Bear School Astartes

”So you want me to believe that the beautiful blue sapphire ring on your hand was given to a, hmm... cute Half-Elf?”

Margaret and Lann were walking through the luxurious and bright corridors of Airetusa Academy.

The charming headmistress held the Demon Hunter’s arm, smiling sweetly, looking like a couple heading to a banquet.

Harmonious and well-matched.

Even the Female Warlock students and teachers passing by couldn’t help but be more restrained.

Yet, the keen Lann detected the sarcasm hidden in Margaret’s seemingly gentle words.

”To be precise, a Hobbit.”

The Demon Hunter explained the matter.

”It’s not quite like the Half-Elves we have here, and Bilbo is very nice! He brings trouble with him, so I lent a hand. You know me, Rita.”

”Yes, I know you.” The dean’s alluring eyes under her eye shadow glanced at the Demon Hunter with a smile, ”The great and bright Goddess Knight.”

Rong Buqiu, trailing deliberately behind the two, tilted its head, as if suddenly appreciating the beauty of the ornate and historically rich decorations of Airetusa’s walls.

Even the Elu Cat could tell Margaret was lightly mocking Lann.

The Demon Hunter, familiar with the Female Warlock’s nature, did not engage in conversation, merely continuing to walk arm-in-arm.

And indeed, when Margaret saw she couldn’t instigate a verbal spar, she quieted down.

Walking upwards from Luoxia Palace, reserved for hosting outside visitors.

The pair strolled arm in arm, encountering many apprentices and teachers, and news of Lann’s return spread quickly.

Rong Buqiu also attracted the attention of all passersby with its cute yet intelligent and civilized demeanor.

However, the people inside the Female Warlock Academy were top intellectuals of the world, and they didn’t mistake the Elu Cat for a small Cat People living in the Northern Reserve.

Neither were they too surprised, thinking it was a three-colored cat endowed with wisdom through some magic or ritual, and been tamed.

In fact, when Lann sheltered the Qilin and Rong Buqiu from the rain at the toll station on the bridge, their existence was bound to be noticed.

Lann and the others didn’t mind, so no effort was made to keep it secret.

However, the Elu Cat still drew some curious glances.

Not for anything else, but due to the issue of ’cats’.

In popular stereotypes, identities like witches or Female Warlocks are inherently associated with mysterious, untamable cats.

’Witch with a cat’ is a common image in dramas and poetry.

And due to the general rebellious spirit of Female Warlocks against the mundane, they typically avoid keeping cats.

These strong women, in defiance of the mundane, even let their hair loose like a prostitute; deliberately not keeping certain types of pets is inconsequential.

Ascending the floor where the headmistress’s office was located, Margaret opened the door as she held Lann’s arm.

Tishaya was sitting casually on a woolen couch facing the door, leisurely opening a bottle of East of East red wine from Toussaint, sipping from a delicate silver cup.

East of East wine is a national treasure-level wine from Toussaint, often costing even more than Aphrodisia of the same vintage.

When Lann and Margaret entered, the Female Warlock was carefully rearranging three glasses on the table, attempting to achieve perfect symmetry.

She glanced up, spotting Lann coming through the door, and her first words were: ”You’re missing a ring?”

The Demon Hunter’s movements froze, tongue licking his lips.

Not... why are you also so observant?!

Under Margaret’s ’enjoying the show’ gaze, Lann could only recount the story again to Tishaya.

The former headmistress of Airetusa, however, remained unperturbed, nodding indifferently without further inquiry.

Ordinarily, Tishaya, now working at the Talent and Skill Association, should be bustling around.

Yet Tishaya had previously mentioned she intended to synchronize her work and vacation time with Lann’s journeys through the spherical nexus.

Thus, Lann wasn’t surprised to see the red wine already poured on Tishaya’s table.

Margaret and Lann both accommodated Tishaya’s symmetry compulsion, sitting where she had placed the glasses.

Margaret’s office also held numerous small snacks, which she handed to Rong Buqiu.

The alcohol-free little cat happily perched at the table edge, nibbling on snacks.

As some sort of tradition, Lann opened his mouth first, briefly recounting his journey through the spherical nexus.

A world named Ardan, immortal Elves, Hobbits, the Lonely Mountain of Dwarves, dragons...

These were sights and journeys not even the oldest Wizards had ever witnessed.

”A world with an explicit Creator God?”

