The Emotional History of the Brave

Enlaisi looked at Xia Lun before him, as well as the grayish-yellow robe in his hands, and froze slightly for a moment.

Then, Enlaisi took the robe from Xia Lun’s hands.

"Is this mine?"

Enlaisi unfolded the robe in front of Xia Lun, his expression tinged with confusion. "Xia Lun, I don’t think I’ve ever worn this."

Had he guessed wrong?

The Eyes of Insight revealed no anomalies—Enlaisi wasn’t lying at this moment.

Things were getting interesting.

A faint smile curled at the corners of Xia Lun’s lips.

Originally, Xia Lun had thought the likelihood of Enlaisi being the mastermind was quite high. After all, many signs subtly pointed to him, and many questions could be explained if that were the case.

Take Mo Lini’s situation, for example. If Enlaisi had also begun worshipping that false Hero, it would explain why the Twilight Apostles had so readily abandoned Mo Lini—because she had been under Enlaisi’s surveillance all along… And after Mo Lini left Enlaisi, the Twilight Apostles had quickly come for her again.

No… That would be too obvious in the end. If Xia Lun put himself in Enlaisi’s shoes, he wouldn’t make such a foolish mistake—and Enlaisi was no fool.

Was someone deliberately steering their suspicions toward Enlaisi? Making them believe he was a Twilight Apostle?

"Xia Lun." Aina poked his arm and transmitted her voice. "When you know nothing… don’t overthink it. Let them surprise us—that’s what makes it fun."

"You’re right, Aina."

Xia Lun chuckled softly and let go of his thoughts.

Though it might be unfair to their enemies… they were never the ones at a disadvantage.

"Professor Enlaisi, does this robe look familiar to you?"

"Oh… the Twilight Apostles, is it?" Enlaisi stroked his chin. "Have they come after you? So you suspect I’ve already joined their ranks?"

Xia Lun nodded without denying it.

"Xia Lun… even I would be hurt to be suspected of being a heretic," Enlaisi sighed helplessly.

"It’s just a suspicion," Xia Lun paused briefly. "Professor Enlaisi, didn’t you also suspect I was the legendary Hero?"

Enlaisi couldn’t help but laugh. "Hahaha, Xia Lun, I didn’t expect your sense of humor to be any less sharp than that elf girl’s."

"You mentioned in class that the Hero has an elven childhood friend, Professor Enlaisi."

"What a coincidence, Xia Lun. I almost believed you… if not for the fact that there are dozens of elven students in Olyfindor alone." Enlaisi shook his head with a light chuckle.

Enlaisi turned toward the house. "Would you like to come in?"

"No, Professor Enlaisi."

"Then this robe…"

"I brought it for you to study. Hopefully, you can find some clues from it."

"Alright, I’ll do my best." Enlaisi shrugged. "What a shame. I was planning to research a few chapters of the Hero’s romantic history tonight… But since it’s a student’s request, I’ll oblige. If I find anything, I’ll let you know."

Enlaisi waved his hand, and the iron gate slowly closed.

"So… how many romantic histories does the Hero have?"

A dangerous aura emanated from behind Xia Lun.

Xia Lun smiled, utterly unfazed. "Three."

"Oh?"

"One with you in the past, one with you after marriage, and one with you now… To me, every version of Aina is unique."

To say something like that so shamelessly… The Hero truly is a terrifying creature, Aina thought to herself.

"Ever since we reunited… you’ve hardly left my side," Xia Lun patted Aina’s head. "Don’t you already know my romantic history?"

Aina replied seriously, "I have left the party before… when there were matters to attend to in the Demon Race, or when I had to appear as the Demon King, I took about a week’s leave each time… And before our final confrontation too."

Xia Lun sighed. "Aina, do you really think that’s enough time to start and end a relationship?"

Aina: "Who knows? You’re the Hero. Plenty of girls would throw themselves at you."

Xia Lun: "You overestimate me."

Aina: "I know your charm better than anyone… By the way, Hero, did you just pat my head again in public?"

Xia Lun glanced at his right hand, which had just touched Aina’s head. "I submit to your punishment, Demon King."

……

Headmaster’s Office.

"Wolund, something’s happened. Xia Lun’s manor was attacked—" Kalinda burst through the door in a panic.

"Is that so? I see." Wolund took a leisurely sip of his tea. "If the damage isn’t too severe… the golems should be able to repair it."

"Aren’t you worried about those two kids—er, no, those two elders getting hurt?" Seeing Wolund’s indifference, Kalinda couldn’t help but ask. "Even if they’re your elders, they’re still young—"

Wolund gave her a strange look.

If there was any danger that could harm those two, the world itself was probably on the brink of collapse.

Wolund casually deflected, "I left safeguards on them. They won’t be in any real danger."

Kalinda’s eyes lit up with realization. "Ah! So that’s why. Wolund, you’re always so prepared."

Ever since Kalinda had brought her two ancestors here last time to clear up some misunderstandings, she had started calling him by his first name—a request Aina had made before leaving.

Wolund still wasn’t quite used to it.

"Has anything else happened in Olyfindor recently?"

"Nothing major. Everything’s been peaceful… Unless you count minor disputes among students." Kalinda paused briefly. "Like nobles bullying commoners, for example."

"Let them handle it themselves… After all, the same thing will happen once they leave the academy. Olyfindor can’t protect everyone forever. If they can’t prove their worth, they’ll always be looked down upon." Wolund rubbed his temples, a headache forming.

Kalinda pressed her lips together.

Her own family had been poor in the past, and she’d suffered plenty of humiliation in the academy—so she empathized deeply with the commoner students. It wasn’t until she joined the student council and earned Wolund’s recognition as its president that she found purpose and her situation improved.

And when Kalinda learned that Wolund’s background had also been modest, that he’d risen to his position purely through his own strength…

Kalinda suddenly remembered something else. "Oh, one more thing—the magic ore veins beneath the lake have been unstable lately, causing some mana fluctuations that made the academy sink slightly… But this has happened a few times before. It should stabilize in a few days."

Wolund slowly rose from his chair. "I’ll go take a look."