The sun was bright outside the window, and several birds perched on the treetops, chirping and making a fuss.
Cavon City was clear for miles today, and the fine weather made everyone’s mood very pleasant.
At this moment, sunlight was streaming through the window into Mo Baiwei’s bedroom.
The window was half-open, and Anthony was nowhere to be seen on the desk.
On the bed, a bundle of blankets wrapped around a petite figure.
A tail sticking out from the covers swayed randomly, making one curious about the secrets hidden within.
A pale gold head poked out from the blanket, eyes vacant as they stared blankly at the ceiling.
After a long while, her pupils finally focused, and she opened her mouth to let out a wide yawn.
“Ha — “
As soon as Mo Baiwei finished yawning and prepared to sit up, she felt aching all over her body.
“Eh?”
Mo Baiwei, whose brain had just finished booting up, expressed great confusion.
She didn’t quite understand why she was still so tired after sleeping.
However, Mo Baiwei soon remembered.
‘Did I get into a fight last night?’
Thinking of what happened the previous night, she hastily threw back the covers to check her injuries.
“Is the recovery that fast?”
After an inspection, Mo Baiwei was surprised to find that most of her wounds had almost healed.
However, what made her feel uncomfortable was that her body was covered in bloodstains, and her clothes were nearly unwearable.
She moved her legs and feet, feeling that her condition wasn’t too bad.
Finding a nightgown in the closet, she put it on, preparing to take a shower first.
“…”
Opening the door and seeing the mess all over the bedroom floor, Mo Baiwei fell silent.
Various bottles were scattered on the ground outside, along with a dried puddle of an unidentified substance.
Mo Baiwei had no choice but to clean up the trash in the living room and equipment room before getting ready for her bath.
After cleaning up, she found a change of clothes and tucked her dirty self into the bathroom.
***
“I feel so relaxed after a shower.”
Walking out of the bathroom, Mo Baiwei tied her long hair behind her head, brewed a cup of mediocre coffee in the living room, grabbed a book, and returned to the bedroom to sit on the edge of the bed and read.
Since obtaining the 100 gold coins from Earl Arnie’s friendly sponsorship, Mo Baiwei no longer went to the cafe every day.
The manager didn’t mind either, paying her for each day she worked.
For Mo Baiwei, her top priority was learning those cool spells.
After flipping through the book for two lines, she realized the pendant wasn’t on her.
She went back out to rummage through her dirty clothes for it.
***
Cavon City Church
“Mida, after so many years, you’ve grown up.”
The Grand Priest in white robes smiled gently, chatting with the girl sitting beside him.
“Yes, Mr. Hall. Thank you for taking me in these past few years.”
Mida was somewhat confused, not understanding why the priest had called her over.
This priest was the place of refuge the Archbishop of the Holy See had found for her back then, allowing Mida to spend her entire childhood in peace.
“In this world, everyone has their own ambitions, and everyone’s ideals are different.
Some want to become a Grand Mage, some want endless life, and others want inexhaustible wealth.
Mida, what is your ideal?”
“My ideal?”
Mida looked around in confusion, then shook her head.
“My ideal should be to continue living a stable life like this.”
“Heh, a very naive thought. It seems you’re still quite lost.”
Hall chuckled, rubbing Mida’s head somewhat affectionately.
“Now that some time has passed, the Archbishop from the Papal States hopes you can go visit him.”
“The Archbishop wants to see me?”
“Yes. He was the one who brought you here to me back then and entrusted me with your care.”
Hall said with some emotion.
“At that time, he was just a minor bishop who hadn’t even participated in the Holy Sacrifice.”
“Then I’ll go see him when I have time.”
Mida still had an impression of this Archbishop.
Although she didn’t like him very much, she didn’t dislike him either.
“Mida, the recent Holy Sacrifice is being prepared. This is a grand ceremony held once every ten years, and even the Pope will attend in person. It’s a good chance for you to go see it. Don’t wait too long.”
“What is the Holy Sacrifice?”
Mida had never heard the term.
In all the years she had been raised by Hall, she had rarely heard this gentle priest mention theology to her.
