"Beware～♫ Don't fall," Ellie whispered playfully, holding Clara close as she summoned a black light orb. Inside, the digits 0 and 1 flickered like heartbeat pulses. The orb floated gently into Pascal's body.
Time seemed to freeze.
Pascal halted mid-air, suspended in a moment of stillness. Then, a pink crystal cocoon enveloped him, lowering him softly to the ground.
Clara, alarmed, wriggled in Ellie's arms. "Sister Ellie, let me go—I need to check Pascal!"
Ellie, reluctant to release such a precious bundle, adjusted her grip instead. She turned Clara so her back rested against Ellie's chest, allowing her to inspect Pascal while still being held.
Clara flushed, but her concern for Pascal outweighed her embarrassment. She worked quickly, scanning and checking.
After a moment, she exhaled in relief. "He's okay… just shut down suddenly. But… how?"
She glanced up at Ellie, already suspecting the answer.
Ellie smiled. "He wanted to protect you. How could I blame him～♪"
Her gaze met Clara's, warm and unwavering. Clara's cheeks turned pink again. Somewhere in her heart, Ellie had quietly joined the ranks of her family—like Mr. Svarog, but softer, warmer.
(Pascal: So I'm just a sidekick now?)
Ellie's smile faded slightly. She remembered what was coming—the danger Clara would face. Pascal, as he was, wouldn't be enough. Impact and defense alone won't stop those monsters…
She shook her head.
Clara noticed. "Sister Ellie… what's wrong?"
Ellie looked down at her, heart tugging. Children like Clara… they're the most precious. Her thoughts drifted briefly to Bailu. How long has it been since I saw that little dragon? Focus, Ellie. Focus.
—
Meanwhile, aboard the Xianzhou Luofu…
"Ah-choo! Who's talking about me?" A purple-haired girl with tiny horns sneezed. "Ugh! Elysia! If you don't come visit me soon, I'm never speaking to you again!"
Her pout was fierce, but the loneliness behind it was unmistakable.
—
Back in the mechanical settlement…
Ellie gently brushed Clara's hair. "My dear Clara, do you want Sister Ellie to upgrade Pascal for you? Don't worry, he'll still listen to you～♪"
Clara hesitated. "But… only Mr. Svarog can upgrade him…"
Ellie winked. "I'll pretend you agreed～♪"
Clara blinked, then nodded. "Okay… okay, Sister Ellie."
Ellie nuzzled Clara's head, then gently set her down and approached Pascal.
Clara watched, wide-eyed.
Ellie's eyes glowed blue. Pascal shimmered, his form expanding and reshaping. In a flash, he transformed into a sleek, rabbit-like mech—reminiscent of the 19C series.
Clara gasped. "That's it? No sparks? No explosions?"
Ellie chuckled. "Efficiency is elegance～♪"
She turned to Pascal. "Your new mission: protect Clara. Understood?"
Pascal's eyes flashed blue. A soft female voice responded:
"Acknowledged, Master. Mission: Protect Clara."
Pascal vanished in a burst of white light.
"Huh? Sister Ellie, where's Pascal?"
Ellie didn't answer. The voice echoed again:
"I'm protecting you, Clara."
Clara trembled, inching toward Ellie. "Sister Ellie…"
Ellie scooped her up, soothing her nerves.
"Pascal, where are you?" she asked gently.
Pascal's new form shimmered into view, hovering in the void.
"I am happy to serve you, Clara."
"Pascal! Why didn't I see you before?"
Ellie tried to explain—quantum fields, imaginary space—but Clara's eyes glazed over. All she understood was that Pascal was nearby.
Then, a sudden pulse surged through Clara's mind. Her body wavered, nearly collapsing.
Ellie caught her, alarmed. "March… what are you doing～♪"