The result of the drinking contest was, naturally, Nimophila collapsing first.

Even though Liens's current body had never drunk alcohol, his physical quality as a Knight was absolutely stronger than Nimophila's as a Priestess.

"Sigh...are you really not going to consider it?"

The Dean walked to Liens's side and asked him.

"There's nothing to consider...Didn't you tell me, Dean, that Legend is my goal?"

"Right now, I am moving towards that goal."

"Only by continuously striving and chasing my goal, when I die, will I not regret not having done better."

Liens responded calmly.

After speaking, he picked up his wine glass again, took a small sip, then put it down and said, "Indeed, I still don't like drinking."

"Alright, I should send Nimophila back to her room. It's not appropriate for her to stay here in this kind of setting."

"Besides, I don't like crowded places either."

"See you tomorrow, Dean."

With that, Liens picked up Nimophila's soft body and left the dining hall.

And Nimophila, who seemed to have drunk herself into a stupor, also wrapped her arms around Liens, letting her pride press firmly against his chest.

Because of the magic that lowered their Sense of Presence, none of the teachers present noticed Liens and her leaving.

It wasn't until some time later that a few individuals noticed Liens and Nimophila had already disappeared from the banquet.

Seeing this, their faces all showed meaningful smiles.

Apparently, they had misunderstood.

After sending Nimophila to her own bed, Liens found a chair and sat down.

He guarded her while pondering various magical problems.

Liens also knew Nimophila was feigning sleep, but he had also said that he was quite patient with her.

One night's time as a farewell, he felt, was worth it.

"Are you preparing to leave?"

Nimophila's soft voice echoed in the silent room.

Her voice was very low, like she was talking to herself.

But with Liens's hearing, he could still clearly make out her words.

"What makes you say that?"

Liens heard her, stopped analyzing the elemental structure of a certain magic he was studying in his mind, and turned to look at Nimophila.

"It's not just me; even the Dean has noticed it."

"Because recently you've become hurried. You're anxious to learn magic from the Dean, even stopping your daily sword practice."

"Not only that, you used to respond kindly to the academy's teachers and students, maintaining a not-too-distant, not-too-close relationship with them."

"Now you've become perfunctory, sometimes even too lazy to bother with them."

Nimophila responded faintly.

"I see, so I've been a bit obvious."

Liens said with a sudden realization.

"If possible, I hope you can stay for another month or so. That way, the problem with your Life Origin can be alleviated."

"Half a year of recovery will be enough for you to live to your forties."

"The rest cannot be compensated by the current ritual."

"To exceed the fifty-year boundary, you need more precious things to make up for the deficit in your Life Origin."

"However, as long as you can advance to Legend before your Life limit arrives, then everything is not a problem."

"Legend is the true transcendence."

Part of a series hosted by My Virtual Library Empire (MV&LEMP&YR).

"At that time, you will feel how long Life is, and perhaps then, you will need a companion."

"I will work hard, and I will wait for you..."

Nimophila continued.

After she finished speaking, silence returned to the room.

"I didn't expect the town's magic ritual could repair damage to the Life Origin."

"I'm truly lucky to have stumbled upon this place that can save my own Life."

Liens silently congratulated himself on his luck.

At the same time, Nimophila's words once again piqued his interest in the ritual.

So, he was a bit conflicted, wondering whether to take this opportunity to ask Nimophila about the secret of the ritual?

But the atmosphere had been built up to this point, and he felt he had some emotional intelligence. If he asked such a question at this moment, it might enrage Nimophila.

After thinking about it, Liens decided to ask her in the instance dungeon later.

...

After guarding Nimophila's room for some more time, he finally had enough time for the instance dungeon.

Liens sat on the chair and entered the instance dungeon.

"He's using his dream ability again?"

"Should I take this chance to make him mine?"

"Forget it, even if I did, it probably wouldn't change his mind, and judging from past situations, he should be easily startled awake in this state."

"So, I still can't make a move."

Nimophila sat up halfway, looking at Liens, who was "dozing off" in the chair, and said thoughtfully.

The scene shifted.

With a bright moon and sparse stars, Liens held Nimophila in his arms, walking slowly along the path towards her room.

"Nimophila."

Liens called softly.

"Mm."

Hearing the call, Nimophila no longer feigned sleep and responded softly, indicating that she could hear him.

"The place we are currently in is a fictional space shaped by my ability. In reality, I have already sent you back to your room."

"I came here to find you because I want to ask you about the truth of the town's magic ritual."

Liens did not stop walking, holding Nimophila's soft body, and gently explained to her.

"So that's it, is this the truth of your dream ability?"

Nimophila said with a hint of realization. She did not doubt Liens's explanation but chose to believe him directly.

This was not only because she had suspected it for a long time, but also due to the trust accumulated from almost nightly interactions over the past four months.

Liens's guidance gave her the feeling of facing a teacher, but compared to a teacher who had long transcended the mundane, Liens's meticulous care touched her even more.

She felt that Liens cared more about her progress than she did herself.

She had good judgment, so she could sense that Liens's concern was not out of coveting her figure or appearance, but a genuine desire for her to improve and become stronger.

She didn't know why Liens cared so much about her, but that feeling was really good.

So good that she gradually found herself developing feelings for this boy who was several years younger than her.

Therefore, after sensing Liens's intention to leave, she decided to take the opportunity tonight to confess her feelings for him.

Unfortunately...although the final outcome was not what she hoped for, it was what she had already expected.

His devotion to the True Path was too strong; his heart simply could not accommodate the feelings of others.

"You want to know the truth of the ritual? Okay, promise me one request, and I'll tell you what I know about the secret of the ritual."

Nimophila chuckled softly.

She felt this might be an opportunity, a chance to change him, to allow herself to squeeze into his heart.