I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 185 Love and Dislike
Deva, dressed in silver armor and riding a white horse, looked dashing and heroic, but her expression was somewhat absent-minded, her eyes darting around, not paying attention to the celebrations in the square.

As a woman from the capital city of Yarakh, the program here was rather lackluster for her. Even Shuni's pastor had only come beforehand to make arrangements for the festival, and none of them stayed.

However, the residents of Beertown didn't seem to mind.

The holiday is for oneself. Without those daringly dressed and alluring priests, there's just a loss of some color, but the real target is the beautiful women who might open their hearts today.

However, Deva vaguely knew why Sunny's priest hadn't come here, and even knew what they were fighting over. The paladin girl gritted her teeth in annoyance.

She considers herself a lady, shouldn't DuPont come to her for this kind of holiday? It would be too embarrassing for her to take the initiative.

It's as if they've already been manipulated by the other party.

But if I don't go, what if DuPont really gets seduced by those wicked priests who are like succubi?
Not to mention that female apprentices are also far from conservative. Some female mages who have difficulty graduating and end up only getting an apprenticeship certificate without receiving state subsidies will become lovers of nobles in order to seek funds to continue their magical research. It is not uncommon for them to be selected even while still in academy.

Of course, male mages have it even worse. They can basically only choose jobs that rely on their skills, such as adventure or copying scrolls to make a living. Some even have to perform magic tricks in circuses.

After all, most mages are not known for their physical strength, so they don't have much to offer as gigolos.

Compared to nobles who might not even be able to perform a single magic trick, Dupont, a young, handsome apprentice whose potential has already been revealed, would undoubtedly be highly sought after. This can be seen not only from Pastor Shuni's attitude, but also from the fact that even the moon elf princess treated Dupont with great courtesy.

Although there are only about 1.6 million high elves on Evergrande Island now, even if they decline, they are still the nation with the most legendary figures. Their magical equipment, artwork, cuisine, and cultural influence are deeply imprinted on the entire world of Toril. It can be said that apart from having a large number of mages, Harua is probably only not inferior to the Elven Empire in terms of magical equipment manufacturing. In other aspects, it is completely outclassed.

There's nothing we can do about it. Although mages can survive by various means, unless they are chosen ones, even a legendary mage can only live for about two or three hundred years before their lifespan is over. Elves, on the other hand, can rely on their lifespan to survive. If they don't have enough talent, they can use time to grind it out. With the slow and steady wins the race, there are more gaps in the number of high-level professionals than in human kingdoms.

Even under these circumstances, the princesses of the Elf Empire, though numbering seven or eight, had guards whose monthly salaries were likely over a thousand gold coins. Despite being priests of considerable rank, they treated DuPont with utmost courtesy, remaining completely unfazed by his lewd behavior.

Besides the princess's own excellent composure and etiquette, it's also because DuPont truly had something to offer her that prevented her from angering everyone in public. Otherwise, if an ordinary person dared to do that, even if the princess didn't say anything, her guards wouldn't be so easily intimidated.

Even if they don't accuse him of attacking a friendly nation, teaching this kid who's spouting nonsense a lesson would probably be enough to deter them from saying anything, even if he really is Lavoisier's illegitimate son.

After all, it was DuPont who started the trash talk.

But this prince not only tolerated it, he actually gave him money.

What does this mean? It's clearly a gesture of goodwill.

A consultation fee of one thousand gold coins could be considered bribery. DuPont didn't pay taxes, so if we were to be serious about this, I could probably just arrest him and put him in jail for questioning.
Wait, what are you thinking?
Excluding any occupational hazard, Deva took out her pocket watch and glanced at it. It was already 9 o'clock, and DuPont still hadn't shown up.
I was dressed very conspicuously; if the other person came over, they would definitely see me.
Could it be that he really got seduced by those slutty and cheap women?

That guy's willpower is far too weak.
Although the other person is indeed very popular, and they haven't officially started a relationship, this guy is already so unreliable now, he probably won't be a good man in the future either.
While he was struggling with his decision, he overheard a deputy police chief on duty say, "Boss, go ahead and do what you need to do. These cult members also have their festivals. Midsummer's Day is mostly about issues between men and women. Just mediate a bit and it'll be fine."

