Abby immediately huffed, "Ugh, fine, since you're all so insistent, I'll show you what I can really do!"
The group of four—plus one Echo—moved to an open area outside the Panhua Restaurant to avoid disturbing the other patrons.
Abby flew to the center of the space, puffing up proudly. "Hmph, watch and learn!"
The four of them fixed their eyes on Abby as golden light shimmered across its body, and the Tacet Mark on its forehead glowed faintly.
Abby seemed to be straining with all its might: "Nnngh—hyaaah!..."
After a few seconds, the golden light faded. Nothing happened.
Rover: "?"
Yangyang: "?"
Chixia: "Uh… what?"
Lucian pondered. "Did you get constipated from eating too much just now?"
Abby's face flushed red. "Wh-what constipation?! Don't put it like that!"
"That didn't count! Let me try again!"
Lucian: "…"
Golden light enveloped Abby once more, but just like before, nothing happened.
Scratching its head awkwardly, Abby chuckled. "Just… not in top form today. Doesn't mean I can't do it, okay?!"
It hurriedly defended itself.
Lucian teased, "Even the best horse stumbles, even the best Echo fumbles. I get it, I get it."
Abby fumed. "What's with that tone?! You're totally mocking me!"
Yangyang, however, mused, "So Abby's special ability might also be passive or conditional? Or maybe Abby hasn't figured out how to activate it at will yet."
Chixia: "Makes sense. After all, it can't even stay outside Rover's body permanently right now…"
Abby immediately protested. "Hey, hey! What's that supposed to mean?! I-I just… I'm not in the zone today!"
"Wait, no, actually…"
Chixia: "Actually?"
Abby checked its own state. "I think… I can stay outside Rover's body now…"
"Probably because of that pill Lucian gave me earlier…"
"Though I still can't move around independently without Rover…"
Lucian frowned slightly. He hadn't known the Pill had that effect. Maybe Abby could stay outside as long as it was completely full?
He wasn't sure of the reason, but being able to remain outside was probably beneficial. After all, Abby had absorbed the frequency of that Dreamless earlier—it wasn't entirely useless.
But the Pill's effects only lasted twenty-four hours…
Would he really have to spend 300 points every single day? That'd be such a waste…
Still, Lucian didn't mention this to Abby. He'd check the System Shop later to see if there was a way to make its presence permanent.
Meanwhile, Abby was still rambling boastfully. "Just think about it! If I'm this strong just from a casual block, imagine what I could do if I actually tried!"
"Next time Rover's in danger, just hide behind me. I promise I won't let you down when it counts."
Chixia nodded approvingly. "You've got a good heart."
Lucian sighed. "Too bad, after this failed demonstration, Abby's standing in the family hierarchy just dropped another level."
Abby: "???"
Rover nodded in agreement. "It wasn't high to begin with, but now it's even lower."
Abby panicked. "D-don't jump to conclusions! It's not that I didn't want to show you—maybe the timing just isn't right…?"
"Anyway! I'm seriously strong! I can definitely protect all of you!"
Lucian gave a slight nod. "The thought counts. We appreciate the sentiment."
Abby: "…"
Yangyang: "But this means we've hit another dead end. I can't think of a good lead at the moment."
Rover, however, was unfazed. "We'll take it slow. No need to rush. In the end, the key lies in my own memories anyway."
Chixia slumped dejectedly. "Of course, anything related to Rover can't be solved so easily…"
"What if we wait for Baizhi to return and gather her, Xiangli Yao, and every researcher in Jinzhou—no, the entire Huanglong—to study Abby properly—"
Abby cut her off loudly. "Absolutely not!"
Lucian: "Why are you yelling?"
Abby: "I already refused when that cold-faced researcher suggested it last time!"
"I'm sticking with Rover, no matter what."
Lucian nodded. "Even with its lowly family status, Abby still loves this family. How touching. I'm moved to tears."
Abby: "What kind of logic is that?!"
Yangyang nodded slightly. "Abby is like Rover's secret weapon now. Since it can't exist separately from her, we shouldn't restrict Rover's movements because of it."
She sighed. "The story between you two really is puzzling."
"But maybe only when Rover recovers her memories will we get answers."
"The Sentinel can foresee the future. Everything unfolds according to His vision. I remember you were following the Sentinel and the Magistrate's instructions when you went to Norfall Barrens, right?"
"Now that the Threnodian crisis has settled, if you can meet with the Magistrate and the Sentinel again, everything you're searching for will surely come to light."
Rover: "Once Jinhsi returns to Jinzhou, I'll go see her."
Abby thumped its chest. "Relax, relax! So what if it's meeting some Sentinel or getting your memories back? With me by your side, it'll go smoothly!"
Yangyang giggled. "I think Lucian's more reliable, honestly."
Chixia waved a hand dismissively. "Lucian won't be traveling with Rover anymore!"
Lucian: "?"
Chixia continued, "Once Magistrate Jinhsi returns, I'll have her arrange a marriage between me and Lucian!"
Lucian's head filled with question marks. Since when did Jinzhou have matchmaking customs?
Wait, no—Jinhsi shouldn't be the matchmaker, right?
And what if he ends up falling for the matchmaker instead…?
Asking for a friend. Urgently.
Rover scoffed. "A man should establish his career before starting a family."
"As an intelligence officer, work comes first. So Lucian will still be working with me."
Lucian: "…"
Rover knew everything. As expected of someone who'd lived for millennia.
Lucian: "Does anyone care about my opinion?"
Chixia and Rover spoke in unison: "Your opinion doesn't matter."
Lucian fumed. "…Is there no justice?! No laws?!"
Abby cut in. "Hey! Stop flirting already!"
"Tell me more about this Sentinel!"
"Knowing the future… sounds pretty impressive. Hmph, the name's cool too—majestic and domineering! Almost as good as mine!"
Lucian deadpanned. "'Sentinel' is way more imposing than 'Abby.' If you'd listened to me and gone with 'Cosmic Invincible Super Thunder Raptor Warrior Abby,' then I'd admit you're more majestic."
Abby: "…"