Number 2, Roland Street, in the backyard.
"Banban, let's brush your fur!" Yu Yu coaxed with a basin of meat. "Good kitty, good kitty, we'll be done soon."
Shu Tu held its big head, keeping the foam out of sight. Zi Shu wielded a large brush, Fuyu manned the hose, both scrubbing hard. Ban Ban's black-and-yellow fur was covered in shampoo bubbles, the big cat smelling fresh and fragrant.
Ban Ban yowled in humiliation, its regal engine purring with grievance. Yu Yu, holding the meat, couldn't resist stroking its round ears.
"Is Ban Ban shedding a bit?"
Zi Shu, mid-scrub, said, "Yeah, maybe malnourished?"
Shu Tu hesitated. "I heard cats shed in summer. Spring, summer, autumn—except winter."
"Summer's worst, too hot, so they swap for thinner fur."
Zi Shu rinsed the brush under the hose, clearing fur. "Ban Ban's fine, but Er Er? It's dropping fur everywhere."
Shu Tu: "I got a lint roller and a robot vacuum. Helps a bit."
"No black clothes this summer, everyone."
Fuyu: "Haven't worn them in forever."
She had the most black clothes.
"Does Ban Ban hate baths?"
Ban Ban sprawled on the ground, grumbling nonstop, utterly pitiful. Yu Yu seized the moment it opened its mouth, tossing in a piece of meat. Ban Ban perked up, shutting its mouth, chewing while trying to nuzzle Yu Yu.
Zi Shu: "Don't move."
She flipped Ban Ban over, brushing its belly. Ban Ban kicked wildly, the scene pure chaos. Fuyu suddenly froze, sensing something, nearly jabbing Zi Shu with the hose.
Zi Shu: "?"
"…You better have a reason."
Fuyu spun to Yu Yu. "Your Senior's here?"
Yu Yu dropped the basin, darting to the front. "Where? Where?"
She ran back.
Fuyu looked up.
Yu Yu followed her gaze.
There, a black-robed woman leaned lightly on the second-floor balcony, looking down.
Yu Yu: "! Senior, when did you get here?!"
"No sound at all!"
Felix: "Just now. Teleport." Her tone was perpetually cool.
Yu Yu: "Senior, wait, I'll prep a feast."
Felix didn't comment, her eyes fixed on the big cat. Ban Ban had buried its face in the food basin, ignoring its bath. Yu Yu logged off to fetch dishes, while Shu Tu and the others wrestled Ban Ban. They'd long been curious about Yu Yu's Senior, but she seemed unapproachable. Spellcasters in this game were haughty… tough to deal with. Better let Yu Yu handle it.
Felix was noncommittal until Yu Yu brought dish after dish. She paused, thoughtful. Staring at the dazzling spread, Felix couldn't help but ask, "How do you have so much food?"
Yu Yu: "…This much? Barely anything."
She'd guessed at Senior's tastes, ordering a table from a hotel. Two-thirds meat, some desserts, a few veggies. Wolves wouldn't eat greens, right?
She'd consulted Zi Shu and the others, finalizing the menu carefully. This table was a drop in the bucket compared to Xia District's vast culinary culture. But who knew if it could be recreated later?
The hotel chef said many ingredients were gone, maybe lost forever if time dragged on…
Yu Yu grew wistful.
Maybe, with more spellcasters, they could bring real-world items here to preserve.
Seeds, animals, plants, books…
Unlike Blue Star, new to anomalies, Silver Moon had been ravaged for years.
They must have experience.
Felix waited primly until Yu Yu handed her a bowl, spoon, and chopsticks.
No waiting now!
Watching Senior eat felt rewarding. Yu Yu beamed with pride.
After a bit, she noticed something.
Why was Senior eating everything?
Meat, veggies, soup, desserts…
Darn, her mission to pinpoint Senior's preferences failed!
Felix ate evenly, savoring each bite, even smiling, clearly pleased.
Noticing Yu Yu's stare, she primly pursed her lips. "Very delicious."
Yu Yu: "Glad you like it, Senior!"
Bringing food now had a high success rate, unlike before.
Their in-game food supply was thriving.
Yesterday's chicken soup overflow? Yu Yu sent some to Senior Meng and Yun Lun.
Don't ask—it's because she added too much water.
Good thing Shu Tu salvaged it.
"Senior, what's the magic circle like?" Yu Yu asked. "And the Enforcement Office?"
