Soothing music filled the air. A professional orchestra performed diligently. Musicians in tailcoats and gowns drew bows or blew into instruments.

At the heart of Radiance, the vast palace glowed brightly as always. The opening ceremony of this year's Magic Exchange Conference was held in the palace's dedicated concert hall.

Amid harmonious melodies, many guests had already gathered. It was exactly six o'clock. An hour remained before the opening speech. This hour was the adults' "warm-up battlefield."

Everyone wore formal attire. Men exuded grace; women radiated nobility. But for Ouyang Shi, this venue was utterly, utterly boring.

Dressed in a white off-shoulder gown draped with a light blue shawl, her icy-blue hair tied in a ponytail, she left the hall alone. She went to the balcony area.

Lavishly, the palace had built a two-story Western-style mansion just for this gala. Guests mingled in the first-floor hall. Ouyang Shi leaned on the balcony railing—looking rather lonely.

Above, the cloudless sky sparkled with stars even in twilight. Breathtakingly beautiful.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"???"

A soft voice reached Ouyang Shi's ears. She turned to see a mature woman taller than herself. Dressed in a full-length red backless gown, her golden hair was captivating. Ouyang Shi's gaze was momentarily drawn.

"I was abrupt."

"No..."

Sensing her rudeness, the woman gracefully apologized.

"You are..."

"Hehe, my apologies. I'm Elvire, Elvire Toynia. And yours?"

"Ouyang. Ouyang Shi."

"Oh? The renowned Ouyang Clan."

Upon hearing the surname, Elvire showed a flicker of surprise but instantly regained composure. This small detail made Ouyang Shi feel different. Elvire showed no fear or strange emotions toward the "Ouyang" name.

"You flatter me. I'm just a small figure in the Ouyang Clan."

"Hehe, if you say you're small, I'll believe you. I don't care who you are or your surname. I only care about the lovely girl right here."

Elvire showed complete indifference to Ouyang Shi's words. She seemed interested only in Ouyang Shi herself. This made Ouyang Shi feel comfortable.

"Thank you..."

"Hehe, you don't need to."

What mattered was Ouyang Shi, not "Ouyang" first then "Shi." This was her constant wish: for others not to tie her to the Ouyang Clan. This series of conversations greatly improved her impression of Elvire.

"What special thoughts do you have about this sky?"

"The sky?"

Steering the topic, Elvire smiled and pointed upward with her index finger. Ouyang Shi only looked puzzled.

"This sky is very clear, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"But today's weather was supposed to be rainy."

"............"

"To ensure the banquet proceeded smoothly, the palace had Sorcerers disperse the clouds a day early. Even now, they're still working hard."

"???"

"Magic has changed the world. It has also changed relationships between people. Is this change good or bad? For now, technology's power remains great. But one day, if magic surpasses technology, what will the world become? A truly thought-provoking question."

"I don't know. I only care about the people I care about. No matter how the world changes."

"A truly fine answer."

A short-haired maid in uniform approached from behind, carrying a tray with two drinks.

"Thank you, Garna." Elvire nodded to the maid and handed a yellow drink to Ouyang Shi. Ouyang Shi didn't refuse, taking the glass goblet.

"Miss Ouyang Shi, shall we toast to this world? Though it's not too beautiful."

"Okay..."

Clink!

After the sound, both took small sips.

"This is... apple juice?"

"Haha, of course! Did you think it was alcohol? I wouldn't let a minor touch it. You're not at the age where you need it."

Holding the cup by its base, Elvire smiled at the setting sun sinking below the horizon.

"Talking with you has been pleasant. But it's getting late. The banquet is reaching its peak. Shall we go down together?"

"Okay."

Ouyang Shi nodded, agreeing.

.......

....

Time struck seven o'clock. The gentle music suddenly turned stirring. This was the agreed signal—the start.

In the hall, chatting guests fell silent. All turned toward the stage. A formally dressed man with prominent mustaches walked on stage. He cleared his throat twice to test the mic, then began speaking. His words were standard formalities: thanking guests, praising the Magic Exchange Conference.

"Where were you just now? Did you meet an acquaintance?"

"Nothing. Just wanted some quiet time alone."

Ouyang Long smiled at the stage but whispered to Ouyang Shi beside him.

"I noticed you came down with a dangerous woman. Do you know her?"

"No. She just spoke to me on her own."

"Is that so..."

Since his daughter said she didn't know her, Ouyang Long believed her.

[Then, I declare this Magic Exchange Conference officially open!]

Just as Ouyang Shi snapped back, the speaker had changed. Now on stage stood a youth in a magnificent cloak and golden dragon-patterned robe.

