Xianyun: "Honestly..."
She turned the piece slightly.
Xianyun: "I overestimated the difficulty of the task."
Aether raised his head slightly.
Xianyun: "In the end, it will only take a few minutes."
A silence.
Then
Aether: "...Huh?"
He blinked, visibly surprised.
Aether: "A few minutes?!"
Xianyun nodded calmly.
Xianyun: "Yes."
She placed the fragment on the table.
Xianyun: "The rope itself isn't complex."
"What's complex... is the spirit it contains."
"And I'll also need to gather a certain elemental energy identity to reconstitute the rope."
She raised a finger.
Xianyun: "But fortunately, Shenhe isn't an ordinary person."
Aether remained silent.
Xianyun: "Her spirit, although currently fragmented... remains stable in its structure."
Aether: "...I'm not sure I understand."
Xianyun sighed softly.
Xianyun: "In short..."
She folded her arms.
Xianyun: "She's crazy, but in an organized way." »
Aether: "…"
Tubby: "…"
An awkward silence fell, then Tubby coughed slightly, remembering how the situation had escalated.
Tubby: "Um... Master..."
Xianyun: "Yes?"
Tubby tilted his head slightly.
Tubby: "Now that I think about it..."
He looked at Aether.
Tubby: "The fight between Miss Eula and Miss Shenhe happened..."
"...It's because they were both... in love with you."
A silence fell, and Aether froze immediately, understanding Tubby's words.
Tubby: "But you..."
He inclined his head slightly.
Tubby: "What do you think of all this?" "
Aether: "..."
His brain had literally shut down, and a slight flush appeared on his cheeks because, due to the fight and the fact that he had to heal Eula, he had completely forgotten why he was in this situation.
Aether: "...I..."
He immediately looked away.
Aether: "It's... complicated."
Tubby blinked.
Tubby: "Complicated?"
Aether ran a hand behind his neck, his face still flushed.
Aether: "I didn't even know..."
He sighed softly.
Aether: "Well... about Shenhe... I had my doubts... but Eula..."
He shook his head.
Aether: "I don't really understand why..."
Xianyun, who had remained silent until then, continued to observe the rope... but in reality, she was listening to every word with intense attention.
Xianyun: "Hm... interesting..."
Aether: "I mean..."
He clenched his fists slightly.
Aether: "I care about them, I really do... but I don't know if what I feel is the same."
Tubby nodded slowly. Given his advanced age, he had certainly seen countless people come together and part ways, whether couples or friends.
Tubby: "I see..."
Another silence fell, then Xianyun gently placed the rope on the table.
Xianyun: "In that case..."
She crossed her legs elegantly.
Xianyun: "We'll have to think quickly."
Aether looked up.
Aether: "Why?"
Xianyun looked him straight in the eyes.
Xianyun: "Because Shenhe's emotions are currently out of control."
She pointed to the rope.
Xianyun: "And this rope... is the only thing that can bring her back, if you hesitate too long..."
Her expression became slightly more serious.
Xianyun: "Even if you don't manage to save her, I'll be the one to save her, but even in these circumstances, I know very well that you won't give up..."
Aether froze.
Aether: "..."
His eyes fell on the rope again.
A slight shiver ran through him, but before he could reply, Xianyun suddenly stood up.
Aether: "...Huh?"
She stretched slightly.
Xianyun: "Okay."
She adjusted her glasses.
Xianyun: "Enough talk."
Aether: "Will you start?"
Xianyun: "Yes."
Then, without warning—
Xianyun: "Tubby."
Tubby: "Yes, Master?"
Xianyun: "Go buy some tea."
Silence.
Tubby: "..."
Tubby: "Excuse me?"
Aether: "...Huh?"
Xianyun: "Tea."
She made a vague gesture with her hand.
Xianyun: "For the festival."
Tubby blinked several times.
Tubby: "...What festival?"
Xianyun smiled slightly.
