Since appealing to emotions is futile, let’s revert to something practical.
Megan’s expression changed, growing cold and distant, "You asked me about the Dragon Blood Curse earlier because you were concerned about Hefei, didn’t you?"
Wayne nodded. It wasn’t only about his mentor; Veronica’s risk had to be eliminated as well.
There might be Megan too. If she also suffered from the curse, she deserved to be included.
After all, she was Austin’s lover, a stepmother of sorts. A family ought to be complete; missing anyone wouldn’t be right.
"I will contact Vice Commander Gavin to retrieve Mr. Mula. What you need to do is demonstrate your talent and prove you’re fit to be a Naturalist Knight," said Saina.
"If you succeed, I will tell you how to break the curse and help Hefei with her affliction. I know her well; her failure to advance to a Legendary Mage after all these years is unquestionably due to the curse," Saina stated.
Wayne furrowed his brow, the situation suddenly became tricky. He truly dared not to touch the Naturalist Knight’s weapon. If anything went wrong and the Dragon Blood Curse remained locked, disaster would befall him as well.
"Teacher Saina, can we both step back a little? I refuse the Great Prophet, and you tell me how to break the curse, or at least, its specific manifestations?"
Saina did not speak; evidently, it was not an option.
"Then let me put it another way: you tell me how to break the curse, and I will immediately refuse the Great Prophet, shattering his delusional infatuation completely."
Saina laughed, amused by the young man’s play with words. By twisting the cause and effect, she suddenly became the one taking advantage.
And frankly, she was somewhat tempted.
"Wayne, put away your tricks. I’m not Hefei. Austin might deceive Hefei, but that doesn’t mean you can deceive me."
A muscle twitched at the corner of Wayne’s mouth; speaking like that, Hefei was married to Austin, after all.
After much contemplation and with a frown, Wayne said, "I can agree to your terms, but before that, I’m quite interested in the Great Prophet’s legacy. I won’t reject him. If he becomes enraged, the consequences are yours to bear."
"If you become the God-chosen Knight, he wouldn’t dare to be enraged."
"Teacher Saina, you also mentioned ’if’. There are numerous possibilities. Shouldn’t there always be a way out for me?" Wayne argued, pressing his point; both sides stepping back was the only way to break the impasse.
Saina remained silent for a long while; then, as if reaching a decision, her brows relaxed, "Fine, but there’s something I need to make clear first."
"Can you maintain a state of merging with nature while in your normal form?"
"I can, though not as powerfully as when in my Elf Form. Once I acclimatize to this sensation, I should be able to do it," Wayne assured.
"How long will it take?"
"If all goes well, half a month," he replied.
Saina grew more confident in Wayne becoming the God-chosen Knight. She hadn’t seen such a bright child before. Gavin was right; it would be a waste for Wayne not to be a Knight.
"Teacher Saina, why ask this? Is it important?"
Through Telepathic Transmission, Saina gently knocked on the door of Wayne’s closely guarded heart. Seeing the door open a crack, she couldn’t help but smile, "Wayne, you really don’t have any trust in me at all, do you?"
"Teacher Saina, it’s always better to be cautious," Wayne said with a slight smile. Better safe than sorry.
Well said, being cautious never hurts!
Admiration shone on Saina’s face; she shared the sentiment. For a child that wouldn’t listen, a lock must be applied.
"In half a month, withdraw from the Holy Maiden selection. Before Vice Commander Gavin makes contact with Mr. Mula, I have an important gift for you," Saina implied with narrowed eyes.
"Teacher Saina, can you give me a hint?"
"You are very much like Hefei once was, extremely talented, yet with a rather common bloodline. To ensure the Goddess favors you, I will help you acquire the Dragon Bloodline," she revealed.
"Teacher Saina, you don’t intend to control the Naturalist Knight, do you?" Wayne looked perplexed. This sudden confidence, no, this overwhelming Pride, he finally saw a manifestation of the Dragon Blood in Saina.
Guess the lady isn’t all that sharp!
Hefei had not divulged their Protogenos Bloodline; Wayne understood it. Betraying his mentor wasn’t a first for him.
But for Saina to do no intelligence work at all...
Oh, seeing his Elf Form, she must have jumped to conclusions.
Wayne stroked his chin, pondering the delightful misunderstanding. The anticipation suddenly piqued his interest.
"You’re overthinking it. I’ve never considered using the Dragon Blood Curse to threaten you. The Naturalist Knight is stronger than you imagine. This is to increase your chances of becoming the God-chosen Knight," Saina explained with a gentle shake of her head. "Once you gain the power of the gods, you’ll know I haven’t deceived you."
Sure, whatever you say.
Learning that Saina’s bet was on the Dragon Blood, Wayne immediately felt at ease. He had an ace up his sleeve; there was no chance for the Dragon Blood to taint him. Saina was destined to come up empty-handed.
"Teacher Saina, since we’ve come this far, I won’t hide anything from you. I can withdraw from the Holy Maiden contest, but there is someone I must defeat, or else I won’t back down," Wayne stated resolutely.
"Odilia Ferdinand. Her mentor, Flora Evelyn, is the former Holy Maiden."
"Flora crossed my mentor. Anyone could be Holy Maiden, except her disciple," Wayne declared firmly.
Previously, he was skeptical of Austin’s plan. Now, having seen more of The Church’s higher-ups, he acknowledged Austin’s point; The Church was indeed a cesspool, and it was right for Hefei to leave.
The two Knights had high hopes for Flora, wishing she could awaken Hefei. But first, they needed to corner Flora into a dead end by losing this Holy Maiden selection.