Inside the small library, Hestia sat on a high-backed chair, dressed in a jet-black evening gown. The stark contrast between her fair skin and the dark fabric made her stand out. With one hand cradling the violin’s neck and the other holding the bow, she closed her eyes and gently drew the bow across the strings. The violin’s clear sound resonated through the intimate space.
Because the library was small, the music felt neither distant nor faint. One could even hear the faint vibrations of the taut strings, exuding a metallic and resilient quality. The complex tones added depth, tension, and an emotional pull to the sound.
Indeed, the strings of the violin in her hands were made of special steel wire, contrary to the common belief that violin strings are soft and pliable.
The first piece she played was Canon in D Major, a composition she had practiced the longest. As the music flowed, her slender shoulders moved gently with the violin. Her pale hand guided the bow in smooth arcs and then in shorter, rhythmic movements as the tempo gradually accelerated.
After the serene and tranquil Canon, she lowered her bow slightly and nodded to her companions. Amdusias placed her hands on the piano before her, while on the other side, Botis sat behind a drum kit, rhythmically striking the timpani. A spirited and lively tune began to unfold.
The melody evoked a sense of running freely up a mountain, leaping into the vast blue sky, then diving downward through fierce winds, unveiling countless landscapes.
As the music quickened, Hestia’s body moved in harmony with her violin. Her black hair swayed against her shoulders, accentuating her graceful and captivating figure.
Meanwhile, Decarabia, seated on a small stool, glanced at a simple score sheet before her. Occasionally, she struck a triangle in her hand, enhancing the song’s charm.
As the melody echoed, the maids in the library—other than the four performing—sat on cushions on the floor, listening. Occasionally, they opened their eyes, smiling warmly at the four immersed in their music.
Finally, after performing The Arena, Hestia opened her eyes slowly and exhaled gently, feeling both exhilarated and satisfied. Light applause filled the room.
“Dantalion’s progress is impressive!”
“Ever since she returned, something seems different about her. Even her performances feel more confident and composed.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? Growth is always gradual. Still, the shy Dantalion from before was very endearing, too.”
Though the others spoke in soft voices, Hestia could hear them clearly. She turned her face slightly, avoiding their gaze.
After carefully placing the violin aside, Botis approached and wrapped her arms around Hestia. Her voluminous curls tickled Hestia’s face, making her squirm.
“You’re amazing, Dantalion,” Botis whispered into her ear, then released her with a look of pride and joy, as though she believed her guidance had contributed to Hestia’s remarkable progress.
“With this, I’ve fulfilled my promise from before.”
Hestia vaguely remembered agreeing to Botis’s request to learn an instrument. Over time, she had grown fond of it and made practicing a daily habit.
After the performance, the familiar companions gathered around a small table, chatting about recent events and sharing laughter.
“I told you, Haures should have gotten a Floating Jellyfish as a pet long ago. Not only are they beautiful, but they can also help with small tasks, making work much easier,” Botis said, lounging against Amdusias. Her green hair intertwined with Amdusias’s white dress, creating a slightly messy yet charmingly relaxed appearance.
Recently, Haures had followed her friends’ advice and ventured to the Floating Gardens of the Phantom Cloud Star Region to find a suitable pet companion.
_______________________
Species: Floating Jellyfish
Pathway: Primordial Sequence 3 – Luminous Jellyfish
Condition: Healthy
Talents:
Floating Form: Extremely light body capable of floating effortlessly in the air with minimal energy or magical consumption.
Abilities:
Prismatic Glow: Its transparent body can emit various glowing colors, shifting with its mood.
Multi-purpose Tentacles: Flexible and transparent tentacles for grasping or wrapping lightweight objects. They can also carry faint effects of cold or heat, though they lack offensive power.
Skills: Cold Lv.1, Heat Lv.1, Electric Current Lv.1, Float Lv.3, Flexible Manipulation Lv.2, Illumination Lv.2
Overview: An artificially modified harmless magical creature, beloved by many. It enjoys interacting with other animals and understands most simple commands. It has emotions and moods, feeling distressed when confined in narrow spaces. Daily water immersion is ideal, though humid air suffices.
