Ah? Have I fallen asleep?

The young girl struggled to open her eyes, and as the blurry vision gradually cleared, she saw a white ceiling with a few smudges on it.

She must be lying in bed, but this familiar yet strange feeling... And, is the ceiling too close? How high must this bed be with this distance?

High?

Turning over on her side and using her right hand to prop herself up, the young girl couldn't help but let out a light chuckle.

Of course, it's high, isn't it normal to have this perspective in a dorm where the bed is lofted above the desk? Did she stay up too late last night and her mind is foggy now?

She fished her phone out from under the pillow and lit up the screen. The screensaver displayed Comrade Stalin in a Soviet style, sternly staring back at her.

"Wow, how is it already so late!"

The young girl bounced off the bed, causing the not-so-sturdy bed frame to creak unpleasantly, catching the attention of her already awake roommate below.

"Hey, why so worked up? There's no class on Saturday mornings. Did you stay up late watching anime or gaming last night?"

"Cough...misunderstanding, a misunderstanding."

The girl awkwardly waved her hand, threw off the covers, and sat up, only to feel a strong soreness all over her body.

Oh, it hurts... Shouldn't have pushed so hard during the physical fitness test yesterday. Is it supposed to hurt this much?

Enduring the muscle soreness, she grimaced and got out of bed, heading to the mirror to tidy up before washing up. With a hair tie in her mouth, she reached back to gather her messy long hair.

Looking in the mirror, she saw her disheveled self with a dead-fish expression – the once delicate features obscured by a hint of desolation, not reflecting the vitality expected of a girl her age.

Ugh, I wish for a stunning appearance if I could reincarnate, even if I end up with a flat chest.

After a fleeting cry in her heart, the girl couldn't help but amuse herself. But if she continued to stay up late like this, she'd probably end up dead instead of being reincarnated, right?

Well, it's the last day of hellish routines anyway. The mid-term exams are over, finished two courses, no need to push so hard for the next half of the semester.

"Where are those two?"

After tying up her hair, the girl squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush and turned to see the empty space of the two beds, asking.

"They're probably at the library, trying to secure spots for grad school. But the counselor has advised you several times – aren't you planning to aim for a different grad school with your grades? You could compete in more contests and aim for a better university."

"No way, our school's not bad. I, as a student of X University, am proud of my alma mater, you know?"

The girl raised an eyebrow, "Besides, it's much easier to stay at our school for grad studies. My life goal is to be a slacker and ideally have a wealthy girl to take care of me."

"Isn't that the real reason behind your decision? ... And isn't it a sugar mommy?"

"Pfft, obviously, cuddling up with cute girls is the top priority!" The girl declared firmly.

"Yep, that's so you."

The roommate facepalmed.

"Speaking of which, you didn't cram either, did you? Oh, drawing again?"

Curiously moving closer, the girl peeked at her roommate holding a digital tablet with a half-drawn character on the computer screen. Despite being in black and white, the sketch was highly detailed and captivating, showcasing meticulous linework and intricate costume design.

"Is this... a dragon maiden? Is it a defeated state illustration? I love the defiant gaze, so well drawn. Such talent should be used for manga, it's a shame."

"Shoo!" The roommate playfully pushed the girl's fawning face away.

Carrying her toothbrush and cup, the girl hummed the opening song of an old anime she finished watching last night as she walked towards the bathroom. Suddenly, she halted in her tracks.

Hmm, how should I put it? Everything seems normal, but there's a tinge of unsettling feeling.

A feeling like something important left unfinished.

"Anyway, since I forgot about it, it must not be that important. Whatever."

Yawning, the girl kicked her slippers and continued on her way.

...

"To be able to control everything so easily... Truly the power of illusion."

At that moment on the beach, time seemed to freeze as the people who were just celebrating Tiran's eighteenth birthday froze in place, their movements and expressions locked in rigid stillness, their eyes devoid of vitality.

The birthday cake, carefully chosen by Sullivan as the only means to reach everyone with the power of illusion, indeed proved effective.

"But to think, even Angel can be affected by the illusion to this extent. Isn't the intensity of this ability a bit too much?"

"Cut the chatter, get on with the real business!"

Johannes, wandering around, urged Sullivan to focus. Sullivan, barely able to stand leaning against a nearby palm tree, was sweating profusely, his forehead and back instantly dampening his hair and shirt.

Despite his theoretical knowledge, Sullivan had no prior experience with an illusion of Holy Rank magnitude. Though he managed to maintain control, estimating the magical intensity of the Golden Dragon and Angel, he kept a sufficient safety margin and made rational plans for power distribution.

Most troubling was the unexpected drain to maintain the illusion on the princess.

Illusions are based on the mental state and memories of the target, often portraying immersive scenarios, with power consumption influenced by the scale and detail of the illusion.

Something's off. Why is it like this? Why is the Silver War Maiden... consuming so much energy in this illusion? What exaggerated memories has she tapped into?

Sullivan's expression shifted, feeling the urgent expansion of power demand, forcing him to constantly adjust the illusion, focusing more on suppressing the primary targets.

Yet, even with these efforts, the mental drain exceeded Sullivan's capacity to control, surpassing what mere adjustments could manage.

"Damn it, if that's how it is..."

Seeing Johannes guiding the illusion-trapped Vivian away, Sullivan decided to take a chance.

Illusions essentially transform mental power into magical energy to stimulate the brain. So, converting magical power back into a mental shock should be feasible in turn.

While it might be ineffective against Holy Rank individuals, it should suffice against ordinary people. Knocking unconscious everyone except Vivian and the three Holy Ranks to maintain the illusion. Yet, in this state, he couldn't control the intensity, making the potential mental impact on regular individuals unpredictable.

"Sorry, it's not my intention, though."

Struggling, the holy knight raised a finger, a faint light appearing at its tip, creating an invisible ripple spreading out from him.