Would someone who loses their memories still acknowledge friends from the past?
The Stelle of the past was cool, while the current Stelle is interesting.
Such a drastic change left Firefly at a loss.
It was precisely because she saw how close Stelle and Sol Mercer were that she asked this question, hoping to receive some comfort.
"Were we friends from the very beginning?" Sol Mercer smiled faintly and spoke casually. "Of course not. At the start, they were just two strangers brought together by fate."
"If a friend loses their memories, then just get to know them all over again. With Stelle's straightforward and adorable nature, she would surely be willing to accept someone sincere as a friend."
High emotional intelligence: straightforward, adorable, easy to get along with.
Low emotional intelligence: illiterate with constant gaps in knowledge, easy to fool.
"…"
Firefly recalled Stelle's behavior just now and immediately smiled.
Stelle stepping in to help her earlier had been an act of righteousness, but it also showed that Firefly had left a good impression on her.
As long as they spent some time sincerely getting along, they could still become friends.
"So that's how it is. Thank you for clearing that up, Mr. Sol." Firefly raised her head and smiled. "To show my gratitude, let me treat you both to Oak Cake Rolls."
"That's a Penacony specialty pastry and one of my favorite foods. I eat one every day."
She looked at Silver Wolf and said, "I was thinking of bringing some back to share with everyone. Since you're here, Silver Wolf, I can bring one fewer."
"I think… that won't be necessary," Silver Wolf said with some resistance.
Having lost her freedom, every extra second beside Firefly made her uncomfortable.
"An invitation from a beauty—my pleasure," Sol said, patting Silver Wolf on the head as he smiled at Firefly.
He had come here to travel and enjoy combat thrills. Since no worthy opponent had appeared yet, he might as well enjoy the warm hospitality of girls from another world and experience the local customs of the World of Star Rail.
"…"
Silver Wolf was not amused.
So, she still had to lose face badly in front of a companion?
She swore that the Free Wolf would return someday!
"Mr. Sol, follow me." Firefly pressed her lips into a smile and stood up, walking outward. "There's a pastry shop I often go to. I think you'll like it too."
Seeing Silver Wolf at a loss like this was rare. Compared to her usual invincible, lazy, nothing-can-beat-me demeanor, she seemed cuter now.
It was like the time she lost seventy-six accounts. Though it was a sad incident, seeing Silver Wolf's expression back then oddly made her feel more alive.
Sorry. Perhaps only someone like me, with such a hollow and meaningless life, would have such an impolite thought.
Soon, the three arrived in front of a bakery.
The shop was bustling with customers, many of them alien tourists here to sample Penacony specialties. Business was booming.
Firefly opened her deflated wallet and froze when she saw the meager twenty thousand credits inside.
So, without realizing it, she only had this little money left.
An Oak Cake Roll cost 3,000 credits. Buying three would leave her with 1,100 credits.
After setting aside three more to bring back for Blade, Elio, and Kafka, she wouldn't have enough left to treat Stelle to one.
"May I take your order? The usual Oak Cake Rolls, like before?" the clerk asked politely with a smile.
She remembered this special customer clearly—the one who bought an Oak Cake Roll every single day.
After all, oak was more commonly used for wine corks. Turning it into a cake roll gave it a unique flavor few could appreciate.
There were people who tried it out of curiosity, but habitual eaters—she had only ever met this girl.
Firefly snapped back to attention and said gently, "Two Oak Cake Rolls, please."
As long as she ate one less, she could still treat Stelle next time.
Yes, that was fine.
The clerk quickly handed over two packaged cake rolls.
Just as Firefly was about to pay, a hand reached out first.
Silver Wolf handed the clerk a one-hundred-thousand-credit bill and said lightly, "Make it two more. Money's not an issue."
She didn't know why Firefly was saving money, but having only twenty thousand credits was just too pitiful.
No matter what, she had to provide some support.
"Thank you," Firefly nodded softly, accepting the kindness, because she knew Silver Wolf's decisions were impossible to change.
