Distance

Time passed quickly, and the morning's magic apprenticeship class concluded, marking the end of the students' morning sessions. In the afternoon, they were scheduled to study the history of great mages who had made significant contributions to the magical world.

Right after class, Chen Cheng's gaze fell upon the few intact Magic Crystals remaining in front of him and Fini. He then leaned closer to Fini and asked, "Miss, can I take these crystals with me?"

The warm breath Chen Cheng exhaled tickled Fini's ear, causing her to blush slightly. She nudged Chen Cheng and said playfully, "Want these Magic Crystals? No way. You're just an auditor, and the teacher will collect these materials later."

Chen Cheng's spirits fell upon hearing this, and he began to ponder the process of making transparent glass.

When he had seen these highly transparent crystals earlier, Chen Cheng had thought about making a pair of glasses for Melinda as a token of his gratitude.

Fini, seeing this, thought Chen Cheng was upset. The kind but somewhat proud young lady immediately picked up the Magic Crystals in front of her and Chen Cheng and handed them to him, saying, "Alright, don't be sad. I'll take them, and I'm sure the teacher won't say anything."

Chen Cheng looked at the Magic Crystals in Fini's hand, then at Fini, and sincerely thanked her.

Fini felt a small surge of satisfaction and was about to take Chen Cheng to the cafeteria for lunch.

However, at that moment, Isabel approached them, collected the magic materials, and called out to Chen Cheng as he was leaving.

Fini then remembered that Chen Cheng had to go to Isabel's office with her. She could only give Chen Cheng a look of helplessness.

"You better hurry, or you'll miss lunch."

As she passed by Chen Cheng, she whispered softly in his ear, "Don't ask those strange questions to the teacher anymore. Hurry up, I'll save your food in the cafeteria and wait for you."

Feeling Fini's soft, sweet voice, Chen Cheng nodded.

After Fini and the other students had left, Isabel, having finished tidying up the materials, packed them into a wooden box and handed it to Chen Cheng, saying, "Here, help me with a favor. Take these and come with me to my office."

Looking at the large stack of items in his hands, Chen Cheng knew Isabel was teasing him. Without a word, he followed Isabel to the instructor's office.

It was a shared office. As Chen Cheng walked in, he saw Melinda engrossed in studying advanced magic knowledge books, her head resting on the desk. This was Melinda and Isabel's office.

After putting down the items, Chen Cheng approached Melinda and thanked her. Melinda smiled when she saw Chen Cheng there and then looked at Isabel, saying, "Isabel, how was my little brother in class? Was he paying attention?"

Isabel, who had removed her prosthetic leg to let her leg breathe while sitting in a chair, shot Chen Cheng a glare and said, "He's no ordinary fellow. He actually asked me about the principle of the magic rune corridor during class."

Melinda was slightly surprised to hear this and then looked at Chen Cheng, saying, "What's this, little brother? Have you had any prior contact with magic? Have you studied the dialectics of magic by the legendary mage Kasha?"

Chen Cheng was completely bewildered by these sudden questions, as he had only just heard about "magic dialectics" and had not had much exposure to magic. He simply shook his head.

Isabel, standing nearby, scoffed, "He's from a savage tribe, where would he get his hands on the notes of a legendary mage? I think this guy is unusual; his magical talent must be very high."

As she spoke, Isabel recounted what had happened in class to Melinda, also taking out Chen Cheng's Fireball Magic crystal.

Melinda was very surprised. After her surprise, Melinda cautioned Chen Cheng against being overambitious in magic, advising him to focus on learning the basic knowledge first.

She then gave Chen Cheng two books on simple magic, telling him to study them carefully when he got back.

"Alright, you should leave now, little savage. If you don't go soon, your little master will be angry waiting for you in the cafeteria."

Isabel began to usher him out. Before leaving, Chen Cheng asked Melinda, "Melinda... Sister, can I come here to find you again? I have a surprise for you."

Chen Cheng's words were intended to foster a closer relationship, making it easier for him to seek her guidance on magic in the future, as he knew not everyone could access the notes left by a legendary mage.

He also had the idea of creating an eye chart himself to test Melinda's vision later, so he could custom-make a pair of glasses to solve her nearsightedness, as a way to repay her within his capabilities.

Before Melinda could speak, Isabel interjected with a displeased expression, "What? Are you, a noble from a savage tribe, really taken with our Golden Mage Melinda? You're of age in your tribe, you should be looking for a partner. Why have you set your sights on Melinda since coming here? This isn't your tribe. It's fine if no one else hears it now, but if you say something like that in front of outsiders, those noble young lords and ladies won't let you off the hook."

It wasn't Isabel's fault. She had previously served the royal family in the military, so she placed great importance on social classes, which made her so sensitive. Her words not only highlighted the difference in their social status but also sternly suppressed Chen Cheng's inappropriate thoughts.

Melinda was also embarrassed and annoyed by Isabel's words, but Isabel was not wrong. It was very impolite for a man to say such things to a woman here, especially since he was a slave.

Chen Cheng then remembered that this was not his past life. The social system here was like medieval Europe – rigid, harsh, and bloody. If it weren't for Fini's kindness, he, a slave, wouldn't be treated so well now. He had seen more than one or two slaves here who were beaten or scolded by their masters. He was fortunate among millions of slaves to have met the kind Fini.

Seeing Chen Cheng's dejected and dispirited expression, Melinda felt a pang of sympathy and said, "It's alright. As your sister, you can still come find me in the future. I'd also like to see the surprise you have for me."

Chen Cheng felt much relieved seeing Melinda's smile. He bowed thankfully to both of them and left with the books.

After Chen Cheng left, Isabel's dejected expression changed. She looked at Melinda with a hint of melancholy and said, "You're truly bold, aren't you? Aren't you afraid Earl Huidun will find out about this? And that kid too, I really don't know how he got so daring. I think he was captured because he was too reckless and strayed too far from his tribe."

As Isabel spoke, she shook her head.

Melinda, standing beside her, gave a slightly bitter smile and then looked at Isabel, saying:

"You say that about me, but aren't you the same? Earl Xiaodun has always been infatuated with you. I heard he's even considering giving up his position in the Royal Guard to come find you here."

After speaking, the two women exchanged a look and began to lament their own situations.

Meanwhile, Chen Cheng, who had left the office building, saw a familiar figure by the flowerbed outside.

Fini was holding a lunchbox, waiting there. Upon seeing Chen Cheng emerge, she put down the food container and petulantly turned her body away.

She, the young lady of a noble baronet family, had waited half the day for a slave in the cafeteria, only to have to deliver food to her own slave. Furthermore, she had already reminded Chen Cheng to come quickly.

Chen Cheng hurried over to Fini's side. Seeing her like this, he knew the little loli was angry.

He picked up the lunchbox and, in a high-pitched voice, said, "This slave is wrong. This slave should not have made Master wait here holding the lunchbox."

Fini was amused by Chen Cheng's imitation of an eunuch's voice. She was no longer angry and said irritably, "Hurry up and eat your food, little slavey."

"But you can't do this again in the future. Me, the young lady of a noble baronet family, bringing food for you… do you know how embarrassing that looks?

And even if I don't care, if those people see it, they'll just get even more annoyed with you."

At this moment, Chen Cheng's heart warmed. This little loli in front of him was the kindest person to him in this world, besides Uncle Sam.

Looking at her smile, Chen Cheng no longer felt the sense of isolation brought by this unfamiliar world and society. He silently vowed to protect this pure, clean, and sunny smile.

However, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of thoughts Samlet would have if he knew the Emperor he served was ignited with fighting spirit because of a woman.