"Ugh, work is so boring. I really want to sneak out for a round of Divine Jade Tiles..."
Inside the Divination Commission, Qingque lay half-sprawled across her desk, chin propped up in one hand as she listlessly watched the diviners bustling about. Her eyes were glazed over with boredom.
Just as she was about to doze off from sheer monotony, a voice suddenly spoke up behind her.
"Oh? Quite efficient, aren't you? It's not even noon yet, and you've already finished all your work for the day. As expected of you, Qingque—I knew I wasn't wrong about you."
Instantly, a chill shot up Qingque's spine. Her drowsy expression froze on her face as she jolted fully awake.
Haaah... Qingque forcefully patted her stiffened cheeks, took a deep breath, and then turned around with what she believed to be the most "innocent" smile possible, addressing the petite woman behind her in an ingratiating tone.
"Good afternoon, Diviner Fu Xuan! To what do I owe the honor of your visit? This humble one is truly unworthy of such—"
"Enough!" Fu Xuan raised a finger to her lips, cutting off Qingque's flattery mid-sentence.
"How capable you are, Qingque, is something I know all too well. So spare me the sweet talk. That said, rest assured—I'm not here to pile more work on you."
"Hehe, thank you, Diviner Fu Xuan!" Qingque scratched her head and grinned sheepishly.
"Hmph. Come with me. There are some matters I need to confirm with you."
...
"Diviner Fu Xuan, what could someone as insignificant as me possibly assist you with?" After arriving at Fu Xuan's office and seeing her dismiss all her assistants, leaving only the two of them, Qingque couldn't help but grow nervous.
The Diviner sent everyone away... What does this mean? It means whatever we're about to discuss is highly confidential—the fewer who know, the better.
"I dislike beating around the bush, so I'll get straight to the point. Tell me—how much do you really know about that little boyfriend of yours?"
"L-Little boyfriend...?" Qingque was utterly baffled by Fu Xuan's sudden question. Boyfriend? Since when do I have a boyfriend? I didn't even know about this!
"Hmm? Are you saying that Yun Fan—the Emanator of Causality currently staying at your place—isn't your boyfriend?"
"Ah! Diviner Fu Xuan, you mean Yun Fan! He... he..." Qingque suddenly recalled the events of that morning, and her cheeks flushed uncontrollably.
"Hmph. Still denying it?" Fu Xuan took in Qingque's reaction with a knowing look.
"Diviner Fu Xuan, I—" Just as Qingque tried to explain—
"Enough. Don't worry—I won't spread this around."
Fu Xuan waved her hand, signaling the end of the topic.
"Yes, Diviner Fu Xuan..." Qingque was on the verge of tears, but what was the point of arguing further when Fu Xuan had already made up her mind?
Wait a minute... Did I miss something important just now?
Qingque's expression stiffened as she stammered, "D-Diviner Fu Xuan, did you just say... Emanator of Causality?"
——————————
Stellaron Hunters Headquarters...
"Alright, Silver Wolf, stop playing. It's time to head to Herta Space Station." Leaning lazily against the ship's railing, a fully geared-up Kafka sighed at the girl before her.
"Just one more minute! I can totally beat this boss!" The girl named Silver Wolf didn't even look up from her game console, her fingers moving so fast they nearly blurred.
"You said the same thing an hour ago." Kafka massaged her temples, looking thoroughly exasperated.
Fortunately, this time, Silver Wolf kept her word.
"Nice!" As the "VICTORY" screen flashed on her console, Silver Wolf's face lit up with triumph.
"Good. Now that the game's over, let's go." Kafka snatched the console away, as if afraid Silver Wolf might start "just one more round."
"Tch." Silver Wolf pouted before asking curiously, "Didn't Elio say the plan wasn't supposed to start for another two months? Why the sudden change?"
"Because a new variable has appeared in Elio's prophecies—one beyond anyone's control." Kafka smiled mysteriously.
"A variable beyond control? You mean... that newly ascended Aeon?" Silver Wolf frowned slightly, deep in thought.
"Exactly. Ever since that Aeon emerged, Elio's prophecies have been disrupted by the power of causality. Now, he can no longer accurately predict the future."
"Moving the plan forward is just the most feasible option among the dozens of prophecies he's made. As for what comes after... we'll have to take it one step at a time."
——————————
Back at the Divination Commission...
"So that's how it is! Yun Fan is actually an Emanator of Causality? An Emanator serving the 'Lord of Samsara'?" Qingque's face lit up with barely contained excitement, her eyes practically sparkling. Yun Fan's an Emanator, and he's staying at my place... Does this mean I've hit the jackpot?
"So, to put it bluntly, you knew nothing about his identity?" Fu Xuan rubbed her temples, feeling utterly drained. All this time spent questioning Qingque, and it turns out to be completely pointless.
"Sigh. Fine. Qingque, I'm assigning you a mission. Succeed, and I'll grant you a year of paid leave. Fail, and I'll still promote you—say, to the position of my personal assistant."
"N-No, Diviner Fu Xuan! This absolutely won't do! If I fail and you still promote me, people will talk! Please reconsider! You must reconsider!" Qingque nearly leaped out of her seat. Though she didn't know what the mission entailed, one thing was clear—Fu Xuan was forcing her to succeed.
Being the Diviner's assistant? That's not a job for humans! Working nine-to-five, constant overtime, even the dreaded 996 schedule...
If I really have to become the Diviner's assistant, I might as well just die!