After Lillian fell into unconsciousness under Saintess Elia’s Healing Art treatment, Iana did not rush to carry her away.
Instead, she carefully pondered Elia’s words.
From what Elia had said, the lingering aura from that Special Creature on Lillian’s body hadn’t been completely cleansed, and it might cause a drastic change in Lillian’s personality.
But Iana didn’t dwell on this matter.
After all, Lillian was such a soft-hearted little thing—so timid, even more than a rabbit.
Even if her personality changed, how dangerous could she possibly become?
What truly worried Iana was how incredibly difficult that Special Creature was to deal with.
If she ever encountered it again, she wasn’t sure how she could fight back.
Based on the information they had gathered so far, that Special Creature possessed at least two abilities that gave Iana a headache.
1: Anyone who looked directly at it would be pulled into the Illusion Realm. According to Elia, those dragged in would have their emotions stirred up, causing them to become lost within it. If Elia hadn’t been by Iana’s side at that time, Iana would have been in serious trouble.
2: Anyone who came into contact with it would become bloodthirsty and murderous, craving violence. Moreover, if it took a liking to someone, it might parasitize them. This forced Iana to be even more vigilant.
While Iana was contemplating how to counter that Special Creature, Lillian, who lay peacefully beneath the large tree, suddenly began to change.
Her hair gradually shifted from golden yellow to silver-white, and her crimson eyes turned a deep sapphire blue at the same time.
Apart from this, nothing else seemed different—as if she were a color-inverted version of herself.
Seeing this, Iana glanced suspiciously at Elia and questioned her, “You never mentioned that after being infected with that Special Creature’s aura, her appearance would change this drastically.”
Elia scratched the back of her head awkwardly, her long pink hair fluttering in the air with the movement.
“It’s alright, it’s alright. Who’d have thought I’d never encountered a case where someone infected by that Special Creature could still be saved?”
“Anyway, you have to believe in beautiful and generous girls, like me.”
She finished with a wink at Iana, trying to brush off the question.
Watching Elia’s antics, Iana felt a tightening in her chest—her fists clenched.
So it seemed Elia herself didn’t really know much either, yet she dared to talk nonsense in front of her.
The worst part was, Iana had actually found Elia’s explanation quite convincing.
Iana was now seriously considering whether she should award Elia the Best Actress prize.
Just then, silver-haired, blue-eyed Lillian slowly opened her eyes and saw Iana staring at her from close by.
At that moment, a previously unseen smile spread across Lillian’s face—a sly, cunning grin that seemed to be plotting some mischievous scheme.
She reached out and grabbed Iana’s collar, pulling her in before Iana could even react in surprise.
“W-wait…”
Iana seemed to know what Lillian intended, but if it was what she suspected, then this change in Lillian was truly drastic.
Iana planted both hands firmly on the grass, unwilling to let her head move even an inch closer—because if she did, their lips would meet.
That would be Iana’s first kiss, and quite possibly Lillian’s as well.
If she didn’t resist now, and Lillian later confronted her after the Special Creature’s aura was fully cleansed, accusing her of taking advantage of her, Iana would definitely be labeled a villain.
“Sister Iana, don’t you want to kiss me?”
Lillian spoke, her voice tinged with a subtle electronic hum, as if it had been specially processed.
Iana broke out in a cold sweat.
She had never met someone this forward before.
If it weren’t for the Special Creature’s influence on Lillian’s personality, she might never encounter such an assertive girl in her lifetime.
Their relationship was strange.
Normally, as the one pinning Lillian beneath her, Iana should have been the dominant one.
Yet the reality was completely the opposite.
In this encounter, Iana hadn’t gained any advantage; instead, she felt weak and powerless.
The silver-haired Lillian gently traced Iana’s neck with her fingertips, her sapphire eyes glowing dangerously yet seductively.
Iana could feel Lillian’s warm breath brush her cheek, carrying a strong floral scent.
“Sister Iana, what are you afraid of?” Lillian’s voice still carried that faint electronic resonance, wrapping her in an aura of mystery.
“You used to say I was too timid and needed to take the initiative. Now that I’m trying, why are you avoiding me?”
Besides the electronic undertone, Lillian’s voice also held a hint of plaintive reproach, as if complaining about Iana’s “wrongdoing.”
Iana’s palms pressed deep into the grass as she took a deep breath and resolved to say firmly, “This isn’t about courage, Lillian. Do you know what your current condition is?”
“What condition? Could you please enlighten me, Sister Iana?” Lillian blinked her alluring blue eyes.
Iana thought that if someone less mentally steadfast heard this, they might be completely won over and willingly kiss her.
But Iana was not that easy to deal with.
She composed herself and said seriously, “Your condition isn’t normal. If I take your first kiss now, it would be irresponsible of me.”
“Besides, the person you truly like isn’t me—it’s Ethelrina. Am I right?”
“Ethelrina wouldn’t like someone who casually gives away their first kiss without treasuring it.” Iana spoke gently, convinced that her words would make Lillian reconsider and let go.
After all, every time Iana mentioned anything about Ethelrina before, Lillian would act like she had received a direct order and follow through on whatever task came next.
Iana was sure this time would be no different.
But the outcome surprised Iana.
She suddenly felt dizzy, then a powerful force gripped her wrist tightly.
When she looked up, Lillian was already above her.
“Lillian, snap out of it.” Iana’s voice, rarely tinged with panic, urged her, “This isn’t you.”
Lillian leaned down, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall on either side of Iana’s face.
Her eyes glowed with a dangerous light.
“Then, Sister Iana, can you tell me who the real me is?”
“Is it the me who likes someone but dares not say a word? Or the me who’s always timid and hesitant in everything I do?”
Iana didn’t know how to answer Lillian’s question.
After a brief moment of thought, she slowly replied, “At the very least, the real Lillian wouldn’t like me. The one you like is Ethelrina.”