At the word "all," Yu Yu froze, glancing back.
Four or five black-robed spellcasters stood behind her, led by a familiar Senior. "Senior Xue?"
"Cast it again. Let me see," Xue said bluntly, not entering.
There are not too many high-level spellcasters in the academy. Except for a few Steward and her, the High Steward, all of them are younger high-level spellcasters like Felix.
As for high-level spellcasters, their mental power is too huge to be gathered and easily dissipated. Even if one does not pay attention, one can still hear something. Well, they will only control the dissipation of their mental power in serious situations. After all, it is tiring to hold it back.
It is rumored that the legendary huge mental power can even affect reality. Just being in the vicinity of it will be affected by its mental power, which will affect your mind and personality over time.
"Got it, Senior."
[Healing]
A warm, milky glow bloomed in Yu Yu's palm.
Unlike most spells, healing was a rare sustained-cast spell.
Sustained-cast? Spells like stone wall or feather fall cost Spirit once, done. But healing drained Spirit continuously, scaling with duration, until you stopped.
Healing needed no chant, instant and harmless.
Xue's voice deepened. "Use it on me."
"Dean!" someone behind her protested.
Xue: "It's fine. Let her."
Yu Yu looked puzzled, cast it on Xue.
Xue's hooded eyes narrowed.
The others tensed.
Yu Yu, clueless why they were on edge, mirrored their anxiety.
Felix explained, "The School of Restoration is cursed. The seniors tried it, but unfortunately the restoration spells they cast were cursed. Not only can [Healing] not heal, but it will also cause the recipient's body to mutate."
Yu Yu was shocked, "Senior Xue?"
Xue waved her to stop, thoughtful. "Outsiders are clean, untainted. Her healing is flawless."
Though, beyond healing, it had no other use.
Her mutations showed no change.
Promising overall.
She mused, "Yu…"
Yu Yu jumped in, "Senior, don't worry—I'll turn it over to the magic circle!"
[Submitted first-ring restoration spell 'healing,' verified as lost inventory, verifier 'Internal Affairs - High Steward - Xue,' submission successful]
[Gained +16,000 points (lost school, double points), +40 gold coins, magic circle favor +0.0001]
[Submitted second-ring restoration spell 'mending,' verified as lost inventory, verifier 'Internal Affairs - High Steward - Xue,' submission successful]
[Gained +32,000 points, +200 gold coins, magic circle favor +0.001]
Almost at the moment when she successfully submitted the spell, everyone present lowered their heads and ran to look through the spell lists.
Yu Yu looked at them curiously, then turned to the senior, "Senior, have you learned it?"
Felix glanced at her and said, "We can't learn like you. We need to go back and deconstruct the spell model."
After a pause, a milky white glow appeared on her hands, "But it's not difficult."
Yu Yu's eyes curved, then she sighed.
If Yami had known this spell, she wouldn't have languished underground, forgotten.
No one even searched for her…
Yu Yu hadn't dared ask—where were Yami's friends? Classmates? Mentors?
She'd mentioned her assistant application never got a reply. Why?
Did something happen to the magic circle, or was she targeted?
No answers.
Her death buried all truths in decay, lost forever.
Yu Yu hoped the council would approve a posthumous honor.
May Yami's spirit rest fulfilled.
Snapping back, Yu Yu noticed the Seniors' gazes… intense?
She edged toward Felix. "Senior?"
Xue's tone stayed stern but warmed slightly. "Well done. Ever thought of serving the front lines?"
Yu Yu pondered, "Can I?"
Felix cut in, "No way, Senior Xue. She's barely mid-tier, knows no spells, and her common knowledge is a mess. Sending her to the front now…"
Realizing, she cooled, "Best not."
Xue: "…"
Undeterred, Xue pressed, "Outsiders grow fast. Maybe…"
Felix: "Plenty of outsiders. We don't need Yu."
Xue, stumped, relented.
"I will negotiate with the Grand Archon. If the Restoration School is really resurrected, the academy will need a large number of Restoration School spells to teach students. We need enough outsiders..."
