Soto City at Night
The advancement of transportation made the nights in Soto City more vibrant than the day. Bright lights, bustling streets—it was a city that never truly slept.
In all of the Barak Kingdom, only Soto could boast such a magnificent and lively scene.
Its proximity to the Star Dou Great Forest gave it a natural edge. Many academies chose to rest here during spirit ring hunting trips.
And here, academy rules were often relaxed. Students were allowed to unwind after the tension of surviving their first forest expedition.
After all, returning from a life-threatening hunt was traumatic. Nightmares were almost guaranteed for a few days.
At this moment, in a corner of a lively tavern...
"Oh come on, Sister Yiran, it's just a little drink. Didn't the teacher say we could enjoy ourselves this time?"
Several boys and girls in academy uniforms sat around a table, chatting. One of them looked eagerly at the pretty girl at the head of the table, trying to persuade her.
"Yeah, it's just wheat wine. It won't even make you drunk!"
"Please, Sister Yiran! You're the vice-captain, let us have this!"
"I really just want to try what it tastes like..."
But no matter how they pleaded, the girl remained calm and unmoved.
She looked about fifteen or sixteen. Short, neat blue-gray hair framed her face. Her skin was porcelain-smooth, her nose delicate, her blue-gray eyes bright and sharp. There was a strength to her appearance, with a subtle charm beneath it.
Her school uniform highlighted her graceful figure, and her long legs added to her striking presence—poised, commanding, almost untouchable.
"No means no."
The girl—Meng Yiran—frowned, her voice calm but firm. Her eyes swept across the table.
"We'll be entering the Star Dou Great Forest in a few days. This is not the time to lose control. If the teacher hadn't insisted, I wouldn't have let you come out tonight at all."
Her words dampened the group's excitement. Silence fell over the table.
Realizing her tone had been too harsh, Meng Yiran softened slightly.
"You can't have alcohol, but you can order any drinks or food you want. It's on me."
"I'm going to wash my hands. You guys go ahead and order."
She stood up and walked away.
After a moment of silence, a boy scowled and muttered.
"She's so uptight. Nothing's ever allowed. She really thinks she's some big shot because she's vice-captain."
His complaint sparked instant agreement.
"Yeah. If she didn't have those powerful grandparents, who'd even care about her?"
"I heard the Peerless Dragon and Snake came to help hunt spirit rings this time, and she refused. Said she had to take care of us. What a show-off."
"Exactly! If she really cared, why not ask the Peerless Dragon and Snake to help us too?"
"I've been sick of her for a while now."
Their voices rose with each bitter word, resentment and jealousy pouring out freely.
Why is she so talented?
Why does she have such powerful grandparents?
Why does she get to boss us around?
They were so caught up in their venting, none of them noticed the figure quietly standing nearby.
Those familiar blue-gray eyes were filled with loss... and confusion.
Meng Yiran had always remembered her grandparents' words: she didn't need to join any academy. As the granddaughter of the Peerless Dragon and Snake, she didn't belong there.
But she had insisted. She believed she was just like everyone else.
She never used the privileges offered by the principal. She shared her training resources to get along with classmates.
This time, she even begged her grandparents to help her classmates hunt spirit rings.
And yet... this was how they truly saw her?
"So yeah," one boy continued loudly, unaware of her presence, "she should just drop out. Always acting like she's better than everyone else."
Then he noticed the sudden silence.
Everyone was staring behind him, their faces pale with fear.
Gulp—
He turned around stiffly.
Behind him stood a tall girl with short blue-gray hair.
Meng Yiran.
"S-sister Yiran, we…"
The boy trembled as he tried to explain. The others were no better—frozen in fear.
They'd been caught badmouthing someone with the power to have them expelled with a single word.
But the storm never came.
Meng Yiran only glanced at them then picked up a bottle of beer from the table... and drank it all in one go.
Then, without a word, she turned and left.
Only her graceful silhouette remained in their eyes.
"Wait... that bottle of wine!"
One boy suddenly panicked, his expression changing drastically.
"What about it?" another asked.
"I-I put something in it," he stammered. "Just a prank! One glass would make someone... act weird."
"What about an entire bottle?"
Everyone went stiff.
"I don't know! The old guy who sold it to me just said—don't let anyone drink the whole thing!! I just wanted to embarrass her…"
The boy was shaking. "We're screwed! If the Peerless Dragon and Snake finds out, they'll kill us!"
The others instantly turned pale, despair sinking in.
Outside the tavern...
Meng Yiran pushed open the door. Her steps were uneven, her head spinning.
What's going on...?
The cool night breeze helped a little, but her cheeks grew hotter. A strange heat surged through her body.
"Is this wine really that strong...?"
Her cherry lips parted, a breath of hot air escaping. Her delicate face flushed with a red hue.
Then—an urge.
A strange desire to take off her clothes.
If I knew this would happen, I never would've drunk that.
She silently regretted her reckless decision.
She felt eyes on her—curious, confused stares from those passing by.
Gritting her teeth, she hurried away from the tavern.
Her grandparents were in the city. If she sent out a signal, they'd be there in minutes.
But she couldn't bear to let them see her like this.
"It's just alcohol," she told herself. "I can handle this. I won't trouble Grandpa and Grandma…"
Her legs weakened further. The heat in her body was growing unbearable, like fire rising from her soul.
I need to find somewhere quiet. Somewhere with no people...
Panting, Meng Yiran clutched the wall for support, stumbling forward.
She didn't notice—
In the shadows behind her, several pairs of eyes were silently watching.