It's Good You're Back

Feng Lan looked at Samael before him, and the patience in his heart was gradually worn away. "I told you... I'm not in the mood to play with you right now!"

As Feng Lan spoke, the magic power around him became increasingly violent. He glared fixedly at Samael and slowly walked toward him step by step.

Seeing the icy look in Feng Lan's eyes, Samael unexpectedly felt a trace of fear.

Feng Lan continued staring coldly at Samael. "Come on... let's finish this quickly! I'm not in a very good mood today."

Hearing this, the fury in Samael's heart erupted once more. "Don't get cocky, brat! Crimson Flash!"

Samael threw a heavy punch, sending a red flash hurtling toward Feng Lan. Yet the next second, Feng Lan turned into a puddle of water and splashed across the ground. "Water Make—Substitute."

"Storm Dragon's Labyrinth..." Feng Lan released a dense layer of mist that blanketed the entire area.

Samael beat his wings, fiercely blowing away the watery mist. But once the fog dispersed, Feng Lan was nowhere to be seen.

"Below you..." Feng Lan clenched his right fist and crouched halfway to the ground. "Water Dragon King's Crashing Fist!"

Feng Lan landed a powerful uppercut, launching Samael into the air.

"Damn it!" Samael swiftly flapped his wings, struggling to steady himself in midair. "You little bastard! Crimson Barrage!" Countless red magic bullets flew toward Feng Lan.

"Storm Dragon's Wing Attack!" Feng Lan flapped his wings, sending out a gust of dense mist that blocked all of Samael's attacks.

"Water Dragon King's Crashing Fang!" Feng Lan flashed before Samael and slashed down heavily with his claw, severing Samael's four wings outright.

"Argh!" Samael let out a pained scream and fell straight toward the ground.

Feng Lan followed close behind, catching up to the falling Samael. "Water Dragon King's Crashing Fist!" He then drove another heavy punch into Samael's stomach.

The next second, Samael spat blood and was sent flying sideways.

"Water Make—Iron Maiden!" Samael flew directly into the Iron Maiden.

"Argh!" As the Iron Maiden closed, Samael let out a bloodcurdling scream.

When Feng Lan dispelled his magic, Samael dropped to his knees with a thud. But when Samael gathered his strength and tried to heal himself, he found that he had no strength left in his body.

Feng Lan shook his head. "Don't waste your effort. You weren't able to dodge all of the Storm Dragon's attacks, and you absorbed a large portion of them. That portion has temporarily clogged your magic power... and that short time is enough for me."

As he spoke, Feng Lan condensed a water bullet in his left hand and fired it at Samael, knocking him unconscious.

Feng Lan then dispelled Dragon Force and walked toward Mira. "Go and take in that demon first."

Mira asked in confusion, "Mm... huh? You mean..."

Feng Lan sighed and sat down on the ground. "That demon is the same type as Satan, and he's already on his last breath. Taking him in won't be difficult, and he'll be a great help to you."

Mira nodded hesitantly. "Mm... I'll give it a try."

With that, Mira walked over to Samael and placed her right hand on him. "Take Over!"

Samael's body gradually vanished, while Mira's body began to glow with waves of red light.

When the red light faded, two pairs of crimson wings and a slender demon tail had grown from Mira's back. Her entire body was covered in crimson scales. Although her hands had turned into claws, they remained slender.

Looking at her new power, Mira felt strength coursing through her entire body. Delighted, she turned around to show Feng Lan her new abilities, only to see him staring at her expressionlessly, even somewhat angrily. She immediately canceled the Take Over, wilted, and obediently sat before Feng Lan.

Feng Lan looked at Mira, who had lowered her head, sighed, and slowly asked, "Tell me... what were you thinking?"

Mira replied guiltily, "I-I'm sorry."

Feng Lan closed his eyes and shook his head. "I didn't ask you to apologize... and I don't need an apology. That's something you should say to the old man. What I want is your reason and your thoughts behind doing this."

Mira lowered her head and fell silent for a while. "I wanted to prove myself. Prove that I'm strong too, that I can always stand by your side. Because I'm afraid that one day... you'll leave me behind..."

Feng Lan froze upon hearing that. Then, the face he had kept tense finally broke into a smile.

"Idiot. Whether you're powerful enough to be unmatched in the world, invincible, or so weak that you can only be protected by others, I don't care. I don't think a person's likes and dislikes, love and hatred, should be measured by strength. They should be distinguished by whether people can treat each other sincerely. So... if you truly want to stand with me, then be yourself to your heart's content. Show me the truest version of yourself."

As he spoke, Feng Lan pulled Mira into his arms and held her tightly.

Mira pressed her cheek tightly against Feng Lan's chest, clearly feeling his heartbeat and breathing. She wrapped her arms around him as well, burying her head in his embrace as tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Mira kept sobbing in Feng Lan's arms. "Feng Lan... I was really scared just now. If you hadn't come, I... I would have..."

Feng Lan stroked Mira's head and said gently, "Don't worry. I'll always be by your side, always protect you... always."

Mira nodded. "Then it's a promise. Whether it's me or Feng Lan, we both have to live well, and we have to keep standing together."

"Mm, it's a promise..." Seeing Mira's earnest gaze, Feng Lan smiled. "Then let's go back. The old man and the others are still waiting. They must be worried."

Mira nodded slightly. "Mm, let's go..."

...Magnolia...

"Big Sister Mira! Big Brother Feng Lan!" Seeing the two return, Lisanna hurriedly rushed out and threw herself into Mira's arms. "Big Sister Mira, you scared me to death! I thought something had happened to you."

Mira stroked Lisanna's head and said with a smile, "Don't worry. Didn't I come back alive?"

Dada Liya flew out as well. "Feng Lan, you finally came back! Honestly, you went out without waiting for me..."

Feng Lan poked Dada Liya's ear. "Hehe, sorry. I won't do it again next time."

Makarov walked out with a grim expression. "Mira, you know that what you did this time violated the guild rules, don't you?"

Mira nodded. "Mm, I know. I'm willing to accept punishment."

Makarov stroked his beard and slowly said, "Then... go stay in the Detention Room for a week."

Mira asked somewhat blankly, "That's all the punishment is?"

Makarov laughed heartily. "Coming back alive is what matters most... If you think the punishment isn't enough, I can add more, you know~"

Mira smiled at everyone in the guild and ran toward the Detention Room. "Hehe, no need for any extra punishment~"

The guild members exchanged smiles. "Mm, it's good you're back... It's good you're back!"