Chapter 143 The Haze of History

"Checkmate."

Rong Le withdrew her hand, rested her chin on it and looked at the man opposite her.

The black and white chess game in front of him had reached its end. The decadent man scratched his head and put down the chess piece: "I give up."

He sat on a high-back chair, leaning back with his legs crossed, and blew a smoke ring lazily.

"Teacher, I have nothing more to teach you. It's hard for anyone to beat you in chess. With this skill alone, you can conquer the world of fame and fortune."

"Teacher, you are too modest. Besides chess, you have taught me many other things."

Rong Le played with the pure white porcelain cup in her hand with a smile, watching the man slumped in the chair and smoking like a boss.

He was clearly of the same aristocratic origin as him, and had been in the political center for more than a decade and emerged unscathed, and was now an honorary professor who retired to teach at a school.

On the surface, he seems difficult to approach, but in private, he doesn't care about etiquette at all and is not demanding at all. He is even more indulgent than his student.

But Rong Le did learn a lot from him.

"You are already eighteen years old. It's time to officially enter the social scene."

The man's eyes were deep and calm, his true thoughts hidden beneath a nonchalant exterior. "I've trained you for such a long time, and I know you're incredibly talented. Even the young men in the student union are impressed by you."

"But there's one person you need to pay extra attention to."

"Fairlight, a newcomer to the Elemental Tribunal. He's a few years older than you and is being groomed as the heir. I heard he's already taken over related affairs."

"The Inquisition of the Elements."

Rong Le repeated it, knowing that her teacher never spoke useless nonsense. "I've heard of them. They're a mysterious organization that oversees the church. They worship the laws of nature and the origin of the world, believing that everything should operate according to natural laws."

"Honestly, what an arrogant organization."

The man laughed heartily. "However, they possess the power to judge everything. They are both the maintainers and makers of the rules. The Church and the Cabinet usually ignore them because once they go crazy, they are like mad dogs."

"How about it, are you interested? The teacher can introduce you."

Rong Le said politely, "Teacher's social circle is really wide. I am of course happy to accept this kindness."

As his disciple, he not only received the teacher's teachings but also enjoyed the teacher's resources.

Rong Le has reached adulthood. As a young man who grew up in the church, he has long been branded with the church's mark. As graduation approaches, students of the same grade begin to seek their own places to go, and his direction will also determine his future path.

"Don't underestimate the teacher's connections."

Orne White said so.

His student will definitely become a bishop of the church in the future and the person in charge of this huge organization. He is extremely talented and good at dealing with people. He is born to be at the top of the pyramid.

It's just a matter of time.

The Elemental Tribunal has an exclusive status. If used properly, it can be of great help to Rong Le's career in the church.

"However, when cooperating with them, we must be careful about the limits and avoid getting too close to them, otherwise—"

He smiled faintly: "It's easy to be bitten back."

Rong Le took note of this in her heart. After the chess game was over, she didn't stay in Aoun's office for long. He waved his hand and sent her out.

Rong Le was walking in the corridor, and was soon stopped: "Rong Le, wait for me."

He turned around and saw Witt waving and striding towards him.

Two years later, Witt has become taller and more mature, looking like an adult man, and his smile is particularly bright.

Rong Le once heard some girls discussing privately that Witt was as handsome as the legendary knight.

But in front of Rong Le, he is just a stupid roe deer.

"Why are you back? Aren't you interning at the Ministry of Finance?"

He had heard Witt complain about how busy the Ministry of Finance was and how the atmosphere was so stressful that anyone who entered would collapse and their self-esteem would be completely shattered.

Witt smiled easily: "No matter how busy I am, I still have time to take a break. I came to see how the student union is doing and visit you by the way."

After the incident, the two parties involved, Witt and Rong Le, unexpectedly reconciled and had a good relationship, which surprised everyone.

Witt: "What about you, what are you doing recently?"

Rong Le pondered for a moment: "Study, read... I'm almost done reading the books in the library.

