"Well-I''m going home, I''ve been gone for quite a while, I don''t want my parents at home to worry anymore.."


    Hearing that, Elaina frowned, her lips pouting slightly as if she was dissatisfied: "Can you stay a little longer, at least let me repay you, like a meal!


    Hagan thought for a moment and then agreed: "Alright then, your housekeeper has done me a favor, I should at least thank him"


    "That''s the way to go!"


    Hagan chuckled softly. He wasn''t the type to be ungrateful, and more than anything, after the battle with Malang, his stamina had been depleted quite a bit. A delicious meal after all that had happened wasn''t a bad idea either.


    (But this girl''s expressions were so varied, she could do anything, haha)


    .........


    The sky gradually turned to night, the lights made of magic stone lit up the entire villa. The fragrant smell of food spread throughout the dining room, creating a cozy yet solemn atmosphere. The dining table was not too large, but was delicately arranged with a full range of dishes, from soup, stew to hot bread. guava.


    The butler was a calm person, exuding the aura of a veteran swordsman. He did not speak much, only occasionally observing Hagan with sharp eyes, as if he wanted to evaluate him.


    Hagan glanced at the butler, a person with a calm appearance, a solemn demeanor, sharp eyes as if he could understand people''s hearts with just a glance. When his eyes met his, Hagan felt a bit of invisible pressure, but immediately after, it quickly disappeared, replaced by a calm and authoritative demeanor.


    Elaina sat across from Hagan, her hands gently squeezing the plate in her hands. She silently looked at him, but every time their eyes threatened to meet, she quickly turned away, pretending to focus on her meal. However, the confusion in her heart made it difficult for her to concentrate.


    Her mind kept replaying the scene back then-the image of him standing before her, his spear broken, his body covered in wounds but still stubbornly fighting against the bloodthirsty Malang. His eyes at that time... had no hesitation, nor any fear. They contained only one thing: the determination to protect.


    She clearly remembered the moment he smiled at her after everything was over. "You can see it as my foolish actions or... the impulsive actions of someone who once dreamed of being a hero." Those words echoed in her mind, causing her heart to suddenly swell with an indescribable emotion.


    (What the hell is he thinking? We just met. Does he... always act so recklessly? Or... just this once?)


    Elaina frowned slightly, gripping her fork a little tighter. Hagan was unlike anyone she had ever met before. He didn''t seem like the strongest person, but he was willing to confront a huge monster just to protect someone he had just met.


    "How... stupid." She muttered under her breath, trying to find a reasonable reason to explain his actions. But no matter how she thought about it, she still couldn''t understand it.


    She glanced at him again. Hagan seemed completely unaware of the gaze on her, just calmly enjoying his meal with a relaxed expression. There wasn''t even a trace of worry or regret on his face.


    Seeing him so carefree, Elaina couldn''t help but curl her lips and thought to herself: (Look at his carefree face! As if it''s no big deal... I''ve been worried all this time, but he''s just so carefree. How annoying...!!!)


    The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she felt, but she didn''t know what she was annoyed about.


    While eating, the butler spoke up: "Mr. Hagan, do you have any plans for the future?"


    Hagan put down his chopsticks and thought for a moment: "I plan to finish eating, go down to the yard to warm up a bit, then return to my family and continue my work."


    "Ah no, I mean what your future goals are or what path you want to take next or do you want to stay here and just live day by day?" He shook his head slightly, smiling and speaking.


    Hagan thought for a moment and then spoke: "I''m just a rookie, so for now I''ll still focus on the mission and improve my skills first. But later..." He smiled slightly, his eyes looking into the distance as if imagining the future ahead. "Maybe I''ll go further, set foot in places I''ve never been before, discover new things I don''t know. Staying in one place forever wasn''t my original intention."


    The butler nodded, the corners of his lips curling up in amusement: "That sounds good. It seems like you''re the type of person who can''t sit still?"


    Hagan chuckled lightly, shrugging: "Haha, I guess so. Right now I don''t want to tie myself down to a fixed place. The world out there is so big, right?"


    The butler chuckled, his eyes filled with admiration: "It''s worth looking forward to. With that spirit, I believe you''ll go very far."


