Chapter 3: Habsburg

Unknowingly, time had passed.

Selene stood in the courtyard in front of the dormitory entrance.

Coo, coo~

Several wild pigeons cooed while foraging on the grass beside the walkway.

Swish~ swish~

The leaves of the maple tree in the yard rustled softly in the breeze, creating a soothing sound.

"Without realizing it, I've already been at St. Stephan's Relief Center for almost a year. Maybe... it's time to leave."

Over the past year, her body had developed well, growing over 10cm taller—she was now nearly 130cm.

Her abilities had also progressed significantly. The limit of her spatial manipulation had increased to 100 meters, and her Honkai energy strength had risen to nearly 200 HW.

Throughout the year, the center was like a bustling anthill, with a constant flow of children coming in and being adopted.

Her close friend Nina had recently been adopted. Selene could only offer her blessings.

As for why she hadn't been adopted—it was simple. She never once attended a foster family visitation. With the soul of an adult, Selene found it odd to randomly accept new parents for no reason unless it benefited her.

Yes, Selene believed that in the adult world, almost everything was an exchange of interests. Very few people would give you something for nothing—except your biological parents. Maybe warmth did exist in the world, but in her past life, loneliness and indifference defined her existence.

Moreover, there were plenty of low-tier Westerners exploiting happy-go-lucky educational values, adopting children just to scam government aid.

So whenever foster families came to select children, Selene would skip the conference room and head to the library to absorb knowledge instead.

"Hm? There's an unfamiliar life signal approaching," Selene sensed a new presence through her spatial feedback.

Soon after, a crisp, bell-like voice rang out near her ear. "Excuse me, where's the restroom?"

Selene turned around.

She was met with the sight of a white woman in her twenties, with a high nose bridge, clear large eyes, shoulder-length golden hair, a tall slender figure, and dressed in elegant clothing.

"I'll take you there," Selene replied and led the woman to the restroom.

On the way, the woman asked, "Why are you here alone? Aren't you going to check out the visitation room?"

"I'm not interested," Selene replied. "Besides, everyone who is interested already went."

The woman blinked, then smiled. "Let's get to know each other. I'm Katie. What's your name?"

"Selene."

...

Two days later.

The relief center issued a notice for her to pack up—she was being sent to a new home.

Selene was stunned. "Huh?!!"

...

Afternoon, suburbs of Vienna.

Outside a luxurious estate, a handsome man with golden hair, a high nose bridge, and a tall build stood at the entrance. He turned to the woman beside him and said, "You really want to adopt that girl?"

Indeed, the woman was Katie. After finishing in the restroom two days prior, she had requested Selene's file from the staff and immediately expressed her desire to adopt her. She had since discussed it with her husband Karl.

Katie chuckled. "Of course. Once you see her in person, you'll understand why I adore that girl so much."

Karl von Brauchitsch raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'll wait and see."

Seeing his skeptical attitude, Katie was about to say more when a black car pulled up to the gate.

The car door opened, and Selene stepped out.

Brauchitsch paused at the sight of her impossibly beautiful, doll-like face, her ruby-red diamond-shaped pupils, and her snow-white glowing long hair. He turned to Katie and muttered, "Alright, maybe you're right. But I'm going to test her—to see if she's worthy of bearing the family name."

By now, Katie had already stepped forward. "We meet again, little Selene. Do you remember who I am?"

"Aunt Katie."

Katie smiled and wagged her finger. "Wrong~ From now on, you should call me Mom."

"Oh, and let me introduce you. You can call him Karl. He's my husband—and also your legal father now."

Selene paused for a moment.

Brauchitsch smiled and walked over, putting his arm around Katie's shoulder. "Alright, she just got here and isn't familiar with us yet. If you act this affectionate right away, it might make her uncomfortable."

Then he extended a hand to Selene. "Hello, Selene. Nice to meet you. I'm Brauchitsch."

...

In the blink of an eye—

Selene had been living at the estate for three months.

She rarely saw Brauchitsch, who seemed perpetually busy and only occasionally appeared on rest days. Most of the time, only her "mother" Katie was home.

Katie treated her with consistent warmth and kindness.

After a month of living together and secretly observing, Selene realized this adoptive family was anything but ordinary.

Just the vast estate alone would've cost a fortune—not to mention the outer grounds, artificial lake, horse racing track…

There were private chefs for cooking, professional maids for cleaning, well-educated tutors for every subject, and a noble-style butler and steward staff—all of which clearly signaled the extraordinary status of this household.

It seemed Selene had hit the jackpot. No wonder all the kids at the relief center had eagerly run to the visitation room. To them, this adoptive family was nothing short of paradise.