Felix set down her chopsticks, organizing her thoughts. "Hm…"
After a moment, she said, "The magic circle is ancient, tracing back to the Silver Era, thriving in the Golden Era, shining alongside the Miges family. The Miges Empire's rise and fall didn't dent the magic circle's status."
Yu Yu blinked.
Silver Era? Golden Era? Miges family?
Was this the world's history?
Library history books were tomes, and Yu Yu had no time to slog through them. Hearing Senior explain, she pricked her ears. She'd log off and post this to the forums, let the nerds dissect it.
When could they bring phones in?
Or take things out?
"Early Dark Era, the magic circle was a transcendent, continent-wide force, known to all, revered by every nation," Felix said, her tone ambiguous. "Back then, it had ancient roots, controlling the continent's resources—from the New Continent in the east, Devil Sea in the west, Ice Lands in the north, to the Windward Isles in the south. The magic circle's reach was everywhere."
"High-tier spellcasters hired retainers, researching globally," she continued. "The magic circle had countless long-lived legendary spellcasters with endless time…"
"From the Silver Era's legacy, they had boundless wealth—sky cities, mage towers, titan statues, wells of life…"
"Then…"
Yu Yu leaned in. "Then?"
Felix sighed. "Anomalies came. Even the magic circle couldn't resist. The continent fell to darkness, and the magic circle…" Her eyes grew complex. "They ignited sky cities, detonated titan statues, destroyed wells of life. Countless legendary spellcasters went mad, becoming stars, their will shielding the tainted sky…"
"The Crowns' will protected the continent, retreating here."
Felix paused. "Even so, the magic circle remains the strongest."
She looked at Yu Yu earnestly. "I told you, the magic circle wields pure power."
"I'll say it again," Felix said solemnly. "The magic circle holds pure power, undimmed even now."
"You'd better trust the magic circle," she added. "Always."
Yu Yu nodded eagerly. "I'll cling to the magic circle's golden thigh, never letting go!"
Felix's eye twitched. "…Since the brief prosperity of the Era's start, the Dark Era has lasted five hundred years, with who knows how many more to come. Even the magic circle has lost countless legacies."
She mused, "You outsiders are peculiar. Maybe you'll recover those legacies."
"Your future lies on the main continent."
Yu Yu scratched her head. "Is it dangerous?"
Felix glanced at her, picking up a drumstick.
After a moment, she said, "Outsiders have the magic circle's protection. You should be fine."
"And if we're not?"
Felix scoffed. "Your world lacks even the magic circle's shield. As anomalies merge, beings even legendary spellcasters can't defeat will descend…"
She eyed Yu Yu. "Just wait and see."
Yu Yu's eyelids twitched. "How'd it come to this?"
Felix: "Who knows."
"If anyone knew the anomalies' cause, we wouldn't be here." She bit into a tangyuan, savoring the sesame filling. Delicious.
"Those things you mentioned? Just a prelude," she said casually. "Small fry mutated by anomalous aura."
"We're doomed, then?" Yu Yu was floored.
A dozen S-class anomalies called small fry? A prelude?!
The big ones were still coming???
Yu Yu wanted to ask more—how outsiders arrived, what Eternal Darkness was, why she could bring items in…
But seeing Senior's face, her questions circled twice and stayed unasked.
Senior seemed junior, not core to the magic circle. She probably didn't know.
Did the Grand Archon know?
Felix: "Thinking about this now is pointless. You're too weak."
Yu Yu gave a wry smile. "I know."
Felix nodded, satisfied. "The magic circle's declined a lot. Beyond the decision-making Speakers and Councilors, there are the Grand Archons."
"You've met Silver Moon's Grand Archon," Felix said. "She governs Silver Moon."
"Others include the Grand Archon of Purification, War, Internal Affairs…"
"Below them, high-tier spellcasters," Felix listed, biting a shrimp ball, delighted. "At the top are the High Stewards, like the Enforcement Office you mentioned."
"The Purification Grand Archon handles internal cleansing—smuggled cultists, mainland mutants, evil god followers, even internal traitors. Her responsibility."
"The Enforcement Office is led by a High Steward, directly under that Grand Archon."
"High Stewards are veteran seniors, experienced, powerful, the Grand Archons' right hands, overseeing key posts."
"Below are Stewards," Felix said, savoring the shrimp. "Like Senior Meng, a Steward."
"Stewards are usually older, respected high-tier spellcasters," she explained. "They handle most practical work."
"Then there's newbies like me," Felix sighed. "Reserve Stewards, awaiting High Steward or Grand Archon review to take posts."
"As for mid-tier spellcasters," her tone dripped disdain, "they train, run errands, that's about it."
