"Anna, Gelin, Fuleisa, the three of you come to my study after dinner!"
Seeing that the others had no objections, Leilin Farell nodded and said, "Next, please enjoy your meal to the fullest!"
Everyone nodded, returning to their seats. The sound of cutlery against plates was continuous.
Ever since Leilin had issued the appointment, the atmosphere had fallen into a momentary hush. Although the dinner was exceptionally lavish, everyone looked preoccupied.
After the meal, Leilin received the three people who knew of his wizard identity in his study.
Gelin and Fuleisa were both wearing leather armor, looking sharp and vigorous. Anna, on the other hand, was still wearing a low-cut evening dress, appearing extremely alluring.
"You all know that I am a Wizard, and now I am about to embark on a journey. For certain reasons, I can only leave you here..." Leilin sat behind the desk, speaking to the three deeply concerned people.
"The orders I gave in the dining hall just now were merely for the sake of those outside. From now on, Gelin, Fuleisa, you must treat Anna as you would treat me. Understood?"
"We understand!" Gelin and Fuleisa nodded. Compared to outsiders, they were even more aware of this master's terrifying capabilities and had absolutely no objections to Leilin's command.
After dismissing Gelin and Fuleisa, only Anna and Leilin remained in the room.
"Young... Young Master!" Tears welled up in Anna's eyes.
"The Mandragora extract in your body, I have already prepared an antidote for it. Also, take this!" For his own woman, Leilin's expression became much gentler.
As he spoke, Leilin handed a vial of potion and a scroll of parchment to Anna.
"This is..." Anna opened the parchment, and her expression turned to one of great surprise.
"This is a power of attorney, authorizing you to take over all my property interests in Polar Night City. Furthermore, ten years from now, if I still haven't returned, all these properties will automatically transfer to your name!"
Leilin interlaced his fingers. "Moreover, Baron Meierfeile and Baron Jackson are both witnesses to this agreement! If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can also seek their help!"
These worldly properties—Leilin could have as many as he wanted, so he didn't mind giving them all to Anna as a future fallback.
And even if this pawn became useless, there was no regret.
After all, Leilin was currently only an apprentice at Black Bone Forest Academy, and according to academy rules, apprentices could not bring their followers or maids into the academy.
Since these were things that would inevitably be abandoned sooner or later, Leilin naturally didn't feel much heartache.
"Also, this is the Desert Scorpion, a tool specifically for controlling Gelin and Fuleisa. Keep it safe..."
Leilin then handed a small red box to Anna.
"No!" Anna bit her lip, finally rushing forward to clutch Leilin's legs. "Young Master, don't send Anna away! Anna wants to stay by Young Master's side, to do whatever it takes, please!"
The young girl clung to Leilin's legs, and bright teardrops rolled down her beautiful face.
Her warm, slightly trembling body pressed tightly against Leilin's legs. It was evident that to say these words, Anna had mustered a great deal of courage.
Leilin looked at Anna, a trace of tenderness in his eyes, and reached out his right hand to stroke her long hair and back.
"I'm very sorry, Anna! The place I'm going to is far too dangerous for you..."
"But..." Anna lifted her tear-streaked face, as if she wanted to say something more.
"Stop making a scene, be obedient!" Leilin's face suddenly turned stern.
Anna was, after all, a trained slave. Seeing her master like this, the painful memories of disobeying him in the past resurfaced. Although those methods had been used by the slave merchants, they were deeply imprinted upon Anna's very soul.
"Yes, Young Master!" Anna stopped crying, put away the scroll and the box, and merely looked at Leilin, like a little kitten abandoned by its owner.
Seeing the girl like this, Leilin was not, in the end, someone with a heart of stone. He pulled a few more vials of potion from his inner pocket and handed them to Anna.
"These are Healing Potions. They can quickly heal physical wounds. Keep them safe!"
"Also, this purple potion is an offensive type. If one day you find yourselves in a danger that even Gelin and Fuleisa cannot handle, throw it as hard as you can. Understood?"
Leilin pointed to a vial of purple potion and instructed Anna.
"Anna understands!" Anna's eyes were red-rimmed. Knowing the young master's words could not be defied, she stored the potions away carefully.
"Sigh..."
Watching the young girl's retreating figure, Leilin suddenly sighed.
Although he had made many preparations, he knew that after ten-odd years passed, the most likely fate for the power he left behind was to dissipate like smoke.
But he had no regrets. These were all mortals without wizard aptitude, whose future assistance to him would be limited.