"What's going on? Is Eula skipping class again today?"
Mondstadt City, Lawrence Family courtyard.
A man with a Goatee and gold-rimmed glasses, looking quite respectable, appeared somewhat angry at the moment.
The man's name was Schubert Lawrence, Eula's uncle.
Within the Lawrence Family, Schubert was primarily responsible for educating the younger generation.
He supervised the Lawrence children daily, teaching them family etiquette, academic knowledge, and even cooking and household chores.
Excluding six hours for eating and sleeping, the children's remaining eighteen hours were fully scheduled by Schubert.
In the Lawrence Family's view, these children bore the heavy responsibility of 'restoring Lawrence's glory' and should operate like precise instruments.
However, things did not develop as Lawrence hoped.
Eula Lawrence was an anomaly in the family.
She had no interest in restoring Lawrence and was quite disgusted by the aristocrat's etiquette.
Therefore, Eula was rarely present when Schubert taught his daily lessons.
Noticing Eula's absence, Schubert's face darkened: "How could such a rebellious person appear in our family? What misfortune for our family, what misfortune!"
"Such a person is simply unworthy of the Lawrence surname!"
Just as Schubert was about to erupt, Eula slowly appeared in his line of sight.
"Eula, do you know you were exactly one hundred eighty-seven seconds late today…"
Schubert was a strict, even harsh, teacher.
Some students who exceeded their washing time by two seconds would be scolded or even punished by Schubert.
For Eula to be over one hundred eighty seconds late was, in Schubert's eyes, an unforgivable and monstrous crime.
Just as Schubert was about to reprimand Eula, his gaze suddenly noticed a blue emblem in Eula's hand.
The emblem was carved with an ice seal pattern, reflecting dazzling light in the sun.
At the very bottom of the emblem was a line of text, the signature of the Lawrence Family from the early days of Mondstadt's development.
Schubert recognized it at a glance as the 'ice seal,'
The Lawrence Family crest,
The supreme symbol of the family's martial might,
And also representing the noble will of the Lawrence Family before its decline.
"Eu, Eula, where did you get that thing in your hand?"
Looking at the 'ice seal,' Schubert felt his heart pound fiercely, and he even struggled to speak coherently.
Because the appearance of the 'ice seal' meant that the Lawrence Family would be revitalized!
"You mean this thing?"
"When I was in a bad mood, I went into a room to play some games, and then I got it. What's wrong?"
Eula casually tossed the 'ice seal' up, as if throwing dice.
This scene made Schubert hold his breath in fear.
How could the Lawrence Family crest, which they treasured, be treated like an ordinary toy in Eula's hand?
However, despite his shock, Schubert also confirmed it:
Eula had stumbled into the family trial and successfully passed it, obtaining the 'ice seal.'
This was truly incredible.
Because for thousands of years, very few people had passed the family trial.
No one expected young Eula to pass the trial.
The most outrageous thing was that she described the difficult trial as 'playing a few games,' and her tone sounded very relaxed.
All of this convinced Schubert that Eula was very talented and could lead Lawrence to restoration!
"Eula, what you're holding is not a toy, but the Lawrence Family crest, the 'ice seal.' "
Young Eula did not understand this part of the family's history, so Schubert patiently explained it to her.
It was quite amusing; just a moment ago, Schubert was thinking about how to reprimand Eula, finding her utterly displeasing.
Yet in the blink of an eye, Schubert's attitude underwent a drastic change.
"Eula, perhaps you don't yet know what the 'ice seal' means,"
"But I can tell you clearly, this is our Lawrence Family's chance to regain its glory!"
"You will lead us to reclaim everything we've lost!"
As he spoke, Schubert glanced at the itinerary in his hand.
This itinerary was now obsolete; he would now formulate a new schedule specifically for Eula.
The Lawrence Family would certainly train Eula to be the next clan leader!
"That sounds tempting, but… I refuse."
Eula looked at Schubert and said in a very calm tone.
She didn't want to be a Marionette to be manipulated by others.
Schubert had just given a long, passionate speech, but Eula only heard the words 'manipulated by others.'
She didn't want to be a pawn; she didn't want her life to be planned by others.
Of course, there was also the most important point:
The current Lawrence had lost its noble qualities; their so-called glory was to trample commoners underfoot, enslaving and ruling them.
Eula could not accept such a Lawrence Family and even felt disgusted by it.
Schubert froze for a moment, then said furiously: "You are a member of the Lawrence Family, noble blood flows in your veins, and you should obey the family's will!"
"If you defy Lawrence's orders, then you are rebellious!"
Eula didn't respond, silently walking past Schubert.
She had never considered herself a member of the Lawrence Family.
Behind her, Schubert's curses continued, but Eula never looked back.
Stepping out of the Lawrence gate, she would never return from now on.
Eula thought to herself.
The moment Eula appeared on the street, the Mondstadters all looked at her, their eyes filled with hostility and wariness.
Eula stood on the bustling street, not knowing where she could go.
The Mondstadters clearly did not welcome her, and there was no need for her to return to the Lawrence Family.
Where… can I go?
From now on, I am a homeless, wandering, and disliked child.
It doesn't sound so bad, actually.
Eula found joy in her hardship, maintaining an optimistic outlook.
Let's go see Windrise.
Whenever Eula was in a bad mood, she would go to Windrise and stay there for a whole day.
Neither Mondstadt nor Lawrence had a place for her; only that big tree was willing to listen to her speak.
Thinking this, Eula endured the cold stares of the crowd, held her head high, and strode towards Windrise.
It's not that you isolate me, but that I isolate all of you!
Hmph!
...
And Schubert also cursed for a good while, finally sitting on a chair with a grim expression.
"Should we bring Eula back?"
At this moment, a Lawrence Family member walked over and said.
If Eula were just an ordinary child, the Lawrence Family wouldn't care where she went.
But now, Eula had passed the family trial and possessed the family crest, the 'ice seal.'
Lawrence had to take this little girl seriously.
"Forget it," Schubert waved his hand,
"Let her go if she wants to; it's also a benefit to Lawrence."
"Hmm?"
"Once Eula fully sees the ugly faces of the Mondstadters, she will return to the family."
"By then, without us saying anything, she will voluntarily take on the important task of restoring the family's glory."
His companion beside him didn't speak, but after thinking it over, it seemed to make sense.
All of Mondstadt was hostile towards the Lawrence Family; Eula, having nowhere else to go, would naturally return home.
Then she would realize that only Lawrence was her family.
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