The skeleton was a pauper in life. Under Yu Yu's team's righteous gank, it heroically met its end. It had nothing but a sword in hand—not even a high-tier weapon.
Wei Zishu, though, was pleased. "Mid-tier's fine. These stats are maxed for mid-tier—perfect for players gearing up soon. They'll be in demand."
"Probably 400 to 600 gold," she estimated. "There are a lot of players, and some high-level players and guild players are quite wealthy. It would be a waste if we don't squeeze them."
Split four ways, that's at least 100 gold each. Not bad, right?
Yu Yu didn't care for pocket change anymore, but Zi Shu and the others were thrilled, feeling the trip was already worth it.
Yu Yu, meanwhile, studied a small map intently.
Soon, four heads huddled together.
Fuyu griped, "This map's drawn like garbage. So ugly."
Yu Yu nodded. "Not even as pretty as Senior Yami's sketches."
Even the Duchess's sloppy doodles were better.
Feng Ye: "…"
"It's three floors," Yu Yu said. "We are in the front porch. Behind this door is the hall, and then there are the left and right halls. There are ways to go upstairs in both halls. There is also a hall upstairs. In addition, there is another floor below the hall, but it said it couldn't find the way."
Fuyu eyed the crude, ugly sketch. "And this guy says there's a ghost—super vicious, slinging water and fire…"
Yu Yu fell into thought.
Wei Zishu said calmly: "No need to guess. It's probably a spellcaster."
Yu Yu stood firm "This place was touched by Legends. What's weird about a spellcaster?"
She added, for dignity's sake, "With the Magic Circle's past glory, the mainland's probably littered with spellcaster senior."
Wei Zishu mused, "Might actually be true."
Feng Ye: "…"
Gui Fan: "…"
Chang Ming: "…Sigh."
Guang Chen: "The mainland's strewn with fallen spellcasters. With her knack, she might stumble across a cartload of seniors on a casual stroll."
Xue: "…"
"Let's go in!"
Moments later, the four stumbled out, covered in dust. "What was that? Where'd those attacks come from?"
Yu Yu also fell into deep thought,: "Yeah, where?"
Fuyu was still in shock: "Why'd we get pummeled, but you're unscathed?"
Shu Tu was left with only skin and blood. She sipped the extremely effective healing potion and said "…Clearly, her spellcaster elders went easy on her."
Wei Zishu, also on her last legs, would've respawned if Yu Yu hadn't thrown up an All-Element Shield in time. She muttered, "This damn favoritism. Infuriating."
They'd charged in, Yu Yu lagging behind. Shu Tu, pulling her along, got blasted by ice, fire, and lightning, while Yu Yu didn't take a single hit.
Why?
Those blasted spellcasters!
Even Wei Zishu's composure cracked.
Yu Yu gave a nervous laugh, unsure how to respond.
She thought, "Hold on. If I find a spellcaster's remains, I'll strip their robe. You guys can wear it—might fool them?"
Guang Chen: "Hmph, blasphemy."
Feng Ye: "…Needs must."
Qiong: "Didn't she use a robe to carry the remains of her predecessors and parade them around in the streets?"
Chang nodded, "Outsiders are naturally stupid."
After hashing it out, Yu Yu tasked Zi Shu with shoving the heavy door—only she could budge it, unless they used fire magic. Under her team's expectant gazes, Yu Yu slipped inside.
She moved cautiously, wary of getting zapped.
Who knew if those seniors really recognized her robe?
Feng Ye, thoughtful: "So, seniors can actually pick her out?"
Xue scoffed, "Get real. We go in, see nothing. Only they get attacked."
Feng Ye, annoyed: "Then how'd that pile of bones die? You kill it?"
Guang Chen coughed. "Non-spellcasters get attacked but see nothing. We don't get attacked but see nothing. Only Yu Yu—untouched and sees them."
Chang mused, "Someday, toss [Eating Without Washing Dishes] in. See if she's immune like Yu Yu?"
Feng Ye: "Worth a shot."
Despite Xue's jabs, Feng Ye maintained the poise of a good comrade.
Hmph, she's a Grand Archon; Xue's just a High Steward. No need to stoop.
Yu Yu spotted a five-person team of pale blue figures lingering in the hall.
They drew closer!
Yu Yu hugged the door, ready to bolt.
Moments later, the five stood before her. "Leave."
"Go."
"Out."
Their voices were firm, urging her departure.
