A torrent of Mental energy rippled through reality, stirring whirlwinds. Garments fluttered as if drawn by an unseen force, and all eyes were irresistibly pulled to the scene. Suddenly, a faint, pale-gray ripple glided through the air, vanishing at the horizon in a blink.
Then a second… a third…
If not for everyone's rapt attention, the fleeting ripples would have gone unnoticed.
The next moment—
Yu Bai crumpled with a thud. Shu Tu lunged, snatching Yu Yu's phone mid-fall.
Then—
Qian Qing and the other four spellcasters blinked drowsily, their complaints unspoken, collapsing where they stood. Yu Yu finally opened her eyes, lowering her hands. "Did I do it? Did I succeed?"
Shu Tu fought a wave of exhaustion. "If… not distinguishing targets counts, then yeah, very successful."
Yu Yu's face lit with concern. "Are the ants asleep?"
At that moment, a voice crackled from the long-silent phone.
Qiong: "Collateral damage was expected. It's your first group cast, and you pulled it off. But putting your fellow spellcasters to sleep? That I didn't see coming."
Xue: "Until you master this, no more group casting with others."
Yu Yu whipped around, shocked. "They're asleep too?"
Meng couldn't hold back. "Good question. I'd love to know why."
Yu Yu blinked innocently. "I followed your instructions exactly, Senior!"
Meng: "Really? I'm skeptical."
Chang quipped, "Meng's casts never knocked us out."
Yu Yu, feigning innocence, coughed. "That's not the point. Did the ants sleep?"
Sleep Domain! A fourth-ring incantation!
To buy these three hours, Yu Yu had racked up nearly 100,000 points in debt!
If the spell failed, she'd be spitting blood from rage.
Felix: "It likely worked. You just forgot to rein in your Mental, sweeping up everyone nearby."
She paused, her tone rare and earnest. "Lucky it was Sleep Domain, not Decay Field."
Otherwise, Yu Yu might've taken out her allies in one fell swoop. Barring the friendly-fire fiasco, Yu Yu's talent was undeniable. A successful first group cast was extraordinary.
Yu Yu cringed. "I'll check if the ants are still out!"
Felix: "Bring your team. I'm coming too."
Feng Ye couldn't resist. "Felix, check the list. Add an 's'—as in 'us.'"
Felix: "…"
Xue: "How's your training with Her Majesty going?"
Felix's tone was coolly polite. "Her Majesty is gracious, but I fear my dullness disappoints her."
Before anyone could respond, Yu Yu piped up, "Don't sell yourself short, Senior! You're amazing! Her Majesty's definitely pleased!"
Felix: "Be quiet."
Yu Yu: "Oh."
She held the phone aloft, shaking Shu Tu. "Shu Tu? Shu Tu? Wake up!"
"What if she doesn't wake up?"
Yu Yu scrolled her spell list, hunting for something to jolt alertness.
Felix: "Use Rage."
Yu Yu frowned. "Senior, I didn't buy that one."
Felix was silent, then sent an image—ink still wet. "First-ring. Not hard."
The wolf's hand-drawn diagram was rough but charmingly practical, scribbled in haste. Yu Yu was touched. "Senior, you're the best."
Feng Ye's voice was icy. "First-ring points still cost. Don't think you can dodge paying the magic circle."
Yu Yu huffed. "It's just a few points. So stingy, Grand Archon."
She owed 100,000 already. What was 300 more?
What kind of Grand Archon was this miserly?
"Got a problem?" Feng Ye challenged.
Yu Yu clammed up, but her expressive glare set Feng Ye fuming.
Quickly mastering Rage, Yu Yu cast it on Shu Tu.
Yu Bai's phone, locked, cut the stream.
No help for it—the only two aware of the Federation's stream were down.
Yet behind the screens, the watchers were far from calm.
An elderly man at a phone issued a command. "No debate. It's her. Researcher, right? Grant it."
His order was swiftly executed.
Shu Tu's eyes snapped open, blazing. "What…?"
Yu Yu followed with Calm Mind. "Come with me to check. We'll sneak a peek—see if the ants are out."
Shu Tu: "Send rogues. They've got high Perception and stealth. Why's a squishy like you going?"
Her anger lingered, oblivious to whether the magic circle's squishies were still streaming.
Felix: "She's right. Stay topside."
Soon, rogues roused by Yu Yu's Rage—still seething—formed a team and descended.
