Yu Yu's head spun from Meng's vigorous shaking, her mind still grappling with how to explain the situation when the Grand Archon's voice cut through the air nearby.
"Meng's spirit is damaged. She cannot consume the Deep Blue Potion for now."
Meng: "…"
Yu Yu blinked, caught off guard. "Damaged spirit? What does that mean?"
Meng sighed, rubbing her temples. "It means drinking it won't do any good…"
Yu Yu frowned, her curiosity piqued. "So, what's really going on?"
Before Meng could respond, the Grand Archon, Feng Ye, swooped in—surprisingly, she hadn't left after all. Her piercing gaze fixed on Yu Yu. "Due to an accident in the past, Meng's foundation was irreparably harmed. She can never advance further."
Yu Yu's expression shifted instantly, her voice rising in alarm. "Senior!"
Meng massaged her temples, wincing. "Don't yell, don't yell. There's no need to make a fuss about this, is there?"
Yu Yu's lips pursed, her tone tinged with hurt. "How is this not worth telling me? I could pull strings with the seniors, find a way to heal you!"
The seniors exchanged glances: […]
Yu Yu pressed on, undeterred. "There are so many powerful figures out there! Grand Archon, is there any way to cure Senior Meng?"
Feng Ye's voice was cold, almost detached. "If there were a way, do you think I'd let her stay like this?"
Yu Yu bit her lip, then blurted out, "So, the Kaman Potion could work for Senior Meng? Was Senior Chang baiting me to help her?"
The déjà vu was unmistakable now.
Her voice softened, laced with frustration. "Why couldn't you just tell me directly? Why all the secrecy?"
Meng groaned, at a loss for words.
Chang chimed in mentally: [It's her fault.]
[She's been saying you're too young, barely read a book, know next to nothing, and shouldn't be burdened with too much pressure. She wanted to wait until you were stronger before asking for your help.]
[Hmph, I don't need to guess to know she's worried you'd get hurt and she'd feel guilty.]
Yu Yu fell silent, her gaze locking onto Meng with an accusing intensity.
Meng tugged her hood lower, clearing her throat awkwardly. "Don't look at me like that. You just promised Her Majesty that you wouldn't leave until she returns."
Chang: [And when Her Majesty returns, it'll be time for Yu Yu to head to headquarters for advanced training.]
Yu Yu was already teetering on the edge of high-tier status. With her knack for stirring trouble, if they didn't hurry and send her to Her Majesty for supervision, they might not survive the chaos. As a mid-tier spellcaster, she'd already roamed freely, drawing the attention of figures like the Lord of Shadows and Dreams. Once she reached high-tier, who knew what she'd unleash?
Meng shrugged, unfazed. "I'm in no rush."
Noticing Yu Yu's expression, she quickly added, "But since it's out in the open now, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye out for anything that might help me. I'd be eternally grateful."
Yu Yu's expression softened, though only slightly. She was still upset but struggled to articulate it. The more she thought, the angrier she grew. Why was Senior Meng so formal with her? Did she really think Yu Yu would forget her?
After a moment of stewing, Yu Yu stood abruptly and leaned close to Meng's ear.
Meng raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"
Yu Yu whispered, casting a crude sound barrier. "Then Senior, you owe me 100% favorability."
Meng's eyes widened in genuine surprise. That was it? She'd half-expected Yu Yu to demand something outrageous, like making her sprout a tail—after all, Chong was the real eccentric.
Just as she was about to agree, Meng hesitated, glancing at her favorability rewards and the conditions she'd casually set long ago. "Ahem, there's also unconditional combat support and butler duties," she whispered back, matching Yu Yu's hushed tone. "What if I actually have to follow through?"
Yu Yu's frustration eased, and she pouted playfully. "I don't care! I want it!"
"You're taking advantage of me!" Meng teased, pointing at her.
Yu Yu finally cracked a grin, wrapping her arms around Meng's neck. "Just say yes, Senior."
Chang: [I could give you 100% favorability.]
Yu Yu scoffed. "What do I need you for, Senior Chang? To eat melons while I do the work?"
