"Not going to catch up?"
Lin Cheng watched the Lin Family disciples leave, then turned to ask Nikita, who was still standing there in a daze.
Nikita remained silent, her head lowered, her sapphire-blue eyes dim and lifeless.
It was as if she had become a puppet without life, unable to react to anything around her.
Lin Cheng waited for a moment. Once the distant crowd had vanished from sight, he reminded her again:
"They've already gone far."
"You go." Nikita spoke softly.
The light in her blue eyes was dim, and she was clearly deeply disappointed in herself:
"I'd only be a burden if I went. I wouldn't be able to help with anything."
Lin Cheng's brows rose slightly at the sight.
Having known Nikita for so long, he had never seen her this dejected.
Did it hurt her pride?
"Xu Xiao needs you, Nikita. Don't belittle yourself."
The androgynous words of comfort reached her ears, making the despondent Nikita freeze.
She looked up at Lin Cheng beside her, only to find that he was looking elsewhere as well.
At the Black Sail Ship floating overhead.
Alisa, who had remained asleep until now, had finally awakened completely. Together with the little golden dragon coiled around her shoulder, she slowly descended toward the ground.
"Your role in the future will be extremely crucial. You may even become Xu Xiao's greatest support."
"Follow her. Protect her."
Alisa's lips moved, every word clear.
Yet her voice remained androgynous, having completely lost the kitten-like gentleness and softness it once possessed.
Confusion appeared in Lin Cheng and Nikita's eyes.
However, they quickly received an answer.
Because they noticed that while the Cat-Ear Girl spoke, the Time Dragon coiled around her shoulder was opening and closing its mouth as well.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized.