A flicker of panic flashed through Furina's eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
"What are you talking about? I am the Hydro Archon of Fontaine—Furina. My true name is Focalors, the Goddess of Justice. Isn't it common knowledge that I am a god?"
Shajin watched her in silence. Furina stared right back, undaunted.
Then, he shrugged.
"Apologies, Lady Furina. I must've been overthinking."
"Now that you know who I am, do you still want me to be your bodyguard?"
The ahoge atop Furina's head twitched slightly.
"Of course! I am a god, after all. Why would I be afraid of a mere mortal like you? If something happens that you can't solve, obviously I'll have to step in."
Shajin couldn't help but chuckle.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Lady Furina~"
"Hmph, you'd better."
Furina blinked playfully.
"I thought you were going to be dangerous, but surprisingly, you're actually a good person~"
Shajin lightly touched his cheek and murmured,
"A good person? Heh… maybe."
Furina launched into an enthusiastic rundown of Fontaine's culture and cuisine.
"Oh, right! There's a magician performing soon at the Opera Epiclese. Let's go watch it together!"
Shajin had no objections. Arlecchino said she had something urgent to discuss, but hey—fun comes first, right?
…
"So long… so lonely… how much longer…?"
"Hm?"
Shajin glanced over at the nearby fountain, narrowing his eyes. Just now… was that Furina's voice?
"Shajin! Come on!"
He shook his head. Probably just misheard.
Then waved toward Furina.
"I'm coming!"
…
"This view's pretty great~"
Shajin stood beside Furina as he spoke.
They were standing at a perfect observation point, offering an unobstructed view of the entire stage of the opera house.
The Opera Epiclese in Fontaine was more than just a stage for dazzling performances and emotional storytelling. It was also a sacred place of judgment.
To the right side of the stage was a high platform, where Chief Justice Neuvillette sat. As always, he was expressionless and upright, his posture rigid as a blade, radiating solemn authority.
His vertical pupils seemed to pierce through all falsehoods, distinguishing right from wrong with a single glance.
On the left side, a slightly elevated platform marked Furina's exclusive seat. At this moment, she sat with her legs elegantly crossed, poised like a noble white swan.
Her chin was slightly lifted as she gazed down at the stage from her lofty perch, the embodiment of divine pride.
From this vantage point, the entire opera house lay in full view.
A vivid performance was underway on the central stage, brimming with energy and emotion. Every subtle expression and graceful movement of the actors was crystal clear.
Meanwhile, in the audience below, reactions varied.
Some were completely engrossed, their faces lighting up or dimming with the rise and fall of the story.
Others whispered quietly to their neighbors, sharing thoughts and impressions.
And a few, perhaps exhausted, were starting to doze off…
Despite the distance, not a single note or line of dialogue was lost.
Every lyric, every melodic phrase drifted into their ears like a babbling brook—crystal clear, immersive, enchanting.
…
"Now, for the final performance of the evening, and the one everyone's been waiting for—an illusion act by the magician Lyney and his sister Lynette!"
The audience burst into thunderous applause.
"Thank you all for coming to the Opera Epiclese despite your busy schedules. I'm tonight's performer—Lyney!"
Shajin narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Arlecchino's handpicked successor, huh?"
"And this is my sister, and most important assistant—Lynette."
"Go ahead and greet everyone."
Lynette yawned and muttered listlessly,
"Hello, everyone~"
Lyney scratched his head with an awkward chuckle.
"Hahaha… don't let her sleepy face fool you. That's just how she shows she's nervous."
Lynette rolled her eyes.
"Whatever~"
The siblings' banter immediately lightened the mood and drew warm laughter from the crowd.
Then Lyney clapped to draw everyone's attention back.
"Some of you may think, 'You guys have Visions, so of course you can use elemental powers. Hiding things in a Vision and calling it magic—what's so impressive about that?'"
"So, here's my promise—everything you see on this stage tonight has nothing to do with elemental energy."
At that moment, a masked individual walked up and received both Lyney and Lynette's Visions.
"Now that both Lynette and I have removed our Visions, well—guess the gods won't be helping us anymore."
"I know everyone's getting a little impatient, so the show is about to begin. Lynette will step offstage for a moment to prepare."
"But don't miss her too much—she'll be returning soon, in a way you'll never expect, and she'll be the center of attention once more."
"Oh! One more important reminder—"
"Please…"
"Choose very carefully when you blink!"
…
The lights dimmed, and a cloak of mystery draped over the venue. Then, with a snap, several spotlights blazed to life, illuminating Lyney alone at center stage.
Clad in an elegant black tailcoat, he stood tall and confident, a charming smile gracing his lips.
"Dear audience, please enjoy the magician's signature feat!"
Lyney's smooth, magnetic voice echoed through the hushed hall.
"From nothing to something—and from something, to nothing~"
He gracefully lifted his polished top hat and held it high for all to see. It was completely empty.
But then—magic.
The hat floated in midair, completely still, as if suspended by invisible threads of wonder.
Gasps and applause rippled through the crowd.
Lyney extended a long finger and gently tapped the top of the floating hat.
In an instant, playing cards cascaded down like snowflakes, fluttering through the air.
"Look, look, Shajin! How's he doing that?! I wanna learn too!"
Furina, sitting in the audience, was wide-eyed with excitement, as giddy as a child. She stared intently, completely enthralled.
_
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