Endless Debt

Bologue looked at his damp palms, complex emotions rose in his heart, both joy and sorrow, a weight so heavy it made Bologue struggle to breathe... These were not Bologue's emotions, but Aimou's.

In the long silence, not a sound could be heard, Bologue and Aimou remained silent, neither of them breaking the tranquility first.

Bologue moved mechanically, continuously feeding cake from the plate into his mouth. He ate slowly, but the cake was not endless, and he finished it.

At the center of the dining table, half of the birthday cake remained. Only then did Bologue remember something. He pulled the birthday cake over, placed three candles on the remaining half, and lit them, the warm glow illuminating Bologue's face.

Sitting on the chair, the candles burned almost halfway before Bologue spoke.

"What wish do you want to make?"

"I'm thinking."

"Hmm? I thought a wish would be something you'd always remember." Bologue didn't expect Aimou would have to think up a wish on the spot.

"I know, but some wishes are mere fantasies, ones you know from the start won't come true, only to be hidden in your heart as an expectation."

Aimou paused, a touch of smile in her voice, "It's not often I have someone to celebrate my birthday with, so I want to make a wish that might come true."

Bologue did not ask what Aimou's fantasy was, he merely remained silent.

"I've made it."

Bologue nodded, then blew out the candles.

The room fell into dimness, the only remaining light was the azure-gold in Bologue's eyes.

Bologue's mood was calm and contemplative, while Aimou started to feel somewhat awkward and embarrassed.

She saw the tears Bologue wiped away, knowing they stemmed from herself, tasting the birthday cake's flavor through Bologue's taste. It was a feeling she had never experienced before, and correspondingly, her emotions grew increasingly complex.

Her thoughts were like a storm, and at the eye of that quiet storm, Aimou's dark thoughts were being nurtured.

"Then... I should leave now."

Having tasted the birthday cake, Aimou felt extremely satisfied at this moment, not daring to wish for anything more, preparing to dissolve the Secret Energy.

"Can you continue the aberration of the Deceitful Snake Scale Liquid?"

Bologue suddenly asked, as a silver snake crawled up his finger.

"What's wrong?" Aimou didn't understand why Bologue asked this all of a sudden.

"You understand this aberrated product the best, and only your Secret Energy can make it more complex and bizarre... As I advance, it will eventually be unable to keep up with my strength. I need your help for a new round of qualitative change."

"Oh… no problem." It was originally Aimou's creation, she knew the Deceitful Snake Scale Liquid very well.

The conversation once again fell into silence, sometimes their talks flowed smoothly, while other times, like now, both were hesitant, unsure of what to say next.

"Then Teda will only return tomorrow?" Bologue asked again.

"Yes, what's up."

Aimou was somewhat puzzled about what Bologue was planning to do.

"So, even if we leave, no one will know, right?" Bologue cautiously said.

"But the Void Realm will record it."

Aimou mentioned the Void Realm that enveloped the Alchemy Workshop, protecting it and keeping vigilant over every visitor.

"As Teda's assistant student, you should also know how to clear the records, right?" Bologue's voice lowered.

It was only then that Aimou belatedly realized something, even as the Ether fell silent, the golden rings in Bologue's eyes continued to brighten.

"You mean..."

Aimou's voice also lowered, as if she were conspiring with Bologue.

"Do you want to give it a try? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Bologue continued to entice.

After a brief silence, a powerful voice resonated in Bologue's mind.

"Alright!"

Bologue's mood turned to excitement, unsure if it was his own or Aimou's excitement, but light shone in both their eyes.

Reaching for the suitcase containing Aimou's clothes, Bologue donned his coat and pushed open the Alchemy Workshop's door, stepping directly into the dense fog without a hint of hesitation.

...

The somber street was painted with splendid neon lights, filled with citizens in strange costumes, laughing as they moved toward their next destination.

Songs lingered among the buildings, and airships glided low, massive celebratory banners hung down, stirring cheers and excitement that even warmed the winter snow of the cold days.

Each year during the Vow Festival, residents would gather here in the Agreement District, following the street march with the enormous floats, starting this grand parade.

To prevent chaos, at this time, Opus's sheriffs would all turn out in full force, their presence found in every corner of the Agreement District, maintaining order and controlling the heated atmosphere.

Everyone gathered in the Agreement District, making the other districts in Opus seem rather desolate by comparison, although there were some prepared activities, they paled in comparison to the grand festivity in the Agreement District.

Teda walked through the Agreement District streets, laboriously weaving through the crowded people.

Having stayed in the Great Rift for so long, spending every day accompanied by Alchemy, Teda could no longer recall the last time he saw so many people. Now, seeing such a crowd made him feel uneasy and uncomfortable.