The next day, Lux told Sona that she was going on a long journey.
Then, she learned from Sona that Sona had also just joined the Illuminati choir, becoming a reserve organist for the orchestra, thanks to Lady Buvelle's recommendation.
Although the choir sounded like a singing organization, in reality, the Illuminati choir was the highest-level music group in all of Demacia; while called a choir, it actually housed a complete orchestra of super-scale and super-grade.
After all, an orchestra that could afford an organist would at least need an organ—and an organ was often integrated with an entire church or auditorium.
It was precisely for this reason that the organist was the most important role in the choir orchestra, besides the conductor and lead singer; although Sona was only a reserve organist, and the third reserve at that, considering her age, this still represented a very proud recognition.
Upon learning that her friend also had a new task, the farewell emotions between Lux and Sona naturally faded quite a bit.
I'm going to disaster relief, you're going to be a musician, we all have a bright future—in this situation, even a first parting seemed to have the meaning of a new beginning.
Thus, what was initially a rather sad farewell quickly turned into two twelve-year-old girls holding hands and chattering about their future dreams.
And this time, Klein did not spoil the mood by suggesting a make-up lesson, but merely listened quietly as an audience member to their chatter.
Twelve years old, what a wonderful age.
Twelve years old, in Klein's previous life, on Blue Star, was still the age for elementary school—precocious girls were already starting to care about their appearance; boys would start a debate like a Guan Yu vs. Qin Qiong battle on the topic of "who is stronger" in any aspect.
For these elementary school students, parting might mean a classmate leaving due to their parents' job changes; even if they couldn't yet understand the true meaning of parting, they would still feel a pang of sadness.
Twelve years old, when Klein first came to Runeterra, was the age when one had just bid farewell to early death and could receive their own name—a twelve-year-old child would for the first time be counted as a member of the tribe and half a laborer, and would also lose the exemption right after their own tribe was annihilated.
In that era when civilization was still in its infancy, Klein, who had transmigrated to Runeterra, could only do his best as a child king, in addition to advising Setaka, to protect these "big children" who had just stepped into this cruel world as much as possible.
Twelve years old, in the current Demacia noble families, is also the time to take on responsibilities; especially for precocious noble young ladies, they will soon ignite the flame of love, and their families will quickly extinguish this flame.
Thousands of years passed, and although Klein had been bothered by his failures, he still firmly believed that the wheel of history would roll forward…
Although already infected and corroded by the Void, Klein could at least still be a teacher, spreading the spark of hope.
That was enough.
Thinking of this, Klein simply joined the conversation, actively teasing Lux and Sona about some of their outlandish fantasies.
"Be a Dragon Rider? Lux, do you really understand dragons? Those elemental creatures are not comparable to Dragonhawks—"
"None of your business?!"
"Hold a concert in Placidium? Sona, you really need to practice Ionian religious music more; those solemn melodies are not easy to play…"
"I will try my best."
"…"
"…"
By the Crownguard family's garden pond, Klein finally stood as a true friend (referring to being stuck on the bank) beside Lux and Sona, speaking freely with yet another generation of young people.
Just like three thousand years ago, in the cold night of the Shurima Sai Desert, he was by the bonfire with the family-less orphans adopted by the tribe, creating their own script.
Just like two thousand years ago, in the first human university in Shurima, he disregarded imperial opposition and publicly declared that the school would always welcome anyone through its doors.
Just like a thousand years ago, when the Rune Wars were in full swing, he barely managed to awaken, guiding the holders and leading that group of people to hide westward in the Rune Tree forest.
Klein was not a successful fellow.
Having transmigrated, his strength and talent somewhat disgraced his identity as an Ascended and a transmigrator—he was physically weak, could not feel magic, and even after ascending, could only fight by relying on his own attributes.
He dedicated himself to bridging the Void Rift between various races but ultimately failed to prevent the Icathians' disloyalty—although he always treated students from all regions equally, he could not prevent the pride and discrimination of other Shuriman.