Yu Yu shook her head slowly. "No way. I'm not leaving till the tasks are done, even if I die!"
Feng Ye: "…"
Chang Ming couldn't hold it in. "You'd think she's on a Magic Circle mission. It's just outsiders' task obsession."
"Magic Circle… tasks…" a pale blue figure murmured. "Go back, tell them it's sealed. Don't come…"
"Nope, not going!"
"Go back…"
"No!"
"Abandon… the task…"
"No way!!"
"Leave this place…"
"Absolutely not!!!"
Feng Ye took a deep breath. "This is her task strategy? Lucky the seniors are lenient—she hasn't been smacked yet."
Chang agreed, "Feels like she might crash and burn."
Chang Ming: "Am I the only one finding this cute?"
Gui Fan: "If you think it's for the Magic Circle's tasks, it's kinda endearing…"
Guang Chen: "The seniors don't know, so…"
"Fine," a pale blue figure said. "Leave soon."
Yu Yu grinned. "Explaining's too much hassle, but rest assured, seniors, I won't croak easily!"
She couldn't explain players to the dead, so she just refused to budge.
The pale blue figures, limited in wit, drifted off after failing to shoo her, as if patrolling.
Yu Yu tapped the door lightly, signaling safety.
A faint tap replied.
Yu Yu adjusted her robe and scurried along.
Per tradition, she lit magic lamps as she went, bathing the ancient hall in long-lost light.
She glimpsed a strange circular device in the hall's center but dashed for the left wing after one look.
Checking her tasks, besides her epic quest [Lost Power], five new ones popped up: [The Lost Soul], [Endless Quarrel], [Unopened Door], [Forgotten Tome], [Unravel Rock Tomb's Secrets].
"Let him watch it, and I'm gone half a day, and the core's missing? How'd you lose it?" a pale blue figure raged. "This is a mithril golem we barely found! It's reported to HQ! How'll you explain this to the Grand Archon?"
"You told me to rest while you watched it! How's it my fault?" another figure snapped back, livid. "You lost it and pinned it on me!"
She fumed, "How's there a senior like you!"
"Let him watch it, and I'm gone half a day…"
What's that?
Mithril golem?
Yu Yu, passing by, pricked up her ears.
"What's a mithril golem? Worth much?"
Feng Ye's breath quickened. "Where's the golem? Why can't I see it?"
Gui Fan, equally eager: "Hold on, hold on. Let's see if Yu Yu spots it."
A mithril golem—top-tier single-unit construct, tough enough to tank a fifth-circle Meteor Shower or a Legend warrior's strike. A Magic Circle pinnacle, just shy of a Titan colossus.
Incredibly valuable, though for spellcasters who could afford one, their own power often outstripped it. The real prize was the materials.
A full mithril golem needed 19.7 tons of mithril—its cheapest part. Such rare treasures were Legends' keepsakes, rarely circulating. No clue where they found this one. Definitely not from the Flame Sovereign's collection—the current Speakers were broke.
Yu Yu: "Seniors? Where's the golem? I can't see it."
The two, like broken records, repeated their spat, ignoring Yu Yu.
Feng Ye, disappointed: "Guess it's out of reach."
Yu Yu, suspicious, scanned the area. "This must be [Endless Quarrel], right? Gotta be a trigger condition."
The east wing was pristine, empty.
Yu Yu lit the magic lamps, turning the hall bright as day. Time-worn walls and floors bore thick dust, but nothing else. Eyeing the upstairs stairs, she pondered, then headed to the right wing. Crossing the hall, she met another ghost-like patrol team. Sure they wouldn't attack, Yu Yu pestered them, but they stayed mute, like scripted drones, their limited wit spent on not attacking her.
Yu Yu sighed, disappointed. "Guess sharp ghosts like Senior Yami are rare."
Yami was so witty, even self-deprecating.
In the right wing, Yu Yu's eyes widened. "Whoa, an underground library!!!"
Feng Ye froze. "This is…?"
Guang Chen, certain: "HQ's library."
Xue: "Yup, matches Left Tower's 103rd archive layout."
Approaching, Yu Yu saw a fretful pale blue figure pacing. "My books?"
"I'm missing three books?"
"Where're my books?"
She paced, agitated.
"Senior, senior," Yu Yu's eyes gleamed. "Where'd your books go?"
"Where'd my books go?" the elder muttered. "Where?"
"Exactly, where?"
