Ugh... this outfit... it's so hard to get used to...
Why did they even pick me for this role...?
As the crowd gradually closed in on the reporter, a muttered grumble reached everyone's ears.
Lumina immediately saw through the clumsy disguise, but March 7th and Little Swarm's expressions barely flickered, as if they hadn't noticed anything amiss.
"Hm?"
"Hello, your appearance..." The reporter glanced at Yunli before turning to March 7th. "You're March 7th, the one replacing Lieutenant Yanqing as the Defending Swordsman for the Wardance Ceremony, right?!"
"Mhm, that's right! I didn't realize I was so famous already!" March 7th nodded proudly, thrilled that a "random person" had recognized her instantly.
Mentally replaying Sister Lumina's and Master Yunli's earlier words, March 7th sized up the reporter. "Um, you're... a reporter, right?"
It was March 7th's first time seeing a reporter dressed so elaborately.
March 7th didn't dwell on it. After all, it might just be part of the Xianzhou's culture, and she didn't want to accidentally offend anyone.
"Yes, as you can see, I'm a reporter covering the Wardance Ceremony live."
"Hmm... that should be right," the reporter murmured at the end of her response.
"That should be right?" March 7th echoed, her voice barely audible but still caught by Yunli's sharp ears.
"The Sky-Faring Commission, as the organizer, seems to have prepared everything meticulously for the Wardance Ceremony. It's quite interesting," Yunli interjected, cutting through March 7th's train of thought.
"Yeah, yeah! I didn't expect they'd even hire reporters," March 7th agreed, nodding enthusiastically. She dismissed the reporter's earlier mutterings.
"March, have you observed anything?" Lumina asked.
"Hmm... just a reporter," March 7th replied, instantly going into deep thought as her Master Lumina spoke like a teacher calling on a student.
After a moment of intense contemplation, she concluded with a shrug, "I'm not sure."
"Hmm... well, this is a bit challenging, isn't it?" Lumina conceded.
The reporter carried nothing on her person, and aside from her slightly ostentatious attire, there was nothing else remarkable about her.
For March 7th, who had only recently grasped this concept, it was indeed a bit beyond her comprehension.
"Let's wrap up this interview quickly and go observe some of the other competitors."
"Mm-hmm." March 7th refocused her gaze on the reporter, signaling that she could proceed with her questions.
"..."
"After the Wardance Ceremony begins, Miss March 7th will be challenged by swordmasters from various worlds. Are there any opponents you're particularly looking forward to facing?"
Having endured a barrage of questions, the interview was nearing its conclusion. The reporter posed her final query to March 7th.
"An opponent I'm particularly looking forward to facing?"
"Yes, yes, Miss Reporter!"
After a moment's contemplation, March 7th nodded decisively.
"Could you tell us which competitor you're referring to?"
"Would it be convenient to reveal their identity?"
"It's her!" March 7th slowly turned her gaze toward her beloved Sister Lumina.
"Uh..." Following March 7th's gaze, the reporter saw a small, white-haired figure and suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
Could this white-haired little dumpling be a minor? the reporter wondered inwardly.
Then... can we even broadcast this?
The reporter muttered to herself, forcing a smile back onto her face as she continued the interview professionally. "Is this the opponent Miss March 7th has been looking forward to?"
"Well, this is... um, quite unexpected." The reporter chuckled awkwardly.
"She—"
"Hello, my name is Lumine, and I'm one of the participants in this year's Wardance Ceremony."
Unaware that her public image differed from how she perceived herself, March 7th was about to introduce herself when Lumina preempted her, cutting her off.
"Ah, so it's Miss Lumine... ." Seeing Lumina's petite stature, standing barely over 130 centimeters tall, the reporter struggled to find the right words.
She eventually settled on the versatile "Miss."
"Lumine?" Hearing her own Sister Lumina's words, March 7th scratched her head, utterly bewildered by what her sister was up to.
Damn it! It's all that wretched Stelle's fault!
You're the one who corrupted Sister Lumina!
Sister Lumina is blameless; it must be that girl Stelle's fault!
March 7th naturally attributed all of Sister Lumina's bizarre behavior to Stelle. After all, wasn't spouting nonsense Stelle's specialty?
Ugh, why can't Sister Lumina just be like me! March 7th fumed inwardly.
In her heart, her beloved Sister Lumina was flawless. So it never occurred to her that her sister might actually be naturally eccentric.
"Ha ha ha, that concludes the interview! Thank you very much, Miss March 7th and Miss Lumine, for your time! Thank you!" The reporter chuckled awkwardly, their smile strained but impeccably polite. They gestured to signal the interview's end.
"Mm-hmm, let's go then."
"March, go observe the other participants."
Lumina nodded at March 7th and the others. Scanning the arena, she pointed to a Xianzhou person standing nearby, a three-foot sword strapped to his back, radiating an aura of formidable strength.
"Him."
"Go for it, March 7th."
-
Time flowed swiftly, and soon their observation of the arena's competitors came to an end.
"The first match of the Wardance Ceremony is about to begin."
"March, are you alright? You're not feeling stage fright, are you?" Yunli asked March 7th as they gathered in a quiet corner after finishing their observation.
"Me?" March 7th tilted her head. "Mm... I'm fine. No negative emotions either. Seeing so many people gathered together makes me feel strangely calm."
"I think..." Her gaze drifted to Lumina beside her. "I think it's because Sister Lumina is here with me?"
"With Sister Lumina by my side, March 7th feels endlessly reassured!"
March 7th declared confidently.
"Heh heh heh," Lumina chuckled. "So, according to little March..."
"If I weren't here, you wouldn't feel reassured at all?"
Lumina chuckled, her voice as clear as a silver bell, instantly putting others at ease.
"Not at all," March 7th declared. "As long as Sister Lumina is by my side, I can unleash a hundred times more power than usual!"
March 7th stood with her hands on her hips, her face beaming with such radiant joy that one couldn't help but wonder if a single piece of candy would be enough to lure her away.
"Well, I hope you can unleash that hundredfold power when we face off in the competition, Little March," Lumina said, though something about March 7th's words felt vaguely familiar. Shrugging it off, she blinked and gestured dismissively, adding, "Ugh... never mind then. Being by my side and being my opponent are two completely different things."
Hearing this, March 7th flashed a sheepish grin, revealing her pearly white teeth.
"Mm, since you're still making jokes like that, you must be perfectly fine," Yunli nodded, arms crossed.
As long as Sister Lumina is by my side, I can unleash a hundred times more power than usual... This was obviously a joke.
Otherwise, we'd have to investigate whether Lumina was some kind of humanoid, walking stimulant.
"So, what do you say? Should we go check out the arena now?"
"Eh, can we?"
"Of course."
Yunli nodded, her gaze shifting to Lumina and Little Swarm.
"What about you two? Want to check out the arena too?"
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle."
"The first step, naturally, is to know yourself."
"Observing the arena and formulating strategies in advance is also a wise choice."
I wonder where Lumina learned these phrases. Her words made her sound much older than she looked.
Hmm...
Come to think of it, she does seem quite old.
"Alright, let's go. We shouldn't waste any time." Yunli nodded, waved her hand, and strode ahead, taking the lead.
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Spy-20 more loufu chaps according to auth