Everyone knows that the team leader has a mage boyfriend.

“What could possibly happen to me? Every day is a holiday for lovers.” Deva shook her head, her gaze hardening instead.

DuPont has her academic social life, and she also has her work and life. How could she abandon her dignity for such trivial matters of love?

Absolutely impossible!
If I actually go and find out he's surrounded by women, he'll be strutting around like crazy when he sees me!

But DuPont still hadn't appeared by the time the clock struck 10. Watching the men and women who had already danced until they were tired, with sweet smiles on their faces, heading to the hotel, the paladin couldn't help but pout, feeling a little sad.

DuPont is really going too far; they actually didn't come looking for me!
Dejected, Deva gave a few instructions to patrol more often before riding back to her courtyard. After feeding her good friend some water, she looked at the sandbag she had drawn a cheeky smiley face on. The thought that he was probably whispering sweet nothings to some female priest made her lose all interest in being angry.

Damn it, I was the one who met them first!

DuPont, too. Those pastors, like Sunny, were quite the ladies' men, and they still insisted on getting involved with them. It was really annoying.
Lying in bed, Deva tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She took out a communication talisman, but after thinking for a moment, she didn't send it to her mother. Instead, she sent it to her mentor.

After about a minute, the rune successfully lit up, and a bright voice rang out: "Deva? Happy Midsummer's Day~"

"I wish you happiness too." Before Deva could elaborate, someone on the other end asked, "Why didn't you spend Midsummer's with your little mage friend? Why did you come to me instead? Did you run into some trouble?"

"I missed you, Master~" Deva said coquettishly, but remembering that the runestone consumed a lot of energy, she kept it brief: "But I do have some questions I want to ask."

Although it was incredibly embarrassing, she opened up to Deva, her mentor who was second only to her mother, and after pouring out her troubles, asked, "What should I do?"

"Whether you love someone or not depends on your own heart; no one else can give you the right answer." Fu Shi's voice was extremely serious, emphasizing each word: "As for you, I feel you should first focus on whether you like him. Only after confirming this can we discuss the next issue."

After hearing this, Deva whispered, "I think he's quite pleasing to the eye."

"Well, after you've determined that, you also need to consider whether your feelings for him are simply love at first sight, or whether you genuinely like him as a person."

"Almost everyone has flaws, that's not surprising. Even the highest gods can't please everyone." "So when you like someone, you should observe them carefully, especially for a rich girl like you. See if your interactions are deliberate or casual, whether they are hiding their flaws, or whether they are deliberately deceiving you."

"If he does, then he may have ulterior motives; if he doesn't, then at least he is relatively honest."

After hearing this, Deva blinked. Compared to herself, who had gone through the DuPont documents, he seemed to be the more honest one: "Then it probably isn't."

"It's normal for people to do that, after all, people prefer to show their good side and no one likes to let others see their ugly side, as long as it's not malicious."

Fu Shi chuckled softly: "The biggest difference between liking and loving is that liking is fleeting. It may fade with time, it may break up with you because of something, or it may disappear because you can't understand some of its flaws."

"When that emotion subsides, it becomes annoyance. A small thing or a flaw may be magnified infinitely, leading to arguments, separation, or even mutual cursing. When it comes to this point, there is no choice but to break up. It also proves the old saying that love can disappear."

After listening, Deva scratched her head. There were some things she didn't understand. She took out a pen and paper and quickly copied down every word the other person said: "Then what is love?"

"First of all, you need to know that love is not about taking. You can't expect your lover to become the person you want them to be, and that's the reason for many arguments. Secondly, love is not about blindly giving in. Only people who have no love in their hearts don't care about how the other person is, and are even willing to have no place in the other person's heart."

"To like someone is not only to like their strengths, but also to be able to tolerate their weaknesses. They may be selfish, greedy, vulgar, or effeminate, but they are still a lovable person in your eyes. Only in this way will many troubles disappear."

"Besides what you have to do, you also need to teach your partner to love. In this way, your understanding and tolerance will be rewarded, and he will also tolerate your willfulness, stubbornness and unreasonableness. Only in this way can you stay together for a long time. Otherwise, breaking up is only a matter of time."

Deva was stunned. After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Then, Master, if I can do these things, will I be able to fulfill the vow of pure love?"