Confirmed: this was [Forgotten Tome].
"Senior, want me to find your books?" Yu Yu offered, eager.
"…Good," the elder said dully.
Yu Yu dubbed her Stuffy ("Daidai"- "呆呆").
"Senior Dai Dai, know who took your books?"
Stuffy grew stuffier, thinking hard. "…I don't recall."
Yu Yu: "Don't worry. I'll check upstairs tasks and come back to help."
"…Good."
Yu Yu turned to climb, then saw Senior Dai Dai staring up at her, dazed.
Kinda cute, what's that about?
Feng Ye: "…Why's she nicknaming?"
Meng: "That's just her."
All respectful, but with a prankster's twist.
Three tasks remained unlinked: [Unopened Door], [The Lost Soul], [Unravel Rock Tomb's Secrets].
And her big epic: [Lost Power].
From years of gaming, Yu Yu knew the last was the dungeon's core, a world-lore quest.
The others were side tasks, like [Endless Quarrel] and [Forgotten Tome].
Yu Yu muttered, "What's [Unopened Door]? Anomaly or treasure? Wanna see."
Upstairs, another hall awaited, cozy, almost new. A pale blue male figure sat on a bed, sighing deeply. Yu Yu sidled up, routine kicking in. "Senior got a task?"
"Who're you?" He looked up. "How'd you get here?"
"I'm Yu, Senior! Got any troubles?"
"Fish?" The figure blinked, confused. "You're mid-tier. Where's your codename? And so tacky?"
Yu Yu's smile froze.
Why's this senior so chatty?
Just give the task!
"…It's a screen name—er, my real name."
Feng Ye: "Heh, sometimes I think she picked her codename early."
Chang: "And her top-tier one: Crimson."
Yu Yu explained, "The Magic Circle sent me for tasks. Need help, Elder?"
"Nope," the figure said fast. "This isn't a place for kids like you. Leave, now."
Yu Yu: "Where's the danger?"
The figure faltered. "…I don't remember."
"Then there's no danger."
Figure: "…You leaving or not?"
Yu Yu: "Nope. Gotta finish tasks, or the Grand Archon'll squash me!"
The figure stood up subconsciously and said in surprise, "Which Grand Archon's that unreasonable?!"
Yu Yu: "Feng Ye, that's who!"
Feng Ye: "…Heh heh heh."
Chang Ming: "Hahaha…"
Gui Fan: "Haha, classic Yu. You're infamous, Feng Ye."
Guang Chen chuckled. "I don't even dare to imagine what kind of reputation Feng Ye will have in the future."
The figure fumed, "I'll complain about her! Forcing subordinates to die?"
Yu Yu nodded, feigning outrage. "Yeah, she's awful."
Feng Ye: "…Heh."
"So, senior, I really can't leave. I will die if I leave." She said pitifully.
"Fine," the tall, lean figure sat. "What'd she send you for? I might help, but leave after."
"Though I don't recall, it's really dangerous here."
He hesitated for a long time before saying bitterly, "Look, I'm already here. You're only at the intermediate level. It's too dangerous..."
As he spoke, he began to curse Feng Ye again.
Feng Ye: "…"
Guang Chen mused, "If she joins me, will I be the one blamed?"
Xue, dryly: "Might be me."
Chang, stifling laughter: "No worries, the Grand Archon's cool. She's not even talking."
Actually, the black-robed woman's face was dark as ink, chugging water behind her desk.
Yu Yu probed, "How'd you end up here, Senior?"
The figure thought. "Magic Circle task. The Speaker thought something was off, sent us… us…"
His face twisted in pain. "…Ten people. No, nine."
"Nine…"
"Ten…" He clutched his head, agonized. "I don't remember…"
Yu Yu glanced at her pollution meter.
Steady at 0.
No pollution?
Eyes flickering, she pressed, "Forget the count, Senior. Keep going."
"Came to fix… fix…" he said, lost. "But we failed…"
"We're stuck, can't leave," he whispered. "Her, me, all of us…"
"All dead…"
"Forgetting… starting to forget…"
"Our memories…" Fear flashed in his eyes. "It's eating our memories."
"I forgot…"
"I forgot…" Pale blue tears fell, vaporizing instantly.
"I should remember," he said, head bowed, fists clenched. "I should."
"I can't forget…"
"But I did…"
Yu Yu pondered, checking her tasks.
[The Lost Soul] updated.
(Find what he forgot.)
