V2: Chapter 57: Trials, A New Beginning

Only Miranda and Edwin, those two brainless idiots, would do something so foolish. Only they could pull off something like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

So…

“Let’s go!”

Liang Di and Liang Lin changed into black robes.

The shop Miranda and Edwin ran was at the far end of the street, quite a walk away.

The streets were quite crowded and noisy today, and Liang Lin and Liang Di, not taking a carriage, were walking with some difficulty.

The streets were bustling, lined with stalls displaying a dazzling array of goods. Vendors shouted and promoted their wares, their voices rising and falling, creating a vibrant and lively sea of ​​noise. The air was filled with various aromas: the scent of roasted meat, the sweet fragrance of fresh fruit, and the mingled scents of spices and fabrics.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians, some hurrying along, others leisurely browsing the stalls, selecting their favorite items. Children weaved through the crowd, playing and laughing, their joyful sounds adding a cheerful touch to the lively market.

In the center of this street was a large square, a gathering place for people. In the center of the square, several folk artists were performing, their captivating performance attracting a large audience. The spectators, some standing, some sitting, were completely absorbed in the artists' performance, occasionally erupting in cheers.

Every corner of this street was filled with the breath of life. Vendors haggled with customers, exchanging their needs and expectations; women gathered together, sharing everyday matters and parenting experiences; men discussed the latest news and current events, their faces radiating a love of life and anticipation for the future.

"It's so lively… Is it some kind of festival today?"

Liang Di thought for a moment.

"It seems there's no holiday."

So, Liang Lin stopped an old woman and asked, "Grandma, what holiday is it today? Why are there so many people on the street?"

"Oh dear, you don't know?" The old woman clapped her hands. "A noble gentleman has taken pity on us! He's opened a dessert shop in our commoner's area, and it's cheap! You should go take a look; it might sell out in a little while."

"Huh?"

Liang Lin was confused.

Liang Di, sitting in her wheelchair, nodded thoughtfully.

"Liang Lin, let's go back. We don't need to go to that tailor shop."

"Huh? Why..."

"It definitely won't stay open for long. Let's go back."

Although Liang Lin was completely bewildered, she still pushed Liang Di back home.

"At the rate they spend money faster than they earn it, they definitely won't last long. Besides, it seems like they're not in it for the money, but for the reputation. So there's no point in stopping them. They're making a fool of themselves; I'm happy to watch."

After hearing the explanation, Liang Lin feigned sudden understanding, indicating: I don't understand.

Anyway, this wasn't her area of ​​expertise. Right now, she was just a heartless cart driver (sadly).

As Liang Di predicted, within a month, the dessert shop and tailor shop in the working-class district closed down. Sitting on the bed, eating cookies, Liang Di, whose leg was completely healed, wasn't surprised at all when Bellica brought the news.

"I really didn't expect them to last a month. They're really persistent. I wonder how many Vitcoins they lost."

Now that her leg was fully healed, she started plotting again, wanting to attract Liang Lin's attention by hurting herself. However, before she could even come up with a plan, Hilary and Octaville arrived.

“Liang Di, you and Liang Lin pack your things, we’re going to the Seaside Magic Tower.”

The suddenness of the words startled both girls.

“What happened there?”

“Nothing happened, but didn’t you say you wanted to go there for training? I thought it wouldn’t hurt to let you go for a couple of days.”

“Are you short-handed?”

“Uh…”

Octaville chuckled awkwardly, “Well, there’s something strange going on lately. Many towns and villages have shown signs of Cthulhu. We’re short-handed in the Magic Tower, and we need to keep some people guarding it, so… you know what I mean. I actually wanted to go to the Seaside Magic Tower with you, but a really bad monster killing incident happened in Ferdinand town, and I have to go see for myself, so…”

“So I’ll go with you,” Hilary said.

Octaville nodded, her eyes still filled with worry. "Baby, I know you're brave enough. You've dealt with them enough already, but you still need to be careful. If you encounter high-level monsters, don't go for them. You're not a magician, after all. Dealing with low-level ones is fine, but high-level ones are a different story."

Hilary nodded. "I know, it's okay. I'll do everything I can, I'll protect Liang Lin... and Liang Di."

Actually, she didn't need to protect Liang Di. Liang Di didn't need anyone's protection when facing monsters. However, Hilary felt she had to mention Liang Di's name; after all... they were family, and she couldn't show favoritism.

If Liang Di's name wasn't mentioned, she might be sad.

That's what Hilary thought.

This was Liang Lin's first time visiting the seaside magic tower. She stood in the distance, staring blankly.

The magic tower wasn't towering into the clouds; its appearance presented an ancient and solemn style.

