Shanna and Hermione

Although she didn't know why her younger sister was so calm, Bell decided to give her a word of advice just to be on the safe side.

"Shanna, the path of magic has no end. Remember never to be arrogant or complacent."

"Um!"

Shanna nodded obediently.

She won't be arrogant or complacent. She wants to become very, very powerful so she can protect her Gege.

While the brother and sister were chatting, they arrived at their destination.

"Bell, you're finally here. It's so late."

Standing up, Hermione looked at Bell, who was walking into the carriage, with a slightly restrained expression.

She was unsure how to face Bell. What Bell had said yesterday was still echoing in her mind. So, should she also say something to Bell ... something...

Before Hermione could come to a decision, she noticed a little girl following Bell into the carriage.

"Shanna!"

Hermione looked at Shanna, who walked in, in a panic. She had completely forgotten that Bell's sister had started school this year.

What should we do if she forgets to prepare a gift?

"Um, hello, Shanna. Congratulations on your enrollment at Hogwarts."

"Hello, Hermione."

Shanna smiled slightly, then immediately became expressionless and sat down next to her Gege.

Looking at Bell and Shanna sitting opposite her, Hermione felt both helpless and a little unhappy.

Hermione was at a loss because she hadn't figured out how to face Bell's family. She was worried that Shanna would hate her.

Although the two had exchanged a few words via video chat, she still had a very good impression of Bell's sister, Shanna.

Strictly speaking, this is her first meeting with Shanna, Hermione doesn't know what to say.

Moreover, judging from Shanna's current behavior, it seems that the other party really doesn't like her that much.

The reason for his unhappiness is that Bell, who said such irresponsible things yesterday, is acting like nothing happened when they meet today.

And how did he get to the other side?!

Shouldn't boyfriends and girlfriends usually sit together?

Who would leave their girlfriend unattended and go sit with their sister?

... Well, Hermione actually didn't know if it would happen. After all, she'd only ever had one boyfriend, Bell, and hadn't really talked about these kinds of topics with anyone else.

Hermione silently returned to her original seat, looking around anxiously, as if she were sitting on pins and needles.

"Cough cough!"

Seeing that the atmosphere was becoming increasingly awkward, Bell coughed twice, preparing to say something to break the awkwardness.

Actually, Bell was also unsure how to face Hermione. After all, it must have been yesterday, right? Still half-asleep, Bell wasn't quite sure.

In short, because of what he said to Hermione before, he wasn't sure what Hermione would think.

"Well, although you two should already know each other, I think it's still necessary to introduce us."

"Hermione, this is my sister Shanna, my most important family member."

Hermione smiled and nodded to Shanna.

Shanna grabbed her Gege's arm and glared at Hermione with hostility.

The little girl realized she had been too careless. She should have been more cautious with the initial hazard assessment!

"Ahem, Shanna, um... this is Hermione, she's... my girlfriend."

"!?"

"!?"

Shanna was stunned! She was utterly shocked, incredulous!

She had initially thought that this Hermione was on the first floor, and she was planning to be more cautious from now on.

It turns out, the other side had already reached the top!?

Wouldn't that leave her with no chance to even be on guard?

Hermione was also shocked! A kind of shock mixed with delight!

She never expected that Bell would be so straightforward as to reveal their relationship to her family.

Hermione had heard Penelope say that Bell was a "siscon" and that she should be careful.

Hermione even went to look up information about "sister complex" and worried about it for a long time.

Before she could even prepare herself mentally, Bell actually laid his cards on the table!?

Bell was speechless as he looked at the two women staring at him with wide eyes.

So when he was clearly introducing the two of them, why were they all staring at him?

That's really... quite normal...

"Ahem, well..."

Bell continued to speak, attempting to break the increasingly awkward and silent atmosphere, though he didn't know what else to say.

"Impossible!!!"

Shanna suddenly shouted and stood up.

The little girl couldn't imagine it, and she didn't want to believe it. Was her Gege really going to leave her like this?!

Shanna raised her right hand, on the back of which was a red cross-shaped mark.

A surge of magical energy arose, and the mark on the back of Shanna's hand glowed with a faint red light.

Then, on the back of Bell's right hand, a similar mark also began to shimmer with a red light.

Bell did nothing, just quietly watching her younger sister.

After a short while, Shanna lowered her hand and slumped back into her seat.

Since it was her Gege's decision, Shanna, as a well-behaved younger sister, wouldn't make a fuss.

He gently patted Shanna's head. Just now, when Shanna sensed his condition, Bell naturally also sensed Shanna's thoughts.

"Shanna, there's only one thing I hope you'll remember: your Gege will never leave you."

Bell said firmly.

"Really?"

Shanna looked pitifully at her Gege.

"Of course! When has your Gege ever lied to you?"

Shanna shook her head and said nothing.

The little girl glanced discreetly at Hermione's right wrist, where a small, crimson snake disguised as a bracelet was visible.

She recognized the little snake. It was the Magic Puppet her Gege had painstakingly created.

There are two snakes in total; the other one is currently being worn on her Gege's wrist.

Shanna remembered that she had thought her Gege would give her one of the little snakes. Just like last year, Gege gave her a Christmas present—one for her and one for her Gege.

However, just yesterday morning, when she eagerly went to find her older Gege, Gege told her that he couldn't give her the little snake.

Although Shanna was very surprised at the time, the little girl didn't think much of it.

Since her Gege refused her request, there must be a reason. Perhaps, the two little snakes haven't finished yet?

Shanna knew that her Gege had always carried a small, emerald-green snake called Ten Thousand Snakes with him, and that snake was only half-finished.

"Once it's completely finished, my Gege will definitely give it to me."

Shanna had never doubted her Gege's love for her... until now.

When Shanna accidentally discovered that the little snake she so wanted was on Hermione's wrist, she was incredibly disappointed.

Even if tomorrow were the end of the world, the little girl wouldn't care.

Because her Gege is about to be kidnapped by a "Fox spirit"!!!