Chang, Silver Moon's infamous gossip enthusiast, muttered, [Am I really that useless?]
Meng stifled a laugh, tugging her hood again. "You planned this from the start, didn't you?"
Yu Yu protested, "No way! It was just a spur-of-the-moment thing."
Feng Ye, bewildered, interjected, "How did my High Steward end up as your butler?"
She felt her trusted subordinate was being poached.
Yu Yu looked up defiantly. "Then cure Senior Meng, Grand Archon!"
Feng Ye was at a loss for words.
Yu Yu crossed her arms. "If I can heal Senior Meng, wouldn't you want to see that, Grand Archon?"
Feng Ye found herself cornered again but refocused on the matter at hand. "So, how many bottles do you have?"
Meng, curious, glanced at Yu Yu. "Given her generosity, probably quite a few."
Even Qiong and Chang remembered—likely at least 20 bottles.
Felix swept a glance over them but said nothing.
Though she hadn't gotten a direct answer from Senior Meng, Yu Yu's mood had lightened. She tilted her head smugly. "Guess, Grand Archon."
Feng Ye: "…"
Seeing her expression, Yu Yu relented slightly. "Twenty bottles! Plus the recipes. And some other potions." She paused, recalling the rest. "What's the Crimson Potion? Do the seniors know? And the Viridian Potion, the Amethyst Potion…" She frowned. "Also with recipes."
"Though His Grace—er, the Sealed One—rarely speaks the truth, he's quite generous."
Xue quickly explained, [They're potions for Strength, Constitution, and Agility, effective for high-tier professionals. Very valuable.]
She added, [For spellcasters, though, the Deep Blue Potion is more critical. While they might enhance Constitution, high-tier potions for other attributes are often unnecessary— wasteful, even.]
Chong poked her head in. "I disagree. The Transformation School needs those attributes. The more, the better."
Yu Yu glanced at her inventory, then asked, "Senior, are you for sale?"
Chong: "Sold!"
Gui Fan coughed awkwardly. [Ahem.]
Chong, realizing her phrasing, cleared her throat. "I mean, I can't exactly sell myself yet. Can I owe you?"
The Transformation School was unique—immensely powerful and versatile, rivaling major schools like Elemental Summoning, but resource-intensive. Chong had pushed her attributes to high-tier through various means, but advancing further was a pipe dream.
Yu Yu calculated and handed her one of each potion. "Fine, I'll let you owe me."
She wasn't pursuing the Transformation School, so while she needed other attributes, it wasn't urgent. Chong, fighting on the front lines, would benefit more from a boost—safer, too.
As for the rest, she'd save them for her teammates and Lynn. Oh, and did Duchess Wolf need any?
The Crimson (Strength) Potion had 10 bottles, but Viridian (Constitution) and Amethyst (Agility) only had five each. Maybe she'd just… forget about the Duchess for now?
Yu Yu glanced guiltily at Senior Meng.
Felix: "I don't need any."
Yu Yu: "Oh, okay."
Great, the Duchess was officially forgotten!
Xue reminded her, [The recipes, the recipes!]
Yu Yu promptly submitted to the magic circle.
[Submitted: Recipes for 'Deep Blue Potion,' 'Crimson Potion,' 'Viridian Potion,' 'Amethyst Potion.' Verified as lost inventory by 'Silver Moon Grand Archon—Feng Ye.' Submission successful.]
[Rewards: +2,000,000 points, +400,000 gold coins, +0.04 magic circle favorability.]
"Is this real?" Yu Yu's eyes sparkled like gold coins. "I'll never want for points again! So much money! Magic circle, love me again!"
Feng Ye felt a sinking premonition. Checking Yu Yu's data, she sighed. "Ugh…"
The magic circle's judgment was impartial, and she couldn't interfere. These four recipes could revolutionize their current situation, especially the Deep Blue Potion. A surge of top-tier spellcasters was imminent. Many spellcasters were stuck at high-tier due to resource shortages, and while Yu Yu's potions were valuable, the recipes were the true game-changer. With them, they could develop weaker versions or substitutes—especially since Yu Yu had also brought back a trove of rare ingredients.