——He was the Heavenly Ruler of the Unified Control Kingdom.

It was fitting for him to make the declaration. But Ouyang Shi didn't care about such trivialities. The music resumed. The hall's atmosphere returned to its initial buzz.

This time, Ouyang Shi couldn't escape. Ouyang Long took her and Ouyang Feng to introduce them to other factions. The icy Ouyang Shi and lively Ouyang Feng became the gala's center of attention. Those who knew the Ouyang Clan flattered Ouyang Long. Others gathered around the two beauties.

"Hey, isn't this Mr. Ouyang Long! Long time no see!"

A fat man, after companions pushed through the crowd, sauntered up to Ouyang Long.

"Oh? If it isn't Boss Huang! I haven't seen you in ages!"

Both smiled and shook hands. Their smiles looked utterly fake. Yet this was the adults' "way of handling things." Watching from the side, Ouyang Shi felt nauseous. Such roundabout ways truly didn't suit her.

"Oh my, you brought both daughters? How rare."

"Yes, yes. They're over ten; it's time they experienced the outside world!"

"But, such young girls, are you really at ease?"

"Oh? What are you saying, Boss Huang? Worried about not getting a good rank in the final Magic Exchange competition?"

"Exactly! I'm very concerned for my two nieces!"

"You worry too much. They'll definitely get good ranks, at least not lower than your people!"

"You're quite bold!"

""Hahahahahaha!""

Such conversations happened many times. Different people chatted with Ouyang Long, especially Boss Huang and three others. Their words were particularly nauseating.

Just then, a commotion erupted in the hall. This drew everyone's gaze toward the main door. The Heavenly Ruler suddenly appeared in the crowd, striding quickly toward the entrance. As the kingdom's highest authority, such haste was improper. But his face beamed with joy. He looked at the door with extraordinary delight.

At the door, now the focus of all eyes, stood a man.

"That is..."

Seeing the figure, Ouyang Shi froze instantly.

"Teacher!"

"Oh dear, you humble me too much, Heavenly Ruler."

The bespectacled man who had argued with Ouyang Shi over a necklace that afternoon was here. He seemed very familiar with the Heavenly Ruler!

"You came to Radiance without telling me? I could have welcomed you!"

"Hehe, you don't need to. Outside the academy, we're no longer teacher and student. Now I'm just a passerby, while you rule this continent. It's I who should lower my stance."

The bespectacled man looked troubled at the Heavenly Ruler's student-like reverence.

"How could that be? A teacher for a day is a father for life!"

"I'm afraid the old folks behind you might have opinions..."

Without minding etiquette, he gently patted the Heavenly Ruler's shoulder, ending the bow.

"Teacher, what brings you to Radiance?"

"Hmm, things calmed down in Atlantis, so I'm traveling around. Today I even found a promising seedling!"

"Oh? That surprises me. To interest you, who could it be?"

"Hmm, let me see."

He shifted his gaze from the Heavenly Ruler to the hall. Almost everyone was dumbfounded.

"She's here too, but now isn't the time to approach her."

After subtly nodding toward the Ouyang Clan's four members, he looked back at his former student.

"I'm very interested in the exhibition match. Could I be a judge? Though it might be troublesome."

He knew his request was a bit much, but for future development, he had to ask.

"Of course! It's a small matter!!"

The Heavenly Ruler was 100% willing to help his teacher. With his status, there was little he couldn't do.

"Alright, I just came to say hello. I'll take my leave now."

Lighting a cigarette, the bespectacled man left with hands in pockets.

Who is he?

This question troubled everyone except the Heavenly Ruler. For the noble ruler to humble himself, this man's identity must be extraordinary.

"Just now, did that gentleman nod at me?"

Ouyang Feng asked her father dazedly.

"I think so. He did nod toward us. The person he cares about might be one of us four."

"I—I was noticed by that great man! Wh-what do I do!"

Automatically dismissing the possibility he was interested in Ouyang Shi, Ouyang Feng became ecstatic.

"........"

Shaking her head, Ouyang Shi lost interest and walked away.

......

...

"Even he came. How interesting."

"Young Mistress?"

Elvire stood in the corner, watching the entire farce unfold. She knew the bespectacled man's identity all too well. What surprised her most was that he, who was always swamped with work, had actually shown up at such an event.

The short-haired maid at her side watched the slightly seductive smile on her master's face and wore a puzzled expression.

"Let's go. Today's goal is achieved. I can already smell conspiracy brewing."

"?"

Though confused, the maid didn't voice her doubts. She quietly followed Elvire as they disappeared from the hall...