The Duchess's question was utterly disarming. Had Yu Yu not read that book, she might've managed. But after digesting its contents, her head throbbed. How was she supposed to answer?
Before Er Er, she'd never kept pets, though she'd seen others'...
Yu Yu chose her words carefully. "From what I've observed, pets are treated like family or close friends—fed and cared for with meticulous attention."
More like pampered royalty...
She pivoted smoothly. "But my experience isn't universal. To answer Your Grace thoroughly, I'll consult others and compile a comprehensive history of pet-keeping practices, from ancient times to now, as a formal treatise."
The Duchess, who'd asked offhandedly, blinked in confusion. "...That complicated?"
Yu Yu nodded gravely. "As Your Grace's advisor, I must be diligent."
Time to dump a task on Yu Bai!
The Duchess pondered, then shook her head. "I've no further questions for now. Off you go."
Yu Yu bolted. Clutching the book, she sought the Grand Archon, but found her absent. Deflated, Yu Yu left the castle. What was the Grand Archon playing at?
Back home, it was still early. Lynn and Senior hadn't arrived. Yu Yu divvied up her gold coins into portions—payments to settle. Overall, this mission was a massive win, clean and decisive. The downside? Her strategy was a one-time trick. NPCs and players alike could mimic it.
Players might lack her knack for resource coordination, but she wasn't the only spellcaster among them. Complacency was dangerous.
Strength was the true currency.
She drafted a table.
Short-Term Goals:
1. Bolster mid-tier spellcaster combat prowess—consolidate gear, skills, and buy new spells. Her recent haul was substantial; it was time to refine her arsenal.
2. Secure an EXP-grinding gig for her teammates. Their levels couldn't lag too far behind, and she couldn't tag along with Senior's crew for hunts.
3. Visit the Pioneer camp to investigate protective spells... maybe useful in reality too, right?
4. Tackle that legendary figure's quest—time to wrap it up?
Mid-Term Goals:
1. Get her farm operational. A cunning rabbit needs three burrows—self-sufficiency in reality and Eternal Darkness. Build now, aim high: open restaurants across the Allen Peninsula!
2. Start a newspaper for fun. Senior loves reading; it might prove useful later. Cough, mostly it's fun. She definitely wasn't itching to see the Grand Archon swapped around in stories...
Long-Term Goals:
1. Study, study, study! Learning never stops! Master basic spell theory, summoning, enchanting, elemental magic, evocation, even negative energy... She'd craft her own spell models, not lean on Senior forever.
2. Uncover how the magic circle once tracked the 'Flora Cataclysm' source.
Unless desperate, Yu Yu hoped to halt such decay. She still dreamed of basking in sunlight, maybe inviting Senior to visit her world.
Sigh, let this disaster pass soon.
After outlining the framework, Yu Yu added minor details, then stowed her pen and table. The Grand Archon's motives were a puzzle. What was she after?
Yu Yu sat by the window, book in hand, but her thoughts drifted to the Silver Moon Sky Wolf. The magic circle and the Duchess? The Grand Archon and the Duchess? The magic circle and Senior? The Grand Archon and Senior?
What did they think of each other?
And what did any of it have to do with her, an outsider?
What did the Grand Archon want from her?
She's not planning to gift me a wolf pup to raise, is she?
Lost in thought, Yu Yu slipped into a daydream.
"Trouble?"
A sudden voice jolted her.
Felix sat in a chair. "What's on your mind?"
Yu Yu froze.
Should she tell Senior?
What if Senior didn't know?
In Eternal Darkness, Felix was her most trusted ally.
But... this involved Senior too!
Felix glanced at the empty table, then at Yu Yu. "You seem to have a question."
Yu Yu set the book down, hesitant. "Senior... if the Grand Archon and the Duchess fought, who'd you side with?"
Felix met her gaze. "Neither."
Yu Yu gaped.
Felix: "I'd make them fight harder."