The rewards were spiraling out of control. How would they incentivize her in the future? Turn Felix into a wolf for her to play with?
Feng Ye shook her head, already fretting over inflation. Was the magic circle's gold reserve too bloated? Could they quietly siphon some off to curb future payouts?
Snapping back, she caught Yu Yu's wary glance.
Feng Ye waved a hand weakly. "What? Not satisfied with the rewards?"
Yu Yu narrowed her eyes. "I think you were just plotting to skim my rewards."
Feng Ye's gaze drifted. "Me? Would I do that?"
"You would. You totally would."
Feng Ye: "Nonsense."
Xue, sensing Feng Ye's lack of conviction, received a magic circle alert about suspicious activity. Checking, she found Yu Yu on a spending spree, buying every publicly available spell below the fourth ring, regardless of school.
Xue was speechless. [A rat in a rice bin, huh? No ambition.]
Yu Yu, staring at her remaining points, felt like she was floating on clouds. "Hehe, hehe…"
Her giggles betrayed her ecstatic state.
Feng Ye coughed. "What about the remaining potions?"
Yu Yu snapped back as Feng Ye's hand clamped her shoulder, the Archon's dark eyes gleaming with urgency. Yu Yu briefly considered teasing her but relented. "Three bottles each for both seniors. They'll need them eventually, even if they don't drink them now."
Feng Ye's lips twitched, but she stayed silent.
"Already gave two to Senior Chong," Yu Yu continued. "Two each for Seniors Chang and Qiong. That's four more gone." She paused, thinking. "That's it, I guess."
Seniors Dai Dai and Xue didn't need them, and she wasn't close enough with the others to share. Yunlun could use one, but as a recent mid-tier, she was far from needing high-tier potions. By then, the magic circle would likely produce its own Deep Blue Potions.
Feng Ye coughed again. "So, you've got eight bottles left?"
Yu Yu nodded. "Yeah, sounds good, right?"
After a long stare, Yu Yu grinned. "Come on, Grand Archon, say it. How am I supposed to know what you're thinking if you don't?"
Feng Ye let out a dry chuckle.
Yu Yu danced on the edge of her patience, spreading her arms like a roc. "What's so funny? I can't read your mind!"
The live feed erupted: […]
Flame Sovereignty: [Amusing.]
Jin Che sighed: [Oh, Yu Yu.]
Gui Fan: [Haha, Feng Ye's suffering could be mine instead.]
Meng coughed twice. "Yu Yu."
Yu Yu stopped her antics, grinning. "Fine, the rest are for you, Grand Archon—filial tribute from your adorable subordinates! No rewards this time!" She handed over the potions, seizing the chance to lecture. "Look at me, then look at you. You've got to learn from my generosity. Be as open-handed as I am, and you'll never worry about wealth!"
Feng Ye snorted. "Like you? If I were like you, the magic circle would be bankrupt."
She huffed. "We have the recipes now. They won't go without."
Yu Yu shook her head. "Open the purse strings, not just pinch pennies. Which is better, Grand Archon?"
Feng Ye, now holding the potions and mentally allocating them, crossed her arms coolly. "I'm no good at opening purses. I'm great at pinching, though. Want to try?"
Yu Yu: "That's cheating."
Amid their bickering, they soared above the allied forces. Yu Yu glanced at the Silver Armored Legion, then at the players, a twinge of worry creeping in. She'd meant to stick with the Duchess and the players but had gotten sidetracked by a mission. Ahem.
Feng Ye skimmed a report, nodding approvingly. "They've done well. No major issues, all within expectations."
Yu Yu: "What about the Second Squad? How're they holding up?"
Feng Ye shot her a look. "You dare mention the Second Squad? You, their leader, vanished. They might as well have disbanded."
Yu Yu's face fell. "And why did I vanish?"
Feng Ye: "How should I know?"
Yu Yu nearly cursed. Grand Archon, you're impossible! Trash!
Xue chimed in: [They've gained a lot, but some haven't finished their tasks and didn't want to leave. We dragged them back.]
Yu Yu's curiosity sparked. "What'd they get? Any Restoration School spells?"
