Glastonbury in southwest England held an endless expanse of deep forest. At its heart stood a towering modern building beside a small airstrip—the headquarters of the Soul Force Administration.

Five kilometers north of the headquarters lay a lake. Its azure waters mirrored the emerald forest, painting a breathtaking scene. Legends claimed sprites dwelled within, driving away intruders—though few ever reached this place. On the lake’s island stood a crumbling chapel, ancient yet unbroken. Beside it rose a grand Gothic cathedral, a stark contrast to its humble neighbor.

This was Glastonbury’s Courtyard—the current base of the Order of the Holy Temple.

A small wooden boat floated at the lake’s center. Inside lay Lin Zixuan, Yichen’s elder sister. Her snow-white hair framed a face of ethereal beauty, draped in a white dress. She stared blankly at the cerulean sky, wisps of cloud drifting slowly above. Only the rustling leaves and chirping birds broke the silence.

Whenever her heart grew heavy, Zixuan sought this stillness. Its peace let her forget her troubles.

On the island, Edith crouched in the grass, watching Zixuan’s boat with a gloomy expression. For a month, Zixuan had drifted like this—listless except during missions. Claire had wanted to join her on the boat, but Zixuan insisted on solitude. Helpless, Claire now kept watch from the shore.

A woman materialized above Zixuan. Appearing twenty, she had long black hair woven with three strands of silver-threaded pearls, tied at the nape with a crimson ribbon bow. Her light-blue open-front kimono accentuated a mature figure. Gray-blue eyes gleamed with fierce will beneath a bewitching face.

"Zola!" Claire gasped softly from shore, springing up in alarm.

Zola winked at her, then stuck out her tongue with a mischievous grin. Claire frowned but sank back down, resigned. She didn’t know Zola’s game—and interfering might only anger Zixuan.

This was Zola Heiligbell, Fifth Seat of the Order of the Holy Temple.

Zola gazed down at Zixuan, smiling fondly. Below, Zixuan remained lost in the clouds, unaware.

*Heh~*

Zola’s laughter echoed, dreamlike. She descended slowly until she lay atop Zixuan, who still didn’t stir. Propping herself on one elbow, Zola traced Zixuan’s cheek with her free hand, savoring the touch. Zixuan’s eyes stayed distant, fixed on the sky.

Zola’s fingers slid down Zixuan’s neck, over her collarbone, lower—

*Hmm.*

A soft moan escaped Zixuan as Zola’s hand reached her chest. Zola’s grin widened. Her fingers slipped beneath Zixuan’s dress, roaming like a lover’s caress. Zixuan’s cheeks flushed crimson. Her body trembled faintly at each sensitive touch, breath hitching.

"Messiah..." Zixuan whispered, her face burning.

Zola froze. *Messiah?* She leaned close, lips brushing Zixuan’s ear.

"Right~ I *am* Messiah." Her whisper echoed like her laughter.

Suddenly, light returned to Zixuan’s eyes.

"No! You’re not Messiah!" She shoved Zola hard.

Zola tumbled to the boat’s edge.

"What a shame," Zola sighed. "Why wake up now?"

Zixuan looked down. Her dress hung open, skin bared in disarray. She yanked the fabric shut, glaring.

" Messiah doesn’t touch me like that—" She cut herself off. Zola crawled closer, grinning.

"Oh? Then *how* does he touch you? Show me~"

"Insolent fool!" Zixuan summoned her Stellar Mark, its tip at Zola’s throat. Zola stilled.

"You cast an illusion on me!"

Zola feigned innocence. "It was an accident! A tiny illusion—how could it affect our mighty Law Enforcer? You just happened to be here when I slipped..." Her eyes narrowed. "Unless... you *were* affected?"

"I..." Zixuan faltered. Truthfully, Zola’s illusions preyed on emotional fragility—and Zixuan had been vulnerable. She dismissed her Stellar Mark, turning away. "Leave me alone. I want solitude."

Zola plopped down beside her. "Don’t be distant. We’re comrades. Tell your big sister what’s wrong."

Zixuan shot her a withering look. Zola only leaned in eagerly.

"Let me guess... love troubles?"

No one would believe a Holy Temple Knight had such woes. These beings were pillars of cosmic law—ageless, beyond mortal emotions. Yet Zixuan didn’t deny it. She bowed her head, ruby eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

*She really is in love.* Zola hid her shock. "I’ve got experience in this area. Maybe I can help?"

Zixuan hesitated, recalling Zola’s scandalous reputation. Finally, she whispered: "We lived together for so long... but his eyes now linger on other women. Lately... he’s grown to hate me." She poured out her heart.

"Mm. Are you lovers?"

Zixuan shook her head. "He’s my younger brother."

Zola’s eyebrows lifted slightly. *Her brother?* She twirled a strand of Zixuan’s hair. "Shirley, you’re stunning~ I’m almost jealous."

