115. The Witch's Healing, The Dance of the Hero and the Witch.
The banquet hall was brightly lit, filled with the aroma of food and the energetic conversations of young people. There was no alcohol, as some attendees were still minors; instead, there were colorful juices and delicate pastries, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a lively yet somewhat subdued university social gathering.
The conversation centered on embarrassing moments at training camp, a certain instructor's quirks, and a vague yet persistent yearning for the future.
Inside the room, Xiling checked his appearance in a full-length mirror, making sure everything was alright. He then slightly adjusted his hair.
"My hair seems to have grown a bit, so does that mean I've grown up?"
The bodies of heroes differ from those of humans; perhaps the only obvious sign of growth is their hair.
"It seems to have grown a little after defeating that ancient god."
Xiling looked at himself in the mirror a couple more times and, feeling satisfied, pushed open the door and went out.
Upon arriving at the ballroom, Xiling looked around but couldn't find Kevin.
"That guy didn't even wait for me. When I find him, I'll have to give him a piece of my mind in front of Mei, let him know the consequences of offending a hero."
Now, Xiling glanced at what looked like a buffet area, a slow smile playing on his lips.
Of course, eating was the most important thing.
—
In the room, Elaina stared at herself in the mirror, an expression she had never shown before now appearing on her face.
Just like that night, her expression is the same as the beauty the girl displayed as she walked towards death under Xiling's gaze.
Elaina clutched her heart, preparing herself for what was to come.
"That guy must be feeling so guilty right now. That kind of personality... how could I..."
The girl didn't finish her sentence, instead closing her eyes and sighing with a mixture of helplessness and relief.
When she opened her eyes again and looked at herself in the mirror, it was as if she was speaking to herself, and also to the reflection in the mirror.
"Don't be speechless then, that would be so embarrassing."
A confident smile returned to her face.
"Of course, I could definitely do it, because I'm a genius."
The hat on her head was gently placed on the bed by Elaina.
She was setting off to attend a banquet.
To offer the awkward hero a [Witch's Healing].
—
In his daily life, Xiling rarely paid attention to his surroundings, as it would be impolite to those around him. So, at this moment, he didn't notice that two heads, one white and one purple, were visible on the wall to the other side, watching his figure.
The purple-haired figure saw Xiling approaching the self-service area step by step and pushed up her glasses with a knowing look.
"I knew he'd head straight for the self-service area as soon as he came out. Everything's going according to plan."
"Isn't this a bit too much?" Kevin's voice was a little guilty. If Xiling found out he'd schemed things against him, he'd definitely retaliate.
"The plan has already begun; there's no turning back now, Kevin." From this angle, Mei saw a pink-haired girl in a maid outfit crouching in a corner not far from Xiling.
Kevin saw the same scene. Yes, there was no turning back now; he couldn't go back even if he wanted to.
"Brother! My brother, I did all this for your happiness! I beg you, please don't take revenge on me!" Kevin prayed silently, but then he caught sight of another figure out of the corner of his eye.
It was a mature woman. After entering, she immediately searched the hall for a certain figure. When her gaze landed on Xiling, she immediately started walking toward him; her target was clear: Xiling, who was heading toward the self-service area.
"What's going on?" Kevin asked, puzzled.
Mei, who had also noticed this, frowned. This situation was not what she had expected. Why was Dr. Mobius here?
"Plans never go as expected, Kevin. Looks like you're in for a rough time." Mei, realizing the plan had changed, delivered a death sentence to Kevin.
Kevin wore a forced expression.
"It seems so."
In the eye of the storm.
Xiling finally arrived at the buffet area, happily looking at the table full of delicious food. It wasn't that Xiling couldn't afford to eat it normally, but free food was more cost-effective.
Just as Xiling was about to grab a plate of grilled meat, he noticed two sets of footsteps approaching from his left and right.
Xiling didn't stop what he was doing, still picking up the grilled meat, before turning his head to look.