This was [The Lost Soul]?
He was pretty lost.
"Senior, don't rush. Know where the mithril golem is?"
"Golem?" He blinked, vague. "Not sure…"
He stood, paused, then opened a drawer, pulling out a notebook. "I can't recall, barely read now. This is my old writing. Take a look."
Yu Yu's eyes widened, stunned.
What anomaly could strip a learned high-tier spellcaster of literacy?!
Feng Ye spoke. "Too dangerous, Meng."
Meng: "I'm here."
"When I say leave, teleport her out."
"Yes."
Yu Yu took the notebook, nodding approvingly. "Nice handwriting, Senior."
She'd noticed spellcasters often had deft drawing skills and solid penmanship.
Too much homework, maybe?
The figure smiled. "Thanks."
Reading the cover, Yu Yu said, "No Wind (无风- Wu Feng)?"
The figure looked blank.
Yu Yu: "Not sure if that's your codename or name."
The figure smiled faintly, clearly not registering her words.
His memory was spotty—personal details gone, trivial stuff intact.
Chang swiftly pulled Magic Circle records, finding an entry. "Grand Archon, female, codename 'No Wind,' vanished 175 years ago on a mission."
"Her team, ten total, went with her," she said. "The Magic Circle was fading, short on talent. Losing ten top-tier spellcasters, including a Grand Archon, was a blow. We don't know if they succeeded—only that they sent a warning signal, then silence. It's a minor restricted zone now."
"But the Flame Sovereign entered and exited unscathed, so the Magic Circle adjusted its rating."
Feng Ye tapped her desk. "Keep watching?"
The notebook was lengthy. Yu Yu flipped slowly. A cunning newborn anomaly, not yet mature, fed on memories. The Magic Circle couldn't let it grow, hunting its core to this tomb—Guminos nobility's crypt. Rock Tomb was named by this spellcaster team, who blasted the entrance from a mountainside.
As for why it is a wasteland outside now...? Yu Yu felt that it could only be attributed to the changes in the world.
Remembering Shu Tu's team waiting, she sped up. This was a formidable squad: one Grand Archon, the rest top-tier spellcasters. The Magic Circle clearly prioritized this.
But… they all stayed here.
Yu Yu's thoughts drifted. How many seniors died on this land for such reasons?
A pang of sorrow hit her.
The world of Magic Cirlce is different from reality, and Yu Yu is familiar with the history of Magic Circle. Although they are overbearing and arrogant, their responsibility is no less than that of the Federation.
Every inch of land, a drop of blood. Sigh.
"Found your answer?" the figure asked, hopeful.
Yu Yu looked at him, conflicted. "Yeah…"
"It says you used ancient magic to slice and layer your memories, preserving precious ones," she said. "Normally, memories stay surface-level."
"That's you now," Yu Yu continued. "You kept Magic Circle memories on top to recognize newcomers, to entrust or warn them off. The downstairs seniors are similar…"
Patrolling, recognizing her.
No wit, but urging her to leave.
Likely programmed to shoo young spellcasters.
The figure lit up, then smiled. "Go on, then."
Yu Yu's expression grew wild. "But I don't know that magic."
"I can't read it."
The notebook was detailed, anticipating clueless visitors, but Yu Yu was stumped.
She was a two-month lore-cramming newbie—why such advanced stuff?!
Feng Ye wavered. "…Meng?"
"Here."
Gui Fan: "One more look? I'm worried Meng's presence might affect their will. If Yu Yu's alone, the golem might show, but…"
Feng Ye hesitated. "Keep watching."
The figure blinked, lost. "You don't know it? Now what?"
Yu Yu scratched her head. "Can I bring my teammates in?"
"Senior can you make the patrol seniors downstairs not attack them?"
The figure thought long. "I can't recall…"
Yu Yu stared. "Senior, you're a Grand Archon!"
Figure: "…I don't remember."
"Do you have anything to prove your identity?!"
Figure: "…I don't remember. Why don't you look for it yourself?"
Yu Yu: "Then I'll be rude!"
Sleeves rolled, she went feral, rifling through stuff.
The figure stepped aside, smiling as she rummaged.
The room was cozy, lived-in, items pristine, not worn.
Yu Yu dug for ages, finding only daily goods.
Eyeing the figure, she marched to the bed.
The figure finally couldn't hold it anymore, "...Do you want to lift the bed?"
Xue couldn't help it either, "That's too much, what could be in the bed?"