Fuyu and Zhong Ye exchanged a glance, mutual disdain crackling.
Half an hour later, Yu Yu got confirmation.
The ants were asleep.
Not one spared.
With their Mental strength, they'd sleep for days. Even if mutated, or if the queen was stronger, six hours was guaranteed.
The Federation gained precious time, their preparations now far more robust.
Yu Yu was pleased. The Federation was thrilled. The magic circle was… mostly satisfied.
But Yu Yu was slated for a hefty dose of extra training.
Why? She'd put her fellow spellcasters to sleep mid-cast…
To the magic circle, this was utterly absurd, so…
Seeing the results, most seniors left the stream. Yu Yu was about to shut it down but spotted her senior's name and grinned.
"Senior! Senior! It's almost noon. I'm going for a drive. Wanna grab lunch with me?"
Felix, leaning by a window with a book, gazed at the tower's eternal snow. "Sure."
Yu Yu's tasks were done; the rest wasn't her concern.
She gleefully told Wei Zishu, Shu Tu and the others, borrowed a car, and peeled out.
Shang Wei, just waking, stumbled out for water and saw Yu Yu's beaming face vanish out the door.
Shang Wei: "…"
Weren't they barred from leaving?
Yu Yu was off joyriding and dining. Others slowly stirred, those still out shaken awake by teammates.
Yu Bai woke, checked her phone, and listened to recordings, chuckling inexplicably.
Wei Zishu, fed up, asked politely, "Yu Yu's out cruising. Anything else, Miss Yu?"
If not, leave. Stop looping magic circle recordings with that creepy grin.
"Miss Wei, do you know who these big shots are?" Yu Bai asked.
Wei Zishu glanced at her. "Can't tell them apart."
She could pick out Meng, Chang, Felix, and the Grand Archon's voices, but…
What was Yu Bai after?
Yu Bai's fervor was palpable. "The magic circle is incredible. My sister's always griping about them. She lucked out, got drafted into the Eternal Darkness task force, specializing in magic circle intel. Heh, she's always ranting—says they're not human, all cunning and vile…"
"She'd never guess I snagged recordings of magic circle elites. Heehee, heh, heehee…"
Wei Zishu: "…"
Finally, she looked up. "Official site admins are magic circle elites. DM them. Stop giggling here."
Her laugh was disrupting study. She held a stack of recruit manuals from Federation soldiers, skimming for useful bits.
Fuyu, with no books, was off sparring with Zhong Ye.
Yu Bai's tone soured. "I could access the site."
She fiddled with her phone, listening, then gasped. "Yu Yu! Her researcher title's confirmed! Full perks, same as formal promotions!"
"Where is she?"
"The Federation sent people!"
"Where is she?!"
Wei Zishu watched Yu Bai bolt from the tent, trailing after her.
In the central clearing, a crowd of players ringed something.
With Yu Bai vanished, Wei Zishu ambled over.
In midair, two agile figures clashed, flickering like shadows.
She focused.
Wei Zishu: "…"
Fuyu and Zhong Ye.
Their ferocity suggested their underground stint hadn't thawed their enmity—if anything, it was worse.
Was it the Rage spell?
Shu Tu pondered.
Meanwhile, Yu Yu cruised along.
September had cooled the air, but noon's blazing sun still brought heat.
Warm, but bearable.
Clever Yu Yu had frozen ice blocks on either side, her makeshift AC humming as she kept the windows open.
Blasting along the city-loop highway with navigation, Yu Yu was jubilant. "I was cooped up at home forever. Finally out—it's so freeing~"
In the phone, only Felix, Meng, Chang, and Han remained.
Speaking of Senior Han, she lived up to her icy name.
Among the few spellcasters Yu Yu had met repeatedly, Han was the rare one who spoke only when necessary—a true high-cold mage.
The car glided like a breeze, passing skyscrapers, orderly streets, pristine blue skies, and sunlight so fierce it could scorch.
The stream fell silent for a long while.
Yu Yu, whooping along, finally noticed. "Senior? Seniors? You still there?"
Felix: "I'm so jealous of you."
Yu Yu: "?"
Chang: "So that's what a blue sky looks like."
Meng murmured, "The sun's that bright? I thought Silver Moon was the brightest place."
Han: "It's like it could burn you. Aren't you hot?"
Yu Yu, thrilled to hear her speak, chirped, "It's summer~ A bit warm, but I was so pent up before. Sunbathing and airing out feels amazing."
