City Hall.
"In the records of Mingting, once a Sentinel Resonator is far from their Sentinel, their power will gradually weaken. As for her, being the dual Sentinel Resonator, the impact will only be even deeper."
Changli's slender fingers lightly tapped the desk as her gaze shifted:
"As long as Cartethyia completes the medical examination and learns this, she will naturally choose to return to Rinascita in a few days. This is the best strategy — subduing the enemy without fighting."
"The one involved is confused, while the bystander sees clearly. Teacher, this move of yours is excellent. It's just… I feel a bit sorry for Cartethyia. After all, she came all the way to Jinzhou."
Never mind. Since it concerned Noah, she could not be soft-hearted. When Cartethyia left later, she would prepare a generous gift for her.
Jinhsi deeply experienced the benefits of having a strategist and continued to ask:
"Teacher, what should I do next?"
"When Cartethyia learns that she must leave Huanglong, it will inevitably affect her thoughts. If she really has feelings for Noah, she will have two choices at that time."
Raising two fingers, Changli calmly analyzed:
"First, she will give up on Noah and either decisively end things or reluctantly return to Rinascita. Second, she will try every possible way to take Noah back to Rinascita with her."
Hearing this, Jinhsi immediately shook her head:
"That won't do. We cannot give her the chance."
"Correct. Therefore, during this period, you need to have someone keep watch on Noah at all times and not give them any opportunity to be alone and confess their feelings."
As she spoke, Changli smiled faintly and pointed at herself:
"And I am the most suitable person for the job."
As soon as the words fell, Jinhsi was about to nod but suddenly reacted:
"Wait, Teacher. Why isn't that person me?"
Hearing this, Changli's expression turned stern as she pushed two thick stacks of official documents in front of Jinhsi:
"Have you finished your official duties yet?"
"Ah…" Jinhsi lowered her head to look at the thick pile of documents, swallowing nervously as her throat moved slightly.
Why… were there so many official duties today?
Raising her head, her eyes stared fixedly at Changli's face, full of longing and urgency:
"Tea~cher~ help me."
"Ah… I really don't know what to do with you."
Changli sat down helplessly and pulled a stack of official documents toward herself:
"Hurry up. Once we finish early, we can go find Noah together."
Huaxu Academy.
By the time the comprehensive full-body examination was completely finished, it was already afternoon.
Several complex and precise instruments stopped operating. Baizhi handed over the analysis report and spoke at length.
The summary was that Cartethyia was advised to return to Rinascita as soon as possible.
"Laureate, do I really need to return to Rinascita quickly?"
"There's no need for that. You can stay as long as you want."
Noah shrugged:
"If your body really has any issues, I can just use the power of Time to rewind it for you. It's that simple."
"Eh! That's right!"
Cartethyia's brows moved as she immediately beamed with joy:
"You're still the best! You solved my problem in one go!"
"However… I indeed cannot stay in Jinzhou for too long. The Sentinel is still waiting for me to bring back the separated consciousness."
"How about this? I'll stay in Jinzhou for another five days. I can't keep the Sentinel waiting anxiously."
Five days?
Five days later would leave only about half a month until the Septimont gladiatorial tournament.
He had already rested for this long. It was time to head over early to check the specific situation in Septimont and push forward the main quest.
Having made up his mind, Noah decided to return to Rinascita together with Cartethyia in five days.
"Let's not think about these topics for now. There's still some time today. I'll take you around Jinzhou."
...
"Pork, fresh pork. Hey hey, Hero Noah."
While strolling through the streets with Cartethyia, they passed by the Horse and Miscellaneous Goods Shop. Ma He immediately called out to Noah familiarly:
"Top-quality pork. Buy some."
"Is your pork fresh?"
Doubtfully stepping closer, Noah carefully examined the pork at the Horse and Miscellaneous Goods Shop. He soon heard Ma He boasting extravagantly:
"Fresh, super fresh! Just slaughtered today. The flour is also newly stocked. If your total purchase reaches 200 Shell Credits, I'll even give you a bottle of premium fragrant oil."
"Alright then."
Recalling the green branch laurel salad Cartethyia had prepared that morning, Noah wanted to cook personally as a return gesture. He bought some vegetables and pork and put them into his backpack.
"Let's go!"
Noah raised his eyebrows at Cartethyia beside him:
"Let's head back. Tonight I'll let you taste my cooking."