    Elaina listened quietly, her eyes shining with a hint of confusion. The meal ended in a rather comfortable atmosphere, although Elaina was still a little confused when Hagan teased her from time to time.


    .........


    "Phew..."


    Hagan took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Sweat was beading on his forehead, but his breathing was still steady. He had just finished a simple physical exercise after dinner, and was about to leave when he suddenly felt a gaze from behind.


    He turned his head and caught Elaina with her arms crossed, the wooden sword resting on her shoulder, her eyes shining with a sharp look mixed with interest.


    "You look like you''re still in good shape?" She tilted her head and asked, her tone mixed with a hint of teasing.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Hagan raised his eyebrows, the corners of his lips curling up into a slight smile. "Well... I''m not so weak that I''ll be bedridden just by resting."


    Elaina snorted softly, tapping the wooden sword hilt rhythmically as if she was considering something. A breeze blew by, carrying a few dry leaves spinning in the air. Suddenly, she gripped the sword tightly, her eyes full of provocation as she looked straight at Hagan.


    "Then, do you want to fight me?"


    Hagan raised his eyebrows slightly, a little surprised. "Why do you suddenly want to fight me? Are you sure?"


    Elaina curled her lips into a confident smile, her tone challenging. "Hmm? Don''t tell me you''re scared?"


    Hagan could only smile wryly, but a hint of amusement flashed in his eyes. "Alright, if that''s what you want, then I''ll indulge you. But I''ll tell you in advance that I won''t hold back."


    The butler standing beside her also smiled, softly continuing. "Mr. Hagan, don''t worry, the young lady may look like that, but she''s a talented swordsman. Moreover... her magical power is also quite impressive."


    Elaina tilted her head slightly, her lips curling up confidently. "I''m afraid you''re not capable of defeating me."


    Hagan narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze becoming sharper as he observed the opponent in front of him.


    He gripped the wooden sword tightly in his hand, slowly getting into a defensive stance.


    A tense silence, only the sound of the wind blowing through the yard. Elaina stood opposite Hagan, the wooden sword in her hand firmly held, her eyes as sharp as a knife blade.


    "Begin!" The butler spoke, and immediately, Elaina charged towards Hagan.


    As a natural reflex, Hagan immediately raised his sword, blocking her first attack. Elaina''s wooden sword swung down like a bolt of lightning, fast and powerful. Hagan blocked it with his sword, but the collision created a loud "clack", forcing him to take a step back. Elaina did not stop, she continued to turn around and attack more powerfully.


    "Your speed is really fast." Hagan''s forehead was sweating, his breathing was still even, but his eyes had become more alert.


    Elaina did not reply, only continuing to focus on the match. She used a powerful arc, forcing Hagan to hastily jump back to avoid the attack. Hagan saw the opportunity when Elaina lost her balance after the attack, immediately swung her sword to attack back.


    But Elaina was too fast, she only needed a slight turn to avoid Hagan''s attack, then immediately counterattacked, forcing Hagan into a completely defensive position. Elaina''s attacks, although not hasty, were always accurate, not giving her opponent any chance to counterattack.


    "You did well, but it''s still not enough." Elaina smiled faintly, her tone proud.


    She rushed forward with a speed faster than her fragile appearance. The first strike was powerful, her wooden sword swept horizontally aiming at Hagan''s waist. He raised his sword in time to block, the sound of wood hitting each other rang out loudly.


    Hagan immediately counterattacked. He pushed Elaina''s sword away, turned around and slashed downward. Elaina dodged to the side, her legs moving flexibly to avoid the attack by a hair''s breadth. Not missing the opportunity, she immediately counterattacked with a stab straight at Hagan''s chest.


    He was a bit surprised by her speed but still managed to lean to the side to avoid. Instead of retreating to defend, Hagan advanced, closing the distance between the two.


    "Nice attack, but...." Hagan smirked.


    Elaina''s eyes widened when she realized she was being cornered. Hagan didn''t give her any room to react, he continuously launched quick and decisive strikes, forcing her to retreat step by step. Every time she tried to find an opportunity to counterattack, Hagan blocked them easily.


    After a while of struggling, Hagan gained the upper hand. A stronger than usual blow caused Elaina to lose her balance, her steps faltering. At that moment, Hagan seemed to be able to easily end the match.