She said it like it was obvious. "Did you see them argue?"
Yu Yu propped her chin, still wavering. "Not exactly."
Felix frowned, thinking briefly, then smirked coldly, as if realizing something.
"Hemming and hawing—about me?"
Yu Yu's eyelid twitched.
Felix, coolly, said, "Out with it. What'd she tell you?"
Yu Yu hesitated, avoiding the Silver Moon Sky Wolf topic. "The Duchess asked me a weird question."
Felix: "Spill."
"How outsiders raise pets..."
Felix paused.
After a long moment, she scoffed, "Still hasn't figured it out. Pathetic."
Yu Yu: "???"
Felix said indifferently, "She can't beat the magic circle. Pet or Duchess, what's the difference?"
Yu Yu sensed she'd stumbled onto something huge but stayed silent.
Felix snapped back. "Why's she asking you this? What'd you say?"
Yu Yu blinked.
How'd the question loop back?
Felix's gaze chilled. "Can't tell me, huh?"
That broke Yu Yu.
Pouting, she said, "It's the Grand Archon's fault..."
Felix: "Speak."
Yu Yu shut her eyes. "Senior, do you know about the Silver Moon Sky Wolf?"
Felix: "…"
The air fell silent, no reply for ages.
Yu Yu peeked.
Felix lounged, staring with unmasked amusement in her cool eyes.
Catching Yu Yu's glance, Felix drawled, "Guess if I know?"
Yu Yu: "…"
She reviewed her words, teeth itching.
She's a wolf! How could she not know?
Yu Yu: "I mean, did you 'accidentally' see certain books from the Grand Archon?"
Felix snorted, "I've 'accidentally' seen maybe eighty, if not a hundred, from her. Which one?"
Yu Yu, expecting this, still found the Grand Archon despicable.
Felix mused, "Silver Moon Sky Wolf-related? There's a dozen or so."
She added, "Just say it. I'm listening."
Hearing there were dozens, Yu Yu gave up resisting.
The Grand Archon was unreal.
Bullying the older sister, then the younger.
What kind of person was she?
Yu Yu pulled out the book, showing Felix the cover.
Felix recognized it instantly, scoffing, "Read it."
Yu Yu flopped.
Peaceful.jpg
Trash Grand Archon.
No expectations for her.
Yu Yu thought she had some grand scheme, fretting for nothing.
Now it was clear.
She was just a chaos gremlin!
The wolves read every book! What's the point?!
Felix's interest piqued. "When the magic circle was at its peak, they studied every Bronze Age species to death."
"This is just volume one. The library's got plenty more. Interested?"
Yu Yu: "Pass, pass. I'm not into these books. I've got tons of lessons to catch up on."
Felix's enthusiasm dimmed, and she shot her a cold look. "Oh, right. You're pretty bad."
No need to share tidbits, then.
Like how she smudged those blurred texts, and the version Fu saw was her edited one.
Yu Yu, unfazed, said, "Senior, about pain deception and Felix's mind shock..."
She hoped for deep insight but got a casual "handed out on a whim."
Yu Yu pouted.
Senior Meng was an examiner too.
Why not toss out summoning spells?
Senior's such a liar, so cagey.
Felix ignored her look. "Finish your treatise, show me first. I'll proof it."
Yu Yu: "…Got it, Senior. No problem."
Over a delicious meal, Felix explained the spells' uses.
Per her, they were ideal for humans, causing no real harm.
The first made targets writhe in agony, the second silenced them—foolproof.
Crucially, no damage, no visible wounds.
Yu Yu distilled the key…
Use on people!
Hmm…
"Even on normal folks? No scratches?"
Felix certainly said, "Absolutely not. I've used them plenty."
Yu Yu stared.
Plenty? How many got zapped?
Recalling, she teared up, "Thank you, Senior!"
It must've been her spat with Shang Wei's crew that Senior saw.
She stayed quiet but slipped her perfect punishment spells, traceless ones.
