"To summarize: the fundamental difference between a Knowledge Sequence and a Bloodline Sequence lies in whether one has mastered Transcendent knowledge. No matter how powerful — a Behemoth, a Hydra — or how proud — an Angel, a Titan — if they have never grasped Transcendent knowledge, they remain Bloodline Sequence."
"Comprehending Transcendent knowledge requires Aptitude — which can generally be understood as one's affinity for the Laws of the world. After all, learning Transcendent knowledge is, at its core, a process of perceiving those Laws, from the surface down to the depths."
"One important point to emphasize: Aptitude has no bearing on raw power. We have yet to determine what exactly governs Aptitude — but as a general rule, the further one travels along the Knowledge Sequence, the more likely their descendants are to be born with exceptional Aptitude."
"..."
"What I've just told you is the distinction between the Knowledge Sequence and the Bloodline Sequence. Has everyone got that?"
At the lectern, Melodia lifted her coffee cup and drained it in one go.
Li Fei had her head bent low, pen flying, transcribing every line of the lesson notes written in the air above her. It made her stand out sharply from the rest of the class.
Noble mages — lord and lady alike — naturally expected noble treatment. And the students who could afford to attend the Magic Academy were, without exception, either wealthy or well-born; genuine commoners here were as rare as white swans. The result was a classroom atmosphere far more relaxed than Li Fei had imagined — nothing like the high school classes she remembered from her previous life. It felt less like a lecture and more like a salon centered on Transcendent knowledge.
There were even servants stationed along the walls. A student need only raise a hand, and a fresh, steaming cup of coffee would appear at their elbow.
Once a servant had replenished her cup, Melodia glanced around the room, saw no signs of confusion among her students, and gave her short wand a brisk wave — erasing the floating text — before continuing:
"Next, I want to talk about Classes."
"The Transcendent path is a staircase that climbs forever upward, and every landing is sealed behind a locked door. If Rituals and secret potions are the keys that open those locks, then Classes are the treasures the Laws bestow upon us once those doors swing wide."
"Our task is to keep climbing as we deepen our understanding of Transcendent knowledge — searching for keys along the way, pursuing higher Sequence levels and more powerful Classes, until at last we pluck down the stars we call the Laws themselves."
"Of course, a Ritual and a potion are only the baseline conditions. Most Classes come with additional prerequisites that must be met before advancement is possible."
"Our Dean, for instance, holds the title of 'Archwizard' — unique in all of Loxibrook. The requirements for that advancement are extraordinarily strict: one must master Expert-level magic in at least three separate alignments. Believe me, that is far more difficult than simply reaching a high Sequence."
"As for the variety of Classes… there are simply too many to count. Over a thousand have been catalogued so far, with new ones being discovered all the time. Your textbooks cover the names, prerequisites, and combat specialties of most known Classes. I strongly suggest you memorize them in their entirety."
"As for the specific Ritual procedures and potion formulae — those you'll need to exchange for using academic credits at the library."
Melodia continued her steady, unhurried overview of the basics of Transcendent cultivation. For students from families steeped in this world, virtually all of it was old knowledge — and it showed. Many had already begun to drift, eyes wandering, stealing glances at Irena and Li Fei and quietly debating the utterly pressing question of which one was the class beauty.
Irena, seated right beside Li Fei, watched her "honorary little sister" take meticulous notes with an expression of warm, amused curiosity.
"It's worth noting that Classes have tiers, and certain Classes can be advanced multiple times… This means you have a choice: commit deeply to a single Class, or build a combination of different ones. If you're uncertain, come and ask me — I'll give you my honest recommendation. But ultimately, the decision is yours."
"That's all for today. Your timetables have already been sent to you, and a copy will be posted outside each classroom door. If you're curious about a different magical alignment, you're welcome to sit in on another class."
"One note of caution: while you are in principle free to choose your own path, unless your Aptitude has reached Gold-grade, it's advisable to focus on Nature alignment knowledge. I would not recommend spending too much energy on other alignments."
With those words, the first lesson of the new term drew to a close. The students visibly relaxed, smiles spreading across their faces as they turned to chat and get acquainted with their new classmates.
"One more thing."
Melodia drained the last of her coffee and added, in a perfectly casual tone: "Focus is a virtue. I know everything I covered today is entry-level material — but that's no reason to be complacent."
"Throughout this entire lesson, the only student who listened attentively and took notes was Li Fei. Does that mean our Special Enrollment student understands this material less than the rest of you? I think everyone here should take a moment to reflect."
"Li Fei: plus ten points. Everyone else: minus one point. Class dismissed."
A light flick of her wand — and every student's brooch flared. Every pin in the room flashed red. Only Li Fei's glowed white.
Long after the cascade of golden curls had disappeared from the new students' sight, the classroom remained in complete silence. The students stared at each other, their smiles frozen stiff on their faces.
Academic credits were precious — redeemable for resources and knowledge. New students were granted only ten points upon enrollment. Losing one point was a remarkably severe warning.
As one, the entire class turned to look at Li Fei, who was still bent over her notebook, writing.
