In the manor, two spellcasters stood face-to-face, frozen. Neither dared speak, nor move to leave.
Chang, steeling herself, bowed. "Your Grace…"
Flame Sovereign snorted. "I don't know you. Step aside!"
Meng, bracing herself, said, "We didn't know Your Grace was coming…"
Flame Sovereign: "Where's the little runt?"
Meng: "She just stepped out. I've notified her to return and pay respects."
When Yu Yu rushed back, bursting into the council hall, she saw a black-robed man seated there, her two seniors barely daring to breathe.
Yu Yu: "Huh? How do you dare return to Silver Moon?"
Her words silenced the room. Chang and Meng opened their mouths, then clamped them shut.
Flame Sovereign: "?"
Flame Sovereign: "!"
Flame Sovereign roared, "What's there to fear?!"
Behind Yu Yu, a stunning silver-haired woman trailed like a timid shadow. She didn't dare speak, her striking blue eyes curiously studying His Grace.
Unfortunately, Flame Sovereign ignored her, continuing to berate Yu Yu. "Is this how you speak to a legend?!"
Meng and Chang's gazes locked onto Yu Yu.
Unfazed, Yu Yu retorted, "Then stop calling me 'little runt,' Your Grace."
"No chance."
Yu Yu's face darkened. "So why are you in my house?"
Flame Sovereign clearly wasn't about to explain. "I'm without a residence for now, so I'll stay here."
Yu Yu grumbled, "I just bought this place—it's not even cleaned…"
Flame Sovereign's cold arrogance didn't waver. "I don't mind."
Yu Yu rolled her eyes.
I mind! I totally mind!
Meng coughed, signaling her to rein it in.
Yu Yu suddenly recalled something, her face breaking into a sly grin. "Your Grace~"
Flame Sovereign's brow twitched, eyeing her warily. "No spells, no deal."
Yu Yu thought, Stingy old man—nowhere near as generous as your disciple, no wonder you got overthrown.
"I just got my little manor," Yu Yu gestured, "but my spirit's too weak to fully expand it."
"You don't want your borrowed home to be cramped, right, Your Grace?"
Flame Sovereign's lips tugged. "…Fine."
Such a trivial matter, and she made a fuss.
Yu Yu remembered the Duchess, pulling her forward. "This is the Duchess."
Only then did Flame Sovereign's gaze land on the Duchess. His towering frame and oppressive eyes, even seated, made the Duchess's hair stand on end.
Her heart pounded, but she bowed politely and respectfully. "Freya Felix Silver Moon greets Your Grace."
Flame Sovereign: "Oh, the Silver Moon pup?"
He nodded, astonishingly. "Useless, just like the little runt."
The Duchess was thunderstruck.
Why was she suddenly insulted?
Did His Grace dislike her or the Silver Moon family?
She felt wronged but didn't dare protest, like a puppy kicked for no reason on the street.
Her silver hair dimmed, luster fading. Yu Yu nearly burst out laughing.
See? That's His Grace's style!
Chang: "…"
Meng: "…"
Why bring the Duchess into this?
Incomprehensible.
Yu Yu patted the Duchess's shoulder consolingly. "It's fine. His Grace calls everyone 'little runt.'"
She'd been the sole target before, but now a "useless puppy runt" shared her fate. Sweet.
Flame Sovereign ignored them, leaving one command before teleporting away. "Send meals. Don't bother me otherwise."
Yu Yu watched, noticing he'd claimed a building at the estate's farthest edge, away from the lake, then went silent. Almost the moment he left, her big house fully unfurled. Yu Yu buzzed with excitement, rubbing her hands, ready to explore her manor.
The Duchess trailed her, dejected, like a salted fish who'd lost her dreams. Chang pinched her brow, exchanging a glance with Meng. They slipped away quietly. Time to report to the Grand Archon—retreat first.
Just then, Yu Yu received a private message from Shang Wei.
She wrote, [I need your help.]
Yu: [?]
Shang Wei: [Ever heard of the Nightingale Contract?]
Yu: [What's that?]
Shang Wei: [Full name: Nightingale Spirit Contract, also called Nightingale Master-Servant Contract.]
She continued, [I got it from a hidden quest. It's apparently popular outside the Magic Circle.]
[I don't suggest telling the Magic Circle. They seem to disapprove of it,] Shang Wei added.[Use your judgment.]
Finally, she revealed her hand. [Help me, and I'll sign a master-servant contract with you.]
Yu Yu: !!!
What the heck? Has she lost it?
[Where are you? Get online.]
Shang Wei: [I can't log in.]