Yu Yu: "Hey, look what this is!"
A gleaming badge rested in her palm.
Don't think that spellcasters of the magic circle are simple people just because they often wear black robes. In fact, every spellcaster is very exquisite.
A large pile of miscellaneous ceremonial items and various ornaments representing status, which are definitely not inferior to those of the nobility.
Yu Yu studied it. "Think I saw this on a Grand Archon's desk. ID badge?"
The figure smiled. "I don't know either. Why don't you try it?"
Chang, puzzled: "Did we mess up? Was this guy the Grand Archon? How'd we get the gender wrong?"
Male spellcasters were rare in the Magic Circle, Grand Archons rarer. A gender mix-up?
Feng Ye glanced over. "Who knows?"
Yu Yu was dug out from under someone's pillow, so no matter how you think about it...hmm.
The badge is bright silver, but when mental power is input, a dark blue arc of light flashes, which is particularly beautiful.
Yu Yu poured in mental energy, a deep blue arc of light suddenly bloomed, and a big name appeared in the air : No Wind.
"No Wind, Grand Archon," Yu Yu said firmly. "That's your codename, Senior"
The figure smiled. "Guess that's me."
Yu Yu: "I'll head down. If it doesn't work…"
Her eyes flicked to the wardrobe. She'd peeked—several robes, high-grade, not for high-tier spellcasters. Too shy to dig, she'd noticed they varied in size.
Badge in hand, Yu Yu descended, spotting the pale blue patrol. She blocked them. "Grand Archon's orders!"
The figures paused, sluggish. "Grand Archon…"
"Speak."
Yu Yu's eyes lit up. It worked!
"Don't attack the others coming in, got it?"
She sharpened her tone. "No attacking them!"
After a dazed pause, the figures nodded compliance.
Yu Yu, thrilled, clutched the badge and ran out. "Zi Shu, Shu Tu, you there?"
Wei Zishu: "…Obviously. Why so long?"
Yu Yu: "Had to find a way."
"Come in carefully. Test it."
Zi Shu nudged the door, sticking out a foot.
The figures watched, unmoving.
Zi Shu, potion in mouth, crept forward.
Still no reaction.
Yu Yu waved the badge. "Seniors love Grand Archon orders!"
Should she pocket this badge? Skip turning it in?
It'd smooth future mainland trips.
Borrowed authority (not really).
Feng Ye watched, amused. "Think she'll turn in the badge?"
Meng: "Nope."
Her certainty surprised Feng Ye. "Really? If she flashes it, she's straight to Enforcement."
Meng: "She knows how to use it. Won't tell unless forced."
Feng Ye mused, "Then we don't take it?"
Xue: "Don't. Give her yours instead."
Feng Ye snorted. "Dream on. She pins blames on me daily. With a badge, she'd make me take ten a day."
Chang Ming, stifling laughter: "Maybe even without it, you're still catching blame."
Feng Ye's heart sank. "Shut it."
Soon, Wei Zishu's trio stood in the hall, unharmed.
Yu Yu shared her task findings. "What's the plan?"
"We'll check those two tasks," Zi Shu said. "You figure out that spell."
Shu Tu, thoughtful: "These tasks seem open to all, but only spellcasters can do them."
Without one, they'd be stuck.
Even Shu Tu was fed up with the Magic Circle.
What kind of NPCs were this discriminatory?
Treating them like ghosts.
Yu Yu: "I asked No Wind, Grand Archon. He's forgotten the spell. The patrol five have less wit than him."
"I'll ask the arguing seniors and the library one."
Fuyu, chin in hand: "Logically, library NPCs solve player doubts, or tasks stall—system bug otherwise."
Yu Yu nodded. "Same thought."
Half a day later, they regrouped by Senior Dai Dai.
"Confirmed: other seniors' memories don't reach this layer. Only Dai Dai and the upstairs Grand Archon can chat."
"If the Grand Archon doesn't know, it's gotta be senior Dai Dai."
Yu Yu turned to the pale blue figure.
The left wing was empty, upstairs had only living goods, but the right wing was packed with books.
Wei Zishu eyed the books hungrily. "Can we take these?"
Yu Yu: "Maybe later. Don't touch now—Stuffy's obsessed with her books."
Else she wouldn't task them to find them.
"Hm… you don't know it?" Senior Dai Dai was really able to communicate. She was a little distressed, "But you lack too much basic knowledge. It's hard for you to learn it even if I teach you now..."
