But before he had gone far, he caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of his eye, someone was following him. His heart leapt in delight. Evelyn had actually come along!

  【Temporary mission‘Drive away the harasser and escort Evelyn away from the scene' completed! Reward granted: Magic Origin Value.】

  The Grimoire's prompt chimed in his mind, and Ryan couldn't help but marvel inwardly. This 100 Magic Origin Value had come far too easily.

  【Please continue your efforts to deepen your bond with Evelyn! Complete your objectives and reach the pinnacle of the Grand Magus, the legendary invincible realm!】

  Ryan froze for a moment and muttered in his mind,"I'd love to deepen our bond, but you don't even show me a favorability score. How am I supposed to know what she thinks of me? I can't just guess!"

  【Favorability is a mechanical number, it cannot truly measure the warmth of emotion! Please abandon this rigid way of thinking and instead sense your target's feelings. For instance, her willingness to follow you is already the best signal!】

  "Grimoire, have you grown a conscience? Since when do you give dating advice?" Ryan teased silently.

  In the past, the Grimoire only issued missions and dispensed rewards, never saying a word more than necessary. Why did it suddenly sound so… intelligent?

  But no matter how many times Ryan questioned it in his mind, the Grimoire gave no reply, as if the previous conversation had been nothing but his imagination.

  Derrick, who had been trailing behind them, noticed the mood turning awkward and quickly spoke up:"Mentor! I just had a new insight. I'll head back to the inn to mull it over, so I'll take my leave first!"

  Ryan gave Derrick a long look and sent him a satisfied nod, then replied:"If you've learned something, go. Don't forget to practice the basic blade enchantment I taught you. I'll inspect it tonight."

  "Got it!" Derrick answered eagerly, then slipped away, not forgetting to give Evelyn a quick salute, after all she was Mentor's Lady, and manners mattered.

  After Derrick's figure vanished around the corner, Ryan hadn't yet gathered his words when Evelyn spoke first, her tone as cold as ever:"When did you take on an apprentice?"

  "Around thirty days ago, I think?" Ryan scratched his head, thinking hard. Derrick had inexplicably become his disciple in that border town, and he hadn't kept track of the exact date."He showed up out of nowhere. I didn't mark the day."

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  He paused, then added,"But don't take him seriously. That boy got his head smashed by a magical beast recently. He talks nonsense sometimes. Just treat his words as jokes, don't take them to heart."

  "Like Mentor, like apprentice," Evelyn tossed off lightly without slowing her steps.

  Ryan immediately caught the implied meaning. He had just called Derrick scatterbrained, and Evelyn's remark clearly hinted that even he, as Mentor, was not much smarter.

  "What do you mean, Evelyn?" Ryan instantly put on a puzzled look, furrowing his brow as if he truly did not get her teasing."I don't quite follow what you're saying."

  Evelyn, used to people pretending not to understand, stopped walking.

  She turned to face Ryan, her tone colder:"Do not let him call me Mentor's Lady again. If he dares call me that one more time, I will ruin his magical core."

  The veil hid her expression, but Ryan could feel there was no real murderous intent in her voice.

  If she were truly annoyed, given Evelyn's nature, she would have acted the moment Derrick first called her Mentor's Lady. She would not have waited to warn him now.

  Ryan chuckled inwardly: she likes to scare people with harsh words. If she really wanted to act, she would have done it already instead of wasting time scolding with me here.

  Ryan, having faced her fatal blows for eight lifetimes, already knew her temperament inside out. If there was anyone in this world who truly understood Evelyn, it was Ryan.

  Even her Mentor only knew of her magical talent, but did not understand her cold exterior hiding a warm heart.

  Evelyn turned and continued walking forward, her steps steady as ever, but slightly less icy than before.

  "Wait for me!" Ryan called, watching the back she left him, quickly quickening his pace to catch up. He had no intention of ending their private time just like that.

  She instinctively slowed her steps, unaware of the subtle change herself.

  Ryan's sharp eyes caught the slowdown immediately. Seizing the opportunity, he hurried to a street stall selling skewered berries.

  These heated berry skewers, coated in a slightly glimmering sugar glaze, were the most popular common snack in the capital. He bought two skewers and quickly returned to Evelyn's side.

  "Try this, it's really sweet." Ryan handed her one skewer. Seeing that Evelyn showed no intention of taking it, he grew bolder and gently placed the skewer in her left palm.

  Only when he felt that she did not immediately push it away, though her fingertips stiffened slightly, did he relax.

  "Go ahead, eat it. It's really good," Ryan said.

  They had walked only a few steps before a loud shouting interrupted them:"There they are! Catch them!"

  A flicker of displeasure rose in Evelyn's heart as she turned and saw the noble youth who had been harassing her, now approaching with a group of guards.

  She did not hesitate any longer and drew her ultimate ice sword. Since this youth had sought trouble multiple times, she did not mind dealing with this nuisance right in the capital.

  "Evelyn, come with me!" Before she could swing her sword, Ryan suddenly reached out and grabbed her palm.

  The sensation through her hand made Evelyn's eyes tremble. Instinctively, she raised her sword hand and slashed toward Ryan's shoulder.

  But as the blade traced half an arc, she immediately regretted it.

  Ryan, too, was drenched in cold sweat from the sudden attack, nearly losing control of his bladder.

  By sheer instinct, he thrust his right foot forward, leaning his body forward with the momentum.

  With this sudden burst of agility, he narrowly dodged the blade, even feeling the icy sword energy brush against his collar.

  Without hesitation, he gripped Evelyn's soft, cool hand and turned, sprinting into a narrow alley deeper in the capital.