"What can they do when high-tier spellcasters are still climbing?"
She didn't even mention low-tier spellcasters!!!
In Senior's eyes, were low-tier spellcasters just kids?
Felix added casually, "In Silver Moon, just don't break the law or cross the Purification Grand Archon."
"Her crew's fierce."
Super fierce!
Yu Yu muttered inwardly.
"Thanks for explaining, Senior. Eat up."
Felix didn't refuse, waving Yu Yu off to not disturb her feast.
Yu Yu: "…"
She propped her chin, watching.
Wolves had big appetites.
Senior showed no sign of slowing.
As she mused, Yu Yu felt something fuzzy on her leg.
Looking down, Ban Ban was rubbing against her.
It strutted arrogantly, circling, but its eyes betrayed its goal.
It stared at the table.
Yu Yu had prepared lots of meat today—it must be drooling.
Yu Yu rubbed its big head, planting a kiss.
Wow, so fragrant, fur sleek and glossy. That shampoo was ace!!!
Felix seemed to sense something, glancing over mid-bite.
Ban Ban froze, head diving under Yu Yu's stool.
Felix: "It wants my food?"
Yu Yu was surprised, trying to pull its head out, but it wouldn't budge.
"It's all for you, Senior. Kitty's just greedy," Yu Yu said. "Its meals have been great lately."
Ban Ban's big head cowered under the stool, trembling, refusing to emerge.
Felix let out an "oh," reining in her aura, and kept eating.
Ban Ban stopped shaking, then bolted.
Shu Tu got tackled by Ban Ban, baffled. "Perfect, let's brush."
Ban Ban buried its face in Shu Tu's arms, purring pitifully, a cat in distress, breaking hearts.
The "king" mark on its forehead was nearly rubbed crooked.
Shu Tu seized the chance to brush.
This guy was pure cat—hated baths, hated brushing, hated cleanliness.
Smelling its soft milky scent, Shu Tu was thrilled.
Who didn't love a fragrant kitty?
The big cat was like a fresh milk candy, oozing milky aroma.
Felix, engrossed in eating, didn't look up.
Yu Yu, sitting, started pacing the room, itching to do something.
She hauled out a sack of potatoes, peeling.
"Tomorrow, I'll make Senior fries," she said. "So tasty, and super easy."
Felix turned. "Oh, got it."
She'd come back tomorrow.
Yu Yu set aside a portion. "Zi Shu, take these potatoes. Sprout them, plant in the yard."
Wei Zishu, fresh from a shower, in linen shorts, hair damp, towel around her neck, combed her hair as she entered.
"We're always planting potatoes," she griped. "Next time, bring onions or garlic."
Yu Yu: "Sure, wonder when we can bring cows or sheep, save a copy."
They chatted, and Zi Shu lugged the potatoes downstairs.
Felix's ears perked. "You can bring live animals?"
Yu Yu: "Not now, but maybe later!"
"Gotta dream big!"
Felix let out an "oh."
Yu Yu: "Senior, how's farming in Silver Moon? Can you buy land? Rent?"
Felix glanced. "What else you planning to plant?"
"Your orange tree hasn't even grown."
She said coolly, "When are you digging it up? Want me to stare at it forever?"
Yu Yu gave an awkward laugh. "Soon, this afternoon."
Felix finally felt a bit full.
She looked at the table wistfully.
Yu Yu: "Senior, know any enchantment-focused Seniors I could ask a few tiny questions?"
Enchantment spells were tough. Even listed, she couldn't cast them.
Different mediums required different effects, with unique spell models!
Yu Yu could only make elemental powder, currently just supplying Shu Tu with elemental arrows.
Shu Tu visited their camp, telling Yu Yu she could sell arrows for income.
Elemental arrows were in demand, valuable.
Shu Tu added that their mentor wanted to meet her.
Yu Yu agreed, of course.
Elemental powder was the simplest enchantment application.
No one sold it because spellcasters were too aloof to bother with ranger camps.
But money? Count her in!
Felix mused, "Sure, Meng, right?"
Yu Yu was shocked: "Isn't she summoning?"
Felix looked puzzled: "Yes, summoning, but summoning and enchantment schools are close."
"She can teach you, no problem."
Yu Yu lit up, rubbing her hands. "Would Senior Meng agree? She seems busy…"
Felix summoned a night raven. "Ask and find out."
The purple raven vanished out the window. Yu Yu gaped.
"That's it?"
No formal letter or anything?
Just a raven?
Felix, confused: "What else?"