Most of the tower is constructed of dark, massive stones, each imbued with ancient magical power and emitting a faint glow. Bathed in the setting sun, the tower appears even more majestic and awe-inspiring, a gateway to a mysterious world. Constructed of an unknown black stone, its surface is engraved with intricate magical runes, shimmering with a profound light. As night falls, the tower seems to merge with the starry sky, exuding a mysterious and ancient aura.

The spire points straight to the heavens, adorned with a dazzling gem. At nightfall, the gem emits a soft glow, illuminating the entire tower and guiding lost travelers back home.

The tower is surrounded by a verdant meadow, dotted with various exotic flowers and herbs, releasing a captivating fragrance. A gentle sea breeze carries the salty scent of the ocean, mingling with the fresh aroma of the meadow, creating a truly refreshing experience.

"Oh... how amazing!"

Liang Lin looked down at the grass beside her. "There's even grass by the sea? If you didn't know, you'd think it was a fake."

She crouched down, grabbed a handful of grass, which still had fresh water droplets on it. Liang Lin held it to her nose and took a deep sniff; it had a very refreshing scent.

It was real grass.

Liang Di followed behind Hilary, watching Liang Lin constantly observing other new things, before speaking to Hilary, "Didn't you say you didn't want Liang Lin involved in these events? Why did you bring her here now? Aren't you afraid she'll be in danger or get hurt?"

"Of course I'm afraid my sister will be in danger or get hurt," Hilary said calmly.

"But I also know things have come to this point, and I can't continue to hide everything from her, using the guise of doing what's best for her, only to make her unhappy. And I know that even if I try to stop her, she'll find a way to come along. If she doesn't, it means she's truly heartbroken."

"She's the only truly close family member I have in this world," Hilary said tenderly, looking at the innocent and carefree Liang Lin picking wildflowers in the grass. "So, of course I want her to be happy, and I'll do everything in my power to protect her. Even if I die, I would never let her die."

"..."

Liang Di remained silent. “Me too.”

“Hey! What are you two standing here for? Come on in!” Liang Lin, having finished examining the lawn outside the Magic Tower, ran happily to the two of them.

She really was like a little kid.

Upon entering the Magic Tower, Liang Di didn't see any familiar figures. She'd heard from others that some had retired and returned to the Magic Tower within the walls, while others had died in battles with monsters.

Liang Di appeared outwardly calm, but inwardly, a slight unease stirred. This was probably the kind of emotion humans should have; it was quite subtle. She didn't really want to have this feeling, because it made her feel uncomfortable.

Liang Lin looked around.

Upon entering the Magic Tower, the first thing that caught their eye was a narrow, winding spiral staircase. The stone walls on either side of the staircase were inlaid with fluorescent stones, emitting a soft glow, providing a faint light for explorers in the darkness. Climbing the stairs, they could hear the low chanting of magic coming from afar, as if ancient magic was whispering within the tower.

The tower's interior is spacious and high-ceilinged, its towering stone walls piercing the clouds, like an entrance to another dimension. Ancient runes and patterns are carved into the walls, shimmering with a dim light, seemingly whispering the secrets and history of the magic tower.

At the tower's center stands a massive magic circle, constructed of various rare gems and metals, radiating a dazzling light. The magic circle rotates continuously, emitting a deep, mysterious hum, containing boundless power.

A faint magical aura permeates the tower, both mysterious and powerful. This aura intertwines with the light within, creating a unique atmosphere, as if one were in a magical dream.

In every corner of the tower are various strange objects and devices, tools used by magicians to research magic and cast spells. Some of these objects emit a soft glow, while others exude a cold aura; together, they constitute the unique and mysterious landscape within the magic tower.

As one ventures deeper into the tower, the air gradually becomes damp and chilly. Lush green moss began to grow on the walls, creating a striking contrast with the black stone. In some corners, ancient murals hung, depicting various mysterious magical rituals and ancient legends.

The tower's rooms were intricately arranged, some spacious and bright, others small and dark. Each room had its unique function and decoration. Some rooms were filled with ancient magic books and scrolls, while others displayed various strange magical tools and instruments. Traces of magical experiments could be seen in these rooms, such as scorched floors and broken magic circles.

The tower also concealed many secret rooms and passages, hidden behind stone walls or beneath magic circles, accessible only to those who possessed specific magic or codes. These secret rooms held precious magic books and powerful magical artifacts.

Liang Lin marveled at the sights, spending over half an hour exploring before finally seeing everything.

“Sister Liang Lin, you can’t rest today. Danger could strike at any moment in the Seaside Magic Tower. You haven’t been trained by the system before, so this afternoon, I’ll teach you how to deal with those lowest-level tentacle monsters."

Liang Di pointed to the sword at Liang Lin’s waist.

“That sword of yours can cut through monsters and make it difficult for them to heal quickly because it’s imbued with magic.”

