Clarice, learning of Veronica’s tragic family history, felt her eyes slightly redden, "No wonder she has so few friends and only Vivi can open her heart. So that’s what it was all about. I’ve always thought it was Aunt Hefei’s constant absence from home that made her so proud and aloof."
Wake up, that’s called tsundere.
And you’re not mistaken, it’s indeed because of her parents’ long-term separation that Veronica has a gloomy face all day.
"So, Veronica is the fiancée that Aunt Hefei and Mister Lando picked for you, betrothed from childhood?" Clarice asked, tilting her head.
"No, there’s no betrothal."
"Then it’s no concern of mine."
Clarice humphed softly, holding Wayne tightly. Other things could be left unclaimed, yielded to a good friend, but not love. She said she wouldn’t give up halfway through, no matter what.
"Clarice, don’t you want to know what happened on this trip?"
Clarice didn’t want to listen, only inquiring about a few topics related to Vivi. After learning that Vivi and Wayne were just ordinary friends, she instantly adjusted her strategy and tactics, viewing Veronica as her arch-enemy.
This battle was tough. Veronica even gave up being the Holy Maiden to snatch away her beloved. Evidently, her resolve was not much less than Clarice’s. It’ll probably take a while before a winner could emerge.
"I’ve recently learned a powerful magic, want to see?"
Wayne raised an eyebrow and, without waiting for Clarice’s response, drew upon the magic power from the five magic stones on his chest, transforming into the Perfect Elf, the embodiment of the five major Faiths.
The elf’s features were perfect, their form elegant, and their innate capacity to commune with nature effortlessly endowed them with a singular charm, immediately maxing out their allure.
Perhaps because all five Faiths are goddesses or maybe because elves are inherently graceful and demure, Wayne’s Elf Form had soft, pure, lofty, and gentle features, looking entirely feminine without a hint of masculine ruggedness.
In terms of physique, it was also indistinguishable; without removing his trousers, he resembled a fit woman with a flat chest.
Clarice’s breathing quickened, and she swallowed softly, entranced by the natural beauty she detected in Wayne, utterly captivated.
She found another reason to defeat Veronica!
"How about it, isn’t it impressive?"
"Yes, it’s beautiful."
Wayne first let Clarice transform into a Moonlight Elf and checked her progress, then, hand-in-hand, taught her the formulas, sharing the corresponding Faith Magic.
He didn’t teach the formulas for Darkness and Death just yet; after all, one must eat one bite at a time. Clarice, still a Silver Mage, could wait to advance her studies until reaching the Golden Stage.
Without The Book of Greed, Clarice couldn’t simply glance at something and master it like Wayne, but she possessed Divine Blood and her potential was already awakened by Dolly and Obu, putting her outside the ordinary range of mages and giving her an exceptional aptitude for learning anything quickly.
Clarice barely mastered three types of Faith Elf formulas, and frowned, "This feels familiar; I think I’ve seen it somewhere before... ah, it’s very similar to what Miss Philomena taught me."
"Life Alliance, that’s it. With just a few Faiths going around, similarities are inevitable." Wayne breathed a sigh of relief, glad he’d had Saina rework the formulas to avoid exposure.
Speaking of which, Philomena was daring to teach so openly, not holding back at all. Was she trying to prepare Clarice to compete in the selection for the Moonlight Church’s Holy Maiden?
Too bad, Clarice was no longer pure.
Clarice learned a new magic and tried to transform, but found a huge difference between her Elf Form and Wayne’s, and without sensing the presence of nature, she humbly sought guidance.
"This is simple; you can sense nature through me, and once you get the feel for it, you’ll be able to do it on your own."
Wayne held Clarice, acting as a mediator, communicating with nature himself, allowing Clarice to observe and learn from his side.
The effect was average; Clarice was too focused on the Elf Form.
Two exquisitely beautiful elves embraced and necked, surrounded by the vibrant breath of nature, the pulsing of the earth, the whispers of the wind, and the clamor of the Fire Element—all of which sounded incredibly pleasing now.
Clarice felt blessed; nature seemed to approve of this union.
"Don’t get distracted. When you’re teaching, you always scold me, saying students should focus and not get sidetracked looking at the teacher. Why is it that when you’re the student, you only watch the teacher and don’t study properly?" Wayne lightly slapped her bottom and bowed his head to bite the Elf’s lips.
"Teacher Wayne, please behave yourself..."
In the dining room on the first floor, Butler Philark glanced at his pocket watch, pondered for a moment, and told the maids not to wait any longer.
The master and Lady Clarice had urgent matters to discuss and canceled lunch; they were preparing afternoon tea.
The pastries needed to be nourishing; both the master and the lady needed to recuperate.
Clarice stood by the window with a faint smile on her lips, watching Wayne practice the Dragon-Slayer Sword Technique in the garden.
Her entire wardrobe and personal possessions had moved into the master bedroom, securing her position as the lady of the house, unbreakable and impervious to any challenge.
For the moment, she only wished Veronica would come to her home for a visit.
Lil’ Vivi was no big deal, just an ordinary friend.
Speak of Vivi, and there she was.
Clarice saw a blonde head enter the garden from afar, tiptoeing closer to Wayne.
The knight in Valkyrie armor sheathed her sword and stood tall, having just sparred with Wayne for a few moves. In terms of swordsmanship, there wasn’t much left she could teach him; the rest he had to learn through his own experience.
Wayne, wielding a wooden sword, sensed someone approaching from behind, pretended not to notice, and continued to seek advice from Valkyrie on defense and counterattack moves.