Xianyun: "Shenhe's Healing Festival. I like to drink tea."
Absolute silence.
" Aether: "..."
Tubby: "..."
"...But how did you know we have enormous quantities of tea here!"
Xianyun: "Now I do."
Aether: "Seriously...?"
Xianyun: "Good organization is the key to any success."
Tubby: "But..."
Xianyun: "Tea."
Tubby hadn't finished his sentence when Xianyun interrupted him, declaring his will.
Tubby: "..."
Tubby sighed deeply.
Tubby: "Very well..."
He turned around, muttering.
Tubby: "A party... really..."
Then he slowly walked away.
Aether looked at Xianyun, completely bewildered.
Aether: "Are you serious?"
Xianyun: "Always."
She took the rope between her fingers.
Xianyun: "Now... let's concentrate."
She slightly closed her eyes.
A subtle energy began to form around her hands.
Xianyun: "This rope..."
Her voice became calmer, almost solemn.
Xianyun: "Contains all the emotions Shenhe has repressed for years."
Aether watched intently.
Xianyun: "Repair it..."
A white glow began to appear.
Xianyun: "It's like rebuilding her heart."
FFFFFFFFffffffffff
The wind in the teapot seemed to stop; the entire world within it held its breath.
Aether, however, never took his eyes off the scene.
Aether: "Shenhe..."
His gaze hardened slightly.
Aether: "Hold on..."
"We need to come up with a plan."
Xianyun: "What do you suggest?"
Aether: "..."
The calm of the Serenitea Pot contrasted almost cruelly with the tension that reigned around the small wooden table.
The fragment of red rope still lay in the center, bathed in a soft glow, while the artificial wind gently stirred the surrounding leaves.
Sitting face to face, Aether and Xianyun were thinking.
Or rather… desperately trying to think. Aether had his hands in his hair, his elbows pressed against the table, his gaze vacant.
Aether: "Okay... let's recap..."
Xianyun, perfectly straight in her chair, crossed her legs elegantly.
Xianyun: "Very well."
Aether raised her head slightly.
Aether: "First idea: immobilize her with Geo elemental energy."
He raised a finger.
Aether: "I can create pillars, barriers... prevent her from moving long enough to give her the rope."
Xianyun adjusted her glasses slightly before speaking.
Xianyun: "Rejected."
Aether: "...Why?"
Xianyun: "Because she's physically stronger than your structures."
She calmly placed her hand on the table.
Xianyun: "She'll destroy everything before you even get close."
Aether: "...Yeah..."
He lowered his head.
Aether: " Logical…"
Another silence fell. Aether himself had seen Shenhe shatter Eula's sword with her bare hands while she was in a fighting stance.
Aether raised a second finger.
Aether: "Second idea: lure her into a group of monsters."
Xianyun raised a slight eyebrow.
Aether: "Like… Ruin Guards, Mitachurls… anything we can find."
He gestured.
Aether: "While she's occupied, I'll take the opportunity to approach her."
Xianyun looked at him… then sighed.
Xianyun: "Rejected."
Aether: "Again?!"
Xianyun: "She'll destroy them in seconds."
She paused.
Xianyun: "And she'll probably become even more unstable."
Aether: "…Ah."
He scratched his head.
Aether: "Yeah... seen like that..."
A third finger shot up.
Aether: "Third idea: I'll rush at her and improvise."
Xianyun stared at him for a long moment.
Xianyun: "Rejected."
Aether: "BUT..."
Xianyun: "You risk being attacked."
Aether: "..."
Silence.
Aether slumped onto the table.
Aether: "Great..."
He remained motionless for a few seconds.
Then—
Aether: "We're screwed..."
His voice was muffled against the wood, his head had fallen onto the table, and Xianyun, beside him, let out a smile.
Then a slight movement.
Xianyun leaned slightly towards him and gently placed her hand on his head.
Tap
Aether: "...Huh?"
She began to stroke his hair with an almost maternal slowness.