Yu: [?! That bad? Did an anomaly blow up your house?]
Shang Wei went silent for a long while. […I've got it under control, but I can't log in.]
Yu: [What about Xiang Qin and Zhong Ye?]
Shang Wei: [I sent them away half a month ago.]
Yu: […Half a month ago?]
Shang Wei: [Yeah.]
Yu: [No way, spill the details.]
Moments later:
"You're courting death!" Yu Yu's voice spiked, ignoring the Duchess and Lynn's sparring nearby.
Taking a deep breath, she brushed off Shu Tu and Zi Shu's approach. [What if I don't save you?]
Shang Wei: [I'll jump in the river.]
Yu Yu groaned. [You're betting on your worth, huh?]
Shang Wei, calm: [Without the Bronze Leaf, I'd probably be dead already.]
Yu: [You knew something was off and still went ahead? You deserve this!]
Shang Wei: [She's my mom.]
Yu: [She's an anomaly now!]
Shang Wei dodged the point.
Yu: [What's your state right now?]
Shang Wei: [I lured it into my body, and now…]
In a dim room, a woman sat on the bed's edge. One eye was pitch-black, no whites, the other clear and calm.
Under the computer's faint glow, one hand typed steadily, the other clutched the Bronze Leaf.
The leaf burned like a brand, searing into her palm.
Shang Wei's state was eerie—half her body normal, half withered and gray.
Her right hand typed nimbly, but her left was skeletal, veins stark.
[I tricked it into touching the Bronze Leaf. It can't fully take my body yet, so I'm contacting you.]
[I can't log in. If I leave, it'll seize control completely.]
Hearing her description, Yu Yu felt a chill of familiarity.
Yu continued typing. [Your Will 8 can hold off an anomaly's antics?]
Zi Shu and Shu Tu peered over, faces grave.
Shang Wei typed: [It's a stalemate. Without trapping it with the Bronze Leaf, I'd still be fighting it.]
She paused, then added, [My contamination's probably high. Also, someone's outside, but I've warded them off with spells.]
[I can't move, but neither can it,] Shang Wei said. [I don't know how long I can hold out. If I can't be saved, please take my mom away.]
Yu: [Your mom's state?]
Shang Wei's lips tightened. [Comatose, not waking.]
Yu: [How long?]
Shang Wei paused. [Two days.]
Yu Yu stopped typing, sinking into thought.
Moments later, she decided. [I'll try, but if it's uncontrollable, I'll grab Shu Tu and bolt. You can jump in the river.]
Shang Wei: […Okay.]
Zi Shu, dryly: "Technically, whether Shang Wei lives or dies, the anomaly could still control her body."
Yu Yu's expression was odd. "It's like that anomaly we beat up before."
"But Chang Yu's Will 9 locked it down. How's Shang Wei managing?"
Shu Tu: "Shang Wei's Spirit 8, Will 8, and a spellcaster. A bit special's not surprising."
She sighed. "Plus, her mom's her top priority. She'd do anything for her."
Yu Yu had no comeback.
Zi Shu: "You're really going?"
Yu Yu didn't answer.
Shang Wei, master-servant contract, valuable.
She didn't fully trust Shang Wei, but a Spirit 8, Will 8 spellcaster swearing loyalty? Tempting.
Yu Yu knew her dilemma: no reliable help.
Magic Circle seniors saw her as a junior, and players were too unpredictable.
Zi Shu and Shu Tu were trustworthy, but teammates, not subordinates.
The Federation? Not worth mentioning.
Her life looked rosy, but her footing was shaky, built on air.
And here was Shang Wei, Spirit 8, Will 8. As an enemy, you'd want her dead. As a loyal subordinate, bound by a master-servant contract?
Oh, mama, that's tempting.
With normal growth, Shang Wei could rival Senior Meng someday.
A master-servant-bound Senior Meng!
Yu Yu's heart raced, barely resisting the lure.
But saving Shang Wei was no cakewalk.
The anomaly, her current state, her mom…
And the Nightingale Contract—what if Shang Wei was bluffing?
She needed a reliable source.
But Shang Wei's warning gave her pause.
If the Magic Circle disapproved, asking the Grand Archon was out.
She'd likely block Yu Yu from gaining a loyal servant.
Yu Yu didn't know the Magic Circle's stance on it.
Glancing around, she was relieved it was a private forum message, not spoken aloud.
Otherwise, with her seniors…
Wait—where were they?
Yu, stunned, scanned the area.
Yu: [Seniors, where are you?!]
Meng: [Ahem, we have jobs, you know. Can't babysit you forever.]
