Ella was looking for possible, apparently “chosen”, people who, like Mc, had some possible connection to the Arbiters, and perhaps something more
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Ella knew Mc before everything, but so far, that's all it is, acquaintances. They weren't friends or childhood sweethearts, they just met, so I think it's normal for her to give him up at the beginning, as well as all the challenges, or rather problems and near-deaths she got the MC into, because, as she said herself, you either get stronger, or you die, after all, look at all the dead ends we have.
What's interesting is that as the game goes on, Ella becomes more and more concerned about the MC. I don't have it here, but I remember that they posted a letter left by Ella herself, where at the end, she shows a desire to see the MC one last time before she “dies”.
Love? I wouldn't say that now, but what do you know in the possible future?