Mythology: Ragnarok

Milton encouraged him, "But you're still a disciple of a forbidden spellcaster, can you please stop boosting others' morale and diminishing your own?"

Agreed, however, pragmatically stated, "Unless I am a forbidden spellcaster, the royal family will not look up to a piece of trash. For those in high positions of power, a political marriage is the outcome they most desire."

Milton calmed down upon hearing this and sighed helplessly, "Yes, I heard that the Mage King's eldest and second daughters both married into powerful nations in this way, but you're just going to give up like this?"

Agreed said expressionlessly, "I just don't have any illusions about it."

Milton was about to say something more when there was a knock on the door. Agreed quickly got up and went to answer the door, wondering to himself who would visit him at this time when he had no relatives or friends here.

Upon opening the door, a well-dressed but plain-looking girl appeared before Agreed.

Agreed instantly understood, but still asked somewhat uncertainly, "Hepburn? What are you doing here?"

Hepburn, whose appearance had been drastically altered after drinking the disguise potion, was surprised that she was seen through so quickly. Disappointed, she asked, "How did you know? I was hiding it so well."

Agreed explained, "Nobody in Augustus would approach me on their own initiative. Besides, the material of your clothes isn't something an ordinary person could afford. Plus, we've known each other for so long, it would be strange if I couldn't guess it!"

Hepburn smiled mischievously and said, "Then why don't you invite me in? Do you want me to stand outside in the wind?"

Agreed then ushered Hepburn into the house and made her a cup of hot tea. Afterwards, Agreed sat down opposite Hepburn and asked, "Why did you come here? Did you sneak out? Do your family know?"

Hepburn said smugly, "Don't worry, I left behind a mirror image of myself after I ran away. No one except my father will recognize me. I can count on my fingers the number of times my father comes to see me each year, so there's no need to be afraid of them finding out."

Agreed said helplessly, "I hope so. After all, accidents always happen in unexpected ways. You'd better go back before dark, otherwise your disappearance could become a major incident that will cause a lot of trouble for Augustus."

Hepburn said impatiently, "Okay, trust me, I'll be fine. I can't stand being at home for even a minute longer. Please spend a few days with me this holiday, I beg you." As she spoke, Hepburn even started to act coquettishly, tugging at Agreed's clothes and pleading earnestly. Her pitiful eyes instantly broke down Agreed's psychological defenses.

"Okay, this won't happen again."

"Senior, you're the best!" Hepburn said, hugging Agreed and then cheering happily. Milton couldn't help but laugh at Agreed's embarrassment, and couldn't help but sigh that there's always someone who can subdue another. Agreed, who is always a man of his word, was easily manipulated by a girl today.

Hepburn naturally didn't go back before dark; she stayed at the Argrede cabin, leaving Argrede and Milton to sleep on the floor—after all, you can't let a girl sleep on the floor. The three of them spent the entire holiday traveling around.

Milton also experienced great torment during this short vacation. In just over a month, he learned what it meant to be heartless when there were women around, what the bitterness of being a single dog was, and just how obstructive it could be to be a third wheel.

A month later, Agreed reluctantly sent Hepburn back to her home. Gazing in the direction where Hepburn disappeared, Agreed stood for a long time, seemingly looking at something.

Milton snapped his fingers in front of Agredra to bring him back to reality, and said, "Stop looking. She's been gone for a long time. You said you'd only take her out for three days, but as soon as she started acting cute, you completely lost your way and ended up taking her on a whole vacation. Don't you have any bottom line?"

Agred retorted angrily, "Of course it does! It just shifts slightly every now and then."

Milton, feeling helpless and embarrassed, said, "Then what's the difference between having no bottom line and not having one?"

"Of course there is. Wearing underwear is better than wearing nothing at all, isn't it?"

“Your analogy is truly refreshing and original; you win! Farewell.” With that, Milton abandoned the hopeless Agreed and ran back.

"Hey! Wait for me! Hey! Don't run so fast!" On the deserted street, the playful bickering of two young men stirred up the once-silent world again.

……

The next day, Agreed parted ways with Milton again and returned to the college.

However, the atmosphere at the Elemental Academy today was inexplicably... somber?

Agreed looked at the empty academy entrance with some surprise, where a few people were setting up something as if to welcome some important person.

Agreed watched curiously for a while, but didn't ask any more questions before turning around and walking towards Professor Presidian's residence. Whoever came was none of his business anyway; it was better to take care of himself first.

Upon arriving at Presidian's residence, Agreed found Hepburn standing there obediently, even somewhat frightened. Loud clanging and banging noises echoed from the courtyard. Hearing the commotion, Agreed immediately ran into the courtyard to comfort Hepburn, then asked, "Junior sister, what happened? Is Teacher fighting with someone inside?"

Hepburn, frightened, clung to his arm and shook her head, saying, "No, I don't know what's wrong with the teacher today. I heard that a group of exchange students are coming to the school today, and the teacher absolutely refused to agree and had a big argument with Dean Arkema. Dean Arkema was beaten by the teacher and then ran away, and that's how it ended up like this."

Agreed looked into the room and said, "I'll go and talk to the teacher. You stay here and protect yourself." With that, Agreed stepped into the room.

As soon as Agred entered, a gilded, intricately carved antique vase crashed against the wall next to him with a loud bang, nearly blowing his head off. This sudden scene startled Agred, and he broke out in a cold sweat. So Agred cautiously walked inside, bypassing the mess on the ground, and saw Presidian there, venting his anger like a madman.

“Teacher, please calm down. This won’t solve anything,” Agreed advised.

Presidian turned to him and shouted, "Calm down my ass! How am I supposed to calm down?! Do you know that that little bastard, the Mage King, actually agreed to let the Church of Light send people to the Elemental Academy for further studies?! What does that mean?! I know the Church of Light is powerful and Augustus has to make some diplomatic compromises, but why send people here?! Knowing that I and the Church of Light are mortal enemies, why make this arrangement and try to undermine me like this? Do you think I'm an old man with no temper?!"