commotion here just now had all been heard by Waver.
"Hello?" Lu Kang put it to his ear.
—That guy Lu Kang... actually ran off to seek refuge with that damn Lemon-Head? And that Lemon-Head was even badmouthing me behind my back!? On the other end of the line, Waver, still downstairs at the student dorms, was furious and was about to demand an explanation.
But Lu Kang's first sentence made him choke. "The call fee comes to five hundred pounds, you're welcome."
"Are you f*cking robbing me?!" Waver, downstairs from the student dorms, jumped up, forgetting what he was about to say!
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