"Elemental Affinity?" Felix's voice carried a rare trace of confusion. "What kind of spell is that?"
Yu Yu stared at her, wide-eyed. "Senior Meng, you don't know a spell?!"
She was floored.
Felix's tone cooled slightly. "…I'm just a newly minted high-ring spellcaster. I can't know everything."
Yu Yu's face fell, troubled. "What do we do now?"
Seeing her distress, Felix pondered, then suggested, "If you don't mind, you could show me the spell model."
Yu Yu lit up. "Mind? Of course not! But… how do I show a spell model?"
Heavens, her own model-building skills were nonexistent. Her real-world spell models? All borrowed from Senior Meng or Senior Meng's lessons. Now, she had a legend's improved spells but couldn't see their models. What was this?
Game-exclusive spells?
Felix, realizing the issue, sighed lightly. "Forget it. As long as you can use it, that's enough."
Yu Yu wasn't ready to give up. "Senior, hold on! Let me log off and post about it."
She vanished on the spot.
Felix mused for a moment, then privately messaged 'Xue.' "Dean, when can we access the forum?"
Xue replied swiftly. "It's done, but it's resource-heavy. Only high-ring spellcasters can use it for now. I'm still optimizing, and it hasn't been tested. Want to try it?"
Felix agreed without hesitation, receiving the beta version. She started registering, frowning at the flashy options, eager to dive into the forum. Keeping it simple, she reached the ID field and typed Felix. After a clumsy but successful signup, she plunged into the vibrant sea of outsider activity.
A new post caught her eye.
[One-Person Petition! Why Doesn't Eternal Darkness Include Spell Models?! Trying to Cut Costs?!]
Posted by: [Yu]
Main Post:
Show real-time in-game! I can't keep guessing the time by the sky—I'm clueless! Can the spell list include models? These are improved spells with no models? Is this shoddy work acceptable?! Can you show remaining time for summons or buff spells?!
She attached Eye of the Hurricane's stats, ranting, [A 20-minute cast time? No wonder spellcasters' voices are always hoarse—they're chanting nonstop!]
1F: Holy crap! Boss! You've got a ring-four spell?! Improved?! Take me with you! Two-person petition, upvote!
2F: Three-person petition! Also, when do we get a minimap? I've been lost in a dungeon for half a year!
3F: Four-person petition! I just want real-time team chat. Can I say that?
4F [EatBowlNoWash]: Five-person petition! Spell models? What are those? Any sisters wanna explain?
5F [Shang Wei]: Six-person petition. Spell models are spell models. Ask a high-ring spellcaster.
6F [Qian Qing]: Seven-person petition. Hah, ask and get beaten by NPCs? Crimson, why's your ID color different?
7F [Xiang Qin]: Upvote.
…
In a blink, the post rocketed to the front page, glowing red with activity. Yu Yu's popularity in Eternal Darkness was higher than she realized. Probably because she flooded the forum too much?
The outrage she expected didn't materialize. Maybe Eternal Darkness's player base was too small?
Or, since many knew about the app and could cast spells in reality, they feared negative energy spells tracking them down, so they stayed quiet.
That was Yu Yu's guess.
The real reason? The old forum was policed by the Federation; the new one, by the magic circle. Posts didn't live long enough for her to see the chaos.
Felix clicked into the post, read for a moment, then tentatively tapped Yu Yu's ID and followed.
[Yu] — Following: 29, Followers: 62,890
After her follow: Followers: 62,891
Wow, Yu Yu's that popular?
Meanwhile, Yu Yu skimmed her post, checked her translated threads and logs, and logged back in, satisfied.
But EatBowlNoWash? Still clueless about real-world spellcasting?
If they figured it out, wouldn't they question the NPCs' true identities?
Always hounding Senior Meng—once Senior Xue rolls out the feature and Senior Meng browses the forum… yikes.