"But with wealth like this, why would they adopt a child from a relief center?"

"I don't get it. It can't really be because 'human nature is innately good,' right? I'm a firm believer in the theory of inherent selfishness."

She still didn't know exactly what part of the timeline she was in.

However, she had overheard the family tutors mention "Academy City"—known as the most technologically advanced place in the world.

"I should find a chance to enroll there. I doubt my 'parents' will object."

At dusk, after finishing her daily lessons, Selene returned to her "mother" Katie, as was her routine.

The moment she opened the door—"Welcome back, my little Selene!"

Katie's familiar voice rang in her ears.

In an instant, the elegant blonde woman scooped Selene up into a hug, pressing the girl's head into her full bosom.

"Mmph, Mom… ugh… not like this…"

Selene pulled her head free. "Mom, I'm not a little kid anymore."

These overly affectionate gestures were a bit much for her.

Selene had already figured out—Katie was a little too warm and a bit naive. Probably a noble lady who hadn't experienced much of the world.

"Okay, okay," Katie nodded with a smile, taking the advice in stride—but never actually changing her behavior.

"Alright, come have dinner," Katie cheerfully pulled Selene over to the dining table.

"Mommy prepared lots of delicious food for little Selene~"

"Huh? You can cook? Hope this isn't going to be a 'dark cuisine' experience," Selene thought silently.

This was a massive dining hall—lavishly adorned and dazzling in gold and crystal. The grand chandelier glimmered with gold dust. Oil paintings and reliefs lined the walls, and murals were set into the domed ceiling above the long table. The decorations featured Austrian motifs: double-headed eagles, crosses, edelweiss...

Selene remembered the first time she dined with Karl and Katie, she was stunned. Anyone unfamiliar might have mistaken this for a royal banquet hall.

But now, she was used to it.

Despite the size and extravagance of the hall and the abundance of dishes, only a few people ever actually ate.

Sitting in her chair, everything was handled by the servants. If she needed anything, all she had to do was speak.

"Ah, the sins of capitalism… it really spoils the soul," Selene thought.

As for Brauchitsch, Selene only knew he was extremely wealthy—a European aristocrat.

Katie always spoke of Brauchitsch with deep admiration.

Understandably so—their luxurious lifestyle was thanks to him.

After three months, Selene could tell that Katie's affection for her wasn't fake. She truly wanted to raise her as a daughter.

Given that, Selene had gradually become more willing to accept her. After all, when someone treats you well, you should respond in kind. It was equivalent exchange, after all.

Yes—Selene convinced herself with that logic.

...

At that moment, Butler Spencer approached and gave a slight bow. "Madam, the master has returned."

Selene and Katie were about to rise and greet him—

"No need to get up, continue your meal," came a voice before the man even entered. Karl walked in, dressed in a black pinstripe double-breasted suit.

He sat at the head of the table. "Selene, get ready in a bit."

"What is it, Dad?"

Brauchitsch leaned forward silently, resting his arms on the table, fingers interlocked, eyes fixed on Selene.

"To be honest, I never planned on adopting a child. I only let Katie visit the relief center because she insisted."

"But over these past three months, little Selene, your performance has surprised me. You're diligent and driven. You haven't become arrogant despite the luxury around you, nor have you turned timid. You've remained polite and respectful. You're clearly talented—your tutors speak highly of you."

"You've proven yourself. So I've decided to formally welcome you as a member of this family."

"Would you like to become part of our family?"

Selene froze for a moment.

She turned to see Katie looking at her with hopeful eyes.

Selene turned her head back. "Yes—without a doubt."

"Dad."

...

That very night, officials from the national registry came in person to record Selene's identity. The next day, they delivered her ID card.

Name: Selene von Habsburg 
Gender: Female 
ID Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(Misaka Mikoto's birthday is May 2nd, but no official birth year is provided. It's only known she's 14 years old when the story begins. Very inconvenient.)

Yes, you read that correctly—Habsburg. Brauchitsch is from a cadet branch of the Habsburg family. Though they've lost their throne and ruling power, the Habsburgs still wield immense influence throughout Central and Southern Europe, owning countless estates and lands, and have begun shifting into commercial ventures.

...

"Ah, this is so embarrassing… Now I've got a mom, a dad, and even a noble surname," Selene murmured blankly as she lay sprawled on the luxurious bed.

Just go with the flow. But with this kind of upbringing… she'd definitely have to repay them someday.

As people from her hometown would say: "To give birth but not raise is worse than not giving birth. The grace of raising is greater than the grace of birth."

That's what she thought...