Xue: [Yes, two second-ring Restoration spells: Restore Stamina and Restore Spirit. Shang Wei and [I ate without washing dishes] brought them back.]
Yu Yu checked her list, realizing she'd already bought them in her earlier spree. "Not bad!" she said, pleased. "Shame they're not group spells."
Xue: [It's solid progress. With enough foundational spells, we can derive the rest. Single-target spells are a start—group spells will follow. It's just a matter of time.]
Yu Yu nodded vaguely. "Big shots, you're amazing!"
A cheer of "666" felt appropriate.
The high-tier spellcasters, usually separate from the Second Squad, were now chatting animatedly in small groups atop ghostly rays. The players, pushed to the sidelines, didn't dare approach.
The Duchess's forces had taken heavy losses. Yu Yu scanned for Shu Tu, Zishu, and the others, her heart sinking. The silver armor was stained crimson, countless stretchers bore the wounded, and many soldiers were missing limbs. Compared to the spellcasters, who seemed unscathed, the soldiers had faced far greater peril.
Yu Yu spotted the Duchess, her brow furrowed as she directed the army and assessed casualties. Still no sign of Shu Tu or the others. While the spellcasters had emerged intact, the Duchess's army had suffered grievously.
Yet, both the Duchess and the players hauled crates of unopened loot—valuable at a glance. Still… Yu Yu sighed.
Feng Ye was already conferring with Meng and Xue. Meng, ever the listless office drone, slumped, while Xue answered coolly. Yu Yu dusted her robes, waved at them, and headed toward the players.
[I ate without washing dishes] shouted, "Boss! Over here!"
Qian Qing and the others paused their mission talk, ears perked. They couldn't hear the spellcasters but could see Yu Yu's popularity. Once, they'd been jealous—now, they lacked the energy. Craning their necks, they could barely glimpse her back. How could they compete?
Yu Yu noticed Shang Wei, who seemed dazed, almost off. "What's up with her?"
[I ate without washing dishes]: "No clue. She came back from the mission like that." She launched into a ramble. "Lemme tell you, this game's plot is wild. You know how the Restoration School branch fell? Pollution, knowledge curses—but the real kicker? An inside job!"
Yu Yu raised an eyebrow. "What kind?"
[I ate without washing dishes]: "Some prodigy spellcaster, super popular, sabotaged the magic circle when the anomaly hit, letting pollution wipe everyone out. Shang Wei insists the person wasn't herself anymore—replaced. She went on about details, even made a timeline, but I didn't catch much. Something about an anomaly called Endless Masquerade, weak but sinister, taking down a legendary branch. Total horror show…"
Yu Yu glanced at Shang Wei. "So, what's her deal?"
[I ate without washing dishes] shrugged. "Beats me. She's been spacey, like she's possessed or something."
Shang Wei suddenly looked up, her gaze unsettlingly unfamiliar. "Yu Yu," she said, her voice heavy yet hopeful, "do you believe in miracles?"
Yu Yu tilted her head. "Not really. Tell me."
Shang Wei hesitated, then murmured, "Like… a coma patient waking up, with all their memories and emotions intact…"
Yu Yu: "Before the anomalies? That'd be great."
Shang Wei's voice dropped, her eyes brimming with suppressed emotion. "And after?"
Yu Yu: "I believe the sky drops traps, not pies."
Their seniors seemed to overhear, and a call came: "Yu Yu, over here."
Yu Yu waved but didn't move. "Shang Wei, you're sharp. When you start doubting, you already know the answer. Trust your gut—it's often the truest guide."
Turning, she called, "Grand Archon, I'm taking the Second Squad to make our presence felt!"
Ignoring Shang Wei's troubled expression, she rallied the group. "Everyone got spirit left? Let's cast a healing spell for the Duchess's troops."
[I ate without washing dishes]: "Boss, you nabbed a new spell?! We did too! So many points, so much cash! First time I'm this loaded!"
Shang Wei's face was grim as she staggered up, silently gripping her staff and stepping aside.
Yu Yu: "No stress. We'll use a simple ritual. Lend me your spirit, and I'll handle the rest."
