It was the sun of eight or nine in the morning.
Sunlight dappled the leaves, painting them with a faint golden halo before spilling through the gaps as scattered specks of light on the ground.
A gentle breeze brushed against faces, carrying a slight coolness without any trace of heat.
Luyi and Alices walked along the path toward the Stellar Abyss Plaza. From afar, the square was already swarming with people.
"So many..."
Luyi sighed. The dense, black sea of people before her was easily dozens of times larger than the number of participants for the Night of Stellar Abyss.
"After all, this is the strongest academy in the entire Abyssal Demon Realm. It’s only natural that so many would sign up," Alices said, patting Luyi’s shoulder reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Lord Luyi. Only this stage draws such crowds. After this, at least ninety percent will be eliminated."
She silently counted the crowd. This year’s applicants seemed far more numerous than in past years—all because of the awakening of the Stellar Abyss Pillar.
The very night the Stellar Abyss anomaly appeared, nobles and royals had rushed nonstop to the Stellar Abyss Domain. None wanted to miss this opportunity.
Beyond the crowd, they could also see the massive statue towering at the plaza’s center.
It depicted a six-winged beast, its colossal wings spread wide, standing proud and imposing. Its weathered, majestic presence radiated overwhelming pressure.
Before the beast stood an irregular crystal.
Here, the first stage of the entrance exam—the Bloodline Aptitude Test—would begin.
By channeling power into the crystal, a tester’s bloodline and abilities would be revealed.
The entire process would be monitored by the six-winged beast. Any cheating would result in permanent disqualification from Stellar Abyss Academy.
Luyi frowned slightly at the irregular crystal.
It wasn’t fear of being exposed under the beast’s watchful gaze. Rather...
*Just how much should I suppress my strength to avoid blowing up the crystal in the very first test?*
Since it was the start of the semester, classes were sparse. Many students lingered around the plaza’s edges, watching the sea of new faces and waiting for the test to begin. Some upperclassmen had already started approaching attractive participants.
"Alices-sama! And Luyi-sama!"
"Alices-sama! We didn’t get to talk properly at the Night of Stellar Abyss last time. This time, please..."
News of Luyi crushing Sige and making the Fourth Prince wet himself had spread like wildfire through the academy.
Almost overnight, students’ attitudes toward Alices had done a complete 180—from "nepo baby" and "mediocre" to "ambitious mastermind" and "keen-eyed strategist."
Many nobles were now scheming ways to get closer to the girl.
Alices smiled politely, wearily fending off the crowd. Others stole glances at Luyi.
Compared to the gala night, the girl now wore glasses, appearing more reserved.
But unchanged were her silence and that stunningly beautiful, utterly expressionless face.
*What an ice-cold beauty,* some sighed inwardly, growing more captivated.
To them, Luyi was an unattainable flower on a high peak—noble and untouchable.
In truth, her blank expression was pure social anxiety.
---
Elsewhere.
A petite girl with snow-white hair strolled leisurely down the street.
Dressed in plain clothes, she seemed to vanish into the bustling crowd.
But a closer look at her face revealed she was undeniably a beauty in the making.
"After all these years... I’ve finally returned here..."
She murmured, feeling the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Her voice carried a wistfulness far beyond her years.
"Back then, I ranked among the top five in the entire academy—a pinnacle existence."
"I even... nearly touched the true inheritance left by the Star Devouring Demon Emperor."
"But I lost to time."
"Amidst the throne’s strife, I was forced to leave the academy. Betrayed and framed by my elder brother, I met a wretched end."
*Back then... I accomplished nothing.*
Her eyes turned icy as she spoke.
"But he never knew I obtained the Star Devouring Demon Emperor’s soul-type treasure. In the end, I was reborn in a desolate land."
"Stellar Abyss Academy... I, Louise, have returned."
Her whisper was soft but sharp.
"And some people... it’s time for them to depart."
A powerful sensing ability radiated outward. She gauged the Source of Magic emanating from those around her.
"Too weak."
"Compared to my era, today’s Demon Race is far too weak."
She shook her head slightly, a disdainful smirk curling her lips. Her expression grew smug.
"Truly... a bunch of trash."
"Trash."
"Another piece of trash."
"Just trash."
Lost in her judgment of passersby’s talents, her tone grew increasingly flippant—until she failed to watch her step and bumped straight into a golden-haired girl ahead.
"Wah!"
She let out a squeak, stumbling back two steps.
"Are you okay?"
A concerned voice reached her.
*How dare trash block my path—*
Annoyed, she looked up—and froze, captivated by the girl before her.
A breathtaking face. Golden hair swaying gently. Eyes as serene as a forest lake.
No trace of the usual demonic murkiness clung to her. She seemed almost...
"An angel."
Louise whispered without thinking.
"Hm?"
"N-nothing! I mean... I’m fine!"
Panicked that Luyi might have heard, she waved her hands frantically, her cheeks flushing.
"S-sorry!"
Before Luyi could react, she bowed deeply, then hurried past with her head down.
But as she walked, doubt crept in.
*Did I overreact just now?*
*That girl didn’t even have demonic aura...*
*Why should a former royal like me feel flustered and shy in front of trash?*
*Just because she’s pretty?*
*But even if it’s because she’s pretty—we’re both girls!*
Her thoughts tangled.
Louise shook her head hard.
*No. No distractions now.*
*The aptitude test is the main event.*
*As a reborn soul, I’ll claim the protagonist’s spotlight!*
*I’ll slap faces left and right!*
*I’ll shock everyone here with my bloodline and talent!*
*My path to reclaiming my throne begins now.*
