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It wasn\'t a matter of ability or performance, one being superior and the other inferior, but rather a profound, almost illusory aura that she emitted.

Within this aura, Miss Ziegler rejected anyone\'s approach, any form of communication, any... interference.

Yet, Mr. Ansel alone seemed to naturally exist within this aura and even appeared to be able to shift it in the direction he desired.

Such a connection could only exist between those with an exceptionally close relationship... Just as Seraphina, who was casually brusque with others and terrifyingly formidable in the face of enemies, became languid and affectionate in Ansel\'s presence.

"...Miss Ziegler," Marli, after a long contemplation, finally spoke, "May I pose a question to you?"

"Speak."

Ravenna responded indifferently without lifting her head.

"Mr. Ansel and you... were close, weren\'t you?"

The woman on the square halted her movements, pausing her work to glance at Marli with a cold, piercing gaze.

"I mean no offense," Marli maintained a humble posture, "If this upsets you, I apologize."

"...Close enough."

After a brief silence, Ravenna replied softly, "We were friends, of course, that was in the past."

In Ravenna\'s eyes, regardless of what Marlina said, it ultimately represented Ansel\'s will, so she naturally responded truthfully.

"Just... in the past?"

Marlina smiled gently, "Yet, it seems to me that your current relationship with Mr. Ansel is not at all strained."

Ravenna, resuming her engraving of the etheric circuits, twisted her wrist abruptly, rendering the material in her hand useless.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Her tone carried a distinct chill, and although her petite figure working on the square was somewhat comical, her voice and expression conveyed an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"Don\'t you feel it?" Marli tilted her head, ignoring the simmering anger in Ravenna, "I\'ve observed it clearly from the sidelines; the way you work with Mr. Ansel is… entirely different from how you are now."

"If there\'s any difference..."

The girl pondered for a moment before confidently stating:

"I\'m not denying your passion for your work. Even alone, I can sense your dedication and focus, the resolve to immerse yourself completely in something you deem worthy of your devotion—I share that sentiment."

"However, even if you maintain such an attitude on your own, the you who works alongside Mr. Ansel undoubtedly possesses..."

Marli searched for the right words for a while before smiling and saying:

"More... vibrancy, a kind of vivid and brilliant vibrancy."

"...Leave."

Ravenna, her breathing slightly unsteady, commanded tersely, "I do not welcome any presumptuous individuals here. Leave immediately."

"But, Mr. Ansel asked me to stay."

"I will apologize and atone to him; this has nothing to do with you."

An invisible force bound Marlina\'s body, and the doors of the alchemy workshop swung open. Ravenna clearly intended to eject Marli outright.

"Miss Ziegler."

Marlnai, despite being treated this way, was not angered. She simply looked at Ravenna and said with utmost seriousness:

"Mr. Ansel has forsaken something of great importance to him."

As soon as she finished speaking, her figure was suspended in mid-air.

"That is the true reason I wished to stay."

"What exactly happened between you two three years ago? What is this precious thing to Mr. Ansel that you speak of? Could you enlighten me?"

Bang!

The doors of the alchemy workshop slammed shut, and Marlina\'s form was abruptly pulled in front of Ravenna, the force causing her, a mere mortal, to wince in pain, though she quickly endured it.

"I understand your purpose for staying," Ravenna said, staring intently into Marli\'s eyes.

"Are you his tool to influence me, knowing I no longer trust him... so he wants to affect me through someone else\'s words?"

"You will be disappointed, Miss Ziegler... Could you please put me down first?"

"..."

After being set down, Marlnai straightened her skirt and bowed slightly with grace and elegance: "In fact, Mr. Ansel... is unaware of this matter. So far, our conversation has been entirely of my own volition."

"If you don\'t believe me," Marlina\'s face broke into a radiant smile, "you are welcome to verify it with a lie detection or mind-reading spell."

Ravenna stared at the kind and gentle smile for a long time before conjuring a jade stone out of thin air: "Take it."

Marli caught it as instructed, asking curiously, "Should I just speak?"

Ravenna ignored her and asked directly, "Did Ansel send you?"

"No," the girl repeated calmly, "I have not received any instructions from Mr. Ansel; this is all my own doing."

The jade stone in her hand remained cool and unresponsive.

The petite woman\'s demeanor shifted, becoming somewhat unnatural. She fell silent for a moment, then cautiously asked again, "Not just direct orders, but also implications."

"No," Marlina shook her head, candidly stating, "Mr. Ansel did not give me any explicit or implicit instructions in this regard. My actions were entirely my own consideration."

Moreover, she continued, "And this sentence is not my own speculation, but the words of the Madam."

"Madam, you mean... Ansel\'s mother?"

The jade remained unchanged, but Ravenna\'s face showed distinct fluctuations.

"Ansel\'s mother said he... gave up something important?"

"Yes, Miss Ziegler."

"..."

Ravenna\'s gaze became somewhat vacant, and some blurry images suddenly flashed back in her mind, disappearing in an instant.

She didn\'t speak, but her breathing became increasingly disordered. Clearly... Marlina\'s words had a significant impact on her.

"Miss Ziegler?"

After a long silence, Marlina couldn\'t help but ask, "Are you willing to believe me now? Will you give me some hints and help? Three years ago, what exactly..."

"No."

Under her unsteady breath, Ravenna said word by word, "Nothing at all, only two people who have gone their separate ways, that\'s all."

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