Wen Ming couldn't help but say, "Boss, you're unreal."
They'd learned enough to know spellcasting's challenges, especially for the ritual leader. Yet Yu Yu made it sound effortless. Wen Ming felt inadequate by comparison.
Yu Yu grinned. "If you've got energy, stand. If not, hang back."
The Second Squad mostly rose. "We've got a bit left."
"Was tapped out, but the leader's call gave me a boost."
"Healing spell? The magic circle has those? News to me!"
Whether to impress the high-tier spellcasters or for other reasons, they rallied enthusiastically. Yu Yu raised her staff. "Report your spirit levels."
With the data in hand, she assigned positions and turned to begin. Mass Revival, a new spell, lacked senior Meng's tuning, so she opted for a ritual. Focus was key.
As Yu Yu closed her eyes, a warm white glow gathered overhead, its gentle radiance bathing the exhausted soldiers below. They looked up, drawn to the vibrant life force.
So soothing, so warm—let it fall!
The wounded, the dying, the maimed, and the weary all gazed upward. The glowing orb grew, its vitality thickening, almost liquid. Yu Yu sensed it nearing its limit and swung her staff through the air.
The white light cascaded like rain.
"Ah!"
"That's my teammate! The one leading—my teammate!" Fuyu leapt up at the army's edge, nearly stumbling from numbness. Supported by her team, she pointed skyward, brimming with pride. Her blood-soaked leather armor was unrecognizable, her pollution levels breaching 30 for the first time. She beamed, introducing her teammate to her squad.
The warm light washed over her, easing her fatigue and restoring sensation to her aching limbs. Her teammates, touched by the glow, saw minor wounds heal, severe ones improve, and critical injuries at least dulled in pain. They looked skyward with awe and envy, admiring their captain.
Spellcasters were incredible. The magic circle had such spells!
Shu Tu, bloodied, gazed up with a faint smile. "Move the wounded to open ground so Yu Yu can see them." Her fingers, raw from drawing her bow, had used all her potions on her squad. Under the light, her numb arms and cramping wrists eased, her torn fingers healing without a scar.
"Centurion? What'd you say?"
Zi Shu, delirious on a stretcher, mumbled, "It's Yu Yu. Gotta be her…"
"What fish?" Her squad guarded the stretcher, puzzled. "Hurry, move the Centurion forward for more light."
Zi Shu: "At a time like this, it's definitely her."
Certain despite her squad's confusion, she closed her eyes, ready to expire. Players couldn't regrow limbs—better to die and respawn. She'd told her squad, but they didn't believe her. She'd prove it with action.
"Centurion!"
Yu Yu glanced over at the sudden cry. The Duchess, looking up, wore a deeply relieved expression. She'd always known Yu Yu and the magic circle were different. Yu Yu saw beyond spellcasters, recognizing the soldiers' sacrifices. Perhaps, as Felix had said, Yu Yu held the hope for change.
The light eventually faded, leaving many unhealed, with severe wounds only stabilized. Yet the army's morale had transformed. Hope replaced the post-war silence, infusing the troops with vitality.
The Duchess, seizing the moment, ordered the march home. Yu Yu, seeing the bustling activity below—and some inexplicable weeping—nodded in satisfaction. "Mission accomplished."
Though she'd been absent mid-battle, the Second Squad had made its mark at the critical moment. She shouldn't have sent everyone on missions—half should've stayed to support the army with healing spells. Wait, the players didn't know those before. Never mind. But now… did they still not know?
Yu Yu spun around, jogging back. "Grand Archon!"
The high-tier spellcasters watched her approach, smiling. Feng Ye, in a good mood, teased, "What now?"
Yu Yu: "I can't be the only one casting, or I'll be stuck here forever. When can the Second Squad learn Restoration spells?"
Feng Ye, having anticipated this, replied instantly, "They're already available. Let them study on their own."
Yu Yu's concerns vanished. She glanced at the players. Unlike the Duchess's disciplined guards, the players were a chaotic mess, their ranks loose but their spirits high with characteristic exuberance. Feng Ye had said they'd performed well, and a peek at the forums confirmed it.