After turning a corner, a pure white light circle spread beneath their feet, and in an instant they returned inside the house.
Almost as soon as they returned, there was a knock at the door.
Opening the door revealed a blue and red figure — it was Yangyang and Chixia.
"Good afternoon."
Yangyang smiled gently and stepped aside, revealing Chixia behind her carrying a large bag of food:
"Auntie Pan Hua gave us a lot of starry crisps and desserts. We couldn't finish them, so we thought of you."
"Come in, come in. You came at the perfect time. I was just about to cook. Let's eat together."
"Great!"
Chixia immediately brought Yangyang inside. She spotted Cartethyia at a glance and opened her mouth in surprise:
"Wow— Yesterday Auntie Pan Hua mentioned that a particularly beautiful girl had come to Jinzhou. Seeing her today, she really lives up to the name!"
Seeing Chixia's curiosity, Noah immediately introduced:
"This is Cartethyia, a friend I met in Rinascita. Little Cart, these are Yangyang and Chixia, also my friends."
"Ahaha, you flatter me. You two are very beautiful too." Being praised by Noah's friends right in front of him, Cartethyia felt secretly delighted and her favor toward the two girls increased greatly.
At the same time, hearing Noah personally say that this exquisitely beautiful woman was only his friend, Yangyang breathed a sigh of relief.
"You two sit first. I'll stir-fry a couple of dishes for you."
Noah was about to head to the kitchen when another knock sounded at the door.
Opening it revealed two figures — one white and one red. One looked energetic while the other looked slightly tired. It was Jinhsi and Changli.
"Good afternoon, Noah."
Jinhsi glanced at Changli, then turned back, speaking somewhat haltingly as if reciting lines:
"My teacher and I packed some dishes and wanted to have a meal together with you. Do you have time?"
"I do, I do. The more the merrier. Come in and sit."
After inviting Jinhsi and Changli inside, Changli swept her gaze across the hall and immediately noticed the original three people inside.
An Outrider, a member of the Blazing Dawn, and a Sentinel Resonator.
Was the Hero hiding beauties in his golden house?
"You all sit first. I'll stir-fry a couple of dishes for you… a couple doesn't seem enough. I'll stir-fry a few more. It'll be ready soon."
Noah was heading to the kitchen again when another communication signal rang. He answered the call.
"Tall Chestnut, it's me, Little Potato."
Carlotta's cheerful voice came through the terminal:
"I've arrived in Jinzhou! Are you surprised? I just got off at the dock. Where are you? Can I come find you?"
"Too surprising! Little Potato, you came at the perfect time. Wait for me, I'll come pick you up!"
Without another word, Noah teleported directly to the dock, leaving the five women in the room staring at each other in bewilderment, as if they had suddenly been thrown into a murder mystery game.
Chixia & Yangyang: "Lord Magistrate, Counselor Changli." (saluting)
Jinhsi: "No need to be formal. Treat me as a guest just like you." (looking toward Changli for help with her gaze)
Changli: "Yes, both the Magistrate and I are here as normal guests. You seem to have a pretty good relationship with Noah?" (amiably probing)
Cartethyia: "Of course. My relationship with the Laureate is very good." (looking at Jinhsi)
Jinhsi: (about to speak but promptly stopped by Changli)
Chixia: "Our relationship with Noah is of course ironclad. Counselor Changli, have you forgotten? Before, you even ate with us and Noah together." (enthusiastic and sincere)
Jinhsi: "Ah?" (looking at Changli)
Yangyang: "We are actually just friends. Counselor Changli, please don't misunderstand." (restrained, building up strength)
Cartethyia: "Correct, they are just friends. The Laureate said so himself." (looking at Chixia and Yangyang, intentionally trying to win them over)
Suddenly, all five women stopped talking at the same time and looked toward the same side. After a flash of white light, Noah appeared with Carlotta and Zani.
"You all sit first. I'll stir-fry a couple of dishes for you… um…"
Halfway through speaking to Carlotta and Zani, Noah suddenly stopped. He counted — including himself, there were eight people in the room.
"Eight people…"
He decisively gave up on the idea of stir-frying:
"With this many people, it's like a family reunion for the New Year. How about this — I just bought a piece of meat. I'll chop it into filling—"
"We'll make—"
"Dumplings! Together!"