"Maybe that's exactly why she made Special Enrollment," one student murmured, shaking their head.
"There's nothing more terrifying than someone with better Aptitude than you who also works harder," another said quietly, shrinking into themselves.
Hm?
Li Fei looked up, as if snapping out of a dream.
What just happened? How did I randomly earn ten points? I genuinely didn't know most of that material… My Special Enrollment spot was bought through negotiation, after all…
After a brief moment of thought, the star courtesan understood.
So Melodia even has the authority to add and deduct credits. Those flirtatious looks I threw her earlier weren't wasted after all — I'll have to step it up going forward.
And I should make a point of getting on good terms with the other female teachers too.
...
Class Three.
"Today is the first day of term. Take the time to think carefully about which Meditation grimoire you'd like to choose — formal Meditation lessons begin tomorrow."
The short-haired female instructor finished her unhurried reminder to the new students, then paused, and added:
"If anyone happens to know Miss Kaname Madoka, please pass along a message: she is expected to attend class on time tomorrow."
Her elegant brows drew together faintly, a note of reproach entering her voice:
"Skipping class on the very first day of term is simply not acceptable."
...
To become an ordinary student at the Magic Academy, one had to possess Aptitude that ranked among the finest in a thousand, pass the entrance examination, and pay two thousand gold coins in annual tuition. Their brooches were bronze, and they received ten academic credits upon enrollment.
In a city as vast as Loxibrook, only a little over a hundred new students were admitted each year.
Among each cohort's new intake, there would be one — occasionally two — Special Enrollment students. Their brooches were silver-white. They possessed Aptitude so rare it bordered on mythical, and they were the Academy's most intensively cultivated talents, receiving one hundred academic credits upon enrollment.
Above them still stood the Special-Grade students.
These were once-in-a-generation geniuses, darlings touched by the Laws themselves — individuals with a strong likelihood of reaching the higher Sequences, their potential equal to or surpassing that of pureblooded dragon descendants and Titan whelps.
In Loxibrook's Magic Academy, only two students had ever earned the honor of Special-Grade. They were known throughout the Academy as the "Twin Stars."
Who, then, was the beautiful young girl with the golden brooch marking her Special-Grade status — her long, ash-grey hair cascading past her waist, her talent and beauty so dazzling that even the sun would have to squint?
"Nice to meet you, Senior Sister Irena."
Li Fei opened her palm, offering a single milk candy with a mischievous, sweet smile. "Here — a little something for the occasion."
"Oh my, this is my favorite candy from when I was little."
Irena accepted it with delight. "Then I'll gladly take it — thank you."
The shameless star courtesan, who had taken to carrying candy specifically to break the ice, unwrapped one for herself as well, and said with a grin:
"Don't mention it. We're sisters from different mothers and different fathers, after all."
The star courtesan who spent her days at the Golden Kumquat Tavern had developed a rather sharp ear for gossip. She knew which noble lady had been sneaking off to meet a lover behind her wife's back — only to run into that very wife doing the same thing, the two of them ending up sharing a private room — so of course she also knew that Mama Nicole's other adopted daughter was a grey-haired beauty of extraordinary genius named Irena, whose reputation as one of the "Twin Stars" sent small ripples through the entire Nature alignment.
Not that Li Fei particularly cared about Aptitude when it came to making friends. No Aptitude in the world could keep pace with a System. What she valued was something more fundamental — like appearance. Looks. Face.
Irena, it had to be said, met a certain someone's aesthetic standards without reservation. Her long ash-white hair was soft and silken, one delicate strand braided into a charming little plait with an unmistakably girlish touch. Her exquisite face wore a sweet, enchanting smile that occasionally let slip a glimmer of playful mischief. Her eyes were a clear, luminous water-blue — full of life, luster, and quiet intelligence.
She sat beside Li Fei with composed, graceful posture, her short black skirt resting demurely across her thighs, her cream-colored knit top paired with a ribbon necktie in a combination that was both elegant and pristine. Draped over her back was a broad, unadorned dark mage's cloak — slightly plain — but the pair of snow-soft legs beneath the desk, swinging ever so slightly, more than compensated with every bit of a beautiful girl's particular vitality.
This type — the silver-haired beauty — is the ideal type for just about every Chinese person alive, and Li Fei was no exception.
"Somehow, calling someone 'little sister' the very first time we meet feels a bit presumptuous," Irena said, a smile playing at the corner of her lips. "But being called 'big sister' by such a lovely beauty… I find I don't mind that at all."
"Then just call me 'Fei,'" Li Fei said with a blink. "I hope we'll get along well, Senior Sister Irena."
There were already plenty of good sisters who called her "Fei" — the star courtesan didn't mind adding one more.
"Likewise."
A pair of slender fingers emerged from the oversized sleeves of her mage's robe. Irena's face was bright with genuine pleasure. "In fact, Mama Nicole specifically told me to look out for my little sister."
"That's too kind of her, really…"
"Don't mention it."
Irena took Li Fei's hand in hers. "Give a rose, keep the fragrance — especially when it's your own sister."
