……

Sievers College is located in the northwestern part of the Lord's Quarter, just two streets away from the Lord's House and the official post house.

If you stand on top of the tallest tower of the school and look out around.

You can even clearly see the entry and exit of the people in the barracks of the lord's guard.

This is the only school in Rolling Stone.

It was built by Sif's grandfather, Rhaeggar's father, Sever.

In fact, this can be glimpsed from Rhaegar Naming Sif.

Sief and Siefer themselves are the same word, and the distinction between male and female names in the context of the common language is made.

This was apparently done by Rhaegar in memory of his father.

It is said to be a public school.

In fact, the whole school is three buildings, a teaching building, a teacher's dormitory and a comprehensive building.

This is comparable to the number of students who study here.

All three buildings seemed a little empty.

With the economic structure and civilization development of Rolling Stone, only a dozen families can afford to pay for their children to go to school.

Although after Rhaegar became a lord, the school was opened to more children of the residents of Rolling Stone, and a good tuition subsidy was provided.

But the number of students in the school is still very small.

In Matthew's memory.

When he was a history teacher, he taught at most 30 students at the same time.

It was already the most lively teaching scene he had ever seen.

But more than half a year has passed.

The school seems to have undergone subtle changes.

Matthew stood at the end of the hallway on the second floor of the school building, looking down through the gap in the spiral staircase.

"The number of students seems to be quite a bit higher than before?"

When Matthew first came in, he passed by a few teenagers and girls who looked like students.

He stumbled upon the men's accents not to be native to Rolling Stone.

"That should be from the High Leaf Collar or the Golden Fertile Field."

Matthew made a sharp judgment.

This subtle change is also in line with Rolling Stone's thriving regional influence.

It is true that there are not so many children of nobles or wealthy merchants in Rolling Rock Town who can come to school in their spare time.

But the high leaf collar has.

There are also golden fertile fields that have been occupied by Rolling Stone.

Of course, there is no shortage of smart people in these territories, and the rise of Rolling Rock Town is already a sure thing, if you don't choose to leave, then all that's left is to cater to.

In this situation, it seems a little too late to cater directly to Rhaegar or Zeller.

Therefore, sending his children to Seaver College for further study became a curvilinear choice to save the country.

Matthew had just seen two faces in the girls' classroom, sitting furthest away from Siv, but there was a faint hint of trying to get closer.

Matthew didn't think much of it at the time.

Now that I think about it, those two girls should have nothing to do with the aristocratic forces of Gao Yeling.

"No wonder Zeller is busy all day long, the rise of Rolling Stones is bound to make many people rush to the door, these people may not all have bad intentions, but it is really troublesome to deal with it properly, at least it is an extremely exhausting thing."

Matthew walked down the hallway and thought casually.

A sign also fell from the floor of the hallway ahead.

Matthew picked it up and glanced at it, revealing that it was a statement from Seaver College on recruiting teachers.

It seems that Rhaegar is happy to have more people join the school, and has also taken the opportunity to expand the school's curriculum.

Matthew's understanding of school.

If you can recruit enough people according to the plan, then students here will be educated in a series of courses such as etiquette, horsemanship, arithmetic, geography, history, language, humanities, and arts.

In addition to this, the girls also have handicrafts.

Boys have separate hunting lessons.

This will greatly enrich the students' original learning life, but it is estimated that most of them will be miserable.

Matthew also found that in the notice, the school paid teachers about 20 percent more than before.

It's a great deal.

But correspondingly.

Shalfer's scrutiny of teachers' identities is as strict as ever.

The origin is unknown.

It is impossible to get hired.

Looking at these entries, Matthew couldn't help but recall the time three years ago.

At that time, he was repeatedly hitting a wall in his job search in Rolling Stone.

He thought he was a mage, and it shouldn't be difficult to find a job with the rarity of a mage.

However, he did not anticipate the importance of identification.

This is true not only in Rolling Stone, but also in other areas.

Even if it is a mage, unless the lord happens to have something to ask for, it is difficult for a person of unknown origin to integrate into the local life circle in a relatively stable area.

Think about it this way.

Archmage Ronan's recommendation and guarantee are even more precious.

"I hope he's doing well in the astral plane."

Matthew secretly repeated this prayer in his heart.

The school is unusually quiet on a winter afternoon.

