Endless Leveling Done Right!

Chapter 376: The Blessing Of The Sun

”Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” Lady Celestria asked sadly.

”I’m sorry, but I’ll be staying here,” Renard replied.

”Are you unsatisfied with my offer?” Lady Celestria pressed. ”Do you want to add more conditions? I’m open to negotiations.”

The flying ships of the Solara and Faelarun would be departing in three hours.

Everyone was now saying their goodbyes to the friends they had made during the past few months of their stay.

Lady Celestria had thought Renard would come with her back to her own academy, but the young man’s decision surprised her.

”Your offer is actually very good,” Renard said seriously. ”I’m sure if I were to go, I’d have a very comfortable life in Solara.”

”Then why?” The Saintess’s eyes widened slightly in confusion. ”You’ll get everything when you come with me.”

”Indeed.” Renard nodded. ”But THAT person will not be in Solara.”

Lady Celestria pursed her lips before glancing at the handsome young man currently chatting with Prince Kaelen and Prince Garen.

”Are you referring to Alex?” Lady Celestria asked.

”Yes,” Renard confirmed. ”I’d feel like a loser for life if I were to leave now. I might even develop a heart demon, which would prevent me from reaching the goal I have in mind.”

”And your goal is?”

”To be the strongest.”

Lady Celestria studied the prickly young man, whom she believed shared a destiny with her. Her Patron had hinted that she might find the person who would stand by her side for life in Frieden Academy.

After getting to know Renard, she realized that he was the person her Deity had talked about.

”Is there anything I can do to get you to change your mind?” Lady Celestria was not ready to abandon the hope that she could convince Renard to come with her. ”I’ll do anything. If you wish for it, I can also be your fian—”

A single finger pressed against her lips lightly, but that was enough to prevent her from finishing what she was about to say.

”You’re a wonderful lady, Celestria,” Renard said with an awkwardness that was rather endearing. ”You’re too good for me, so you don’t have to lower yourself like this. I’m still a First Year, and there are still many things that I want to do in this life. Right now, I don’t have any intention of being tied up with anyone or anything.”

Renard then pulled his hand back and took out something from his pocket.

”I’m not really a rich person, but I bought this with my own money,” Renard said as he carefully handed Celestria a small box.

”Is this for me?” she exclaimed, scarcely believing her eyes.

”Yes.”

”Can I open it now?”

”Of course.”

Inside was a simple yet beautiful piece that made the young lady’s heart skip a beat.

She lifted the necklace out of the box by its delicate silver chain so she could better admire the pendant, a teardrop of polished amber.

The golden resin gleamed warmly in the light, as if trapping within it the glow of a sunset.

Tiny veins shimmered faintly inside the gem like a living flame, gentle yet enduring.

”It’s not much,” Renard added softly. ”But I want you to have it... as proof that I will never forget our time together.”

Lady Celestria held the necklace firmly before looking at Renard tenderly.

She was very touched by his gift. It was simple but well-made, so she was certain Renard had spent good money on it.

The young man was a commoner. He didn’t have a father with deep pockets, so a gift like this demonstrated his sincerity beyond a doubt.

”I will treasure it,” Lady Celestria promised, knowing he did not want her to forget him either. ”Then can you do me a favor?”

”If it is within my power.”

”Please help me put it on.”

Renard was taken aback by her request, but he still agreed after getting over his surprise.

The Saintess turned around and moved her hair to the side, showing the young man the nape of her neck.

The young man was keenly aware that, due to his status as a commoner, many people would deem his proximity to the Saintess of the Solara Kingdom inappropriate or even impudent.

But he didn’t hesitate to do as she’d asked, ignoring the Solara students who were looking in their direction.

”It’s done,” Renard stated before pulling back. ”It looks good on you, Celestria.”

The Saintess smiled and rested her hand over the amber teardrop.

”Since you gave me something, allow me to hand you a present as well,” Lady Celestria said.

She then raised her right hand and gently touched Renard’s forehead.

A soft radiance spread from her palm, wrapping him in a gentle warmth.

”In the name of the Sun, I grant you its blessing,” Lady Celestria whispered. ”May your path always be clear, may your spirit never be shrouded in darkness, and may the fire of your heart burn away all doubt and despair.”

Renard felt the warmth sink deep into his chest as strength and clarity welled within his body. For a brief moment, he thought he could hear the faint echo of a hymn, carried by the morning wind.

”This is the Blessing of the Sun,” Lady Celestria continued softly, her voice carrying a power that few wielded in the world of Arcana.

”It will protect you when your life is in peril and guide you whenever shadows threaten to consume your heart. No matter where you go, a ray of light will always shine upon you when you need it the most.”

The glow around her hand brightened, weaving golden motes of light that danced across Renard’s skin. His veins tingled with warmth, as if liquid sunlight was running through them.

”I gift you the warmth of morning,” Lady Celestria declared, giving him her personal blessing. ”When you falter, it will restore your strength.

”I also gift you the heat of noon, unyielding, relentless, empowering you from the inside out. Last but not least, I gift you the peace of dusk, to remind you that every ending is but the promise of another dawn.

”And one day, under the blessing of The Sun, let our paths cross once more. Let us talk about happy days, let us tell each other wonderful stories. So Renard, continue to dream... continue to believe... and continue to survive. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Renard’s breath hitched. The words resonated deeply within him. He instinctively placed his hand over his chest as he gazed at the beautiful lady, granting him the blessings of her Patron and herself, which quickly settled into his heart.

”Carry this light with you, Renard,” Lady Celestria instructed, her tone tender yet solemn. ”So long as you do not abandon yourself to despair, The Sun... no, I will never abandon you.”

Her hand lingered on his forehead for a heartbeat longer before she finally withdrew, her eyes filled with tenderness and unspoken affection. Yet within their depths, there lingered a tinge of loneliness and sorrow as well.

”Thank you,” Renard said with all the sincerity that he could muster.

He wanted to tell her many things, but he held back in fear that it might break his resolve.

So he thanked her.

Even then, these words rarely came out of Renard, who believed that the only one who could help him was himself.

Lady Celestria offered her hand for a handshake.

One last touch—that was all she wanted from him.

Renard firmly held the young lady’s hand and shook it twice.

But just as he was about to let go, Lady Celestria tightened her grip.

”Let’s stay like this for a while,” Lady Celestria said as she lowered her head, not wanting Renard to see the blush blooming on her face.

”The next time we see each other will be during the Inter-Academy Competition that will be held in the Kingdom of Faelarun. I pray that you’ll be cooler than you are now when that day comes.”

Renard lightly scratched his cheek with his finger and looked away.

If Alex had been there, he would not have missed the tinge of red appearing on Renard’s cheeks. He would’ve teased Mr. I-Have-Trust-Issues nonstop.

Fortunately, Alex was already occupied, busy saying his goodbyes to Prince Kaelen and Prince Gerard. He would never know how his politeness had cost him a beautiful opportunity to gather some blackmail material against one of the Main Heroes of Endless Leveling Online.