"Shame reality lacks mage robes. Magic circle robes are cool in summer, warm in winter. Never hot."
Feng Ye, popping back, said, "Naturally. Don't block the lens. Let us see the sun."
Yu Yu: "Huh? You can't stare at the sun—it'll hurt your eyes…"
Felix: "I'm fine."
Yu Yu hesitated, then, seeing no cars, parked and aimed the phone skyward. "See it? It's still bright here, but who knows—maybe it'll go dark someday."
"Seniors, work hard! I can bring stuff in—maybe one day I'll bring you out!"
Yu Yu grew excited. "Then we'll eat and stroll together!"
Felix, surprisingly, sounded wistful.
She wondered what sunlight felt like.
It'd been ages since she'd run freely.
Felix curbed her longing. "Mm."
Yu Yu added, "Nudge Senior Xue to work harder. She's so talented."
Xue: "?"
Unbeknownst to Yu Yu, the stream's viewer count crept up.
They gazed, entranced, at the sun, the sky, the wilds, the still-green hills, the orderly streets, and towering buildings.
Such a beautiful place shouldn't fall, should it?
Yu Yu, oblivious, zoomed off the highway, hunting for a restaurant.
Off the ramp, the apocalyptic vibe hit.
Hurried pedestrians, once-bustling streets now desolate, malls shuttered permanently. Hot pot, spicy noodles, lobster stalls—scents that once lured appetites—gone.
Funeral parlors, though, thrived, blooming everywhere, steadfast.
Yu Yu's smile faded. "Can't find food…"
If she recalled, the Federation had stepped in last week—or the week before—regulating food industries.
Until potato yields sufficed or new crops emerged, rationing would persist, burning through reserves.
Yu Yu resolved to study faster, master the Pioneer camp's protective arrays, and adapt them for reality.
With Federation tweaks, maybe they could mass-produce them. Costly, but less hopeless.
Her burden felt heavier.
Felix: "Look left. Isn't that a restaurant?"
Yu Yu perked up, spotting it. "Food at last!"
She corrected, "Not a restaurant. A wonton shop. Oh, and duck blood noodles."
Felix: "?"
Meng, brimming with curiosity: "What's the difference?"
Yu Yu, dead serious: "Food here's a whole system. Breakfast? Bun shops, wonton shops, noodle joints, bakeries. Niche ones too—vermicelli, pancakes, steamed rice…"
She rambled, "Lunch? Restaurants. Home-style dishes, hot pot, spicy noodles, steak, buffets…"
"Then drink shops—milk tea, fruit tea. I can't count, but there's over a dozen famous tea brands in my district…"
"Summer's for lobster stalls, winter's for lamb or beef soup. After dinner? Barbecue, skewers. Food alone has over a hundred categories. A decent restaurant's menu?" Yu Yu tapped her chin. "At least a hundred dishes."
"Anything less is a no-name dive!" she declared, recklessly.
Meng: "You lot have way too much time."
Yu Yu blinked innocently. "Guess so. Gamers like us get tons of fans. Can you imagine? Play well, and you're swamped with unique love letters all day."
"We're pros at entertainment," Yu Yu summed up. "Anything fun, we've got covered."
But anomalies? Combat? Total flops.
Xue sighed. "Peace breeds this."
Yu Yu hunted ages for parking, grumbling, "It's harder to park now…"
When would production resume?
When everyone moved again, not just a few professions grinding endlessly.
Once bronze artifacts were distributed, the withering curse contained, or protective methods devised—would things change?
Yu Yu hoped so, fervently.
Stepping out, she summoned an Earth Elemental, cast Detect Magic, sent a Mage's Eye skyward, and buffed herself with Force Shield and Grease Soles before heading in.
To dodge faceplanting into an anomaly, Yu Yu was hyper-cautious.
Chong: "Vigilant, but limited."
Yu Yu glanced at the viewer list. "Senior Chong, you're here too?"
Chong chuckled. "You still owe me that Solanine. Handed it over yet?"
Yu Yu: "…Forgot."
Chong: "Forgot, huh?"
Yu Yu whined, "Really! I'll deliver it once I'm online."
Chong: "How many bottles?"
Yu Yu corrected, "I didn't drink any. Senior drank five, I think."
Chong: "Better be true."
Yu Yu, aggrieved: "What, you think I'd sneak sips?"
Chong: "Could. Like Chang, or Meng. They've all done it."
Yu Yu: "…?"
