After Celia rejoined the squad, Dorothy soon bid farewell, planning to start her duties as an instructor tomorrow.

Celia didn’t linger at the Heroes Guild either. In high spirits, she waved her hand and took Isa and Aurora shopping around the city.

As the sun dipped low, they finally returned to Lena’s villa, laden with bags.

“We’re back! Sister Lena!”

Isa barged in without hesitation, her confident stride oddly cute. Lena, wearing an apron in the kitchen, poked her head out at the sound.

“Welcome back.”

“These are all gifts for you! Sister Lena, open them quick!”

Dropping her bags, Isa marched to the kitchen, hooked her arm through Lena’s, and dragged her to the living room. Her rosy cheeks glowed with anticipation.

Aurora and Celia stood quietly nearby, eyes fixed on her, waiting for the unwrapping moment.

With a soft, resigned chuckle, Lena humored them and opened the gifts.

A flower-shaped hairpin, a slightly cute pink dress, a petite vanity mirror, a crystal-clear necklace…

Seeing these girlish gifts, her lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

“So beautiful.”

She praised with a smile, fiddled with the hairpin briefly, then put the gifts away.

Relief washed over Celia, seeing Lena seemed to like them.

Isa, the most excited earlier, dashed into the kitchen like a flash after Lena set the gifts down—likely to sneak pastries.

Lena ignored her. She turned to Celia and Aurora. “Thank you for the gifts. I wasn’t prepared to return the favor.”

“No need! We gave them to thank you for letting me stay an extra day. Thanks to that, I don’t have to check out!”

Celia crossed her arms, huffed twice, and put on a mysterious air without elaborating.

Yet her face practically screamed, “Ask me already!”

Lena saw through her act. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she feigned surprise. “Hmm? Good news?”

“That’s right! Our squad finally has an instructor. We can take the Hero assessment and become real Heroes!”

“Really? Then, Celia, you won’t be sad about parting with friends anymore?”

“Ah, sad? Lena must’ve seen wrong. I—I’ve never been sad!”

Trying oddly to hide her affection, Celia stammered, her face flushing pink.

“Aurora, don’t listen to Lena’s nonsense! I’d never be sad over this!”

Faced with such a weak excuse, Aurora covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

“Miss Celia, such a tsundere~”

“Aurora!”

Lena didn’t know what she’d said wrong. Celia acted like a kitten whose secret was exposed, baring her teeth nonstop.

It took great effort to calm her down, smoothing her ruffled fur.

Later, Lena returned to the kitchen to finish dinner.

Only now, a small figure stood there—chocolate crumbs dotting her lips.

“Little glutton.”

Bending down, Lena tapped Isa’s nose and took the two untouched cakes from her hands.

Isa grabbed her sleeve, panicking. Cake still in her mouth, she mumbled, “Mmm… Sister Lena! I’m the future Hero! Feed me well today. When I’m a councilor later, I’ll open flower shops for you across the empire!”

“And just say the word—I’ll be your personal maid for days! Those bad guys coveting your beauty? I’ll punch them one by one!”

Lena’s heart softened at those watery eyes and pitiful expression. She handed the cakes back.

“Here. Sister will wait for you to become a councilor.”

“Mhm!”

Isa opened her abyss-like mouth, bit off half the cake, and narrowed her eyes in blissful satisfaction.

Though the shortest of the four, Isa had the biggest appetite. Even after all those pre-dinner cakes, she devoured her meal.

Time flew. The moon hung high outside.

Isa and Aurora slept early. Celia stepped onto the balcony, leaning on the railing in her nightgown, letting the breeze flow.

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you asleep?”

Lena saw her passing by. Instinctively, she draped her coat over Celia.

“The night wind’s strong. Don’t catch a cold.”

Autumn’s chill lingered in the air—not biting, but sharp.

Celia glanced at Lena’s bare arms, removed the coat, and handed it back. “You should be careful, Lena. I have magic inside me—I’m not afraid of this.”

Magic-wielders lived longer and did things ordinary humans couldn’t. Like using magic to stay warm.

Lena silently took the coat and joined her at the railing, gazing into the distance.

Cool autumn air filled their nostrils. Far off, branches swayed. In the dark jungle, fireflies illuminated flowers—a breathtaking sight.

After a long silence, Celia whispered, “Thank you. Without you, I might’ve missed this chance.”

“You chose it yourself. I only suggested.”

“My choice?”

Propping her chin on her hands, she didn’t reply. Instead, she stared at the moon. “I never thought a senior would train us. Lena, do you know? Senior Dorothy is so gentle. Near her, I feel… inexplicably safe.”

“And it’s the first time anyone told me to chase my dreams. At home, they rarely care about my thoughts…”

“I really like her.”

Lena froze, then warmth spread through her chest.

“I’m glad. Under your instructor’s guidance, become a true Hero.”

“Of course!”

Celia stretched, brimming with spirit, and left the balcony.

But halfway, she turned back, making a shushing gesture.

“Don’t tell anyone what I said tonight.”

A maiden’s secret.

As the listener, Lena would keep it.

After Celia left, Lena pulled out her magic communicator. Messages flashed wildly.

Sharin: [Ahhh Lena! You know Elder Silverflower and didn’t tell me?! Ten years of friendship—my heart is broken!]

[Our bond faded, Lena. You’re so distant! Where’s the gentle Lena I knew?!]

[Talk to me, Lena! Say something!]

[Ignoring me? Just you wait!]

Lena’s lips twitched. With a snap, she closed the communicator.

Sharin’s private enthusiasm scared her a little.