The residential complex covered a sizable area, bordered on one side by a low hill, another by wild forest, a third by the riverbank, and the last by wasteland, with a road not far from that side.
Being on the river's outskirts, it looked desolate from afar.
Unless you approached, you'd hardly notice a modern complex in such a place.
"Twelve buildings total, we've claimed four," Yu Yu calculated. "When I get promoted, I'll buy some Magic Cannons to disassemble and study."
"Maybe I can replicate them."
Zi Shu set down her hoe. "Are we planting the whole complex with potatoes?"
Big Cat's beloved lawn was already half-torn up. Zi Shu was very strong, was dragged out by Yu Yu's secretive air, expecting something big, only to be handed a hoe. Yu Yu swore she'd train Big Cat to plow eventually.
Zi Shu eyed the calf in the cowshed and the new dairy cow. "I think they could plow too, more professional than me, don't you think?"
Wearing Yu Yu's straw hat, pants rolled up, she stood on the lawn near a seesaw, her expression indescribable.
Yu Yu: "Got the guts to skip eating?"
Zi Shu was blocked by her and couldn't help sighing. "Warriors have it rough. Song Fuyu can't slack—she's plowing too."
"Fair enough."
Soon, all five were on the lawn.
Shu Tu feel intrigued, said, "Not as tiring as I thought."
Yu Yu grinned. "Think my Strength Blessing is fake?"
After a morning of plowing, they rested in the afternoon. Yu Yu took Zi Shu to dig the ice cellar; others handled their tasks. Shu Tu and Fuyu set traps outside the Thorn Wall, releasing stray animals. Yu Yu hadn't found a spell to seal the gate, so they used the old method: locking it nightly with a big iron chain.
The complex now blended into the wilderness, looking like a grassy patch from afar, vibrant green. Except for the hill's high ground, every side, including the riverbank, was sealed by Yu Yu's Thorn Wall.
The Thorn Wall thrived—Yu Yu's occasional watering kept it vibrant for days. Its dense, nail-sharp thorns were razor-like. An unarmed person… okay, even with a kitchen knife, breaching it was near impossible. One misstep, and you'd be bloodied and battered.
Truly a 2nd-ring spell—fire was its only weakness. Not just any fire—Yu Yu's lighter couldn't ignite it. It'd take artillery, lightning fire, or oil to burn it. For now, this defense sufficed. More would come with enchantment.
Online!
Yu Yu, rubbing her nose, rose from the icy white floor.
So cold.
Did she lie here all night?
Her hands were freezing!
Standing, dusting off, Yu Yu looked around.
A study?
Recliner, small table, cups—lived-in vibe.
But empty.
She glanced outside, spotting someone approaching.
Yu Yu's pupils widened uncontrollably. "…Senior?!"
A painfully familiar face, cold and refined, almost identical to Senior!
The woman's steps were elegant, slow, yet in seconds, she stood before Yu Yu.
"Senior?" Her voice, like Senior's, was cool. "You mean my reckless sister?"
"She's always fooling around—hope she hasn't troubled you."
"Freya Felix Silver Moon, my name," her tone remained cool, manners polished. "This land's lord."
Yu Yu's dark eyes were round, shock still sinking in.
The Silver Moon Young Duchess waited for her reaction.
Save for hair color, she was Senior's twin—same features, same eyes.
Her hair was silver-white, unlike Senior's black; her eyes, deep blue, gleamed like glass in daylight, unlike Senior's dark.
Clad in fitted silver-white armor, her build was athletic, unlike a spellcaster's frailty… Warrior Senior?
Yu Yu found her voice, hoarse. "Was it Your Grace who…"
"No."
The woman's reply was crisp, direct.
Despite her refined demeanor, her actions were refreshingly blunt.
"Where's Teacher now?" she asked someone nearby.
"My lord hasn't risen."
"…Hm," the woman turned, musing, then said, "My teacher, the Grand Archon, Lady Feng Ye, summoned you."
"I saw your Daily. Strictly speaking, you insulted Silver Moon's bloodline. As Duchess, I can't tolerate that," her serious tone left Yu Yu at a loss. "But as it's your first offense, likely unaware of this secret, I won't punish you."
