White space.

"Actually, getting involved with Nimophila doesn't seem so bad," Liens said, feigning seriousness, after once again feeling a power as if the entire world was targeting him.

Of course, this was just a joke.

But what he wanted to express was Liens's yearning for the Legend realm.

That was truly an incredibly powerful and profound realm.

Even though he was much stronger than he had been a few months ago, he still had no power to resist when facing that person.

After a brief rest in the white space, Liens immediately entered the Instance again.

However, this time his reason for entering the Instance was no longer that teacher Atel.

Since he confirmed she was not a Grand Magician, but a pitiful female knight who was unlucky enough to be afflicted with that strange curse.

Liens no longer bothered with her.

Of course, out of not wanting to see a Sword Style genius fall into that curse, he still planned to tell Nimophila about the curse in a few days.

To see if she had a solution?

Although Atel basically had no ability to resist Liens's sword strike earlier.

But her body's reaction still gave Liens a clue.

He speculated that Atel might be a genius who had already reached the "Sword Style" realm.

Thinking back to the Instance a few months ago, when he took the Elemental Baptism Potion to advance to a knight.

Lucrezia had even praised him, saying that it was hard to find another genius of his age who had reached the "Sword Style" realm before becoming a knight.

But he didn't expect that a few months later, today, he would encounter one.

Out of pity for a Sword Style genius, Liens simply decided to help her out.

Of course, if that curse truly couldn't be lifted, then her outcome would basically not be too good.

Given Nimophila's personality, she would most likely send her to the Holy Light Church's Tribunal of the Holy Light Church Church.

The scene changed.

Liens appeared in the Dean's room, continuing his magic studies with the Dean.

This was now his reason for still staying at the academy.

As for that magic ritual?

Although he was still a bit curious, unfortunately, neither Nimophila nor the Dean had any intention of telling him this secret.

And it was also very difficult for him to extract any secrets from it.

So, he could only give up.

Moreover, he wasn't originally staying in Hughes Town because of this ritual.

...

At night, in the dining hall, the dinner to welcome Atel's employment began.

"Cheers!"

"A warm welcome to Teacher Atel joining the academy."

The teachers raised their wine glasses and cheered to Atel.

"Thank you, everyone! Cheers!"

Atel also raised her wine glass and responded with a smile.

After speaking, she put the wine glass to her mouth and took a sip of the fruit juice inside.

And with Atel leading the way, the teachers also clinked their glasses and drank.

Of course, many teachers' cups did not contain fruit juice, but proper alcoholic beverages.

The opening toast ceremony concluded, which meant the dinner officially began, and the atmosphere became even more lively.

Unlike Liens's occasion, when he came for the interview, it was a bit late, so arrangements couldn't be made in advance.

Therefore, there wasn't enough wine and drinks for all the teachers and students present to even get one glass.

So, everyone simply ate and chatted.

Later, a teacher even asked Liens if they should hold another welcome banquet for him.

However, Liens politely declined, and no one brought up the matter again.

This time, Atel started her job at noon, so there was plenty of time to prepare for the dinner.

Furthermore, the teachers even reserved the entire dining hall, not allowing students to enter.

And to make this welcome banquet a bit more formal.

Most teachers, regardless of gender, changed into formal attire that they usually wouldn't wear, only worn on major holidays.

Especially those few male teachers in their twenties and thirties, each dressed up impeccably.

They surrounded Atel, buzzing like bees collecting honey.

Liens didn't know if they felt awkward, but Atel seemed quite awkward.

"Didn't anyone tell you to wear something nicer?"

Nimophila sat down beside Liens and asked him softly.

At this moment, she was also wearing a formal dress, the blue and white base color matching her hair color perfectly.

The form-fitting and bust-enhancing design constantly showcased her perfect figure. Enjoy the story by reading on *.

Making the eyes of several unmarried male teachers present light up, but remembering the rumors that had spread earlier, they could only silently observe.

And upon seeing Nimophila sit down beside Liens, and even the two of them sitting very close...

Their long-dead hearts finally settled.

Fortunately, the arrival of Teacher Atel made up for their broken hearts.

Upon closer inspection, although Teacher Atel wasn't wearing a formal dress, her heroic face paired with equally form-fitting clothes.

Good heavens, what a big fellow...

So, those teachers engaged in even more enthusiastic "conversation" with Atel.

"Yes… but I don't have money to buy a formal dress, and I don't want to wear such uncomfortable clothes."

"Besides, not all teachers are wearing formal dresses, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Liens swallowed the food in his mouth, then took a sip of the fruit juice in his glass, showing an indifferent expression.

"Didn't you notice?"

"Those wearing formal dresses are mostly relatively young teachers; they are all unmarried."

Nimophila explained softly.

"Oh, I see, so what does that have to do with me?"

Liens took another bite of the food on the table and responded again.

"Are you pretending to be foolish with me?"

Nimophila said, intentionally baring her fangs and claws.

"Alas, this thing called love is truly terrifying."

"I remember we've only known each other for about 5 months, and my appearance is just ordinary."

"It shouldn't be worth you pursuing me like this, right?"

"Moreover, you are a priest, a follower of God; is it really okay to fall into lust?"

Liens put down his wine glass, sighing helplessly.

"God does not forbid marriage; he even encourages us to pursue love."

"Besides, appearance is not something that cannot be changed."

"Believe me, with my alchemy skills, I can definitely transform you into a look that perfectly matches my aesthetic."

"Of course, if you have any requests, I can also slightly sacrifice my aesthetic."

"But I guarantee I can definitely turn you into a great handsome man."

Nimophila looked confident.

When Liens mentioned "priest," the Dean, who had been watching them both, heard him and immediately cast a magic to reduce their existence.

Noticing this, Nimophila spoke without any reservations.

"What an enlightened doctrine, truly worthy of 'Life'."

"If my first stop had been here, given my personality at that time, I would have liked you very much… but in that situation, it would have been difficult for you to fancy me."

"And after coming out of there, the manifestation of love in me was only primitive desire… I can't possibly like anyone."

Liens calmly responded to Nimophila.

"Is that so? Is it too late?"

Nimophila's expression dimmed upon hearing this.

Then, she silently picked up Liens's wine glass and drank it, and after finishing, she said with some dissatisfaction:

"Why is it fruit juice?"

"Where's the wine? This young lady wants to drink wine right now."

"Also, you must drink with me; you can't leave until you're drunk."

After speaking, she picked up the wine barrel next to the dining table with both hands and placed it on the dining table.

With a "bang," the food on the table jumped out of the plates.

This scene, if not for the Dean's magic concealing it, would probably change every teacher's perception of Nimophila who saw it.

Subsequently, she opened the barrel's stopper, and a rich aroma of wine began to spread.

After filling both her and Liens's wine glasses, Nimophila drank it all in one gulp.

After drinking, her face was a bit red, and her eyes were also a bit red.

"Drink!"

Nimophila said.

Liens looked at her quietly, then picked up his wine glass and drank his first alcoholic beverage since coming to this world.