"Do you have any elders? Where are your teachers?"
Yu Yu looked aggrieved, "My elders are not here, and neither are my teachers, so please teach me, senior."
Senior Dai Dai sighed, "That's all."
Yu Yu took the opportunity to say, "Senior, what is the name of the book you lost? Why don't you tell us so that my teammates can bring it back to you when they see it."
The dull light blue shadow became a little more active. "Kaman's Potion Studies, Damaged Psyche Recovery Cases, On Mental Damage Aftereffects."
She accurately named three books and remembered them very clearly.
Chang: "Yu Yu!!"
Feng Ye froze. "…Hold on, don't interrupt."
Meng, calming: "…No rush. I'm fine."
Chang Ming sighed, "Back then… if she'd recovered, with Meng's talent, Grand Archon wasn't out of reach."
Chang's eyes reddened. "If not for her, we'd all be dead."
"Her psyche's damaged. If she'd stabilized, she'd be top-tier by now!"
In their class, she and Meng were the brightest, tight-knit.
Meng's talent even edged hers, but that battle broke her psyche, stalling her forever.
Meanwhile, those she saved soared.
Chang couldn't sleep thinking of it.
Why didn't she consider it?
Outsiders might… might…
Chang's eyes blazed, seeing Yu Yu as a rare gem.
With outsiders' quirks, she might find a way to heal Meng.
Meng was calmer. "Don't go wild. I'm good now."
Being a High Steward's a hassle—now's comfy.
Teasing the kid, teaching, snacking on treats~
Chang fell silent, but Feng Ye caught her clenched fists.
Chang's regret wasn't news to Feng Ye.
In summoning, Meng was a prodigy, eyed by the Council as a potential summoner Councilor.
Others had promise too—like Feng Ye herself.
Still, Meng's talent shone.
Such a shame…
Thinking she might gain a sharper subordinate, Feng Ye perked up. "When Yu Yu's back, I'll guide her. Don't rush."
Chang nodded fiercely, eyes aglow.
Yu Yu turned to Zi Shu. "Got that?"
Wei Zishu nodded calmly. "Yup."
Yu Yu: "Senior, please teach me how to use this spell. It will be fine if I use these three time periods."
She didn't dare aim for full mastery; time was tight.
The notebook listed three key segments, so Yu Yu targeted three tuning spells.
Yup, another ancient spell system: tuning models.
Soundwave-based, abstract, later replaced by geometric models.
There were void models, light-tuning models—wild stuff.
Some spells will be stronger than they are now, some will be weaker than they are now, but most of the time spells will become stronger with each generation
Spellcasters are constantly innovating, so it's rare that the ancient times were stronger than the present.
Plus, the Magic Circle collected spell models— senior Meng's words stuck with Yu Yu.
Learning, Yu Yu felt odd, like someone watched, occasionally shooting her disdainful looks.
…Like Senior Meng's scorn.
Senior Dai Dai caught senior Meng's bad habit?
Darn it!
It's normal she couldn't learn, right?!
But looking up, senior Dai Dai remained dazed, her wit thin.
Yu Yu swallowed her doubts and kept learning.
Fuyu gasped, "I think I hit a bug!"
Wei Zishu: "What?"
Feng Ye and the others had been learning ancient magic with Yu Yu with great interest, but they were also shocked at this moment.
What's going on?
Yu Yu also took some time to ask, "What kind of bug is this? Is there such a good thing?"
Fuyu returned, loot in hand. "Look! Leggings!"
"High-tier!!!"
Wei Zishu and Shu Tu were reading books next to the bookshelf, but they couldn't hold it in any longer and walked over immediately.
Fuyu taught them the bug. Seeing her team occupied, Yu Yu resumed studying.
Feng Ye muttered, "Maybe it was left behind by the unlucky guys killed by our predecessors?"
"Or something they did en route?" Guang Chen said.
"But why this way…" Gui Fan was baffled. "A bug?"
Xue checked records. "Outsiders call system errors 'bugs.' They exploit them to cheat the game."
Feng Ye, breezy: "It's lost stuff. Them bringing it back's fine."
Xue shrugged. "Looks like a good haul."
They didn't care, but auctioning that gear could fetch a fortune.
Perfect for the gold-obsessed kid…
They refocused on the spell.
Yup, it was lost to them too…
Since Yu Yu wanted just those segments, they studied feverishly, poring over the notebook's key points.
