Maria's Decision

"Ah, so you're Maria and the others' friend... Sorry, I won't disturb you any longer... My manager is looking for me... I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first."

After learning why Bai Ye had come, Młynar nodded and bowed as he awkwardly fled the Nearl home with his briefcase in hand.

"Ah..." Maria and Nearl watched Młynar's departing figure, temporarily at a loss for words.

"What a pitiful man..." Bai Ye sighed, then turned to Nearl. "I didn't expect you to get here before I did."

"I heard everything that happened from Maria. Thank you, Bai Ye!" Nearl said as she walked up to him and gave him a respectful bow.

"We were only helping each other. Don't worry about it." Bai Ye waved a hand. "I gained quite a lot myself. If we keep dwelling on it, it'll never end."

"As expected, Bai Ye, I wasn't wrong about you. Compared to those competitive knights of Kazimierz, you're much more like a true knight." Nearl's face showed approval. From the Lungmen Incident until now, she had seen in Bai Ye's actions the knightly spirit that people had long forgotten, even considered outdated.

"I'll gladly accept that praise..." Bai Ye smiled, then walked over to Maria.

"Master Bai Ye?" Maria rose from the sofa.

Bai Ye extended a finger and tapped the silver Holy Emblem beside Maria. It was the second Holy Emblem he had made.

"You must have felt it on the day of the match, right?" Bai Ye asked with a smile.

"Mm... I could feel the flow of that Originium Arts." Maria unconsciously held out her hand, and a glimmer of light bloomed in her palm.

"I've already taught you everything I can. My swordsmanship doesn't suit you very well. As for the rest, there