As she was about to leave, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Felix, "If I remember correctly, you are still in the probation period, right?"
Felix was stunned.
Xue: "Interested in working for me?"
Yu Yu's eyes lit up, tugging Felix's sleeve.
Senior! An offer!! Take it! No more office sulking!!!
Felix hesitated. "Can I think it over?"
Xue was confident, nodded. "Sure, I'll wait."
She lived upstairs. What's the rush?
As for Felix... although her identity is a bit troublesome, she has indeed learned everything in the academy. Others may have concerns, but she does not.
As for Feng Ye, she would try to sound out her attitude, but these were not things the little girl should consider.
Xue teleported out.
As others left, Yu Yu rubbed her chin. "I lost out. If I'd shown the Grand Archon, maybe I'd have nabbed a mission?"
Not being able to cheat the Grand Archon into giving me the mission was as bad as losing out.
Felix entered, Yu Yu trailing. "Senior, you got a job!!!"
Felix was also a little excited. She thought she would have to wait a long time before the French Circle recognized her, but she didn't expect...
She looked at Yu Yu, her tone cold and restrained, but the joy in her eyes could not be concealed, "Do you think I should accept the invitation from senior?"
Yu Yu nodded without hesitation, "I'll take it! At worst, I can change jobs when I get a better job in the future! But first I have to have a job!"
With work experience, it's easy to change jobs!
Felix was stunned. "Job change?"
Yu Yu said confidently, "If the senior Xue are too oppressive and don't pay or give us holidays, then of course we have to replace them!"
"It's a high salary, low workload and close to home. I think it's good to be a senior. Her subordinates are free. It's a perfect job!"
Yu Yu is still thinking about Senior Chang, the ideal boss!
Felix's face darkened. "Jobs aren't fickle. Chang? What's she got?"
Gritting her teeth, she spat, "The academy's fine. I'm taking it."
Xue, reappearing: "Heard that. Register tomorrow, start immediately."
Yu Yu looked up and said speechlessly, "I think you should move to another place. If you slack off every day and get caught by your boss, how are you going to live?"
The academy? Even dogs wouldn't stay!
Xue sneered, "Job-hopping, luring Felix away, and planning to slack before starting? Don't hit high-tier, or…"
Yu Yu: "?"
Petty much? I'm not working for you!
Xue: "I'll send you to the grindiest spots."
Yu Yu ignored her.
She was the Grand Archon's, or at worst, the Duchess's.
Xue had no pull.
No care.
Felix tugged Yu Yu, exasperated. "Enough. Seniors are wired in. You'll rank up eventually."
Even Felix admitted outsiders had unique advantages.
High-tier was a hurdle—outsiders rarely climbed without guidance.
Legendary? Impossible.
But… Yu…
Felix said seriously, "When will you learn common sense?"
"Have you learned the model deduction and spell reconstruction of the intermediate course?" she said, "The advanced level is different from the intermediate level. You can't become a high-level spellcaster just because you have enough mental strength."
"Every high-level spellcaster has his own model system. Everyone needs several years or even decades to prepare for the middle level. What about you?"
Yu Yu was shocked. "Is it so troublesome? Can't we just upgrade directly?"
Felix said grimly, "No."
"Only high-level spellcasters can be considered as truly on the path to becoming a spellcaster. You even copied the most basic spell model from me. What kind of spellcaster are you?"
"Model deduction, spell reconstruction, system building," Felix rattled off, "school-standard spell solutions, spell countering, basic school spell frameworks, school specialization, elemental specialization…"
After a litany, she said, "That's the basics. Seniors master every school, steeped decades, specializing across schools, their combat prowess unmatched."
She added, "Start building your spell system model."
Yu Yu, dazed by the menu, mumbled, "Got it."
Leaving Felix, Yu Yu exhaled deeply.
Homebound, she didn't know her Seniors were in a meeting.
High Stewards gathered, even field Grand Archons joining via night crows.
Feng Ye stood at the front and coughed a few times. "Now that we are all here, let's talk about the council's next plan."
