Asta's usual shoulder-length hairstyle.
Had been changed into twin tails.
Held in place by star-shaped crystal hair clips, they added a playful cuteness to her elegant, refined air.
As she watched Lin Chen arrive, Asta's rosy lips curved slightly upward.
Countless ripples of light seemed to shimmer faintly in her lake-blue eyes.
Tonight, Asta had shed her usual image as a research scholar.
Instead, she looked more like the girl next door, sweet and a little adorable.
Of course, what shocked Lin Chen most was this.
Arlan had actually shed his unchanging uniform and battle armor.
And put on a loose-fitting uniform dress.
Beneath the flax-colored dress, the faint curves of a bust seemed to show.
An industrial-style gray hair clip was pinned beside Arlan's short, gray-white hair.
"Holy shit? A cross-dressing pro..."
Seeing Arlan's outfit tonight, Lin Chen froze for a moment.
His mind erupted into utter chaos.
But then he remembered that the effects of the Low-Quality Sanity Pills had yet to wear off.
Arlan should still have a girl's body.
That helped Lin Chen adjust a little.
On closer inspection, Arlan's outfit was perfectly appropriate and didn't look strange.
Opening an exquisitely packaged crystal bottle.
Arlan poured himself and Lin Chen each a full glass of amber liquor.
"If it weren't for you, Mr. Lin Chen... perhaps I would have already perished in those endless nightmares."
"I owe my life to you, Mr. Lin Chen."
"As for words of thanks, I... I really can't think of much to say."
"Please let the liquor in this glass represent my sincere gratitude..."
Arlan took a deep breath, looking a little nervous and earnest.
His right hand tightened around his glass, apprehension flickering in his eyes.
"That sounds good."
"There's no need for so many words of thanks. Friends don't