The city of Blume was one of the most important port cities in Shattercrown. This was due to the country's peculiar geography, consisting of five separate islands connected by government-built bridges reinforced by mystical and scientific means.
Ships were also used to transport people between the islands. Public and private ships were used, making Shattercrown's naval culture quite broad and diverse.
Blume was located on the southern island and was one of its main cities. Because of this, it was not uncommon for foreign ships to arrive at its ports. This was the case with the metal ship that was approaching its destination now.
The ship's enormous smokestacks spewed multicolored clouds of smoke due to the alchemical fuel used to power it. Although the ship was still an hour away from the port, Blume's coast was already visible in the distance, making the passengers on the deck eager with anticipation.
"Once again, we would like to express our gratitude for your timely assistance," said an elderly man in a captain's uniform. The gray hairs in his beard shook as he held a man's hand tightly.
The man he held was incredibly tall, his most striking feature, measuring over two meters in height. With his muscular build, he looked like an imposing tower. However, he had a simple smile on his face, making him seem more approachable.
"I didn't want to delay Nadia's trip," he replied affectionately. It seemed as if he were not accustomed to speaking the language of Shattercrown, but the old captain was already used to this, so he simply let go of his hand and patted the tall man on the shoulder.
"HAHAHA! I understand you. As a captain, I've also done many things to impress women. But you went too far by destroying that iceberg with a fire axe," said the old captain, looking several meters away at a woman in a black dress leaning on a railing.
With her brown eyes narrowed, she stared intently at the coast of Blume while her two drill-shaped, blonde pigtails swayed wildly in the sea breeze.
Apart from her figure, one thing stood out: the white witch's hat adorning her head, clearly indicating her identity. Because she was a witch, there weren't many people around her. After all, who knew how you might offend her with your attitude or actions?
Noticing the captain and the tall man staring at her, the blonde woman turned around and looked at them. She ignored the old man, not caring about him at all, and focused on the other man. With a smile on her lips, she waved to call him over.
"Come, Robert. Let me show you something interesting," Nadia said, causing Robert to look at the old man, who raised his eyebrows jokingly.
"Boy, if a witch calls you, you go to her without hesitation," the captain said with a smile. Robert could only give him an apologetic gesture before walking toward the woman.
"What's going on?" Robert asked Nadia. She had a mischievous smile on her face as she pointed toward the horizon, specifically the city of Blume, which was getting closer.
"Look, we're about to meet Séraphine. Imagine her face when she sees me 'invading' her territory! Hahahaha!" The witch began to laugh dramatically, putting the back of her right hand in front of her mouth. She had an arrogant expression on her face, and her drill-like hair tails waved vigorously.
Robert simply shook his head, knowing he couldn't interrupt his partner when she was like this. He understood rivalries; he was, after all, a gentleman familiar with feuds.
But what was going on between Nadia and Séraphine was more like a girls' fight than a serious rivalry. He couldn't understand how his older girlfriend could act so childishly.
Seeing her boyfriend's expression, Nadia stopped laughing, clicked her tongue, and dropped the subject. She leaned on the railing and watched the ocean pass by. However, she did not remain silent.
"That iceberg wasn't normal. Or rather, it shouldn't have been there," she said lightly. The content of her words made Robert's muscles tense up and put him on alert.
He may have been a knight from the Iron Continent, but he was smart, and he quickly understood the subtext of what Nadia had said. Glancing around, he noticed that they were somewhat isolated from the other passengers. He decided to continue the conversation.
"I suspected it at the time, but I dismissed it because the sea between Shattercrown and the Iron Continent usually has this kind of phenomenon, especially now that winter is approaching," Robert explained, causing Nadia to snort in annoyance and wave her hand.
"I know! The oceans are changeable and turbulent, but the appearance of this iceberg is unusual. Even... I feel like the ship itself headed straight for it." The witch looked at her boyfriend, but due to their height difference, she had to look up.
"You know what that sounds like to me?" the blonde asked with a slight smile, showing her teeth like a predator.
"There are many possibilities, ranging from human error to deliberate action. There are many motives, but I feel like you're ruling out the worst ones, right?" Robert asked. Nadia nodded before turning around and observing a couple of figures who, like them, were alone.
They seemed to come from the Eastern Continent, judging by their facial features and clothing. One of them was a tall man with long black hair and eyes to match. He wore a white tunic and had a strangely ethereal bearing.