"Hi~" A bright, smiling face, like a spring garden in full bloom, instantly filled Xiling's left-hand view. Elysia was now very close to him, her pink hair almost brushing against his arm, her blue crystal eyes curving into crescents, sparkling with a mischievous yet affectionate light.
"Xiling~ Long time no see~ Did you miss me?"
"Not at all, thank you."
Xiling picked up his fork and replied to Elysia as if they were having a casual chat.
"Huh?" Elysia took a small step closer, trying to use her presence to awaken Xiling's "goodness."
"How could this be? We haven't seen each other for so long! I've been thinking about you every day! How can you be so cold to me!"
"No," Xiling's eyes were innocent and honest, "I was just stating the facts."
He added after a moment's thought, "After all, honesty is a virtue."
That matter-of-fact attitude made Elysia feel slightly frustrated.
Elysia looked helpless, one hand on her hip, a slender index finger waving in front of Xiling with a hint of exasperation:
"Xiling, Xiling~ You can't treat cute girls like that~ otherwise you'll never find a girlfriend!" "
Xiling skewered a piece of grilled meat with his fork, dipping it slightly in the sauce.
"Well, I still think it's wrong to lie and deceive cute girls."
"But it indeed has been a long time. Elysia, how have you been lately?" Xiling asked with a smile.
"Hmph..." Elysia snorted softly, and then her face bloomed with a flower-like smile again.
"Of course I'm doing great! I'm happy every day! It's just that my friend is always elusive, making me worry about him terribly every day~."
"You're not talking about me, are you?"
Just as Xiling was about to put the grilled meat to his mouth, another set of footsteps approached from his other side.
Xiling turned around while eating the grilled meat and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar face.
"What's Mobius doing here?" The thought flashed through Xiling's mind.
While thinking, Xiling saw Mebius approach him, her eyes fixed on him with an almost greedy scrutiny, scanning him from head to toe, from his neck to his shoulders, his arms, and his waist, as if he weren't a living person, but a rare, living specimen awaiting to be studied.
Faced with such a terrifying gaze, Xiling quickly ate another piece of roasted meat.
Just then, Elysia approached happily, as if seeing a good friend.
"Hi~ Dr. Mobius! I didn't expect you to actually come to the recruit banquet~ What a rare guest!"
"Also~ staring so intently at a boy you're meeting for the first time can easily scare him away~."
"Is that so?" Mobius replied calmly to Elysia, her gaze never leaving Xiling.
"You came to see me? What's up?" Xiling put down his empty plate and looked at Mobius with a puzzled expression. He didn't recall ever having any interaction with her before.
Just then! Mobius moved!
She took a step forward, her high heels clicking crisply on the floor, instantly closing the distance between them! Xiling could even smell the mixture of disinfectant and some other odor on her. Her lips were almost touching Xiling's ear, her warm breath carrying an undeniable certainty.
"You're not human, are you?" It wasn't a question, but a resolute statement.
"You started by insulting me, isn't that a bit much?" Xiling turned his head slightly away.
Mobius took a step back.
"I was just stating an obvious fact."
"So, what did you come to see me for? To say this?" Xiling looked at her.
"No." Mobius's answer was concise and forceful. She moved closer again, and then, under the watchful eyes of Xiling and Elysia, she gently raised her hand and placed it on Xiling's chest!
Her fingertips, through the thin dress shirt, felt the steady, powerful beating of his heart. A near-morbid expression, a mixture of fervent thirst for knowledge and utter ecstasy, instantly appeared on Mobius's face! Her lips couldn't help but curve upwards, her eyes burning with a flame capable of consuming reason, as if she were not touching a living person, but a key to the ultimate truth!
"Let's make a deal!" Her voice carried an undeniable urgency and an almost frantic allure!
Mobius's hand, which had been on Xiling's chest, along with her other hand, tightly embraced Xiling's neck! Their faces instantly drew close, to a distance that was ambiguous, yet devoid of lust, filled only with pure possessiveness!
"Listen!" Her breath was hot on Xiling's face, each word filled with a desperate, feverish fervor.
