Fortunately, Alice didn't insist on the idea of ​​having a dance, otherwise Klein would be really worried that he would be persuaded by her and then be embarrassed by the live performance...

In order to alleviate the embarrassment and change the topic, he cast his gaze to the center of the dance floor, where the most gorgeous and exquisite chandelier in the entire hall hung above it, which seemed to be the epitome of the entire dinner, extravagant and extravagant.

"You seem... very adaptable to this situation."

She couldn't deny it.

"In terms of ostentation alone, my past birthday dinners were even more exaggerated than this."

Is a birthday dinner more grand than this? It’s really a big deal...

Klein complained silently, but when he turned his head, he discovered that the expression on her face did not appear to be sad and nostalgic, nor was she happy and complacent. She calmly seemed to be describing something that had nothing to do with her.

...It was rare for him to see Alice lose her expression like this.

Although she has gradually adapted to this ridiculously beautiful face, once she loses her expression and stops talking, her whole person becomes more unreal and indescribable, as if she could turn into nothing and disappear without a trace at any time.

"I remember you said that you were born into a noble family, so why? Why does it sound like you have given up this identity?"

Klein was a little concerned about the past tense she used, not to mention that the feeling she usually gave him was different from that of a girl who grew up in an aristocratic family...

Although he didn't know a few noble girls... Strictly speaking, he didn't know any of them. If he had to count, the "Justice" lady in the Tarot Club was the only reference figure. But regarding the other party, he only knew

It's just a level of knowledge, not understanding.

Well, Miss Justice is very cheerful, lively, and polite. Her good background can be felt in her conversation. At the same time, she has the innocence of a girl. She is different from a certain witch who enjoys playing with him all day long—

—

Wait, Alice seems to have a similar label in the eyes of others. At least Benson and Melissa both believed in her gentleness and considerateness, and thought she was well-behaved, elegant and generous without losing her temperament...

Klein had always thought that this was because Alice's acting skills were so good that she deceived everyone who didn't know her true face. But if you think about it carefully, maybe she wasn't just acting, but showed a side of her past?

No, I can't make a conclusion...

He knew very little about her.

"Of course it is for freedom, otherwise is there any other reason?"

As if she understood the way he looked at her, Alice curled her lips and smiled, and the illusive sense of unreality that had been lingering around her dissipated in an instant.

"Do you think this reason is too childish and selfish? It's like the idea of ​​a rebellious child who hasn't grown up and runs away from home for freedom?"

You have learned how to answer quickly, how can I complain about this...

Klein didn't dare to say it directly in front of her, so he had to lower his head and not answer.

"So, as an adult who has escaped the rebellious period, our dear Mr. Klein Moretti, what do you pursue?"

Alice turned lightly, stopped beside him with a smile, and leaned against an ivory white polygonal pillar.

"My pursuit..." Although he knew that she was changing the subject, Klein didn't want to just brush it off, so he thought about it seriously and gave her the answer facing her, "Work hard, get promoted and get a raise."

, strive to live in a better house within two or three years... and the other thing is to improve my strength as an extraordinary person."

And his ultimate goal, go home! Klein added silently in his heart.

"This can only be regarded as a goal, not a pursuit... Of course, if you think it is appropriate, I have no objection. Everyone's free will deserves respect."

Wrapping a few strands of long hair hanging in front of her around her index finger, Alice absentmindedly repeated the loosening and winding movements, with a faint smile on her face.

By the way, speaking of going home...

Klein's heart moved and he felt that the atmosphere was pretty good now, so he tentatively asked her a question that he had been considering for a long time.

"I almost forgot... You seemed to have mentioned before that if everything goes well, you might be able to return to your original world in a week. Now, it's been almost two weeks. Are you progressing smoothly?"

Alice seemed to sigh, but she didn't see any movement. There was a familiar-looking seven-string harp on the right hand side that was empty before. The body of the piano had a slightly metallic texture, showing that

A cooler ice blue color.

"I have already tried to open the door to the star realm." She plucked the strings, causing the harp to emit a crisp and brief tune, which seemed to bring out a little sadness, "But there was a problem at the very beginning. The star realm

The spell structure of the gate itself has become very strange and abnormal, and the results returned by the detection spell are not ideal, and..."

"And?" Klein asked cooperatively.

Alice closed her eyes and meditated for a while, then lightly brushed the surface of the strings with her left hand, previewing a small section of the unknown music like a sound test.

"No, it's nothing... it involves the calculation of plane coordinates. It's too complicated and tiring to explain, and you can't understand it. In short, I couldn't find a way back in the vast star realm. My stay here is about

, it should take a little longer than previously expected."

...Okay! Klein tried hard to control the little joy he might show, pretending to be curious and asked:

"I kind of want to know how you conduct plane exploration. Similar spells definitely require practice, right? During the practice, will you discover other...other worlds that also have life?"

