Unnoticed, time passed.
Selene stood in the courtyard before the dormitory gates.
Coo~ coo~
Several wild pigeons foraged in the grass beside the walkway.
Rustle~ rustle~
The maple leaves in the courtyard swayed gently in the breeze, making a soothing sound.
"Without realizing it, I've been at St. Stephen's Relief Center for almost a year... Maybe it's time to leave."
A year had passed, and her body had grown well—she was now nearly 130 cm tall, having gained over 10 cm. Her abilities had also improved greatly. Her maximum range for space manipulation had reached 100 meters, and her Honkai energy strength had increased to nearly 200 HW.
Throughout the year, the relief center was like an anthill, people coming and going—some arriving, others adopted. Her good friend Nina had been adopted not long ago; Selene could only offer her blessings.
As for why she herself hadn't been adopted—she'd never once attended the foster family meetings. She had an adult's soul; unless there was something to gain, the idea of suddenly accepting strangers as parents felt absurd.
Yes—Selene believed that in the adult world, most things around us are exchanges of interests. Rarely would someone give you something for nothing—except your biological parents. Perhaps there was warmth in the world, but in her previous life, she had known only cold loneliness.
Besides, there were plenty of low-class scammers who adopted children just to collect government subsidies.
So whenever prospective foster families came to choose children, while others went to the meeting room, Selene would head to the library to expand her knowledge.
"Hm? An unfamiliar life signature approaching." Selene sensed the spatial feedback of a nearby presence.
Before long, a bell-like, clear voice asked, "Excuse me, where's the restroom?"
Selene turned.
She saw a white woman in her early twenties, with clear eyes, shoulder-length golden hair, a perfectly proportioned, and elegant clothing.
"I'll take you there," Selene said, leading her to the restroom.
On the way, the woman asked, "Why are you here alone? Aren't you going to the meeting room?"
"I'm not interested. Besides, everyone else who is interested already went."
The woman paused, then smiled faintly. "Let's get to know each other. I'm Katy. What's your name?"
"Selene."
...
Two days later, the relief center informed her to pack her things—she was going to a new home.
Selene was stunned. "Huh?!"
...
Afternoon, outskirts of Vienna.
Outside a luxurious manor, a tall, handsome man with golden hair stood at the gates, speaking to the woman beside him. "You really want to adopt that girl?"
Yes—the woman was Katy. Two days earlier, after using the restroom, she had returned to the meeting room, requested Selene's file from the staff, and after reading it, immediately expressed her wish to adopt her. She had discussed it with her husband, Karl.
Katy grinned. "Of course. You'll understand why I like her so much once you see her."
Brauchitsch smirked. "We'll see." (Note: Karl is Katy's nickname for Brauchitsch.)
Just as Katy was about to retort, a black car pulled up to the manor.
The door opened, and Selene stepped out.
Brauchitsch took in her flawless, delicate face, her ruby-like diamond pupils, and her snow-white, shining hair. After a pause, he leaned toward Katy and murmured, "Alright... maybe you're right. But I want to test her—to see if she's worthy of the family name."
Katy was already walking forward. "We meet again, little Selene. Do you remember who I am?"
"Aunt Katy."
Katy smiled and wagged her finger. "Not quite—you should be calling me 'Mom' now."
"Oh, and let me introduce you—you can call him Karl. He's my husband, and now your father in the legal sense."
Selene froze for a moment.
Brauchitsch chuckled, walking over to wrap an arm around Katy's shoulder. "Alright, she just got here. She's not used to it yet. If you act overly familiar right away, it might make her uncomfortable."
He then extended a hand to Selene. "Hello, Selene. Nice to meet you. I'm Brauchitsch."
...
Three months passed in the manor.
In that time, Selene had seen little of Brauchitsch, who was always busy and only appeared occasionally on rest days. Most days, it was her nominal mother, Katy, who stayed at home with her.
Katy was always kind to her.
After a month of living together and quietly observing, Selene realized her foster family was far from ordinary.
The sprawling castle alone must have cost a fortune—not to mention the surrounding estate, artificial lake, racetrack...
They had a personal chef for daily meals, professional maids for cleaning, learned tutors for various subjects, a butler and stewards radiating noble airs—everything pointed to a family of exceptional status.
It seemed she had truly hit the jackpot. No wonder the other children at the relief center had been so excited when this family appeared. For them, being adopted here would be like entering paradise.