Yu Yu thought, You sent guards to the academy for me. If Senior hadn't stopped them, I'd be a corpse on the gallows.
Though she'd probably "argh" and respawn in three days.
Silver Moon Young Duchess: "I hear you joined the Mage Corps. Good. Work hard."
As she spoke, she swapped armor, shedding it for a sleek silver-white sword outfit.
Was she changing next?
Silver Moon Young Duchess: "Teacher may take a while to wake. Wait here, excuse me."
Like a breeze, she appeared and vanished, leaving Yu Yu no chance to speak.
This Duchess was surprisingly… not annoying.
Yu Yu expected a bloated middle-ager.
Not this young.
And good-looking.
Mainly, she looked identical to Senior!!!
But why did three family members look so different?
Yu Yu was lost.
Puppy had silver hair, silver ears, silver-blue eyes; Senior had black hair, black eyes, human-like; the Duchess, silver hair, deep blue eyes…
Your family's genes are too wild!
Can't figure it out.
After yesterday's blunder, Yu Yu got Silver Moon's noble list from colleagues. Ignoring countless knights, barons, and viscount-titled high-tier spellcasters, the true upper nobles were three.
Silver Moon Duchess, Roland Marquess, Silver Orchid Earl.
Barring surprises, Yu Yu had met them all.
Unthinkable.
A random newbie village NPC loan led to such a powerhouse.
No wonder that NPC leveled up!
Fine, Senior's stronger—good news!
This golden thigh needs tighter hugging!
Senior, my superhero!
But why does Puppy have ears, and Senior and the Duchess don't?
Do ears skip females?
Ears are so cute~~~
If Senior had ears…
"What're you thinking?"
"Why doesn't Senior have ears?" Yu Yu mused deeply.
The robe worn by the visitor was the most gorgeous that Yu Yu had ever seen. It had a black base with silver threads interwoven into it. The magic circle emblem on the chest seemed to be rotating in three dimensions, emitting a profound and mysterious aura, like a rotating magic model. Yu Yu's eyes were glued to it and he couldn't move them away.
Cough, a soft cough snapped Yu Yu's focus.
"They hide their ears when grown. I'm disappointed too."
The woman looked young—24, maybe 26, 27, 28, or 21?
Her age seemed fluid.
But there is only one thing that remains unchanged, she has a pair of extremely deep eyes, as black as stars. This was a very elegant spellcaster, with an aura as profound as the sea. Yu Yu's intuition tensed up immediately, and he did not dare to move at all. If she am not mistaken, this person is the top spellcaster in the magic circle, the Grand Archon.
"I heard Your Grace say you summoned me," Yu Yu stood, polite. "Any tasks, my lady?"
The Grand Archon!
An epic quest isn't too much, right?
Right?!
Maybe!
Seeing Yu Yu's eager eyes, the Grand Archon smiled faintly. "My tasks are beyond your strength."
"I called you," she sat, "to ask about your assessment. Don't be nervous, just be honest."
Yu Yu thought, Knew it.
No wonder, her minor mess, already handled by Senior, got her air-lifted to the Duchess's castle by a high-tier spellcaster.
It was about the legendary.
Yu Yu answered obediently, precisely.
Because there was really nothing to say, and there was nothing worth pleasing about her answer. But even so, Yu Yu felt dizzy and dazed from time to time while answering, as if she was under some kind of magic.
Half a day later, the Grand Archon mused, "I've recorded your words."
"They'll go to the Magic Circle, then to the Council and Her Majesty the Speaker," she said. "No omissions?"
Yu Yu was dazed, "I'm sure and certain."
The Grand Archon sighed. "Hard to believe. That Majesty, known for iron ruthlessness before madness, woke for a bucket of noodles? I can't buy it."
"Can a legendary's will bend to food?"
Muttering, "Without proof, how will the Crowns trust such a wild report?"
Yu Yu, half-getting it, felt déjà vu.
Grand Archon: "Felix gave us one pack each, already eaten."
Yu Yu clicked. "I'll stuff three more!"
Grand Archon, displeased, "More than three councilors. Shall they watch the Speaker eat, sniffing to judge your report?"
"How many councilors?"
"Seven—no, what's that matter?" Grand Archon said. "Bring as many as you can."