He almost said the word "planet", but luckily he changed his words in time without revealing his scientific understanding of the universe and celestial bodies as a time traveler.

"There are definitely some, but we usually choose planes that have gained general recognition among spellcasters, such as the four elemental planes, or the inner planes where demons and devils are, instead of rashly exploring them.

Breaking into a completely unfamiliar world, because no one can guarantee what kind of dangers you will encounter."

As Alice spoke, she admitted in a calm tone that if she could successfully return, she would definitely become one of the top negative role models there, and might even be included in the guidance materials.

What’s up with this “I was wrong but I’ll do it next time” attitude…

Klein silently swallowed the complaints deep in his heart, struck a few words of guidance while the iron was hot, and finally learned from the young girl magician that she had not yet come into contact with other worlds with similar human civilization.

Even though it’s not really a gain…

He exhaled softly, feeling that the preparation for today should be almost here. He had properly shown Alice his curiosity about intelligent life in the outside world, and then when the next opportunity was right, he could make further requests.

With this idea in mind, Klein chose a few more just-right topics, and unknowingly shifted the focus of the discussion back to Alice.

When asked if her actions tonight went well, Alice nodded, but her expression was not exactly happy.

"I found some clues, but I still need time to observe and verify. Moreover, I don't know if I am too worried, but I always feel that the progress is too smooth and there is no difficulty at all..."

Although the sight of the five witches sitting in a row at that time was indeed a bit beyond Alice's expectation, her hint was very successful, and the follow-up process was also particularly smooth, so that many of the back-ups she had prepared were not used.

…

Maybe it's because the opponents she's been exposed to so far are not high enough, or maybe she's used to striking first, and her opponents are not good at spiritual defense and counterattack, so she feels like everything is going well.

"Forget it, let's not talk about this - do you want to listen to a piece of music?"

Alice changed her position and leaned against the pillar, and at the same time adjusted the position of the harp in her arms, her fingertips were lightly resting on the strings.

This made Klein, who was about to take out his pocket watch and check the time, stop.

Her change of topic was abrupt, but judging from the way she had already taken out the instrument and played with it a few times, it was obvious that it was not a temporary move, but that she had already had the idea to play.

Even though he knew this, Klein couldn't help but ask:

"Like those street performances you mentioned, where something suddenly struck you?"

However, considering that it shouldn't take too long to finish playing a piece of music, and he hadn't heard her play the piano in a sober state yet, Klein immediately nodded again, and then smiled half-jokingly, half-complainingly:

"I hope I won't fall asleep halfway through listening to it like before."

He was referring to her earlier behavior of playing piano music in the middle of the night.

"It was because I discovered that you had insomnia during those few days, so I kindly provided you with a lullaby service."

Alice hummed softly, without further explanation, she lowered her eyes and plucked the silver string lightly, letting the melody flowing from her fingertips take the place of her answer.

This is a solo piece in a classical style. It sounds somewhat similar to the piece Klein listened to in the hall before, but at the same time it is obviously different.

If the song as a dance accompaniment is elegant, full of vitality and vitality, then the music played by Alice is like the empty dance hall today, noble and elegant, you can close your eyes and recall the crowd dancing along with it.

But the reality that you see when you open your eyes is no longer lively, leaving only the bustling sky scene that no one appreciates, and the quiet melody that echoes in this quiet place.

Although Klein's understanding of classical music is limited to masterpieces by great composers such as Bach and Beethoven, this does not prevent him from expressing his own thoughts.

For example, holy shit, it sounds great.

At the end of the song, he, as the only audience member, gave a somewhat lonely round of applause.

"It's such a beautiful piece of music, with a unique charm that arouses empathy... Does this piece of music have a name?"

"Where did the name come from, an impromptu work inspired by emotion?" Alice seemed to look at him deeply.

"Impromptu..." Klein was speechless for a moment.

He thought this was the piano music she heard from somewhere, but from the tone of her voice, it seemed that she had created it on the spot...

Although there seemed to be a chord melody that sounded a bit familiar in the middle, he recalled it carefully, but it was difficult to trace back the source of this familiar feeling. He could only sigh to himself, art is universal no matter what era.

of.

Maybe he should find a chance to listen to her street performance. He doesn't know what kind of experience he will have then.

"Okay, it's time to go back." When Alice said this, the seven-stringed harp in her arms had disappeared, and she didn't know when she put it back.

Hearing this, Klein nodded slightly, and before she could say anything, he consciously held the delicate little hand, his expression as calm as a habitual criminal.

"Speaking of which, I have always been curious about how these personal belongings of yours suddenly disappeared and reappeared. Did you use some kind of special and convenient magic prop?"

"Well, guess what."

"...I don't guess."

"Then there's nothing I can tell you."
To be continued...