Xianyun: "Calm down."
Aether froze completely, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Aether: "What are you doing?!"
Xianyun: "You look like a child who's lost their toy."
Aether: "...It's not a toy, it's Shenhe!!"
Xianyun continued without stopping.
Xianyun: "That's precisely why you need to calm down."
Aether sighed, finally letting her head rest on the table.
Aether: "How are we going to..."
Her voice trembled slightly as Xianyun slowly stopped.
Then she continued, more seriously:
Xianyun: "We've already discussed one possibility."
Aether raised her head slightly.
Xianyun: "Bypassing her emotions."
Aether: "..."
Xianyun: "And using what you call..."
She made a slight gesture with her hand.
Xianyun: "The power of love."
Aether stared at her.
Then...
Aether: "Have you been reading Inazuma novels or something?"
Xianyun remained perfectly serious.
Xianyun: "No."
She crossed her arms.
Xianyun: "But I know they've been very popular since the lockdown order was lifted."
Aether: "..."
Xianyun: "But that's not the point."
Aether sighed.
Aether: "Yes... yes..."
He sat up a little.
Aether: "So basically... I have to approach her... without getting killed... and manage to calm her down..."
Xianyun: "Exactly."
Aether: "...Easy."
Silence.
Xianyun: "I never said that."
Aether lowered his head.
Aether: "Great..."
A silence fell.
Then—
The sound of light footsteps.
Tubby was returning.
With, resting on his "hat" (which did indeed look remarkably like a huge teapot lid), a small pile of tea leaves.
Author's note: Tubby's hat is indeed a teapot lid.
Tubby: "Here I am again."
He approached the table.
Tubby: "So, Master, is this enough?"
Aether raised his head slightly.
Aether: "Yes, that's enough—"
Xianyun: "No. Bring more."
Tubby: "..."
Aether: "..."
Xianyun: "..."
The three of them looked into each other's eyes for a moment, then Tubby sighed deeply.
Tubby: "...Very well..."
He turned slowly.
Tubby: "She hasn't changed at all..."
And he left, muttering to himself.
Aether watched him leave... then remained silent for a moment, and Xianyun gently placed the red rope on the table.
Xianyun: "Shenhe comes before everything else."
Aether nodded slowly.
Aether: "...Yes."
Silence fell. Aether lightly clenched her fists.
Aether: "I'll do it."
Xianyun: "Hm?"
Aether looked up.
Aether: "Whatever the plan... I'm going to approach her."
Her voice was firm.
Aether: "Even if it's dangerous."
Xianyun stared at him for a long moment, then a slight smile appeared on her lips.
Xianyun: "Good."
She took hold of the rope.
A gentle energy began to form around her hands.
Xianyun: "Then prepare yourself."
The two were still seated around the wooden table, in the eerie stillness of the Serenitea Pot. The air seemed almost suspended, as if even the wind were waiting for something to happen.
Before them, the fragments of red rope lay inert… but not for much longer.
Xianyun slightly closed his eyes.
FFFFFFFFFiiiiiiiiiiii…
A soft light began to emanate from his hands, a blend of white, blue, and gold hues.
This was not mere elemental energy; it was something older, purer, a direct manifestation of the adept arts.
Aether, silent, watched.
The fragments of rope began to tremble.
At first, it was only a slight tremor… almost imperceptible. Then, as if summoned by an unseen force, the pieces rose slowly into the air, some spinning, others gliding as if floating on water.
Then a light burst forth.
The fragments began to glow intensely, their ends drawing closer together.
The torn fibers reconnected, strand by strand, as if time itself were reversed.
Each piece found its place as each crack vanished.
The colors intensified: white symbolized purity, blue wisdom… and yellow, willpower.
CRRRRrrrrr…
A final burst of light.
FFFFFOOOuuuusshhhh
And the red rope, now intact, slowly descended into Xianyun's hands.
Perfect.
As if it had never been broken.
