Mind reading was truly the most terrifying magic in the world.
Thoughts were the final sanctuary of personal space. Everyone, to some extent, harbored things in their minds that they only dared to let themselves know.
If those things were exposed, it would result in complete social ruin.
Levi was only human, not a saint; his thoughts weren't entirely pure.
Leaping to scandalous conclusions at the mere sight of a bare arm was practically an innate instinct. He couldn't control it.
"Ahem!" Levi composed his expression.
"Miss Seraphine," he said, carefully maintaining his distance to ensure she couldn't possibly touch him again before asking, "Why exactly are you looking for me? Could you explain it a bit more clearly?"
"Oh, it's like this..." Seraphine finally got to the point.
Levi then learned that Seraphine had heard the songs echoing in his mind during his fight, which triggered a bout of artistic inspiration and prompted her to run all the way here.
"How did you know where I live?"
"I chased after you and asked around along the way. It just so happened that a plump middle-aged man with a bunch of keys hanging from his waist was taking a walk nearby. I asked him about you, and he told me you lived here."
Sweat still glistened on Seraphine's forehead, and a few damp strands of hair clung to her face. To catch up with Levi, this frail young lady had truly given it her all.
But Levi wasn't moved. He just suddenly realized something was wrong. "Wait... you could hear those songs back then? Doesn't that mean..."
"Even without physical contact, you can read minds from a distance?"
Fortunately, Seraphine replied, "I can, but... I can't freely control that ability at all. So right now, I can't 'hear' what you're thinking. Besides, I can usually only sense other people's emotions; I can't hear clear, complete thoughts..."
That wasn't so bad. Levi felt a little relieved.
After a brief exchange, he finally understood the purpose of Seraphine's visit—she had no ulterior motive; she simply came to discuss music.
"I don't have time!" Levi refused with absolute decisiveness.
'I'm currently being hunted down, and you ran all the way here to talk about music?'
'Do you have any idea what kind of situation I'm in right now?'
'Has this girl lived in an ivory tower her entire life without ever stepping outside?'
'Uh, wait...'
'It seems she really hasn't gone out much.'
"Miss Seraphine, I have a lot of trouble to deal with. It's best if you don't follow me anymore." Levi had lost all interest in continuing this conversation with this sheltered flower.
The Iron Fist Gang's pursuers could arrive at any moment; he had to hurry up and make his escape.
"Go home. If you really want to discuss music, now is not the time," Levi offered one last piece of advice before turning around, picking up his luggage, and hurrying downstairs.
His movements were so swift that Seraphine couldn't stop him in time.
But she struggled to chase after him for a few steps, calling out, "Mr. Levi, I know you're in trouble right now—but I have a way to help you!"
"You?" Levi paused his steps.
He was a bit skeptical. "Do you really know what kind of trouble I've gotten myself into?"
"Is it that fat man?"
"Yes." Levi felt a glimmer of hope.
Since Seraphine knew the identity of the fat man Aubrey and understood the consequences of offending him, it meant she wasn't entirely disconnected from the real world.
Then her claim of having a way to help him might actually hold some weight.
Just as Levi was thinking this, he heard Seraphine say with deep concern:
"Mr. Levi, you beat that fat man up so badly, insulted him, and even robbed him of his money... He's definitely going to call the police to arrest you."
Levi was rendered speechless.
Seraphine must have learned Garen's skill; the moment she opened her mouth, she completely silenced him.
"The Enforcers must be looking everywhere for you right now. But it's okay... My dad has a decent relationship with the Enforcers. You don't have to run. I'll have him find a way to bail you out."
"Then we can go and properly apologize to him. If we can earn his forgiveness, everything should be fine..."
"Enough!" Levi finally couldn't listen anymore. "I should go apologize to him and beg for his forgiveness? Do you even know who he is?"
"Um... no."
Another bout of silence ensued.
"Seraphine?" He helplessly massaged his forehead.
"Hmm?" Seraphine blinked her large, watery eyes.
"Exactly how long has it been since you last left your house?"
"About... six or seven years, I think?"
Levi was left utterly speechless once again.
Now, he had completely given up hope.
One look and it was obvious this girl had sneaked out on a whim without consulting her parents beforehand—otherwise, she wouldn't be so clueless about who Aubrey was.
And with this, he was supposed to expect her to use her family's influence to settle his problems?
What a joke... When the time came, let alone helping him, it would be a miracle if Mr. Ivern didn't sue him for kidnapping his daughter.
"Go back to Mars. Earth doesn't suit you," Levi said, turning to leave.
"Hey! Wait for me, Mr. Levi!" Seraphine hurriedly chased after him, holding up her gold-embroidered princess dress and clicking her small, high-heeled leather boots.
Seeing Levi about to run far away, she persistently called out from behind, "Mr. Levi, I'm sorry... I came looking for you without understanding the situation... But please believe me, as long as you ask, no matter the circumstances, I will definitely do my best to help you."
Levi didn't budge.
The greatest help this overly naive young lady could offer him right now was to stay as far away from him as possible.
However, Janna quietly poked her head out of his pocket and spoke to him telepathically.
"Mr. Summoner, I suggest you have a chat with Miss Seraphine."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because she is a mage."
"I know she's a mage." Levi, of course, knew Seraphine was a mage; she was one in the game.
"But so what? She said it herself, she can't even control her own abilities right now. With her fragile frame and naive mind, if a real fight breaks out, I'm afraid she won't be of any help at all..."
"Uh, wait..."
As he spoke, Levi suddenly realized something.
Janna's intention probably wasn't for Seraphine to help him fight.
"Exactly," Janna explained. "Miss Seraphine is not just a mage. She is a genius mage with extraordinary talent and exceptional aptitude, capable of naturally awakening her magic without any training."
"Her spiritual power is innately incredibly strong."
"How strong?" Levi asked, his interest piqued.
His thoughts drifted to those lucky few in Runeterra who could naturally awaken their magic and possess innate magical abilities without cultivation were indeed heaven's chosen ones with boundless potential.
Although Seraphine couldn't control her talent yet and her combat power was pathetically weak, she was actually already a genuine mage with magic coursing through her body, capable of wielding magical forces.
And as a transcendent being, the power of faith a mage could provide was also transcendent.
"If Miss Seraphine can also become our companion, she could provide us with at least..."
"...the equivalent of the power of faith from over a thousand ordinary people."
"That much?" Levi felt his resolve waver.
Although the awakening of Seraphine alone definitely wouldn't hold as much significance as the awakening of a thousand people.
But right now, Levi was plagued by troubles and struggling to get off the ground; what he lacked most was material power. If he could develop Seraphine into a companion as well, his current woes would be significantly alleviated.
"However..." Levi looked at Seraphine with a complex expression.
Her face was delicate and smooth, having never weathered the storms of life.
Her hands were soft and dainty, having never touched a hammer or a wrench.
Her feet were wrapped in expensive silk stockings and leather boots, having never truly touched the bare earth.
Could he really pull such a young lady, born in the clouds, down to earth and make her a like-minded comrade?
This was practically like trying to sell ice to an Eskimo.
"Mr. Levi?" Seraphine was still gazing at him eagerly.
"Come with me," Levi finally decided to give it a try. "Let's have a proper chat."
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