So along the way, she occasionally spoke up, doing her best to avoid chatting too much with Elysia. But even that was enough for the other girl to notice something was off.
"Mei, how come you've changed so much? Just because you switched outfits doesn't mean your personality should change, right?"
And also—
"Mei, can I touch your horn just a little...? Hehe~ Just once, okay? ♪"
She kept calling her "Mei Mei" in that playful tone, her body leaning in close as if dancing and twirling like a cheerful sprite, and it was beginning to seriously annoy Mei.
Not to mention... the horn touching. Honestly, it seemed like every Elysia knew how to do that.
Pay attention to how she called her "Mei Mei" this time — every one of them. Mei, being completely rational at this point, had already guessed the world had shifted. This wasn't an illusion or a simulated space. It was a very real, actual shift between worlds.
She had arrived... in another world.
That was her preliminary analysis and understanding.
But...
She glanced sidelong at Elysia's smiling face, her gaze thoughtful.
Hasn't she noticed anything strange at all?
And furthermore... this version of Elysia didn't seem quite the same. There were differences — not bad ones. Just subtle. Her personality wasn't entirely like the one Mei remembered.
While Mei was still deep in thought, she continued walking alongside Elysia.
Elysia had dropped some hints, vaguely revealing that Otto was no longer around, and that the Flame-Chasers had survived. It amazed Mei — and stirred a quiet envy within her.
Then, a familiar voice called out excitedly — and her body instinctively trembled.
"Mei!"
Before she could react, a figure in white had already thrown herself straight into her arms. The familiar scent — refreshing, faintly floral — was something she knew all too well.
It was Kiana.
Mei's arms stiffened for a second. She didn't understand why, but there was a sudden sharp ache in her chest. Still, one hand gently patted Kiana's back.
During the ten-day countdown issued by Aponia, Mei had felt increasing pressure as the others demonstrated their belief in Aponia's abilities. Even if she never admitted it, countless images had flashed through her mind — regrets, frustrations, fears of failing those who expected something of her.
But above all those images, one stood out most clearly:
That white-haired, blue-eyed figure.
She feared losing her — feared never being able to see her again. Even after trying to convince herself to move on, she found herself constantly thinking about her.
She often remembered how their last parting had unfolded — how maybe, just maybe, she had done something wrong.
But Kiana had never blamed her, and Mei never held onto those regrets either. In Kolosten, she had once again forged her edge — sharpened her resolve.
Time and again, the distance between their hearts had never truly widened. She still believed, still hoped... that one day, they would meet again.
But she had never imagined... that it would be here, now, like this.
"Kiana?"
She whispered the name. In her violet eyes — usually sharp, often crackling with thunder — there was a flash of confusion and softness.
It had truly been a long time.
A real, physical reunion — not a memory, not an illusion.
She knew that after fighting Otto as the Herrscher of Flamescion, Kiana had little time to rest, while Kiana had always known that Mei had silently been supporting her from the shadows.
"Mei... Mei…"
Kiana murmured softly, rubbing her head into Mei's chest.
The girl who used to walk hand-in-hand through the academy halls... now simply nestled into her arms.
Kiana held her tightly, unwilling to let go. Mei, too, wasn't the same cold and distant person she had been in Nagazora.
Because she had missed her terribly.
Meanwhile, Elysia watched from the side, glancing over to the other Mei and Kiana who were still nearby. She furrowed her brows and quickly pieced things together.
Her hands folded behind her back, she tilted her head slightly and flashed a mischievous grin.
She wasn't all that surprised.
"So... Luo Mo... looks like I've figured out what's behind those black holes now, huh?"
"Wanna guess where they lead to? I'm betting it's got something to do with you~?"
Then she turned to Mei and Kiana and teased:
"Also, Mei, Kiana, you two can stop hugging now — it doesn't look great in public, you know. Come on, let's go inside the house. The golden courtyard still has plenty of space."
Without waiting, she grabbed both of them and started dragging them along without a word, signaling that they could continue their talk once inside.
Luo Mo only shrugged and followed along with the others to have a look.
