Farewell, Yawen (Part 1)

"A wise decision." Nastisha readily agreed. "I don't want anyone to go to the battlefield, especially my students. The normal service period for conscripts is two years, and for the Cosmic Military, it starts at five years. Of course, you will be assigned to the Reserve Force first, where you will do training and attend classes as usual. You don't need to worry about life."

"Can I make a request?"

Li Aoz asked, "My friends, Hobbes and Lucite, are currently missing. Could you give me their belongings? I'd like to try and find some clues to locate them."

"Can."

Nastisha raised her hand, and a blue-feathered peregrine falcon immediately appeared out of thin air on her arm. After Nastisha gave a few instructions, the peregrine falcon flapped its wings and disappeared.

A moment later, the peregrine falcon landed back on Nastisha's arm, bringing back a backpack as well.

Li Aoz immediately recognized it as Lucite's oversized backpack, nodded, and thanked Nastisha:

"Thank you, Dean."

"It's nothing—by the way, give me all the student cards you rescued from Canyue, and I'll have the principal figure out a solution."

He got up and walked over, picked up his backpack, and Nastisha also stood up, took the card that Li Aoz brought, and nodded in satisfaction.

She wasn't wrong about him. Although Lioz was from the [Dominator] class, he did have positive values, identified with the Crystal Tower Civilization, and cherished his friendships with his classmates.

These people are different from the Crescent Moon.

Considering the child's strong learning ability and good skills, Nastisha felt a sense of appreciation for his talent.

Unfortunately... in this day and age, there's no way around it.

The older men at the top kept sending young people to the front lines. They had already sacrificed too much for this war and could not back down.

She gently shook her head and instructed Li Aoz, "Lioz, you're a loyal person. Don't go anywhere these next few days, just stay here. The authorities will send people to investigate you, and I'll cooperate with you to change the information. Maybe I'll even give you a reward then."

"I see."

Li Aoz nodded.

"Good that you understand." Nastisha rubbed her forehead and activated a teleportation array. "I'm going to inspect the school. You stay here and stay put. I'll send someone to bring you food. Just tell me if you need anything."

After saying that, she turned and left.

Li Aoz did not resist. His opponent was a veteran Spellcasters of the Ita class, and he had no way to escape, so he might as well wait here in peace.

I wonder how the others are doing...

The players were still on their way to deliver supplies to Trivella City. After thinking about it, Li Aoz didn't refuse. It would be a good opportunity for the players to make some good connections; there was no harm in it.

Then, there was a special person.

Li Aoz released Gravity Wave, communicating with his familiar target. "[Ya Wen, I've taken care of Can Yue. I'm currently at the school and will be back safely soon. You should go back to Trustworthy Village first.]"

"I'm sorry, she can't go back."

Li Aoz suddenly raised his head, and an array suddenly unfolded in front of him, revealing a spiritual light. The next moment, Yawen·Hesksin and the veiled woman he had met once before appeared in front of him.

"Ya Wen? And you..."

The veiled woman smiled gently. Li Aoz remembered something, took out the amulet that the veiled woman had given him earlier, and suddenly realized what was going on.

"Are you tracking me using this?"

"Don't say that," the veiled woman said with a smile. "It's just a small lucky charm—what truly locates you is the echo it emits."

"—You can trace the source of Gravity Wave?" Li Aoz an eyebrow. "That's not a skill that ordinary people can master."

"I'm not always a mortal," the veiled woman said. "Alright, enough talk."

She looked at Ya Wen: "Miss Ya Wen, it's time to express your opinion."

"Yes. Thank you, Miss Vierria."

Ya Wen nodded and thanked the veiled woman, who immediately turned and left, indicating that she wanted to avoid her.

So, in the pitch-black room, only the two of them remained.

"Ya Wen, what's wrong with you..." Li Aoz in confusion, "You called that woman Vierria? The attack just now was quite loud, you should be alright, right? Never mind, if it's really bad, you go back to Trustworthy Village for now, I'll go back in a few days—"

"Mr. Li Aoz".

Ya Wen interrupted, "You really enjoy controlling other people's destinies, don't you?"

Li Aoz was taken aback. "Really?"

"This isn't meant to be derogatory," Ya Wen said, slowly walking up to him and holding up the lunchbox in her hand. "These are for you. I can't cook, so I had to ask the cook to make you rice, lemonade, and braised chicken with potatoes."

Li Aoz took the lunchbox and looked at the other person. Ya Wen's expression was calm, unlike her usual self-conscious, sensitive, and depressed demeanor.

She was shorter than Li Aoz, barely reaching 1.7 meters even in heels, but her gaze was level with Li Aoz's.

This was the first time she had looked at her with the eyes of an equal, instead of with an expression of inferiority.

"Are you alright?"

Li Aoz put down the lunchbox, raised his hand, and placed it on the other person's shoulder. "Did Vierria say something to you? About secrets and [society]? Don't think too much about it. If something really happens to you, I'll take responsibility."

"Thank you, Mr. Li Aoz."

Ya Wen nodded gently:

"I am very grateful that you are willing to be tolerant and accepting of me, even though you know I am a Social Citizen."

"This is no big deal," Li Aoz said. "You are you, Yawen·Hesksin. If you really lose control or can't hold on any longer, I will kill you."

"Maybe to me, I don't really love you or like you, it's just that I'm particularly concerned about this."

Ya Wen raised her eyes, which were shimmering with spiderwebs, and said, "You treat me like a person. That makes me... feel a lot."

Li Aoz shrugged, turning his head away somewhat embarrassedly, looking elsewhere:

"These candles are so beautiful; they look like expensive items."

"Those were wholesaled from the Wing House Small Market," Ya Wen said.

"How did you know that?" Li Aoz in surprise.

