43: take care of

Randall stared at me, and after a good while, he slowly closed his brown eyes.

The sound of his Adam's apple bobbing was clearly audible in the silence, and after a long time, he spoke with difficulty: "I swear to Tom, I will not kill them until I hear their explanation tomorrow."

I nodded and said, "You can't get out of the fog outside. I'll bring them to see you tomorrow morning." After speaking, I led the dragon and the Black Little Leopard back to the Wizard's Hut.

At night, the temperature dropped a lot again. I asked the Black Little Leopard to send firewood and three wolf hides to the guests.

And I had the Dragon King hide in the fog to watch over it.

The Black Little Leopard was incredibly excited to be able to do something for me. It worked with great enthusiasm, carrying wolf hides and firewood from the Wizard's Hut trip after trip.

I returned to the study and found that Sphere Professor was already waiting for me, holding a magic chalk, standing in front of the magic blackboard covered with writing.

I took out my magic book and magic pen and began today's language lesson.

After the Dire Wolf siege ended, the system had issued a mission reward.

I then realized that fighting side by side could also increase the professor's favorability towards me, not just relying on academic performance.

The magic book in my hand was like a laptop, recording all my notes, insights, as well as transcribed spell scrolls, design drawings, and so on.

It could also quickly retrieve these records by category, and surprisingly, the spell scrolls transcribed inside could actually be used, though they required system energy.

The magic pen was like a touch screen pen; it didn't need ink and could write on this magic book at any time.

And the functions of the magic blackboard and magic chalk were similar to my magic book and magic pen, being the professor's specialized tools.

After the three-hour language class, I took out the Halfling's spellbook and notes and began to study magic.

It wasn't until late at night that I took a hot shower and went to bed.

The hot water was naturally pre-heated and stored in the system space, and showering was as easy as the Dragon King opening its mouth.

The ring on my own hand could also connect to the system space, allowing hot water to flow out at any time.

The next morning, after continuing to study the language for a while, I had the Black Little Leopard represent me. I used Mage Hand to carry the pre-prepared food and followed behind it, delivering it to the three men.

While they were eating, I practiced a set of spear techniques in the yard.

Now I had tied some cloth strips to the long spear. The originally hemp-colored strips had long been stained red by the blood of wild beasts, and I habitually called it the Red Tassel Spear.

Seeing the Black Little Leopard and Mage Hand return with empty bowls, I again took the dragon, dog, and leopard to bring John and George out and led them into the large wooden house.

The Dragon King had been hidden in the thick fog all along; it had never shown itself in front of these people.

"You all tell Randall what you told me yesterday again," I said.

Before I could finish speaking, John and George both knelt before Randall with a thud.

With tears streaming down their faces, they recounted in detail how they were tricked into making up the numbers and how terrified and helpless they were when they saw the animated thorns eating people, and all their mental processes.

"Did you really only receive one gold coin and this equipment?" Randall asked with a gloomy face.

"We swear, our cousin only gave us one gold coin each and this second-hand equipment, saying that after completing the mission, he would give us one more gold coin each," John said.

Randall's face was ashen. He sat on the ground, closing his eyes in pain.

"You calm down, I'll take them out." After speaking, I motioned to John and George and led them back to the kennel.

When I returned to the wooden house, I saw Randall hanging his belt from the beam, rolling the Dire Wolf hide I gave him for warmth into a roll, placing it under his feet, and preparing to put his head into the belt.

I quickly raised my hand, and a short sword, "Vampire Dire Wolf King's Fang," flew out, cutting his belt.

The Dire Wolf sinew on the short sword contracted, bringing the short sword back into my hand.

Randall fell to the ground.

"Why are you like this?" I sternly rebuked.

"It's me, I failed my teacher's teachings, I failed Tom's expectations." Randall's eyes were hollow as he murmured, "It was always my poor judgment of people, my improper use of them, that led to Young Master Bach's death.

Tom above!

Originally, I had a complete opportunity to complete the mission and safely deliver Young Master Bach to Candlekeep.

Originally, I had the opportunity to restore my reputation, my teacher's reputation, and the reputation of all of us.

My foolishness wasted the opportunity that my teacher and colleagues exchanged their lives for.

Indeed, I am not worthy to be a Holy Knight!

It was I who made a mistake I shouldn't have made, which is why Tom stripped me of my Holy Knight status."

"Everyone makes mistakes! You shouldn't belittle yourself and easily give up your life," I comforted him.

I secretly pondered: I transmigrated planes, a perfectly good grown man turned into a child, and I didn't seek death; this big strong man, crying at the drop of a hat and even trying to commit suicide, is simply speechless.

"What's the use of someone like me living? Everyone died because of me, and even Tom abandoned me," Randall cried.

"The living still have a chance to correct past mistakes!" The professor's voice sounded outside the door.

"Correct... past mistakes?" Randall murmured.

"Indeed, all people make mistakes, but only the living can mend their deficiencies," the professor's aged voice sounded again. "Randall, this child before you stands alone, without reliance, yet he knows to strive for survival; his future will surely be extraordinary.

Randall, are you willing to protect him, to nurture him?

On his journey to explore the mysteries of magic, will you clear the thorns for him?

With your life and loyalty, your sword and shield, will you defend this child?"

I was truly embarrassed. What was Sphere Professor, that old man, talking nonsense about? Was he trying to find me a father? His hair hasn't even fully grown yet, has it?

Randall's eyes held a hint of sadness: "Oh, Ryan? Young Master Bach, whom I guarded, was about his age and just died recently under the animated thorn vines. I should be disheartened, but perhaps protecting this child can help me find meaning in life again?"

"A teachable child!" The professor's voice gradually faded away.

Randall's voice seemed to carry a hint of tenderness: "Dear Ryan, you have saved my life several times today. This life of mine should belong to you! From today on, I will take care of you as if you were my own child. Do you want to live with me?"

"My parents are still alive! They just got separated." I felt a little uncomfortable.

"I'm not trying to replace them, just... just to take care of you." Randall's tone seemed to hold a hint of fear, afraid that I wouldn't accept him. "You can come live with me in Elturgard, or can I stay here?"