The Difference Between a Little Sister and a Girlfriend

For Hermione, while competing with Shanna is important, what matters most is learning from the things in front of her, gaining knowledge and experience, accelerating her growth, and striving to narrow the gap between herself and Bell.

When you're focused, you tend to unconsciously ignore the passage of time.

After straightening up once more, Hermione suddenly staggered. A feeling of suffocation washed over her, and she felt a weakness emanating from her body, both inside and out.

"Be, Bell ~"

Hermione tried her best to call her boyfriend's name. She was even having trouble keeping her balance.

Before Hermione could finish speaking, Bell, who had been waiting in the wings, immediately stepped forward.

He channeled magic into the badge on his collar, and Bell manipulated the miniature barrier around his body to expand, enveloping Hermione within it as well.

At the same time, Bell reached out and hugged Hermione from behind to prevent his girlfriend from falling to the ground.

Bell had a general idea of the total amount of magic within Hermione. So he had actually predicted that Hermione was probably nearing her limit.

However, in order to leave a deep impression on Hermione so that she would not risk her safety again in the future, Bell deliberately did not remind her.

"You! It's good that you're focused and dedicated when you're doing something, but you can't ignore your safety. Don't let this happen again, you hear me!"

Bell deliberately put on a fierce look, otherwise he was afraid he wouldn't be able to intimidate his girlfriend.

Unfortunately, Bell's plan failed.

We've been married for so long, we all know each other perfectly!

Nestled in Bell's arms, listening to Bell seemingly fierce but actually caring words, Hermione smiled happily.

"It's so good to have you here!"

"Okay, I understand."

As she spoke, Hermione snuggled closer to Bell's arms.

"!?"

Shanna, who had noticed her Gege interacting with Hermione, suddenly snapped out of her daze.

She was having so much fun that she forgot her original plan!

That wretched Hermione! She said she didn't want her Gege to help her maintain the barrier and that she would do it herself. And yet, in just a short while, she's already clinging to Gege when she wasn't looking?

This is absolutely outrageous! She hasn't even hung it up yet!

"Gege! I'm tired too! I don't have much magic left!"

In a flash, Shanna rushed to Bell's side, showing no signs of lacking magic power.

As for those Philosopher's Stone?

Who cares about them!

Bell glanced at his younger sister with amusement and then expanded the miniature barrier a bit more so that the three of them wouldn't have to squeeze together.

"Alright, you've all had enough fun, right? Let's go explore some other places."

Even so, shortly after leaving the mine, Bell's magical energy was almost depleted.

In fact, this was the first time Bell had maintained a miniature barrier for such a long time. Especially after the barrier's range expanded, the amount of magic power it consumed exceeded Bell's expectations.

Therefore, the three of them had no choice but to end their trip early.

Seeing his sister and girlfriend looking like they hadn't had enough, Bell knew they couldn't let things continue like this!

Based on today's trend, even if they go back and recover, they will only be able to play outside the base for about an hour tomorrow before having to return to the base to rest.

Although, in Bell's opinion, Mars was a godforsaken place with really nothing to do. An hour was enough time to wander around casually.

But clearly, Shanna and Hermione do not agree with this.

This is Mars! Mars is so big and so far away! How can we not explore it properly?

Hermione, in particular, felt that if she didn't spin around on Mars five, six, seven, or eight times, she would be doing a disservice to the indescribable stuff she had thrown up on Bell.

God knows how much she wanted to die at that moment!

With a quick glance, Bell came up with a great idea.

"I have some ideas that I need to test out when I get back. You two can go and have some fun in the Entertainment Area."

After saying that, Bell turned and ran away before the curious Shanna and Hermione could ask any questions.

Although the method he had come up with was unlikely to cause any problems, he was still reluctant to tell the two women until it was done.

What if, what if he fails? Wouldn't his admirable image in his sister's and girlfriend's eyes be completely ruined?

(Shanna: "My Gege's image will always be the greatest!")

(Hermione: "You have no tall, imposing image whatsoever!")

Early the next morning, Bell, who had been out of the public eye all night, took Shanna and Hermione back to the edge of the base.

"Bell, it's about time you told me what you've prepared?"

Hermione looked at Bell with displeasure; she now utterly loathed her boyfriend's habit of keeping things a secret.

Before coming to Mars, Bell refused to tell her the destination, which caused her father to gossip about it behind her back.

('Was I gossiping? I was just concerned about you!')

An anonymous father, who sold his daughter for a Quidditch World Cup ticket, let out a sorrowful roar.

And then Bell actually came again, making it so she couldn't sleep well last night. How awful!

"Hehe~! Don't be impatient, the answer will be revealed soon."

As he spoke, Bell raised his right hand and swung it forward forcefully.

"Come out, Pikachu!"

The Ten Thousand Snakes had been quietly coiled around Bell's wrist like an ordinary snake bracelet, suddenly leaped out.

While still in mid-air, the Ten Thousand Snakes rapidly grew larger and finally crashed to the ground with a loud bang.

"Bell, wasn't your Ten Thousand Snakes called Black Scale? When did you change its Pikachu?"

Hermione hesitated, glancing at the Black Scale in front of her and then at the Red Scale on her wrist.

Since Black Scale has changed her name, should she change Red Scale's name too? But what name should she change it to that would sound like a pair with Pikachu?

Mantis Shrimp?

Seriously! What kind of lousy names does Bell come up with?!

"Ahem! No, Black Scale is still called Black Scale. Don't worry about the details."

Bell coughed awkwardly twice.

He's so upset that nobody's picking up on his jokes!

Fortunately, Hermione didn't dwell on it; she glanced at the enlarged Black Scale with a puzzled look.

"So, Bell, why did you release Black Scale? Didn't you say there was no danger here?"

"I know! I know!"

Upon hearing Hermione's question, Shanna immediately raised her little hand, jumping up and down as she spoke loudly.

"The magic core inside Ten Thousand Snakes's body is Inferior Philosopher's Stone. My Gege must have transferred the magic power supply of the miniature barrier to Ten Thousand Snakes, so there's no need to worry about insufficient magic power."

After saying that, the little girl proudly raised her head, waiting for her Gege to praise her, while also glancing triumphantly at Hermione out of the corner of her eye.

Hmph! You're still a long way off!