"Anything I have—money, authority, rare materials, even… myself! Whatever you want, I'll give it all to you! Without reservation!" Her voice was like a devil's whisper, filled with a deadly allure.
"But the price is—you! To become mine! Exclusive experimental subject! How about it!"
Mobius's gaze seemed to want to devour Xiling alive! That desire stemming from the unknown blood sample had long since become a nightmare, gnawing at her sanity and soul day and night.
Break free?
No, she was already deeply immersed, willingly indulging!
This greed for truth had already imprisoned her! She seemed to see the answer she had sought her entire life right before her eyes; her ideals, her ambitions, everything she wanted—perhaps all could be fulfilled through him!
This desire was too urgent, too overwhelming! She even wanted to drag him back to the lab for research immediately!
Just as Elysia was about to step forward to pull Mobius away, she caught a glimpse of a figure out of the corner of her eye. A radiant smile returned to Elysia's face. She silently took a step back, yielding the stage to the next protagonist.
"Go for it!" Kevin silently cheered on the advancing figure.
"Although the plan encountered a slight mishap," Mei said calmly, arms crossed, "this little variable only serves to highlight the drama for the protagonist's entrance, doesn't it?" Her expression remained calm and composed, but Kevin was certain she was smiling.
"Why don't we guess what's going to happen next?" Kevin suggested with a smile.
"Probably Snow White rescuing Prince Charming," Mei chuckled.
Mobius's current demeanor was indeed beyond Xiling's expectations. He roughly understood why she was acting this way; the blood sample had likely fallen into her hands. Just as he was about to refuse and suggest another deal…
Mobius's hand involuntarily loosened its grip. At that moment, a hand grabbed Xiling's hand, pulling him backward. Xiling took two steps back, and a figure in a blue and white evening gown stepped in front of him, blocking Mobius's path.
"Sorry, he doesn't intend to make this deal with you."
Xiling stared in surprise and astonishment at the familiar figure blocking Mobius' path.
"Ha..." Mobius, interrupted by this sudden force, felt the desire in her eyes fade slightly. She looked at the gray-haired witch who had intervened, her tone tinged with displeasure at being interrupted:
"Is that so? How do you know... he doesn't want to agree to my deal?"
"Because I understand him." The witch proudly raised her head.
"He won't covet anything you promise—money, power, even yourself—it's all unimportant to him." Elaina's voice was resolute.
"However, when you desperately seek his help, he will inevitably respond in his own way, with a different... more principled form of exchange, to give you the help you need." Elaina slightly turned her head, her peripheral vision seemingly sweeping over Xiling behind her, her certainty as firm as a rock.
"That's how I understand him."
A slight change appeared in Mobius's dangerous gaze. Just then, Elysia, with a sweet and harmless smile, lightly leaned close to Mobius's ear. Her lips rushed, whispering a few words in a voice only the two of them could hear.
Mobius quickly glanced at Elaina, then at Xiling, as if confirming something, and finally nodded.
Having delivered the message, Elysia, like a messenger who had completed her mission, silently retreated again, her face still bearing that flawless smile, as if she had never been a part of this storm.
Mobius's eyes returned to Xiling without the previous eagerness and desire.
"So," Mobius's voice returned to its usual cold and steady tone, "what do you think of the deal I just proposed?" "
Xiling snapped out of his reverie after Elaina's earlier words.
After a moment of silence, she nodded.
"I'll make another deal with you. I don't need anything from you; you only need to do me a favor."
"Okay, it's settled then. Here's my contact information. Remember your promise."
With that, Mobius gave Xiling and Elaina a meaningful look, then turned and walked straight towards the ballroom door without a backward glance.
Elysia had already quietly disappeared, leaving only Xiling and Elaina in the area, along with everyone else.
Just then, music began. Xiling looked in the direction of the music; it was a prelude to the start of the ball.
Xiling took a light breath, a smile returning to her face. She turned and smiled, saying,
"Thanks, Elaina. If you hadn't come, I might have had to go through some trouble to get away from them."