He leaned boredly against the railing of the spiral staircase, looking out of the side bulging belly window.

A few white doves flew by.

The sound of wings flapping is clearly audible.

Although they quickly skimmed out of Matthew's field of vision, he could tell the whereabouts of the white doves from memory alone—

It was a pigeon coop high up in the school tower.

Every afternoon it was feeding time, and the white pigeons, who were out and about, would return to the tower on time to be fed by Mr. Spencer.

The latter was a very learned man, at least among mortals.

He was a geography teacher at Shalfer College and occasionally took part-time riding and hunting lessons.

Matthew was very fond of Mr. Spencer and his wife, Mrs. Ginley.

In his impression, the two are very affectionate.

Although Mr. Spencer was as thin as a bamboo pole, Ms. Ginley was much more graceful.

The great contrast between the two walking on the street holding hands with each other often attracts a lot of attention.

This is one of the reasons why Matthew is so impressed with them.

And part of the reason.

Ms. Jinli would often bring Matthew her homemade cookies.

Mr. Spencer is also willing to share the customs of Rolling Rock with Matthew.

Although he doesn't spend much time with them.

This memory is precious to Matthew now.

Perhaps under the influence of Rhaeggar.

Everyone at Shalfer seemed to be friendly.

At least that's what Matthew was when he recalled.

At that time, he may have been a slightly withdrawn young teacher in the eyes of others, and some people even knew that Matthew was a mage, but they also thought that he was the most down-and-out and least talented.

But with him leaving the school.

Presumably, it is time for his amazing deeds to reach the ears of these people.

I wonder how they feel when they talk about themselves in the lounge?

Come to think of it.

The corners of Matthew's mouth couldn't help but sketch a smile.

He actually wanted to go back to the teacher's lounge.

But he didn't.

Growing means getting stronger.

But at the same time, it also means that many things cannot be turned back.

If it weren't for the bonds of that memory.

There seems to be only a deep estrangement between Matthew and the school now.

He narrowed his eyes.

I changed my position and continued to lean against the railing.

"Wait! What about Siv? ”

"She can't be that she didn't see me, right? No, isn't the gesture I just made not obvious enough? ”

The wait seems to be getting longer.

Matthew had such doubts in his heart.

Fortunately, it didn't take long.

From the other end of the hallway rang out the sound of Tatata's moccasins on the marble floor.

The bright and beautiful girl came on the scent of a fragrant breeze.

She generously stopped in front of Matthew and said hello:

"Good afternoon, Matthew."

The first time I saw Sif again, Matthew knew why he had to wait so long.

She went to secretly touch up her makeup!

Today's Sif feels different to Matthew than it did before.

She was wearing a light brown knitted sweater on her upper body, a lady's long skirt on her lower body, a few beautiful little white flowers were braided around her waist, and her feet were round and cute little leather shoes, and the shadow of cake stockings could be vaguely seen.

Matthew glanced at it several times before realizing that the feeling that made him feel different came from the change in the other person's hairstyle.

I don't know if it's the reason for the winter.

Seve coiled her long hair up, and her temperament became noticeably more mature.

This can also be glimpsed from the change in makeup.

She no longer looked like the little girl she had remembered.

It seems like I've grown a lot overnight.

"Matthew?"

"Are you here for me?"

Seve asked generously.

Ma Xian wanted to answer.

Seve suddenly raised a finger and put it on her tender lips:

"Let's go out and talk."

"Go outside the school."

With that, she took the initiative and walked downstairs.

Matthew was stunned for a moment, but soon became keenly aware of Seve Sif's intentions-

She seems to have prepared for today's conversation.

When they met, they tried to erase the mark they left on this school.

Matthew smiled and followed, and asked casually:

"Where do you want to go?"

Seve suddenly stopped, and looked back at Matthew with those big eyes that seemed to be able to speak:

"Can you go anywhere?"

Matthew also nodded cheerfully:

"As long as it's within my reach."

Siv's face suddenly flashed with a hint of longing:

"I want to go to a place where no one knows me, preferably a lively city."

"Is that okay?"

Matthew thought for a moment and had the answer.

"Follow me."

As he spoke, he opened an arbitrary door and left the school with Seve in tow.

Then the two of them found a secluded corner.

Matthew activated the teleportation technique, and at that moment he gently squeezed Sif's small hand, and the figures of the two disappeared in an instant.

