"So, what do you think? I got the inspiration for this battle music by chance. Sounds powerful, right?" Welt asked earnestly.
Stelle: "…As long as you're happy, Uncle Yang."
Leaving Clara with Svarog for the time being, Stelle dragged the large bag of books into the hotel alone. After a few steps, she caught sight of two familiar figures—
Cocolia and Serval, walking side by side, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
Stelle: Oh?
Her gossip-fueled curiosity instantly ignited. She wanted to follow them and see what was up, but with the books still undelivered, she hesitated before quickening her pace toward Dan Heng's room.
Move faster, legs, I want to eat some juicy gossip!
"Huh? The door's locked?"
After lugging the heavy bag of books to the door, Stelle found it wouldn't budge, leaving her in a bind. Where was Dan Heng? Don't drop the ball now!
Stelle sent Dan Heng a message, but after waiting several minutes, there was no reply.
"Wait… didn't March mention something about having a spare key…?"
Stelle's mind sparked. She recalled that on their first night in Belobog, March 7th had said she was worried about getting into trouble and got spare keys from the front desk. She wasn't sure if she'd grabbed one for Dan Heng's room too.
With that in mind, Stelle whipped out her phone and messaged March 7th: March, do you have a key to Dan Heng's room?
March: Nope, why?
Stelle: Dan Heng asked me to drop off some stuff, but his door's locked. I think he's out for something, so I don't want to bother him. Just want to leave the books inside.
Stelle: No key? Didn't you take keys for everyone's rooms that night?
March: …Oh, yeah, I might have it. I'm coming.
A few minutes later, March 7th appeared at the end of the hallway, key in hand, eyeing the massive bag of books on the floor. "Dan Heng always buys this much at once, huh…"
Click.
The key turned, unlocking the door, but as Stelle went to push it open, she felt resistance from inside, accompanied by a rare, flustered voice from Dan Heng: "Wait, don't come in yet!"
It was definitely Dan Heng, but something felt off.
Stelle: "? Dan Heng, you in there? I'm here to drop off your books."
Dan Heng: "Books, just leave them at the door. Do not come in."
Stelle and March 7th exchanged a glance, but she looked just as clueless.
"Dan Heng, you okay in there?" Stelle asked again.
"I'm fine," Dan Heng replied immediately.
The two rarely saw Dan Heng so nervous. After another shared look, they shrugged helplessly and left together.
Not long after they walked away, the door cracked open slightly. A hand grabbed the bag of books and yanked it inside.
But the hand was chubby, like a child's.(Bailu size)
…
"Ugh! Missed it, what a shame!"
Stelle slapped her forehead, lamenting.
March 7th looked at him, confused. "What's wrong?"
Stelle recounted what he'd just seen to March 7th, adding, "It's such a pity."
Stelle's thought: What a shame, I missed out on the gossip.
March 7th's thought: What a shame, I could've learned some new moves.
Stelle & March 7th: Sigh.
Bang!
Lost in conversation while walking, Stelle didn't notice the person in front of her and crashed right into them. She stepped back. "Sorry, I wasn't looking—Gepard?"
Standing before Stelle was none other than Gepard, still wrapped in bandages, his face dark and stormy, as if he were fuming.
"Great Guardian, is something up?" March 7th stepped forward cautiously, positioning herself in front of Stelle. Though she knew Gepard wasn't the petty type, she still worried he might take it out on Stelle.
"First, my last name is Landau. Gepard is my first name," Gepard corrected. "Second, have you seen my sister?"
Stelle paused. "You mean Serval? Yeah, I saw her. She was heading inside with Cocolia… Oh no!"
"Cocolia?" Gepard let out a cold laugh. "Hmph, I'm not even surprised."
The following is Gepard's memory flashback:
Gepard, age five.
"Gepard, don't you know you're a Landau? Mingling with those lowly commoners and picking up such bad habits…"
Under his mother's scolding, Gepard could only shrink back against the wall, too scared to utter a single rebuttal.
"Mother, you can't do this!"
Gepard couldn't recall the rest of the conversation. All he remembered was Serval spreading her arms, standing in front of him.
That moment left a deep impression on the young Gepard.
Sister, my dear sister.
Gepard, age eight.
"Sister! I got a perfect score today! Mother said I can have the evening off. Can we go to the commercial street together?"
At school, Gepard excitedly found Serval, his little face brimming with anticipation.
Under his nervous gaze, Serval smiled softly. "Sure…"
"Serval!"
A cheerful shout interrupted as a blonde girl, about Serval's age, ran up, grinning and grabbing Serval's hand right in front of Gepard. "Serval, I got a perfect score today too! My dad gave me 20 Winter City Shields. Let's go to the commercial street tonight!"
Serval's eyes lit up. "Really? Awesome, let's go!"
The two walked off hand in hand, leaving Gepard standing there, stunned.
"Sister? How could this happen? I was here first…"
Later on.
"Sister, I got you a cake! I ran so far to buy this one!"
"Thanks, Gepard… Wow, it's so good! Let's save a piece for Cocolia."
Gepard: …No!
Gepard, age twenty-six, newly appointed Great Guardian.
"Great Guardian, here are the documents you requested."
At his desk, an assistant handed Gepard a stack of papers. Looking at the woman he'd resented for years, Gepard flashed a cruel smile.
"Hahahahaha, finally in my hands, huh? Cocolia, I'll make you pay!"
And so, Cocolia always felt like she was working 365 days a year, called back for urgent tasks during vacations, and interrupted by inexplicable messages whenever she got close to Serval.
But just when Gepard thought he'd thoroughly gotten his revenge, he overheard this conversation:
"…Ugh, I'm exhausted. I don't know why, but I've been working overtime every day lately."
"There, there, let me give you a massage. Turn over."
"Mm, gentle, gentle… Oh, Serval, your skills are amazing."
That night, Gepard didn't sleep a wink.