She realized, "Meng knows you. Next time, give her your raven code."
"She'll likely let your raven through."
Felix mused, "Ravens know which spellcasters match which codes. You could send it directly."
"But that's rude," she said. "You're nearing mid-tier. Make friends, swap raven codes. You never know when they'll help."
Yu Yu nodded earnestly. "Got it!"
As they spoke, a raven zipped in.
Felix pointed. "…Hm, she's here."
Yu Yu: "?"
What?
Before she processed, a knock came from downstairs.
Yu Yu, stunned, peered from the balcony and jumped down.
Meng turned, eyebrow raised. "Yo, that eager?"
"Pretty agile, jumping straight down?"
Yu Yu realized what she'd done.
Whoa, she just leapt off?!
Fuyu's bad habits!
Felix: "…"
But Yu Yu, spotting the white-robed spellcaster beside Meng, paused.
"Long time no see, little one~" she greeted with a grin.
"I was chatting with Meng when Felix's raven came. I tagged along," she smiled. "You don't mind, right?"
Yu Yu's mouth twitched. "No way! Welcome, super welcome."
Shu Tu opened the door, looking at Yu Yu with exasperation.
The trio was by the ground floor's unlit fireplace, playing Monopoly.
They watched the two spellcasters ascend gracefully.
Different lives!
Darn it!
They'd take Yu Yu's lead. Zi Shu resolved to cozy up to the Wind Singer tomorrow!!!
Shu Tu planned to book magic circle lessons, then drag Yu Yu to the camp.
No time to waste!
Fuyu poked Zi Shu. "When's your mount coming? Shu Tu's got aerial scouting. You?"
"I wanna hitch a ride!"
Zi Shu swatted her hand. "Not sharing, even if I get it!"
Their bickering escalated. Shu Tu, quietly winning, said, "Pay up."
"Huh? Six again?"
Meng gasped, grabbing a stool across from Felix. "You're having a feast?"
The white-robed spellcaster sat without hesitation, grinning at Felix. "Little wolf, been a while~"
Felix's face chilled. "Why are you here?"
"I'm little Yu's boss. She's always slacking—why can't I come?"
Meng snatched chopsticks, diving in.
Felix, too busy to deal with the troublemaker, pursed her lips and ate.
White-robe: "???"
Yu Yu stared, deadpan.
Did they notice?
Senior was food-protective!
Still grabbing? Grabbing? Grabbing?
Senior was savoring slowly, but now, the trio's frenzy cleared the table at lightspeed under Yu Yu's stunned gaze.
Soon, Yu Yu cleared dishes. Felix ignored the attention-seeking troublemaker, turning to Meng. "Senior Meng, Yu wants to ask about enchantment spells."
Meng sat primly. "Sure, no problem."
"Wait, what's Yu's raven code?"
"9599!" Yu Yu called, climbing the stairs.
The white-robed figure smiled. "We meet again, little one."
Yu Yu: "…Hello, Senior."
Meng introduced, "Call her Chang. You're still under her, right?"
Before Yu Yu answered, Meng mused, "Whatever, listed or not, she's always goofing off, stirring trouble, no real work. She'll get sacked eventually."
Chang bristled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Yu Yu: "Hello, Senior Chang."
Felix said coldly "She's the Grand Archon's, a High Steward, super annoying."
Yu Yu froze. This was a High Steward?
…Guess strength and personality aren't linked.
Super annoying?
Yu Yu's expression turned odd.
Chang grinned. "Let me tell you, Felix as a kid…"
Felix snapped her chopsticks.
Chang shut up, looking innocent. "What? What? What?"
She was one of little wolf's guardians!
Sigh, grown wolves weren't fun to tease.
So fluffy and cute back then.
She pivoted, distracting Felix. "Listen, the Grand Archon plans to have high-tier spellcasters double as Four Towns Archons. You guys…"
Yu Yu saw Senior about to erupt when a night raven appeared.
A calm, steady female voice came. "My lady, the Wind Singer's causing trouble again. Check it out."
"She slashed the central statue."
Chang: "???"
"Her again?!" Chang fumed.
Central statue? Which one?
Yu Yu mused.
Not the big silver wolf, right?
Seeing them stand, Yu Yu said, "I'm going too!"
Meng pressed her shoulder.
Blink, the four vanished from the second floor.
Yu Yu opened her eyes, on the plaza.
High-tier spellcasters' travel was too enviable!
If she could do that… her survivability would skyrocket!
Yu Yu adjusted to the light, looking up.
Chang: "Wind Singer, get down here!"