Chapter 67: Conflict with Hela

The morning light shone on every corner of Aurora Academy, bringing life back to this academy of hope.

Seleste pushed open the window.

The fresh scent of dew spread, making her lips curl into a faint smile.

A gentle breeze brushed her cheek, and her dark brown hair shimmered in the morning glow like a veil of light.

Just as she was about to turn around, a familiar voice from downstairs made her pause.

On the path of the Apartment District, Vellandelle stood beneath a tree full of tiny white flowers, her black hair casually tied behind her head.

Rosasys was tugging at her sleeve, pink eyes filled with reluctance, while Kelosha hugged a bag of freshly bought bread, her tail swaying as she occasionally chimed in.

“Sister, you must send a message back every day!”

“Otherwise, I’ll be worried.”

Vellandelle gently ruffled her younger sister’s hair.

“Don’t worry, I promise you. And it’s only for a day or two.”

Kelosha took a big bite of bread, her words muffled.

“Remember to bring more food. There probably isn’t anything tasty in the Remnants.”

Seleste leaned against the window, smiling unconsciously.

Watching these adorable little ones made her heart feel warm.

She didn’t really care if Rosasys and Kelosha truly liked Vellandelle.

In her eyes, their happiness was what Seleste most wanted to see.

If she could marry Vellandelle in the future, wouldn’t these two little ones belong to her as well?

Besides, she had carried too much in this life—perhaps not getting too close to them was for the best.

But when she heard the word “Remnants” in their conversation, her brows furrowed slightly.

Remnants…

Seleste pondered.

Since Vellandelle rarely talked about it, Seleste couldn’t be sure which Remnants they meant.

Based on the current timeline, there shouldn’t be any important Remnants, right?

Maybe just some ordinary historical ruins?

“We’re leaving early tomorrow morning.”

Vellandelle’s voice drifted with the wind.

“I need to prepare some necessities today…”

Seleste’s gaze unconsciously followed Vellandelle’s figure.

“Do you need help?”

She whispered to herself, then shook her head.

With Vellandelle’s personality, she definitely wouldn’t easily accept special care.

The three downstairs chatted a bit more, then finally parted ways under Rosasys’s reluctant gaze.

Rosasys and the others went to class first, while Vellandelle turned and headed toward the Aphrodite Restaurant.

After resting for so many days, she hadn’t forgotten she was still a part-timer.

Seleste watched that receding figure, her fingertips lightly tapping the window frame.

She thought carefully—since it involved Vellandelle, she should confirm it herself.

Seleste nodded, then turned and left the Apartment.

She decided to look for a history department teacher later.

Matters related to Remnants were probably best known to them.

However, as she walked down from the Apartment, Seleste suddenly shivered, her gaze drifting to a bench.

There sat a young girl, elegant and noble.

Seleste recognized her—it was Karlenasha.

Even in her previous life, when she was already strong, she had found this person to be an inexplicably strange character.

Karlenasha sat there with a smile, legs crossed gracefully, hands folded as she watched the scene before her.

Whether it was Vellandelle just now or Seleste herself, neither seemed to notice her.

Students came and went, yet no one paid her any mind.

You had to know, as the Foremost, Karlenasha’s appearances always drew countless gasps.

Now, it was as if she exuded an aura that separated her from the world, making her hard to notice.

Seleste silently lowered her head and walked past, acting normal.

It wasn’t until she had passed by Karlenasha that Karlenasha’s smiling, cold eyes landed on her.

***

At the Restaurant, as soon as Vellandelle walked in, she felt a sharp gaze.

A red-haired girl holding a tray was staring daggers at her, the anger in her eyes so intense it seemed ready to burst into flames and swallow Vellandelle whole.

Vellandelle hesitated, only then realizing this was that person named Hela she’d met in the shop before.

That look…

Did she hate her this much?

Vellandelle shrank her neck in confusion.

“Finally remembered you still have a job?”

“Didn’t you go perform at the Humanity Popularity Tournament…”

“You performed too?”

Hela looked at Vellandelle in disbelief, but seeing Vellandelle’s face, she had to admit, even if she didn’t want to, that she qualified for the stage.

“Yeah, Hela-sis is so pretty, you must have performed before too, right?”

Vellandelle knew Hela was a graduate, but for various reasons, she hadn’t left the Academy and was working at the Restaurant.

She spoke sincerely, but Vellandelle didn’t know that Hela had never qualified to perform at the Humanity Popularity Tournament in the past.

So to Hela, this was pure mockery.

“You! All you have is your face left, stupid fox.”

Hela couldn’t help but curse.

Vellandelle blinked innocently.

She didn’t understand why this Hela-sis was so hostile to her.

“!”

Hela’s voice was loud.

Many customers turned their heads in interest, especially after seeing Vellandelle.

Watching two beautiful girls argue was a treat in itself.

“What’s going on? What’s going on?”

Xiao Jiu hurried over.

Seeing it was Vellandelle, then noticing Hela confronting her, she instantly realized what was happening.

Ever since two days ago, after meeting Vellandelle, Hela had started taking morning shifts to see what kind of person the boss valued so highly.

Although Hela was a total Workaholic on shift and never spoke ill of Vellandelle, with Vellandelle present, things were different.

Xiao Jiu was the most sensitive to Hela’s resentment.

Especially since Shop Manager Mia mentioned Vellandelle every day and, after watching her performance, even custom-ordered a Vellandelle hug pillow with a lovestruck expression.