"This time, the outsiders are more special than any other time," she said. "They have pure souls, advanced civilization, and are closer to our requirements in every aspect."
"Their population base can even be compared to our heyday," Feng Ye said seriously, "Since Magic Circle Indexed the Star Sea, this time the alien plane is the farthest from the pollution source. We must seize the opportunity."
"We only have fifty years. If we don't succeed this time, we'll have to wait another hundred years."
"And everyone, who can guarantee that they can hold on for another hundred years?"
The magic circle had four Grand Archons: Internal Affairs, Silver Moon, Purification, and War. Purification reported to the council; the others oversaw Allen Peninsula affairs.
Today, all four convened.
With them, 22 High Stewards from four divisions listened.
Among them, Yu Yu's familiar Seniors: Chong, Xue, Chang, Dai, Qiong…
A cold male voice spoke first. ""Since the Council has given the order, just follow it. You are the only one who is nagging."
Internal Affairs Grand Archon, male—the magic circle's only male Grand Archon. His domain overlapped Feng Ye's, their tension clear.
The other two Grand Archons sent night crows aloft. "We have made all the necessary preparations, let's get started."
Feng Ye assigned tasks, High Stewards claiming them.
Finally, someone asked, "Notify the outsiders?"
War Grand Archon, icy: "Pointless complications."
Purification Grand Archon, languid: "Whether they know or not, what's the point?"
Business done, the solemn air relaxed.
Xue: "Yu brought back restoration school spells, uploaded to the magic circle. Try them."
Feng Ye: "???"
"She didn't tell me!"
After all that reporting, she held out? How much did she gain this trip?
Xue mocked, "Maybe she wanted to share with her senior."
Chang coughed, signaling restraint.
Internal Affairs Grand Archon: "Her name keeps popping up. What's special?"
Feng Ye mused, "I can't put it into words right now, but she's quite likable and smart."
She was slightly satisfied. "She can always guess what I'm thinking, and her personality matches mine. I like her very much."
War Grand Archon: "The one with 9 Spirit?"
Purification Grand Archon: "I have indeed heard of this person from His Excellency the Senator."
Others: "???"
Chong: "She caught the council's eye? What'd she do?"
Purification Grand Archon: "Can't say. Ask the council."
Qiong recalled her. Had she not nabbed another outsider, she'd have missed outsiders tweaking pain thresholds. Hmph.
Dai, smirking: "Intriguing. Outsiders love missions. I'll toss her some soon."
Her tone spelled mischief.
Feng Ye nearly praised her cooking but stopped. If everyone knew, would she miss out?
Never mind.
Finally, there were a few serious people who turned a deaf ear to what was happening outside. "Really! This outsider is really special."
"I've never seen an outsider who fits the magic ring so well," she said with emotion, a milky white light blooming in her hands, "the style of the magic ring seems to have changed a lot."
At least when they were paid in the past, they were not asked to draw cards, and they could even draw "Thank you for your cooperation".
She nearly complained to the council, but the magic circle fixed it.
Staring at the glow, the group took a moment to process.
"I don't know what new things magic circle has learned, or whether they have been influenced by these outsiders," Internal Affairs Grand Archon said coolly. "They make lost things drop as items."
"Will is reality. They naturally believe this. Could it be that the form of matter there is different?"
Feng Ye: "Regardless, it's good. Maybe the the Crowns' wills broke through?"
War Grand Archon: "It is indeed different. In the past, the remains were dead, and at most they left behind some pollution or curses." She said, "But recently there have been quite a few new things."
"The day before yesterday, I killed a remnant of Links, and he actually left two books behind." She sighed, "Unfortunately, I am not an outsider, and I never believed this, so the books disappeared after they fell."
Her tone was particularly regretful, "I think we need to be cautious with this outsider."
Outsiders found Silver Moon folk odd; Silver Moon folk found outsiders bizarre.
How could anyone believe that monsters would drop items upon death?
How could that be?
But they just take it for granted.
