Melina's soul merged completely with the teardrop. Then, the embryo formed from the teardrop seemed to gain true life. Its previously faint pulse was now as clear as a heartbeat. This embryo would likely need a long time to grow before Melina could be reborn. Ranni looked at Bai Shi and explained: “She wants to bind her body and soul together completely, and that will take some time.” “This period is the best for cultivating compatibility between the body and soul.” “The body will mold itself to the soul, growing directly toward it from an embryonic state. It’s the most suitable way.” “So, by introducing the soul into the body now, the flesh that is reborn in the future will be the one most suited for her spirit, with no chance of error.” Bai Shi thought for a moment. So that’s how it worked. He had a Larval Tear and hadn’t undergone rebirth before, so he shouldn't have died then. But Boc wanted to change from a demi-human into a human. The drastic transformation of his body must have caused an incompatibility between his soul and flesh, ultimately leading to his death. In the Lands Between, soul, body, and consciousness were all indispensable. Bai Shi gazed at the silent, silver embryo and couldn't help but ask: “How long will this process take?” Ranni made a quick estimation and gave him a rough timeframe. “I don’t know much about the secrets of rebirth.” “But a normal rebirth only takes a few days.” “Her situation is special, and she’s undergoing a complete rebirth using the material you provided, the Larval Tear.” “I think it will take considerably longer.” “Even a conservative estimate would be close to ten days.” Bai Shi nodded. That amount of time wasn't a problem. As long as Melina’s rebirth went smoothly, what did ten-odd days matter? Ranni looked at Bai Shi again and continued: “During this time, you can go about your own business. I will keep an eye on things for you.” Bai Shi was a little surprised to hear her say that. He looked at Ranni and asked: “What about your own affairs?” Ranni shook her head. “Our agreement was perfectly clear. Helping her be reborn and shaping her body is part of the deal. It isn’t over until that is done.” “This is a condition for completing our partnership. I will not go back on my word.” Bai Shi understood Ranni’s reason for staying. It seemed she considered the subsequent steps to be part of their agreement as well. Their collaboration would only conclude when Melina was safely and completely reborn. He had to admit, Ranni was an excellent partner. Since that was the case, Bai Shi didn't refuse. He did have many things he needed to do. He would just have Ranni notify him when Melina was about to be reborn. “Then I’ll leave it to you.” After a moment’s thought, Bai Shi spoke to Ranni again: “Ranni, I want to find some information in the Grand Library. Could you help me?” Ranni glanced around the Grand Library, filled with countless books, and nodded in agreement. There were far too many books in the Grand Library. Even she would need to put in some effort to find a specific one. For someone like Bai Shi, who had never been here before, he could search for ages and never find what he was looking for. “Alright, I’ll help you look. It has been a while since I was last in the Grand Library, anyway.” “What are you looking for?” Bai Shi casually pulled out a book and said to Ranni while flipping through it: “I’m looking for materials that record the history of the Lands Between.” “A comprehensive history would be best. If not, the academy should at least have records since its founding. That would also work.” Ranni thought for a moment, but her brows gradually furrowed. She had no memory of any such historical records. She was the Lunar Princess of Caria, having read extensively in the Grand Library. There shouldn't be any books she was completely unfamiliar with. To Ranni, this was highly unusual. But until Bai Shi brought it up, she had never considered it. Ranni suppressed her confusion. She would find out soon enough once they started looking. She floated up into the air and began her search. ...It felt like she’d forgotten something. Ranni looked down at Moongrum, who was still kneeling in a salute. “Moongrum, rise and depart. Don't let anyone disturb this important ritual.” Only then did Moongrum stand. He walked out of the Grand Library, closing the doors behind him. Afterward, Ranni and Bai Shi each began to search through the Grand Library. It was a massive undertaking, and they had to be mindful of the interference from the reborn scholars, who were like infants around them. With adult bodies but childish minds, their destructive potential was staggering. These scholars were the worst kind of brats, throwing not just books but candlesticks as well. Thankfully, even though Rennala had lost her mind, she had always remembered to use her magic to clean up after them. The books and candlesticks tossed around by magic would always end up unharmed. Otherwise, the Grand Library probably wouldn't last a single day. Halfway through the search, Bai Shi suddenly heard Ranni speak to him. “Thank you for what you did for Blaidd.” Bai Shi thought for a moment, figuring she meant the mirrored helm, and waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t mention it. Blaidd and I get along well.” “As his friend, I couldn't bear to see him meet such a tragic end.” Ranni continued to float in the air. “Regardless, I must thank you.” “Blaidd is no mere vassal to me. He is my step-brother.” “When