Adding to his temperament, he had a folding fan, which he constantly waved. However, Robert noticed that the fan was made of metal and had a sharp edge. Therefore, it was not only a tool, but also a weapon.
The other person, a woman, was much more colorful and cheerful than her companion. Her particularly 'striking' appearance attracted more attention.
This was due to her tanned skin and blonde hair with pink tips that was tied back in a ponytail with a metal pin adorning it.
She was also wearing a short skirt and a partially buttoned shirt that showed off her voluptuous body. This attire made her stand out from the other passengers, who were much more modestly dressed.
However, Nadia and Robert paid attention to her because they had tried to act during the iceberg event. Due to their heightened senses, they also noticed that the woman and her companion were Resonants, people capable of using the ether.
"Do you think they've noticed?" Robert asked, watching the man with the fan closely. Feeling his intense gaze, the man turned and made eye contact with Robert.
"If they're smart, yes. If I were you, I wouldn't trust the ship's crew too much. Luckily, they haven't thought of trying to poison us," Nadia said, causing her boyfriend to nod in agreement.
"I don't think anyone can slip poison into your food," Robert said, shrugging his shoulders as if that detail weren't important.
"You're giving me too much credit. It's just the result of my research. If Séraphine studies the immaterial aspect of human beings, then I study their material aspect. If I weren't a witch, you'd have to call me Dr. Nadia." The blonde puffed out her chest with obvious pride, making the gentleman smile.
"I think we should talk to them. Don't you agree?" Robert asked quietly. Nadia pursed her lips before lifting her chin in a quick movement.
That wouldn't mean much to others, but he understood that she had given him her approval. He approached the couple he had observed earlier, who seemed ready for this encounter.
"Oh, it's our hero! You look really big up close," said the tanned girl, openly looking Robert up and down, her eyes shining with lust.
"Stop joking around. It looks like he's here for something serious," said the black-haired boy. He rolled up his metal fan and hit his companion on the head with it. The woman suddenly changed her demeanor and looked seriously at the visitor.
"I noticed the sharpness in your eyes when I made that joke, swordsman?" the tanned woman asked, causing Robert to nod. This brought a smile to her face.
"So there are three swordsmen on this ship," said the man, who began to fan himself, gently stirring his hair with the breeze created by his movements.
"I'd like to invite you both in. My partner has come to some conclusions that might interest you," Robert said bluntly. With his imposing stature, anyone unfamiliar with the situation might think he was threatening the couple.
"I suppose, as a witch, it was normal for me to notice the oddities of this ship, wasn't it?" said the woman, narrowing her eyes as she glanced sideways at the ship's crew, who were going about their work as usual.
"Witches and wizards are sensitive to those things, but we have our abilities, too," said the black-haired man before closing his fan again. He was no longer in the mood to relax.
The three walked over to Nadia, who was still watching the city of Blume with a mischievous smile on her face. When they were all together, she made a gesture consisting of placing her two index fingers on her ears.
A pulse of ether emerged from her body, covering the area around the four of them. Although it faded quickly, the spell's effect remained for the other three, who realized its function.
"Now we can talk freely without anyone listening in. I love magic," said Nadia in a singsong voice. She wrapped her arm around Robert's, which made their height difference quite obvious.
"Magic is really convenient. I've met a witch, and her spells are useful. But shouldn't we introduce ourselves first? I'm Nara Nanami; the surname comes first," said the tanned woman as she gathered her blonde locks and tucked them behind her ears.
"Wang Yun. Same as her, the surname comes first," said the black-haired man, fanning himself again with his metal fan.
When it was his turn, Robert bowed slightly and said, "Robert Mackey, at your service." Then, the trio's attention fell on the witch. Living up to her reputation, she put one hand on her hip and posed while still clinging to her partner's arm.
"And I am the stunning Nadia Gustav!" When she said her name, a small feeling of camaraderie was created between them. However, one of them had a much richer internal reaction.
Upon hearing the witch's name, the corners of Nanami's lips froze for a moment before returning to normal. However, her mind became chaotic at that very moment.
"Nadia Gustav! Isn't she Séraph's supposed rival? I've heard so many complaints about her that it's strange to see her in person. The world is so small," thought the tanned woman before paying attention to the others present.
"We're already very close to Blume, so if there are people who want to cause trouble, I doubt they'll jump again. But the city will probably become more chaotic in the future." After listening to Robert and Nadia's hypothesis, Yun pondered for a few moments before answering.
