Although Hecate was expecting it, it happened sooner than she thought.
The day after Joanne woke up, she was no longer awkward in front of “Ethan”, and treated him like how she treated her real brother.
Fortunately, the Ethan in the world of the painting, truly acted like the one in the real world.
If not for the fact that Hecate had kept her memories, and knew that he wasn’t real, she might have also acted like Joanne, and interacted with the Tidebringer more naturally.
‘This trial is meant for Joanne,’ Hecate thought as she watched the young lady play the harp for Princess Ramona and Ethan. ‘I’ll just prepare myself for any unexpected variables that might arise.’
When Ethan returned from the painting, Hecate sensed that he had changed.
His aura was stronger and he had learned many things.
However, he also changed a bit, especially when it came to his interactions with his best friend, Nicole