“If you want to run... then run...” (A blurry woman with chestnut hair.)
“People are lost for most of their lives, yet they often grow up in just a few moments. Looking back, after all the twists and turns, they return to the starting point...” (A swaying man wearing a white trench coat.)
“We are just thieves who stole the light of the sun and moon...”
“I am a mirror, an echo, an epitaph...” (A man dressed as a priest.)
“We were born poor and were destined to suffer much. You have already done too much for us. If I could, I would truly give my life for you.” (A girl in a worn, thick sweater.)
...
Fragmented silhouettes flashed by one after another, from the beginning until now. Finally, a clear blue figure walked beside her.
“We often say to let time solve everything, but what we frequently forget is whether we still have enough time.” The blue figure stood still. Li Yue felt an inexplicable power wrap around her, dragging her away from the silhouette. Behind that figure was a massive black shadow.
“Ah...” Li Yue sat up abruptly, as if waking from a long nightmare. She wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, feeling a wave of exhaustion. She rose slowly, still feeling a lingering weakness.
Much of the power in her body seemed to be sealed. Now, releasing her strength was no longer as effortless as she wished. This wasn't necessarily bad news. At the very least, she didn't need such overwhelming power right now. If she could truly escape and hide in the future she longed for, then things like power wouldn't matter at all.
She yawned and rubbed her eyes. Her nose twitched as she caught a scent of fragrance. For a moment, she wondered if she was so hungry that she was hallucinating.
She looked carefully toward the dining table. It seemed to be covered with various breakfast items. A blue-haired girl sat in a chair, leisurely eating a custard bun.
“Are you awake?”
“Mhm.” Li Yue's hair was a complete mess. As the pieces of the God's remains were sealed one by one, she seemed unable to maintain her immaculate body. At the very least, she could no longer walk around barefoot whenever she pleased, and she had to remember to comb her hair upon waking.
The upside was that she looked more human, finally resembling what a young girl should look like.
“Didn't sleep well? You look so tired.” Clo swallowed the custard bun in her mouth. Seeing the fatigue written on Li Yue's face, she felt a pang of sympathy.
“Just a nightmare.” Li Yue sat down, not in a rush to eat. “Did you make all this?”
“I bought it.” Clo took another custard bun. “I also bought you some daily toiletries. Go try them out now.”
Li Yue nodded. Without the support of the God's remains, she had simply returned to her old living habits. She walked into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and washed her face with cold water. This helped her feel much more awake.
She walked out of the bathroom in slippers, picked up a bun, and hesitated on where to take the first bite.
“Your hair is still messy, and there are water droplets on it.” Clo took out a comb and walked behind Li Yue, beginning to tidy her long white hair.
“My hair wasn't this long before... If it was messy when I woke up, I just let it be.” Li Yue ate the bun in small bites. She was still in her pajamas and looked somewhat lethargic. Clo, on the other hand, was dressed in casual clothes and seemed to have put effort into her appearance.
She helped Li Yue slowly comb her hair. Time flowed gently like this. Such a mundane daily life was already a great luxury for Clo.
“You need to adapt to a life where the God's remains are sealed,” Clo said softly. She watched Li Yue eat while she combed. The breakfast she bought consisted of foods she remembered Li Yue liking. Though simple, they were exactly what Li Yue enjoyed.
“Unless you encounter a life-threatening situation or have an intense desire to use the God's remains, the seals won't be able to hold them back,” Clo added slowly. “Aside from a few things hidden in the Divine Realm, there is nothing left in this world that can threaten your life.”
“That's good. I never craved great power anyway,” Li Yue said indifferently. “I never had anything to protect. Besides, you're already a Great Mage.”
“How about I protect you?” Clo said with a smile, finishing her work and leaving the messy long hair perfectly organized.
“...” Li Yue didn't say anything, merely turning her face away.
“You'll get sick, you'll get hurt... and you'll need help.” Clo took out some hair accessories she had prepared and began decorating Li Yue's hair.
“I'm not as weak as you think. Long ago, I lived alone too.” Li Yue took a bite of the bun. “The things I knocked over when I left in the morning were still there when I came home at night.”
“I'll pick them up.” Clo didn't seem to catch the sadness in Li Yue's voice, her tone carrying a hint of a joke. As for whether it was a real joke, only she knew.
“Wait...” Li Yue suddenly realized something. Her chewing slowed to a halt. “This is my house, isn't it?”
“Yes,” Clo replied, playing with Li Yue's long hair and experimenting with different styles.
“How did you get in?” Li Yue looked at Clo. The latter's expression was somewhat enigmatic as she stuck out her tongue playfully. Li Yue felt her pocket; the key was definitely still there, and her spare key was in her ring.
“It's a secret.”
“Tell me.” Li Yue's gaze was somewhat resentful.
“Magic.” Clo seemed a bit proud of herself.
“Huh?”
“It's a spell often used by labyrinth explorers for picking locks. There are quite a few tiers to it. I learned it a while ago when I was bored.” Clo gave a mischievous grin. In truth, she had stayed up all night to learn it.
“Doesn't the academy dormitory door have any protective magic?”
“It does, but I am a Great Mage, after all.” Clo was a little smug. Li Yue sighed helplessly, feeling as though her door was practically non-existent.
“Since you bought breakfast, I'll forgive you this once.” Li Yue puffed out her cheeks. “Remember to knock next time.”
“Mhm.” Clo nodded. Next time, she would knock before opening it.
“Are we going to tour the academy next?” Li Yue wiped her mouth.
“Let's look at the outskirts first. The term hasn't started yet, so many places aren't open to students, including the teleportation arrays.” Clo thought for a moment. Most professors still saw her as an assistant professor. After all, she had always used magic to hide her face when she acted as one of the Five Staves.
As for her former colleagues, they were still busy with their daily work on the top floor of the Tower of Time, having handed over the mundane tasks to their former attendants.
“Then you go out first.” Li Yue pursed her lips.
“Aww, why?”
“I need to change my clothes...”
“I won't peek!”
“I don't believe you...”
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