A young Angel, quite intelligent, understood Jon’s ideals from an early age and realized Jon was grooming him to be the witness of Earth’s civilization.
To live up to Jon’s expectations, Angel restrained his former mischievousness, donned adult clothing, and acted composed, as if he had matured overnight.
But is it truly possible to grow up overnight?
Angel lowered his brows and softly replied: "Jon Mentor, in my heart, is just as before, unchanged."
Jon: "What do you mean? I’m a youth too?"
Angel: "Still love to preach, still enjoy contemplating life. Not even that old, yet relishing in scolding like a schoolmaster."
Jon frowned and glared: "Is this your respect for teachers?!"
Angel pursed his lips, dared not respond.
The air fell silent suddenly.
Yet soon enough, the somber mood was broken by none other than Jon.
Seeing Jon’s solemn expression struggle to hold, he suddenly burst into laughter with a snort.
Angel watched Jon puzzled, wondering what’s suddenly happened?
After laughing for a while, Jon wiped the tears from his eyes produced by laughter and said: "What you said about me loving to preach, like a schoolmaster, Hailey mentioned it as well. But when Hailey said it, I didn’t dare retort."
"Before this, I never thought someday I would hear the same thing and dare retort, dare to scold back. This feels quite nice."
"It’s a pity, it would be even better if it was Hailey instead of you."
Jon explained cheerfully.
And the Hailey he mentioned is Summer Hailey, also Jon’s wife, who didn’t come with him through the crossing.
Even reaching the New City, Jon deeply reminisces and loves his wife, knowing perhaps they might never meet; yet, the only mate Jon acknowledges is Summer Hailey.
Jon spoke with laughter, but Angel knew Jon’s emotions weren’t as cheerful as they seemed.
Just as Jon understood Angel, Angel understood Jon very well. Jon appeared fine outwardly, yet he simply liked maintaining face; alone, he’d probably sigh in solitude.
Angel: "If it was Mentor’s wife, I don’t believe Mentor would dare retort."
Jon: "Don’t underestimate me, I used to be quite authoritative at home."
Angel: "Yes, yes, but Mentor, have you forgotten you once said, when drunk, that your household ranks were: Hailey first, Jonelle second, Shampoo third, and you fourth."
Jonelle is Jon and Summer Hailey’s daughter, Shampoo is a pet cat.
Jon looked shocked: "How do you know? When did I say that?"
Angel: "Perhaps when I was four or five, you lamented after drinking with my father."
Jon: "...You remember things from such a young age?"
Angel: "I didn’t before, but after becoming a Wizard, many memories resurfaced. Mentor drank quite a bit, shared many secrets, and I remember a lot..."
Jon suddenly slammed the table, interrupting Angel.
Seeing Angel look over, Jon coughed twice: "You really don’t need to remember these things, how about we reach a deal to forget them?"
Angel: "A Wizard’s memory is hard to truly forget unless..."
Jon: "Unless what?"
Angel: "Unless you have the Voice of Forgetting. It’s a Mysterious Object, shaped like a dressing mirror. Through it, you can entirely erase memories, never recalling them again."
Jon: "So... do you have it?"
Angel: "I certainly don’t."
"Where is it then?"
Angel stroked his chin, recalling the entries in Culori’s journals: "Seems like it’s in the hands of someone called ’Witch of Broken Heart,’ not sure who she is, definitely not in the Southern Domain Wizard World."
Jon: "..."
Angel: "Rest assured, I promise I won’t disclose anything."
Jon sighed: It’s no problem for others to know; he just doesn’t want Angel to know, as it affects his dignified mentor image too much.
At this moment, the curtain was lifted outside, and Cicia, looking perplexed, walked in.
Seeing Cicia arrive, Jon quickly stood up and said to Angel: "You probably have matters to discuss, so I won’t intrude; I’ll go rest at the hanging attic."
Having said that, Jon promptly got up and left.
Just as he was about to lift the curtain, Angel’s voice suddenly piped up: "I can promise I won’t speak, but if brother becomes an Official Wizard and recalls other matters, if he spills, that’s none of my business."
Jon’s steps abruptly halted.
That’s right, he almost forgot about Lyon!
This fellow is older than Angel and practically watched Lyon grow up since arriving; Lyon certainly knows more of his secrets.
No, he must find a way to ensure Lyon doesn’t mention these things, ideally forget them!
Jon left, frowning and preoccupied.
Angel watched, but lightly curled his lips; he deliberately mentioned it so Jon would worry about these matters, which, compared to occasionally reminiscing about his wife and appearing listless, was far better...