"So you’re planning to just hand over a well-trained student to me like this?"
Lady Allen raised an eyebrow, with a hint of teasing in her tone: "That’s quite a bargain for me; I can just enjoy the fruits of your labor."
Lilia was evidently confused by this statement, looking uncertainly at the two of them.
She didn’t understand why the conversation suddenly involved her again, nor did she dare to interject.
"I know this is somewhat abrupt."
Ron said softly, "But I believe, madam, you can provide her with more appropriate guidance than I can."
Lady Allen gave a soft hum, her gaze shifting to Lilia, and in those deep green eyes, there appeared a rare trace of gentleness:
"To be honest, I’ve grown quite fond of this little girl. She knows what tea I like, remembers all my eccentricities, and understands to stay quiet when I’m in a bad mood."
She reached out to tidy Lilia’s stray strands of hair, her actions tinged with an imperceptible touch of pity:
"Compared to those who only boast about their talents, this kind of steady character is far more reassuring."
Lilia looked up in surprise, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She had never thought that the once stern manager would evaluate her this way.
If the idea of sending her away before had left her heart ashen, then Lady Allen’s words at this moment gave her at least a glimmer of hope to cling to.
"So, Lilia staying here with you, do you have no objections?"
Ron asked, his voice as calm as if he were discussing some trivial technical detail.
"Objections?" Lady Allen chuckled softly:
"To have such a diligent apprentice helping me manage the herb store, I could only wish for. Moreover, her special talent will undoubtedly be an important asset in the future."
She said this while glancing at Ron:
"You know, ’favor’ is something that the purer it is, the more enduring it becomes. Although this girl’s talent seems ordinary on the surface, its strength lies in its longevity and stability, which in the long term is far superior to some flashy yet insubstantial talents."
Observing the interaction between Lady Allen and Lilia, a burden in Ron’s heart was finally lifted.
Arranging Lilia’s future had always been a matter he needed to handle properly, and now it seemed that this might actually be the best arrangement for her.
Although he had a degree of appreciation for this diligent apprentice, he was rational enough to understand that the path he was about to embark on was fraught with danger and uncertainty,
Lilia’s abilities limited her potential to follow.
Rather than placing her in danger, it was better to leave her with Lady Allen, who could provide a more stable environment.
"It’s getting late." Ron stood up, his face showing little expression, his voice flat: "Madam, thank you for your guidance and help."
Lady Allen nodded: "Remember what I’ve said, be cautious and don’t rush things."
The two of them bid farewell to Lady Allen and stepped out of the herb store.
The sky was dark, and the clouds signaled the imminent arrival of rain.
The street was sparsely populated, lending a particularly oppressive atmosphere.
On their way back, Ron could sense Lilia’s silence.
The girl walked half a step behind him, her gaze always cast down, clearly deep in thought.
Between them lingered a wordless awkwardness, as if there was something unsaid suspended in the air, yet neither dared to be the first to speak.
"Lilia." Finally, Ron broke the silence: "I need to talk to you."
The girl stopped in her tracks, quietly waiting for his next words.
Ron turned to look at her, wanting to explain his decision but not knowing where to begin.
A hesitation he had never felt before made him frown slightly.
Unexpectedly, Lilia spoke first: "Teacher, you don’t have to explain."
Her voice was soft, yet surprisingly calm, different from her usual cautious tone:
"I had long guessed that you planned to leave me with Lady Allen, and I understand why you are doing this."
Ron was slightly taken aback: "You’ve already guessed?"
Lilia nodded, a somewhat forced smile appearing on her face:
"Given your rate of growth, a student like me indeed can’t keep up; I would only become a burden to you."
She raised her head slightly, her eyes reflecting a bit of stubbornness rather than the disappointment Ron had expected:
"Actually, I had long anticipated this day. From the moment I first entered the workshop and you displayed those astonishing magics, I knew that the gap between us would only grow larger."
Ron quietly watched the tall girl before him, a rare sense of complex emotions welling up inside.
When he had prepared numerous explanations and words of comfort, she had already seen through everything.
This understanding and acceptance instead stirred a subtle sense of guilt in him, but he swiftly suppressed it.
"I don’t want you to feel guilty or troubled because of me." Lilia continued, her voice growing firmer:
"Staying with Lady Allen is probably indeed the best choice for me. She is a remarkable Master of Magical Potions, and... she doesn’t seem as cold and stern as she appears on the surface."
Though her words reflected the girl’s openness, Ron could still catch a slight wetness at the corner of her eye and her tightly clenched fists.
At this moment, the clouds in the sky seemed unable to hold the moisture any longer and began to release fine rain.
Ron took out two raincoats from his storage bag and handed one to Lilia:
"Put it on; it seems the rain is going to get heavier."
Lilia took the raincoat, adeptly draping it over herself.
On many such days, the girl had always quietly stood by his side.