Chapter 117: Making a Plan

“But my Light Chain Technique is still very unskilled. I’ll have to practice again tomorrow,” Lilian said, her eyes flickering uncertainly.

This was the first time Iana had invited her to join a recreational activity.

Deep down, she didn’t want to refuse.  

But she had also made up her mind to become stronger to protect Iana.  

These two conflicting thoughts left her feeling very conflicted.

“I told you, studying needs a balance between work and rest. There’s no need to stay cooped up at home practicing all the time. And what if, after relaxing your mind, you learn faster and better?” Iana said.

“Is… is that really the case?” Lilian wavered.

Lilian had been quite willing to accept Iana’s invitation to attend the concert.  

Now that Iana said going wouldn’t reduce her skill proficiency but might even help her improve further, why not?

“That’s right, exactly like that.” Seeing Lilian’s hesitation, Iana pressed her advantage.

“All right then, I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

“Great, I’ll go buy the tickets first.”  

Iana knew that tickets for big stars usually sold out well in advance, but since she had a good relationship with Elia, asking her for two tickets shouldn’t be a problem.

Halfway there, Iana suddenly remembered that Lilian’s Bloodline Development was only at seven percent, not yet reaching the ten percent required for the first skill.

How could she learn skills?

Iana stopped and turned to Lilian and asked, “Lilian, if I remember correctly, your Bloodline Development is only at seven percent, not ten yet. How can you learn skills?”

“Because the Saintess Bloodline is special. You can learn some skills early.” Lilian explained, “Remember how Veronica showed Healing Art during the Holy Trial?”

“That’s really an amazing bloodline. I’m a bit jealous of you two,” Iana said.

But Iana was only saying it aloud.  

If her guess was right, she herself possessed a powerful ability to control time.  

By then, she wouldn’t be afraid of Lilian or Veronica, not even Ethelrina or that Serinveia who almost killed her.

Especially that Serinveia — sooner or later, Iana would reclaim the field.

***

After a while.

Iana held two tickets and a booklet in her hands, a satisfied expression on her face.

Although going to the chapel to see Elia had been like a lamb entering the wolf’s den, the trip had been very fruitful.  

Even Elia’s little teasing was something Iana let slide.

“Iana, what’s that you’re holding?” Lilian asked curiously as Iana hummed a light tune, skipping into the hotel.

“Hehe, this is something good.”  

Iana glanced around mysteriously and, making sure no one else was nearby, showed Lilian the booklet’s cover.

In big bold letters it read: “The Secret Affairs of Saintess Elia.”

“Oh my, what is this?” Lilian exclaimed.

“Shh, quiet, this is information I worked hard to dig up from outside.”  

Iana put a finger to her lips, signaling silence.

“But what use is it for you to know these things?” Lilian asked, confused.

“That’s where you don’t know.” Iana said smugly, “Do you know the relationship between Elia and that star who’s holding the concert here?”

“Friends?”

“Closer than friends. Their relationship is much more intimate,” Iana smirked as she flipped the booklet open, pointing to a paragraph: “That big star supposedly met Elia when they were very young. Calling them childhood friends wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”

“So they are childhood friends?” Lilian asked.

“But what does this have to do with your investigation into Master’s love life?”

“Of course it’s related.” Iana excitedly lowered her voice, eyes gleaming with gossip, “According to this booklet, Elia and that star are more than just childhood friends.”

“What kind of relationship?” Lilian asked, puzzled.

“Lovers.”

“What? You’re saying that star and Master are lovers?”

“Although it’s not officially announced, it’s basically like that. Many people already treat them as a couple in private.”

“But what does this have to do with us?”

“It’s a big deal. You don’t know how many people Elia has secretly been toying with besides that star. This booklet records all of it.”

“What if I slip this booklet into that star’s dressing room? How would she think of Elia then?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, just imagining that is thrilling!”

“Is it really okay to do that?” Lilian nervously asked.

“What’s wrong with it? I’m just telling that star the truth.”

“Besides, from Elia’s words and actions, isn’t she basically a shameless woman who flirts around everywhere?”

Just like Ethelrina.

Of course, Iana didn’t say this aloud — at least not until she was stronger than Ethelrina, then she might openly express her displeasure at Ethelrina’s widespread harem.

“But what if Master finds out?”

“Don’t worry, she won’t. And I’ll be the only one sneaking into the dressing room. You won’t have to get involved,” Iana said.

“I still think it’s unwise.” Lilian frowned, feeling Iana was just asking for trouble.

As childhood friends, that star should have known some of Elia’s news.

If she hadn’t stopped her, it probably meant she didn’t care.

Lilian thought this time Iana was likely going to be pranked by Elia and that star together.

***

“All right, we’ve talked so much, I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat in the room?”

“They sell some bread and stuff at the front desk. I’ll go get some for you,” Lilian said quietly.

“Thanks, I still need to plan tomorrow’s strategy.” Iana picked up a pen and began making notes in the booklet.

Watching Iana seriously making plans, Lilian felt there was no way she could stop her alone.  

She only hoped Iana wouldn’t get into too much trouble.

Lilian sighed and turned to leave the room.  

At the front desk, she picked up a few pieces of bread.

Although this simple meal was meager for the evening, they had no other options.

Both of them were penniless, and even the hotel fees had been paid by Elia.

Cooking in the hotel was out of the question.

Not to mention Lilian didn’t know how to cook, and there was no place in the hotel to do so.