"I've worked with them before, and they gave me quite a few of these candles," Ya Wen said. "Actually, while you were away, I tried to expand the fashion trade market, and I also kept a lot of design sketches that you can use..."

"What do you mean by that?" Li Aoz something was off and said, "It sounds like you're saying goodbye."

"Yes."

Ya Wen nodded, placed her hands in front of her, and said calmly, "Miss Vierria has decided to take me to find someone who can solve my problem. Only she has the ability to resolve my Blood of Ether."

Li Aoz frowned, signaling the other person to continue.

Ya Wen then recounted the whole story. As a former special agent, her report was concise and to the point, and Li Aoz quickly understood what she meant.

"I don't want to be a burden to anyone else," Ya Wen said. "The Boundless Ones can help me get out of these predicaments, and I won't hurt anyone else."

After Ya Wen finished speaking, she glanced at Li Aoz and found that his expression was very calm.

"Mr. Li Aoz?" Ya Wen was somewhat surprised. "You seem... completely unsurprised?"

What do you think I should do?

Li Aoz glanced at her and said:

"Should I be angry? Resentful? Try to stop you from leaving?"

"I..." Before Ya Wen could finish speaking, she suddenly felt a pain on her forehead.

Clang—

"What kind of person do you take me for?" Li Aoz withdrew his finger, put one hand on his hip, and said irritably, "Although I am a [Dominator] type cultivator, I am not so controlling as to have such a strong desire for control."

"I didn't mean it that way..." Ya Wen said, feeling wronged. "I just felt... that when I was leaving, you didn't show any expression... so I just... I just felt a little..."

"I'm a little unhappy. I feel ignored. 'That scumbag Li Aoz doesn't care about me at all. Waaaa, no one loves me anymore. I'm going to turn evil.'"

Li Aoz lowered his head and looked at meekly, revealing a self-conscious and timid gaze. He imitated Ya Wen's voice. "As expected, my existence is useless. A sinner like me should not expect to be noticed or cared for. Look, Mr. Li Aoz is just being insincere and perfunctory with me. I'm about to leave, and he can't even bear to say 'I'm reluctant to part with you'."

Ya Wen fell silent.

Li Aoz looked at her. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"You," Ya Wen said softly, her face flushed, "You've already said everything, what else can I say..."

Li Aoz's imitation was so lifelike that it made her feel ashamed, like looking in a mirror—but then she was secretly pleased: Li Aoz still had some impression of her.

Do you know why I'm not surprised?

After asking the question, Li Aoz replied:

"I know a little about Vierria's 'Boundless' organization. The actual situation is indeed as she said. You will be much safer once you go in."

"But, I might be gone for a long time." Ya Wen hesitated for a moment, then said, "I... I kind of want to hear you trying to persuade me to stay."

How long are you going to be gone?

"It took a bit too long."

Ya Wen said, "About 400 years."

Li Aoz nodded. "That's fine, go ahead."

"I... I'm leaving!" Ya Wen clutched the hem of her clothes, her gaze shifting downwards. "Can't you at least say something? If I leave, there will be no one to receive the visitors, farm, weave, and make clothes for you... Will you miss me?"

"Won't."

Li Aoz's words dealt a heavy blow to Ya Wen's heart. She lowered her head and said, "Is that so? I was indeed too presumptuous—"

"Four hundred years is too short for me," Li Aoz said. "Besides, you'll definitely come back. So what do I have to worry about?"

"—Why are you so sure I'll come back?" Ya Wen said irritably, "Aren't you afraid I'll find a handsome guy outside and elope with him, and then you'll have nothing left, and you'll lose ' Yawen·Hesksin ' forever!"

"Why should I worry?" Li Aoz asked, puzzled. "You're just going on vacation, aren't you?"

"Tourism?" Ya Wen was taken aback.

"For some reason, I know Vierria very well, and you won't have any problems following her."

Li Aoz said:

"Besides, you'll definitely come back."

"Why?"

"Because apart from Li Aoz, no one will protect a girl who is stupid, insecure, prone to jealousy, and occasionally displays a yandere expression."

Li Aoz bluntly stated:

"Yawen·Hesksin, you are an independent person, and I believe you will escape from the clutches of society. So, go ahead and do your best. No matter what problems you encounter, I will support you. If you die out there, I will avenge you."

Ya Wen looked at him, lowered her head, and remained silent.

After a moment, she whispered, "... How did you know I was jealous?"

"I'm not stupid. I was holding a young girl in my arms, and this scene was seen by someone who has confessed to me many times—after which she went on a rampage and cried her eyes out, almost losing control. Even if I can't hear her, I can guess what she meant."

"... So, you knew everything."

Ya Wen lowered her head:

"I only confessed to you once, and you didn't even say yes... You didn't say anything. What am I supposed to do? I don't even know what our relationship is."

"I'm so scared. I'm so scared that you'll be with someone else and I'll become meaningless to you—then will my existence still have any value? It seems like I have no value at all. Someone like me can't help you much; I can only do small, trivial tasks."

"Mr. Li Aoz, I've been running after you, but I can never seem to catch up."

"The secret has robbed me of my confidence. If I don't find a reason or something to keep myself alive... I'm really doomed. But if I die, I'll be breaking my promise to Dai Sijia, my sister."

"Now, I'm leaving you. Four hundred years is too short for you, and for me, it may mean I'll never see you again."

"The thought that you will forget me, that you will not remember me, that my existence is meaningless, fills me with immense panic."

Ya Wen looked at him, confused:

"I don't know what to do, Mr. Li Aoz?"

"Ya Wen".

Li Aoz gave Ya Wen a push. "Stand still."

Ya Wen was puzzled, but she still stood obediently in place.

Li Aoz took a step back, maintaining a proper distance.

Then, he punched the other person in the face.