Pain deception? Mind shock?
Tailor-made for her!
Senior was so thoughtful! Sob!
Felix was baffled, said stiffly, "No need."
The meal was a delight for all.
Yu Yu vowed to work harder to repay Senior!
Under Felix's cool gaze, Yu Yu tearfully parted, hoping to treat her daily.
Felix was unaccustomed and skeptical of her sanity, relented, "Fine, don't embarrass yourself. Go."
Good thing the street was empty.
Watching her vanish, Yu Yu returned home, content.
She rolled on her bed a dozen times, buzzing with excitement.
Study, study, study. Senior Meng's lessons couldn't wait, or she'd lose a layer of skin.
Silver Moon Sky Wolves loved gourmet food? Senior adored eats and wasn't picky!
They liked music?
Yu Yu paused.
Back when she was rich and idle, she'd dabbled a bit... just a bit.
Maybe pick it up again?
Lost in studying…
By evening, Lynn arrived as promised.
Yu Yu eyed the elf on her windowsill. "Ever consider I have a door?"
Lynn hopped down nimbly, sniffing. "Roland's scent."
Yu Yu: "???"
What's that?
Seeing Yu Yu sniff too, Lynn teased, "You're no warrior or elf. How'd you smell it?"
Yu Yu huffed, "Thanks for the help. I used your name to lure Shadow Strider."
Lynn spotted the fruit on the table, meant for her, and dug in happily.
"No thanks needed. You helped me too. Helping's my thing."
Yu Yu handed her gold coins. "Everyone got theirs. This is yours."
Lynn took them. "She kept yapping in my ear, bragging about 50 more or something…"
She hadn't planned to accept.
Noting her emerald eyes, Yu Yu nodded knowingly, "I get it, I get it. Grand Archon's orders, not mine."
This half-elf was kinda adorable.
Lynn, satisfied, said, "Then I'll graciously accept."
Yu Yu said, "My skill's off cooldown. Let's test this warrior oath."
Lynn stood tall, chest out, regal. "Go for it."
Yu Yu grabbed an apple, biting. "Done."
Lynn blinked.
Yu Yu crunched again.
They stared.
Lynn, puzzled, said, "It work?"
Yu Yu, equally confused, said, "I think not?"
"Need a fight to trigger?"
Lynn leapt out the window, bouncing—walls, tiles, roof, ground.
Her voice carried, "No feel. Still nothing. Fake skill?"
Yu Yu felt nada. "Try a skill?"
Lynn paused, skeptical, drew her sword, and slashed.
Nothing.
Lynn gasped, slashing again.
Yu Yu saw her hack repeatedly but saw nothing. "Find something?"
Lynn mused, "The wind… feels different…"
She hopped back, holding out her palm.
Yu Yu: "?"
A faint breeze stirred, gathering into a pale cyan swirl in Lynn's hand.
Yu Yu: "??"
Lynn, serious, said, "The wind's more… malleable."
Yu Yu: "???"
Lynn scratched her head, dispersing the swirl. "Insight me."
Yu Yu slung an insight.
She'd been dying to scan Lynn.
[Wind Singer - Lynn]
[Class: High-Tier Warrior
Race: Half-Elf
Affiliation: Heart of Nature
Level: 15
Spirit: 12 (15)
Will: 7
Perception: 16
Strength: 17
Agility: 17
Constitution: 16
Corruption: 0]
Stellar stats!
Yu Yu couldn't believe it.
Stronger than my fire elemental! So well-rounded!
Level 15? Not even high-tier's peak?
In a gacha, she'd be a high-growth gold card!
Lynn now shimmered with golden borders and effects in Yu Yu's eyes.
"Your Spirit was what before?"
Wind Singer thought, "12, max. I'm a warrior, not much Spirit."
Yu Yu, pensive, opened her panel, skipping fluff for stats.
