I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

The lakeside café at the Academy of Scholars is quiet and pleasant, but its high prices deter most students.

Walking along a path that spans the lake, Mien and Lucia entered a high-end café.

A few bouquets of flowers adorn the passageway, and each table is spacious and far apart, with the lake flowing quietly and swans nearby.

Lucia looked to both sides and saw that most of the couples inside were from the Academy.

They were all surprised to see Mien, not expecting to see the Dean here, and looked at the girl in school uniform beside him with a puzzled expression.

Mien didn't care at all.

Lucia, however, felt that the scene was a little ambiguous...

Something felt off, and I couldn't help but feel a little shy.

But then I thought, this age difference shouldn't be a problem, right?

Shanara's words from long ago suddenly popped into my mind.

"So, when you calculate it, Teacher Mien is actually only in her twenties!"

Instantly, Lucia's cheeks flushed.

The two took their seats.

"What would you like to eat?" Mien took the menu from the waiter and gently placed it in front of Lucia.

Lucia was still brainstorming, completely flustered.

When I came to my senses, a beautifully presented menu was pushed in front of me.

"Oh..." The girl held up the menu with both hands to cover her flushed face, feeling ashamed of her appearance.

But I was even more dumbfounded when I saw the menu.

What are all these?

Cloud-top, lightly baked, velvet, lava, rich, craftsmanship, understated luxury, slightly tipsy...

How are these words combined with food?

Mien noticed the girl's predicament at just the right moment.

"Do you need me to order for you?"

Lucia's heart pounded at the gentleman's question: "Okay."

She looked down and held the menu in front of her.

Mien took the order and said, "Please give us a pot of Earl Grey tea, two savory snacks, two scones with clotted cream, and two lemon tarts. That'll do for now, thank you."

These are all foods that young girls like to eat, and of course, they have been carefully selected by Mi En over the years. She doesn't refuse any kind of sweets.

The food was served quickly, and knowing that Lucia knew nothing about it, Mien took the initiative to serve it.

I broke the scones in half, spread a layer of cream on top, then added a little jam, and took a bite.

Lucia copied Mien's actions, and after completing the copy, she also took a small bite.

Suddenly, the flaky crust mixed with the rich, creamy cream, and then gently lifted by the sweet jam, made Lucia feel like she was being carried to the sky.

"Luya, how long have you been at the Academy?"

"It's been more than seventy days."

Mien nodded: "Are you adjusting well?"

After knowing Mien for so long, Lucia realized that this was the first time he had talked about personal matters and himself.

"Yes! Everything's great, everyone's been very kind to me," Lucia said gratefully. Having spent so many years struggling in the lower classes, she wouldn't say anything immature.

"Whether it's Ms. Eiri, Ms. Shanara, or Ms. Mien! And..."

After reciting a long list of thanks, she glanced at Mien, who was happily eating dessert. After hesitating for a moment, she mustered her courage and said:

"Recently, our room has been much colder than the other dorm rooms, and Shanara and I always have to sleep under very thick blankets."

After saying that, he quickly glanced at Mien.

I wonder if my "intimate and unrestrained" behavior will offend Mien? Or will it be as Mien seems, that our interaction will become natural?

Upon hearing this, Mien put down his coffee and said, "I see. I'll have someone inquire about the alchemy array in your building and add some temperature to it."

Mien's expression was casual.

Is this aversion or not? ...

Did I say something wrong? I don't think she seemed unhappy.

"Luya".

"Um."

What are your thoughts on the saintess?

"A saintess...?"

Although Lucia didn't know why Mien suddenly asked this, she still thought about it seriously and said:

"A saint is a female saint personally chosen by the gods to walk the earth with pure faith and a sacred mission. She is not merely a devout believer, but rather the living embodiment, spokesperson, and executor of the divine will in the mortal realm..."

Lucia recited the definition of a saint word for word from the textbook.

Mien shook his head, interrupting the chant: "I mean your opinion, your true opinion."

This stumped Lucia. She had never thought for herself before, and neither exams nor teachers needed her opinions, or even wanted them.

From childhood to adulthood, no one has ever cared about her own opinions.

Before my brain turned to mush from overthinking, I managed to squeeze out:

"It's about... bringing light to people."

"So what do you think light is?"

Having been relentlessly tormented and broken down by Mien's relentless methods, Lucia was completely disheartened.

Mien poured Earl Grey tea into her empty cup again, reminding her, "For example, when you were on Tin Can Street."

"Back then..." Something appeared in Lucia's blank mind:

"Perhaps it's about living a hopeful life, having enough to eat and wear, not worrying about tomorrow's survival, being able to fall asleep with happy dreams, and not easily getting angry or sad about anything."

Mien smiled, her gaze gentle.

This time, after she once again "offended" to express her thoughts, Mien seemed very satisfied, and Lucia's heart fluttered slightly.

Mien took a bite of cake and said slowly:

"For five hundred years, the Goddess of Light has saved the lost Empire of Cassirer and protected it, bringing it supreme glory and power."

However, a century ago, after bestowing enough blessings upon the empire, she watched over the prosperous people and embarked on a long journey.

After losing the Goddess of Light, the empire faced the ravages of war alone, awaiting her return.

Lucia nodded gently. What Mien said was exactly the same as what was written in the book and what Grandma Marissa had said.

Mien then asked, "Luya, do you think the empire now needs the Goddess of Light to save it again?"

Lucia subconsciously realized that Mien was joking with her.

Why would they need to be saved?

Not only the people in the Academy, but even no one in Iron Can Street had this idea.

The Cassir Empire is the most glorious torch and crown of the continent of Arro in the past thousand years.

It saves others, but no one else saves it.

Lucia smiled, but when she looked up, she saw Mien's expression.

After a moment of surprise, he realized that Mien was asking seriously.

He immediately suppressed his smile, pursed his lips, pondered for a moment, and then mustered the courage to express his opinion:

"I think it's necessary."

After saying it, I could hardly believe I had said it myself; what audacity!

Who knows if the emperor can even hear us?

Mien, however, showed a relieved smile, without any hint of blame.

A gentle breeze swept across the lake, ruffling Mien's scholar's robes and hair, revealing his handsome face.

He said calmly:

"Lua, the fourth princess of the empire wants to see you and have a chat."

Lucia's hands jerked, spilling tea onto the table.

They're going to arrest me right after I said something so outrageous?!

"Of course, that's after you pass the theoretical exam," Mien added.

Lucia was still in shock.

She wanted to ask why the princess wanted to see her, but then she realized that she was a prospective saintess, and it was normal for her to be summoned by these important figures of the empire.

It's just hard to accept this fact right now.

I never even thought I would have to face them again.

Lucia was dragged out of the comfortable Academy of Scholars and thrown into the larger Cassirer Empire.

"Are you scared?" Mien asked.

Lucia nodded.

"It's alright," Mi En smiled. "There's still some time. You can focus on preparing for the theory exam right now."

Enjoy the last bite of lemon tart with your fork, savoring it gracefully.

"They're all the same; they just look scary and pretend to be scary, but they're not scary at all."

Lucia was still lost in thought, but she nodded respectfully in response.

After wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, Mien smiled at Lucia, her expression one of appreciation:

"I believe in you, there won't be any problems."

Lucia felt a sense of familiarity, recalling that the smile was exactly the same as the one she had received when she was asked to help purify the Fountain of Faith.

Feeling as if someone had lifted me up in the darkness, giving me a foothold, I nodded gratefully.