"But with a family like this, why would they adopt a child from a relief center?"
She couldn't understand. "Surely it's not out of pure goodwill. I'm a supporter of the belief that human nature is inherently self-interested."
She still didn't know the exact timeline. However, she had heard the tutors mention 'Academy City'—the most technologically advanced place in the world.
"Maybe I can find an opportunity to study there. I'm sure my 'parents' wouldn't refuse."
In the evening, after finishing her lessons, Selene returned to her 'mother' Katy as usual.
The moment she opened the door—"Welcome home, my little Selene!"
Before she could react, the familiar golden-haired noblewoman swept her into an embrace, pressing Selene's head into her ample bosom.
"M-Mom... don't..."
Selene pulled her head free. "Mom, I'm not a little kid anymore."
Such overly enthusiastic displays left her a bit overwhelmed.
Selene had realized her Katy-mother was overly warm and somewhat naive—likely a sheltered noblewoman.
"Alright, alright," Katy said with a smile, nodding as if in agreement—but never changing.
"Come on, dinner's ready," she said cheerfully, pulling Selene toward the dining table.
"Mommy prepared lots of delicious food for you."
Uh-oh... can she even cook? Hopefully this isn't some 'dark cuisine,' Selene thought to herself.
The dining room was enormous and dazzling—golden light shimmering off a massive crystal chandelier dusted with gold powder. Oil paintings and reliefs adorned the walls, while murals decorated the domed ceiling above the long table. The décor prominently featured Austrian elements like double-headed eagles, crosses, and edelweiss.
She remembered the first time she had dined here with the couple—it had startled her. Anyone might have mistaken it for a king's banquet hall.
Now, she was used to it.
Despite the massive table and spread of dishes, only a handful of people ate there.
Sitting in her chair, every need was met by the servants. All she had to do was speak.
"The evils of capitalism... truly corrupting," Selene thought.
As for Brauchitsch, all she knew was that he was extremely wealthy and a European noble.
Whenever Katy mentioned him, she did so with great admiration.
And understandably so—their current life was sustained entirely by him.
After three months, Selene could tell that Katy's affection for her wasn't fake—she truly wanted to raise her as a daughter.
Since that was the case, Selene gradually became willing to accept her. After all, if someone treats you well, you should respond in kind. Equivalent exchange, as she told herself.
...
At that moment, Butler Spencer approached, bowing slightly. "Madam, the master has returned."
Selene and Katy were about to rise to greet him.
"No need to get up, continue eating," came a voice before the man himself appeared. Karl entered, wearing a black pinstripe double-breasted suit.
Taking the head seat, he said, "Selene, prepare yourself in a bit."
"What is it, Dad?"
Brauchitsch leaned forward, resting his arms on the table, fingers interlaced, eyes fixed on Selene.
"To be honest, I didn't want to adopt a child. I only agreed to let Katy visit the relief center because she insisted.
"But over these past three months, your performance has surprised me. You've worked hard, stayed motivated. You haven't let this privileged environment make you arrogant, nor have you grown weak. You've remained humble and polite. You're talented, too—all your tutors praise you highly.
"You've proven yourself. So, I've decided to officially welcome you as a member of our family.
"Do you want to become family with me?"
Selene froze for a moment.
Katy was looking at her with hopeful eyes.
Selene turned her head back. "Yes. Without a doubt... Dad."
...
That very night, officials from the national statistics office came in person to register Selene's identity information. The next day, they delivered her ID card.
Name: Selene von Habsburg
Gender: Female
ID Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(For reference: Misaka Mikoto's birthday is May 2, though the year is unspecified. At the start of the story, she is in her second year of middle school, aged 14.)
Yes, you heard that right—Habsburg. Brauchitsch was from a cadet branch of the Habsburg family. Though they had lost the throne and political power, in Central and Southern Europe, the Habsburgs still wielded considerable influence. Countless estates and lands remained in their possession, and they had begun transitioning partially into commercial ventures.
...
"Ah, so embarrassing... first calling someone 'Mom,' then 'Dad,' and now being granted the family name," Selene muttered blankly, lying on the luxurious bed.
She decided to let things happen naturally—but in her mind, she resolved to repay their kindness.
As the saying from her homeland went, "To be born without raising is worse than not being born at all. The grace of raising surpasses the grace of birth."
That was how she saw it...