The next second.

The whirring wind blew on their faces.

After feeling the hard pavement under his feet, Matthew let go.

Not far away, two guards wanted to approach.

After Matthew showed them a token, the two guards quickly left with awe-inspiring eyes.

"Where is this?"

Seve asked in surprise.

"This is above the walls of Riptide City, below is the commercial area of Riptide City, and outside is the suburbs, oh, can you still see the jade garden standing here?"

Matthew introduced while looking at the scenery in the distance.

Northeast direction.

The lush forest sea is like a giant dragon crawling on the earth.

The natural magical glow of the wood elves flickered like a lighthouse over the forest from time to time.

Two roads stretching out of the outskirts of the city split in two at a distance as far as the eye could see.

One of the roads went north, and that was the road to the Watchman Heights;

The other road heads straight east and soon leads into the territory of the forest.

"It's beautiful."

Seve came to Matthew's side and let out a low murmur.

"But will it be okay for us to suddenly appear here?"

She asked, a little worried.

Matthew smiled:

"The registered mage of Riptide City has just been a guest in my woods for a while, and we won't be in any trouble here."

Seve immediately looked at her with adoration.

But she quickly retracted this gaze, and then looked at the jade garden:

"Is that where Beanna studied dance?"

"I really envy her!"

"What a luxury it is for me to be able to go out into the world and see it!"

"My father has not allowed me to go too far out of his sight since I can remember, and I have obediently obeyed his orders. The only time I secretly went to the countryside to play, I was kidnapped by a sorcerer, and that time you saved me. Since then, I have never dared to get into trouble again. ”

"But this kind of life is really boring!"

When talking.

She rested her hands on her chest, her forearms pressed against the walls, and her head rested loosely above her forearms.

At this moment.

It was as if she had turned back into a child who longed for freedom.

Her eyes were full of longing as she looked at the jade court.

See this scene.

Matthew was silent.

Seve is really smart, she probably guessed the purpose of his trip as soon as she saw Matthew-

That is, the lobbyist hired by Rhaegar .

As soon as these words were spoken.

Matthew's prepared rhetoric was blocked for the most part.

So he had to improvise:

"That's why you want to go to the Far North Floating City?"

Seve tilted her head to the other side:

"Partly so."

"Part of the reason is that I wanted to learn spells too."

Matthew reminds Hello:

"You have a power in your body that is not inferior to magic."

However, Seve bluntly said:

"But I hate it!"

"I hate Nini, I hate any part of myself that has to do with the devil - just as much as I hate Melinda."

"Matthew, can you understand this feeling?

I don't know when I started nausea a lot.

At first I didn't understand where the nausea was coming from.

But then I figured it out.

But I felt even more hopeless.

Because it came from my father and mother. ”

Siv's tone was flat.

But what was said was extremely angry.

Matthew could feel her struggling to control her anger:

"You probably don't know, but not only do I hate Melinda's selfishness, but I also hate the devilish blood that Regaar gave me.

In fact, I was outraged from the bottom of my heart by the shortcomings that both my parents had left me, both in blood and spirit.

I was also ashamed of this thought.

I've often wondered if such rebellious thoughts are also due to the inheritance of the devil's bloodline or Melinda's selfishness.

I do not know.

I used to be able to suppress these ridiculous thoughts.

But since the awakening.

I've become more sensitive.

I'm no longer the little girl I can pretend to be innocent and innocent.

I didn't want to hurt my father.

But what he taught me from childhood was to tell me that everything about the devil is original sin.

And now he's telling me in turn not to hate the devil's blood in me?

How is this possible?

I've always wanted to be a sensible girl, and I've always done that.

But this time I really couldn't resist my impulses.

I could feel my own being strongly distorted.

Sometimes I don't understand what the meaning of my existence is.

If it's extreme.

Then I was born a mistake.

Good thing I'm not that extreme.

So I'm just a little sad and a little disgusted.

In my father's opinion, I just had to coax me.

I think so myself.

But it's not that simple.

I wanted to find a path to self-reconciliation.

Leaving Rolling Stone, heading to the Far North Floating City, and stepping into the world of mages was one such attempt for me.

Can you understand how I feel? ”

Seve lifted her head and reached out to comb her windswept hair slightly.