They envied outsiders.
She simply doesn't know how lucky she is. If Yu Yu wanted, she could just stay here and learn all the lost spells under the guidance of her predecessors. They don't have the luck to be taught by their predecessors.
But Yu Yu refused to do that. No matter whether it was the secret ritual that Senior Yami taught her last time or the tuning this time, she did not seek to understand it in detail and just swallowed it whole.
They were so angry that they were trembling with anger, but they didn't know what to say to her. If I tell her, I'm afraid it will affect her will. If I don't tell her, I'll feel bad about the lost magic...
Wow, the combat effectiveness of a spellcaster is almost directly proportional to the amount of knowledge, so the older the spellcaster, the more powerful they tend to be.
Still feel bad...
Feng Ye murmured, ""I have to find a way to tell her when I get back that the magic circle will collect these lost items, and they are very expensive..."
Chang, recovering: "The Grand Archon could tweak favor requirements—like needing lost knowledge to boost it."
Feng Ye's heart stirred. "…That works."
Guang Chen: "I'm in."
Gui Fan: "I learned it!"
Chang Ming, too: "Grand Archon's standards are high, right?"
Chang mused, "What about me?"
Xue: "I'm Academy Dean. Requiring lost knowledge isn't much."
Qiong: "…Chang, you and Meng are tight. If she heals Meng, you'd skimp on favor?"
Chang, firm: "If she heals Meng, I'll max her favor, give her anything."
Meng: "…No need."
Chang: "I say there is."
Meng: "…Her wants are… you know."
Chang, confident: "Just a voice line. Big deal."
Meng hesitated, then studied on.
Chong: "I'm different. She leaves me the golem, I'll spike her favor."
Feng Ye: "Dream on."
Guang Chen: "Dream on."
Gui Fan: "Dream on, I'm your boss!"
Chang Ming: "Dream on."
Chong: "…Grand Archon, mine's yours, right?"
Gui Fan: "Then I'm in."
Chang Ming: "Pfft."
Feng Ye: "Hmph."
Guang Chen: "Ask her."
"I got it!" Yu Yu whooped, leaping up.
Turning around, she saw her teammates' faces beaming with joy, and a small mountain of equipment piled there.
Yu Yu: "? You guys drained the seniors?"
Zi Shu: "Think so. Bug's dry now."
Fuyu face was full of red. "You are good, come and pack up the equipment. We are already full and can't put these in. What if it refreshes later?"
Yu Yu was silent, "Can't you move it outside?"
Wei Zishu slapped her forehead. "That's what I forgot. Move, move!"
Fuyu cackled, "Eternal Darkness's weak—such a bug! Not much high-tier, but mid-tier's pricey!"
"We're splitting four or five grand each. Instant riches!"
Yu Yu, fixated on the golem: "Oh, Shu Tu, don't go. Help me."
Shu Tu: "Hm?"
Yu Yu dragged her to the main hall. "The magic's fine, but this instrument—I can't play it."
Chang: "She can't even do that? It's just… oh, outsiders don't learn it."
Feng Ye: "Meng, teach her sometime."
Meng sighed, "Yes."
She was becoming a preschool teacher. Her schedule was packed—years wouldn't cover Yu Yu's lessons.
Tied to this kid for years… unreal…
She feared Yu Yu using the Grand Archon's name to dodge blame.
Yu Yu hummed a tune in a very uncertain tone, "Shu Tu, it's your turn, play."
Shu Tu: "???"
Yu Yu argued confidently, "Didn't you say that if you learn one thing, you can learn everything. If you learn music theory well, you can play any instrument?"
"It's your turn to shine!"
In the center is a large golden and white disc with a circle of dreamy mana buttons that ordinary people can also use.
Yu Yu felt that it was very similar to the piano, and Shu Tu was very good at learning the instrument. She still remembered the astonishing look on Shu Tu's face when he improvised.
Of course, she also taught Yu Yu, but Yu Yu didn't learn much.
Playing games is so fun, who wants to learn this kind of thing!
You are forcing yourself to do something you are not prepared for.
The dark blue light wave keyboard drives the flow of magic power.
As Shutu pressed the keys, a series of magical powers fluctuated and collided in the air.
Dreamy colors, gorgeous and extraordinary.
Yu Yu was stunned. "My goodness, the spellcaster is really good at playing, isn't they?"
Mana piano?
