The Author's POV

Stepping into the building, an amazing scene presented itself before my sight.

A sweet fragrance instantly invaded my nostrils as I took a step into the building. The hall was bathed in the hues of nature, a story told in strong browns and forest greens, making one feel close to nature itself. It was the kind of space that let the calm rise and breathe.

Walking around the venue, orcs, elves, dwarves, and humans appeared everywhere. There were even quite a few familiar faces that I had not seen in a while.

Han Yufei for example.

I had not seen him ever since leaving the Lock, and judging from the aura that he gave off, he had gone through quite the improvement over the years.

"Douglas!"

It wasn't even long before we walked into the building that a high-pitched voice sounded in the air. Following which, like a bullet, something shot in Douglas's direction.

"Calm down Monica."

But before the 'thing' could even get close to Douglas, raising his hand, the 'thing' came to an abrupt halt revealing the features of a beautiful girl with orange-colored hair. It was Monica.

Staring at Douglas with her big eyes, she raised her hands and tried to hug him.

But as if there was an invisible in front of her, she was blocked. Stopped her a few meters away from Douglas.

"Oh come on, we haven't seen each other for so long!"

Monica complained as she calmed down. Putting her hands on her lips, she pouted in annoyance. Her reaction prompted a smile to appear on Douglas's face.

He then looked around the hall.

"There is a time and place for that kind of stuff Monica. Now, as you can see is not the right time."

"Hmph."

Monica snorted and turned her head.

"You're still the same as back when I used to teach you."

Douglas merely smiled at her antics. He knew just how she was.

Recalling something, he suddenly asked.

"By the way, I don't see Donna anywhere?"

"Donna?"

"Mhm."

Turning around, Monica squinted her eyes.

"Mhh, she was just here with me. I can't see her anywhere." Looking around for Donna, Monica eventually shrugged her shoulders. "She's probably with Amber, can't seem to see her."

A look of understanding appeared on Douglass's face.

"That's right, I remember. You, Donna, and Amber were inseparable back in the academy days. It's nice that you guys are still so close."

"Well, we see each other a lot less because of w—hm?"

Abruptly halting her words, Monica's head snapped in my direction and our eyes met.

Blinking a couple of times, and cocking her head towards her right and left, her eyes suddenly opened wide.

Raising her hand, she pointed it in my direction.

"Yo—"

"Shhhh."

But before she could say anything, putting his finger on his mouth, Douglas shook his head. Indicating to her to not say anything.

Blinking a couple of times, Monica raised and lowered her hand multiple times before she let out a long breath and calmed herself down.

Then, turning her head towards Douglas, with a curious look on her face, she pointed in our direction, more precisely, mine, and asked.

"So, who are they? New disciples of yours?"

"Well…you can say so."

As he said those words I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning my head, I realized it was Douglas.

smile, he

"At least he is."

once your disciple so you can say that I'm

right in front of me, and realizing that she was as tall as my shoulders, she looked up

smile appeared

me, who was being subjected to it, I

look too

didn't she? I took a

she

you must be Douglas's

another step

to work, as with each step back I took, she would match my tempo and take

before me and placed her hand on my shoulder. Once she did, a brilliant

nice

"Ukh."

let out a pained

my, what's going on

an innocent look on her face. Her hand still pressed on

Perhaps

"R…right…"

the pain

Monica did not hold for long as she soon released her grip. With her

I'm glad you're doing

almost inaudible, but with

you for

goodbye to Douglas and joined

disappearing back, I touched my

"That hurt."

lucky that she didn't mean to seriously injure

my collar bone, I suddenly

care a lot

look like it

she really? My collar

"Hahaha"

Douglas chuckled slightly.

emotions like that. She may be childish, but the only reason why she acted like that with

"If you say so."

by Douglas to know this. Her expression and words at the end

my hair up, I looked at Douglas

aside, regarding the

"I have."

back. His voice sounded extremely

his eyes for a brief moment, he turned to look at

to not cross the line. If you cross the line, the consequences would be dire for you even if I try to help

limits. I won't go as far

I stared back at him. Taking a deep breath, I once

go as far as you think I

have half an

his head. A brilliant smile appeared on my face as soon as I heard

"Thank you."

head and bidding goodbye to the others, I fixed my clothes and headed deeper into the

them, lowering my head and walking through the hall, I thought back

I plan on crossing the

did was promise Douglas that I wouldn't cross the line today, but I never said I

sweet time for what I

***

turned even

"What do you think?"

"He's mind is unstable."

side. A similar look to

his hands in his pockets, he

don't think he will

he will do the exact thing he told me

"No."

Waylan shook his head.

in his mind. If we stop him, it'll only

"You will?"

doesn't end

"That would be ideal."

His

watching him, I won't need to worry about him doing