Selene lay back on the bed, Delight and Richter whispering beside her. The God of Time's hourglass had worked; the pain was intense. Even after half an hour, Selene remained pale, waves of agony wracking her body, causing her to curl into a ball on the bed.

  It felt like stubbing her toe in winter, being kicked hard, needles piercing under her fingernails, broken ribs piercing her internal organs… relentless pain surged from all parts of her body.

  Yet, she couldn’t stop smiling.

  “Grinning and bearing it,” Delight angrily tapped her head. “It hurts, doesn’t it?”

  Selene hissed, then let out a chuckle.

  Richter, seemingly questioning the meaning of life, flipped through his spellbook, muttering to himself:

  “This can’t be right… Even though it’s short-range and low-powered, you just used teleportation and a Fireball. You’ve only been studying magic for two days? It took me five days to learn Fireball, and I still haven’t mastered teleportation…”

  Selene pondered, then said:

  “Practice makes perfect.”

  Richter put down the book, seriously observing her pale face. He reached out to touch her forehead, then, under Selene's watchful gaze, nervously put the spellbook away.

  “Don’t push yourself too hard.”

  Delight ignored their banter, lost in thought. Then he suddenly reached out and extinguished the small, long fluorite lamp; the darkness instantly engulfed the small room.

  With the darkness came a clear, cold starlight, tiny lights dancing around Selene—on the bed, on the pillow, on the blankets—like a constellation surrounding the sun.

  They were playing; mostly Richter attacking, and Selene provoking them. But Delight waved his hand, an invisible mana dispersing the constellation. The lights vanished in a gust of wind, and his words reached their ears:

  “As expected, the elements are constantly trying to consume you. That hourglass only resets your assimilation; it returns the elemental flesh to its original state, but it can't dispel the elements already surrounding you.”

  Selene blinked, but before she could speak, Richter anxiously asked:

  “Is it serious?”

  “Not terribly serious…” Delight assessed, then clenched his right fist; the surrounding mana almost instantly vanished. “A simple anti-magic barrier should repel those elements.”

  “That’s good.”

  “So theoretically, I’ve gone from a one-time self-destruct device to something reusable, needing half a day to recharge?” Selene couldn’t help but say. “And if I used it more often, say, eleven minutes after using a spell, then using the hourglass again…”

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  This time, two voices spoke in unison:

  “Don’t even think about it!”

  Selene shrank back, practically burying herself under the blankets.

  “I was just asking; I value my life too.”

  “You’d better be telling the truth,” Delight shook his head, then took out a sophisticated, circular device. “Right, tell me everything again. I'll talk to Her Majesty the Queen; that should be alright, right? Including that letter you left before your amnesia…”

  Selene had already told him and Richter about her dreamscape experience and the letter. He believed she had withheld some information; she probably wouldn't have disclosed truly private matters, but he thought basic information—Emperor Evens' disappearance, the fact that the True Light cult and the Omniscient Confederation weren't unified, Selene’s previous meeting with Her Majesty—shouldn't matter whether the Queen knew or not.

  But he still asked Selene for confirmation, receiving her agreement, before leaving, disappearing into the night.

  Selene breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the gnawing pain in her body lessen. She carefully checked her condition, then looked at Richter, who was sitting by the bed, with a serious expression.

  “Hey, Brother?”

  “Huh?” Richter froze, goosebumps rising on his arms; he was taken aback. “Why are you suddenly calling me that?”

  “I’m hungry. Go get me something to eat,” Selene pointed.

  “…I really shouldn’t have any expectations of you,” Richter shook his head, sighing, then went downstairs to see if there were any cooking ingredients, intending to make something himself; he was hungry too.

  The small house buzzed with activity late into the night. Delight spoke with Orantes via the tree, Richter rummaged through the small kitchen, Selene rested upstairs, feeling she could once again cause trouble, planning to sneak some moldy vegetables into the pot…

  After a while, the house fell quiet again.

  ...

  The sun rose on schedule.

  Selene sat up in bed, unconsciously touching her still-aching abdomen and thighs, confirming they were intact before hesitantly lifting her skirt for a quick look.

  “What a stupid thing to do…”

  She quickly changed into her outdoor clothes, neatly arranging the outfit she had only worn for a few hours, then went downstairs.

  Delight, Richter, and Alice, seated at the table, looked up at her.

  Wait, wasn't there someone else?

  Selene rubbed her eyes, feeling slightly dizzy, intending to go back upstairs and down again.

  “It’s not an illusion; you’re quite awake now,” Alice stood up, bowing slightly. “Good morning, Your Holiness.”

  “Ah, good morning,” Selene descended awkwardly, finding a chair to sit in. After she sat down, Alice sat as well, and Selene suddenly realized she looked even more… cold than in her dream. In the dream, while her expression remained unchanged, she occasionally showed emotion. In reality, she was more machine-like; her beautiful face showed no change in expression.

  “Is something wrong with my face?” Alice noticed her gaze, maintaining her impassive demeanor. “It’s due to special circumstances; I’m currently unable to express emotions. I apologize for any discomfort.”

  Selene snapped back to reality, waving her hand:

  “No, no, I just found it a little strange. And you are very beautiful…”

  “You’re too kind,” Alice nodded, then looked at the three seated individuals. “So, what are your plans?”

  Delight spoke first:

  “I plan to go for a walk around the factory district; a student asked for my assistance with a small matter.”

  “Is it for Archmage [Name omitted]?” Alice twisted her head slightly, mentioning a name. “I trust your and the Archmage's integrity, and I ask that you not cause trouble for Lanstier or the Divine Glory Church.”

  “I’m only helping with the machines,” Delight waved his hand.

  “I hope so. Also, I’ve brought passes for movement within Alorn during the curfew; please keep them on your person at all times.”

  Selene and Richter whispered together.

  “Alice seems very imposing… she feels more like a Saintess.”

  “It’s my fault for lacking authority.”

  Selene saw Alice’s gaze shift to her, pondered for a moment, then said:

  “I also intend to take a look. Is that alright?”