As for Elysia having a connection to him... well, it wasn't totally impossible. Let's just say... blame the system. He didn't feel guilty about it — not at all.
Besides... maybe it wasn't such a bad thing. At the very least, it let those two meet each other again early. That alone made it all worth it — a warm little moment.
---
In the Golden Courtyard...
The courtyard, designed for leisure and appreciation, was lavish and neatly arranged. The paintings on the walls reflected the personality and taste of the host. Soft couches were full of people — and among them were many familiar faces.
"So... we're really just characters that appeared in a game?"
Mei sat down, hands resting on her knees, brow slightly furrowed as she asked.
She still didn't understand what this place truly was.
But something about the scene — this peaceful hall — gave her a strange sense of déjà vu. Maybe it was the atmosphere, the aura. The daily-life version of the Flame-Chasers here — dressed totally unlike how they were in the past — stirred Mei's nerves slightly.
Wait... was that Su lounging on the recliner with a cup of tea?
And that guy in the corner patiently carving a mask — wasn't that Kevin?
... And Kevin was eating instant noodles?
Hold on — was the "strong and mighty" Kevin... unwell? No, no, that clearly wasn't the point.
Vill-V was staring up at the sky — even though it was daytime — still wearing her signature sunglasses.
And next to her, there was a little girl, also with pink hair, chatting away cheerfully.
This whole scene made Mei press a hand to her temple in disbelief, trying to ease her confusion.
None of them had spoken much to her just yet, but she already felt a wave of emotion welling inside.
Something about these "Flame-Chasers" felt... off.
"That kind of theory clearly isn't accurate," Luo Mo stepped in to explain.
"You all really do exist. The game is just one way of presenting things — a certain perspective."
He was also pretty curious about Mei — like, for example, whether she still remembered that curry recipe with sweet peppers.
And about the fact that Kiana wasn't even wearing the right jacket?
"Don't worry, Mei~ Let me comfort you a bit. You could even throw yourself into my arms if you like. Or... maybe let me touch your horn?"
Elysia said this with a wide grin, eyes closed like a playful cat.
But before she could get close, Kiana blocked her with one hand, stepping protectively in front of Mei, frowning at Elysia.
"Wait... is the world Mei came from really that dangerous?"
"Alright, alright — just a little joke," Elysia smiled apologetically and made a gesture of surrender to Kiana. She didn't push further.
Then she turned serious.
"So... do you mind if I ask something, Mei?"
"In your world... has Elysia already died?"
She hesitated, but after a moment of resolve, asked the question straight, her eyes searching deep into Mei's soul.
She didn't avoid the issue just because it concerned her. Nor did she show any particular sorrow about it.
"..."
Mei's eyes widened. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, but her body reacted first — she instinctively shook her head.
That one sentence had a lot of weight behind it.
Elysia... had died? In the Elysian Realm?
Why would she have died? Wasn't Aponia the one who had been predicted to die?
How could it be...?
All the mental threads of information inside Mei's mind tangled up into chaos. Every lead snapped. No matter how she thought about it — Elysia wasn't someone who was supposed to die.
Among all the Flame-Chasers, she was supposed to be... special.
"I see," Elysia nodded, eyes smiling gently.
"Then don't dwell on it too much. Sometimes it's not bad to look at what's happening in the story from the outside."
"By the way... Luo OMo, where's little Griseo?"
Suddenly, she shifted topics, likely trying to distract herself.
"Griseo?" Luo Mo replied, a bit puzzled.
"She's probably painting. She's working at a company now — earning a living and helping out at home." Luo Mo replied, a bit confused.
Why would something so obvious still need to be asked?
Also, why would Elysia be thinking about letting the other party read the script?
How wicked!
She definitely just wants to see Mei looking miserable, on the verge of tears.
Luo Mo was absolutely sure of it in her heart.
---
"Idle One #1" leisurely took a sip of tea, not caring at all;
"Idle One #2" lifted their head from a corner and gave a cold snort, ignoring it...
「Griseo... went to work...」
A thousand thoughts spun in Mei's mind, yet she had no idea who to share them with.