[Yu]
[Spirit: 15 (16)
Will: 7
Perception: 9 → 12
Strength: 5 → 12
Agility: 7 (8) → 12
Constitution: → 12]
Yu Yu clenched her fist.
First instinct: punch Lynn.
Lynn, dazed, said, "Why hit me?"
Yu Yu: "Feel a strength change?"
Lynn shook her head honestly, "Nope."
Yu Yu thought, then punched a chair.
Ow…
She settled for gripping the chairback.
The hard wood dented, caving under her grip.
Lynn leaned in, "Why stop? Keep going."
Yu Yu: "I know enough. Done."
It's my chair! Break it, I buy a new one!
Lynn casually pinched.
The wood crumpled like foam, leaving a hole.
Lynn, pleased, said, "Your strength grew?"
Yu Yu, staring at the hole, took deep breaths. "…Yeah."
"All stats but Spirit and Will shot to 12."
Maybe a level cap, her max was 12, but Lynn inherited her unequipped Spirit—15.
Lynn toyed with another wind ball. "Something's off, but I can't pin it."
"Let's play outside the city," she said. "The magic circle's a pain here."
The wind ball faded, and Lynn rubbed her temples, glum. "Time's up? It's obvious now—my wind control's sluggish."
Warriors' Spirit paled next to spellcasters'. She'd never seen their world.
Yu Yu nodded hard, "Next cooldown, I'll call."
That moment, she felt she could slug Zi Shu and kick Fuyu.
Shame they weren't here.
"You free this afternoon?"
Lynn: "Hm?"
Yu Yu: "Wanna talk Pioneer camp?"
Lynn, surprised, said, "You're mid-tier?"
Yu Yu nodded firmly, "Yup."
Lynn, envious, said, "Fast."
Her eyes glinted, "Team up for a mission?"
Yu Yu, shocked, said, "Us?"
Holy—hitching Lynn's ride again?!
This is too good!
Lynn, earnest, said, "I usually solo missions. You're mid-tier, but spellcasters are rare and don't team much. I'm curious how you'd explore ruins."
How could Yu Yu refuse? Still, she hesitated, "I just advanced, haven't learned my spells."
Lynn: "No rush, I'll wait."
"The Pioneer camp's a hub for all classes, ahead of the frontlines, a vanguard to the main continent."
"Resources, ruins, wrecks, even data on beasts and evil gods—the camp's first to encounter them."
She stressed, "At least it's not the magic circle's dictatorship."
Yu Yu: "…"
Lynn remembered, "The camp's got tons of main continent loot, including corrupted items. Dangerous, but that's the only flaw."
Yu Yu: "How much for plant-protecting spells?"
"Huh?"
Yu Yu explained.
Lynn: "Huh?"
Yu Yu: "…"
Lynn, clueless, said, "Dunno, never noticed."
She added, "Unless the magic circle hands it over, you need merit points to trade."
"Merit points come from camp missions or trading main continent finds."
"Bottom line: no points, no progress."
Yu Yu thought, "Take me to check it out someday?"
Lynn agreed, grinning, "Hurry and prep. I'm stoked."
Yu Yu was too.
Lynn's the best—more EXP to leech!
Yu Yu gave her coins, "Pass these to Shadow Strider and that ranger."
"I'm not going. Gotta study!"
Yu Yu was fired up.
Lynn nodded, vaulting out the window.
Yu Yu remembered, "Ask Shadow Strider if she's taking apprentices!"
"Got it," Lynn's voice echoed.
Day 1: Study, treat Senior, study.
Day 2: Study, treat Senior, study.
Day 3: Study, treat Senior, study.
Day 4…
Meng: [Meet me.]
Chang: [Come.]
Felix: [Senior Meng sent exam papers. Come to the academy.]
The Duchess politely summoned her, citing matters to discuss.
Day 5: Yu Yu was buried in offers.
Finally diving into studies, only to…
At least no Grand Archon or enforcement. Small mercies.