Chapter 1: Volunteer Activity
And so, Lonis and Elus spent over a month studying at the academy.
Although a sense of curiosity towards the unknown remained in her heart, Lonis had already grown accustomed to life at the academy.
Once habituated, the daily studies and work didn’t seem as arduous. In fact, Lonis found herself greatly enjoying the process of self-improvement.
It was like leveling up in a game; Lonis could clearly feel her magical aptitude improving. For instance, at first, she couldn’t even use the Crystal Staff once a day, but now she could use it once a day.
However, on the other hand, as the price for obtaining the Crystal Staff, she had to repay 20,000 Clarity Points along with Elus.
This was not an easy task, and they had to repay at least 1,000 points each month. Therefore, Lonis and Elus would participate in volunteer activities assigned by the academy.
There were many types of such activities, such as organizing books in the library, cleaning the dust in the Ancient Academy, serving guests at lectures, and even raising slimes within the campus.
Of course, there were also activities outside the campus, such as helping residents with magic knowledge dissemination, helping households find their missing cats, and helping people in need…
…
And today, the volunteer activity that Elus and Lonis had taken on was to help an elderly person living alone.
She resided in the old town of Frost Moon Island. The wooden houses here were generally only two stories tall, and the roads in front of the houses were relatively narrow, with a width of about 3 meters.
The old lady was very amiable, and simply gazed at the two of them kindly.
“Students, can I entrust this to you?”
“Yes, please entrust it to me and Elus.”
As people age, their legs and feet become less convenient. Even though the old lady wanted to tidy up her room, it was difficult to clean places like the top of some cabinets or under the sofa.
Lonis, on the other hand, perfectly exhibited her “maid skills.” She would occasionally kneel on the ground to clean the floor, and occasionally stand on her tiptoes, using a feather duster to clean the old lady’s house until it was as clean and tidy as when it was newly purchased.
And Elus? Although she usually bullied Lonis all day, when it came to actual work, this Black-haired Girl was exceptionally efficient.
Despite her delicate appearance, she could lift a heavy wardrobe by herself. When organizing various items, she did so in an orderly manner, without any mess.
This work efficiency amazed the old lady.
“Students, you have been a great help. I’ve made you a cup of green tea, please stop and rest.”
“It’s alright, we’re not tired yet.”
As a Hero, Lonis actually very much enjoyed this feeling of helping “villagers.” Although there were no experience points gained, she could earn points, and it gave her a sense of fulfillment, as if she were truly alive.
(Huh? What is this?)
On the upper shelf of the cabinet, Lonis found a photo frame.
The wooden frame around the photo frame had aged, causing dust to seep in, making the content of the photo unclear.
“Old lady, does this photo frame also need cleaning?”
“Photo frame… Th-this is!”
Seeing the photo frame in Lonis’s hand, the old lady’s expression turned surprised.
“Should I put it back in its place?”
“No, please, young lady, clean it carefully.”
“Mm.”
Following the old lady’s instructions, Lonis carefully cleaned the photo like a well-behaved young girl.
However, she did not expect…
…
The picture on the photo showed two bright and beautiful female students.
They were standing in the academy square, with the tall tower building behind them.
Although the surface of the photo had turned reddish, looking like it had been kept for a long time, their sincere smiles seemed to have remained perpetually at the moment of the photograph, forever preserved.
“This is…”
“Yes, just like you, young lady, I was also a student at the academy in the past. However, I won’t presumpteously call myself a senior.”
The old lady walked over shakily, and her slightly narrowed eyes seemed to be filled with reminiscence of the past.
“The old lady was also a graduate? Then the other girl in the photo…”
“Yes, this other purple-haired girl is my wife—Nai Cha-chan. We were quite something back then; we were ranked first and second in our year, respectively.”
“Eh?!”
“If I remember correctly, this photo was taken the day after the exams. But we had promised to go on a spring outing together…”
Although the old lady’s voice was gentle, for some reason, Lonis felt an indescribable sadness.
After all…
Such a beautiful girl had also turned into an old woman?
And now, this small house, only the old lady remained alone?
The old lady had no children and had always lived alone. Did the girl who was once with her get married? Or did she leave earlier? Or perhaps…
“I’m sorry, old lady, I shouldn’t have brought this up.”
Realizing this, Lonis wanted to apologize.
But the old lady did not show any signs of sadness and said kindly, “It’s alright, young lady, you don’t need to apologize. Because I believe Nai Cha-chan is not dead?”
“Eh?”
“Back then, when she was on a mission, she just went missing without a trace. No one witnessed her death. I believe she is definitely alive somewhere in this world?”
The old lady smiled slightly,
Her gaze seemed to pass through the setting sun in the sky, recalling many cherished memories.
…
When the volunteer work was completed, Lonis felt a bit dejected.
Just like the destruction of the Snow Kingdom and the disappearance of the Fallen Hero, although humanity could still live safely within civilization under order.
However, in the hidden depths of darkness that were unknown, there were still many dangers lurking.
And she and Elus could not
always stay in a safe environment.
In fact, they had already gained the power of Clarity, and it was time for them to depart for the next place… However, Lonis realized that she had grown accustomed to life at the academy, and had grown accustomed to this leisurely life with Elus.
Therefore, she didn’t urge Elus to move forward and just lived day by day, always staying on campus.
But one day, they would go to dark places and might encounter danger.
Both she and Elus might, like the Nai Cha-chan mentioned by the old lady, disappear forever without a trace.
And if that day truly came…
Would they be able to face it with such composure as this old lady did?
Thinking of this, Lonis felt a little dejected, and her eyes felt a slight sting.
But just then…
Her skirt was suddenly lifted by Elus.
