After finishing the takoyaki, Exusiai "kindly" offered her milk tea to Lucian.
Lucian didn't want it at all—plus it was definitely unsanitary—but he couldn't refuse when Exusiai practically shoved the straw down her own throat first.
Honestly, sharing one straw was really not hygienic.
Dear couples in love, please take note: kissing is unavoidable—fine—but you should at least eat separately!
And then, fired up as always, Exusiai's eyes lit up as she spotted something.
"Lucian, Lucian! There's a shooting booth! And that big plush looks just like Texas!"
"How does it look like her?" Lucian stared, baffled.
The mall had a kids' game area, including a shooting gallery where you used toy Guns to hit targets.
The biggest prize was a half-human-sized plush—a big fluffy dog.
The fur color was sorta similar, but saying Texas looked like this chubby plush mutt would definitely piss her off.
But Exusiai was thrilled, beaming. "Let's go! I'll knock it down in one shot. Just watch me!"
"Hold on." Lucian caught her arm. "I trust your aim. Enough to make the owner cry. But calm down and look at that sign."
He pointed to the wall.
Along with the safety notices and game rules, the biggest warnings were: [Originium Arts strictly prohibited] and [Sankta (Angel) participation forbidden].
Lucian spread his hands. "No way they'd let us play. The shop would go bankrupt in minutes."
Every race on Terra had its traits, matching their animal features.
For Angels—Sankta—their defining specialty was marksmanship, or as this world called it: Guns.
Almost every Angel carried their own Guardian Gun, rarely separating from it. "A Gun for every citizen" wasn't an exaggeration.
Except in a few countries hostile to Angels, most laws allowed Angels to carry their Guardian Guns anywhere.
So for pro shooters like them, no other race stood a chance.
"Grk—!" Exusiai bit her lip, unwilling. She really seemed to want that plush.
Lucian had brought her out today just to cheer her up anyway.
If she really wanted it, he could simply buy it. No big deal.
But the bratty trouble-angel didn't want the adult solution.
She stared at him, big-eyed. "Help me."
Lucian blinked. "Help you what?"
"Don't play dumb. Help meeee!"
Exusiai clung to his arm, squishing herself against him.
She pouted and acted cute. "Lucian, Lucian, Lucian my favorite boy. Just like when we snuck out before and pretended to be Liberi—help me take the lightbulb off my head."
"......"
Lucian gave her an expression so pained his eye twitched.
Liberi were another race on Terra—basically anyone with bird-like traits.
In Laterano, aside from the main Angel population, the feathered Liberi were the most common.
Since Liberi varied a lot physically, many didn't have obvious ears or tails. Stick a few feathers on your head and you could pass as one easily.
So when Lucian and Exusiai used to sneak out of the Grand Cathedral as kids, they always disguised themselves as Liberi. As long as their Halos and Wings were hidden, no one could find them.
Right—if they could hide the Halo.
Seeing Exusiai's desperate, cutesy face, Lucian sighed. "Fine. Let's find a corner. Don't let anyone see."
"Yay! I love you the most, Lucian!"
If she said that to any other man, they'd completely misunderstand. Couldn't she keep her mouth shut?
Lucian dragged her into the Stairwell of an emergency exit and checked they were alone.
He bit his fingertip, and a bead of crimson blood surfaced.
"Aah." Exusiai instantly leaned in and took his finger into her mouth.
Feeling the warm wetness around his fingertip—and the way she winked at him while doing it—made Lucian shiver all over.
Her throat quivered as she swallowed his blood, and he felt something click into place between them.
He drew a deep breath and pictured his Halo and Wings disappearing.
And unbelievably, the traits that defined an Angel simply vanished.
This was something Lucian had discovered when he was very young.
Other Angels could never hide their Halos, but Lucian only needed a thought to erase his at will.
Any Angel who touched his blood would be affected too, almost like becoming his subordinate.
This subtle mental link lasted for a while.
During that time, even miles apart, Lucian could still sense Exusiai's presence.
According to Laterano doctrine, the Holy Son would share his flesh and blood with his most trusted, elevating them into his Apostles.
In Laterano, "Apostle" was the highest honor.
And only the Holy Son—Lucian—could grant it. The position had always remained empty.
But honestly, Lucian didn't care for religious mysticism.
His blood's weird effect had to have a more grounded explanation—probably just some kind of bloodline spell similar to Originium Arts.
So he never explored it further. Only Exusiai knew. Not even Mostima.
Exusiai, now without a Halo, blinked, then licked the finger that had already healed. She teased, "Lucian's blood is sweet. Really tasty. If I get infected with Oripathy again someday, can I drink your blood every day?"
"You trying to drain me dry?" Lucian flicked her forehead. "Don't joke like that. I'm serious."
"Mmkay… I know."
Exusiai gave a quiet smile—prettier than any of her earlier noisy grins.
Fast-forward to the shooting booth owner crying.
Exusiai, now wearing cat ears she had bought, hopped around, laughing without a care in the world. "Hahahaha! Lucian, look! I knocked everything down! Not just the plush—I even knocked over that super heavy machine over there! The owner's so sneaky, he added extra support behind the board! But no problem! Nothing can stop the great Exusiai! Apple Pie!" she exclaimed excitedly, beaming with joy.
"Enough already."
Lucian noticed the crowd forming and the owner kneeling in defeat. He rushed over and grabbed her. "That's enough. They've got a business to run—don't make enemies. We're taking the plush and that's it."
"Ehh.? Stingy." Full brat mode, Exusiai puffed her cheeks like she needed hugs and kisses to calm down.
Still, she listened and planned to stop.
Then Lucian suddenly felt a buoyant force lifting upward—a momentary loss of balance.
"Huh?" Exusiai squeaked too.
Her perfect shot drifted upward and missed the target.
Her high combo streak broke, leaving her confused. "That felt weird! Hey, shopkeeper! Did you put something weird in the Gun!?"
Lucian grabbed her. "No. It's not the Gun. Someone just used Originium Arts."
He scanned the area, eyes sharp, then glanced toward the windows.
On the rooftop of the building across, sunlight flickered—something blocked it for an instant.
Lucian saw it.
A figure leapt off the rooftop, clearing several meters effortlessly, landing on the next building.
Lucian immediately tapped Exusiai. "I'm going out. Wait here for me!"
"Eh… eh!? No waaay!? Lucian!"
Her pitiful wail echoed behind him, sounding like she was about to turn into a Fallen Sankta.