"Such a massive collection of books..." Witt's eyebrows twitched.

But it's Rong Le, so it makes sense.

Since that conflict, Witt and Rong Le's relationship has improved.

Although others always sneered at him for thinking this way, he could feel that Rong Le also acknowledged his existence.

"You're graduating soon. Have you received any internship offers that suit you?"

Rong Le: "Indeed, there is, but it may be a little different from what you imagine."

Witt looked confused: "Different?"

"I plan to continue my studies and return to the church to continue being an ordinary member. I have discovered an area that interests me more, and I may spend most of my time on my research."

Rong Le: "So, you may rarely hear from me."

This answer was indeed surprising. It took Witt a long time to recover and confirm with him: "Are you serious?"

Rong Le: "Of course."

Witt still couldn't believe it: "Professor Orne agreed?"

"He supports my decision. I've already agreed with him that if there's no progress before I'm 25, I'll just follow his instructions."

Witt was silent for a long time before he said, "Well... if this is what you want to do, I wish you good luck with your research, my friend."

Rong Le smiled faintly, and the two parted at the intersection. Before leaving, Witt said, "If there is anything you need my help with, feel free to come to me."

Rong Le agreed with a smile.

He did not fool Witt, he did have his own research goals.

Ever since he first found the Necronomicon under the tree, or perhaps even earlier, when he was a child proudly wandering in the vast ocean of books, his lifelong entanglement with knowledge had been laid.

Rong Le returned to her own dormitory.

The mahogany desk is piled high with various research manuscripts and heavy books.

The obscure characters and patterns, as well as the large expanses of text, are dazzling.

This kind of thing that would make ordinary people feel unwell and dizzy at the sight of it is what Rong Le is researching.

He was attracted to the field of mysticism and gradually began to delve into and explore its mysteries.

Perhaps it was because he had a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge in his childhood that he had no difficulty in reading these things. Since there was no one to look after him, he had no idea whether his mental state was affected.

Rong Le looked almost obsessively at the manuscript paper placed in the center of the desk, on which was hand-painted a door with intricate and exquisite patterns.

The black and white pattern makes it particularly charming and almost draws you into the painting.

This was a drawing Rong Le had made once when he had lost his mind. When he regained consciousness, he was holding a pencil in his hand, with a vivid painting under his palm.

Rong Le's fingers unconsciously stroked the manuscript paper.

Although it was drawn by his own hands, he was completely vague about the details of the painting. No matter how hard he tried to remember the pattern on the gate, no matter how many ways he used to preserve it, he could not remember it in his mind.

He knew that the mysteries of the universe were hidden in this painting.

Compared with his research, other so-called prospects are insignificant.

This kind of taboo research cannot be known to outsiders. Rong Le did not disclose the research content to anyone and would only put the research results in the safest place.

He murmured softly: "I am gradually approaching the core..."

Even if his cognition was distorted, he knew where his research was leading.

That is the realm of gods that tampered with the long river of time and space, transcended the world, and made people extremely terrifying and fanatical.

He wanted to grasp this power and wrest his own destiny from those invisible rules.

This is the path Rong Le chose for herself.

*

No matter how absorbed you are in research, you cannot avoid attending social occasions.

The school's graduation dance has always been grand. Rong Le wore a simple black suit. Her increasingly mature body was thin and upright, and the sheen of the fabric revealed a low-key texture.

As soon as he appeared, he became the center of everyone's attention.

Perhaps the research over the past few days had made Rong Le's mental state somewhat decadent. He lowered his head slightly, revealing a part of his fair neck, and his posture carried a unique air of nobility and indifference.

This mysterious temperament and sense of distance are particularly fascinating.

Shortly after the ball started, Rong Le stood in the corner of the hall with an expressionless face.

There was an endless stream of people his age who wanted to invite him to dance, but he politely rejected them all.

He was just attending the party simply, as these classmates would soon go their separate ways. If there was no overlap in their circles in the future, it would probably be difficult for them to meet again.