Her righteous tone screamed bluff.
Yu Yu's words twisted, but she said, […Got it. You're scared of His Grace.]
Meng: [You know, so shut it. Don't say it out loud (.]
Yu messaged Shang Wei. [Hold on. I need to prep. Hang in there.]
Risky, but as the active party, Yu Yu could pull the plug and ditch Shang Wei if needed.
And that anomaly…
It wasn't much of a fighter. Had it improved since last time?
She recalled Senior Meng saying high Spirit or Will folks attracted anomalies.
But since moving, Yu Yu hadn't been bothered, so she wasn't sure.
After messaging, she addressed Zi Shu. "She's got a Bronze Leaf, possibly linked to ours."
"With her and the anomaly sharing a body, the leaf's in the anomaly's grasp," Yu Yu said, keeping the contract secret. "I think it's worth a cautious shot."
Zi Shu nodded. "Fair point."
Shu Tu eyed Yu Yu. "You confident?"
Yu Yu: "I'm high-tier, but my combat's not buffed yet. I'll learn some tricks and prep first."
She paused. "Can you contact Zhong Ye and Xiang Qin?"
Shu Tu: "…Yeah."
Yu: "Saving their teammate—they'll pitch in, right?"
Shu Tu: "…"
Zi Shu: "…"
Seeing Shu Tu's face, Yu Yu realized—oh, right, Shang Wei was her ex-teammate too…
Yu Yu backpedaled. "See, I'm helping my ex-teammate, right?"
Zi Shu snorted. "Classic you."
Yu Yu, thick-skinned, ignored it. "I'm off to train Teleport with Senior Meng and learn Flight. Gotta max out escape skills first."
"Shu Tu, Zi Shu, the house is yours," she said, rattling off her needs. "The Duchess is here—she won't blame you."
Just then, a riled-up Wolf Wolf swooped in. "What's that?"
Spotting her slacking guards, she glared. "Are my soldiers here to clean for you?"
Yu Yu slung an arm around her, grinning. "We're tight, right, Duchess?"
The Duchess's silver hair got mussed. She shot Yu Yu a look. "What are we, exactly?"
Yu: "Sisters from another mister…"
"Ow, ow, okay, I'll stop!" Yu yelped. "Geez, stingy."
Lynn, inexplicably dragged into a beating, sulked like a deflated bun. "Yu Yu."
Yu Yu, innocently: "The Duchess'll drop by now and then. You two can spar—maybe hit legend together."
Definitely not the Duchess venting after being called a useless pup.
The Duchess glanced at Lynn, scoffing. "Her?"
The Silver Moon family outranked the Magic Circle in pedigree, not some random upstart.
With flawless Constitution and no weaknesses, Silver Moons were legend-bound with steady progress.
Could Lynn match that?
Lynn fumed. "Yu! Next time, hook me up with a Warrior Covenant!"
The Duchess perked up at Warrior Covenant. "What, with my mercy?"
She sneered. "Someone dared call me useless at my own doorstep."
"This Duchess spared you for Nature's Heart's sake, you useless half-elf."
Yu Yu facepalmed.
Yup, Lynn's fleece came from her, Senior Meng, and the Duchess combined.
Seeing Lynn's emerald eyes flare, Yu Yu soothed, "Lynn's the best. Sure, the Duchess has endless resources, but she's not top-tier yet, is she?"
The Duchess, smug: "Once I absorb the Soul Moon, I'm top-tier."
"Her? A little runt."
Lynn exploded. "Silver Moon!"
Great, no more "Duchess."
Yu Yu couldn't resist. "His Grace's Spirit is vast—he might hear you."
Stop poking Lynn with "runt" and "useless." You met His Grace once and caught his bug, huh?
"Duchess," Yu Yu said earnestly, "mind your image."
Be a cool, poised, pretty pup, not a daily mocker.
The Duchess's deep blue eyes paused, recalling spellcasters' eavesdropping habits.
She breezily changed topics, salvaging her dignity. "What's a Warrior Covenant? You seem to know."
Yu Yu: "Not much. It shares my Spirit with Lynn, and her Strength, Agility, and Constitution with me."
"A transformation spellcaster might get more out of it."
The Duchess, surprised: "Spirit?"
Yu: "Yeah, why?"
The Duchess paused, her silver hair subtly glowing. "High-Spirit warriors hit legend easier."
Lynn puffed up, flaxen hair tied high, standing beside Yu Yu. "We've signed one. You haven't."
The Duchess bristled.
Annoying half-elf.
Yu Yu: "…I was gonna show you my potatoes."
Duchess: "Potatoes? What's that?"
