'Phew, fortunately, your identity as the Goddess's disciple has been kept a secret from the public, known only to certain higher-ups. This Pope Alexander and Emperor Arthur are quite thoughtful and considerate.' Elena felt calm and relieved inside.
'Yes, I'm still safe, but that's not with your identity, Sister Elena. Out there, maybe a lot of people have started to worship you, hehe.' Elysia chuckled when she tried to imagine Elena's figure as the Goddess of Light worshiped by the public.
'Gee, oh no...' Elena touched her cheeks with her hands, but she immediately folded her arms and snorted. 'Hmph! If that's true, that's none of our business, Ely. That doesn't mean we need to answer their prayers or give blessings to strangers. Those shenanigans take place, but we don't need to care.'
'Erm...' Elysia couldn't answer that because she didn't have to. At that moment, the door suddenly opened without a knock, and someone entered the room.
Well, it was a treatment room and not a private room. So, the visitors or guests didn't need to knock on the door before entering.
An old man dressed in a mage robe with a combination of white, black, and blue walked casually into the room. "Ho-ho, it looks like everyone is enjoying hot tea on this beautiful morning."
"Greetings, Pope Alexander, oh our Holy Grandfather. It is an honor for this Maximilian Young to meet your esteemed self." The old mage gave a slight bow of respect.
There weren't that many people who deserved to make him give the bow of respect, but once he did... That person was someone he really respected.
"Granpa Max, you came! Uhm, did you come because of my mother to accompany me to the Southern Region, Cuttexus City?" Evelyn was the first to respond to the old mage's arrival. She slightly waved her hand to greet the guest.
"Yes, oh good gracious, Princess Evelyn, you've grown into a beautiful girl. Forgive this old man, that was about ten years ago, hmm? At that time, you were no taller than a 100-centimeter bundle of joy, ho-ho." Maximilian threw a joke with laughter while stroking his beard.
"Yes, it's been a long time. You stopped visiting the palace ever since. Erm, you moved to the Holy Central Region because of your research. Granpa Max, please sit here and have a cup of tea with us." Evelyn took a stool near the bed and placed it near the table. She invited the old mage to sit down.
"Then, excuse me." Maximilian could not refuse, and he sat down as Evelyn asked.
"Maximilian Young, the famous Saint Wizard from Adenawood City. Kevin and Isabelle are considerate enough to send you to accompany their beloved daughter on a short trip. Well then, it's very nice to meet you." Alexander gave a small nod to the old mage.
"Hee-hee, the pleasure is mine, Holy Grandfather. I just happen to live not far from this city." Maximilian laughed lightly.
"Here's tea for you, Granpa Max." Evelyn poured a cup of tea for the old mage.
Meanwhile, Elysia glanced at the old mage with a focus to see his status. Yet, she was surprised afterward because she saw the new feature from the status screen, which looked slightly different. Elena was quite stunned too.
[| Lv. 169 | Saint Wizard | Maximilian Young | Male (690) | HP: 269,000 / 269,000 | EP: 464,600 / 496,000 |]
[| STR: 25 | AGI: 40 | VIT: 35 | INT: 166 |]
'Oh, wow! There are new features from the status screen. This is amazing! However, since when? Am I getting a significant boost after yesterday's incident?' Elysia wondered in her mind. Since yesterday, she hadn't seen anyone's status, including herself.
'Hoo-wah, Ely! You're already level 30, and your status screen is new too. It even has a frame instead of just a plain black background. Look at it for yourself and be surprised~' Elena cheered in awe and delight after checking Elysia's status. Hearing that, Elysia immediately focused on herself, and a status screen appeared at the corner of her eye.
[| Lv. 30 | Apprentice Mage | Elysia Avery | Female (16) | HP: 5,400 / 5,400 | EP: 4,501e+9 / - |]
[| STR: 3 | AGI: 20 | VIT: 5 | INT: 4,500 |]
"Cough..." Elysia coughed a little while she was sipping her tea. She took a tissue with alacrity to wipe her lips and chin.
"Ely, are you all right?" Ella put down her cup and patted her friend's back.
"I'm fine, Ella. Just a little hi- cough." Elysia smiled awkwardly at Ella.
'Woah-wua, your STR is only 3 points. If it's your strength, then no wonder you can't endure a lot of Reinforcement Magic. Oof, your INT is a bit too high. Does it have anything to do with your overpowered magic? You get a great boost in your overall status, Ely.' Elena was ecstatic to report the news.
'Ye- yeah, that's my status. A real glass missile, right? Reinforcement Magic doesn't suit me, after all. I'm still grateful to have great magic talent despite my pitiful physical abilities.' Elysia heaved a subtle sigh.