Her eyes were still bright, but not as carefree as they had been at first sight.

Matthew was silenced again.

He realized that what he had thought before he came was really too simple.

If it weren't for Sif Sif's initiative.

He had no idea that the girl in front of him had so many thoughts hidden in her heart.

"After awakening?"

"I wonder if it's because of the Holy Grail of Sin, or because of Melinda's day?"

Matthew thought about it.

For a girl whose mother was not by her side since she was a child, such a reaction is normal.

He bowed his head slightly to Siv:

"I'm sorry, but I thought it was too simple."

Seve shook her head with a smile and said:

"It's okay."

"But it's not that you're as simple as you think, it's that you've never cared about me."

"I'm good, I'm good, Beana, you always treat us like little girls, but in fact, I'm really not small!"

As she spoke, she puffed out her chest vigorously.

Matthew felt the bulging curves and quickly looked away.

Is awakening equal to secondary development for a race like the devil?

He was secretly surprised in his heart.

However, Sif has no intention of letting Matthew go.

She took a step closer, the girl's scent stimulating Matthew's nerves.

She asked aloud:

"Matthew, don't you like women?"

"Or maybe you don't like humans at all?"

Hear this.

Matthew laughed instead:

"You don't have to irritate me like that, because my goal is clear from start to finish."

Seve asked:

"What goal?

Is it powerful mana?

Or become the most powerful mage?

Is this something fascinating?

Chasing these, you can't like women, can't you?

Isn't that something you can't do both?

Or are you a coward who doesn't know what you want and just runs away? ”

Her questions are sharper and sharper.

Matthew's state of mind is more relaxed and calm than ever.

He calmly replied:

"Yes, not both."

"There may be some mages who can maintain enough desire to study and work hard after having a significant other, but I don't think I'm that kind of person."

"My focus and energy are quite limited, and I just want to focus on what matters most."

"At least for now, there's no doubt about it."

Matthew actually put it quite tactfully.

In fact, most successful mages do not distract themselves too soon.

They differ from Matthew in that.

The mages of this world make a clear distinction between desires and feelings.

This means that they can have a chaotic private life while making amazing progress in the field of spells.

Few legendary mages have their own emotional sustenance before the legendary.

They are just venting their desires.

But Matthew couldn't do that.

He doesn't have any emotional cleanliness, nor is he a moral pacesetter, he just can't do it.

"As you said, chasing mana and power is a fascinating thing.

And in my heart, the relationship between people is also a fascinating thing, and love is especially so.

Anything fascinating in this world is mutually exclusive.

I've never been averse to starting a relationship.

But that's also after my legendary path has reached a relatively stable stage.

There's a lot more I have to do.

I still have a long way to go.

And it's not just because it's a fascinating thing.

And because it's an existential matter.

I'm talking about life and death.

It may not be just me. ”

Matthew added.

There was a confused look on Sif's face:

"I don't understand."

"I don't understand."

"Why is this happening?"

Matthew did not answer positively, but said lightly:

"My mentor is Lady Isabel, one of the most famous mages in the Alliance."

"She has tremendous strength, but her mental state is not very stable, she is crazy all day long, and I don't understand a lot of things she does, and I don't understand either."

"You look at me now as I look at her now."

"We are solitary mages, crazy and arrogant loners, and it is our destiny to be misunderstood, but it is also a blessing from God."

Matthew was saying this.

It was not only Isabel's face that flashed in his mind, but also Margaret's back as she proudly walked towards purgatory.

Before saying that.

In fact, he himself can't say why he is so repulsed or even afraid of feelings.

But after saying that, he suddenly woke up.

Rejection is not due to fear.

It's because of greed.

He was so greedy and thirsty!

Such a desire to carve out a whole new world on the road of legend.

So he didn't dare to have the slightest snubbing and distraction.

above desire.

There are only higher desires.

Matthew didn't say any of these things.

Because he didn't expect Siph to be a mortal who could understand him.

However, Seve was silent for a while.

Then he said very gently:

"I still don't understand."

"But I believe in you, and I believe that your reasons must be valid."

"Magic must be something particularly fascinating, and your efforts and focus now will have a special meaning in the future."

"I believe that, so, sorry, I was a little too presumptuous."

There was an apologetic look on her cute little face.

Matthew stared at her for a long time.

The latter's eyes were very bright, and there was no trace of the depression of apology.