Mia’s debt of gratitude to Hela was huge, and Hela’s feelings for Shop Manager Mia went beyond just liking—so how could she not be upset?

Xiao Jiu was one of the earliest hires along with Hela.

Back then, Hela had been a wounded, timid girl.

Mia not only brought her into the Restaurant, helping her gain confidence and paying her tuition, but had done so much more…

Xiao Jiu quickly stood between the two, a calming smile on her face.

“Hela, Vellandelle is new and still has a lot to learn. Vellandelle-chan, Hela is your senior—you should respect her.”

Hela snorted and turned away, but her fingers gripped the tray so tightly her knuckles were white.

Vellandelle nodded obediently, still unable to understand why this senior held such hostility toward her.

The busy day began.

Vellandelle soon discovered that although Hela was cold, her work was impeccable.

No wonder, before Seleste’s arrival in the plot, she was known as the Restaurant’s Workaholic.

Her actions were swift, her manner gentle toward customers—hard to believe it was the same Hela who glared at her!

And Vellandelle, not to mention that many customers had already seen her.

Thanks to her performance at the Tournament and her natural Banshee grace, she quickly won over guests.

During the lunch rush, the Restaurant was packed.

A group of more than ten guests arrived in Hela’s section, making her workload explode.

Seeing this, Vellandelle silently sped up her own service, then moved to help in Hela’s area once finished.

“Who asked you to meddle?”

Hela glared at her, still harsh, but her workload lightened thanks to Vellandelle’s help.

“If guests wait too long, it hurts the Restaurant’s reputation.”

Vellandelle replied calmly.

As they worked, a strange camaraderie formed.

Hela handled orders and billing, Vellandelle managed serving and table cleaning, and of course, the final serving blessing was still Hela’s job.

A potential staffing crisis was perfectly averted.

After the rush, Hela glanced at the panting Vellandelle, her lips twitching before she spoke stiffly.

“……Thank you.”

Vellandelle was surprised, then smiled.

“You’re welcome, Senior Hela.”

During a break, Xiao Jiu quietly pulled Vellandelle aside.

“Actually, Hela’s not a bad person. It’s just… Shop Manager Mia is special to her.”

From Xiao Jiu’s explanation, Vellandelle learned that Hela had been a bullied orphan.

Mia took her in, gave her work and schooling.

To Hela, Mia was not just a boss, but a benefactor, family, and even someone she loved.

“Shop Manager’s been talking about you a lot lately—and even bought your merchandise…”

Xiao Jiu spread her hands helplessly.

“That’s why Hela reacted so strongly.”

Vellandelle suddenly understood, her resentment toward Hela vanishing.

But then another issue popped up—her own merchandise?

What was going on!?

She’d have to question Mia later.

Her own merch just popping up—how absurd.

After lunch, Vellandelle noticed Hela occasionally rubbing her right wrist, as if an old injury was acting up.

She thought for a moment—she knew many healing spells that might help.

During a break, Vellandelle quietly approached, gathering a gentle light in her hand as she walked up to Hela.

“Senior, this should help you.”

Hela eyed her warily.

“What is it?”

“High-level Healing.”

Vellandelle said softly.

“I noticed your wrist seemed uncomfortable.”

Hela stared at her for a moment, her gaze complex, but finally allowed Vellandelle to touch her.

As the cool energy seeped into her wrist, the pain eased significantly.

“……Thank you.”

This time, the gratitude felt far more sincere than before.

“What I said earlier was wrong.”

Hela turned her head, a blush spreading across her face.

“I didn’t mind it either. But maybe I did cause some misunderstandings, so can we get along from now on?”

Vellandelle extended her hand, a gentle smile on her face.

Hela finally nodded.

At that moment, Mia, who had been holed up in her room for ages, finally appeared.

“Haha! This cat knew it—dear Vivillianne and little Hela would definitely get along!”

Mia stuck out her tongue.

Xiao Jiu and Mina stood beside her, faces full of exasperation.

Did she really have to wait until things were resolved to show up?

Honestly, only Shop Manager…

“Hmph.”

Hela glanced at Mia, snorted, and brushed past her, heading deeper into the Restaurant.

“Little Hela…”

Mia didn’t know what to say, only reaching out a hand.

“Shop Manager, don’t you realize Senior Hela likes you?”

Vellandelle approached, clueless, and dropped a bombshell that made Xiao Jiu and Mina tremble.

Though everyone knew, how could such a thing be said out loud?

The room fell silent for a moment.

Xiao Jiu shook her head at Vellandelle, signaling her to stop.

Sensing the awkwardness, Vellandelle wondered if she’d said something wrong.

Was this supposed to be a secret? But everyone knew, right?

Had she been too talkative?

“I know, it’s just… Sigh… Vellandelle-chan, you wouldn’t understand.”

“……”

Why wouldn’t I understand?

Vellandelle’s lips twitched, but seeing no one wanted to speak, she dropped the subject.

“Then, what about my merchandise?”

“Cough, cough, what merchandise? I know nothing about that.”

“Still pretending? Even Xiao Jiu said it!”

“What? Xiao Jiu, you sold me out!”

As Mia shrieked, Vellandelle dragged her to see the so-called “her merchandise.”

After seeing it, Vellandelle’s face darkened.

A life-sized hug pillow of herself in a black dress—what kind of genius came up with this!?

“Not me.”

Mia answered instantly, before she was even asked.