With this pet assisting Haures in sorting, heating, and cooling tasks, her workload had lightened considerably, eliminating the need for help from other maids.
“Though traveling to the Phantom Cloud Star Region was far, acquiring this little one was worth it,” Haures said, watching the jellyfish float in midair above the table. Occasionally, she poked its soft, cool body with her finger, finding it amusing.
The jellyfish, responding to Haures’s touch, emitted a soft blue glow and wobbled in the air, expressing its delight.
“So cute!”
“I want to touch it, too.”
The other maids couldn’t resist trying to pet it, though the jellyfish evaded most of their hands, eventually hiding behind Haures.
“It’s shy! Look, its body is turning pink.”
The maids crowded around Haures, chatting excitedly. Meanwhile, Hestia moved to a quieter corner, her fingers idly drumming on the tabletop. Decarabia noticed and placed a small macaron in her palm.
“Want a bite, Dantalion?”
“Mm, thank you.”
The light-yellow macaron, coated with milk chocolate, melted in her mouth, its sweet aroma spreading across her tongue.
Leaning against Forneus’s shoulder, Hestia felt the older maid gently stroke her hair as they chatted about recent events.
“How’s your holiday been? I heard you visited some distant relatives.”
“Not exactly distant, just people I hadn’t contacted before,” Hestia replied, recalling the parting scene.
Gu Qianlou stood at the base of the attic staircase. Though he had been silent earlier, as Hestia prepared to leave, he stopped and spoke.
“No matter what you face in the future, you can always come back. This is your home, a place where you can rest and recover.”
“The troubles of our generation are behind us. Your generation is different…” With that, he resumed walking and exited the old attic.
As they left the ruins of the Thousand Towers City, the refugees boarded a transport heading to their new home. Through the rain, they glanced back at the ruins one last time. Their destination was a hillside in 4th District, where they would build a new city.
According to records, the site was a sheltered hill ideal for rainwater diversion systems to reduce erosion. Nearby, a river would provide water for early settlements and industry. It was one of the locations identified by AI as optimal for founding a new city.
“Second Miss, do you have any suggestions for the new city’s name?” someone had asked her that day.
“Should I choose?” The girl seemed a little surprised.
“Yes, because it’s thanks to you, Second Miss, that this new city is even possible. It’s only fitting that you name it,” replied the woman holding a clipboard. She was technically Hestia’s cousin, though the two had never met before.
“But I’m worried my choice might be inauspicious,” Hestia said hesitantly. In Eastern culture, names often carry deep significance and avoid unlucky connotations. While she understood some of these principles, she didn’t feel entirely confident.
“Then there’s no need for those profound traditional meanings,” her cousin said with a light-hearted smile. “The words we hold in reverence today often originated from the whims of ancient people. They gained significance only after being passed down and celebrated through the generations.”
“Then… how about ‘Shallow Glaze’? A name as light and transparent as glazed glass. Simple, straightforward, unburdened by heavy connotations—light and clear,” Hestia suggested.
“‘Shallow Glaze,’ huh? With water and jade, near mountains and rivers—it’s truly a beautiful name… Oh, I mustn’t overthink its deeper meanings again.” Her cousin shook her head quickly, worried that Hestia might second-guess her choice.
“Let’s go with ‘Shallow Glaze.’ And we don’t need the word ‘City’ anymore. There’s no need for those enclosing walls,” Hestia concluded with a smile.
Her cousin thanked her and recorded the name on her clipboard. The name later gained unanimous approval from the others.
Thus, the new city began to take shape at the foot of the mountain, marking a new chapter in many people’s lives.
…
Back in Arpeggio City, Hestia took two days to recuperate, recording the journey’s experiences and events in her yellowed sketchbook. She tucked it away in a corner before returning to work at the Crystal Dream café. Life slowly settled back into its rhythm. It wasn’t until today that she realized she had, almost unconsciously, reached a level of ease and mastery in playing the violin.
Her mental state had changed. She had shed the heavy burdens of the past, and her music reflected this newfound lightness. The violin’s voice had become freer, more vibrant—no longer constrained by perfectionism. She could now play a piece effortlessly, flowing with natural rhythm and melody.