Her post exploded, hitting a thousand-person petition in no time. Oh, most players didn't know you could log in during the day now. Eternal Darkness was a great game—self-updating, self-fixing bugs. Yu Yu had just tested it on a whim. What if it worked?
Heck yeah.
Meanwhile, the Grand Archon stared at the forum. Perpetually hoarse? Besides a few unlucky souls with mutated vocal cords, who was hoarse?
She meant Xue and Chong.
Pinging them to check the post, Feng Ye sank into thought.
Realistically, they couldn't meet Yu Yu's demands.
But… what if? What if the magic circle approved?
After pondering, Feng Ye pinged the group. [Don't respond to outsiders. Wait for the magic circle's reaction.]
If it was feasible…
Simultaneously, outsourced forum admins reported faithfully.
The player base was large, but Xia District's players numbered only tens of thousands.
Yu Yu's influence among NPCs and players was evident in this post's traction.
Then Yu Yu remembered and posted: [You can log in during the day. Why're you all on the forum? Get online!]
A storm brewed, but Yu Yu dusted her hands and logged in.
Players seeing her new post: !!!
Since when could you log in during the day? For real? How'd we miss that?
The Federation: ???
How'd we miss that?
Soon, a flood of players logged in, confirming Yu Yu's claim.
Everyone: "…"
So Boss Yu just casually tested daytime logins?
How else could she know?
Felix lingered briefly but logged off, refocusing.
Yu Yu popped back in. "Senior, let's see if anything's changed! If not, I'll scheme something else."
Xue: "What else are you scheming?"
Yu Yu looked up, shocked. "Senior Xue, eavesdropping again?"
Xue: "We're too close. Your mental energy's leaking—you're practically shouting in my ear."
She paused, her hoarse voice adding, "Our voices are perpetually hoarse because of long chants?"
Yu Yu caught on, feigning innocence. "Senior Xue, I was ranting about chant times, not on purpose…"
Felix, used to this, stayed calm. "Can you see the spell models now?"
Yu Yu beamed. "I can! Eternal Darkness is so smart! It even picked up my offhand 'passive skill' comment!"
No need to call 0007!
Displaying time was a tiny request. Yu Yu opened the interface, seeing Eternal Darkness's clock, thoughtfully showing real-world time too.
She summoned a fire elemental, disappointed for a second. "No timer for the elemental's duration."
Xue's voice was icy. "Everyone's summoning proficiency varies, with different models. Displaying each one's exhausting. Can't you track it yourself?"
Yu Yu nodded. "Fair point."
With a clock, she could note it herself, though it wasn't ideal.
Meanwhile, players discovering Eternal Darkness's stealth update were blowing up the forum.
Yu Yu opened her spell list, finding each spell now hyperlinked, clicking to reveal a slowly rotating virtual model.
She squealed, "Senior, the models are here!"
Xue: "…"
Unbelievable.
Models were personal, shared only in tight circles, swapped between mentors, students, or friends, rarely leaked.
But…
She sensed something big brewing, immediately messaging the group. [The magic circle reacted. Yu Yu says she sees models.]
Pausing, she added, puzzled, [Where's she getting all these models? Ring-four spells? Who taught her? @Feng Ye]
[At her level, she can't use them. Was it you, Felix?]
Feng Ye: [Not me. Don't ask—I can't answer. Ask the Council Majesties.]
Xue: "…"
Meanwhile, Yu Yu was sketching models on paper, asking, "Senior, have you seen this spell?"
Felix, not thinking much, studied it. "It's a model I don't recognize. Maybe a lost spell or self-created…"
Yu Yu's eyes lit up. "A legend's original spell?"
Ecstatic, she said, "His Majesty's so generous! I'll bring him extra food next time!"
Felix examined it longer. "It's profound. Traces of all elemental schools, but…"
Xue couldn't resist. Ignoring the group's buzzing, she teleported to the door. "Let me see."
Yu Yu didn't mind, scooting over. "I just tested it. It's a persistent spell, but I'm unclear on the effects."
