"Why help me...."

Ouyang Shi's voice, thick with doubt, came from her now-calm lips. Her hand rested in Zokilia's. They looked perfectly matched, like a princess escorted by a prince—but no one saw them in the silent corridor.

"Atlantis. Heard of it?"

"Atlantis... Eh?!"

Ouyang Shi froze instantly. Yet the silver-haired gentleman seemed to foresee this. He halted the moment she stunned, smiling back.

"So you grasp what I mean."

"Yes..."

Disbelief flooded Ouyang Shi's face. Her world affairs course had deeply covered the continent's two powers: the Unified Control Kingdom and the International Economic Union. Her teacher had stressed solemnly: Atlantis was the world's strongest.

"But who exactly are you—"

"Shh..."

Zokilia silenced her with a gesture, his finger brushing her soft lips.

"Right now, you're a princess needing rescue. I'm merely a passing knight." He withdrew his finger, smiling gently. "A knight many fear. So don't be afraid. Don't despair. Trust me with everything."

"........."

The man before her seemed suspicious. But Ouyang Shi had no one left to rely on. Her own power couldn't reverse this—she had to believe.

...

The banquet continued. All attention centered on Ouyang Feng. Her status and beauty made her the dazzling star—naturally, only when Ouyang Shi was absent.

Suddenly, the closed door swung open. Armored guards filed in, forming two neat lines.

"His Majesty the Heavenly Ruler arrives!!!"

At the captain's shout, every guard bowed, eyes fixed on the floor.

The cry stunned the guests. Yet these well-trained nobles quickly recovered, bowing in proper etiquette.

Golden boots entered view first. Then golden silk trousers. A full golden robe enveloped his body—the Heavenly Ruler wore nothing but gold!

"Rise, all."

His authoritative voice snapped the statue-like crowd back to life. They straightened slowly.

"Your Majesty, why grace us?" Merchants and leaders approached, voices respectful.

"No need for tension. I seek only one person." The youth, barely twenty, faced elders twice his age without a flicker of nerves. As Heavenly Ruler, such calm was natural—never flustered, always measured.

"Seek someone? Who, Your Majesty?" Ouyang Long, standing center-crowd, voiced others' thoughts.

"Heh, relax. Personal business. My royal guards insisted on this fuss—I couldn't dissuade them. Continue your feast. The one I seek hides well; you won't find him. So..."

The Heavenly Ruler trailed off, but his dismissal was clear. All withdrew quietly, flattery set aside.

"Ah, Your Majesty—"

Ouyang Long didn't follow the crowd. He blocked the ruler's path instead.

"Hmm? What troubles the Ouyang Clan head?" The Heavenly Ruler eyed him curiously, no blame in his tone.

"It's about Royal Magic Academy admissions—"

A palm cut him off.

"Enough. I know your question. Not today. I said: personal matters." A warning glance, then the ruler turned sharply away.

"Heh heh..."

Unfazed, Ouyang Long chuckled softly behind the ruler's back.

"Oh! Mr. Ouyang Long, fresh from defeat—still laughing?" A fat man slithered close, voice grating. His companions snickered.

"Hmph." Ouyang Long shot them a disdainful look and strode off.

"Tch, so arrogant." The fat man and his group scowled after him.

...

The Heavenly Ruler moved through the banquet, offering minimal politeness to greetings. Duty demanded it—royal image was paramount.

"Where are you, teacher..." He had urgent news for Zokilia. Ruining the party meant nothing; he'd forced his way here. He'd searched everywhere. Yet as he knew, when Zokilia hid, none could find him.

"Your Majesty."

Ouyang Long's voice surfaced beside him again.

"You again. Know no manners? Can't you see I'm occupied?" Patience snapped; Ouyang Long was the final straw. "Guards, seize him—"

"I might know where your person is."

"What." The ruler froze. Was this man truly credible?

"I can find who you seek."

"Oh? You know who that is?" Dislike faded. At his rank, objectivity overruled emotion. He paused. "Hmm, the bespectacled young man? If I'm not mistaken."

"Oh? You know. Very well—prove yourself. Where is he?"

"Heh, head toward the balcony, Your Majesty. You may just meet him..." Ouyang Long bowed, hand on chest, stepping back. His smile oozed repulsion. "I take my leave now."

"......"

The ruler watched him go. That smile meant little—he'd seen worse. Child's play. Yet the words held weight. Few dared lie to the Heavenly Ruler publicly.

"Guards, withdraw. I go alone." Shaking off thoughts, he waved them off and walked toward the balcony.

He opened the side door. Quiet corridor. Behind him, banquet noise continued, unchanged by his absence.

"Your Majesty?"

"Teacher!"

Before him stood the man he sought—with a beautiful girl of ice-blue hair.