“Brother, you’re back?”
It was already late evening when Yue Wu returned home with Xiao Qing. Jeanne D’Arc had long since completed her own tasks and was preparing dinner. Just as the meal was ready, she sensed Yue Wu’s presence in the house.
“We’re home.”
Yue Wu gently set Xiao Qing down. He had carried her all day, and his arms certainly needed a rest.
Xiao Qing, far from being fussy, scampered excitedly through the house. Yue Wu let her play freely, planning to feed her once hunger struck.
“Brother, how was your day?”
“It was alright. Classes start tomorrow, and the pay is quite good. What about you? How’s your mercenary group doing?”
“It’s going very well. We had no trouble, and my swordsmanship has improved significantly.”
“Then you must keep up the good work.”
“I will, I’ll always strive my best!”
“What’s the name of your mercenary group? The Knights of Orléans?”
“Oh? Brother, how did you know?”
“Because your brother is a genius.”
Yue Wu had never imagined that the mercenary group Jeanne D’Arc and her companions formed would actually be the Knights of Orléans from the game. Though it now boasted a few more members than in the game, he presumed their numbers would only swell in the future.
The crucial point was to keep them from any entanglement with the kingdom or the empire. Yue Wu had already made up his mind. During dinner, he repeatedly stressed that they should avoid any missions or incidents involving the kingdom or the empire.
While Jeanne D’Arc understood now, he couldn’t prevent future unforeseen circumstances. Yue Wu remained vigilant, for he regarded Jeanne D’Arc as his own little sister, and he would not allow her to repeat the tragic storyline from the game.
“Brother, you can’t be a picky eater!”
“This isn’t pickiness. This is… this is for Xiao Qing.”
“You’re lying. Xiao Qing doesn’t eat meat, especially not such fatty white meat.”
“I’m on a diet today. I’m eating vegetables.”
“That won’t do either. You need a balanced diet; nutrition is crucial. You’re the one who told me that, Brother.”
“Did I? Did I really say such a thing? I don’t recall ever saying that.”
“Brother!”
“Wh-what is it?!”
“Open your mouth!”
“Alright, fine, I’ll eat it. Isn’t that enough?”
“That’s better.”
“I can do it myself.”
“Brother, you don’t need to lose weight. You’re already very thin; you need to gain some.”
In Jeanne D’Arc’s eyes, Yue Wu was indeed very slender. His current physique was self-imposed; at the start of the game, Yue Wu had deliberately set his character to be thin.
After dinner, Yue Wu helped with the dishes while Jeanne D’Arc went to bathe. Xiao Qing, clutching an ice cream, stood beside Yue Wu, her tiny hand gripping his pants as she contentedly licked her treat.
Time soon brought them to bedtime. Jeanne D’Arc retired early, while Yue Wu and Xiao Qing sat on the rooftop, enjoying the gentle breeze.
Almost every night before sleeping, Yue Wu would spend a short while on the roof. The reason was simple: unlike the moon in his old world, the moon here was always full. Each time he gazed at it, memories of his parents and sister would surface.
“Daddy, are you thinking about something?”
Xiao Qing, nestled on Yue Wu’s lap, looked up at him.
“Yes, I’m thinking about tomorrow. It’s getting late now; let’s go back inside and sleep.”
With that, Yue Wu carried Xiao Qing back into their room. After placing her in her own special bed, he extinguished the lamp and went to sleep.
****
The next morning, as always, Yue Wu awoke to find Xiao Qing sleeping soundly on his chest. This time was no exception.
“Brother, I’m heading out now. Luoge and the others are waiting for me outside.”
Jeanne D’Arc dressed in a hurry, ready to leave.
“Be careful on your way.”
Yue Wu was currently helping Xiao Qing brush her teeth.
“Okay, I’m off.”
Jeanne D’Arc departed.
“Alright, we should go too.”
Yue Wu picked up Xiao Qing, and with a flash of angelic wings, they instantly appeared inside Fiore Academy, just outside the city.