Yu: "…Hard to explain. In a few days, I'll host a potato feast."
"They're delicious."
The Duchess, haughty: "Hmph, does this Duchess lack food?"
Yu Yu itched to touch her glowing silver hair but got swatted.
The Duchess snapped, "Impudent! What are you doing?!"
Lynn shot Yu Yu a look. "Bad habit."
Touching her hair and pinching her ears was one thing, but the Duchess?
Everyone knew Silver Moons were nearly as arrogant as the Magic Circle.
Yu Yu shrugged. "Fine, that's that. I'm off to learn spells with Senior Meng. You coming, Duchess?"
The Duchess, still haughty: "Obviously. What, stay and watch my guards sweep?"
Yu Yu turned to Lynn. "I'll be back tonight. Keep an eye on them—don't let them wander."
"See that new planting zone?" Yu pointed. "You can mess around there, but keep players out."
Lynn, smugly glancing at the Duchess, said, "I'll clear the lake's trees first."
She asked, "What trees do you want?"
Yu Yu rubbed her chin. "Maples, pines, firs, maybe. Got suggestions?"
"Elfwood!"
Yu Yu, clueless, said, "Sure, plant it near your building."
Lynn beamed.
The Duchess's eyes flickered.
Elfwood? The real Elfwood?
What was Lynn's deal? Wasn't she a half-elf?
Her sword wasn't ordinary, and she'd snagged a Nature's Heart Invitation from a quest…
Claiming discrimination while flaunting the elves' prized Elfwood? Was she really a half-elf?
Yu Yu: "Duchess, know where to buy Roland grass? I want a patch."
Duchess, glancing: "Anywhere. Why plant that?"
"Fran's prettier."
Yu Yu shot back, "Fran's for rituals. Senior says it's a pain to grow. Am I nuts?"
The Duchess conceded, "True, you're too poor for it."
Yu Yu's temple twitched. "Heh, Duchess, why not fly home?"
Duchess: "?"
You dare disrespect me?
They locked eyes, and Yu Yu couldn't resist. "Duchess, do you shed?"
Duchess: "?"
Lynn: "?"
Yu: "Need a lint roller?"
The Duchess got it, Moonlight Blade forming in her hand. "Heh…"
Lynn gasped, "Yu Yu!"
Yu Yu bolted. "Senior, save me!"
After much thought, Yu Yu ruled out Magic Circle seniors, narrowing her confidants to two.
Senior Xue, or Senior Jin Che.
But who to pick? She wavered.
Would Senior Xue vibe with master-servant contracts?
What if she caught Yu Yu planning to sign one?
Senior Jin Che, though gone, was a Magic Circle veteran. Would she back this?
They were the most likely to accept it, though.
Yu Yu hesitated.
If she had to bet, she'd bet on… Wolf Wolf!
Even if Senior Xue disapproved, Yu Yu could beg her to keep it secret.
Wolf Wolf seemed trustworthy!
Yup, settled!
Yu Yu cheerfully messaged her.
Felix: [What's up?]
[What's Senior doing?]
Felix glanced around. [Reading.]
[Anyone nearby?]
Felix: [?]
She shifted, relaxed. [Nope.]
But she braced for Yu Yu's weirdness.
Yu: [Any legends watching?]
Felix's gaze sharpened, but she stayed calm.
[Speak.]
She often read and chatted with Yu Yu here.
Its normalcy kept His Grace from noticing.
Yu: [Heard of the Nightingale Contract?]
[Or Nightingale Spirit Contract, Nightingale Master-Servant Contract.]
Felix gripped her book, eyes icy. [Who told you?]
Without Yu Yu's heads-up, Felix would've jumped up, furious.
Who dared scam Yu Yu into signing a Nightingale Contract?
Didn't they know she was on the Council's radar?
When Felix returned with records, the Graces pored over her notes, laughing hysterically at Yu Yu's quips.
Yu Yu's lines—"Me and Magic Circle wreck shop" and "Rich lady, hungry, food please"—were HQ legends.
Felix had planned to rush out, but knowing Yu Yu would soon hit HQ, she slowed down.
Yu Yu, unaware of the buzz, went all-in.
She spilled Shang Wei's story, emphasizing her temptation to sign, Spirit 8, Will 8 and all.
Felix's anger fizzled, replaced by confusion.
Huh? Like that?
Noting Yu Yu's highlighted Spirit 8, Will 8, Felix blinked.
Pretty impressive.
Many Magic Circle seniors couldn't match that.
In that case… maybe worth it.