Liang Lin looked at Hillary, “Sister, maybe…”

Clang!

Hillary drew her own sword. “No need. Fu has already forged another one for me, and it’s also imbued with magic. Sister, don’t worry about me. I have more experience dealing with monsters than you. You can train with Liang Di.”

Outside, they found an open area, and Liang Di assumed a fighting stance.

“Sister Liang Lin, try fighting me now.”

Liang Lin gripped her sword but hesitated. “If my sword cuts your tentacles, won’t you feel any pain? I feel like you’ll be in a lot of pain, so…”

Is Liang Lin concerned about me?

Liang Di's attention was always drawn to strange things.

"It's alright, you can just get a sword without magic. I'm used to this kind of minor pain; it's nothing to me," Liang Di shrugged indifferently.

Hiss.

This child's past, really…

Liang Lin thought of the tragic stories Liang Di had told her about her past.

"Sister Liang Lin, don't hesitate, hurry up, we don't have much time," Liang Di urged Liang Lin.

"Okay."

Liang Lin nodded, grabbed the unenchanted sword from the ground, and assumed a fighting stance.

Liang Lin wore a black cloak, her eyes firm and sharp, her hand gripping the longsword that gleamed coldly.

Opposite her, Liang Di had already extended countless tentacles. She wore a purple bodysuit, and as the battle approached, her skin turned an unhealthy pale. Her tentacles, as agile as snakes, shimmered with an eerie light.

The battle between the two was about to erupt.

Liang Lin took the initiative. As a general who had fought on many battlefields, she knew that there was no room for hesitation or yielding on the battlefield. Her movements were lithe, her swordsmanship exquisite, each swing accompanied by a sharp whistling sound. However, Liang Di showed no fear. Her tentacles seemed alive, nimbly dodging Liang Lin's attacks, sometimes coiling, sometimes striking fiercely.

Gradually, Liang Lin began to feel overwhelmed. This was a sense of powerlessness that no other human swordsman had ever given her.

Was this the difference between monsters and ordinary people?

Liang Lin gritted her teeth, sweat beading on her forehead.

The battle reached its climax, and Liang Lin severed several of Liang Di's tentacles.

Suddenly, Liang Lin's eyes widened.

An opening!  

Liang Lin suddenly unleashed her power, slashing her sword towards the tentacled woman's chest. However, Liang Di smiled eerily, her body instantly transforming into a streak of purple light and vanishing from the spot. The swordsman's strike missed, revealing a brief opening.

Just then, Liang Di reappeared, her tentacles raining down on the swordsman like a storm.

Liang Lin fought desperately, but the sheer number of tentacles overwhelmed her, and she gradually felt overwhelmed. At that moment, she saw the cunning and smugness in her opponent's eyes. A chill ran through her; she knew she couldn't lose this battle like this.

She had to prove herself! She couldn't afford to lose any longer.

So, she took a deep breath, concentrating all her strength into her longsword. She swung her sword fiercely, the blade flashing like lightning across the night sky, aiming straight for Liang Di's vitals.

This time, her attack was filled with a killing intent. Of course, she knew she could stop the sword; she would never harm Liang Di—that was the confidence of a swordsmanship genius.

However, as if anticipating this, Miss Tentacle transformed into purple light once more, dodging the fatal blow. Liang Lin's attack missed, and her body, strained from the effort, lost its balance.

Just then, Liang Di launched her final attack. Her tentacles, like giant pythons, tightly coiled around Liang Lin's body, rendering her immobile. Liang Lin struggled, but the tentacles' strength grew stronger, and she felt even breathing becoming difficult.

It had been so long since she had been entangled by tentacles; she had almost forgotten what it felt like. Today, being entangled again, she couldn't help but shudder, and images of mating with tentacles flashed through her mind.

Finally, Liang Lin succumbed. She collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, watching Liang Di slowly approach. Miss Tentacle looked at her, a glint of desire flashing in her eyes; she longed to take her right there and then. She extended a tentacle, gently stroking Liang Lin's cheek, like a predator eyeing its prey.

"I lost," Liang Lin said, frustrated.

Liang Di didn't speak; she simply stared silently at the woman she deeply loved before her. Her eyes were filled with desire and possessiveness, but even more so, with a sense of helplessness and restraint.

I really don't want to withdraw my tentacles; it had been so long since I had touched Liang Lin's fragrant, soft body.

Liang Lin lay on the ground, unwilling to get up for a long time. She knew in her heart that she had lost to Liang Di; she had lost again.

But at the same time, she also understood that this battle was not the end, but a new beginning. She would embark on a new swordsmanship training, with completely different knowledge than before, and then await the next practice.

"Liang Di? Let me go."

After a while, Liang Lin came to her senses, only to find that the other's tentacles were still wrapped around her.