Ever since learning that Ron would participate in the dangerous Bloody Gladiatorial Games, the girl had been worried, as everything she had was deeply tied to the workshop.
Although rationally, she knew that with her mentor’s ability, there shouldn’t be much danger, emotionally, she couldn’t help but worry.
Ron looked at the girl before him, who was relieved at his safe return, and his heart also stirred slightly.
"Champion." He uttered this simple word, his voice full of ease and freedom.
Although it was just a simple word, it made Lily instantly open her eyes wide, her mouth slightly agape.
Then, a radiant smile spread across her face, one Ron had never seen before.
Seeing his usually calm and reserved student so happy, Ron couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
This reaction was even more enthusiastic than his own, yet understandable. After all, this victory meant the workshop’s reputation would be further enhanced.
"I knew it! I knew the mentor could do it!"
Her voice trembled slightly, and her hands clutched tightly together unconsciously:
"With your thorough preparations and Dale’s diligent training, it’s no wonder you’d become champions!"
"Dale and I just performed to our usual level."
Ron said casually, yet the corners of his mouth could not help but lift.
It was a rare moment of relaxation for him. In this small workshop, he generally did not always maintain that calm and restrained image.
Dale proudly puffed out her chest on the side, her face carrying a childlike pride:
"The master is the most amazing person I’ve ever seen! He knew all the enemy’s weaknesses, and every attack was just right! I just acted on the master’s instructions."
Lily couldn’t wait to pull the two towards the dining room, her face unable to hide her excitement:
"I’ve prepared a sumptuous dinner, guessing you’d have a big victory, so I wanted to celebrate specially. There’s baked fish, mushroom soup, and Dale’s favorite sweet berries..."
Seeing Lily’s cheerful back, Ron’s heart was slightly moved.
This girl, who had come to rely on him due to her family’s upheaval, had been taken in as his assistant because of her special talent, had undoubtedly fully integrated by now.
Lily placed the last dish on the table, the dining room filled with an enticing aroma.
Ron, Dale, and Lily sat around the table, candlelight adding a touch of warmth to the simple celebratory dinner.
"Mentor, try this baked fish."
Lily carefully forked the largest piece of fish into Ron’s bowl, her eyes sparkling with anticipation:
"I used that special herb you mentioned last time, it should make the taste more unique."
Ron took a bite and nodded in approval: "The taste is indeed good, the herb pairing is just right."
Dale, who had already been eagerly eating, had her cheeks puffed slightly because they were full, like a greedy little squirrel.
Swallowing the food, she looked at Lily with bright eyes:
"Sister Lily, you should see how the master performed in the Beast Fighting Arena! He was amazing! That big monster..."
Dale gestured with both hands:
"Was this big! The poisonous stinger on its tail was as sharp as a sword! But the master was not afraid at all, he stood there as if he had seen through everything."
Ron slightly shook his head, a smile on his lips:
"I just observed and discovered a pattern, any careful person could do it."
"That’s not true!" Dale put down her knife and fork again:
"The master’s Sound Wave Attack was amazing! Even though it was invisible, that big monster was shaken to the point of nose bleeding!"
She excitedly mimicked the painful expression of the scorpion, exaggeratedly shaking her head, making Lily chuckle.
The girl curiously looked at Ron: "Mentor, was that experimental creature really as terrible as Dale said?"
Ron put down the spoon in his hand, his expression becoming serious:
"Even more dangerous than Dale described. It was a scorpion from the Abyss; even showing just a part of its power was enough to tear a normal Advanced Apprentice to pieces."
His gaze shifted to the darkness outside the window, as if recalling that life-and-death battle:
"If not for everyone eventually forming a temporary cooperation, the casualties would have been even more severe."
Dale proudly puffed out her chest: "But my Thousand Water Blade Attacks made it howl in pain directly!"
She mimicked the spellcasting movements, her tone full of pride:
"All the techniques the master taught me were put to use! Especially the Hydrofoil Gliding, it made me the only servant capable of moving agilely!"
Admiration flashed in Lily’s eyes: "Dale, you were really brave."
"That guy named Holt was amazing too!"
Dale, stuffing mushroom soup into her mouth, spoke unclearly:
"The Earth Elemental Golem he controlled was right in front of the scorpion, even if it got smashed to bits..."
Ron nodded:
"Holt the senior is indeed worthy of respect, his tactical skills and adaptive ability are outstanding."
As if thinking of something, he gently shook his head:
"It’s just a pity that Trish’s Li Yue was badly injured, that kind of abyssal toxin is very troublesome."
Worry flashed in Lily’s eyes: "Is Li Yue’s situation serious?"
"The School should have a way to heal her, but it will take time."
Ron took a sip of tea, his expression calm:
"Trish has some proficiency in natural healing as well, coupled with the resources of the School, it shouldn’t be a major problem."
Speaking of natural healing, his gaze involuntarily turned outward, where a towering ancient tree stood, appearing particularly mysterious in the moonlight.