Oh no, but this thing is too cool, right?
From deep to shallow, brilliant ripples surge and collide in the air.
Yu Yu: "You can also use mental power to adjust the rhythm..."
Shu Tu quickly found the feeling, "It's very similar to the piano, but..."
She was amazed. "It has a wider range than a piano, and the tone is so beautiful... This color seems to be C major?"
"Is there any other sound that can be made?" Her eyes were somewhat hot, an expression of excitement at seeing prey.
Yu Yu was also amazed and thought it was so cool. She also wanted to learn this kind of expressiveness.
"If I learn this, Mom won't worry about me not being able to find a partner anymore..." Yu Yu muttered.
Yu Yu: "Wait, let me tune it."
As soon as her mental power moved, the disc surrounded Yu Yu like water, rotating freely 360 degrees, like a fish in water, and it was extremely flexible as Yu Yu's mental power moved at will.
She even retracted her fingers and tapped with her mental power, and it unexpectedly became even more of a fit.
The gorgeous ripples flowed freely, enveloping Yu Yu and even floating throughout the entire hall, shining brightly and beautifully.
Yu Yu was able to adjust the rhythm with one click using his mental power, and the color of the ripples, which originally changed from light blue to dark blue, also began to switch.
From light red to dark red, from light yellow to dark yellow, from light green to dark green, the range of sound is even so wide that it cannot be captured by the human ear.
After Yu Yu became proficient, the hall became more colorful, with ripples of various colors, dyeing the entire hall with beautiful colors.
The special effects are full, but...
Shu Tu was originally frowning, thinking that the caster was too much. This was too good of a gift. It was agreed that she would play the spell...
Then she gradually covered her face.
At this moment, even the light blue shadow passing by covered their ears unconsciously, with a look of disgust on its face.
Feng Ye: "Please, stop playing…"
Xue, despairing: "How's there such a bad spellcaster? Lock her in school till she nails basics."
Many ritual spells used tuning and soundwaves; spellcasters had instrument spells and classes.
No need for virtuosity, but… not this.
They'd long ditched music, but ancient ritual tunes were lovely, so they knew good from bad…
Chang with a painful face, "Meng, make her stop…"
Meng was also desperate, "I'm suffering more, okay?"
They watched remotely, but Meng endured Yu Yu's atrocious mental tuning up close, chaotic enough to scalp.
Shu Tu snapped, "Yu Yu!"
Yu Yu snapped out of the dazzling effects, blinking innocently. "What?"
Shu Tu: "Stop, or the seniors'll die again."
Yu Yu, realizing, pulled the mana instrument down. "Heh, this is fun. I didn't learn before 'cause instruments weren't cool enough!"
She boomed, "Go back and teach me how to play the piano! This is super cool! Super cool! Super cool!"
Shu Tu sighed, "Fine."
She'd played rogue long, but now she wanted to switch.
Welfare or not, she wanted that piano.
Yu Yu, watching Shu Tu tweak tunes, rambled, "These spellcaster seniors are… so refined."
"I thought sealing a gate with mana tuning was fancy, but a mana instrument this cool?"
"Normal folks wouldn't bother tuning mana sounds for this…"
Refined as hell.
Meng: "Hmph, slandering spellcasters."
Music was universal. Shu Tu fiddled, barely nailing the three spell-required tunes.
Thank the stars—Allen's language passive included note recognition, or she'd be blind.
In the halting melody, Yu Yu tuned mentally, and time seemed to shift.
The bright hall dimmed visibly.
"Success?"
Shu Tu: "Think so."
Zi Shu's team, done hauling gear, stood waiting.
Wei Zishu: "…I know some music. Want me to teach?"
Yu Yu: "Sure! I'll play for you once I'm good!"
Fuyu, surprised: "Nerd, what did you do? You know everything?"
Wei Zishu glanced at her. "Can't compare to you, glued to streams and vids, always loud."
Fuyu, unfazed: "What's wrong with that? Everyone's like me!"
Yu Yu charged the left wing. "Golem, golem, my golem…"
Feng Ye echoed, "Golem, golem, my golem…"
Chang: "…"
Sometimes, the Grand Archon and Yu Yu were eerily alike.
Did she ever pin blame on the Night Lord?
Yu Yu: "Aaaah, golem, my golem!!!"
"Can golems cast Vine Growth?!!"
Meng: "?"
Feng Ye: "??"
All: "???"
What the heck?!!