Xue's face lit up with awe. "Brilliant, intricate, stunning!"
Yu Yu: "?"
Xue: "I knew your full-element shield was odd…"
Yu Yu muttered, "It's gotta have a story. Ask the Grand Archon. If it's wrong, she taught me."
Felix: "…"
She gave Yu Yu a look heavy with unspoken words.
Xue glanced at her too. "You're her blessing."
Yu Yu flashed a radiant smile. "You're welcome! The Grand Archon's a senior I deeply admire!"
Xue fell silent for three seconds, then sent the exchange to Feng Ye via phantom voice.
The Grand Archon, fielding group questions: ???
Her sanity was fraying.
She had a mountain of tasks: a funeral unarranged, centurion core coordination with that pest Guang Chen, Xue hounding her for staff, and now Yu Yu stirring trouble, plus the Joel investigation…
Exhausted. Let it all burn.
Faced with chaos, Feng Ye gave up, slumping into her chair, serene.
After a while, she sat up weakly. "Get Yu Yu over here."
Meng: "Yu? Yu Yu?"
Since when was the Grand Archon so fond, calling her so affectionately?
"Yes, her. Yu Yu."
Meng agreed, puzzled.
The Grand Archon gritted her teeth. "She's at the academy. Grab her from Felix's place."
Meng: "…Got it."
She left, brimming with questions.
Unaware she'd lost her forum anonymity, Yu Yu was buzzing with anticipation.
Through Senior Xue and Senior Meng's analysis, the spell's rough effects were deduced.
Low cost, long duration, it reduced elemental spell costs and chant times while boosting control.
It likely enhanced summoned elementals too, though the extent was unclear.
The same spell in a legend's hands versus a mid-ring spellcaster's? Worlds apart.
Ignoring Senior Xue's disdain, Yu Yu was thrilled. "His Majesty's so generous. I'll tackle his tasks with all I've got."
Little failure? Fine. Call her little trash, little cookie, little trash cookie—she'd take it for spells.
After Xue left, Yu Yu whispered excitedly, "Senior, can you use these spell models too?!"
Felix paused.
Yu Yu: "You just advanced. Copying a legend's models is way faster!"
"I'll sketch those ring-four models later. Study hard, aim high! We'll learn together!"
Her voice rose with glee, forgetting to keep it low.
Felix's gaze was complex. "It's not that simple. Spell models are deeply personal. I'm not his student, and neither are you. He can gift them to you, but you can't pass them on unless they're your own."
Yu Yu's jaw dropped. "There's a rule like that?"
Felix nodded softly. "That's how it is. If someone shares a model with you, thank them sincerely. It's their life's work."
Yu Yu glanced at her spell list. Senior Meng's models, Senior Chang's freebie Thunder Leap, and the legend's…
Wait—her real-world models were all Senior Meng's!!!
"Senior, I think I'm using all yours…" Yu Yu murmured, eyes on Felix.
Felix's tone was cool. "I just hit high-ring. My models aren't refined or valuable."
Yu Yu was speechless, finally choking out, "Senior, I love you so much!"
Felix nimbly blocked her head, dodging a hug.
Yu Yu: "!!!"
How's Senior so agile?!
Felix's face was stone. "Stand still."
Yu Yu obeyed, crestfallen.
Wah, Wolfie's too quick. No chance!!
If Senior's this fast, the Duchess would be untouchable!
Meng: "Felix, the Grand Archon sent me to fetch Yu Yu… oh?"
She entered, eyeing the desk's sketches. "What model's this? Never seen it."
Yu Yu: "Why's the Grand Archon want me? Oh, I need to report…"
She added, "Senior says I can't share task-gained spell models."
Meng glanced at her. "I forgot to mention that."
"Don't share my models either, especially with outsiders. Got it?"
Yu Yu nodded dutifully. "Got it."
Meng said casually, "Sharing with Felix is fine. I don't care."
She studied the model, frowning. "Can't make it out. Whatever. You done? Let's go."
