As Mei approached the towering gates, the morning sun bathed Nuoding Academy's stone pathways in golden light. The academy's sprawling campus hummed with energy—students in crisp uniforms hurried to classes, instructors barked orders in distant training yards, and the scent of ink and parchment wafted from open library windows. Clutching her Spirit Hall recommendation letter, Mei stepped into the administration hall, her boots echoing on polished marble. Behind a cluttered desk, a harried clerk squinted at her paperwork, his spectacles slipping down his nose.
"Mei of… Huh," he muttered, thumbing through a ledger. His eyebrows shot up at the Spirit Hall's gleaming seal stamped beside her name. " Personal Student. Room 307 in the east dormitory. Good luck." The term "Personal Student" carried weight, reserved for prodigies or those with unshakable backing. Mei's fingers tightened around the key.
This isn't earned… yet, she thought, Ai's voice chirping in her mind: 'Own it! This is your backstage pass to stardom!'
She'd expected to start to be roomed with students when she heard it was a dormitory-type school, but the clerk's indifference made it clear: the recommendation letter had bypassed all formalities. 'Spirit Hall's name does open doors!' Ai chirped in her mind. 'Now go claim your royal suite!'
As Mei walks through the corridor, she can't help but take a look around and think about all that has happened. She was then pulled out of her thoughts by Ai when she arrived at her room door.
Her room, though modest, felt like a sanctuary—sunlit and quiet, with a view of maple trees swaying in the courtyard. Ai's holographic projections of glittering lights and pop-star posters flickered across the walls. 'An idol's lair needs sparkle,' Ai insisted.
'Enough nesting! Time to conquer the city!' She flashed an image of Nouding's bustling central square at sunset. 'Your Starlight Stage's begging for an audience. So let's shine!'
Mei hesitated. "What if no one listens? Or… I messed up?"
'Then you'll bow and try again!' Ai's tone softened. Mei still hesitated, thinking that she was still lacking and scared of making a mistake. But Ai's eyes and smile gave her a boost to try.
By the time the sun started to set and the sky became a gentle orange, Mei stood at the edge of the city square, her pulse racing. Vendors were working in their stalls, families lingered, and people walked about. 'Now!' Ai urged.
Summoning her courage, Mei released her martial soul. The Starlight Stage bloomed beneath her feet, its golden spirit ring casting a warm halo. The domain expanded, bathing the square in shimmering light. Heads turned. A child pointed, tugging her mother's sleeve.
Mei closed her eyes and sang. The song she chose was called 'Yume To Hazakura'
Her voice wavered at first, and a soft voice and an instrumental filled the air. But as the domain amplified her words, her tone steadied, soaring through the air like a fluttering flower petals. The crowd stilled. A street musician paused, his lute forgotten. Even the clatter of dishes from a nearby tavern hushed.
As Mei continued singing, she saw that her domain somehow made fluttering petals float around, and people around her were both amazed and enamored. She wondered if anyone could understand her words, or if they were just enjoying the melody. She continued to wonder until the end.
When the last note faded, silence held for a breath—then applause erupted. Coins clinked into Mei's palms, and an elderly woman clasped her hands. "You've a gift, child. Don't let it sleep."
'Told you!' Ai crowed as Mei bowed, her cheeks flushed,
"Mei's Idol Status"
Current Status:
Age: 7
Spirit: Starlight Stage
Soul Power: 13 > 14
Fans: 17 > 52
Idol God Trial: 0/9 <
Mei then clicks the Idol God Trial, and the screen shifts to a different part
~ Idol God Trial ~
1. Gather 100,000 fans (52/100,000)
2. [LOCKED] (◕‿◕)✧
Back in her dorm, Mei recounted her performance, her heart still racing. Enough to buy sweets for tomorrow, she thought, smiling. Ai hovered smugly. 'Tomorrow, the academy. Tonight, the city. Next week—world domination!'
Mei flopped onto her bed, exhaustion and exhilaration tangling in her chest. "One step at a time."
'Spoilsport,' Ai huffed. Outside, the maple leaves rustled.
In a distant village, a boy hammered iron, sweat dripping as he muttered, "One week… then Nuoding." The forge's glow lit his determined face—a face that would soon cross Mei's stage.
Spirit Hall, Spirit City
After a 3-day-long journey, the spirit hall team finally returned home. Chrysanthemum Douluo and the sibling came to the Pope's palace first to report back.
" Your Holiness/ Dear Master, we have returned."
" It's good that you came back safely. Liena, come tell teacher about your level and new skill." A beautiful woman in a pope's garb with long, reddish-pinkish hair and sharp eyes asked.
This was Bibi Dong, the current pope of the spirit hall and a level 98 powerhouse.
" Yes, Teacher, I'm currently level 24 after absorbing my second soul ring. My second soul ring is from an 800-year-old three-eyed fox, and my second soul skill is 'mesmerizing step'. This skill allows me to inflict charm through my movement."
" Good, what about you, Xie Yue?"
" Your Holiness, My second soul ring is from an 800-year-old twilight panther, and my second soul skill increases my attack and speed for a certain duration. "
"Excellent, you both may return to rest. Elder Yue, you stay here for a moment."