"However, people who do this kind of thing are sectarian. You have to be careful with those people because you never know what they might jump on," he continued, blowing air out of his mouth to help him think better.
"You're right about that. Although there are many different sects and cults, they all act similarly and always cause problems for some reason," Nanami added, frowning slightly at the complexity of the issue.
"Should we wait for them to make a last desperate attempt? I prefer that to them holding back so we can root them out before they cause more trouble," Robert commented. His point of view caused both Yun and Nanami to nod in agreement.
"Don't worry. I doubt they'll do anything. The pressure imposed by a witch like me will make them realize it's useless," Nadia said, sounding proud. Her boyfriend touched her shoulder, drawing her attention.
"Don't let confidence blind you, Nadia," Robert whispered. The blonde rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue, not taking the matter seriously and not wanting to respond to his comment.
"Due to the laws, our weapons are not with us. We must come up with a strategy, at least. After all, I doubt we're on this ship without alternative means of attack." Yun showed the metal fan in his hand with a mischievous smile on his face.
The other three present were puzzled for a moment. Wasn't it just an ornament to fan oneself? But soon, they sensed a change in Yun's temperament, which became sharp for a few seconds before returning to normal.
"I knew that thing wasn't just an ornament! Then let me show you my own option." Nanami giggled and brought her hand to her hair, untying her ponytail.
She ended up holding the long metal pin she had used to style her hair. She let her dyed hair flow freely. Surprisingly, it was quite long.
She skillfully waved the pin, causing the wind to whistle due to the power and speed of her movements. Having both shown their alternative weapons, Robert simply showed his fist.
"As a knight, I am well-versed in unarmed combat. I consider myself quite good at it. Luckily, Nadia has something of mine stored in her hat," he said. This prompted his girlfriend to remove her hat and rummage inside it.
She soon pulled out a hand weapon known as the "Wild Fist" due to its origin in the Wild Continent. Consisting of four connected metal rings, the object's shape suggested that it was meant to be placed on the fingers.
Nadia carefully placed the weapon on Robert's fingers, and it fit perfectly. The silver metal was engraved with intricate lines, which amazed Yun and Nanami because they realized the object was enchanted.
"Damn, that thing must have been expensive," Nanami asked curiously, moving her face closer to Robert's fist to get a better look at the alchemical circuits carved into the weapon.
"It seems that your destruction of the iceberg wasn't just luck," Yun commented admiringly, knowing it would be difficult to replicate that feat with only an iron fan.
"Actually, it didn't cost me anything. I recently won it in a knights' tournament on the Iron Continent. It only has one enchantment, but it's perfect for me," Robert said with a smile. He used his free hand to stroke the metal knuckles of the Wild Fist.
"From what I can tell, and I'm no alchemist, the enchantment on this weapon simply increases the impact of blows. With arms like yours, I have no doubt you hit hard~," Nanami said, flirting with Robert in a deliberately sensual tone. The man's cheeks turned a little red, but Nadia protectively stepped between them.
"Stop right there, you slut!" Nadia growled, tapping her foot on the ground. She even channeled ether from deep within her soul, causing a slight distortion in the air.
Although she was quite a bit shorter than Robert, the others didn't tease her because an angry witch was no small matter. Nanami, however, simply blinked several times playfully before shaking her hair.
"It's just a compliment!" Don't get angry, little witch. You look really beautiful when you frown." This time, the tan girl complimented Nadia, leaving her unsure of how to respond. She looked away slightly as a blush appeared on her face.
"How exasperating you are," the witch said with a smile, despite her annoyance. The ether boiling beneath her skin calmed down.
Thus, Nanami managed to dispel the slight discomfort within the group. They would not only have to act together to withstand a possible threat, but they had also forged the beginnings of a lasting friendship.
𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝𑄝
"I haven't met a soldier who can handle alcohol as poorly as you," Francisca said with a half-smile, watching as Élodie leaned against an alley wall and vomited.
"Aren't warriors supposed to be physically fit? You should recover quickly!" commented Séraphine, holding the policewoman's blonde hair to keep it from getting dirty.
"This was to be expected. Who made you drink wine so early in the morning? Humans are so strange!" Sasha sat on one of the buns of the alchemist's hairstyle and found it quite comfortable.
"I..." Élodie wanted to say something, but vomited again. This time, she spat out a little water, having expelled everything she had eaten for breakfast a couple of hours earlier.