The news spread quickly. Rong Le, the most popular figure in the student union this year, declined invitations from all parties and returned to the church to continue his studies.

No one knows whether we will be able to hear news about him from the outside world in the future, and how long this period will last.

So his popularity is actually not as high as before, but Rong Le doesn't mind this change.

He stood in the corner bored, wondering when time would pass.

"Hi, Rong Le."

He turned around and saw a red-haired girl standing gently beside him, her voice as clear as a yellow oriole: "May I have the honor of asking you to dance with me?"

It was Talia, the head of the Student Union’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Rong Le: "Of course, thank you for your invitation."

He leaned over and took Talia's hand, and the two of them walked onto the dance floor together. The young man and woman looked very well matched, and everyone made way for them wherever they passed.

Talia's long hair was half tied up, and she wore a low-necked dress, revealing the soft lines of her shoulders and neck. The collision of red and white colors was particularly gorgeous under the lights of the ball.

She put her arm around Rong Le's shoulder and chuckled in his ear, "Busy man, it's not easy to see you."

"Please don't make fun of me. I'm the only one in the student union with no future. I may have to rely on you for my future."

Rong Le also performed well in ballroom dancing, spinning gracefully with Talia.

The red-haired girl was in the same class as him and joined the student union together. She was a typical child of an executive. She was a respected figure from the moment she entered school. Her life was smooth sailing and her future had already been planned out by her family elders.

"There is nothing the president cannot do."

She smiled gently, and her every move was calm and confident: "Of course, you are welcome to come to me. I will be the first in line - at least before Witt."

I don't know why these two people are always competing with each other secretly.

Rong Le was helpless: "No problem."

The time for a dance passed quickly. It was already the limit for Talia to spare the time to find Rong Le. Next, she would have to engage in endless social activities.

Then gradually rise and fall on this road, becoming more experienced and more perfect.

Perhaps, there is still a soft part in my heart, which is the youthful memory left in this campus at the best age.

But at this moment, no one has time to care about this feeling. Only when we meet old friends again many years later, all kinds of thoughts will come to mind.

Rong Le took a few steps back and watched Talia leave.

The time was almost up, and it was time for him to leave. He took one last look at the school and laughed at himself.

He also had no time to take care of these things. Rong Le knew that after drawing the door on paper, his fate had changed.

Whenever Rong Le stared at the piece of paper on his desk in the silence and loneliness of the night, the gorgeous and intricate door on it seemed to have a kind of magic that swallowed up all his reason and desires.

The door seemed to be calling him silently.

Come on, step through the door.

He felt an uncontrollable tremor, his spirit thrilled by the response.

Research has been ingrained in his mind over the years. He explores the secrets of these patterns and is even more curious about what will be behind the door when he opens it.

Rong Le exhaled lightly, the cold air in the middle of the night keeping him sane.

I have been so busy during this period that I even went to church less frequently. This time I happened to go back to the church's independent house and meet Renault by the way.

Thinking this, he immediately packed up his things and got on the vehicle he often used to return to the church.

The school is about an hour's drive from the church, which is not too far.

The vehicle arrived at the church quickly. He got out with his suitcase and planned to go back to the room to put his luggage away before going to find Renault.

Rong Le lives in a relatively remote location in the church. This is because his parents used their privileges and because of his outstanding academic performance, he can occupy the abandoned house alone.

When he first moved in, the house was covered in dust and the furniture was worn out. He patiently cleaned it bit by bit and made it look suitable for living.

However, when he came back, he saw a young man with black hair and black eyes sitting in the hall.

Although they are of the same age, Rong Le has a thinner and taller figure, while Renault has broad shoulders and a narrow waist, almost the body of an adult male.

Rong Le hesitated: "Renault?"

He put the box down, took off his shoes and walked over: "Why don't you turn on the light?"

The hall was dim, with only the moonlight outside bringing some brightness. In front of the cold light, Renault, wearing a simple white shirt, sat on a lounge chair by the window, so quiet that it seemed as if there was no life in the room.

