Hearing that, Eula's expression softened. A blush—so faint it was almost invisible—touched her cheeks. The gesture caught her off guard, even if the supplies themselves weren't worth much.
Hmph. Teacher is always like this… so unfair.
Don't think this will make me forget the grudge of "forgetting" me.
But despite her stubborn thoughts, she couldn't hide that her mood had lifted. And besides… she couldn't bring herself to actually say those words to his face.
Because the truth was, she was the one who insisted on calling him "Teacher."
He had never officially accepted her as his disciple.
Eula Lawrence was an anomaly among the Lawrence clan—someone outsiders couldn't help but pity. Mondstadt distrusted her because of her bloodline, and her own family despised her for rejecting their so-called noble heritage and joining the Knights of Favonius—an organization many Lawrences still considered enemies.
Her habit of threatening people with "vengeance" wasn't cruelty.
It was armor.
Growing up surrounded by hostility, with almost no allies, taught her one lesson early: if she didn't bare her teeth first, someone would bite.
But Eula wasn't a helpless woman waiting to be saved. She was strong-willed. Even as a child, she understood what she needed to carve out her own freedom.
Strength.
If she became strong enough, the whispers would stop—if not out of respect, then out of fear. If she became strong enough, even her family would have no choice but to swallow their contempt. Because when she stood above them, she would finally have the freedom to choose her own path.
So young Eula took up her sword and trained.
She gritted her teeth and worked harder than anyone. She fused the Knights' Favonius swordsmanship with the only legacy she was willing to acknowledge from her bloodline: the Lawrence family's "Dance of Sacrifice."
And it was during those lonely training days that she met him.
Elios Luxveritas—an adventurer who passed through Mondstadt from time to time, rumored to be the husband of a famous witch.
He found her in the Windrise wilderness, practicing her self-developed style alone. As a greatsword user himself, he praised her form and offered a few corrections. Then—despite his usual busyness—he made time to spar with her.
Not because he owed her anything.
But because he thought it would be a waste to let that talent rot in solitude.
To him, it was nothing more than a little guidance and a few sparring sessions.
To Eula…
It felt like salvation.
It was the first time someone acknowledged her effort.
The first time someone extended a hand without mockery.
The first time someone taught her—not from obligation, but because he saw her will and her potential.
That was why, even after he refused to formally accept her, she kept calling him "Teacher."
Eula had tried more than once to make him take her as a disciple. Each time, Elios answered the same way: while they both used greatswords, their styles were fundamentally incompatible.
Eula's swordplay was a dancer's grace—precise, elegant, and sublime.
Elios's…
Elios's was a storm.
A raging force meant to crush and burn the enemy until nothing remained.
If she followed his path, she would lose what made her Eula.
So he refused to teach her his techniques directly, choosing instead to spar—pushing her strength, polishing her fundamentals, and letting her style become sharper on its own.
Eula, of course, responded to every rejection with a pout… and another entry in her imaginary grudge book.
That was the history between Eula Lawrence and Elios Luxveritas.
Her respect for him ran deep—his strength, his kindness, and his utter fearlessness in keeping a "Lawrence" close. Without noticing it, Eula had long since made him her personal goal.
And somewhere along the way…
Something else had begun to bloom within that respect—something she didn't understand yet.
______________
Back in the present, Elios borrowed some Mora from Jean and purchased the supplies Eula needed.
When the transaction was done, he raised his hand over the items—
—and something strange happened.
In a blink, the supplies vanished, sucked into the bracelet on his wrist as if they'd been swallowed by thin air.
Jean's eyes widened. "As expected of Lady Alice's husband… to have an item like that."
"Papa's amazing~!" Klee chirped. "Mama's amazing too~!"
Elios smiled lightly. "It was actually a gift from a friend I met recently in Liyue. I only received it not long ago—so it was still empty."
Then, without warning, he removed the bracelet and tossed it to Eula.
"Here, young Eula. Your gift."
Eula caught it on instinct, blinking.
"You only have to think about which item you want to take out," Elios explained. "The same goes for storing something."
Elios's expression softened. He'd always had a soft spot for the girl who stubbornly insisted on calling him "Teacher."
Eula hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, Teacher. I'll arrange the supplies at my place and bring it back—"
"No." Elios cut in smoothly. "I meant what I said. Keep the bracelet."
Eula froze.
"I said it's a gift," Elios repeated, as if the concept were obvious.
(A/N: Yes, this is the real gift. Did you think a woman would be impressed by random camping supplies? I tricked you all. Muhahaha.)
Eula's mind nearly crashed.
"I-I can't accept something like this!" she blurted out. "It's too precious!"