Yu Yu, dumbfounded, "But I can't control it…"
Grand Archon pondered, raising a finger. "Minimum eight."
Yu Yu got it—save some for the Grand Archon, right?
"Understood," Yu Yu declared.
Grand Archon: "Claypot rice, tastier than noodles?"
Yu Yu: "…?"
You remembered that?!
Yu Yu: "I'll bring a bowl for you to taste, my lady, to judge."
Grand Archon nodded, satisfied.
Yu Yu grinned.
No loss—a claypot rice for the Grand Archon's thigh? Jackpot!
Must bring one for Senior, or if she hears from the Grand Archon, cough.
Poor Shu Tu—next good job, she's first.
As Yu Yu left, the Grand Archon's smile faded, twirling her quill. "Her item-bringing ties to her mental stat."
"Other spellcasters should manage too."
"Any results on the stats I asked for?" she asked. "How many outsiders are low-tier now?"
"Allen Peninsula's outsider quota is 93,200. Recorded low-tier class holders: 8,547, including 466 spellcasters, all tasked to join the Magic Circle."
Grand Archon, eyes closed, let silence linger, then asked faintly, "The three with initial 8 mental—how's contact?"
"All contacted, progressing smoothly," the female voice paused, "but they might be playing along."
"…This number's enough," Grand Archon pushed the report, smiling. "Ensure they all join the selection, including our Xiao Yu."
"Her name's probably on the Crowns desks by now, right?"
The hidden spellcaster stayed silent.
"What? Selection sign-ups started?"
Slacking three days, spamming Daily articles, doing small quests, Yu Yu was still tinkering with her magic fan.
Three days, 2 gold on magic paper, she'd made a seemingly okay enchantment diagram.
Would it work? No clue.
Enchanting burned cash.
Notably, she'd delivered the noodles, but claypot rice needed luck. Shu Tu's cooking, unstuffable, was eaten by Yu Yu. The Grand Archon had to wait.
How'd she know about the selection?
Her taskbar pinged.
[(Optional) Reach Spellcaster Division Top 128] (Rewards: Experience 2000, Gold 10)
[Pass Individual Prelims] (Rewards: Experience 1000, Silver 20)
[Pass Team Prelims] (Rewards: Experience 2000, Gold 1)
One individual, one team task, plus the spellcaster division task.
Yu Yu mused, Eternal Darkness's approval?
It thinks I'm at least Top 128?
Tch, 128's too low, insulting.
The moment she saw them, Yu Yu accepted all.
Joining the Grand Archon's selection wasn't slacking, right?
She'd earn experience and pay while competing for more experience and cash?
Such a deal!
Prelims gave this much experience—first place might level her instantly!
Eyeing her 30,000 experience bar, how could she skip?
Pushing away free experience?
Join, must join!
Though new to Eternal Darkness PvP, as a former pro, Yu Yu was a sea's orca, not a shy newbie scared of matches.
She'd crushed entire warlock classes.
Now, she'd do it again.
Yu Yu: "Boss, the Grand Archon's holding a tourney! I wanna join!"
"Go, go."
Yu Yu packed her books and drafts, bolting out.
Although it was only a few days, Silver Moon City became much more lively because a large number of players suddenly received temporary City passes during these few days. During this period, even if they have not accumulated enough contributions, they can still enter the city to participate.
Soon, the in-game team regrouped.
Zi Shu, serious, "Rich experience, solid gold, Grand Archon's sincere. Skipping means falling behind—must join."
Fuyu howled, "Kill, kill, kill! I'll be top rogue!"
Shu Tu looked at Yu Yu. "You ready?"
Yu Yu was a little excited at first, but fell silent for a moment after hearing this
She finally stopped avoiding the topic and looked at Shu Tu seriously, "I didn't sell our team's gear."
"I believe you."
Yu Yu nearly forgot, but "believe" reignited her fire.
Eyes down, she said, "Wasn't me, just no proof."
Zi Shu, squinting, scanned them.
She'd suspected Yu Yu was a pro but couldn't confirm.
Now, she asked, "What was your old ID?"
"Crimson."
"What?!"
Yu Yu, cool, hands behind back, "Crim.son."