"W-what are you doing?"

"But beauty alone won’t hold a man’s heart." Zixuan let Zola’s fingers linger.

"He... he wouldn’t change."

"Wouldn’t he? His eyes already wander." Zixuan’s shoulders slumped.

"Men crave what they can’t have. Once they feel they’ve *claimed* you, they lose interest. Keep him guessing—make him fear losing you. But carefully... or he’ll walk away."

Zixuan listened intently.

"The best trick? Show him a side he’s never seen. As a Law Enforcer, you’re not the sister he knows. Let him glimpse *that* you."

"But—" Zixuan bit her lip.

"You needn’t treat him as a stranger. Just reveal hidden facets of yourself."

Zixuan fell silent, thinking. Then her face brightened. "I understand! Thank you!" She shot into the sky.

"Zola! What did you do to Lady Zixuan?!" Claire’s voice rang out. She hovered above the lake, glaring.

"Just gave love advice to a smitten girl."

"Really?" Claire’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Mm-hmm. Come here, let big sister hug you~" Zola flew up, arms open.

"Stay back!" Claire shrieked. Violet Soul Power erupted, shattering the forest’s calm. Waves crashed against the shore as Zola threw up a barrier. Silence returned slowly.

Zola sighed. "Fine. But if you ever want a hug, just say so."

"Only Lady Zixuan hugs me!" Claire spun away.

***

Zixuan landed before the grand cathedral. She strode through white arches into its hallowed space.

Gothic majesty stole the breath. Marble walls gleamed ivory-white. Sacred carvings adorned pillars. Above, the vaulted ceiling blazed with frescoes of angels, mortals, and demons—a testament to divine awe.

Zixuan hurried down a corridor.

"Shirley! Where’s the rush?" A tall young man called out—sun-kissed, handsome, with wavy brown hair.

Zixuan swept past without a glance. He chuckled ruefully.

She entered a room like a frozen dreamscape. Grabbing headphones from a bed, she pressed them to her ears.

"Manwen? It’s Zixuan."

"Miss Zixuan!"

"You finally called me! Do you know I've been searching for you for five days? If you don't confirm the next itinerary soon, I won't know what to do!" An urgent female voice crackled through the phone.

"Hmm. When is that banquet in Heavenly Bay City you mentioned earlier?"

"Huh? You're going to this banquet? It's the day after tomorrow."

"Mm. I'm going."

"So where are you now? Where should I pick you up?"

"No need to pick me up. And you don't need to attend the banquet either."

"Huh? Miss Zixuan, you barely know any guests there. How can you manage without me?"

Zixuan froze for a moment.

"They all know me, right?"

"That's true..."

"That's enough. This time, I'm going with my younger brother."

"Huh? Young Master Lin? Should I help him prepare then?"

"No need. I'll handle it."

"In that case, what about the next itinerary..."

"We'll discuss it in a few days."

A sigh of helplessness drifted from the other end.

"Alright. I'll call you again in three days—remember to answer."

"Mm."

After hanging up, Zixuan took a deep breath and stepped out of the room.

***

Ring ring ring...

The dismissal bell echoed across Skyvoid Academy. Yichen walked out of the school building with Zhenghong as usual, then they parted ways.

Strolling down the campus path, Yichen pulled out his phone and dialed Zixuan's number. His thumb hovered over the call button but didn't press it.

(What should I say... Talk like normal? Or apologize first? It was my fault...)

Just as Yichen hesitated, his screen lit up with an incoming call—Zixuan. He fumbled to answer.

"Hello, sis."

"Yichen... How have you been lately?"

"S-Still okay. Discharged yesterday—I'm fully recovered now."

"That's good."

"Sis, w-what are you doing right now?"

"I'm on a plane."

"Huh? Why on a plane? Where did you go?"

A brief silence filled the line.

"Flying back from the UK. Landing at 9 AM tomorrow. Yichen, there's a banquet tomorrow night—will you come?"

"Banquet? What banquet?"

The word felt alien to Yichen. Zixuan had never taken him to such events before. He was completely at a loss.

"It's a networking gala for businessmen. I've never brought you to places like this. How about we go together this time?"

Zixuan rarely used such a coaxing tone. Yichen's chest tightened with sudden nerves.

"Then... what do I need to prepare?"

"Don't worry. I'll handle everything after I return."

"Oh, okay... Sis!"

Though Zixuan never hung up first, Yichen blurted out, fearing she'd cut the call.

"What?"

"I-I'm sorry."

Silence settled again.

"Mm."

That soft reply alone lifted Yichen's spirits.

"I'll wait for you tomorrow. Bye."

"Mm. Bye."

Yichen slipped the phone into his pocket. A warm surge of elation spread from his heart through his whole body.

Unconsciously, his steps quickened—eager to reach cram school, to get home, to rush toward tomorrow.