Gabriel rubbed her faintly throbbing temples.
There was no helping it; she just had to try. She couldn't let the plan die in the womb before it even started.
Anyway, the overall difficulty wasn't that high, so it probably wouldn't take too much time.
Just as Gabriel was organizing her thoughts, Yuria was completely losing her mind.
That Monstrous Dog with a human face from just now had truly terrified her.
And now, she suddenly couldn't see it anymore.
Without a doubt, it definitely had something to do with Gabriel.
"It's over... It seems I didn't pass the test just now... My lifelong dream is shattered..."
Yuria weakly dropped her head.
"Yuria..."
"Here!"
Hearing Gabriel call her, Yuria hastily straightened her back and sat bolt upright.
Her demeanor was like a prisoner heading to the execution grounds, hopelessly awaiting her final judgment.
"Don't be nervous. Let me tell you some good news: you've already passed my preliminary test."
"I'm sorry, I failed you..."
Dejected, Yuria subconsciously started to apologize, but then she immediately processed what was said. Her eyes widened in disbelief: "Eh? What? I passed the test?!"
For a moment, she couldn't believe her own ears.
"That's right. However, you'll still need to cooperate with me for a little experiment later on, just like the one a moment ago. If you're afraid, you can back out now."
If Gabriel wanted to develop a Cognitive Filter Divine Art suitable for humans, she naturally needed a suitable experimental subject to help her perfect the Divine Art little by little.
Yuria was a perfect fit.
Because she didn't have a strong heart like Miko Yotsuya; her psychological fortitude perfectly matched the vast majority of ordinary people who had awakened Yin-Yang Eyes.
"I'll do it!"
Yuria nodded hastily in excitement, agreeing without any hesitation.
Only a fool would refuse.
Their conversation left the other people in the living room utterly confused.
Kyousuke Yotsuya cast a suspicious glance at the two of them, then asked somewhat uneasily, "What are you talking about? I don't quite understand. Are you preparing to research some new technology? Do you need my sister and me to help?"
Gabriel glanced at Miko Yotsuya, then replied to him, "We don't need you, but I will be borrowing your sister for a while."
"Be my guest."
Kyousuke Yotsuya didn't hesitate to make a 'go ahead' gesture.
He had no interest in being a third wheel.
"Kyousuke, you...!"
Miko Yotsuya's face darkened.
Although she didn't know what Gabriel meant, her brother's behavior really broke her heart.
"I'm just being considerate of you..."
Kyousuke Yotsuya muttered in a low voice.
"What did you say!"
"Nothing! I'm going back to my room to review my lessons. Hana, Yuria, please excuse me, I'll take my leave now."
Kyousuke Yotsuya didn't want to get beaten up, so he immediately made a run for it.
"Slow down, don't trip..."
Hana Yurikawa waved at his retreating back, her eyes full of smiles.
Something's wrong. Kyousuke's behavior has been getting weirder and weirder lately!
Miko Yotsuya lowered her highly raised right fist, a bad feeling welling up in her heart.
She subconsciously turned her head to look at Gabriel, thinking:
If it's Gabriel, she must have noticed it too, right?
Operating her brain at full capacity, frowning slightly as she slowly outlined the basic framework of a Divine Art in her mind, Gabriel naturally noticed her gaze.
She thought Miko Yotsuya was worried that she would be subjected to some dangerous experiments.
So, Gabriel gave her a reassuring look, indicating that everything was under control.
Miko Yotsuya: "..."
It seemed she was overthinking things.
When noon arrived, Gabriel lived up to expectations and cooked a rich table of food.
Gabriel watched the few people wolfing down their food at the dining table.
It seemed her cooking suited their tastes quite well.
...
Evening.
An uninvited guest arrived at Mitsue Takeda's house.
"Rom, what are you doing here?"
Mitsue Takeda stared at the man in front of her with an unfriendly expression.
Rom seemed to have expected her attitude. He pulled a photo from his pocket, placed it on the table between them, and asked, "Do you know the person in this photo?"
Mitsue Takeda's gaze swept over the photo on the table. Upon seeing the specific appearance of the person inside, her brows furrowed tightly.
To think Rom had actually watched that livestream too.
Mitsue Takeda's heart sank. She raised her head and spoke to Rom in a warning tone: "I advise you not to provoke her. Excessive curiosity sometimes only invites unimaginable disasters, without any benefits."
Reuniting with her former disciple after several years, her feelings were extremely complicated.
She neither wanted to waste words on Rom nor wanted him to court death by provoking Gabriel.
"You're a bit too late in saying that..."
Rom said in a regretful tone.
Scrape!
Mitsue Takeda abruptly stood up, glaring at him with furious eyes, and questioned loudly:
"You bastard, what kind of idiotic thing did you do this time! Haven't you learned your lesson from last time? Can't you just cherish your own miserable life for once?!"
Rom pressed down the brim of his hat, obscuring half of his face, a trace of guilt flashing in his eyes.
He quickly hid his emotions, and his attitude shifted from his initial flippancy to seriousness: "Don't be in a rush to lecture me; let's talk business first. Do you think Angels really exist in this world?"
Mitsue Takeda stared at him for a long time before responding in a poor tone, "If Angels really existed, how could this world have turned out like this? Rom, don't tell me you've been brainwashed by those charlatans."
After saying that, a flash of disappointment crossed her eyes.
"Hahaha..."
Rom suddenly began to laugh. It was unclear whether he was mocking himself or Mitsue Takeda's answer.
"If there's nothing else, you can leave. I am old and I need peace and quiet..."
Mitsue Takeda frowned deeply, the dissatisfaction on her face becoming increasingly apparent.
Just as she was about to kick him out, Rom restrained his laughter and said in a deep voice, "Yeah, you're old, and I didn't want to come bother you either... But there are some things I still have to tell you."
He pointed at the photo of Gabriel on the table and continued, "I saw them, the halo above her head and the wings behind her! The moment our eyes met through the medium of this photo across space, all the setups in my room were instantly destroyed!"
"If she had any malicious intent towards me, it would be absolutely impossible for me to be standing alive in front of you right now."
"Therefore, I am certain that she is definitely not human, but..."
Rom stopped, raised his head to meet Mitsue Takeda's gaze, and remained silent.
"...Are you sure you weren't seeing things?"
Mitsue Takeda only felt her lips go dry.
She felt like this world had become so unreal.
"...This is also just my guess, but regardless of the truth, her strength absolutely far exceeds our imagination."
Rom didn't give Mitsue Takeda too much time to think, revealing the purpose of his visit: "Tell me, just what price did you pay to successfully persuade her to deal with that Mountain God!"
Mitsue Takeda: "?"
What?
Why couldn't she understand what Rom was talking about?