After the vote was finished, each Founder went back to their own lives, and Tian Lin said he would get everything sorted in a few days' time—just wait for the news.

I stayed behind, though, since I was curious about something.

"Hey, Sylvie,

" I said, turning to her.

"… What is it?

" Sylvoir asked, without looking at me.

"Why'd you vote no back there?'

At this, Sylvoir paused briefly, before sending me a look.

"Are you here to simply criticize my decision-making?

"

"No, that's not my intention,

" I replied truthfully, shrugging.

"I am just curious, that's all.

"

Sylvoir fell silent for a long while, then turned away and let out a long sigh.

"… The Founders of the Library of Infinite Beginnings have always been secretive. We worked alone as an independent organization, doing things our way and handling any threats we deemed necessary for intervention. But now… we are forced to reveal ourselves to the IMF.

"

"That's not necessarily true,

" I said.

"Tian Lin knows what he's doing it. I'm certain he can find a way to propose the plan without mentioning anything Founder-related.

"

"That may be so, but even then… it feels slightly… odd.

"

"Ah, I see,

" I murmured.

"So, basically… you don't like change.

"

"Yes. I suppose you could say that.

"

I pondered for a moment, then tapped her on the head, catching her off-guard. But before she could do or say anything, I continued.

"Well, while eternity is good and all… without change, there is no evolution. Without evolution, there is no improvement. So unless you want to just stay like this for the rest of time, with no true goal or wish… well, by all means. But I think… even if you are the Prime Elemental of this planet, its guardian or whatever, you are sentient. You have the right to have dreams, have hopes. And if you just change your mindset a bit… you can have them.

"

"…

" Sylvoir fell silent at my speech, but after a few seconds, I backed away.

"Oh well. That's just my two cents. Think about it—that's all I have to say. Until next time.

"

I waved and prepared to leave, but then stopped and turned back around.

"Wait. How do I… uh, enter this Realm on my own? You never taught me, and I don't want to have to rely on calling you… ahem… something, to enter this place.

"

"… Just calm your mind, relieve it of all thoughts, and enter a state of pure zen. Then, imagine this place's scenery, and you will find yourself teleported. I can't imagine this place's surroundings is very hard to remember, so you shouldn't find it hard.

"

"You're right about that,

" I said with a chuckle, and left soon after that. Sylvoir, watching me leave, let out a sigh after I was gone.

"… Change, huh?

"

*****

After returning to my own world, I discovered that the other girls had returned already—which was to be expected, of course.

I called in everyone for a meeting, and discussed with them our next plans. Naturally, I couldn't bring up the Infinite Realm or Founders of the Library, but I could find some excuse.

But before that… I needed to tell the others everything that happened today, so they knew the context.

After several minutes, I was done my summary, and the girls all nodded in understanding.

"Hm… I see. So in essence… there is nothing we can do to stop their invasion?

" Yu An Yan asked, but Qing Yue shook her head.

"Nope, not quite. We can't stop them from coming here, that's for sure. But their actual invasion? Theoretically, we could stop it. After all, those obelisks might be immune to damage, but the Hex themselves sure aren't—not the ones we fought down there, anyway.

"

"Correct,

" Feng Mian agreed.

"But they severely outnumber us, do they not? According to Xuan Kai, at least.

"

I gave a nod.

"But of course, we won't be the only ones fighting them.

"

"Oh?

" Ling Xin perked her ears up at this.

"What do you mean?

"

"The IMF,

" I said.

"It would seem they have gotten word of the Hex as well, one way or another.

"

"Really?

" Ling Xin blinked in surprise.

"I didn't hear anything about that…

"

"I heard it from Tian Lin,

" I said to her.

"You know, the other Human Founder. He and I got to know each other a while back, from when you went into the Death Realm to look for me.

"

"Oh… is that so? Well, I'll hear about it at the next meeting, I guess. Which, speaking of… as a matter of fact, is tonight, in a few hours' time. We will find out soon, I suppose.

"

"Did he say what exactly the plan is?

" Lin Luo asked, arching an eyebrow and folding her arms.

"No matter how I look at it, we will still be greatly outnumbered.

"

"It's about quality over quantity,

" I said with a grin.

"I don't know what exactly their plan is, but we definitely can't beat them in numbers. Even if the entire world's population were to fight against the Hex, we would still be outnumbered. That's why it has to be about strategy, tactics, and individual skill rather than just a full on direct conflict.

"

"I see… well, we can guess all we want right now, but it won't get us anywhere until we hear the news tonight,

" Lan Xiao Su said with a sigh.

"Just one thing after another, is it…

"

"That's just how life is around Xuan Kai,

" Feng Mian said with a wry smile.

"I'm surprised you haven't gotten used to it already, honestly…

"

"Hey, stop making it seem like I'm causing all of this,

" I muttered.

"It's not like I'm the one who invited the Hex to come here…

"

Okay, that's a lie. Maybe I did… considering they were looking for my Chaos and all, not just simply taking revenge. It makes sense—since they had Order already, they would want Chaos too. For what reason exactly, I didn't know, but… it can't be good.

Xuan Yu looked at me after I said that, and gave a soft giggle.. I pretended to have not noticed her, and looked away.