Chapter 244 | Jormungandr in the Labyrinth River

“Big Sister?” Clo found the black-haired girl in the crowd even faster than Li Yue. She glanced at Li Yue's expression; though her heart held a mix of doubt and complex emotions, she didn't let much show on the surface.

“Um...” Li Yue’s mind went blank for a moment. Her memory wasn't failing, but the ability to retrieve those memories had become much more difficult. She tried to recall, kicking over her memory boxes and flinging them open again, rummaging through them until she finally found a relatively warm memory in a hazy flash.

“Melina... why are you here?” Li Yue blinked, quickly stuffing the sweat-soaked handkerchief into Clo’s arms. “This is the... Royal Court...”

The Royal Court? Fragmented images flashed through Li Yue’s mind. Her memory seemed to be having another flashback, as if trying to remember something, but she couldn't grasp it no matter how hard she tried.

“Sister Li Yue?” A pair of small hands waved in front of Li Yue’s eyes, trying to catch her attention. On the girl's index finger was a ring set with a blood-red gemstone. The reflected red light flickered in Li Yue’s eyes, pulling her focus back to reality.

“I’m sorry... I was just spacing out.” Li Yue bent her knees slightly to look closely at Melina’s face. Fortunately, it hadn't been that long since they parted, and Melina hadn't changed much. The familiar face made it easier for her to recall the past.

“Aunt Helen—I mean, Sister Helen—said I have a great talent for music and should study further at the academy. Then Sister Aestherin and Uncle Lane both agreed.” Melina poked her lip with a finger, seemingly deep in thought. “These few days are the Open Day, so they might even come to visit me if they can.”

Melina smiled adorably. Looking at her face, Li Yue couldn't help but want to reach out and pinch her cheeks.

“Thank goodness... except for getting a little chubbier, you haven't changed at all.” Li Yue pinched her small face. She paused for a second, wondering how Clo would feel if she said that to her, then quickly added, “Overall, you’ve become much prettier.”

“Sister Li Yue... you’ve changed so much...” Melina’s grey eyes stared at Li Yue. She seemed to see something within those eyes that looked like stagnant blood, or perhaps she truly saw nothing at all—in short, there was just an emptiness there.

“Me?” Li Yue touched her own face. She glanced at Clo, her eyes filled with complex emotions, even carrying a hint of fear and surprise. It wasn't that a facade had been pierced; rather, it was the fact that she knew perfectly well she had changed significantly, yet she was still lying to herself that nothing was different. And now, someone had pointed it out directly.

“No... no... nothing has changed. I just... returned to the past and am thinking of other methods, that's all.” Li Yue murmured, unsure who she was talking to. She dazed for a moment before coming back to herself. “Perhaps it’s because I’ve absorbed too much of the god's remains, and my soul is undergoing a series of complex changes.”

Li Yue smiled and stroked Melina’s head. She seemed a bit flustered, while Melina just looked on blankly. Clo couldn't find a way into the conversation and could only listen passively. However, since the girl was Li Yue’s friend, she didn't want to interrupt their reunion. She just... felt a slight, inexplicable twinge of jealousy. She didn't even know why she felt this way.

Is my possessiveness getting stronger?

Clo squeezed the handkerchief in her hand, wringing out the sweat Li Yue had wiped away. She asked herself this internally, biting her lip. Because she had almost lost her several times... had that emotion been amplified to this extent? No... I can't be like this... A Yue is free.

I shouldn't be fantasizing about a scenario where A Yue truly loses her magic and can't survive without me, living lovey-dovey every day in a high tower... Or maybe the scene takes place in a dungeon, where I keep her strictly imprisoned. If that were the case, what kind of soft, sweet, and unwilling expression would A Yue have? Ehehehe... (cue the rapid-fire pervert’s chant).

Li Yue glanced at Clo. Despite the obvious emotions on her face, the corners of Clo's mouth were already twitching upward. Li Yue’s expression became a bit subtle. She had intended to introduce Clo to Melina, but looking at Clo now, it didn't seem like the right time to interrupt her thoughts.

What is this idiot thinking about... why do I feel a sudden chill down my spine?

“Who is this big sister?” Melina looked at Clo. This lady had a very unique aura, yet she wore a ring similar to Li Yue’s on her ring finger.

“This is... my lover. Her name is Clo. I mentioned her to you before.” Li Yue spoke naturally as she pointed to Clo. Clo gave a slight cough and greeted Melina warmly. Her smile held a bit of panic, but also a hint of uncontrollable ecstasy.

Lover... A Yue actually used the word 'lover' when introducing me to someone else... mmm... mmm... hehehe...

In her mind, Clo was already rolling around on the bed three times over.

Clo ruffled Melina’s hair, looking to be in an exceptionally good mood.

What is wrong with her...” Li Yue felt a bit helpless and rubbed her forehead. In the distance, a long, resonant bell tolled. The heavy sound drew everyone’s attention. Clo composed herself, making herself look much more serious.