Feng Ye complained, "And they not only believe in dropped items, but also spells, weapons, materials, and even buildings. I really can't understand this group of outsiders... Super magic skills can be increased by skill points. In addition, there are many quirks, such as jumping on statues a hundred times to get achievements..."
"Why not let them jump?"
Feng Ye: "She can even see her deceased predecessors and talk to them," she said with a complicated expression, "She even solved the ancient secrets with the help of her deceased predecessors and got the method of making centurions. What is magic? It's not surprising at all."
She complained wildly, "I have been patient for a long time, but this is really outrageous."
"She believed that the senior really existed, and she actually succeeded."
"I just can't understand it."
Purification Grand Archon: "I'd need to see it."
Internal Affairs Grand Archon, aloof: "What you believe is true, and your will is universal."
War Grand Archon: "Who?"
Chang sighed, "Yu. Who else?"
Among outsiders, she stood out.
Her 9 Spirit was part, but she was… unique.
The characters of spellcasters are often criticized by the outside world, not to mention that these people are all deeply polluted and have returned to Silver Moon for recuperation, so their characters are somewhat abnormal.
But why is Yu so successful here?
There must be something wrong between them and Yu.
The magic circle's elite heard her name again.
This time, even indifferent Grand Archons and High Stewards noted it.
It must be interesting to be an outsider that is mentioned so repeatedly by colleagues, right?
~
At this time, Yu Yu knew nothing. She was reading a book while waiting for the settlement of the Pioneer camp.
When she's done, she's going to change her technique.
She can have nothing but farming.
Familiar wind rustled outside. Without looking, Yu Yu said, "You're a Wind Singer, not a rat. Why always the window?"
Lynn jumped in from the window, her emerald eyes clear as water, "You could lock it."
"How's it going? Duchess greenlight your auction?"
Yu Yu: "Bad news—she said no and bolted."
Lynn: "Good news?"
Yu Yu grinned, "She said no, but Senior agreed."
Lynn, puzzled: "Senior?"
Yu Yu: "Marquis Roland, my Senior!"
Lynn, seeing her smug look, groaned, "And you called Silver Moon's house a puppy?"
Yu Yu: "I didn't! I swear I didn't know he wasn't a puppy!"
Then, Zi Shu and crew returned.
"How'd it go? Any loot?" Fuyu hopped through the window, greeting the Wind Singer. "Boss Lynn, we meet again!"
Lynn, easygoing, smiled. "Hey, Fuyu"
Zi Shu: "Why'd the Duchess summon us back?"
Yu Yu: "She did?"
Shu Tu, confused: "She seemed rushed. Something up?"
Yu Yu, equally lost: "What's up?"
Maybe Senior got promoted, and the Duchess was thrilled?
Suddenly, Yu Yu froze. "??? Eternal Darkness is shutting down for an update???"
"No way!!!"
Zi Shu, Fuyu and Shu Tu gaped. Lynn's ears perked. "What? Update?"
Yu Yu counted. "Seven whole days?!"
"How'll I catch up on studying?!" she wailed. "That's seven days!"
Zi Shu, awkward: "Your priorities are… off."
Is studying the issue?
"Eternal Darkness needs maintenance?" Fuyu marveled. "Is it really a game?"
She eyed Lynn, reaching out under her puzzled gaze. "Her ears are so soft. Doesn't feel fake?"
Lynn's face fell, swatting her hand, ears bristling. "Yu, can I hit her?"
Yu Yu: "Go for it."
Spotting Lynn's pointy ears, Yu Yu pinched one. "Lynn, your ears are soft."
Lynn: "???"
Before she could react, Yu Yu patted her shoulder, deadpan. "Lynn."
Lynn, sulking: "What?"
"We're offline seven days. Stay at my place?"
Lynn: "?"
Yu Yu: "Zi Shu says she'll bunk with Fuyu. Her room's yours."
Lynn wavered.
Yu Yu: "You're a high-tier warrior. Living in a tavern? It's a mess. Aren't we friends?"
A cute half-elf in a tavern daily? Yu Yu pitied her.
