The scene in the Entertainment District was fundamentally different from the streets outside.
It wasn't just about the atmosphere but also the layout of the buildings.
Shops lined the streets in a manner reminiscent of a bustling marketplace, yet each structure was interconnected by overhead walkways, forming corridors that crisscrossed above, blocking out much of the sky.
Pillars supporting these corridors were scattered in a seemingly haphazard manner, adding to the chaotic structure of the district.
Rows of clubs, bars, casinos, and restaurants dominated the area, attracting a more mature crowd. While some students were present, few wore school emblems, blatantly disregarding academy regulations.
However, those who frequented such places were unlikely to be the rule-abiding type, so this was hardly surprising.
At this moment, whether pedestrians on the streets or patrons within the establishments, all eyes were drawn in the same direction.
Just moments ago, countless tendrils of miasma had surged from that very spot, spiraling upward like a raging tornado, leaving destruction in their wake.
The disturbance left the Entertainment District in shock. As the commotion continued, the initial curiosity morphed into growing chaos.
Upon closer inspection, groups of gang members dressed in black suits began converging, seemingly moving to investigate.
With such a massive disruption, business could not continue unless the situation was brought under control.
As a result, the entire district became engulfed in an atmosphere of heightened tension, with people gathering, whispering, or directly heading to the scene, causing an unprecedented stir.
In the midst of it all, no one noticed two striking figures emerging from a nearby alley.
Seamlessly blending into the shifting crowds, they moved unnoticed, steadily making their way toward the outskirts of the district while attention remained elsewhere.
Fang Li walked ahead.
Yet, the footsteps behind him told him exactly what was happening.
Despite this, Fang Li did not turn around. Instead, he kept moving forward and spoke.
"Why are you following me?"
His question went unanswered.
The girl named Orphelia simply trailed behind him, her melancholic gaze carrying both sorrow and an unfathomable sense of longing.
Even she did not seem to understand why she was following him.
Fang Li had no interest in pressing the matter and instead threw out another remark.
"Are you planning to follow me all the way back to Jie Long?"
That, of course, was impossible.
At the very least, there were those who wouldn't stand idly by and allow it to happen.
And, soon enough, the interference arrived.
A moment later—
"Zheng..."
With the activation of a power source, a space window suddenly appeared before Orphelia.
Its screen was a deep black, indicating an audio-only communication.
Then, a low and angry voice emerged from within.
"...What are you doing?"
It was Fang Li's first time hearing this voice. Yet, he had no doubt about the identity of the speaker.
Dirk Eberwein—"Tyrant."
Dirk had clearly been monitoring the situation.
After all, Fang Li's arrival had been orchestrated by 'Cats.'
If that spy had been lurking nearby, watching Orphelia follow Fang Li out of the ruins, there was no chance that Dirk would remain unaware.
Orphelia understood this as well.
She remained silent for a brief moment before finally responding.
"...I also want to know."
Her brief words caused Dirk to pause.
A stifling silence followed, pressing down on them like an unseen force.
After an indeterminate span of time, Dirk's astonished voice finally cut through the tension.
"...Do as you please."
With that, the space window closed on its own.
Orphelia stared at the now-vanished screen, visibly bewildered.
Was this the first time she had ever voiced her own will, rather than simply being treated as Dirk's pawn?
Fang Li, however, narrowed his eyes.
"Do as you please?"
That was an interesting choice of words.
To Dirk, Orphelia was an irreplaceable asset— his most valuable trump card.
Her movements were of utmost importance to him.
Yet, he had allowed her to act freely.
For Dirk, such an act was uncharacteristic.
If it were anyone else, alarm bells would have been ringing by now.
Unfortunately for Dirk, Fang Li was not one to be easily shaken.
"After all, there's still a contract in place..."
Leaving behind those ambiguous words, Fang Li exited the Entertainment District.
Orphelia followed silently, her gaze never straying from his back.
---
At Jie Long's Seventh Academy, in the audience chamber.
Upon returning, Fang Li was immediately transported to this familiar space via sudden spatial distortion.
Orphelia stood beside him.
"What an unexpected guest!"
Perched on her usual wide chair, Fan Xinglou regarded Orphelia with bright, interested eyes, her youthful face glowing with amusement.
Orphelia murmured.
"Banyuu Tenra..."
Even if Orphelia had long resigned herself to fate, she recognized Fan Xinglou.
As the strongest Strega (Witch), she might not know the depths of Fan Xinglou's power, but she had been warned about her countless times.
She had always heeded those warnings— until now.
And now, she had stepped right into the lion's den.
"Hehe..."
Fan Xinglou's smile widened.
"A false little girl, yet possessing such immense power. Quite an anomaly, don't you think?"
A sparkle of delight danced in her eyes.
"Like an unpolished gem that has suddenly gained brilliance. Even if it doesn't fit into the setting of a Festa, it still has its appeal."
Seeing such a rare existence, Fan Xinglou could not suppress her pleasure.
"This is yet another delicious dish that one cannot help but want to savor..."
(End Of This Chapter)
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