"…"
Sol looked at Silver Wolf's domineering display and felt a bit stunned.
In this situation, shouldn't he be the one earning goodwill?
Someone who had just begged desperately after losing her freedom—
And now she was standing tall again. Was she really that obsessed with keeping face?
At that moment, Silver Wolf was already holding the Oak Cake Rolls and boldly handed two to Firefly. "If you like them, eat more. Don't let outsiders think us Stellaron Hunters can't afford food."
"I'll transfer you ten million credits. Spend it properly—don't skimp."
To her, credits were just numbers. A few taps in the company's accounts and it was done—no big deal.
"Mhm." Firefly nodded obediently, her eyes curved with a gentle smile.
Silver Wolf walked over to Sol, her smile nearly ingratiating. "Boss, here's yours~"
After showing off, she still had to face reality.
Reality was that until she regained her freedom, she was Sol's dog. Awooo…
"Silver Wolf, you truly delight me," Sol said with a sigh, then accepted the Oak Cake Roll.
This contradictory behavior oddly gave him a hint of pleasure.
Aha, hurry up and give up the seat of the Aeon of Elation—Silver Wolf shall become my Emanator of Elation!
Of course, it was still far from enough to grant Silver Wolf her freedom as an Emanator of Elation.
"Really?" Silver Wolf shrank her neck slightly, feeling a bit scared.
The three moved to a quiet spot.
"What a wonderful flavor—so chewy," Firefly said, taking a big bite and showing a blissful expression.
"…"
Sol only took a small taste. The texture felt like chewing wood—harsh but manageable for his powerful energy digestion system. Still, it was far from delicious.
According to the packaging.
Oak cake rolls were made by mixing wood shavings into bread, with large amounts of botanical additives. Both appearance and composition closely resembled oak, and only the most ambitious and persevering people could swallow it.
Originally a poor man's food to stave off hunger, it was later used by the wealthy to reminisce about hardship.
By any measure, it was not good food.
Silver Wolf gnawed at the Oak Cake Roll like dried barbecue meat. After a few seconds, she gave up struggling with her throat. "Everyone has different tastes. Maybe this makes her feel more alive."
"It seems not everyone likes Oak Cake Rolls," Firefly noticed their reactions and said apologetically. "Sorry, Mr. Sol, Silver Wolf, for giving you a bad experience."
Is it because I'm different from others again?
Entropy Loss Syndrome—causing her to dissolve into the universe like foam, senses fading until transparency.
So, at moments like this, she had already grown too numb, unable to measure others with the same senses anymore.
"It's fine. At least we felt your sincerity," Sol said calmly as he stuffed the cake roll into Silver Wolf's hands.
If Silver Wolf hadn't bought extra, Firefly could have eaten this portion herself.
Now, it was time to repay sins.
Silver Wolf deeply regretted showing off earlier. She should have just transferred Firefly money directly.
So… how do I use Aether Editing to make this thing taste better?
"Thank you for your understanding," Firefly said gratefully. "Then please allow me to treat you to some Penacony specialties that normal people enjoy more."
Silver Wolf pocketed the two Oak Cake Rolls and instantly revived.
I really didn't misjudge you, Firefly—you're amazing!
Soon, the three chose a normal dreamscape restaurant and enjoyed proper dream food with SoulGlad soda.
Considering Firefly's heavy tastes, an extra serving of air-dried beef leg turned out to match surprisingly well.
After eating their fill.
Firefly bade them farewell. "Sorry, Mr. Sol, Silver Wolf. I still have a script to follow, so I can't stay with you longer."
"I was very happy today. Thank you for your help."
She felt some regret—experiences like this were rare when she was with the Stellaron Hunters.
But she still had to seek out the three deaths in Penacony. In a dreamland said to be free of death, the meaning behind it was hard to grasp.
"Goodbye," Sol said with a slight nod.
"Goodbye," Silver Wolf said hesitantly.
She really wanted to warn her that there was an unexpected variable this time, that scripts might not work anymore.
At the very least, her script definitely didn't include getting caught by Sol.
===BREAK===
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