"Candidate rankings don't change every moment. Destiny may be fickle, but there are still patterns to follow. Do you remember what the Serpent's Shedding said? Once someone performs an important scene upon the stage, his or her role becomes more significant, and their candidate ranking rises accordingly."
Luvia pressed her cheek to Shade's back. Someone had felt the Soul's Warmth this afternoon, but what she craved more was the warmth of this moment:
"My guess is that the number of candidates is still fixed. However, only candidates who have obtained the Serpent's Shedding can be recognized as candidates by my eyes, and I have to observe them constantly to know how their rankings change.
"That Witch Apprentice is now ranked third, which is already remarkable. After all, since arriving on the island, this is the only major event she has personally participated in."
Since Luvia was hugging him from behind, Shade was temporarily unable to change into his pajamas:
"Then Emilia and Claire?"
"Definitely not. I'm certain of that."
She said, and then—
"Luvia, is it my imagination, or did you really lick my back just now?"
"It was Little Mia."
"Meow?"
"But I can see Little Mia is still standing on my shirt."
The young lady, whose face was somewhat hot, did not know why she had done that just now. She softly defended herself:
"Now you mind? After the lights went out in this room, you had us lick you. Why didn't you mind then?"
"Well, I've been out all day and haven't washed up yet."
Luvia finally agreed to let him go so that he could change into his pajamas.
It was now the sixteenth day of the Newborn Moon, and winter was far from over. The house had central heating. When Shade sat on the sofa