The meticulously cultivated Rune Tree did not wait for harvest before he himself succumbed to the Darkin in the War—the thousand-year tree plan ultimately failed, and he could only barely shelter some refugees during the Rune Wars.
However, even after numerous failures, Klein, who had reawakened, still had not lost hope!
He did not yearn to find a powerful body, nor did he think of throwing his weight around while he still had consciousness.
He preferred to be like this, staying by the children's side, laughing and scolding with them, then secretly remembering their past embarrassments, holding onto their little weaknesses, and in the most comical and relaxed way, recording their every step of growth, reminding them not to forget the past, not to betray their former selves.
The Void infection was never anything.
As long as he could wake up again, Klein was very willing to sow the seeds of hope again and loosen the soil for these young seedlings.
Until one day, the twelve-year-old children of Runeterra would no longer need to bear burdens they shouldn't have to bear prematurely.
Long, long ago, Setaka once asked Klein why he did what he did, and Klein did not answer that time.
Because, in his opinion, everything should be as it is.
It's just that what Klein took for granted seemed unattainable to many.
That's all.
.........
Three days later, Lux, carrying her sword and packed luggage, boarded the carriage bound for Silvermere in the Northern Realm, protected by a team of elite guards.
The young girl, having left Demacia Capital, was both excited and sad; she watched the scenery flash by outside the carriage window and endlessly chatted with Klein about her trip to Silvermere—due to being overly excited, Lux even started rambling, not even knowing what she was saying.
Fortunately, Kulen's proactive interruption brought Lux back to earth; this loyal old butler, though not a Crownguard by name, still held considerable weight within the entire Crownguard family, and Augatha sending him along showed the importance placed on this trip.
Mr. Kulen usually handled management work, serving as the family's external butler, more akin to a "professional manager," and couldn't be said to have "watched Lux grow up from childhood," but he still held considerable respect and regard for their renowned young lady.
Especially when he saw Lux leaving The Capital for the first time, her eyes filled with longing and excitement as she looked out the carriage window, yet her expression remained composed.
Truly our Crownguard Little Princess!
Now, while there was time, he needed to discuss tax issues with Lux, because compared to the need for flexible handling of disaster relief and on-site investigation of the disaster, auditing was undoubtedly the most professional task of this trip.
And facing Kulen's patient teaching, Lux could only stop her internal rambling with Klein and respectfully began to learn.
This learning was extraordinary.
Lux's learning performance completely stunned Kulen, who had prepared to teach her the entire journey.
In Kulen's eyes, their young lady was simply gifted!
It was her first time encountering accounts, yet she could calculate everything clearly through mental arithmetic, even extrapolating and discovering omissions.
Kulen himself couldn't find problems at such a speed!
Could it be… Madam hadn't told the truth before, and she had actually taught the young lady?
No way, Madam wouldn't need to play such a joke on him.
Moreover, from the young lady's demeanor, it was indeed her first time encountering these things; she couldn't even draw the common symbols used for accounting…
Although he had some doubts, Kulen's respect was undoubtedly greater—unlike his previous respect for Lux's status, this time he was respecting Lux's ability.
However, if Kulen knew the actual situation, he would surely be greatly disappointed, perhaps even beating his chest in frustration.
Lux was gifted?
She knew nothing about auditing!
Only someone like Klein, who had been in charge of logistics management for many years, could figure everything out so easily.
Klein originally didn't want to help Lux here.
Even if Lux begged him, he wouldn't.
However, when Lux mentioned that she had missed many class hours, Klein immediately and unhesitatingly took over.
That… Kulen, teach quickly!
Once you're done teaching, you can leave.
Next, Lux still had make-up lessons—she had fallen behind on her magic studies from attending various farewell parties the past few days!
Watching Mr. Kulen leave in a hurry, Lux couldn't help but secretly chuckle to herself.
And Klein didn't seem to realize that when he helped Lux with the audit, he was very much like a math teacher covering for a physical education teacher.
Indeed, being a teacher for a long time always leaves some occupational habits.