Felix shared her Nightingale Contract knowledge, advising, [The Magic Circle indeed dislikes it. Spellcasters hate being bound, especially by Spirit- or freedom-based master-servant contracts.]
[A while back, it was a fad in the Magic Circle, turning it into a tyrannical mess—everyone signing master-servant contracts, born as servants, strong serving weak, even legends slaving for spellcasters.]
[It's a dark chapter. Took massive effort to fix, leading to today's system.]
[Though Nightingale Grace likely didn't want this, her reputation took a hit.]
[Senior Xue and others wrote scathing papers on it. Good you didn't ask them.]
Otherwise, Yu Yu's scheme would've crashed.
Yu Yu pouted. [No way I'd ask Senior Xue.]
She wasn't dumb.
Xue's temper? Anyone with eyes could tell.
Felix: [Don't tell Teacher either. I can't predict her stance.]
Even Felix couldn't fully read her teacher.
Sometimes broad-minded and justice-driven, sometimes ruthlessly cold…
Dismissing the thought, Felix continued, [If you're set on it, give it a shot.]
[When you sign, I can take leave to oversee.]
Yu Yu, new to this, could get duped. A reversed contract would be disastrous.
She added, [You sure?]
Yu Yu, touched: [Senior, you're the best! I thought you'd chew me out!]
Felix: [.]
Yu Yu couldn't read her dot, replying, [No certainty, so I'll train Teleport and Flight. If it's a bust, I run. That anomaly can't fly.]
Yu, brimming with confidence: [I'll stream it to Senior Jin Che for guidance!]
[This anomaly's like that memory one, but way weaker.]
Point-to-point spread, frail human body, no real attack power.
Easily caged by high-Will folks…
Utterly ridiculous.
Yu Yu almost laughed.
With Senior Felix's input and cross-checking Shang Wei's quest, it seemed legit.
She messaged, [Senior Meng, where you at?! I'm coming!]
Meng: [Home.]
Felix set down her book, only to see a black-robed woman sit across from her.
Felix's hair nearly stood up.
Night Sovereign: "Easy, now."
She brushed a stray hair aside.
Felix: "…Your Grace."
The Night Sovereign skipped contract talk, saying, "I just got back."
Felix tensed.
Night Sovereign: "You're a bit shy of max favor with Yu Yu. Why not top it off?"
Felix, baffled: "…Didn't think to."
She'd added favor for fun, not expecting scrutiny.
How did His Grace know?
Night Sovereign, coaxing: "Wanna visit Yu Yu's world?"
Felix: "?!"
Night Sovereign smiled. "Condition: max it out."
Felix: "!"
At night, Yu Yu washed potatoes in her big house, prepping for the potato feast.
She'd checked in with Shang Wei—wait for the fog to clear, then head over.
Mainly, she wanted to polish her Windriding.
She'd aimed for Flight, but real-world casting wasn't like the game. Flight's model was too complex!
Yu Yu settled for Windriding.
Not bad—Flame Sovereign's tweaked version outshone the Magic Circle's.
But Silver Moon spellcasters' wall-crashing history warned Yu Yu: drive carefully.
She'd practice more before logging off.
In-game death meant respawn; in reality, a fall could cripple.
Though she had Healing.
She needed to crack Healing Grace soon. Without a fourth-ring restoration spell, Yu Yu felt exposed.
Mid-glee, her vision flashed.
"?!"
"Senior!!!"
Felix's face was taut. "Mm."
Yu Yu, thrilled: "How'd you get here? Sneak out?"
Felix fumbled, spotting the potato bucket. "What's this?"
"Washing potatoes! My crop grew! Remember what you promised?"
Felix: "Heard you did His Grace's quest and got rewards."
"Yup, yup, see this?!" Yu Yu bragged. "Puglis's Satchel!"
"Quest loot!"
She beamed with pride.
Flame Sovereign's ears perked up.
Felix: "Anything else?"
"Yup," Yu Yu rummaged. "This Supply Transfer Voucher, and this."
She handed stuff over, muttering, "A lousy invite, no clue what it's for. Eternal Darkness's stingy, no item description, pfft."
Felix froze, reading:
[An Invitation — Felix] (Invitation Successful)
Felix: "?"
Yu Yu saw moonlight and blanked. "Senior!!! Where you going?!?!"
Unseen by Yu Yu, a black kitten trailed Felix.
Flame Sovereign: "!"
In a blink, a burly black-robed figure teleported after them.
From Yu Yu's view, moonlight flashed, shadows flickered, and poof—gone.
Yu Yu: "???"
Who am I?
Where am I?
What am I doing?
Where's my Senior?!
She was just here!