Logically, clergy loved to promote their faith, but Mida didn’t feel it was that exaggerated after staying in the church for so many years.
It was only mentioned during prayers; otherwise, these people were no different from ordinary folk.
“You’ll know when you get there.”
Whether it was to pique Mida’s interest or not, Hall deliberately kept it vague.
“I won’t be taking you this year. You’ll need to go by yourself.”
“Um… I’m going alone?”
Hearing Hall say this, Mida wavered.
After all, she had never traveled such a long distance alone and was still quite timid.
“You’ve grown up. It’s time to be a bit more mature. You can’t stand on your own if you’re always under the protection of others.”
Hall’s tone shifted from gentle to serious.
He didn’t want Mida to depend on anyone.
For Mida’s sake, he hoped she would depend more on herself.
“Alright…”
“Good. If there’s nothing else, go back for now. I’ll help you request time off from the cafe, don’t worry.”
“Then I’ll be going, Mr. Hall.”
“Yes. Once you’ve packed your things, come to me. I’ve prepared a carriage for you.”
As Hall watched the door close and heard the footsteps outside fade away, he began to talk to himself.
“Of Cenatas’s descendants, I only found this one after trying everything. The bloodline is also extremely thin. If this bloodline can grow, could it lead the Holy See to a new height? Sigh…”
***
Mo Baiwei had a massive headache.
After staring intently at the Encyclopedia of Spells for a whole day, she felt like her head was going to explode.
“Why can’t I understand this?! I clearly recognize every single word.”
Knocking her head in frustration, Mo Baiwei’s mental state had completely collapsed, leaving only a heart full of resentment.
“Is this even something a human can learn? I don’t want to learn anymore!” Mo Baiwei let out a wail, face-planting onto the book, looking at the sunset outside the window with lingering frustration.
Scratching her head, Mo Baiwei looked blankly at the two or three strands of pale gold hair in her hand.
“Hnnnggh! I’m even losing hair!”
Tormented by the spellbook all day, Mo Baiwei flew into a rage.
She threw the book onto the bed and stomped out to find food.
“There are no groceries?!”
Entering the kitchen, Mo Baiwei was met with even greater despair.
She had forgotten to buy groceries these past few days.
“Tsk, I have to go out to buy food. Forget it, I’ll just eat out.”
Returning to the bedroom, Mo Baiwei pulled out the pendant from the bed.
Just as she was about to put it on, she noticed that the pendant seemed to have changed.
‘Inside the pendant… there were originally six small dots, right? Why are there only five left now? When did I use one?’
Mo Baiwei was very confused.
She had no idea what these dots were or what they were used for.
Still… Mo Baiwei glanced at the pendant and then touched the ring on her hand.
Phil had said this ring was useful, and she had tried it once already; it indeed had some effect.
An idea sprouted in Mo Baiwei’s mind.
That was to not wear the pendant, but only the ring.
She would rely on the ring’s power to stay hidden while maintaining her elf bloodline.
She really wanted to experience traveling through this city in her elven body.
‘Speaking of which, it should be fine. After all, I’ve worn it several times recently and haven’t been discovered.’
Today happened to be the Reunion Festival.
Every year during the festival, Mo Baiwei would find a secluded place to turn into an elf and play freely for the night.
Maybe she wouldn’t have to be alone for this year’s Reunion Festival.
Looking at the dusk outside the window, Mo Baiwei made up her mind.
She tucked the pendant away, putting it into her pocket.
After confirming multiple times that it wouldn’t fall out, she began to change her clothes.
Slipping out of her pajamas, she put on a fresh dress and stockings.
Mo Baiwei stood before the mirror, examining herself carefully.
A pale-gold-haired elf, not very tall, stood in the mirror.
She wore a pale green dress that outlined her slender figure.
Her petite feet, wrapped in stockings, were tucked into small leather shoes.
Her long, pale gold hair reached down to her thighs, and her emerald eyes blinked, making one involuntarily feel a sense of pity and love.
“Hmph — I’m the cutest.”