The old man's glory did not belong to this era.

As time flowed, few at Stellar Abyss Academy still knew his true identity.

Many people, many stories, had vanished in the sands of time—yet he remained.

Students and teachers might not recognize the elder, but they all knew the Domain Lord.

The man who stood at the pinnacle of the Stellar Abyss Domain.

So when he appeared in the library, everyone froze in place.

They dared not approach, yet all understood: the Domain Lord had come for Luyi. Only the silver-haired girl sat in that distant corner.

By that afternoon, rumors flooded the academy like a tidal wave.

"The Domain Lord appeared in the library—rumor says he wants to take Luluie as his personal disciple!"

"After fifty years, the Domain Lord seeks an apprentice again!"

"He stood in the library corner for hours. He’s observing Luluie. The Stellar Abyss Domain’s strongest has begun testing her."

...

Countless versions swirled. The entire academy was in an uproar.

Every rumor echoed one truth: the Domain Lord had sought out Luyi personally, valuing her beyond measure.

The Vice Domain Lords and Seat Guardians were the most shaken.

"My Lord... actually went to the library himself?"

Smoteg’s rare smile vanished, his eyes grave.

An invitation sent by the Domain Lord differed vastly from him appearing in person.

Taking Salros as his disciple? That was largely respect for the royal bloodline.

But for Luluie...

He’d never seen the Domain Lord show such regard for a freshman.

"Is this the impact of nine stars bowing and the Sky Leviathan kneeling..." Smoteg murmured.

...

"Luluie..."

The news inevitably reached Salros.

Though his goals were clear and his stay at the academy temporary, complex emotions churned within him—shock, loss, resentment, envy.

Since entering Stellar Abyss Academy, his genius seemed to dim with each passing day.

Louise, though less gifted academically, was a prodigy in combat who left him far behind.

And Luyi—

Bitter as it was, he had to admit:

"She’s... a genius beyond genius..."

...

Louise, however, remained the calmest of all.

She understood Luyi’s terrifying depth better than anyone.

Invitation letters stuffed her mailbox, yet she never opened a single one.

"A mentor..."

The petite silver-haired girl whispered, a flicker of nostalgia in her eyes.

This time, she sought no mentor.

She could blame it on the pride of a reincarnator—her dignity untouchable.

But beneath that heavy curtain lay wounds that had torn through her soft heart, scars that could never be mended.

A century ago, she’d been executed for treason.

And her former teacher had...

"So this time, I walk alone."

Her voice turned weathered, icy.

Then, just as quickly, her fearless grin returned: "Mentors? Just deadweight adults~"

"Worrying about that won’t fix my lifebound weapon. If it breaks, I’m really done for~"

...

"Luyi-sama, did the Domain Lord truly... invite you?"

That afternoon, Alice’s first question upon returning to their quarters cut through the quiet.

"Not really. I was reading. An old man with white hair stood nearby for a while. But he seemed a bit wary of my corner."

Luyi recalled.

*That* was the Domain Lord?

His gaze toward her held admiration, awe—but mostly fear.

What he feared, she couldn’t be bothered to decipher.

"Could he have sensed your power?"

"Doubt it." Luyi shook her head. "I just want to study quietly here for a while."

*Really?*

Alice didn’t believe her.

From the Night of Stellar Abyss to the academy trials, Luyi’s every move had shaken the entire domain.

She was certain Luyi-sama was plotting something.

Something even she couldn’t be told.

"Luyi-sama... if, I mean *if*, the Domain Lord ever discovers your true power one day?"

Alice pressed at last.

Luyi gave no answer.

But sometimes, silence was far more terrifying than any confirmation.

...

The Domain Lord’s appearance deterred all Seat Guardians and Hall Masters from approaching Luyi with invitations.

Relieved of unnecessary interactions, Luyi felt a quiet ease.

Days spent in the library deepened her understanding of the Star Devouring Demon Emperor’s contracted Illusion Beast.

"The Star Devouring Demon Emperor’s contracted beast: the Ancient Star Beast."

"Truly unique—not just in the Abyssal Demon Realm, but in the entire world."

"It bore draconic traits, yet possessed the rare gift of channeling Star Power..."

"After the Demon Emperor vanished, the Ancient Star Beast remained, guarding Stellar Abyss Academy. It once annihilated an imperial army of hundreds of thousands that dared seize the academy."

"Even at life’s end, its body remained undecaying, slumbering for centuries. Its power never faded—Star Power and the Source of Magic still flowed within it. Through ancient techniques left in the academy, its strength could be awakened, unleashed... like a final weapon embedded in Stellar Abyss."

"Where it fell, where its descendants dwell, is now called the Illusory Star Field."

"The outer region is open to students. There, beasts influenced by the Ancient Star Beast develop unique talents. Many attempt to contract them as Illusion Beasts."

"The inner region? An absolute forbidden zone. Only Vice Domain Lords, a few revered Seat Guardians—and none else—may enter."

*The inner Illusory Star Field must house the Ancient Star Beast’s descendants.*

"Then... will the blood I need be found within the Illusory Star Field’s depths?"

Blood to awaken Demonic Sovereign Eternal Ash’s potential. Blood to complete the Ascension of Rampant Chaos.

Luyi closed the final tome, her gaze drifting to distant mountains veiled in mist beyond the window.

Target confirmed.

Action followed.

Night fell.

After dinner, Luyi prepared swiftly.

Alone, she slipped out of the academy.