Renault's tone was somewhat casual: "Was the dance fun?"

Rong Le was stunned and laughed: "You don't think I'm back too late, do you? Please, the school is nearly an hour's drive away from the church. When I left, the dance was still in full swing."

Renault stood up and turned on the light switch. The hall was instantly bright. He looked sideways at Rong Le and said nonchalantly, "I left fish soup for you in the pot. Do you want some?"

"Of course."

Renault's whereabouts are uncertain, but he still has a room here.

Rong Le sat at the dining table with her chin propped up, looking at Renault in the kitchen. Although the young man was taciturn, he was very considerate. The way he lowered his eyes to serve the soup, he even looked virtuous.

But... I don't know why, but lately I've been feeling that every scene is very familiar.

Rong Le could only explain this phenomenon by saying that he was in a bad mood due to excessive research. He rubbed his temples and a bowl of steaming fish soup was placed in front of him.

Renault: "Are you tired? Go to bed after drinking. It's getting late."

Rong Le came back to his senses, responded and started drinking the soup, not noticing that Renault's eyes fixed on him and he took something off his shoulder.

Renault looked at the red hair in front of him. Such long hair combined with the faint and distant fragrance that lingered on Rong Le's body when she just walked in almost clearly showed him what he had done before.

"Rong Le."

Rong Le raised her eyes: "Hmm?"

He looked at the long hair between Renault's fingers and his body stiffened.

Oh no, we’ve been discovered.

He hadn't done anything, but for some reason he felt guilty. He instinctively felt the need to explain: "It's really unsociable to always stay out of the ball. Talia invited me, so I danced, and then I came back."

Renault threw the hair into the basket: "Why explain to me?"

"I'm afraid you'll misunderstand."

"Why are you worried that I might misunderstand?"

Rong Le couldn't stand his aggressiveness and simply changed the subject: "You're so weird, what's wrong with you?"

The little bastard hasn't come back for such a long time. He locks himself in the study all day long. It's hard to see him. He went out dancing heartlessly and came back with signs of fooling around. And now I ask him why he is so weird.

Renault felt exhausted physically and mentally, and his good composure was about to be broken.

But then I thought again, I had already made exceptions for him many times without realizing it, and had already broken my own habits, so it seemed that this was no big deal now.

He just wants to follow his heart now.

Renault took a step forward, confining him to this space, his body covering him.

For some reason, Rong Le broke out in a cold sweat on her back.

He wanted to get up, but Renault restrained him from behind. He clasped his hands on the table with his fingers and gently rested his head on the side of his neck. Their breaths intertwined and became inseparable due to the distance.

Ambiguity suddenly grew in this space.

Rong Le subconsciously held her breath. The distance was too close. They had never crossed the line to this extent.

He stiffened. "I understand. Really, I will keep my distance from other people from now on. I mean everyone."

Rong Le begged for mercy for the first time in his life, but Renault had no intention of stopping because of his words. He ran his slender jade-like fingers through his black hair and turned his head towards him.

The force was irresistible. He turned his head along his hand and looked at Renault. Under the warm light of the restaurant, his eyelashes were dyed a warm color, and even his black eyes no longer had the initial cold distance.

Since when, Renault began to often look at him. As time went on, he could no longer stop staring at Rong Le.

"You are an accident, but I hope this accident can become forever."

He murmured something that Rong Le couldn't understand, then tilted his head and kissed her.

Rong Le felt like she was electrocuted, feeling the soft touch on her lips. Her brain went blank and she completely lost her ability to react. She allowed the other person to easily pry open her teeth and explore the moist and hidden part of her mouth.

"no……"

His resistance was easily suppressed, or perhaps Rong Le's resistance was not strong. At this moment, his body and mind were immersed in this strange and novel touch. He was trembling imperceptibly all over, and was being entangled and penetrated deeper by Renault.

