Soon, they arrived at the library and, quite smoothly, entered without issue.

  When Holan saw Caius and Hilda walking in together, she was visibly taken aback for a moment.

  The slight lift of her brow was all Caius needed to know that trouble might be brewing.

  As expected, Holan smiled right after and asked, “You two came together?”

  Though her tone seemed casual, her gaze locked onto Caius, unblinking.

  Fortunately, Caius had nerves of steel and remained composed. He smiled and replied, “Just teleported over. I was on my way to find you, and happened to run into Hilda—she was also heading your way, so we came together.”

  In truth, he was looking for Belle, but of course, now wasn’t the time to say that.

  Hilda nodded with a gentle smile. “Yes, I was just browsing around Cape Mall and bought some snacks. I thought I’d bring you a little something.”

  As she spoke, she lifted the bag in her hand.

  Holan’s expression brightened, and she walked over to pull Hilda along toward a private room in the library, like a pair of close sisters—leaving Caius momentarily ignored.

  Caius grimaced slightly.

  Women…

  Kittens are still better.

  He patted the little catgirl on the head and followed after them.

  Though she didn’t know why Caius suddenly petted her, the catgirl loved head pats, so she happily bounced along behind.

  Once they entered the private room, Holan pulled Hilda down beside her, and the two started chatting about the wonders of Cape Mall and what good things could be found there.

  No sooner had Caius sat down than he felt Holan’s toe gently tap his leg under the table.

  He glanced her way. Holan was still laughing and chatting with Hilda, so much so that he almost thought it might’ve been accidental.

  “Ladies, might I ask what you’d like to drink? High Mountain White Peach Blossom tea? Or perhaps... High Mountain White Peach Blossom? Or, hear me out—High Mountain White Peach Blossom?” Caius leaned into the moment, trying to break the ice.

  Holan finally turned to look at him.

  Hilda tilted her head in confusion. “Is that the only option?”

  Caius shook his head. “Not exactly. It’s just… the only one I know how to brew. Taught by none other than Instructor Holan herself.”

  “You can’t expect a rough-and-tumble mercenary to master tea ceremony arts, right?”

  Both Holan and Hilda chuckled, and the subtle tension hanging in the air eased considerably.

  “Then High Mountain White Peach Blossom it is,” Hilda smiled.

  “Same here,” Holan agreed.

  Caius quickly got up to make the tea and poured a glass of milk for the catgirl as well.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Let’s try them together. The snack shop at Cape Mall just got a bunch of new treats,” Hilda said as she pulled out an assortment of snacks from the bag.

  Holan’s eyes lit up. “Wow, they look delicious~”

  The catgirl was practically drooling.

  She loved snacks the most.

  And so, three people and one Meow sat there, sipping tea and enjoying treats in a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere.

  “Ah, such a shame. I poured all my money into research. Otherwise, I’d love to visit Cape Mall too,” Holan sighed gently.

  “No worries. I’ll bring you some goodies next time I go,” Hilda replied with a bright smile.

  “Really? Hilda, you’re just the sweetest. If only you were one of my students~” Holan said wistfully.

  “You’re contributing to magitech and the people. Of course, I should show you some care and appreciation,” Hilda responded with grace and poise.

  Had Caius not seen her energetic and rebellious side, he might’ve been fooled by her act.

  Then Hilda looked over at Caius. “Caius, how’s your injury?”

  Caius blinked, not expecting the sudden shift of focus.

  “Pretty much healed,” he answered, subtly watching Holan’s reaction.

  Holan was still smiling, her expression unchanged—except for another light nudge of her toe under the table.

  “Already? Your regenerative ability is amazing!” Hilda marveled.

  “Right? I’ve even considered cutting him open to study. Who knows, we might unlock the secret to boosting human self-healing abilities,” Holan said with a grin.

  Hilda burst into laughter. Caius kept smiling, but a chill crept down his spine.

  This woman… is kind of terrifying…

  “Oh, right,” Holan said suddenly, looking at Caius. “I need a sample of your magic power for research.”

  “For what kind of research?” Caius asked, a little wary.

  Holan laughed softly, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. “To study how we can teach you magic, of course. What else?”

  “You’re not actually afraid I’d dissect you, are you?” she added with a playful wink.

  “Hehehe, of course not. Instructor Holan is beautiful and kind—you’d never do something like that,” Caius replied, chuckling nervously.

  Holan then pulled out a clear crystal. “This is a magic crystal. Just inject your magic into it.”

  Caius nodded.

  Magic crystals, or magic stones, were used in cultivation and as a high-value currency. After being drained of magic, their crystalline shells also served as excellent magic storage vessels.

  He infused the crystal with his magic, and it glowed a brilliant blue.

  Holan nodded in satisfaction and pocketed it. “We’ll initiate a project on this. I’ll need your cooperation for future phases.”

  "Of course!" Caius nodded eagerly.

  He had been fascinated by magic for as long as he could remember—of course he'd cooperate.

  As long as they didn’t dissect him, everything was fine.

  At that moment, Hilda stood up and said, “I’ve got to go. The student council still has a mountain of things waiting for me.”

  Caius quickly interjected, “You’re not staying a bit longer?”

  He had dreaded Hilda showing up just moments ago, and now he desperately wished she’d stay.

  Otherwise, Holan was bound to reveal her true colors.

  “Hilda is the student council president—she’s always busy,” Holan said with a smile, her beautiful eyes fixed on Caius.

  “Exactly,” Hilda added with a slight sigh. “I only get to sneak out for a little break during lunch.”

  “Alright then.” Caius accepted it with a nod.

  “Oh, right—this is for you.” Suddenly remembering something, Hilda handed him a badge.

  Caius looked at the finely crafted badge, a little puzzled.

  Hilda smiled and said, “It’s the emblem of the Student Council Guard.”

  “Oh—thanks,” Caius said, nodding as he accepted it.

  Then, Hilda waved her hand in farewell and left.

  As he watched Hilda disappear through the library entrance, Caius swallowed hard.

  He didn’t even need to turn around to feel Holan’s stare boring into his back.

  “Um…” Caius cleared his throat and turned toward her.

  Just as he expected, the moment Hilda left, Holan’s brows knitted into a frown.

  A second later, she nudged Caius’s calf lightly with her foot and said, brow furrowed,

  “You were that badly injured in Nofalark Forest and didn’t tell me—what’s that supposed to mean?”

  Caius blinked. “Huh?”

  “Huh, what?” Holan tilted her head, clearly annoyed. “If Hilda hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known you were that badly hurt. I spent days worrying about you…”

  Caius: “…”

  So that’s why she was acting weird?!

  “Er… it was just some minor injuries, nothing serious…” Caius gave a sheepish grin.

  “Minor? You could see the bone—how is that minor?” Holan’s tone spiked in disbelief.

  “The blood toxin from a Bloody Creature is no joke. With that many wounds, if they weren’t treated properly, it could’ve triggered a chain of severe complications!”

  “I’ve got the best medical facilities and equipment here, but instead you went to some back-alley clinic in Ocean City for a couple of stitches?! What if… what if the blood toxin led to Degenerate Blood Syndrome or caused widespread necrotic infection?!”

  By now, her eyes were glistening with moisture.

  In that moment, Caius suddenly realized—Instructor Holan was genuinely captivating.