https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-627-Loren-Feels-More-at-Ease-with-the-Boys/12584976/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-629-Lanchi-s-Ultimate-Confidence/12584980/
Chapter 628: Lanchi Refuses to Believe It Will Ever Blow Up
Chapter 628: Lanchi Refuses to Believe It Will Ever Blow Up
The clock tower on one side of the temple square had just passed three in the afternoon.
The summer sun of Yikelite brought a gentle warmth to the ancient gray cobblestones, and under the protection of the statues, several majestic oak trees grew around the square, their lush branches providing a cool and comfortable shade.
The temple's doors were half-open, and carved columns were covered with creeping ivy, as if bearing silent witness to the history of this holy place.
Under the shade of the trees, the two friends needed few words; an embrace was enough to convey their years of longing and the joy of their reunion.
But once they started talking, they couldn't stop.
From past anecdotes to recent updates, Loren's stories were accompanied by Florence's gentle laughter.
In the blink of an eye, this moment felt like forever.
"Pay attention to the time," the Love Instructor's voice reminded them.
"..."
Loren suddenly snapped back to reality, realizing the passing time.
"Florence, I have to head back to the temple. Armitis has been calling me!" Loren said apologetically.
Even though he wanted to continue chatting with his dearest friend, he knew he didn't have much time left.
"Oh, you'd better go then," Florence said, understandingly, with a gentle smile as she waved her palm.
She knew how busy Loren had been lately, and seeing that he was doing well, she felt relieved.
"Take care not to overwork yourself, and if you ever feel like talking to someone, you can always reach out to me. No matter what you're feeling, I'm here as your friend," Florence added warmly.
"Florence..." Loren gazed at her, his eyes filled with emotion. "If I could, I would love to spend every day with you. You truly are my kindred spirit."
He shook his head reluctantly, lamenting that he could only spend this brief moment with his dear friend.
"Is that so..." Florence lowered her gaze, averting her eyes.
Her reaction puzzled Loren, and he studied her with a confused look.
As if sensing Loren's gaze, Florence lifted her head once more, grinning as she patted Loren's shoulder, urging him to leave.
"Go on, get back to work! Good luck!" Florence said.
"Mhm," Loren nodded, bidding Florence farewell as he made his way towards the Temple of the Goddess of Fate, situated by the bank of the protective city river.
In no time, with a few flickers of his figure, the ethereal hall, forged by a millennium of faith, appeared before him.
In the heart of Yikelite's north district, surrounded by lush trees and clear river waters, stood a grand temple—a frequent destination for Loren, apart from the Yikelite Academy.
Following the instructor's guidance, he decided to be honest with both Florence and Armitis.
Bidding Florence farewell to return to work and telling Armitis that he was going to rest, he spoke nothing but the truth.
His footsteps carried him through the temple's grand entrance.
As the scorching natural light streamed through the windows, illuminating the white bas-reliefs, the diverse images of the gods seemed to shimmer, giving him the illusion that they were retelling ancient tales.
"Instructor, do we have enough time?" Loren asked, feeling a bit dazzled by the radiance, perhaps a reflection of his own unease. He refocused his attention and continued walking into the depths of the temple.
"Time isn't an issue," the instructor replied.
"Then what is the problem?" Loren asked, a hint of tension in his voice.
He sensed that there might be more to the instructor's words, a second half left unspoken.
[Do you remember the promise you made to Florence, 'Let's hang out again the next time you're not busy'?"]
"Yup."
[Do you think that counts as a date?]
"I don't think so, it's pretty normal to hang out with your bros."
[It's alright, better luck next time.]
The Love Instructor's mutterings seemed to carry a sense of purpose, yet it also felt like there was something he wasn't saying.
"What do you mean?" Loren asked, his heart skipping a beat despite his trust in the Love Instructor.
Could there be something he had overlooked? Just like in his studies, if he made a mistake but didn't know what it was, it would be hard to improve.
[It's nothing. You have a lot of talent, even beyond my imagination. Your seemingly plain and ordinary attacks actually all have armor-piercing and critical hit properties. Just follow your instincts; trying to copy everything I do might hinder your own potential.]
[I'll handle everything for you, so just relax and focus on your date. Unless something happens to me, I guarantee that nothing will stand in your way.]
The Love Instructor assured him with determination.
"Instructor..." Loren said, touched by the words coming from the other end of the communication.
He strode through the solemn and serene depths of the temple, past majestic white stone pillars standing tall within the grand hall. As he ventured further, the sound of his footsteps became more pronounced.
When Loren reached the massive door of the temple's confidential chamber, he felt as though he were standing at the threshold of another world.
He gently knocked on the door, crafted from a mix of pure white jade and deep gray stone.
"Come in."
A voice as gentle as the first frost of winter invited him in.
Loren pushed open the heavy stone door, and before him lay an office with a soaring cathedral-like ceiling. The walls were lined with alcoves filled with tomes and scriptures of the Church of the Goddess of Fate.
At the center of this sanctum, a woman with silver hair and silver eyes sat quietly on a sofa. Even at noon, her figure seemed as pristine as an elf bathed in moonlight.
If not for her breathing, it would have been hard to tell if she were a living being or a work of art.
"I'm sorry, I took a break this morning. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner," Loren bowed apologetically to the Ice Witch.
Armitis, the Divine Chosen Saintess, was half-demon, but she bore no demonic horns. Her only demonic feature was her slightly pointed ears.
She resembled a flawless snow elf more than the demons people spoke of with fear.
Though her gaze carried an air of inviolable pride and aloofness, almost as if she were keeping the world at bay, beneath that exterior lay a hint of kindness.
Loren saw that the Ice Witch wasn't busy with work at the moment, and a steaming cup of tea sat on her desk. His anxious heart eased slightly, at least assured that she hadn't called him for an urgent work matter today.
"How was it hugging Florence?"
The Ice Witch's cold voice cut through the air between them.
Loren lifted his head and saw that she had risen from the sofa, their eyes meeting. In that moment, he sensed an unmistakable disgust in her gaze.
A chill ran down Loren's spine.
Something was wrong.
Was there something wrong with him hugging Florence?
Did the Ice Witch find such physical contact between men strange?
"It felt great," Loren replied with conviction.
"..."
The Ice Witch's eyes now held a more complex mix of emotions.
Was it that her understanding of humans was flawed, or did Loren truly view women as casually huggable?
(End of Chapter)
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