The sharp clash of swords echoed through the air.
A girl appeared.
She was breathtaking—her presence quiet yet commanding. Her long white hair shimmered in the light, contrasting sharply with her sleek black training uniform. In her hand, she held a black sword, its surface gleaming ominously. Her movements were lightning-fast, but not chaotic. No—there was grace in her speed, elegance in every step she took.
Her sword sliced through the air like the wind itself—fluid, untouchable.
Her expression, though, remained calm—so calm it reminded one of a still lake under a full moon, unshaken even in battle.
With one swift motion, she struck the training dummy. The impact was so forceful it echoed across the room, and a second later, the dummy spun and crumbled to the ground, a hole punched clean through it.
A small smile curled on her lips as she thought to herself:
"This dummy… is too weak. It's so fragile that even if I made a mistake, it would've still broken into pieces. I honestly don't understand what these people are thinking. Not only is the sword training at this academy ridiculously low-level, but even the equipment feels like it's made of paper.
And looking at their current condition… they're not even doing that bad.
Still, I'm not here to be caught on camera."
Just then, a young man stepped into the training hall.
He wore the same black training uniform, carrying an identical sword. Without hesitation, he charged forward and struck the dummy before him with all his strength. The dummy split apart instantly, destroyed in a single clean blow.
An older man, watching from the side, clapped in delight.
"The Ling family truly lives up to its name," he said, beaming.
"Mr. Smith, your children are astonishing. Each one more gifted than the last!"
Mr. Smith smiled proudly, emotion in his eyes.
"After so many years… I finally feel like the Ling family is regaining its lost honor. And all because of you, Yan Lin. You've made me proud today.
These two shining gems—Xiao Yi and Li Yi—they are beyond remarkable."
Later that evening…
Xiao Yi returned to her room. She quietly closed the door and said to herself:
"So… it's been exactly ten years since I arrived in this world."
Her gaze grew distant.
A sudden flashback:
Sofi—broken, bloodied, betrayed—tormented by her own people.
Then back to the present.
"And yet… I still can't forget her," Xiao Yi whispered.
She walked over and sat at her desk, falling into thought.
"This world isn't that different from my old one.
The only real change is that here, magic is valued over cultivation.
Though… it's not like cultivation is impossible. People just focus more on magic—maybe because it's easier to develop, or maybe because magical energy is more abundant here.
Either way, I'm the only one in this world who can cultivate right now. But I don't need to.
Because true cultivation comes from the soul… and my soul, despite everything, is still intact."
She paused.
"Still… I can't help but wonder.
If my cultivation was never broken, then why couldn't I defend myself against Nikolash?
Why couldn't I fight back?
Maybe Ket had something to do with it… or maybe not.
But how did my full power return all of a sudden?
Just how powerful is Ket, to restore even a broken cultivator?
Whatever the case, that's not important now.
What matters is—I've been given a second chance.
And I won't waste it.
I can't afford to make any more mistakes."
Her eyes drifted toward the window.
"I'm using both cultivation and magic together now…
but it means I have to hide more carefully. It's risky.
Other than that, though, this world is strikingly similar to my old one.
There are still four major continents. And at the center of them all stands the most powerful warrior academy in the world—
an institution that has trained everything from mighty knights to demon lords, demon gods, saints, magic commanders… and more.
Wherever humans and demons clash, even a spark can ignite war.
But the Academy… it's a rare place where both sides coexist peacefully. For now."
"The Eastern and Northern continents are ruled by humans.
The Western and Southern ones belong to demons and demi-humans.
And there's still so much left unknown.
The seas remain unexplored.
Countless caves and dungeons are still untouched."
She stood up from her desk and quietly walked over to her bed.
"But whatever.
I have work to do tonight anyway."
Lying down, Xiao Yi closed her eyes… and drifted into silence.