Time swiftly reached the end of August.

The Soulfall King, the First Prince, and the Duke remained in the human world, with no news emerging from that vast secret realm.

Though her father and elder brother paid her little heed, Alices still worried for them deep down.

Her vacation had also come to an end.

As usual, she packed her luggage, preparing to head to the imperial capital.

The difference this time was that she brought Luyi along.

"This is the finest flying mount we could find. We hope it meets your approval, Lady Luyi."

The colossal whale glided high above the clouds.

Wind gently lifted its massive body as it swept through the sky, parting the waves of cloud and atmosphere with its fins.

Energy circuits across its hide formed a protective membrane, softening the wind and sunlight into a gentle caress.

Breeze lifted strands of Luyi’s pale-gold hair, teasing the brim of her hat. She tiptoed to gaze into the distance—a sight that made Alices’s heart flutter with a moment of perfect peace.

The world reflected in Luyi’s eyes.

Mountains, lakes, forests, and fields stretched far away.

A stream cut through a village, flowing merrily toward the horizon. Wisps of cooking smoke curled from chimneys.

Towering buildings crowded the city below, streets thrumming with endless carriages and horses—a rhythm that never slowed.

"......"

The myriad lives of the Abyssal Demons before her differed vastly from what the Sacred Court had taught.

Yet Luyi sensed the fundamental divide hidden beneath this surface—the true distinction between the Abyssal Demon Realm and the human world.

The sky.

Beyond major cities where the sky remained normal blue, the Demon Realm’s heavens were almost always streaked with ash and shadow.

Within that gray and black, a filthy aura thickened.

It seeped into every inch of this world, permeating the bodies of the Abyssal Demons.

Slowly. Relentlessly. Corroding them.

......

The next noon, the whale descended slowly over the Stellar Abyss Domain.

Footsteps hurried across the docking port—mostly students.

"Most choose to arrive at this time," Alices explained. "This entire domain belongs to the academy we’re attending. The most prestigious institution in the Abyssal Demon Realm. A gathering place for geniuses and royalty: Stellar Abyss Academy."

From afar, a colossal, irregular black crystal pillar pierced the heart of the domain, spearing the heavens.

Its height defied measurement; only dark fissures—like colossal cracks—could be glimpsed through the thick clouds shrouding it.

Stare too long at those fissures, and one could almost feel......

......locking gazes with the abyss itself.

This was the Stellar Abyss Spire—the academy’s emblem.

Founded two thousand years ago by the Star Devouring Demon Emperor.

One of the mightiest Dark Emperors in Abyssal Demon history, he had clashed evenly with the Supreme Deity’s judges and the Sacred Dragons.

Yet this very emperor vanished without a trace.

Historical records placed his last sighting outside the Demon Realm’s forbidden zone.

His disappearance was abrupt, leaving no proper legacy. Chaos erupted among the demons, claiming countless lives.

Even the newly crowned emperor failed to fully inherit imperial authority due to the lost crown.

But the Star Devouring Demon Emperor had poured his heart into founding this academy, leaving behind many treasures.

The first to uncover this secret was an ordinary student.

After solving an ancient array on a wall, he claimed the emperor’s gift—a top-tier King-class combat technique.

His fate transformed overnight.

News of this ignited frenzy across the entire Demon Race!

As time passed, more of the emperor’s trials were uncovered. More received his gifts.

Rumors even whispered that the Star Devouring Demon Emperor had left his complete inheritance within these walls.

And whoever claimed it......

......

In the blink of an eye, Luyi and the others had settled into an inn.

"Lady Luyi, we’ll rest here briefly. Tomorrow, I’ll take you to submit your enrollment application," Alices said respectfully.

"Hmm."

Luyi sat by the window, gazing at the ancient crystalline spire dominating the academy city’s center. Recalling Alices’s history lesson, a faint smile touched her lips.

*This Star Devouring Demon Emperor... seems intriguing.*

*Knock knock knock—*

A polite rap sounded at the door.

Opening it revealed a woman with short orange hair, smiling courteously.

"Vice President?"

"Your Highness Alices, greetings."

The woman bowed in noble etiquette, offering a black card edged in gold. "I heard students say you’d returned, so I came directly. I’m here to invite you to this semester’s Night of Stellar Abyss."

The Night of Stellar Abyss was a gala hosted by the student council before each term. Most nobles and top-ranked students received invitations.

Though Alices’s talent was unremarkable, her status as the Soulfall King’s daughter granted her special standing.

"Of course. I’ll attend."

Glancing at the card, Alices smiled and nodded.

"My apologies for the intrusion, Your Highness."

The woman bowed again, waving lightly. "I’ll take my leave. See you at the gala."

"Mm. See you there."

The door closed softly.

Alices studied the card, then turned to Luyi.

"Lady Luyi... will you join me at the Night of Stellar Abyss?" She stepped closer, her tone edged with pleading.

"What is the Night of Stellar Abyss?"

"A gala before the semester starts. Everyone chats, plays games..."

"......" Luyi’s expression shifted subtly.

*Sorry. I’m socially awkward.*

It was precisely because she avoided socializing that she’d focused solely on conquering *Dusk*, rising to her current strength.

*Finding partners?*

*No thanks. It would only slow down my sword draw.*

"......I’d rather not," she murmured, refusing softly.

Alices was baffled.

A simple invitation had drawn a pitiful look from Luyi.

"Come with me, Lady Luyi. You won’t need to speak."

"......"

"I’ll only introduce you to a few close friends."

"......"

"And the gala has exquisite food—dishes you can’t even find in regular restaurants."

*Delicious food?*

Luyi hesitated.

Her meals at the Soulfall Royal Family had far surpassed the bland fare of the Sacred Court.

Her love for good food now warred with her social anxiety.

"...Attending once... might be acceptable..."

*If it’s truly as Alices says—no talking, just eating.*

"Is it settled?"

"Mm."

......