Lena offered a casual explanation. Immediately, Isha hugged her from behind, burying her head in Lena’s back and muttering, “Sister Lena doesn’t want you to leave…”
Seeing Isha cling tightly to Lena, Celia frowned, a hint of jealousy stirring within her.
“Isha! Your hands are greasy! Don’t stain Sister Lena’s dress!”
“Nonsense! I already wiped them clean!”
Isha wiggled her hands, confirming they were indeed clean after touching the barbecue.
Soon after, she embraced Lena tightly once more.
Observing their crestfallen expressions, Lena sighed. Yet, she steeled her heart, resolute in concealing the fact that she, too, would be going to Hunterston.
However, perhaps their current sadness would be matched by immense joy when they eventually reunited in Hunterston.
To make the farewell feel more tangible, Lena recalled the magic photo studio they had just passed.
“How about we take a photo, as a memento?”
Her words, however, felt like a cruel stab to the hearts of Celia and the other two.
The photograph seemed to mark the end of their journey. After taking it, they would soon part ways from Verona, each going their separate path.
Even if Lena were to visit them in Hunterston, she would no longer be able to accompany them as the kind landlady of Vidona.
Ultimately, she would return to her daily life, and they, too, would embark on the path to becoming stronger heroes.
Just as Silverbloom had said, reunions were fleeting, and farewells were the main melody of life. They simply weren’t ready, yet separation had already arrived in a whisper.
****
Upon arriving at the photo studio, Lena found herself surrounded by the three girls.
Isha stood to her left, Aurora to her right, and Celia behind her.
Despite the staff’s repeated requests for them to smile, only Lena truly managed a genuine one. Aurora’s expression was placid, Celia remained stoic, and Isha’s smile looked more like a grimace.
When Lena received the photograph, she felt a pang of helplessness. She understood that, knowing their impending separation, it was difficult for them to genuinely smile.
At least the photos for today were unsalvageable.
Exiting the photo studio, Celia took Lena’s hand, unexpectedly beginning to fuss over her like an elder.
“Sister Lena, when we’re not by your side, you must take good care of yourself. Don’t work too long; you’ll exhaust yourself.”
“Also, go to bed early every night and take good care of your skin, so you can prevent yourself from aging…”
Listening to her earnest advice, Lena felt a warmth spread through her heart.
“I know. You all must take care of yourselves too.”
She instinctively reached out to ruffle Celia’s hair, but seeing her solemn expression, she abandoned the idea. It was a rare moment; she would let Celia play the adult in front of her ‘mother.’
Isha, unwilling to part with Lena, pondered deeply.
“Sister Lena must manage the flower shop well, then open a chain store in Hunterston! That way, Sister Lena can become the manager of a Hunterston flower shop, and we can continue to be together!”
This rather whimsical idea made Celia let out a soft sound of surprise. She then patted her chest and declared, “Sister Lena, I can help you. It’s just opening a flower shop in Hunterston. With my family’s financial power, it would be effortless.”
As the eldest daughter of the Fiona family, a veritable young heiress, opening a flower shop in Hunterston was a trivial matter to her. It wasn’t that she owned a flower shop; it was merely a jest.
Her concern stemmed from the possibility of Lena being bullied in Hunterston. After all, its residents were all magic users who inherently looked down upon those without magic.
As she expected, Lena declined her offer.
“No need. When you go to Rune Academy, you must focus on becoming stronger and more formidable heroes!”
To ensure their destined reunion felt natural, Lena had to continue playing the role of the resolute one.
Lena threw a punch into the air, cheering them on. Isha’s small face crumpled as she mumbled, “Sister Lena!”
Lilia crossed her arms, remaining silent, yet her heavily burdened expression clearly conveyed her reluctance to part.
“Lena!”
A shout came from behind. Lena looked up to see Sharlene smiling and waving from the crowd. She pushed through the throng, approaching them.
Upon seeing Lilia and the others beside Lena, a flicker of surprise crossed Sharlene’s eyes as she asked with a smile, “You all came to the celebration too?”
“Of course! This is the city we saved together. How could we not come to the freshman celebration?”
Lilia spoke with pride. This was the first time they, as heroes, had saved a city alongside other heroes.
Sharlene couldn’t help but praise them a few times. She then walked over to Lena, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear.
“Lena must have sensed something too, right?”
“Is it the demonic aura nearby?”
Lena glanced around, observing the smiling residents of Vidona at the celebration. A hint of regret touched Lena’s face.
As the celebration continued, she had gradually detected the demonic aura. This time, however, the aura was different; it quickly grew so dense that it seemed to solidify in the air.
It was as if the air itself was condensing into a mist.
This time, the number of demons undoubtedly exceeded her imagination. Moreover, they were all hidden within the crowd, perfectly disguised.
She didn’t know when the demons would strike, but the most crucial task now was to evacuate the crowd. Sharlene clearly had the same intention, but it was already too late.
Swoosh—whoosh—!
The first firework exploded in the distant sky. Even in broad daylight, the magically conjured colors were vibrant and captivating.
But upon seeing this firework, the pupils of some individuals in the crowd trembled. The whites of their eyes turned black, and their pale skin rapidly flushed red.
Then, their hands transformed into sharp claws, fangs burst from their mouths, and their bodies hunched over. Finally, accompanied by the sound of tearing clothes, thin, bat-like wings with prominent blue veins sprouted from their backs.
“Ahhhhh—!”
Witnessing her man transform into a demon, his female companion shrieked in terror and fainted. Simultaneously, the crowd plunged into instant chaos, filled with cries and screams.
The demons were numerous. After revealing themselves, they immediately surrounded Celia and her group. Celia didn’t hesitate, stepping directly in front of Lena.
She summoned her longsword, her eyes fixed intently on the crimson-skinned demons.
“Quick! President Sharlene, take Sister Lena and leave! We’ll handle things here!”
Though these demons were many, most were only Tier 2 or 3 in strength, which they could barely manage. Therefore, the most important thing was to protect Lena. Only with her safety could they truly be at ease.