"Let's go get lunch first. We can choose our Meditation grimoires together this afternoon."
Irena pulled Li Fei to her feet with easy enthusiasm, and with a casual wave of her other hand, every textbook on the desk rose smoothly into the air and settled itself neatly onto the bookshelf at the back of the classroom.
The effortless precision of that little flourish reflected extraordinary mana control — but Li Fei didn't register its significance, and Irena treated it as the most ordinary thing in the world. Hand in hand, to the wide-eyed astonishment of several classmates, the two of them walked out of the classroom together.
"Senior Sister Irena, you really remind me of Mama," Li Fei remarked curiously as they walked across the soft lawn.
The same grey hair and blue eyes, the same five or six points of resemblance in their facial features, even their voices carrying a similar warm, clear quality. Even biological mother and daughter wouldn't necessarily look this alike — let alone an adoptive mother and daughter.
Their figures, of course, were a different story entirely. Nicole stood nearly as tall as Li Fei, with elegant curves. Irena, even counting the small crescent-shaped ahoge curving at the crown of her head, still came up noticeably shorter — and if she looked straight down, she could see her own feet with ease.
"It does trouble me sometimes. There are always strange rumors," Irena sighed. "But I really am just Mama's adopted daughter. Perhaps it's what the Eastern Continent would call fate."
"Fair enough… but wait — weren't we going to lunch?" Li Fei frowned, puzzled. "Why are we walking toward the Dean's office?"
"Some of the dishes are paid for," Irena said, her smile turning just a touch sly as she pinched her fingers together in a small, conspiratorial gesture. "But as the Dean's daughter, surely it's acceptable to make use of a tiny little perk — like asking the cafeteria to set aside two servings of the highest-grade lunch special?"
"Ah," Li Fei said, deeply impressed. "Of course."
...
Leona stepped out of the teleportation passage known as the Path of Conquest and set foot once more on familiar ground.
Waves of red hair were plastered to her cheeks with sweat. The vivid red of her skirt was stained with blood gone dark and black. Her sheer black stockings were torn beyond repair, exposing broad expanses of skin so pale it was blinding. One red high heel remained; the other was gone. Her bare foot was caked with mud, and through the translucent remnants of the stocking, the vivid red of her toenail polish was still visible — lurid and striking.
Had Miss Kaname Madoka been present, she would have recognized her immediately: this was the senior figure at the Mercenary Guild who had processed her registration.
Before the teleportation passage stood a powerfully built man with a full head of red hair, waiting.
He was tall and imposing, his arms wreathed in roiling firelight so intense it obscured his features entirely.
"Father."
Leona lowered her head respectfully.
"Guild President."
The mercenaries who had followed Leona back were drenched in blood and radiating killing intent — yet the instant they laid eyes on the red-haired man, they bowed in unison.
"How goes the situation in Viranean?"
The President of the Mercenary Guild — Loxibrook Branch — took no notice whatsoever of his daughter's battered state and asked directly.
"There are several Sequence 3 Dragon Turtles that will require your personal intervention," Leona answered. "I'll post bounties to clear the remaining obstacles as quickly as possible. Once it's done, we should be able to claim at least thirty mineral veins."
The red-haired man said nothing. He turned and walked straight into the teleportation passage. Within a few feet of him, the air itself warped and twisted — scorched, as if by an infernal heat — and yet the grass beneath his boots merely bent under his weight, not a single blade reduced to ash.
"If you haven't reached a higher Sequence within the year, go to the Bai Manor yourself. Perhaps you'll produce offspring more worth cultivating."
The red-haired man's silhouette disappeared into the passage. His low, resonant voice lingered — and Leona felt it run through her like a cold blade, the color draining from her face.
Behind her, the mercenaries bowed their heads and held their tongues.
What would it mean for a beauty like Leona to end up in Bai Mengtian's household?
Bai Mengtian's ambitions were hardly a well-kept secret. That vision — so childish, so absurd, so utterly unhinged — had only cemented her name as a true demoness.
Over the years, no small number of women had knocked on the doors of the Bai Manor of their own accord. Every last one of them had walked out as a devoted, unshakeable follower of Bai Mengtian.
That demoness was like some nameless Old God lurking within the fog — once her influence touched you, it seeped into your thoughts and your soul, corrupting them completely, reshaping you into one more fragrant tendril that carried her twisted, chaotic, decadent whispers outward, drawing ever more people into permanent ruin.
In truth, Bai Mengtian's infamy had grown to rival that of the "Witches' Sabbath" itself.
Only a man as monomaniacally obsessed with the Laws as the Guild President — a man who had burned every other possibility to ash and turned himself into a test subject, breeding and refining over and over to "produce" the offspring of greatest potential, Leona — could look at his daughter with eyes completely empty of sentiment. If Leona failed to satisfy him, he would not hesitate for a single moment to cast her into the abyss called Bai Mengtian. As long as his bloodline could one day touch the root of the Laws, it didn't matter if his daughter drowned in that abyss, came to despise him with every fiber of her being, or dragged the abyss's retribution back down upon his head. None of it mattered to him in the slightest.
____
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