Half of Margaret’s body lazily leaned against the armrest of the wool-covered chair, the ample and fair curve of her chest pressed into an overflowing disc shape.

Her slender fingers traced circles on the rim of the silver cup, with a tone of incredulity.

Although last time she showed some superficiality and neglect regarding ’knowledge about deities,’ Tishaya had strictly made her make up for it.

It almost reminded her of her student days.

But... Creator God?!

Even in the most mystical and fanatical religious sects of this world, none dared to involve this concept.

The flame revered by the Eternal Fire Church most commonly symbolized: expelling evil and danger, illuminating the road of hope for the future.

It is a concept oriented towards the future, not one that traces back to the origin.

It is not that they do not wish to, but human and elf histories are quite clear.

They are outsiders who came to this world through the conjunction of spheres, with verifiable landing times and locations.

If the concept of a Creator God were truly brought up, then what role would these outsiders, who settled and then carried out ethnic cleansing of native races, assume?

So in this world, anyone who delves deeply enough into theology to develop the embryonic forms of a sect, tacitly avoids researching this most fundamental, most orthodox theological concept.

Compared with the student’s casual and wandering demeanor, Tishaya remained dignified and proper in her original posture.

Yet, her ascetic facial expression, paired with the ’bold’ deep V-cut dress—which though not outrageous among the Female Warlocks, remains so on the market—presented a contrasting beauty.

Unlike the new generation of warlocks who are obsessed with power struggles and thereby attain material enjoyment, Tishaya’s thoughts are more ’old school,’ that is, ’Magic Researcher.’

The moment the concept of the ”Creator God” emerged from Lann’s lips, her eyes gleamed brightly.

”Is there anything that can let me experience it firsthand?”

Her eyes eagerly scrutinized Lann.

The Demon Hunter shrugged and drew Aron Dite from his waist.

Perhaps due to the subtly latent nature of Ardan World’s power, this beautifully curved, intricately carved runes on the blade now appeared no different from its original state.

But only when looked at closely, with calmness of mind, can one discern that the entire blade emulates a mesmerizing and barely perceptible glow.

Tishaya cautiously extended her hand, her fingertips gently grazing the cold blade surface.

Her brows and eyes immediately relaxed, as if she sensed an indescribable purity and brilliance in these beautiful things.

However, Tishaya possessed strong self-control. Although she felt a sense of relaxation and pleasure from body to soul, she still managed to withdraw her fingers.

Her gaze simply lingered a bit longer with reluctance.

”This is indeed... a higher form of power never before witnessed.”

She watched as Lann sheathed the long blade.

”I completely cannot comprehend. The manifestation of such high power is... so unremarkable.”

”Power resides hidden in the unseen,” Lann explained his conclusion to Tishaya, ”and under such circumstances, the power that does become evident is all the more terrifying.”

Like the time Lady Galadriel extended her power to the distant horizon.

”Then that world must be very dangerous,” Margaret said with concern and fear in her eyes, looking at the Demon Hunter. ”A seemingly silent weapon might conceal a dangerous power.”

The fact is true; whether it’s Gandalf’s Glamdring or Ocrist, now belonging to Sorlin.

These two swords may at first seem only elegantly shaped and smoothly contoured, carrying the unique artistic style of Ardan Elves.

Even Lann only confirmed with Elrond’s close inspection that these two swords were of the same level of armament as the Lady of the Lake’s Sword, which had not been adjusted or infused with the ”Light of the Dual Holy Trees.”

”It sure is a bit dangerous, my Grandmaster Bear School Armor got completely incinerated.”

Lann remarked while sipping from his glass.

”But I’m alright.”

”That’s good,” Margaret earnestly appraised Lann from head to toe, ensuring he wasn’t hiding any grievous injuries, and then nodded with satisfaction.

At the same time, the current headmistress of Airetusa involuntarily let out a small yawn.

Lann put down his glass from his mouth, his nostrils twitching as he frowned slightly.

”Are you on stimulant potions again? Is it that busy now?”

Previously during the Northern War, Margaret had consumed stimulant potions copiously to handle the never-ending affairs, maintaining a clear head.

Lann later took time to improve the formula, now offering apple, orange, and other flavors of the stimulant potion.

Margaret did not intend to hide this from him but instead rubbed her eyes, slightly teary from yawning, and spoke.

”The situation is becoming tense again, you know what I mean, right, dear? There’s no time to slack off.”