" Yes, your Holiness." They all bowed, and both siblings exited the Pope's palace, while Elder Yue stayed to report his findings to the Pope.
When the siblings had left, Elder Yue recounted what happened during the soul ring hunt and the girl whom they met during the hunt.
As Elder Yue continued with his report, Bibi Dong's expression became serious and relaxed at the end of the report.
"Hmm, I see. Your response was appropriate, while the girl has a rare and unique spirit and has a domain as well, it's not effects are a bit lacking. So, offering to cover her tuition and giving her some extra resources for the mistake of her missed opportunities was correct."
" Should I continue to pursue her to join? "
" No, right now she could have some aversion to the spirit hall people because of this accident. So let her explore the world a bit, and whether she joins the spirit hall in the future is not too concerning. Since what I gather from your story, even if she doesn't join, she still can be considered an ally."
" As you command."
" But, I still want someone to keep an eye on her. While her skill and talent might be a bit lacking, her martial spirit is still rare and might have hidden abilities. "
" Very well, I'll inform the spirit hall branch of Nuoding City to send us an update regarding her progress."
" Good, you may be dismissed." As Bibi Dong finished with her command, Elder Yue retreated out of the Pope's palace.
Meanwhile
The sun hung low over Spirit City's grand plaza, its crimson light glinting off the golden spires of the Spirit Hall Academy. Hu Liena and Xie Yue trudged through the courtyard, dust still clinging to their boots from the wilderness hunt. Ahead, a familiar figure waved frantically—Yan came running, nearly tripping over his own feet as he bounded toward them.
"Liena! Xie Yue! Over here!" Yan skidded to a halt, his grin stretching ear to ear. His eyes locked onto Hu Liena, sparkling with unchecked adoration. "You're back! How was the hunt? Any injuries? Let me see—"
Hu Liena sidestepped his reaching hands with practiced ease, her fox-like smile equal parts amused and dismissive. "Relax, Yan. We're fine. Just a quick trip to the Starfall Forest."
"Quick? You were gone for weeks!" Yan clutched his chest dramatically. "Every day without your voice was a lifetime! I composed three poems in your honor! Would you like to hear—"
"Pass," Xie Yue cut in flatly, adjusting the strap of his sword sheath. "We faced a pack of Silverclaw Lynxes. Nothing poetic about it."
Hu Liena flicked her brother's shoulder. "Don't be modest. That alpha beast's ambush was thrilling! Its claws nearly grazed your pretty face." She turned to Yan, her tone playful. "Poor Xie Yue here yelped like a startled kitten."
Xie Yue's ears flushed pink. "I did not yelp."
"You squeaked," Hu Liena insisted, grinning. "But credit where it's due—his new second ring's skill cleaved the beast in two. A crescent moon blade so sharp, it'd slice your poems to confetti, Yan."
Yan clasped his hands, undeterred. "Of course! Xie Yue's prowess is second only to your radiance, Liena! And your new ring? What marvels does it bring?"
"Three poems? Save them for someone who cares," she teased, dodging his adoring gaze. Xie Yue rolled his eyes, but his hand drifted to his sleeve, where Mei's handkerchief lay hidden.
"Mesmerizing Steps," Hu Liena demonstrated, her movements weaving pink mist. "Xie Yue's new skill? A moon blade so sharp it'd slice your verses to shreds."
Yan swooned. "Goddess-like! When I get my second ring, I'll—"
"Still be weaker," Xie Yue deadpanned.
Undeterred, Yan opened his mouth to protest—but Hu Liena's fox eyes suddenly glinted with mischief. She leaned toward Xie Yue, her voice a sly purr. "Speaking of spirit hunt… Did you pack that crescent moon handkerchief? Or did you leave it under your pillow to pine over?"
Xie Yue stiffened. "I don't— That's not—"
"Handkerchief?" Yan blinked. "Since when do you carry trinkets, Xie Yue?"
Hu Liena's grin turned wicked. "Oh, it's no ordinary trinket. A certain someone gifted it to him. Embroidered with a moon, I hear. How romantic."
Xie Yue's face burned. "It's practical. For cleaning blades."
"Of course," Hu Liena singsonged. "And I'm sure you'll 'clean your blade' daily. Very thoroughly."
Yan gasped. "Xie Yue is pining? Who? When? Why wasn't I told?!"
"Who's pinening!" Xie Yue snapped, storming ahead toward the dormitories. "We're done here."
Hu Liena winked at Yan. "He's shy. But mark my words—when he finally admits it, we'll hear wedding bells before breakfast."
As Xie Yue's retreating figure vanished around a corner, Yan sighed dreamily. "Ah, young love! How poetic! Liena, if you ever desire a token of my devotion—"
Hu Liena gave a deadpan look. "Save your verses, Yan. The only token I want is silence."
She sauntered away, leaving Yan clutching his heart, already drafting his future with Liena.
That night, Xie Yue unfolded the handkerchief, moonlight illuminating the embroidered crescent. Hu Liena's tease rang in his ears: "Wedding bells before breakfast!" He scoffed, but a smile lingered.