Yu Yu lingered. "Senior, when are you leaving?"
Meng huffed. "The magic circle HQ's in Silver Moon. She leaves when she wants. Besides, she can come back with a token."
Yu Yu still didn't budge.
Felix sighed. "A few days. I'm not leaving yet."
Yu Yu finally followed Meng.
Noticing Meng's leisurely pace, Yu Yu couldn't resist. "Senior, aren't you curious about my task?"
Meng shot her a look. "Nope. Don't tell me. I'm busy. Don't add to my plate."
Yu Yu pouted. "You're not busy at all."
Meng even had time to troll EatBowlNoWash daily. Busy, my foot!
Meng denied it. "Absolute slander."
Yu Yu's eyes gleamed. "Senior, do spell models have a patent period? Like, how long after someone dies can they be shared?"
Meng froze, squinting. "You planning to off me and spread my models?"
Yu Yu's smile vanished. "What nonsense! That's not funny!"
Meng coughed, looking away. "There's usually a period. The magic circle stores nearly all spellcasters' improved models."
"Like how you submitted restoration spells, we upload common improved models to the magic circle," she explained. "The points you get reflect your model's quality."
"You'll understand when you're high-ring."
"We often trade models too," she added. "Many of Chang's spells have my research, and she helps calculate mine. Get it?"
Yu Yu's eyes sparkled. "I get it! I'll help you calculate too!"
Meng chuckled. "I'll hold you to that."
Yu Yu still felt a pang of regret.
Legendary spells, but she couldn't share them.
Like sitting on a treasure mountain—she couldn't use them or give them to those who could.
Pure agony.
Meng: "For deceased seniors… I'm not sure if it's allowed." She'd never considered it. "Some seniors upload most models to the magic circle before passing. High-ring, you can trade points for others' improvements, some barely resembling the original…"
"Forget it. Ask the Grand Archon. Stop tormenting me."
Meng dropped Yu Yu at the door and bolted.
Yu Yu stepped inside, startled.
That wronged look—what happened?
The Grand Archon's beautiful face was stormy. "Yu Yu, look at the mess you've made."
Yu Yu: "? What'd I do?"
"Oh, can I ask you something?"
Feng Ye, cut off mid-sentence, snapped, "…Speak."
"If I find a deceased senior's spell models outside and bring them to the magic circle, is there a reward? Can I share them?"
"If they agreed to it?"
The Grand Archon paused, thinking. "If the senior consented, no issue."
"Rewards? Probably minimal," she said hesitantly. "You're just relaying their legacy, though your effort counts…"
She mused, "I'll discuss specifics with colleagues. Good question—it needs planning."
"As for sharing," she grimaced, "why're you suddenly asking?"
Yu Yu: "I got a ton of spells from His Majesty. I can't use them or share them with Senior Meng!"
She was genuinely upset. "What's the point?!"
Feng Ye: "…"
A moment later, she was stumped. "We can't decide that. Want to ask the Speaker?"
Yu Yu shook her head furiously. "No, no! No need to bother Speaker Majesty with this!"
That traitor!
She'd been forced to hear a pile of the traitor's dark history. Not only was she not shutting up, but running to her? Was her brain caught in a door?
Casually, Yu Yu asked, "By the way, does the Grand Archon know why Erisbo Majesty was sealed underground by the Speaker?"
Feng Ye nearly leapt from her chair. "Shut up!"
She scanned the room, terrified the Speaker Majesty overheard such heresy.
Circling back, she jabbed Yu Yu's forehead. "You seemed smart before. Why so dumb now? Is this your question to ask?! Trying to get me killed?!"
Yu Yu blinked. "There's no one here."
Han silently drifted out.
Yu Yu: "…?"
Fuck
How could anyone be here?!
The Grand Archon clutched her chest, in pain. "Got nothing better to do? Go do tasks. I don't want to see you."
Yu Yu muttered, "What's the fear? Another senior offered to spill gossip, and I didn't even listen."