Aether remained silent for a moment, his eyes slightly wide.
Aether: "Adept arts are incredible…"
Xianyun offered a faint smile, without replying. But his gaze said it all.
At that moment—
TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP
A strange noise could be heard in the distance.
Aether turned his head, and his eyes widened even further.
Tubby was returning, but not as before.
This time, it was a veritable mountain of tea leaves resting on his hat.
A gigantic, unstable pile, ready to collapse at any moment.
Each step he took seemed like an accomplishment.
Tubby: "M-Master… I… brought… what you asked for…"
Aether blinked.
Aether: "Tubby… you really did a good job…"
Tubby, despite his obvious fatigue, raised his head slightly with pride.
Tubby: "Thank you…"
Xianyun observed the scene for a few seconds… then turned his head slightly.
Xianyun: "........."
A silence.
Then—
Xianyun: "Yes, that's enough."
Tubby: "........."
A long silence fell.
Then, slowly…
Tubby turned away.
Tubby: "Definitely… she really hasn't changed…"
He walked away muttering, dropping the tea leaves in a corner with a sigh.
Aether, however, couldn't help but smile slightly.
But quickly, his expression became serious again.
He looked at the red rope.
Then at Xianyun.
Aether: "So… we have her…"
Xianyun nodded.
Xianyun: "Yes."
Aether: "Shenhe must be fighting the Ruin Guard…"
He crossed his arms, thinking.
Aether: "That's impossible… the Ruin Guard must be in pieces right now…"
Xianyun: "Don't worry about it."
Aether looked up.
Xianyun: "I know where she is."
Aether: "Huh?"
He frowned.
Aether: "Where?"
"How can you know where Shenhe is right now?"
He clenched his fists slightly.
Aether: "She's literally lost all sense of feelings… so how…?"
Xianyun looked at him calmly.
Her gaze was neither worried… nor hesitant.
Just certain.
Xianyun: "I know because I am her master."
A silence.
Then she continued.
Xianyun: "Shenhe is unstable, yes."
"Her emotions explode uncontrollably… but that doesn't mean they lack logic."
She lightly crossed her arms.
Xianyun: "If the slightest event can trigger an extreme reaction… then she will instinctively seek a place where nothing will disturb that chaos."
Aether listened attentively.
Each word took on meaning.
Xianyun: "A secluded place, calm and disconnected from the outside world."
A light breeze drifted through the Serenitea Pot.
Then—
Xianyun raised her eyes slightly.
Xianyun: "A place where she can… feel freely."
Aether almost whispered.
Aether: "Where…?"
Xianyun answered without hesitation.
Xianyun: "At Guyun Stone Forest."
A heavy silence fell.
Aether held the red rope in her hands, then slowly… her gaze changed, filled with determination and confidence.
Aether: "So… let's go get it."
FFFFFFFFiiiiiiiii…
A slight shiver ran through the air as the light from the Serenitea Pot faded.
In an instant, the peaceful, ethereal world of the magic teapot gave way to the more real, denser atmosphere… of Bubu Pharmacy.
Aether and Xianyun reappeared in the center of the room.
The wooden floor creaked softly beneath their feet.
The scent of medicinal herbs wafted through the air, sweet and soothing, contrasting with the tension weighing on their shoulders.
In the middle of the room, Eula and Paimon were already up.
Eula had gotten out of bed.
She stood straight, though her movements still betrayed a slight fatigue, her hand instinctively resting near her injured shoulder, now healed but still tender.
Paimon floated beside her, arms crossed, visibly impatient.
Paimon: "Finally!"
" You're back!"
Aether blinked, slightly surprised.
Aether: "Eula…?"
Her gaze quickly traveled down to her legs, then back up to her face.
Aether: "You should be lying down."
Eula crossed her arms.
Eula: "And stay here while you go face Shenhe?"
Silence.
She looked him straight in the eyes.
Eula: "Absolutely not."
Chapter 22: The cuties
The End