"Don't worry about it," Elios said calmly. "It's something I received from a friend. If I got one, I can get a second—or a third. For her, it's not that precious as long as I provide the materials."
(A/N: Yes the friend here is Madame Ping. I'm assuming that if she can create a teapot with city sized space, then a storage bracelet shouldn't be impossible. Even if she can't, I'm sure Zhongli could help, the dude's got some hidden abilities related to space for sure. I won't be surprised if he's Pai- *Cough* *Cough* I mean Asmoday's relative or something)
Eula felt blood rush to her face in a mix of embarrassment and happiness. For a second, she almost wanted to jump in place.
Giving me something this valuable… but still not calling me his student.
Teacher is really… tsu—tsu—
Eh? What was the word Lady Alice used again…?
She forced the useless thought away and bowed with noble etiquette, sincere and composed.
"Thank you very much, Teacher."
Elios laughed. "I said don't mind it."
Then he glanced toward the street. "Anyway, we've taken quite the detour. Let's finally get lunch."
He turned to Eula, extending the same invitation he'd given Jean.
"Young Eula—if you have nothing urgent, why not join us?"
Eula blinked. "Eh? I can?"
"Of course," Elios said easily. "It's been a while since we've met. Let's eat together."
"…Sure!" Eula answered, far too quickly—and far too happily.
Jean watched the exchange, and something unpleasant tightened in her chest.
Jealousy.
Then she let out a quiet, downcast sigh.
What right do I have to be jealous?
He has no obligation to give me anything.
Her gloom didn't go unnoticed.
Elios sighed and placed a hand lightly on her head.
"Don't look so downcast, young Jean," he said, almost teasing. "I'll gift you something next time, alright?"
Jean flushed instantly and tried to squirm out from under the headpat.
"I-I wasn't thinking about that!"
"Hehe~!" Klee sang, delighted. "Klee saw Sister Jean blushing! Sister Jean is jealous of Sister Eula and wants a gift too~!"
"Klee!" Jean protested, mortified. "How can you say that?!"
Klee puffed her cheeks proudly. "Because Klee has seen Mama with that face before—when Mama Nicole got a gift from Papa! Papa said women make that face when they're jealous~!"
Elios coughed sharply. "Klee."
Then, with the weary resignation of a man who had lost a battle he didn't even realize he'd entered, he cleared his throat again—louder—and changed the subject.
"Anyway. We've stalled long enough. Time to eat," he declared. "Let's move before young Sara sells everything out."
He turned back toward the merchant, who was still standing stiffly behind the counter—smiling the desperate smile of someone praying the dangerous customer would leave quickly and stop interrupting its business.
"Thank you for the items," Elios said, polite again. "And try to be kinder to your customers in the future."
His eyes sharpened briefly, a hint of pressure returning.
The merchant trembled.
"T-thank you for your patronage, sir," he stammered. "P-please come again."
Please never come again, he screamed inwardly.
______________
With their number now four, the group finally headed toward Good Hunter in a harmonious mood—Klee humming all the way.
Along the path, Eula glanced at Elios, curiosity rising.
"By the way, Teacher… did you return today just to see Klee? Or do you have business in Mondstadt?" Her eyes flicked briefly behind him. "I noticed Lady Alice and Lady Nicole didn't accompany you."
Elios's expression tightened slightly—just for a moment—before smoothing again.
"This time I came alone," he said. "They both have matters to attend to."
He glanced up at Klee on his shoulders, voice softening.
"I mainly came to see my little Klee. I'm going to be busy soon, and I might not have much time for her for a while."
His gaze shifted forward again, and a faint seriousness returned.
"But yes… there are a few troubles I need to handle here as well."
Then, as if not wanting the mood to sour, he relaxed and smiled.
"Still, aside from that, consider it a small vacation. Don't worry too much. Let's enjoy our time for now."
__________________________________________
Author's Thoughts:
I hope today's chapter was to your liking.
What do you think about the way I narrated the history between Eula and Elios? Do you prefer it this way or is it better to go in-depth with more details and dialogue?
I did this mainly because their relationship didn't develop much yet, actually, aside from Alice, Nicole and Klee, MC doesn't have any other deep relationships yet, so I'm thinking of narrating his other friendships like this. But of course it'd be different in the case of Alice and Nicole, there would be too much to say and it'll be quite a long flashback with at least several chapters.
I'm still trying to grasp how to write a good story so readers' respectful opinions are very much appreciated.
And in case of someone did notice, yes, I'm actually using AI to edit my chapters, it makes me save so much time trying to edit them on my own, I always check the edited version before publishing but if someone finds some annoying pattern, please tell, I'll do my best to avoid those.
Sorry for the slow update schedule, I'll try to publish 7 more chapters this week if possible.