Lynn: "Fine, but I'll pay rent."
Yu Yu, satisfied: "Let's prep to log off. No clue what's updating—no official site. Lame Eternal Darkness."
Eternal Darkness went offline for maintenance.
Its first major update brought an official site, rendering the Federation's old forum obsolete.
Yu Yu logged in smoothly.
The site was stunning—starry backdrop, dreamy deep blue, like her wristband.
Star guidance vibes!
Yu Yu scoured the site, brimming with curiosity.
Beyond endless posts, she found no sections, no data.
But a slew of admins—26!
Who needs that many admins?!
And they do nothing?!
[Shock! Some wristbands were colored from the start!]
Yu Yu paused.
Hearing footsteps, she asked, "Your wristbands started colorless?"
Shu Tu, phone in hand, descended. "Yeah, color came with class choice. Yours wasn't?"
Yu Yu: "…"
Was hers secondhand? Why deep blue from the start?
Miffed, she found the forum lacked sections or moderation. Unacceptable.
She posted.
Wait—her 'Boss' ID was taken? Who's the shameless thief?!
Fuming, she typed, [Yu]
She posted: [Who built this forum? Tons of admins, none working? Self-nominating for mod, pin my post!]
The sudden shutdown forced players offline, turning them into typing fiends, keyboards clattering.
Yu Yu's post exploded with replies.
EatBowlNoWash: [Who stole my ID?! Even this one?! What kind of person!]
She doubled down, [Yu, notice me! Your feats blew my mind—I told all my buddies! Wanna rob NPCs next time?]
[That Meng guy?] She spammed floors.
Yu Yu replied leisurely, [Cut it. Your fault Senior Qiong remembers me. You dumb? Enforcement knowing we tweak pain's good? Wanna live in lockup?]
She roasted EatBowlNoWash.
EatBowlNoWash: [QAQ Really?! Evil magic circle! Inhumane again!]
[They zap players! I'm complaining!]
[Boss, let's rob Meng?]
Yu Yu gleefully surfed, each refresh flooding with replies.
Then, a new ID jolted her—
Yu Yu's heart sank, replying to Qiong, [Why that ID? Kinda scary.]
EatBowlNoWash piled on, [What's scary about it?]
Yu Yu: [Clueless? She's the one who zapped you! Enforcement High Steward. Know nothing and call yourself a spellcaster?!]
EatBowlNoWash: [? I didn't know!]
[QingQing]: [Me neither.]
[Shang Wei]: [Nor I. Does Senior frequent enforcement?]
[PasserbyA]: [Anything scarier than 'Qiong'? Doge.]
[PasserbyB]: [Got it, I'll be 'Rich.' We'll ship!]
They spammed Qiong's thread, building floors.
On refresh, Yu Yu's heart sank again.
EatBowlNoWash's [Let's rob Meng] got a reply.
Chang: [Oh.]
Yu Yu: "???"
Bit coincidental?
She pondered.
Should she delete the post and play dumb?
Then, Fuyu yelped, "Yu, you're a temp admin!"
Yu Yu: "???"
A refresh confirmed.
Her ID glowed, as did Qiong and [Chang].
Theirs were blue; hers, vivid red.
Her hand shook, refreshing. A blue ID appeared—
[Feng Ye]: [Oh? Nice. It's yours. Spruce it up.]
Qiong.
Chang.
Feng Ye?
Yu Yu collapsed.
Zi Shu: "You okay?"
"Er Er, lick her."
The big cat strutted over, nearly crushing Yu Yu. "Heavy…"
Her private chat blinked red, pulsing like a heartbeat…
Qiong: [Pretty wild out there, huh?]
Somehow, Qiong copied Yu Yu's roast of EatBowlNoWash—calling her "dumb, craving lockup"—and sent it back.
The scene burned in Yu Yu's mind.
She teared up.
Seniors chasing her to real-world enforcement? Too far!
Qiong: [Quiet now? Spell circuit fried again?]
Yu Yu, stumped, typed one word—
[Meow~]