"You're lucky your boss was smart and gave you some freedom. Otherwise, that cop would be coming over to us with a ticket," Francisca said to a uniformed man who was looking suspiciously at the group of girls in the distance. However, when he saw the police badge around the blonde's neck, he decided not to approach.
After all, police officers tend to cover for each other. As long as it's not a serious crime, minor things like vomiting in the street can be overlooked. However, when a clearly drunk man was about to do the same thing in another alley, the officer approached him sternly to give him a warning.
"I could help you with my abilities, but I feel you should experience this. Luckily, you didn't try the alcohol of fairies or gnomes, or you wouldn't even be able to stand," Sasha commented. This caused Séraphine's eyes to fall on her.
"You know how to make drinks? Gnome beer is expensive! Fairy mead is even more expensive." As someone eager for money, how could the witch not know about expensive drinks?
Especially since she frequented a high-end place like O'Connor's Bar, where rare options were available. Luckily, she earned enough to taste certain special drinks.
"Yes, but fairies hardly ever make mead..." Sasha murmured, dampening Séraphine's enthusiasm. She didn't want to upset the fairy by bringing up topics that might make her uncomfortable.
"What I was going to say is that my body is already adapting to this. It's an advantage of being a warrior," said Élodie, changing the subject and alleviating the slight sadness in the air.
After vomiting, the blonde felt much better. Although this was the first time this had happened to her, she couldn't help thinking that she would be able to handle it better next time. Luckily, it wouldn't be with hard liquor; otherwise, she would have a similar experience again.
"Hmm, you know, that's always interested me. It's the same procedure for generating ether, but the different 'paths' or 'professions,' so to speak, affect humans in totally different ways." Upon hearing the blonde's comment, Francisca brought up the topic, causing Séraphine to nod.
"Warriors have a better physique even without using ether, surpassing that of normal people. Furthermore, although they can't compare to certain species, they tend to adapt to negative things faster, making the process much shorter.
Of course, we all have that kind of adaptation, but it's clearly improved in her." If it takes a normal person a day to acclimate to a new climate, it can take a warrior five hours or less," Séraphine explained, retrieving this basic knowledge from her mind through meditation.
"Oh, I know that! I'm good at withstanding cold weather because I grew up in the north. But because I traveled around the country with the army, the humidity and heat of the South don't affect me.
"Haha, that's the advantage of being a soldier. You face different biomes. It's something I took advantage of quite a bit. But I still hate swamps," said Élodie, puffing out her chest with pride because of her abilities as a soldier and her past.
After all, it was thanks to the army that she had developed her abilities; it had also made it easier for her to learn about the world, even though she hadn't interacted with it much.
Because of these travels, however, she had consciously sought to develop this kind of endurance while participating in missions. It was a normal process that all warriors went through, regardless of culture or what they were called around the world.
"Only a foolish warrior would be proud of that. That's nothing compared to us wizards and witches who have better memories and process information faster.
We are essentially a little smarter than the average person. I remember every book I've read and have cataloged them in my mind." Not wanting to be outdone, Séraphine quickly mentioned the advantage of being able to perform magic, speaking with the arrogant tone that characterized her.
"Hehehe...you're full of yourself. Élodie's resilience has its value, and of course, your sharp mind is impressive. However, we alchemists are not far behind because we have a sensitivity to the ingredients and pieces we use.
I've heard of alchemists who only have to touch something to know its use and effect without resorting to alchemical means," Francisca added, explaining the "special" side of alchemists.
"Oh, I know about that! One of my cousins can touch a piece of meat and tell you the best way to cook it," Séraphine commented, causing Francisca to give her a blank stare. The witch simply responded by playfully sticking out her tongue.
"I suppose we needed something, didn't we? Just look at vampires, for example, with their longevity; werewolves, with their superior strength and heightened senses; and lamias, which can be poisonous. It was only fair that humans could excel at something," said Élodie, raising her war hammer and resting it on her shoulder.
"You missed the fairies! We are beautiful, gorgeous, and magnificent. Our wings are the best..." Sasha continued raving about fairies, causing the three women to look at each other in silence, unsure how to respond.
"I think you should calm down. We all know the virtues of fairies, but you're exaggerating a little," said Séraphine, smiling as she took Sasha by the hand.
The fairy looked at her with puffed cheeks and her arms crossed under her chest. However, when she saw the witch place her on her hat, she calmed down. Although her mouth moved silently as if she were continuing her praise despite everything.