He smiled and shook his head.

Once again, the other party took back the initiative on the topic, at least for now, Matthew could no longer convince Sif not to learn spells.

"You're too cunning."

Matthew said.

Sif's eyes flashed:

"It's just that you didn't put your mind to it."

Her tone became gentle and shy:

"But I won't embarrass you, Matthew."

"You come with me, it's in this Riptide City, just this afternoon, as long as you are willing to accompany me this time, I will promise you not to go to the Far North Floating City."

Matthew raised an eyebrow:

"Really?"

Sif didn't give him an answer.

She reached out and grabbed Matthew's warm palm with her soft hand, then turned her head and pulled him towards the steps of the city wall with a crimson face.

Matthew was a little embarrassed at first.

But soon.

He heard the sound of a "thump" heartbeat.

So he laughed.

Unexpectedly, this smile annoyed Sif, and the girl shook off Matthew's hand in annoyance:

"What's so funny about ......"

She wanted to say something.

In the next moment.

Her hand was once again held by the warm touch.

She was stunned for a moment.

"Let's go."

"Let's go see the city."

Matthew said.

……

on the street near the city gates.

Head grabbing.

Compared to Rolling Stone, which lacks entertainment, Riptide is much more prosperous.

It is said that there is also a resident theater and circus!

It serves as a traffic artery from south to north.

Riptide City is the human city most closely related to the Jade Garden.

Therefore, it is also extremely developed commercially.

Matthew took Seve by the hand and strolled down the street.

The shouts of the vendors and the rolling of the ruts of the carriages were heard.

Seve was a little shy at first.

But soon the atmosphere of the bustling city infected the two.

She looked around, and there were many small objects that could attract her new eyes.

The two walked a little bit.

Suddenly.

There was a sound of orders from the direction of the city gates:

"Let's let one go!"

"The wind chaser is doing things, please cooperate and get out of the way!"

At first, Matthew thought it was some kind of bully.

But as soon as the voice came.

Most of the people on the streets moved out of the way.

Soon.

A column of tall knights in silver armor galloped into the city on horseback.

They passed quickly through the middle of the street.

The pointed ears under the helmets and the whispered chattering of the inhabitants on either side reveal their identities -

This is the Wind Chaser army from the Jade Garden!

Matthew knows.

Ripherivers and Jade Court signed an agreement of mutual assistance in attack and defense, and the diplomatic relationship between the two sides was the highest level of intimacy.

There is even a separate camp for the Wind Chasers in Riptide.

For now.

The prestige of the Wood Elves in Riptide City is still quite high.

Not only did people not complain about giving way, but they were quite cooperative.

At this time, there was also a low voice of discussion in the crowd:

"What are the Wind Chasers going to do in such a hurry to close the team?"

"I've heard a little gossip that seems to have something to do with the Silverfrost Brotherhood."

"It shouldn't be a big deal, right? Law and order in Riptide has always been stable. ”

"Don't worry, I just saw that the leading knight is General Terani, and he personally leads the team, so there are no gangsters who can't sweep away!"

"But the knight next to him is a little ......"

Matthew put his ears away.

Then gently pulled Lassif:

"What are you looking at?"

Seve let out an "oh":

"I just think the back of a Windchaser Knight just now looks a little familiar."

"Maybe I'm wrong!"

"Let's go to the square to have a look, I heard that there may be a performance of a tiger jumping a ring of fire today!"

Between words.

The backs of the two gradually disappeared into the sea of people.

……

Meanwhile.

In the Windchaser camp.

Beanna took off her helmet a little nervously and said to Terrani next to her:

"You took me out without permission, and let me take the identity of the Wind Chaser Knight, will it be fine?"

Terrani disagreed:

"Aren't you bored in the Jade Garden, and want to come out for a walk?

A few remnants of the Silverfrost Brotherhood, what can happen?

I don't even have to do it myself, just let Levi lead the team to take a look!

Walk!

You change your clothes, I'll take you to see a fun one-

Today is the challenge day of the Jewel King's Legendary Pentathlon Race!

If you miss today, you can only wait for next month!

Hurry up, hurry up!

Change clothes, change clothes! ”

As she spoke, she looked at Beanna's chest with a squint.

Then Beanna was mercilessly pushed out the door.

……

(End of chapter)