Seeing that the feast was more than halfway over and that he and everyone else had eaten their fill, Noah picked up a glass of juice and walked over to Layla, who was chatting with the Celestial Spirit King.

"Even though I learned about this place from Grandpa Crux and had my own guesses and ideas, seeing it in person is truly incredible," Noah said, looking around.

Layla took a sip from her wine glass. "Although I had some small achievements with Celestial Spirit Magic in the past, I never knew the Spirit World was actually like this."

"That's only natural," the King said with a broad smile. "Even among my old friends, you are the very first to receive an invitation to come here."

"Then I must thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you for inviting my entire family to visit." Layla raised her glass to the King. He, in turn, lifted his own giant goblet and gently clinked it against hers. They both drank.

Layla set down her glass and asked, "You must know about my little brother Noah's desire to study in the Celestial Spirit World, don't you?"

"Mhm, I am aware of it. However, there are still some things I do not understand." The King turned his head slightly to look at Noah. "You should be aware that the flow of time in the Celestial Spirit World is different from that in Earth Land—that is the name of your world. One day here is three months in Earth Land. You are still so young, only ten or so years old, yet your strength is already terrifying. I can clearly feel the immense magic power within you. Wouldn't studying in the Spirit World slow down your growth?"

Noah set down his juice and said to the King seriously, "I do not intend to stay here myself. I wish to leave a Thought Projection here. I wanted to ask if Your Majesty would permit me to leave a projection here to study."

"A Thought Projection?" the King mused. "Aren't they very fragile? I doubt they could withstand the difference in the flow of time. And how would you plan to exchange information?" The King understood that using a projection was a good idea, but he also knew they were fragile, didn't last long, and he wanted to know how Noah planned to sync the knowledge his projection learned.

"I have considered the fragility of Thought Projections. But I was lucky enough to meet a certain senior who helped me solve this problem."

"Oh? And who is this senior who was so skilled as to help you with this?" Layla asked from the side.

"He is the creator of a very powerful Grand Magic spell. But because of that same spell, he has lived with the desire to atone for 400 years, existing in a state similar to a Thought Projection. I found him recently, and with his help, my Thought Projections can now exist for a very long time and are much more stable."

"I believe I know who you are talking about," the King said with a sigh. "He was truly a remarkable person. A true pity."

"You'll have to tell me about that senior later," Layla said. "But for now, how did you solve the information exchange problem?"

"That also relies on my Thought Projection. My improved version can exchange information with my main body in real-time. As it happens, I have a contract with Grandpa Crux of the Southern Cross. When I summon him, the Gate to the Celestial Spirit World opens. At that moment, the Spirit World and Earth Land are connected, and the actual distance between my main body and my projection is not far, so we can exchange information."

Noah explained the solution he had thought of long ago. The improved Thought Projection magic was the key to allowing him to study in the Spirit World without affecting his own growth.

"Since you have already considered everything so thoroughly, I have nothing more to say. Layla is my old friend, and you are her brother, which makes you my old friend as well. If there is anything you need, ask the other spirits for help. If they cannot solve your problem, then come to me!" the King promised.

Noah replied gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Although my own abilities are meager, if the Celestial Spirit World ever needs my help, I will do everything in my power to assist."

"Alright! Since we have an agreement, let us enjoy the feast!" Layla said, raising her glass now that they were done talking. Noah raised his glass of juice, and the King raised his own large goblet. The three of them clinked their glasses together and drank.

At that moment, the melodious sound of a lyre drifted through the air. Lyra, the Lyre spirit, had begun to play. Her beautiful singing voice soon joined the music, and the feast reached its climax. Everyone began to sing and dance with joyous abandon.

Jude cast aside his usual serious image and happily danced with the spirits. Except for time with his family, he had rarely felt so relaxed. Here, there was no one plotting against him, and he didn't have to worry about all sorts of problems. All he had to do was sing and dance, and the stress he had accumulated was completely released.

Lucy, meanwhile, had mixed in with the Canis Minor spirits and was happily doing a dance she didn't even know with a group of Plues. From the joyful smile on her face, it was clear she didn't care about anything else and was just expressing her happiness.

Layla didn't join the dancing. She stayed with the Celestial Spirit King, watching everyone celebrate, a clear smile on her face. She loved the spirits and she deeply loved her family. Seeing them all getting along so happily, she was the happiest of all.

Noah, on the other hand, took out a magic camera and took many pictures, preserving these wonderful memories.

After the song ended and everyone began to calm down, Noah duplicated the photos he had just taken and gave a copy to every spirit present. Everyone was delighted to receive the gift. Layla found Lucy and picked her up. "Did you have fun at the party?"

Lucy's face broke into a huge grin. "I did, Mama! I had so much fun!"

"And do you like them?" Layla asked, turning Lucy in a circle so she could see all the spirits around them.

"I do! I love them!"

Lucy's words made all the surrounding spirits smile. The pure words of a child were the most sincere expression of emotion.

~~~

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