Today’s small performance was the result of a suggestion from Botis and Amdusias, and it turned out exceptionally well.
“Dantalion has truly come into her own,” Amdusias praised with a smile. “She’s reached a level where she could perform at a café without being criticized.”
The “café” Amdusias referred to wasn’t an ordinary one on the street but rather something closer to the grand standards she had seen in the Twin Trees Star Region.
“This calls for a celebration! Speaking of which, Dantalion has been working here for over two months now. Before long, she’ll probably start school,” someone added.
Time flies. Although it had only been two months, to Hestia, these months were more eventful and dynamic than the past two years—filled with changes and new experiences.
…
After their workday, everyone gathered in the small library for a relaxing evening. Following the performance, they sat around a table, chatting and laughing until 8 p.m. before reluctantly parting ways.
“Another workday tomorrow,” one of the maids complained with a slight pout.
“Maybe you could ask the manager for a day off?” another teased.
“Taking leave means less pay, so I’ll pass.” She shook her head with a wry smile.
“Still, wouldn’t it be nice if every day could be as leisurely as this?” she mused aloud.
“Sounds like you’re longing for retirement already,” someone quipped.
“Don’t say that…!” The two laughed as they walked away, their voices fading into the night.
Hestia packed her belongings, slinging a light bag over her shoulder, and prepared to leave.
“Wait a moment, Dantalion,” called Forneus, an unusual seriousness in her tone.
“What’s the matter?” Hestia turned back. She had already changed out of her black formal dress and into a blue-and-white casual outfit.
“It’s about your schooling. Lady Isabelle mentioned something to me,” Forneus said, nodding.
“I have a younger sister about your age who will also be attending Edess Academy in Southern District. Perhaps you two could become friends—she might even be able to help you out.”
“Oh, I see… Sure,” Hestia replied, a little surprised but agreeable.
“Could I get your communication ID? I’ll contact her for you,” Forneus asked.
“Of course.” Hestia took out her personal terminal and recited her ID.
Moments later, a profile with a silver leaf emblem appeared in her contact list.
“Annelie Schellenworth,” the name read, accompanied by a verification badge—indicating the use of an official, paid identity verification service.
“All set,” Forneus exhaled, relieved. What seemed like a simple task had evidently been a bit nerve-wracking.
“She’s 16 this year, very clever—probably the precocious type. If things don’t go smoothly between you two, let me know. I’ll make sure to set her straight,” Forneus added.
“There’s no need for that,” Hestia chuckled. It felt odd to see her usually composed and unflappable maid-sister acting so anxious. Perhaps it was because of her younger sister?
…
Meanwhile, in the Emerald Moon Star Region, a young lady with silvery-gray, curled hair strolled through a bustling commercial street. Her cascading locks framed her slender figure, and a dozen black-suited individuals trailed behind her, carrying her day’s shopping spoils.
“Ugh, so slow. Even getting a contact set up took this long. No wonder she’s marginalized in the family,” she muttered, spinning her sleek, expensive personal terminal around her finger.
Finally, a notification chimed. A gray-haired avatar appeared on the screen.
“Hestia Thilan…” she murmured, pronouncing the name softly while gazing at the girl’s profile. Her hand stopped twirling the terminal, holding it still.
For a long moment, she stood motionless, taking a deep breath and then exhaling as though releasing all the tension she had hidden.
“Finally… I’ve made contact with her,” she whispered, clutching the terminal to her chest.
A month ago, during a family meeting, she had first heard this name. The adults had debated fiercely, involving factions across the Four-Leaf Crystal Star Region. After countless negotiations, the decision was made only in the past two days.
“You’ll serve as Miss Thilan’s primary contact. You will represent not only the Schellenworth family but also the alliance of twelve major enterprises and the megacorporation ‘Gray Dust Crystals’ in supporting her…” the suited figures in the boardroom had decreed.
Her original aspirations had been set aside, her path redirected to Edess Academy.
Every renowned songstress was backed by numerous factions. Even if they began without support, their talent and identity would inevitably attract countless enterprises seeking alignment—whether for brand promotion, political leverage, or self-preservation against rivals.