Elaina, with her back to Xiling, didn't respond to Xiling's words.
"Is your foot better? Wearing high heels again, be careful not to twist them again."
"How about we go get something to eat over there? Free food is free food. Why not take advantage of it?"
"By the way, where did Kevin go? You should have seen him, right?"
"That guy actually abandoned me, and we didn't get to have any alone time! Unforgivable!"
Xiling's words kept echoing in Elena's ears.
Just then, Elaina, who had been silent all along, seemed to have finally gathered enough strength and took a deep breath.
She didn't turn around. Only a light, almost dreamlike voice floated over:
"Hero, my lord."
However, it was those words that froze Xiling completely.
Why...why? At that moment, Elaina's tone reminded him of that night, when the girl saw him for the last time, she called out to him in the same tone.
Elaina finally turned around slowly.
On that delicate, doll-like face, a smile appeared that didn't belong to the "Gray Witch" Elaina. It was a pure smile, devoid of any impurities, filled with relief, gratitude, and an exquisitely brilliant smile, as if approaching its end.
Xiling's heart felt as if it had been gripped tightly by an icy hand! That smile...! It was the last, and most beautiful, smile that girl had shown him! The final, radiant display of her short life!
Looking at the stunned Xiling, a gentle voice came from Elaina's lips.
"I think I know everything that happened to me."
"...Is that so...I'm sorry." Xiling lowered his head.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Xiling silently closed his eyes, as if awaiting final judgment.
Then, a cold hand, just like that night, gently caressed his face.
Elena's smile appeared before Xiling.
"Thank you, Xiling, thank you for everything you've done for me."
Looking at Xiling's confused eyes, Elena said, "Thank you for saving me."
"No..."
Xiling was about to speak when a finger pressed against his lips, while the girl's other hand pressed against her own lips.
"Listen to me, okay? Xiling?"
Xiling stood silently in place.
"You don't need to blame yourself. Our deaths have nothing to do with you."
"You saved me in reality, you liberated her from being assimilated by the ancient gods."
"You should stand proudly with your head held high."
As the girl's last words faded, an unknown amount of time passed.
In the silence, Xiling took a deep breath, raising his hand to cover his eyes.
"That makes sense... but I just feel so guilty! My heart... feels so heavy!"
Seeing Xiling's awkward expression, Elaina's lips curved into a smile. The heartbreaking expression receded like a tide, and the smile of the Gray Witch reappeared on her face.
"Hmph~ Well—that's your own problem, stubborn hero! The Gray Witch's precious time for emotional healing ends here!"
Xiling opened his hand a crack, looking at him and asking, "So, what's wrong with you?"
Elaina's slender fingers gently rested on her chin, tilting her head.
"Hmm... who knows?"
With that, she walked directly past Xiling, leaving behind a faint fragrance and a light, teasing remark, "Perhaps... It's a cruel joke of fate?" Almost simultaneously with her avoiding Xiling, the ball music began.
The cacophony and dazzling sound instantly enveloped the two of them.
"Alright, Hero—" Elaina's voice pierced through the music. She paused a few steps away, gracefully turning to face Xiling.
Xiling lowered his hand from his eyes, and before him appeared the radiant smile of the Gray Witch, Elaina.
Elaina lightly stepped back with one foot, gently lifting the delicate hem of her blue and white dress with both hands, and slightly bent her knees—a perfect and beautiful lady's invitation to dance, flawlessly executed under the brilliant lights. Her gaze met Xiling's, carrying an undeniable invitation:
"My healing is never free, Hero."
"Now, dance with me. And—you have no right to refuse!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Elena stepped forward and grabbed Xiling's wrist, who was about to say "no"!
Under the gaze of Kevin, Mei, and countless others, including Elysia, the gray witch in her blue and white dress dragged the resisting hero into the center of the dazzling, swaying dance floor.
The ball seemed to have truly entered its climax at this moment.
...