Seraphine smiled at Durin and then turned to walk into the study.
Her skin truly looked as if it had been moisturized by water, and her wavy pink hair cascaded smoothly over her fair shoulders. That cool feeling was lessened, replaced by a softer warmth.
If Daniel hadn't told him beforehand, Durin would have been completely unable to discern anything unusual from Seraphine's face.
Because, at present, Seraphine appeared no different from a normal person; perhaps one could say she was too normal, showing no hint of negativity or bad emotions.
A young girl whose abilities are out of control and who is in her adolescence, when encountering danger, would instinctively curl up like a hedgehog, exposing her spiky shell to others.
Even if Seraphine was feeling anxious and in pain inside, she was unwilling to easily expose her vulnerable side to others.
Seraphine turned and plopped down on the off-white sofa. Beside her sat a pink plush teddy bear, quietly facing her sideways, truly a habit a young girl would have.
For Durin, everything should have its practicality. He would never keep something without practical use, like a stuffed animal, in his home, especially since the apartment room space was limited.
Seraphine bent down and pulled out a black instrument bag containing a guitar from under the sofa. She unzipped it, took out the wooden guitar, and held it in her arms.
Her series of movements caused her loose short-sleeved shirt to sag slightly, and Durin seemed to catch a glimpse of her beautifully curved, distinctly undulating collarbones…
Hmm…
Very fair.
Durin silently commented.
Seraphine practically shrunk herself into the corner of the sofa, leaving enough space for Durin to adopt a "Ge You-style slouch."
After Durin sat down, he looked at Seraphine, who was almost pressed against the corner of the wall, and couldn't help but say, "You left me so much space, are you expecting me to lie down?"
"Dream on."
Seraphine rolled her eyes at Durin, but then shifted slightly outwards. She then tentatively plucked the strings with her slender fingers and casually asked, "Why haven't you come to see me lately? I just composed a brand new song and wanted you to listen to it and tell me what you think."
Her tone sounded very calm and casual. It could only be said that Seraphine was inherently pure and innocent, and had never been high up in the sky like a distant star, untouchable.
"I've encountered some troublesome things recently, which caused a slight delay," Durin first took off the instrument bag from his back, then placed it at his feet, leaning back on the sofa somewhat relaxed, and said in a deep voice, "A new song? Speaking of which, it seems I haven't heard you play guitar and sing for a while. Then you can put in the effort to sing your new song, and I can also relax my mind."
"Mm, okay."
The girl narrowed her eyes slightly, and her soft whistling sounded like a clear, distant flute.
After slightly tuning the strings, as her fingers gently plucked them, a gentle and soothing chord filled the study.
This sound immediately quieted the listener's heart. As the guitar strings were plucked, a light rhythm entered the track, and a playful yet slightly pure singing voice, characteristic of a young girl, also began.
A gentle and peaceful melody resonated in the study. The sound waves transformed into ripples, circling into Durin's heart, embracing warmth.
"There's a part of myself I'm missing
Know I got a lot to learn
When I lie to myself I listen
…"
The voice was incredibly pure, like a divine melody—delicate and melodious.
It contained not a single impurity, and the emotions were incredibly subtle.
The flowing song was like a twisting Rubik's Cube, freezing Durin's soul in that instant.
The residual Devil Potion that had remained in his body after consuming it was once again purged, like a waterfall washing over every part of his body from top to bottom.
The tearing pain in his soul was greatly reduced, and the flowing song was like a pair of tender hands gently caressing Durin's scarred soul, washing away all anxiety and fatigue.
"Let you enter this deep world,
Every facet only you can feel,
Drink your poison, make me feel drunk,
Take me to a different space…"
The pick at her fingertips danced continuously on the strings, and the soothing melody gradually calmed Durin's troubled thoughts.
First, there was the pressure from Silco of Zaun, then the financial burden, and then the appearance of the Demon from Piltover, which kept Durin's mind on the edge of tension for a long time.
But at this moment, he only felt a clear spring washing away all the accumulated fatigue in his heart!
It was as if his soul had become lighter with the melody; this feeling of ease had truly been gone for too long, too long...
The distracting thoughts in his soul were also carried away by the cleansing of the song, making Durin's soul purer and more profound.
He could feel his soul imprint undergoing a transformation, an unprecedented strengthening.
The music gradually faded...
But every note lingered deep within Durin's heart, refusing to dissipate.
Thump!
At this moment, the sound of the piano and his heartbeat gradually synchronized.
Furthermore, Durin clearly perceived that he seemed to have become exceptionally clear and sensitive to his surroundings, a feeling that was simply indescribable.
If he had to use a metaphor, it was as if Durin had been thoroughly cleansed from the inside out, and his sixth sense had become even more acute.
And with a lift of his hand, the magic in his body quickly gathered in his left palm, forming a fireball composed of elemental energy, with a composite rune faintly visible within it. The entire process was at least one-tenth faster than usual, which also meant his casting speed had increased.
The total amount of magic hadn't changed, but its quality was higher, and the elements had become more harmonious!