“You’re late.”
Lucy was already waiting at Yue Wu’s arrival point.
“Only by a few seconds. Is everyone here?”
“Everyone’s here. Thirty students, three of whom are children of nobles.”
“Understood. I’ll head over now.”
“I’ll come with you; I’m quite curious myself.”
“Don’t you have classes to teach?”
“No. I’m currently the Vice Dean, responsible for managing the entire academy.”
“Oh, you’re quite free, then.”
“Too many questions. Let’s go.”
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Yue Wu and Lucy arrived at the academy’s most unique class, the one-of-a-kind Priest Department. The moment Yue Wu pushed open the door and stepped inside, the thirty children, all around seven or eight years old, turned their gazes to the ‘big brother’ holding a baby girl, and a murmur of discussion began.
“Silence!”
Lucy strode to the podium first, sharply rapping on the desk.
“Allow me to introduce you. This is Yue Wu, your future instructor. Perhaps you’re not yet clear what a Priest’s profession entails, but your instructor will explain it all.”
“Good morning, everyone, handsome boys and beautiful girls~”
Yue Wu greeted all the students in the class.
Yue Wu: “The Priest is a powerful profession, capable of tanking, healing, supporting, and dealing damage.”
Hera: “Teacher, what do ‘tanking,’ ‘healing,’ ‘supporting,’ and ‘dealing damage’ mean?”
Yue Wu: “An excellent question, young lady. What is your name?”
Hera: “My name is Hera Dorell.”
Yue Wu: “Right, ‘tanking’ refers to being able to withstand attacks. Whether it’s physical or magical damage, they can defend against it. Is that clear to you all?”
Kro: “Teacher, isn’t that what a Knight does?”
Yue Wu: “Precisely, and yet not entirely. What’s your name?”
Kro: “Kro Diat.”
Yue Wu: “I’ll explain later why a Priest isn’t just a Knight. Next, let’s talk about ‘healing.’ I’m sure you all understand what a Priestess does. Who can tell me about a Priestess’s abilities?”
Hera: “Teacher, I know! A Priestess’s abilities are healing, purification, curing, dispelling, and rituals.”
Yue Wu: “Hera answered perfectly. Next is ‘supporting.’ Who can tell me about a Sage’s abilities?”
Cola: “Buffs, debuffs, and blessings.”
Yue Wu: “That’s a very good answer, but you missed one. Sages also possess the ability of prophecy. What’s your name?”
Cola: “My name is Cola Rasga, Teacher.”
Yue Wu: “We’ve discussed Knights, Priestesses, and Sages; these three correspond to a Priest’s ability to tank, heal, and support. Now, let’s talk about ‘dealing damage’.”
Elisa: “Teacher, I have a question.”
Yue Wu: “What’s your name, young lady?”
Elisa: “My name is Elisa Fix.”
Yue Wu: “What is your question?”
Elisa: “Teacher, I want to ask if one person can possess the abilities of three professions simultaneously?”
Yue Wu: “Logically, no, but that’s when using the wrong method. In fact, the principle is very simple: how many types of attributes can a Mage possess?”
Elisa: “Many.”
Yue Wu: “Then think carefully: why can a Mage master multiple elemental magics?”
Elisa: “Is it the method you just mentioned, Teacher?”
Yue Wu: “Bingo! Correct answer. The magical energy of each profession is different. As for why, it’s because times are changing. You must have heard stories about the Demon King and the Hero. Why is it that every one of the Demon King’s subordinates could master abilities from various professions?”
Yue Wu: “Due to the shifts in eras, many things were lost in the river of history. People, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of professional abilities, eventually separated them into distinct professions.”
Hera: “Teacher, is that true?”
Elisa: “Teacher, can you prove that what you’re saying is true?”
Suddenly, more and more students raised questions. Watching Yue Wu patiently answer each one, Lucy realized her worries had been unfounded. At least, Yue Wu wasn’t acting as lackadaisical as before; when it came to serious matters, he was indeed very serious.