'More importantly, rather than letting this manual collect dust in the system space, it's better to give it to Siegfried. Maybe he'll go easier on me in the future. I really am a genius.'
Siegfried casually glanced at the manual in his hand, then stuffed it into the pocket at his waist.
Before leaving, he looked at Kiana☆ one last time.
He then waved his arm. Though reluctant, that feeling surged in his chest like a tide and could only manifest as a bitter smile at the corner of his lips. He strode into the distance, loudly shouting,
"Tell Kiana☆ that her dad will always love her! Hahahahaha!"
As hearty laughter echoed through the air, Siegfried's figure grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing beyond the distant horizon.
-----------------------------------------
After returning to the log cabin, Fu Lin exited his herrscher form, changed into a brand-new set of clothes, then sat on a chair with his legs crossed, gazing gently at Kiana☆ lying on the bed.
At some point, a crystal-clear tear had already rolled down from the corner of Kiana☆'s eye, sliding along her cheek. Fu Lin gently reached out and softly wiped away the tear.
At that moment, Kiana☆ suddenly opened her eyes and looked around in a daze. When she saw the familiar layout of the room, her tense expression relaxed.
Her gaze then fell on Fu Lin beside her, and without hesitation, she reached out and tightly embraced him. Tears poured out uncontrollably as she choked out,
"Fu Lin, I just had a terrible dream. In it, there were flames burning everywhere, and Dad's left hand had disappeared..."
Fu Lin gently patted Kiana☆'s back, trying to comfort her. After hesitating for a moment, he finally decided to tell her the truth,
"That wasn't a dream. It all really happened. Let me explain it to you in detail..."
As she listened to Fu Lin's explanation, Kiana☆ widened her eyes and suddenly let go of Fu Lin's hands, anxiously looking around for Siegfried's figure, while shouting,
"How could this happen? Where's Dad? Where is he now? How is he?!"
Fu Lin spoke up,
"Kiana☆, listen to me. Mr. Siegfried's injuries are not serious. I've already given him some simple treatment, and he left while you were unconscious."
"..."
Kiana☆ lowered her head in silence, sorrow and disappointment reflected in her eyes.
Seeing her like this made Fu Lin feel equally distressed. He gently comforted her,
"Don't be too sad, Kiana☆. Mr. Siegfried has his own choices and mission. He left for your sake."
Kiana☆ lifted her head, tears in her eyes, and said chokingly,
"But... but I haven't said goodbye to Dad yet..."
Fu Lin gently wiped away her tears and said gently,
"I know, but life is always full of helplessness and farewells. We must learn to face it bravely. This is the first lesson of life."
Kiana☆ lowered her head, thought for a moment, then slightly nodded. She then threw herself into Fu Lin's arms and held him tightly, whispering,
"You'll always stay with me, right?"
Seeing the uneasiness and dependence in Kiana☆'s eyes, Fu Lin continued to comfort her, stroking her head with a kind smile, and said,
"Of course. You... you're not alone. I'll always be by your side to support and accompany you."
Fu Lin paused and continued,
"A great inventor [ Dog Otto ] once said this wise saying: You may have lost your father, but you still have me, right? I can completely be your guide in life, can't I? Just like how we've always gotten along."
Kiana☆ forced a faint smile and responded,
"Mm, thank you, Fu Lin. Although that quote doesn't sound like anything inspirational, I'll try to be strong."
Fu Lin nodded, then took out a Soul Restoration Pill and popped it into Kiana☆'s mouth, saying,
"That's more like it, Kiana☆. You must believe that a better future starts tomorrow. Have some candy~"
"Mm! Strawberry flavor!"
Kiana☆ chewed and swallowed the pill, and a cool sensation immediately surged through her, followed by a sense of numbness.
Then, Kiana☆ spoke hesitantly, "But the other consciousness inside my body..."
At that moment, Kiana☆'s eyes were filled with worry and anxiety, afraid that the other consciousness within her might hurt Fu Lin the same way it hurt her father.
Fu Lin thought for a moment and said,
"I'll teach you a chant. Recite it three times silently every night before you sleep. It will temper your heart and calm your spirit, and then you won't have to worry about your body being taken over."
"For the next while, I'll recite it to you. Listen carefully and remember it."
Fu Lin then began chanting a strange, inexplicable string of syllables—four hundred and sixty-two words in total. This was the "Blade Mantra" he intended to teach Kiana☆.
In fact, Fu Lin had long wanted to teach her this mantra but had never found the right opportunity.
Now, faced with this sudden crisis, Kiana☆ finally realized the seriousness of the situation. This was the perfect moment to teach her, and she would surely remember it deeply.
Experienced readers would know that youth is the best time to temper one's sword heart—the earlier, the purer.
For adults, cultivating the sword heart is like trying to grasp the wind with one's palm—utterly futile. Even if the sword heart reaches perfection, it requires lifelong tempering. Any wavering, and it will shatter.
Back when the old antique was passing down the Blade Mantra to Kiana☆, she was already past the prime age for cultivating the Blade Mantra.
——Scene Transition——
Inside the bishop's office at Schicksal HQ, Otto sat with a serious expression, resting his cheek on his hand, a glimmer of contemplation in his eyes as he quietly listened to Amber's meticulous report.
As Amber finished speaking, Otto, who had slightly pursed his lips, now curled them into a faint smirk, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes as he said softly,
"Oh? Calls herself the Celestial Immortal? Hahaha... I wonder what expression that old friend of mine would make if they found out~"
Hearing this, Amber couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled and cautiously asked,
"Shall we send Fu Hua to retrieve experimental subject K423?"
Otto's eyes flickered, as if calculating some unspeakable scheme behind the scenes. He gently waved his hand and said blandly,
"No need. You're all dismissed."
"Yes, Lord Bishop."
Amber bowed slightly and respectfully, then turned to leave.
Otto sat silently. He had long suspected something about that youth's appearance and had even asked Fu Hua about it.
Unfortunately, she seemed to have forgotten too thoroughly—she knew nothing.
If that's the case, then so be it~
Watching Fu Lin on the screen being relied upon by Kiana☆, the smile on Otto's face bloomed like a flower—growing wider and wider.
"Hahaha..."
Knock knock knock...
At that moment, a crisp knocking sound echoed, followed by Rita's gentle and slightly flirtatious voice drifting through the door.
"Lord Otto, are you inside? If this is a bad time, Rita can come back later."
"Come in."
Otto came back to himself, his fingers unconsciously continuing to tap rhythmically on the table, his deep and powerful voice carrying a tone of unquestionable authority.
Rita gently pushed open the door, carefully placed a mysterious black box on the desk, then straightened up and bowed respectfully, saying,
"Lord Otto, the item you requested is here. Is there anything else you need?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Otto's eyes. He slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on the black box.
He then slowly reached out and gently lifted the lid.
Upon seeing the test tubes inside, each filled to the brim with bright red blood, he couldn't help but frown slightly, a look of mild surprise appearing on his face.
Otto looked at Rita with curiosity and asked,
"Oh~ they're all full? This is truly unexpected. How did Bianca manage that?"
Rita shook her head and replied softly,
"Lord Otto, I'm not quite sure either. Perhaps Miss Bianca has her own methods."
Otto rested his chin on his hand, his delicate face showing a thoughtful expression. After a moment, he nodded and said,
"—Very well, you may go."
After Rita left the room, Otto picked up one of the blood vials and examined it, a faint smile curling at his lips as he murmured,
"Fake? No... Bianca wouldn't do that. These samples are all real. But how did she pull it off? Truly surprising~"