Feng Ye: "What?"
"Explain."
Yu Yu gave a brief rundown. "She seemed unreliable, so I asked you instead! And you're scolding me!"
Feng Ye was now immune to her pouty antics.
She thought, then her pupils quaked.
No way… that possibility?
Then…?
Feng Ye: "You mentioned Joel to her?"
Yu Yu tilted her head. "Yeah. She said Erisbo Majesty was betrayed by a traitor…" Mmph?!
Feng Ye, gasping, "Keep blabbing, and I'll slap a day-long silence on you."
"I don't want details. Don't tell me," she snapped.
Yu Yu: "…That's about it."
Coward.
Grand Archon, weak.
Coward.
Tch.
Though silent, Feng Ye read her vivid eye-rolls.
Deep breath—not enough. Still suffocating.
Feng Ye's face hardened. "If that's all you've got, I—"
"Wait!" Yu Yu cut off her casting. "There's more!"
Seeing her glare, Yu Yu got to business. "Where's Rock Mound?"
"His Majesty wants me to fetch his staff there."
"Also, that senior wants some good food. Said to send it to you."
The Grand Archon: "…"
"Grand Archon?"
Yu Yu waved a hand. "Grand Archon??"
"GRAND ARCHON!!!" Super loud!
Feng Ye: "…Fine, talk. I'm listening."
Half an hour later, Yu Yu was booted out, told to wait while Feng Ye sorted the task.
Yu Yu shrugged and zipped off.
She was busy too.
After planning with Senior Meng, she logged off to post.
[First Guild Token!]
[Location: Silver Moon Street, Roland Auction House. RT.]
Player frenzy? Yu Yu didn't care.
Humming, she went downstairs, spotting Shu Tu awake.
"Wow, you're up early today?"
Shu Tu glanced up. "Remember Chang Yu's task?"
Yu Yu sat across, eyeing her bowl.
Shu Tu: "…Kitchen. Serve yourself."
Yu Yu heck-yeah'd, scampering to grab porridge.
Shu Tu: "I got that task too, this morning."
"[Underground Anomaly]," she said at the dining table. "Since Chang Yu got it, I calculated—exactly 15 days."
She asked, "Will 9 versus Will 8, a 15-day gap?"
Yu Yu emerged with porridge, her smile fading. "Show me."
Shu Tu shared the page.
Yu Yu studied it. "Shang Wei got it too?"
Shu Tu nodded. "Just asked her. She did."
Yu Yu sipped her porridge. "Hmm, Yu Bai's probably calling soon."
"Rong City's officials have a Will 8, right?"
Her words barely landed when her phone rang.
They exchanged a look. Yu Yu picked up. "Hello?"
The Underground Anomaly seemed unique to Rong City; elsewhere, life went on as usual.
The first guild token's reveal sent global ripples.
Not just Xia District players—those from Upwind Isles, Machili Isles, and other regions turned their eyes to Yu Yu.
Notably, the official site hosted players beyond Allen Peninsula, including other regions.
The magic circle's tech was top-tier.
With global players converging, Yu Yu's follower count, as the poster, skyrocketed.
She was, by now, a true big shot.
A larger crowd couldn't even access the site.
This time, Yu Yu stood at the eye of the storm.
She didn't mind.
The spotlight? She'd danced in it before. No biggie.
She kept her pace—forum banter, on-offline, studying, music, even picking up old music skills.
Back when times were flush, Shu Tu dragged her to piano and guitar classes for "refinement." She'd ditched them, but now…
Yu Yu resolved to relearn, to play for Wolfie!
After clearing junk from her phone, she gifted it to Senior Meng.
Wolfie loved food and music!
Yu Yu remembered clearly.
Sadly, phones in Eternal Darkness couldn't connect to the net, so Senior Meng got her playlist.
But she seemed to love it.
Like with food—she enjoyed everything, visibly delighted.