Feng Ye coughed. "Enough trivia. Yu Yu, aren't you eating? Go."
She was curious.
Yu Yu pouted, appearing outside the shop.
"Mom! Someone's here!"
"What'll you have?" A woman sweeping looked up, wary. "Tables are by the middle door. Inside's off-limits. Don't come in."
"Order with me."
Yu Yu scanned the menu, the stream's elites peeking along.
Meng, floored: "Wontons have this many varieties?"
Yu Yu: "Pfft, this? Just different fillings. Plus, lots are sides."
Checking prices, she gasped. "A bowl's 87 now?"
"No money, no food," a girl behind the counter snipped.
Yu Yu: "I've got money. Big wonton bowl, one basket of shaomai."
She paused. "Should be enough. I'll check if Shu Tu's hungry—might grab them some."
Soon, she added two more orders. "You still have wonton ingredients?"
"Frozen meat," the girl said, unbothered. "No fresh here. Want fresh? Hit a fancy hotel."
Yu Yu propped her chin, eyeing her. "Frozen's still edible?"
The girl rolled her eyes. "Food's food. Picky much? It's not spoiled—just less tasty."
Yu Yu: "Fair. How old are you?"
"Not telling."
"No school now?"
Yu Yu slipped into the classic bored-adult-chatting-with-kid routine.
"Nope. School kicked us out—said it's too risky, their liability."
"You miss it?" Yu Yu asked, noting her ease.
"Nah."
Yu Yu was stunned. "Why not?"
The girl gave her a duh look. "Who wants school?"
Yu Yu: "…"
Speechless.
Xue: "Hopeless."
Meng, stifling laughter: "Don't bicker with a kid, Senior Xue."
Seeing Yu Yu silenced, the girl, sensing she wasn't weird, rambled on. "Whatcha doing?"
Yu Yu: "Eating."
"Food's not here. Eating what?"
Yu Yu marveled at the kid's sharpness. "…Streaming?"
"It's the apocalypse, and you're streaming?"
Yu Yu, pinned by her stare, floundered, then straightened. "I'm happy. Stop talking to me."
The girl scoffed. "Like I care."
Yu Yu turned away, sulking.
Chang: "Out-talked by a kid."
Yu Yu, salvaging dignity: "I'm not stooping to her level."
Still miffed, she tossed a Insight spell.
"Whoa," Yu Yu gasped. "Senior, her Mental's 7!"
The stream went oddly quiet.
Yu Yu, unfazed, leaned over. "Hey, kid, what's your name?"
The woman emerged. "Mind your business. Eat your wontons."
Yu Yu: "…"
Why's everyone so mean?
I'm here to eat, not to be a punching bag!
Sulking, Yu Yu dug in.
She'd Mentally scanned earlier, confirming the owner used branded frozen meat.
A few bites in, the flavor surprised her, soothing her grumpy heart.
Federation food was tasty but too refined, making her picky.
Shu Tu's cooking was best, followed by street finds.
Delicious.jpg
Of course, if the food sucked, she'd be the ultimate sucker.
Halfway through her steaming soup, her phone rang—
"Hello?"
Yu Bai: "Where are you? I don't see you."
"Cars are blocking me," Yu Yu said, spotting her via Mage's Eye. "Look across—wonton shop behind the cars."
Yu Bai arrived with a convoy, chuckling. "Ancestor, you're out eating wontons now? Your heart's too big."
Yu Yu: "What's up?"
Yu Bai grinned. "Congrats, Researcher Yu! Your title's official!"
"Come with us."
Yu Yu: "Wait, I'm not done eating."
"What's so special about this? Hurry up."
"Mom, so many people!"
The woman, wary, relaxed as they left. "Researcher? That young? Who's she fooling?"
Dusk fell as Yu Yu, exhausted, returned home.
She wore a pristine researcher's coat—white, unadorned, no proof of status.
The only change? Her neighborhood now had guards.
And a slew of new contacts for every issue imaginable.
Midway, she'd charged her phone, missing her chance to flaunt her glory to her seniors.
Back home, she logged in eagerly, streaming and pinging Felix. "Senior! Senior! You there?"
She tagged Meng. "Senior Meng! You around?"
Both, roused by her pestering, appeared. "What's up? Thrilled about the promotion?"
Yu Yu, in her new white coat, beamed with pride. "I'm a researcher!"
Felix: "What's that?"
Yu Yu paused. "Does the Duchess have a research team?"