"Now that we've calmed the queen, if we're going to talk about racial advantages, we can't ignore the fact that in Blume, there are other intelligent species, such as the Reptilians, Harpies, and Kitsune." Seeing the blonde's face wrinkle, Séraphine stopped talking. However, what little she said still made her companion sigh uncomfortably.
"I've seen the beings you mention, and I've even fought them. If you're not used to them, it's easy to be caught off guard. Especially the Kitsune; their illusions are quite convincing," whispered the policewoman, recalling her experiences in the army and smiling.
"Let's go back to the car. Séraphine's office is an interesting place that I'd like to explore carefully," Francisca said, interrupting the conversation and approaching the nearby car.
As a well-known figure in Blume, especially as an alchemist, she must have had her own car. Like her hair, the car's paint was a vibrant shade of red, and there was a surprise in the driver's seat.
It wasn't a person, but rather automaton number 3, whom Francisca had created to perform many functions, one of which was to drive the vehicle. Francisca could have hired a human driver, or one from any other race, but she decided her alchemical creation should perform this task.
Number 3's 'eyes' watched the three girls and the fairy get into the car. Constantly monitoring their condition, Number 3 saw that none of them were in bad shape. The machine then began the process of driving.
"Hey, Francisca, you have a shop where you sell your stuff, right?" Élodie asked suddenly. The redhead sitting in the passenger seat turned around to pay attention to her.
"What's up? Do you want a potion? I have lots of options! Or an enchanted weapon? Your hammer could be stronger with a few enchantments." Francisca's red eyes seemed to glow intensely as she talked about alchemy.
Her excitement was palpable, causing Élodie to glance at Séraphine, whom she had seen in a similar state when topics she liked were discussed.
A strange feeling of emptiness mixed with jealousy came over her. She didn't have anything that made her feel that way. Sure, she liked to fight, but she usually did so because she had to and not because she wanted to.
Then a thought grew in her mind: Should she find a hobby? She would have to think about it later, though, because right now, she wanted to talk to Francisca about something she needed.
"No, nothing like that. I may have to buy you some recovery potions, but that's not why I wanted to talk to you. I'd like a space device." Élodie's request made Francisca smile. Séraphine nodded as if she had been expecting it.
"You finally figured it out, silly cop. Seeing you carry that heavy thing gives me back pain," Séraphine said, pointing to the hammer in the blonde's lap.
"I've always carried it with me! But now that I'm in the city, I have to avoid possible accidents," replied the blonde reproachfully, puffing out her cheeks a little to express her annoyance.
"The thing is, dear, if you want space gear just for your weapon or something more elaborate," the redhead commented, making the blonde think about it.
"Well, I don't have that much stuff. My police gun is fine on my waist. I don't have anything else to take with me, so the case would just be for Betty," said Élodie as she stroked the head of her hammer. But her attention was drawn to Séraphine, who suddenly moved closer, her face quite close to hers.
"Did you just call your hammer Betty?" Séraphine asked in an unusually serious tone. The girls, even Sasha, who was resting on her witch's hat, wondered why she was reacting that way.
"Um, yes! It's something I got used to while training," the police officer replied nervously because she couldn't tell what the witch wanted. Moreover, the witch's proximity made her nervous and caused her cheeks to turn a little red.
"Well, how cool that you give your weapon a name! I do the same thing. I've started using it more often, and I named my rapier Nora." Séraphine touched her hat, where she kept her weapon, and smiled broadly.
"By Mother Light! I thought you were going to be more intense about being against it. But it seems that, as a witch, you have more peculiarities than I expected." Francisca rolled her eyes, thinking the tension from a few seconds ago was a waste of time.
"It's interesting to give them names. Especially when you know about the existence of the souls of objects, also known as animas." As a witch who researched the immaterial, how could she not be interested in this special type of existence?
There were many stories on this subject. Some say that there is a castle somewhere in the world that is completely alive. Not only that, but every object that enters it acquires life and a distinct personality over time.
"It doesn't matter if that hammer has a soul or not. A space device is expensive. Do you have enough money to buy it, Élodie?" Francisca asked, leaving Séraphine speechless. The witch made an obscene gesture at her, and the police laughed at the humor of the situation.
"I have a lot of Aureum saved up! Besides, I may be from the north, but that doesn't mean northerners are backward or poor. My parents are farmers, and they're very prosperous. I have plenty of money," the blonde replied to the alchemist.
"Oh? You're a farmer, too! Tell me about your life there. I've never lived on a farm for very long." Taking advantage of her proximity to Élodie, Séraphine put her hand around the policewoman's neck in a friendly gesture. However, this only made the girl's blush deepen.