Durin came to this conclusion with a slight perception, a bit surprised that magic could still be refined further.
Not only did the magic in his body become more obedient and agreeable, but even the negative emotions in his mind were greatly reduced.
He even had the illusion that his soul could withstand two more soul forges, which would yield even greater benefits.
"Is this magic? It looks so cool!"
Seraphine looked up, staring at the fireball suspended in Durin's left palm, her eyes filled with longing and yearning for magic.
"When you fully master the magic within you, these are nothing," Durin said, waving his hand.
"Re-really?" Seraphine smiled, but she hugged the guitar tightly and asked cautiously, "Then can I protect myself and my parents?"
The moment she asked this question, the veins on the back of her hands bulged, and her deep blue eyes were filled with anticipation and nervousness.
"What's wrong?"
Durin frowned slightly and asked curiously.
"Nothing, it's just, do you remember that evil female voice I heard before?"
"I remember, you heard it again?!"
"Yes, I started hearing her again yesterday. She keeps shouting that she wants to devour my soul, and even… eat my soul in front of my parents."
Seraphine felt a bit unnatural under Durin's gaze. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, forced an embarrassed smile, and after a brief pause, continued, "So, I plan to leave Piltover and go somewhere else. I've already bought a boat ticket for tomorrow morning at six o'clock. It's a bit rushed, and I thought I might not have time to say goodbye."
Durin appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was startled. The last time he encountered a Demon, it was because his mental strength wasn't strong enough, and his mind was controlled by the opponent's demonic ability.
Now he had obtained the soul forging method from Vayne, and Seraphine was the key person for the soul forging method. Otherwise, with the residual Devil Potion and the pain of his soul being torn, he probably wouldn't recover for several days after each use.
However, Durin hadn't expected her to choose this time to leave Piltover; this was an utterly unexpected outcome.
No!
He must stabilize her!
After thinking for a moment, Durin poured himself a glass of water, and then poured one for Seraphine next to him. The two gently clinked their glasses.
After they both took a sip, Durin spoke, "Uh, you don't need to worry. Although that was a Demon, she has been severely wounded by a Demon Hunter Master from Demacia. She is now like a stray dog."
"Demon?! Do Demons really exist in this world?" Seraphine was a bit surprised, almost dropping the guitar she was holding.
"Yes."
Next, Durin recounted how he had accidentally met the noblewoman and wanted to help her, naturally omitting the Darkin part of the story.
After finishing, Durin instinctively reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, taking one out and putting it in his mouth. Just as he was about to look for a lighter, Seraphine took a lighter from a drawer and, like a subordinate, proactively lit Durin's cigarette.
Durin was stunned at the sight, just about to say something.
Seraphine smiled and said, "I smelled smoke on you before, so I figured you must smoke. But I didn't know what brand you liked, so I just prepared a lighter."
Durin tilted his head to light the cigarette, and at the moment the flame ignited, smoke swirled between the two of them at close range.
"…"
Durin stared at her, and she, unafraid of his gaze, still smiled, just as Durin had seen her for the first time. Her pink wavy long hair and her alabaster-like skin and face exuded purity and playfulness, and she even deliberately winked at Durin.
"I forgot to tell you, I've been appointed as a provisional Senior Enforcer by the Council. I'm working with a Demon Hunter Master from Demacia to capture that escaped Demon. This matter will be over soon. So, return your boat ticket, I'm here!"
"?!"
Durin listened quietly, pulling out an Enforcer badge, a symbol of the Piltover Guard, from his pocket, and said seriously, "I never lie."
"Ah?"
Seraphine lifted her head with an otter-like 'flash', looking at Durin blankly, her eyes becoming clearer and more naive. After a long silence.
She gently stroked the wooden grain on the surface of her guitar and whispered, "Durin…"
"What?"
"Actually, I've always wanted to be a singer… even a very, very small underground singer would be enough. I'm so happy you've always been willing to listen to me sing. But I… want more people to hear my voice, and I want to stand on a stage. I don't want to stay in this small room anymore."
Seraphine turned her head to look out the window. Although the sunlight streaming in from the balcony's French windows illuminated her face, it looked so comfortable and beautiful, filled with a healing scene.
But when she spoke the last few sentences, her voice trembled slightly, and a strong sense of confusion and helplessness washed over her.
Durin fell silent. He knew that Seraphine was currently in an unknown superimposed state, and she could explode at any moment if he wasn't careful.
Seraphine didn't cry; she was very calm, but her gaze was somewhat unfocused, and she slowly lowered her head.
"Alright, I promise you, as soon as the Demon matter is over, I will find a way to organize a concert for you, so that more people can hear your singing. However, to help me catch the Demon sooner, I'll need your help a lot from now on! I have a method for training the soul, and I need your singing to assist me."
Durin said, watching Seraphine, his tone very serious.
"?!"
Seraphine took a small breath and gave her usual smile. So, this time, she looked at Durin with a smile in her eyes and said, "No problem! I'd be honored."
A text prompt appeared: [Favorability with Seraphine +9, Charm +3, Current Proficiency: 29/50]
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