Felix: "No."
"The magic circle?"
Meng: "Everyone researches."
Yu Yu: "Okay, fine."
Otherworlders just didn't get this joy!
Meng: "Since you're back, log in."
Yu Yu: "Can I sleep first?"
Meng's tone teased. "It's Yami Terns' funeral today. Really skipping it?"
Yu Yu: "???"
"I'm coming."
Yu Yu logged in, only to be grabbed by Meng's sudden grip on her shoulder.
"Senior? Today you're…"
Meng: "Move."
When Yu Yu opened her eyes, she stood in the Academy's plaza.
Countless black-robed spellcasters, familiar and not, gathered, wearing robes she'd never seen.
Unlike the magic circle's usual black, these were black-red, with crimson cuffs, collars, and lapels—elegant, striking.
…Downside: no pockets.
Muttering, Yu Yu heard, "Yu Yu, over here."
Xue's voice. Yu Yu didn't dawdle, jogging over. "Senior Xue."
Feng Ye: "Today, it's High Steward. High Steward Xue."
Xue's voice was hoarse. "High Steward Xue."
Feng Ye chuckled, dropping it.
"Yes, High Steward Xue."
Xue tossed her a matching red-lapel robe. "Normally, you'd need high-tier to attend and wear this."
"But we decided you'll present the flowers," she explained. "Yami has no living kin, no students, no friends. That Joel you mentioned? We found him. He published on 'Centurions and Ancient Rites,' but he died over a century ago."
"Your senior's traces are gone from this world, except through you," Xue said, her gaze meaningful. "You're the last to see her. So, you'll offer the flowers."
Yu Yu, half-grasping, asked, "How do I do that?"
Xue looked to Feng Ye, who looked to Meng.
Meng got it. "Come. I'll teach you."
The Grand Archon's attire stood out—still black-red, but black outside, red within, visible only at flipped cuffs and collar. Stunning.
But everyone was different today.
If pressed… no hoods. The ceremonial robes lacked them.
Across the plaza, high-tier spellcasters bared their faces. Yu Yu, in her hooded black robe, was the only one concealed.
Listening to Meng's instructions, Yu Yu stole glances at the plaza, eyes wide with wonder.
Wow, the seniors are so poised! Gorgeous!
Another peek.
One more.
Just one more.
Meng: "Can you focus? You'll have plenty of time to gawk later. Listen."
Yu Yu reluctantly tore her eyes away, fixating on Meng.
Soon, she blurted, "Senior Meng, you're so pretty!"
Meng: "I know. Now repeat what I just said."
Yu Yu: "You said after the Grand Archon speaks, everyone completes the rite and releases mana sigils, then when she signals, I bring the prepared flowers to Yami's tomb."
Meng's expression softened. "Good."
Feng Ye's voice soon rang out. "Let's go."
Her palm flared with blinding light, outshining all, including Yu Yu, pinned by Meng's grip.
When Yu Yu opened her eyes, she stood in a snowy realm.
Not quite a frozen waste—fresh snow had just fallen.
Ahead loomed a massive structure, like a palace carved from deep-blue crystal.
To the left stretched endless snow, dotted with tombstones.
The sight hit with raw, somber weight.
Yu Yu lingered, then glanced right, where unique spires pierced the clouds, endless.
Unlike Silver Moon's skies, this one was blue, with an icy-blue sun.
Kinda fake.
Everyone was hushed; Yu Yu didn't dare speak.
Soon, nightcrows swooped in, landing as pale-purple shades. A few steps, and they solidified, donning black-red robes, faces bared.
The leaders wore robes like the Grand Archon's, including a striking man.
Almost all were strangers. Yu Yu instinctively shrank behind Meng, docile.
Meng whispered, "These are seniors from key outposts, including other Grand Archons. Bound by duty, they attend via nightcrow Simulacrum."
"Their Mental can't sustain long distances, so they'll stand in place, as backdrop."
Yu Yu's nerves spiked. "I'm presenting flowers in front of all them?"
Meng nodded firmly. "Not scared, are you?"
Yu Yu swallowed. "If I say I'm scared, can I bolt?"
Meng's smile was chillingly kind, silent.
Yu Yu: "Got it. I'll… overcome."
Her nerves rivaled her first flag-raising speech.
When in doubt, check the spell list. Flipping through, Yu Yu found a gem.
Void Reason.
Supposedly, it brought supreme calm.
Would that help? :,,.