["Battlefield lacked command, guilds too small. Next campaign, form groups first to avoid wasting skills and potions…"]
Reflective posts flooded the front page, refreshing every minute. This event was unique to the Allen Peninsula. Players in the March Archipelago and Windward Isles felt like abandoned children, untouched by Eternal Darkness's favor. While the Peninsula enjoyed order, the other regions were brutal, with players used as cannon fodder or test subjects. Peninsula players, in a lawful faction, faced only monsters and missions, but the other islands previewed the main continent's harsh reality: aliens, anomalies, dark gods, and high-tier professionals.
Seeing the Peninsula's treatment, Archipelago and Isles players were bitterly envious, boosting a massive thread: ["When will the magic circle expand to March Archipelago and Windward Isles?"]
The post hit thousands of pages, shocking Yu Yu. She turned to Feng Ye. "Does the magic circle oversee the Isles or Archipelago?"
Feng Ye didn't look up. "No time."
She asked, "What's up?"
With the live feed off, only Feng Ye and High Steward Chong were present. Yu Yu showed her the thread.
Feng Ye's expression didn't flicker. "Oh, too bad. No plans for that. No time."
Yu Yu dropped it, sensing the magic circle was stretched thin. She didn't reply to the thread, leaving room for future hope. Her words carried weight now, often overanalyzed as hints of magic circle decisions—even by the Federation. Explaining was futile; they'd nod publicly but dissect her words privately. Frustrated, Yu Yu considered a smurf account.
The journey back to Silver Moon was uneventful. Exhausted, Yu Yu and the seniors deferred remaining tasks to the next day. Meng, predictably, teleported home to sleep. She was barely less tired than Yu Yu, prone to dozing off.
Bidding her farewell, both yawned, chuckling at their shared drowsiness.
Yu Yu: "Now you know what being sleepy feels like, Senior."
Meng grumbled, "And why am I this tired?"
Yu Yu dodged the question, grinning. "Go sleep, Senior. See you tonight!"
She bet Meng would crash until evening. Meng, too tired to argue, nodded and teleported away.
Yu Yu called after her, "Careful with that teleport, Senior. Don't crash into a wall."
Felix's cool voice cut in. "High-tier spellcasters don't make such amateur mistakes."
Yu Yu: "But I heard Silver Moon used to allow flying, and spellcasters kept hitting walls."
Felix: "Hence the flight ban."
Yu Yu: "You're not rushing off, Senior?"
Felix nodded calmly. "I'll stay a few days. Find me when you're online."
Yu Yu: "Got it! I still need to nag the Grand Archon about buying me a house!"
Felix nodded approvingly. "Sleep. I'm heading back."
She teleported away without waiting for a reply, likely to collapse herself.
At home, Yu Yu found her half-elf friend perched on the windowsill, legs swinging. "You lot seem to have had quite the adventure," she said, ears twitching. "I saw you haul back tons of stuff."
Yu Yu approached.
Lynn's emerald eyes narrowed. "No touching my hair!"
Yu Yu: "Not touching."
Lynn hopped up nimbly. "No pinching my ears either."
Yu Yu: "I've got something good for you. Want it?"
Lynn: "You just want to pinch my ears!"
Yu Yu, exhausted, yawned. "You don't get it. I'm sleeping first, then we'll talk when I'm online."
Lynn waved her off like a squirrel. "Fine, I'll wait."
Satisfied, Yu Yu logged off. Her teammates were already offline, the sound of showers echoing from the bathroom. Yu Yu bathed, collapsed into bed with wet hair, and was out.
~
Upon Waking
Yu Yu checked the time—8 p.m. She'd slept 11 hours. Wow.
Lingering in bed, she scrolled the forums instead of logging in. A new link caught her eye: the magic circle's own forum, seamlessly integrated with a mysterious design. She spotted a nickname prompt—likely Senior Zong or Xue's handiwork. Impressive.
Curious, she clicked in, spotting a top post:
["I'm about to leave you high-tier spellcasters behind!"]
Chong: Top-tier! [PandaForkWaist.jpg]