It was not until a while later that his mind gradually came back to him and he clearly realized what was happening in front of him.

Something has changed.

He opened his green cat eyes wide and looked at Renault who was so close to him. Half forced and half catering to him, the boy entangled with Renault's strength, without any intention of rejecting Renault in his heart.

His heart had never beaten so violently before. Did this mean that he didn't mind being treated this way by Renault?

Renault half-closed his eyes and stretched out his hand to cover Rong Le's sight. The warm touch lingered on his skin. After his vision was deprived, the world turned into darkness, and only lingering feelings filled his body and mind.

The window paper was broken, and his relationship with Renault began to deteriorate when he graduated at the age of 18, ushering in a new turning point.

*

After that night, things between them seemed to return to normal.

Rong Le sat bored at the desk. During this period, he had been frantically avoiding meeting Renault. Fortunately, the other party also knew his character and did not force him.

He had time to sort out his thoughts and calm down.

They entangled for a long time that night. Rong Le felt his scent lingering in her mouth. When it ended, her mouth was open and she couldn't close it for a while.

Renault, however, acted as if nothing had happened. He let him go and took the soup from the table: "This one is cold. I'll serve you another bowl."

Rong Le's expression was very subtle. She really wanted to stop his behavior and didn't want to stay in the restaurant for long, but she stopped talking when the words came to her lips.

I always feel that it is better not to resist Renault at this time.

He was forced to sit on the table and drink another bowl of soup before being taken back to the bedroom.

...This is obviously his house, right?!

Rong Le, whose initiative was accidentally taken away, returned to the bedroom in frustration. After fooling around for a whole day, she felt a little tired and fell asleep soon after.

When she woke up the next day, her consciousness gradually returned. After Rong Le figured out what had happened last night, she immediately became furious.

How dare he!

Rong Le immediately decided to find Renault to argue, but when she saw the figure in the living room, her body subconsciously slammed the door shut.

…

This matter still needs long-term consideration.

Rong Le, in an ostrich-like state, locked herself in the study all day and only came out to eat. After finishing her meal, she did not talk to Renault and went back to her study, showing her refusal to communicate to the fullest.

Perhaps only Renault understood his character and could tolerate him shrinking into a ball when he encountered unsolvable problems, patiently waiting for him to figure it out, or pulling him out of his shell when he could no longer tolerate it.

They have such a skillful relationship between them.

Rong Le held her chin up to her hand and unconsciously turned the pen between her fingers, her thoughts drifting somewhere unknown.

His research was also suspended. What lay before him were more difficult problems to be solved. He thought of countless ways to deal with the relationship with Renault, but the results he deduced were not perfect.

Love is truly an eternal problem.

He sighed with a headache and simply lay down on the table, his cheeks squeezed out and his eyes were blank, wondering what he was thinking.

At some point, he gradually fell asleep.

Perhaps he dreamed about Renault again.

But Rong Le sensitively sensed something was wrong. The Renault opposite him seemed older, and the look he gave him was so indifferent and cold.

He stood there for a moment and walked towards Renault.

They were very close to each other and only took a few steps to get in front of him. When they were close, Rong Le could see that Renault's dark eyes were dark and unclear, as if he was struggling with some difficult decision.

Rong Le opened her mouth slightly and wanted to ask: What's wrong with you?

However, the next moment, he felt a chill on his neck and blood gushed out from the wound.

Renault's fingertips flashed with cold light, and blood splattered into the dark soil. Under the oppressive sky composed of alternating storms and dark clouds, everything was so sad and cruel.

Rong Le fell weakly into his arms.

This scene seemed so familiar. He blinked in confusion, thinking slowly in the damp, sweet and fishy blood.

What on earth had he forgotten?

Holding his broad and warm chest, as if it were the most reliable support in the world, Renault gently brushed his messy long hair and whispered in his ear with an unprecedentedly gentle voice:

"I'll wait for you at the finish line."

"Now, let's start a new journey."

"—I will always be by your side."