Chapter 33: I Want to Become Your Student

Compelled by an unknown force, Navia opened the book and found herself utterly captivated.

The world depicted within was like paradise to every resident of Fleuve Cendre.

If it were merely a fantasy, that would be one thing. But the book clearly outlined solutions to the very problems plaguing their society, proving that this vision wasn't a pipe dream, but a tangible, achievable reality!

Navia was deeply engrossed in the text. Behind her, Melus and Silver, though they hadn't read the entire book, felt a powerful impact from the fragments they glimpsed.

"Oh, Miss Navia, Monsieur Melus, and Monsieur Silver! What brings you here?!"

A familiar voice snapped Navia out of her reverie. She looked up and saw Grett, now known as Lofan.

Lofan's clothes were dusted with grime, as if he had just finished working. In his hand, he held the silver guitar he had previously used as a weapon.

Lofan wasn't flustered when Navia and her companions discovered his secret space. After all, he had intentionally led them to it.

"My apologies. The noise outside was quite loud, so I might not have heard your knocks."

"But you're certainly observant to have found this place."

"Miss Navia, what brings you here today?"

"...Did you write this book, Monsieur Grett?" Navia asked, suppressing her surging emotions as she held up the volume in her hand.

Navia was certain she had never heard of a book called Redology in Fontaine, and the authorities would never allow such a work to circulate. This made it highly likely that Lofan himself had written it.

"Ah, you mean this book?" Lofan chuckled dismissively. "I wrote it out of boredom. It's all just my wild imaginings—nothing to take seriously."

"But doesn't everything here prove that you've taken the things in your book as your own goals to achieve, Monsieur Grett?!"

Navia's rebuttal silenced Lofan. After a long pause, he let out a soft sigh.

"Miss Navia, haven't you already made your choice? Why cling to things beyond your reach?"

Lofan's words made Navia tremble. She finally understood why he hadn't shown her these things during their previous meeting. Her hesitation had led him to believe they weren't on the same path, and his attitude had grown somewhat cold, his words subtly urging them to leave quickly.

"Miss Navia?"

Navia remained silent for so long that Lofan prompted her. Slowly, she began to explain what she had experienced recently and how her thinking had changed.

After listening to Navia's account, Lofan fell into a long silence. Finally, he let out a slow sigh.

"Is that so? Even that has already happened? Let us mourn for the departed."

At the same moment, Lofan picked up his guitar and began playing a mournful melody.

Navia had never realized a guitar could produce such a sorrowful and haunting sound. She'd never heard this piece before; could it be another of his own compositions?

"Miss Navia, I understand your purpose here."

"However, I do not advise the Spina di Rosula to formally join this resistance."

Navia listened patiently, waiting for Lofan to finish before responding.

"The Spina di Rosula's priority must be to evacuate as many non-combatants as possible to safety."

"This war will be far from easy—it's more like a nine-out-of-ten chance of death."

"If we're burdened by too many concerns for those behind us, we won't be able to fight without hesitation."

Navia nodded, realizing her oversight. She immediately adjusted her plans.

In other words, members of Spina di Rosula who decided to rebel would adopt a new identity to sever ties with the organization.

"Monsieur Grett, do you have any suggestions?"

Lofan pondered for a moment before voicing the answer he had already formulated.

"How about calling it the Fleuve Cendralys?"

Upon hearing this, Navia struggled to suppress her amusement. She had never expected someone so talented to come up with such an... underwhelming name.

However, there was little point in arguing over such matters, so Navia ultimately accepted the new organization's name.

"From now on, brothers and sisters within the organization will address each other as 'Comrade,' signifying those who share the same aspirations and pursuits. What do you think, Miss Navia?"

Only then did Navia nod in approval. This title was a significant improvement.

"Here, there will be no distinction between noble and common. We are united solely by our shared dream and purpose."

No distinction between noble and common—this was the lifelong hope of countless residents of the Fleuve Cendre.

Navia gazed at the man before her, his figure now towering in her mind, radiating brilliance.

Suddenly, she realized that the crisis facing Fleuve Cendre might also be an opportunity for transformation!

If this man could turn zero into one, who was to say he couldn't turn one into ten, or even a hundred?

An overwhelming sense of loyalty washed over Navia. She felt as if she were witnessing the dawn of a grand historical movement.

For the first time, Navia understood the devotion of those who had followed her father in the Spina di Rosula—a sentiment that now resonated deeply within her.

"Then we are comrades from now on, Miss Navia—no, Comrade Navia."

Lofan smiled warmly at Navia, speaking softly as he subtly employed his Art of Language ability. The first and most crucial step of his plan was about to be achieved, and even he couldn't suppress a thrill of anticipation.

But then something unexpected happened. Navia took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Lofan.

"Teacher Grett, I want to become your student!"