Yu Yu had tested it, then hauled in two boxes of power banks, earphones, and chargers.
All for Senior Meng!
Felix accepted everything.
Honestly, Silver Moon was great, but its entertainment was abysmal. The magic circle clearly forgot to preserve music.
Look how much Wolfie loved it!
Routine: check the forum before logging in.
Her posts still dominated the front page.
Yu Yu's expression was calm, mentally reviewing her plan.
Hmm… maybe minor hiccups, but no big deal.
The faster her strength grew, the smaller these issues would become.
Just watch.
Xia District's Federation stayed in the shadows, but too many wanted that guild token in-game.
Everyone wondered: what was Eternal Darkness's guild system?
Would the first guild get NPC favoritism? What perks?
Eternal Darkness was no mere game. Some carefree players treated it as one, but Federations worldwide had their agendas.
Below them, a mess of schemers lurked.
Anomalies were fierce but not civilization-ending cataclysms. They eroded humanity gradually.
Except those S-class ones.
Still, the planet housed vast populations, surviving, and they'd keep living in cautious dread.
In this, Eternal Darkness was the only light.
The game's name struck Yu Yu as oddly poignant.
The auction house opened today, but Yu Yu didn't rush online.
She leisurely handwrote six characters.
Posted.
[Azure Waves and Dogs Keep Out]
[Yu]: @DeepBlue
[Yu]: [What bad intentions could a kitten have.jpg]
The forum erupted, speculation about Yu's identity raging.
She shut her computer, slipped on her wristband.
Logged in.
The black-robed spellcaster appeared at home, slowly donning her robe before the mirror, adjusting her collar.
The woman in the reflection was slender, her pale, delicate face expressionless, save for a fleeting glint of mockery in her eyes.
No hood yet, she revealed only a soft, cold-white chin, her lips curled in a sardonic arc.
Out the door.
The black-haired, dark-eyed woman leaned against a carriage, coolly. "Get in. Let's go."
Yu Yu climbed aboard. The Marquis's carriage, escorted by guards, set off.
Silver-armored knights cleared the way, followed by attendants bearing the Silver Moon banner. The carriage gleamed white as moonlight, adorned with the Silver Moon crest: sword, moon, and Roland.
Not Wolfie's crest, as Yu Yu thought, but an ancient noble emblem from the Minos Empire era.
Yu Yu hadn't expected such fanfare. Glancing at Senior Meng, arms crossed coolly, she whispered, "Senior, isn't this a bit much?"
Felix's tone was flat. "Much? For a noble's outing, this is nothing."
Her voice carried a mocking edge. "Besides, Silver Moon owns this land. Why shouldn't I use it?"
Yu Yu watched shocked players and stunned NPCs along the way, her feelings mixed.
The Silver Moon family had stayed low-key under the magic circle's rule, with even the Duchess so compliant… Senior, oh Senior…
Yu Yu exhaled, burying her emotions, and asked, "Will the Grand Archon scold us for being too flashy when she summons us?"
"Her?" Felix scoffed. "Who cares."
Her tone was pure Felix.
Yu Yu: "We're here."
The auction house wasn't far, right on Silver Moon Square.
Yes, across from Big Wolfie's spot, that massive building.
Silver-armored guards had sealed the area. Countless players, uninvited and barred, packed the surroundings, even crowding the rooftops.
Yu Yu hopped down, offering a hand to help Senior Meng.
Nearby, the silver-haired Wolfie watched, expressionless.
Her gaze on Yu Yu held a hint of exasperation.
Can't charm me, so you charm my sister?
Wait till Felix leaves. See how this Duchess deals with you.
Felix moved with calm grace; Yu Yu didn't overthink.
Then, as she stepped inside, she heard the guards stir.
Yu Yu turned, puzzled.
Black-robed spellcasters appeared one by one, striding forward.
NPCs buzzed; even the Duchess, stunned, couldn't stay still.
Yu Yu: "!!!"
Why're the seniors here?!!