Shaan narrowed his eyes and saw a man in brown clothes with neatly slicked-back hair walking toward him. The man approached, accompanied by a small, blue-eyed girl, heading toward Shaan and the others.
"Sebastian? Elsie?" Shaan rubbed his eyes to make sure he didn't make a mistake. "Oh my God… you ca here too."
Sebastian smiled. "Yeah. Eline kept forcing to co," he said. "She said she really loves this drink and—ouch!"
"Hey, don't talk nonsense," Eline said as she stepped on her brother's foot and shot him a sharp glare. "You want the drink too. Stop making excuses."
"Hahaha." Sebastian laughed and gently patted Eline's head. "Alright, alright. I get it. I was joking."
"Whatever," Eline said irritably. "Oh, right—where did all of you co from?" Curiosity filled her face. "Seb and I just left the house."
"Uhm… we just finished our examination," Shaan replied.
"Oh, so you're participating in the Daemon Hunt Rite?" Sebastian smiled with satisfaction. "You really have to join that event. It's a great experience, and you won't regret it."
Nalira nodded. "Yes. The three of us will participate in the Daemon Hunt Rite."
"Interesting." Sebastian slowly stroked his chin. "Yeah, that event really—"
"Sebas, hurry up! We need to get in line!" Eline tugged on his sleeve. "The line keeps getting longer. We need to queue now, or we'll miss out."
"Uhm… how about we line up together?" Chelsie suggested. "We were about to queue for Vitajuice too."
"Oh, that's a great idea." Sebastian smiled with approval. "What do you think, Eline?"
"I agree! I agree!" Eline grinned widely. "I really love that idea."
"…Shaan, I think you should stay here with Sebastian while the three of us line up," Nalira said. "This place feels small, and it will get cramped if everyone lines up together."
"Hm… alright, if you don't mind," Shaan replied.
"Sebas, stay here while I go with Sis Chelsie and Sis Nalira, okay?" Eline said.
"Yeah, yeah. I understand."
Eline suddenly raised her small pinky finger. "Pinky promise?"
"Eline, what are you doing?" Sebastian widened his eyes as his face slowly turned red. "We shouldn't do sothing like that in public."
"Ugh, pinky promise. Hurry up!"
"Good grief, this kid gives a headache," Sebastian said as he shook his head. He slowly brought his pinky closer to Eline's. "Alright, here it is. The pinky promise you wanted."
"Hehe, Big Brother Sebas promised!"
A bright smile imdiately spread across Eline's face when her brother followed her request. Everyone there—including Shaan—laughed at their adorable interaction. Honestly, as Shaan watched them, he could feel the warmth of their close family bond.
Those two really are adorable.
"Alright, hurry up and get in line before it gets even longer," Sebastian said as he gently pushed Eline's shoulder. "Go on."
"Okay, Big Brother Sebas. We're going now."
Eline smiled once more, then walked into the growing line together with Chelsie and Nalira. At least now, they stood inside the queue as it continued to stretch longer.
"Sorry about my sister's behavior, Shaan," Sebastian said while scratching his head. "She's always like that."
"Oh, it's fine. I don't mind at all," Shaan replied.
"Shaan, while we wait for them, how about we sit over there?" Sebastian pointed toward a bench near a lamp. "Hmm… It's close enough to the shop, so they'll notice us right away once they're done. Right?"
"Yeah, that's a good idea." Shaan nodded. "Let's go before soone else takes the seats."
Without wasting any ti, they walked over and sat down, waiting for the three won to finish placing their orders. They could only hope that the shop still had Vitajuice left.
"So… how did your second examination go, Shaan?" Sebastian asked with curiosity. "Everything okay?"
"Well…" Shaan scratched the back of his neck. "You could say that."
Sebastian frowned slightly. "What do you an by that?"
"The results were actually good," Shaan explained, "but based on my Insater data, I have a chance of becoming dangerous during the Daemon Hunt Rite. So…" He showed Sebastian his Ringlock. "They made wear this."
"Oh… I see." Sebastian patted Shaan's shoulder. "That's not a bad thing. I'm sure many other participants experienced the sa thing."
"Yeah, you're right."
"As for the Daemon Hunt Rite," Sebastian whispered to Shaan, "I actually have so important information. I'm sure it will be very useful to you."
"I-Important information?" Shaan asked.
Sebastian glanced around first before continuing. "To be honest, participants aren't supposed to know this. Only the staff responsible for this event discusses it among themselves. However, since you helped before, I can share a little of it with you."
Curiosity clearly showed on Shaan's face after hearing that. "Just tell . What is it?"
"But don't let anyone else find out," Sebastian added as he scanned the surroundings once again. "You're the only one who should know. Okay?"
"Okay. You have my word."
"Then listen carefully," Sebastian said in a low voice. "When I was at the event site, Madam Jeshina gave several staff mbers direct orders to install traps throughout the area."
"Traps?"
"That's right. They planned them deliberately to overwhelm participants and waste their ti during the event."
"Is there any way I can avoid those traps?" Shaan asked.
Sebastian nodded without hesitation. "There is. Don't follow the rules."
"Don't follow the rules?" Shaan frowned. "What do you an by—"
"Big Brother Sebas, we're back!" Eline smiled as she returned, holding two cans of Vitajuice. "Here you go, Big Brother."
"Thank you, Eline." Sebastian smiled with satisfaction. "You really are a reliable little sister."
"Shaan, this one's for you too."
"Ah… alright," Shaan said as he took the drink. "Thank you, Nalira."
"Well then, I think it's ti for Eline and to head back," Sebastian said as he stood up. "I have sothing I need to take care of. See you all later."
Eline smiled and waved her hand. "See you again!"
"See you," Chelsie replied with a wave. "I hope we can et again soti."
Shaan could only wave as he watched Sebastian and Eline walk away. Deep down, curiosity still stirred inside his heart. Don't follow the rules? He couldn't quite grasp what Sebastian ant. It sounded less like advice—and more like a riddle.
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