"Séraph! I know you're getting even. Let me finish my sale first, then we'll talk about how you milked cows. Come to think of it, isn't that what you want to know? With those udders you're carrying around, I'm sure you're curious!" Francisca mocked the witch's attempt to annoy her, returning the attack with her incisive comment.
"You, red-haired dwarf!" Séraphine said, pointing at the alchemist. Her face was hot with embarrassment. The redhead smiled smugly because she felt she had hit the nail on the head with her words.
"I'm just curious! Curious!" Séraphine complained. However, she did not move away from Élodie. Despite that, she did not pay attention to the subtle glance the blonde had given her. Francisca did notice it, though, and an idea crossed her mind.
'Witches can be so stubborn and clueless. Looks like I'll have to give those two a little push to see what sparks fly.' The smile on the redhead's face grew, causing Séraphine to stop complaining because she instinctively felt that her companion was about to embarrass her further.
"Hey, Élodie, why don't you say anything? Don't you find Séraphine's interest strange? Surely you'd be interested in telling her how you milked cows and giving her a demonstration." To add weight to her words, Francisca made a hand gesture with a clear sexual connotation that even the innocent blonde could understand. This caused her to lower her head.
"Isn't that a bit fast?" Élodie asked quietly. Since they were in a car and the two girls were close, her words were loud enough for them to hear clearly.
"Oh, so you're not against it?" the redhead continued teasing. But Séraphine, with her quick mind, found a way out of the awkward situation she was in.
"Francisca, I feel like you're bothering me because you're jealous. Aren't you an alchemist? A papaya extract should help you get half of what I have!" The witch's mockery was ruthless, causing Francisca to look at her with pursed lips. But the worst was yet to come.
"Mrs. Zhang, you should take your bust growth potion," her third assistant reminded her, causing an uncomfortable silence to fill the car.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Séraphine, Élodie, and Sasha burst out laughing. They had been enjoying the gossip all this time.
"Okay, that was funny. I didn't expect you to care so much about it. Take it as a joke. You look fine the way you are," Séraphine said, feeling that she might have gone a little too far. She apologized and offered a genuine compliment.
"It's true! Don't worry. You're beautiful, Lady Zhang. I've heard from my army colleagues that breasts grow when you fondle them. Isn't that similar to milking cows? I'd better tell you about my past life before I was recruited!" Trying to steer the conversation in a better direction, Élodie said that, prompting Séraphine to ask her many questions about her childhood on the farm.
However, instead of getting upset, Francisca simply watched her two companions, who seemed quite comfortable and not at all embarrassed. The witch still had her arm around the police officer's neck, and Francisca no longer felt uneasy.
Élodie was no longer blushing but had a big smile on her face as she recounted what it was like growing up in a rural area. Even she plucked up the courage to put her hand around Séraphine's waist, and Séraphine did not reject the gesture.
"Bingo! I just have to make small advances at the right moment, all according to my plan," thought Francisca after noticing those subtle details. She made a hidden gesture to Number 3, praising him for his timely comment.
The redhead stood and watched as Séraphine and Élodie gradually became closer, not because they worked together or because of a magical kiss, but because of their genuine interaction.
It was obvious that these two had a special connection, and that even Élodie was taking the initiative. Séraphine's actions were more instinctive due to the witch's charm that had penetrated her bones. However, something worried the alchemist.
'Élodie is more open. I'm not surprised she's trying to bring them closer together, but Séraph... I saw that sparkle in her eyes when she talked about her research or topics she liked. That's not good.
I mustn't let her treat her emotions and this situation as just another topic to investigate. It's strange enough that she only trusts people she's kissed with that spell. That's not reliable,' Francisca reflected seriously. She made sure the group conversation remained lively, constantly provoking her two friends.
Although the alchemist's actions could be considered annoying and made Séraphine feel embarrassed or uncomfortable, they led her to have a rather pleasant conversation with Élodie and learn more about her, thus increasing her interest.
The witch, who had wanted to experiment with her emotions as if they were an academic subject, put that thought aside. Perhaps she didn't have to treat her budding feelings as something bad or something to watch from afar without immersing herself in them.
However, something more powerful would be needed to break down the walls around her heart that had been built by past experiences and personal circumstances. For now, however, the two women beside her had earned a small space in her heart, which was enough for the time being.
At least Francisca's plan had worked completely.