“Aw, is Dantalion really leaving? I’m going to miss you so much.”
Belphegor clung to Hestia, nuzzling her incessantly. Her floppy ears swayed from side to side, brushing against Hestia’s cheeks and making her itch.
“It’s fine, I’ll come back in the future. Besides, the manager said I’m allowed to use immersion mode to remotely connect here,” Hestia reassured Belphegor, hugging her in return.
“I know, but that way I can’t actually touch Dantalion anymore~” Belphegor looked up, her red eyes wide with sadness.
“I finally got two obedient and sweet juniors, and now both of them are leaving. I really can’t bear it,” she continued.
As Belphegor clung to Dantalion, refusing to let her leave, Botis approached.
To Belphegor, Botis, with her snake-rearing tendencies, was her natural nemesis, and she quickly scurried away in fear.
“Alright, alright, it’s not like Dantalion is leaving forever. She’ll come back,” Botis said, prying Belphegor’s hands away and turning her gaze to the girl surrounded by everyone.
“It’s time for Dantalion to start high school,” she added, her tone calm. She didn’t seem too reluctant, knowing full well there would be plenty of chances to see Hestia again in the future.
Once the farewells were mostly complete, Botis walked over to Hestia.
“Have you said goodbye to Lady Isabelle yet?”
“Not yet. I’ll go soon,” Hestia replied, shaking her head.
“Don’t forget. I imagine Lady Isabelle has quite a few things she wants to tell you.”
Hestia continued receiving parting gifts from one maid after another—snacks, trinkets, books she liked—until her arms were too full to hold everything. In the end, she had to find a large box to store it all.
After saying goodbye to everyone, she made her way to a corner of the Crystal Dream, where a familiar noblewoman was seated. The woman was leisurely sipping coffee while watching a projection screen, seemingly unhurried.
Though Hestia was no longer as timid as before, she still couldn’t help but be cautious around this noblewoman. She straightened her skirt and approached Lady Isabel.
“Sit down. There’s no need to be so nervous,” Isabelle said, setting down her cup and turning off the projection screen.
She looked at the gray-haired girl before her with gentle eyes and began speaking.
“Before you know it, it’s been three months since you came here.”
“Yes,” Hestia nodded.
“Three months, and you’ve changed quite a bit,” Isabelle said with a touch of nostalgia.
“Let the past be for now. When you’re strong enough one day, many of the troubles you once found difficult will feel insignificant.”
“Are you curious, Dantalion, why I’ve helped you so much?”
“Yes,” the girl nodded again.
“It’d be hard to claim I have no selfish motives. Sometimes, even I can’t distinguish whether it’s just a whim or a sense of protectiveness you’ve inspired in me.”
“The gift of a songstress is rare—only two or three individuals per Star Region on average, most of them at the Starlight-Grade. As for breaking through to the Full Moon-Grade, that’s even rarer.”
“Yolanda was someone with the gift of a songstress. She’s retired now. Oh, right, you don’t know her real name, do you? Yes, I’m talking about Botis.” Isabelle casually revealed Botis’s identity.
“I taught Botis for a time during my university years, and we stayed in contact. When she decided to retire, she consulted me.”
“To many, keeping a songstress shining on stage might seem like the right thing to do. But humans aren’t machines. Forcing something will only bring pain.”
“You also have the gift of a songstress, but I won’t say you must become one. While it brings great benefits and rewards, it also puts you in the spotlight, under constant scrutiny. Every action and word will be dissected and magnified.”
“Not every songstress can withstand that kind of pressure, and many leave the profession because of it.”
“With their sensitivity, songstresses can perceive subtle emotions and sing more genuinely moving songs. But this same sensitivity makes them more vulnerable. What others might shrug off, you could carry in your heart for a long time.”
“So, I often wonder—if songstresses could continue their ordinary lives offstage while performing onstage, wouldn’t that be better?”
“That’s why, when I learned that you were admitted to two schools, I had this idea: let you attend both and experience two different lives. In the end, the choice will be yours.”
“At Swallow Garden Academy, you’ll take vocal courses, and there will be teachers specifically guiding you in developing your songstress talent. But during school, I suggest you avoid public performances. Instead, use your gift to interact with animals. It’s less stressful and helps you cultivate secondary skills,” she said with a smile.
“Songstresses make good nurturers. Botis had never studied nurturing before, yet within months, she could get along harmoniously with highly aggressive venomous creatures.”
“Moreover, Swallow Garden Academy is close to natural mountain areas, with few outsiders around. The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for self-expression.”
Hestia nodded slightly as she listened, realizing how much Isabelle had thought about her future.
“The situation at Edess Academy, however, is entirely different.”
“There, you’ll encounter heirs to major corporations, celebrities, geniuses, and those with deep family backgrounds. Even casual student interactions will be tinged with interests and external factors.”
“Standing out there won’t be easy. It will test you, but I still recommend it. Don’t just hide in a corner for four years, engage boldly in the competition and face challenges head-on.”
“If you can truly persevere, by the time you graduate, you’ll have built your own strength and be well-prepared for the challenges of fame.”
“Acquiring power is arduous—whether it’s studying transcendent sequences, building personal influence, or mastering various skills. It all takes time and effort and comes with setbacks. But the advantage is, once you have power, many of life’s minor troubles fade away.”
“Most people’s struggles aren’t due to major setbacks but because of the continuous little problems that sap their energy and hold them back.”
“Though life at Edess Academy will be stressful, I believe it will quickly prepare you to live freely and confidently in this world.”
“That’s all I wanted to say. I hope you don’t mind me arranging all this for you in advance,” Isabelle concluded.
“Not at all. Thank you, Lady Isabelle,” the girl said, standing and bowing respectfully.
“In that case, I’m relieved.” Isabelle gestured for Hestia to sit beside her.
“You’re still young, so I won’t burden you with adult concerns. But as a songstress, it’s inevitable that you’ll face interference from various forces. If you’re ever confused, come to me. Consider yourself half my student.”
“Botis studied under me in university, and I was a tutor for Amdusias when she was young. They both hold you in high regard, and I trust their judgment. So don’t feel overwhelmed or anxious about my care.”
“If you want to repay me, then pursue the path of the songstress wholeheartedly.”
“Keep moving forward. Sing to your heart’s content. Let your voice echo across the stars, and one day ascend to the Sun Throne, becoming the most influential songstress after the Federation’s two Color-Grade Songstress.”
“When that day comes, my wish will be fulfilled.”