Fu Shi fell silent for a long time before saying, "This path is not easy. Many grievances and resentments cannot be shared with others. Deva, your talent is no less than mine. You don't need to take this path to have a bright future. Just walk the path of the Holy Knight well."

Deva knew this was a polite rejection, and she was even more alarmed by the difficulty of making a vow of pure love. However, she was thinking of her mentor's previous words: "Mentor, have you also suffered such grievances?"

"I can only tell you that this is a path of no regrets. If you make even the slightest mistake in your mindset, all your previous efforts may be in vain. The backlash of the oath will not only cause your power to vanish in an instant, but may even cause evil spirits to invade your mind, ultimately turning into a disaster that will cause pain to your loved ones and joy to your enemies."

"You're still young and your mind isn't mature enough. It's too early to talk about these things. Some things need time to prove themselves. Also, vows of pure love need to come naturally. If you deliberately take this path, you won't go very far."

After hearing this, Deva hesitated for a moment, then finally whispered, "Teacher, I've remembered these things."

"Secondly, regarding the matter of paladins, while the power of oaths is immense, does that mean you can't do anything without them? Other professions don't necessarily embrace oaths and still have their own paths; even the thief, a profession despised by the masses, has legendary figures. Taking oaths too seriously is putting the cart before the horse, and you might end up lingering on the threshold of advancing to a higher rank for the rest of your life. Do you remember what I said when you graduated?"

Deva thought for a moment, then clenched her fist: "If someone is strong, then the most important thing is that the person is strong, not the profession they choose?"

“That’s right, people come first, then professions.” The person on the other end of the rune said in a light voice: “Just like some mages in Harua who created mage towers worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of gold coins on their own, daring to challenge an entire power. But there are also many mages who never graduate and live a life of mediocrity.”

But what's wrong with them spending their lives peacefully with someone who loves them? They may have tried their best, but just weren't talented enough.

"Rather than so-called vows of pure love, I would prefer you to use your talents on the path of a paladin, to try to change the lives of more ordinary people, and to ensure that acts of justice are passed on. That is what a paladin should do. Instead of being troubled by those love affairs, you will end up wasting your time and talent, looking back on the past with nothing to show for it and even forgetting your true self. That would be truly regrettable."

Deva nodded after hearing this. Although no one could see it, the confusion in her eyes had disappeared. She put down her quill pen and said, "Thank you, teacher. I will remember these words."

"Heh, you're a smart kid, I believe you can do it." The paladin sighed softly. "Don't forget to send your regards to your mother too; she won't mind if you disturb her at night."

Deva agreed and was about to say goodbye with the communication rune when she suddenly heard a strange but somewhat sharp female voice from the other end: "Hmph, you're talking so eloquently here, as if all the flaws are mine, as if you don't have any flaws at all, and I'm supposed to make you suffer so much? As if those stubborn, annoying, troublesome bad habits of you paladins don't exist!"

"What? I'm just giving a lesson to my apprentices," the instructor's voice rang out, his tone rising. "Besides, I already said it's about mutual accommodation. Did I say something wrong? Are you getting greedy again?"

A strange sound rang out, and Deva quickly interrupted the mental power of the rune stone, wiping away her sweat.

It seems that a mentor's life isn't all sweetness and happiness?

Or rather, that's what's called
Bedroom romance?

However, her mentor was right after all. Her mood had calmed down considerably, and she summoned the rune again: "Mother, Happy Midsummer Festival."

"I wish you happiness too, darling. Your runestone can finally be contacted." Veronica's voice rang out, her tone somewhat anxious: "I just saw the report. How badly are you injured? Did those drow do anything to you?"

"Huh? I'm not injured." The paladin was confused. "And the drow?? What's wrong, Mother?"

"You weren't with DuPont?" Veronica asked, somewhat surprised. "Just now, there was an incident at Northwest College where the Drow attacked the Moon Elf princess in an attempt to commit a crime in Harua. The whole country has been notified and security has been heightened. Lavoisier is even planning a retaliatory attack. DuPont and the Moon Elf group were among the victims. I was going to ask you about the specifics."

The talisman slipped silently from Deva's hand.

This, what is going on?

(End of this chapter)