Chapter One: The Academy

Warm water cascaded down from above, dividing into countless slender streams. Lyu Ru tilted her head back, quietly savoring the subtle sensation of droplets striking her skin.

At that moment, a sudden searing pain flared from the ring on her right pinky finger.

The young woman gently bit her lip, reached up to shut off the shower, then grabbed the snowy white towel nearby and briskly dried herself. She changed into the crisp, clean white uniform of the Snow Burial Society.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she saw Xie Yanluo half-reclined on the bed reading. Xie Yanluo looked a bit surprised to see her, “Ru, you finished so quickly?”

“Yes.” Lyu Ru replied simply, then reached for the academy badge at her bedside and pinned it to her chest. “I need to go out for a while.”

Without waiting for Xie Yanluo’s response, she had already left the dorm room.

Yes, Xie Yanluo was her roommate now. She wasn’t sure if this was Die Xian’s arrangement, but it was an undeniable fact.

The third trial of the entrance exam, titled “Mirage,” tested one’s vision and prospects regarding the Aspect Realm. Lyu Ru had once again excelled, passing the final trial and successfully entering the academy.

However, for some reason, no one informed her of her total score in the end. Only Karotes suggested she reconsider which society she would join.

After all, Su Ziye was already set on joining the Student Council.

But this time, Lyu Ru stood by her decision. She ultimately chose the Snow Burial Society.

It had now been a full month since she entered the academy, and she was gradually growing accustomed to life here.

Only after arriving did she truly experience the cloistered existence of these students in the Ivory Tower.

Firstly, all living expenses—food, clothing, housing, and transportation—were completely free. The academy provided all basic necessities in virtually unlimited supply. At first, Lyu Ru found it hard to comprehend; it was one thing not to charge tuition, but to offer free board and daily expenses after admission—what, then, was the academy’s true purpose? In other words, how had an institution that constantly hemorrhaged money survived for centuries?

But Su Ziye did not answer directly. She was simply told that she would understand soon enough.

Lyu Ru stepped out the door to find herself before a massive silver-white cylinder. She tapped her badge gently on the corresponding spot, and the silver column spun open to reveal a doorway. She walked in quietly and pressed the lowest button.

Every facility in the academy was unlike anything Lyu Ru had ever seen, yet they were all without exception convenient and practical. Considering that most of the academy’s buildings had been constructed centuries ago, their advanced design inspired boundless admiration and gratitude in her heart for the sage who founded this place.

The descending wind-lift delivered Lyu Ru to the ground floor in less than thirty seconds. As the portal spun open, she stepped into the first-floor hall of Aita. Here and there, students in various academy uniforms strolled and conversed. When they saw Lyu Ru, many greeted her warmly. She was still not quite used to having become such a celebrity before even officially joining the academy, but the training Su Ziye had given her helped her adapt quickly. She smiled and nodded in return, her pace unbroken as she continued forward.

Nocturne Academy was situated at the northernmost part of Nocturne City. Of the thirteen towers serving as girls’ dormitories, Aita was located at the lower right of the campus. Her destination, however, was the Sun Tower.

The Sun Tower stood just below the central axis of the academy, almost directly opposite the central Leaf Tower. The Sun, Moon, and Star Towers formed a triangular arrangement, the tallest and grandest structures aside from the Leaf Tower. The Sun Tower served as headquarters for the Student Council, the Moon Tower belonged to the Snow Burial Society, and the Star Tower was home to the Crimson Heart Dojo. These three towers were familiar landmarks to every student, for they housed nearly all the academy’s classes. The Leaf Tower, most important of all, functioned mainly as the library, safeguarding original manuscripts and copies of nearly every rare book in the world.

From Aita to the Sun Tower was nearly two kilometers. The academy’s buildings, a scattering of white towers at varying heights, gave the entire campus a sense of spaciousness. Yet the open grounds were lavishly planted with exotic flowers and rare plants—some of which Lyu Ru recognized from her first trial in the Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum Garden. Waters drawn from Lake Shattered Star wound through the grounds, making the academy resemble a vast botanical garden.

Before long, Lyu Ru spotted the one who had summoned her at the base of the Sun Tower.

Su Ziye, dressed in an understated black uniform, stood waiting quietly. The dark-haired, black-eyed youth truly seemed fond of this face; though Lyu Ru couldn’t guess why, she approached him, stopping in front of him. “Why did you want to meet me here?”

In terms of reputation, Su Ziye and Lyu Ru were worlds apart. Lyu Ru was the academy’s brightest star, while Su Ziye had entered quietly and inconspicuously, causing not the slightest ripple.

“There’s something very important,” Su Ziye replied with a smile. “I’m going to meet the President and would like you to come with me.”

With me? Lyu Ru was a little surprised.

After all, whether it was Su Ziye or Karotes, both seemed somewhat distant from her now. Besides, meetings between Su Ziye and Karotes were usually private affairs—why involve her this time?

But Lyu Ru didn’t ask aloud.

She knew that everything Su Ziye did had his reasons.

This time was no exception.

“Now?” Lyu Ru asked.

“Now,” Su Ziye replied simply. “Lead the way.”

Lyu Ru nodded. Even now, her master-servant bond with Su Ziye had not been completely severed.

Of course, she was the master.

So whenever they appeared together, Lyu Ru still took the lead. Fortunately, the environment was not as perilous as before, when they had to conspire in the safety house of the Third Prince.

Lyu Ru entered the Sun Tower first. The Student Council’s headquarters, she had visited many times before, so the council members no longer stared or gathered around, though her presence still caused a stir. Without breaking her stride, Lyu Ru led Su Ziye to the central wind-lift. As the doors closed, Su Ziye smiled and asked her, “Aren’t you curious?”

“There’s nothing I need to ask for now,” Lyu Ru replied coolly.

“You’re becoming more and more like an elite,” Su Ziye remarked with genuine admiration. “I wonder if you enjoy it.”

“I don’t know,” Lyu Ru replied, gazing at Su Ziye. “But if this is what I must do, then I’ll try to get used to it.”

In the silence that followed, the lift stopped and the doors opened. The red-haired Karotes was already waiting outside.

Of course, the Student Council President immediately noticed Lyu Ru at Su Ziye’s side.

“Which one is Su Ziye?” Karotes couldn’t help but ask.

“I am,” Su Ziye raised his hand. “That joke isn’t very funny.”

“But I like it,” Karotes smiled, hinting at the time Su Ziye had come here wearing Lyu Ru’s face.

“Have you made up your mind about that matter?” Karotes continued, turning to Su Ziye.