'Whatever it is, we need to explore these four stats later, Ely. This way, we can experiment more effectively. Not to mention, EP usage also gets a notification screen, right? Muehehe, this is the best.' Elena rubbed her hands with a strange chuckle.
'Yeah.' Elysia certainly didn't argue with it because she anticipated it too. After that, she checked Ella, Evelyn, and Pope Alexander's status to satisfy her curiosity.
"O-ya, Princess Gabriella has now become a gorgeous girl. You are still as gracious and noble-hearted as when you were a child." Maximilian greeted Ella with a small nod.
"Em-yes, thank you, Sir Maximilian." Ella only responded briefly with a soft smile. She didn't want to talk much because she couldn't remember this old mage in her memories.
"Hum-hum, may I know your name, lovely girl?" Maximilian's attention was then directed to the black-haired girl he didn't recognize.
He only got brief information about Elysia Avery as Evelyn's friend. So, he just wanted to make sure this lovely black-haired girl was Elysia Avery or not.
"Greetings, Sir Maximilian. My name is Elysia Avery." Elysia immediately walked out of her observational activity and replied politely. She had just seen Ella and Evelyn's status, but she was suddenly questioned by this old mage.
"I see... Three beautiful girls who are good friends with each other. The proverb about birds of a feather flock together can be authentic here, three beautiful birds." After saying that, Maximilian sipped tea in front of him.
"Holy Grandfather, I have come at your command. I apologize for my late arrival. No excuse can justify my failure. I am ready to accept my punishment." A holy knight lady suddenly rushed in and knelt with one knee on the floor.
Maximilian spat out the tea he had just sipped when he heard a young lady who suddenly entered the room. He took a tissue to wipe his mouth and dried the wet one with magic.
After that, he turned towards the entrance only to see a holy knight lady like a valkyrie. The valkyrie clad in goldish light armor with a purple variation cloth knelt behind Pope Alexander. The word about punishment made him think twice, and he gave Pope Alexander a mysterious gaze.
"Your three-minute delay is justified, Ariel Evadne. Identity checks at the city entrance led to that. Stand up, and have a cup of tea with us." Alexander ignored the old mage's ridiculous gaze and spoke in a wise tone. Then, he turned to his granddaughter. "Ella."
"Yes, grandfather." Ella stood up and took a stool for Ariel. She invited the valkyrie to sit there. "Miss Ariel, please."
"What absolute glory, the greatest honor, and incomparable joy for my incompetent self. Thank you for your honorable invitation, Holy Grandfather, Holy Princess." Ariel looked at Pope Alexander's back, then at Ella with a look of reverence.
Holy Grandfather's words were a noble commandment that must be carried out without fail. She stood up nimbly, headed for the chair, and sat there with great politeness.
"This is your tea, Miss Ariel. Have you had breakfast?" Ella poured tea for Ariel and asked with concern as if she knew this holy knight lady's situation.
Ariel was slow to reply, and Ella didn't need to hear the answer either because she expected it. Ariel stroked her stomach, and it was a clear sign. Then, Ella stood again to take Ariel's breakfast from the serving trolley.
The holy knight lady didn't immediately understand what Ella was trying to do. Still, a bowl of breakfast and cakes was placed in front of her shortly afterward.
"Enjoy it. Thank you for coming here at full speed." Ella smiled and sat back into her chair, but that smile and Ella herself seemed to shine in Ariel's eyes.
"Holy Princess, I- I, thank you for your generosity." Ariel could only say that with great appreciation. Refusing because she felt shame couldn't be done. It was blasphemy. Therefore, she accepted the breakfast with happiness, albeit a little nervous.
"Ha-ha, you're still stiff as usual, Ariel. Stay calm and relaxed, cool your head, and exhale." Alexander laughed lightly and gave thoughtful advice. Ariel just complied and ate her breakfast after feeling she could do it.
Meanwhile, Elysia and Elena were speechless because of the holy knight lady's behavior. They didn't know the reason, but it amused them a little.
Elysia looked at the clock. It was only a few minutes past seven. This holy knight lady was summoned from somewhere and asked to appear at seven? Nevertheless, Elysia glanced at Ariel again for Ariel's status screen.
[| Lv. 161 | Saint Holy Knight | Ariel Evadne | Female (311) | HP: 301,000 / 301,000 | EP: 241,100 / 317,500 |]
[| STR: 63 | AGI: 61 | VIT: 30 | INT: 31 |]
'Saint-level, she's still young enough to have such a high level of strength! A talented girl... Is Ariel Evadne the golden child of the Holy Church?' Elysia commented with a bit of awe in her mind.