I was young, I was chosen by the Two Fingers to become an Empyrean.” “Blaidd was the shadow beast they gifted to me, my attendant, my shadow. We spent our childhood together. Thinking back on it now, it truly is a fond memory.” Ranni seemed to be talking to herself as she recounted her history with Blaidd, a smile touching her lips. “When I defied the Two Fingers, Blaidd still stood by my side.” “Hah. And he was a vassal bestowed by the Two Fingers themselves.” “From their perspective, that must have been a very serious flaw.” Ranni looked down at Bai Shi, meeting his gaze. “...One day, Blaidd would surely have been controlled by the Two Fingers, forced to betray me.” “Such a fate would have been too cruel for him, so Iji and I kept it from him all this time.” “As a shadow bestowed by the Two Fingers, Blaidd’s betrayal was fated, beyond his own will to control.” “Thanks to you, he can avoid that end.” Ranni knew what horrors Blaidd would face after she embarked on her dark path. Because of this, she always felt she owed him. But the second mirrored helm Bai Shi brought had solved that problem. With one less burden on her heart, Ranni was able to speak of these things now. “Forgive me. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so relaxed. I’ve said a bit too much.” “Please forget this unimportant rambling.” “In any case, I will remember this kindness and repay you one day.” Bai Shi shook his head. “I did it to help Blaidd, not you.” “So you don't need to take everything upon yourself. Let Blaidd repay this debt himself.” “If you really feel it’s your responsibility, how about you tell me some interesting stories to liven up this boring search?” Ranni chuckled softly. What she had decided would not change, but she would let it be for now. They could discuss it after she had wiped the Two Fingers from the Lands Between and was truly free. There was no rush. “You want to hear some interesting stories? Very well.” “As it happens, there are a few things that might interest you.” Bai Shi pulled out a book, glanced at the title and contents, then put it back and reached for another. Check latest chapters at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱 “Actually, that teacher of yours, Sorceress Sellen, also has Carian royal blood.” Bai Shi’s hands trembled, and the book almost slipped from his grasp. He looked up at Ranni, his expression full of disbelief. Now *this* truly shocked him. “What are you talking about? Is that true?” Ranni raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised by Bai Shi's reaction. “Of course, it’s true.” “But... you didn't notice at all?” Bai Shi thought about it. He really had no idea. Besides, given Sellen’s attitude toward the Carian royal family, it was impossible to see any connection. If anything, it seemed like she held a grudge. She never held back when she was generalizing about them, either. Ranni didn’t keep him in suspense and began to explain: “The fate of the Carian royal family is intimately linked with the cosmos.” “This special trait is unique to the Carian royals. The fates of other sorcerers have no connection to the stars.” “Previously, when the stars were locked in place, it wasn't just my fate that was halted, but the fates of other Carian royals as well.” “That is how your teacher was able to act as an undying witch.” Bai Shi recalled how Sellen had indeed told him when he obtained the Primeval Glintstone that now that the stars were in motion, she could be killed. Earlier, at the Academy of Raya Lucaria, that sorcerer guarding the Grand Library had also mentioned Sellen could now be killed. So that was the reason? Bai Shi was still a little confused and asked: “Why does it seem like other people knew about this too?” “There was a sorcerer at the academy who also said that Teacher Sellen could be killed now.” Ranni floated down from the air to Bai Shi’s side. “That’s right, you wouldn’t know about certain things within the academy.” “The sorcerers who wear the Witch's Glintstone Crowns only appeared after the Carian royal family took control of the academy.” “In the academy's portraits, you can still see that the scroll held by the first witch is a Carian scroll.” “The Carian royal family was not an ancient line of kings. They were merely a family of astrologers.” “It was only after my mother mastered Full Moon sorcery and won the reverence of the academy that she became queen, elevating our lineage to royalty.” “But a royal family cannot rely on my mother alone. The Carians needed more sorcerers.” “Therefore, a large number of members from the branch families were sent to the academy. Your teacher was one of them.” “You know what happened later. Because of the Primeval Current, your teacher became a veritable witch.” “Iji and Jerren have always seen her as the scourge of Caria, precisely because of this status.” Bai Shi thought it over and realized the pieces fit together quite logically. The Carian royal family certainly wasn’t small, and who knew how many branch families there were. As for his teacher’s attitude toward Caria... it was normal for a branch family member to not feel much attachment to the main house. Teacher Sellen's sense of belonging to the Carian royal family was surely weaker than her connection to the academy. After all, she had truly spent very happy times here at the academy. Master Azur had treated her like his own daughter, but that time was destroyed. Sigh. The family drama in the Lands Between was truly... something else.