    In a flash, a smile flashed across his lips. His attack had suddenly slowed down.


    Elaina immediately realized it, but she did not hesitate. She quickly took advantage of the opportunity, turning around and swinging her sword with all her might.


    "I hit it!"


    Elaina''s wooden sword swept across Hagan''s shoulder, causing him to take a step back.


    He chuckled lightly: "Looks like I lost."


    Elaina was panting, sweat beading on her forehead. She stared at Hagan, her eyes filled with doubt.


    "Hehehe, you lost! See? I told you you would lose to me!" Her voice dropped.


    Hagan shrugged, smiling wryly. "Alright, alright, you won, Miss."


    Elaina narrowed her eyes, clearly annoyed that his expression wasn''t what she wanted, but she didn''t ask any further. She had won anyway.


    She put her sword back, tilting her chin towards Hagan. "You''re stronger than I thought, but you still lost to me, Hehe."


    Hagan laughed: "If we meet again, next time we''ll be stronger than now. So try to be stronger, young lady."


    Elaina smirked: "Hmph, no need for you to remind me!"


    The match ended in a harmonious atmosphere between the two.


    ........


    The gentle dawn shone down on the vast garden, covering everything with a layer of warm light. Hagan stood at the gate, putting on his luggage, ready to head home after a night''s rest.


    The butler stood beside him, nodding in satisfaction: "Good luck on your journey."


    Hagan smiled and bowed his head in thanks. "Thank you for your help too. The food here is delicious."


    At this moment, Elaina also walked out. Today, she was no longer wearing her usual dress, but instead wore simple but neat clothes that were convenient for moving around. She looked at Hagan, crossing her arms in front of her chest.


    "Finally going?" Her voice was a bit teasing, but her eyes were filled with a hint of reluctance.


    Hagan shrugged: "Um, it''s not early anymore."


    Elaina was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh. "Then be careful."


    Hagan replied softly, his hand holding out a bracelet made from magic stone, which he had made using his items from the previous mission: "I know! Here''s a gift for you."


    Elaina was surprised, but also accepted it: "This is...-?"


    "Thank you gift!": He smiled and left


    Watching his back as he left, she couldn''t help but shout out: "In the future... will we have another chance to meet?"


    She only saw Hagan turn his back to her and still walk away, his hand raised high and waving back and forth, indicating that there would probably be a chance. Anyway, if it was fate, they would meet again.


    After Hagan left, Elaina still stood still in the same place, her eyes following his back until he was completely out of sight. A gentle wind blew, causing her hair to sway slightly.


    The butler - who had witnessed the whole story from beginning to end - quietly walked to her side, his kind eyes carrying a thoughtful look.


    "Miss, it seems like you''re quite interested in him, huh?" He spoke softly.


    Elaina paused for a moment, then snorted softly, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "What nonsense are you talking about? What does he have that I should care about, huh!"


    The butler smiled, his tone full of meaning: "That''s right, right? After all, you rarely talk to anyone."


    Elaina opened her mouth to refute, but then fell silent. Indeed, she was not the type to start a conversation or express her emotions too much. However, since meeting Hagan, not only did she take the initiative to talk, but she was also annoyed by him many times.


    She glanced at the butler, trying to keep her expression calm. "It''s just that he''s a bit different. Sometimes he''s serious, sometimes he''s playful, but he''s not the type that makes people hate him."


    The butler smiled lightly, his tone full of meaning: "That''s right, isn''t it? After all, the young lady doesn''t like people who don''t know how to keep their distance from her?"


    Elaina pouted, turning her face away: "Hmph, no more talking to you! Let''s go too!".


    The butler looked at her, his eyes seemed to have understood everything, but he didn''t say anything more. He only softly reminded:


    "In everyone''s life, there will always be people who come and go. But if there is someone who can make you change even a little, then that person must be very special. Miss, please don''t forget that."


    Elaina didn''t reply, just squeezed her hand lightly and turned to leave. But deep in her heart, she knew that the butler''s words were not without reason.


    Although Elaina was still quite young, the time spent with this butler was enough to understand her personality.


    The carriage had arrived, she would also set off. The location would be the Royal Academy.