Skipping Class

The flames continued to crackle in the air, still burning.

The three people before him had already turned to charcoal, their original appearances almost unrecognizable...

Lin Luo was also shocked by the power of the Sword of Night and Flame. Although his magic and Runes were strong, they were nothing compared to the replicas he had in his bag!

Lin Luo smacked his lips, feeling a bit unsatisfied, and his desire to merge with the Sword of Night and Flame grew even stronger.

"I'll try Soul Stream again later..."

Lin Luo said with a smile, looking at the Sword of Night and Flame in his hand.

Aside from escaping the cycle and confirming his relationship with Wood, this was the first time he had felt this happy.

"Now then, Loretta, feel the crushing power of Carian's greatest strength!"

He lifted his long sword, stepped up the stairs, and walked straight towards the Royal Moongazing Ground.

It had to be said, it was indeed beautiful here.

--This was an open clearing, surrounded by patches of green grass. In the center, a circular platform was covered with a layer of crystal-clear lake water. It was likely that in past nights, one could clearly see a bright moon reflected on the water's surface.

However, Carian was now shrouded in countless magical mists, and this place had lost its significance.

Beside the lake, dozens of benches were arranged in a circle. Sitting on them, the open view and comfortable temperature made one feel refreshed.

Before Lin Luo could even admire the scenery, ripples suddenly appeared on the water's surface...

A knight clad in heavy armor gradually appeared before Lin Luo. She was riding a horse and holding a massive scythe in her hand.

This must be the Royal Knight, Loretta.

"Tarnished, leave this place, and you shall be forgiven!"

A hoarse female voice came from the horse's back; it was Loretta's voice.

"It still has consciousness?"

Lin Luo was a little confused, but quickly realized. Loretta, as a Sacred Tree Knight guarding the Sacred Tree, was unaffected by the shattering of the Elden Ring. She must have been protected by the Sacred Tree, allowing her to survive. After all, if Godrick could still have self-awareness, it was unlikely she wouldn't. (Godrick: "Beating a dead horse again???")

"I need to go to the Three Sisters Sorcerer Towers. Can you let me pass?"

Lin Luo shrugged helplessly. He didn't want to cause trouble.

"What is your intention?"

Loretta was a little confused. What if this Tarnished was a subordinate of Princess Ranni? Then it would be inconvenient for her to act...

"Me?"

Lin Luo was taken aback.

"Yes, of course, I'm looking for the Moon Princess Ranni. I'm here to pledge my allegiance to her. After all, when you're out there, you need power and backing. Is being good at fighting useful? Fighting is useless!"

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Loretta felt the situation was getting out of hand and quickly called out to stop him. She glanced at Lin Luo with suspicion.

"Fine... I can let you pass!"

"But!"

"If you dare to have any ideas about Princess Ranni, you'd best turn back and abandon your laughable thoughts. Princess Ranni's strength is a hundred times greater than mine!"

"Don't try to shake a tree with a mantis!"

"Uh..."

Lin Luo's mouth twitched involuntarily. He didn't expect her to be so loyal. But why did she pledge allegiance to Miquella? Her words lacked credibility!

"I won't... I'm very sincere towards Lady Ranni!"

"Very? What strange wording..."

Loretta glanced at Lin Luo curiously. He looked presentable enough and his appearance was passable. Fine, she'd spare his life for now.

"If that's the case, I can let you go..."

"But!"

Loretta's voice carried a hint of killing intent.

"If I find out you've lied to me, I'll make you taste the might of my great bow!"

"Don't worry, don't worry! I'm very reliable. I never lie!"

Lin Luo smiled and patted his chest, giving off a "Trust me, you won't regret it" vibe.

"Then... you may go."

Loretta hesitated for a moment before finally clearing the path. Behind her was the only entrance to the Three Sisters Sorcerer Towers.

"Haha, goodbye, goodbye!"

Lin Luo laughed heartily. To escape when you can, you'd be struck by lightning if you didn't.

Lin Luo couldn't stand another second under Loretta's needle-like gaze. He immediately summoned Torrent and prepared to leave.

However, things took an unexpected turn.

Loretta's eyes suddenly fixed on Lin Luo's waist.

"Wait! This sword..."

Loretta muttered, feeling a sense of familiarity.

Lin Luo naturally noticed Loretta's gaze and, throwing caution to the wind, spurred Torrent to flee.

If he hadn't run, Loretta's gaze wouldn't have awakened memories long buried.

"That's! The Sword of Night and Flame!"

Loretta's anger flared instantly.

"Damn it! You despicable Tarnished, to steal a treasured artifact of the Carian royal family!"

"Holy crap, she noticed?"

Lin Luo shuddered and smacked Torrent's hindquarters hard.

"You useless nag, run faster!"

Torrent snorted in displeasure. Why don't you go fight her yourself instead of taking your anger out on me?

Despite its dissatisfaction, Torrent still picked up the pace.

"Damn you! Don't you dare run!"

Loretta said hatefully. She chased Lin Luo for a long time but couldn't catch up; the distance between them only grew.

"Despicable! Shameless!"

Loretta was furious and began to channel a massive blue bow in her hand.

"You wretched Tarnished! Feel the wrath of Carian!"

Drawing the bow, four colossal blue arrows formed slowly. With a whistling sound, they shot towards the distant Lin Luo.

Loretta was confident. She had used half of her spectral body's magic for this attack and refused to believe that this detestable Tarnished could survive!

"Oh? Using this move?"

Lin Luo heard Loretta's furious words and found it amusing.

"I can do that too!"

He skillfully produced Azar's Glintstone Staff. Mana surged, and a blue bow identical to Loretta's appeared.

The movements were the same, the great arrows identical.

Lin Luo yanked the reins sharply. Torrent understood, immediately halting in place. The horse reared up, hind legs straight, twisting around in an incredible manner.

With a whoosh, the bow and arrow in Lin Luo's hand were loosed.

A few meters away, explosions erupted between the arrows...

Loretta watched it all unfold. She had been certain Lin Luo would die, but the smile on her lips froze...

It was replaced by disbelief and fury in her eyes!

"This..."

"You base Tarnished! To dare steal my magic!"

"Damn it! Damn you, Tarnished, I will kill you!"

Loretta screamed wildly from a distance. Lin Luo merely treated it as impotent rage. He knew Loretta's spirit couldn't stray far from the Royal Moongazing Ground, so he simply stopped where he was, calmly watching Loretta's frenzied shouts.

"Hahaha!"

Lin Luo burst into laughter, the victor.

Torrent snorted dismissively again.

"How can you use running away as grounds for boasting? This old ox-horse is curious."

"Torrent, you've done a great job,"

Lin Luo patted Torrent's head as a reward, then pulled some Spirit Fruits from his bag.

"Here, don't look so glum..."