Gwen stood still, staring at what remained of her house. The once modest structure was now reduced to rubble, torn to pieces by the relentless chaos of war. This wasn't the first time she'd experienced such loss. Her first home had been destroyed on the infamous night of the red moon. That night, a monstrous creature infiltrated her small residential area, wreaking havoc. It struck with such ferocity that it not only obliterated her house but also upended her life. Yet, in the midst of that tragedy, Gwen had met the legendary wielder of the dual spiritual swords—the Realm Knight.
After that devastating event, Gwen had moved to a quieter residential area, farther from the academy and what she thought would be a safe haven. Who could have predicted that this very place would later become a battlefield?
Gwen often heard people call her a "lucky star," claiming that her presence brought fortune to others. But deep down, she couldn't help but feel that she was her own bad luck. Time and again, her life seemed to spiral into chaos, and she had never experienced the kind of effortless luck others spoke of so fondly.
Take this world, the Nether Plane, for example. It had been fortunate to have her in its time of dire need. Gwen had thwarted the demon clan's cunning schemes and prevented their domination. But the cost of her heroic efforts? She now found herself homeless, yet again.
"Hhh, now… where should I live?" Gwen muttered to herself, her voice tinged with exhaustion. She glanced at the balance displayed on her crystal token card and sighed. The amount was woefully insufficient to rent even the most modest guesthouse.
"Hm… maybe I could hire the services of a wood-element mage?" she mused aloud. "They could build me a small wooden house. It'd be cheaper in the long run since I wouldn't have to pay monthly rent once it's done."
It seemed like a viable plan—except for one glaring problem. Mage capable of such feats were rare, and finding a seventh-level Earth Mage or higher was no small task.
If her master or senior disciples could hear her thoughts, they'd likely groan in frustration and shout, "You can call the earth spirit to build a house!"
As she pondered her options, a horse-drawn carriage came to a stop beside her. The driver, a stern-looking man with sharp features, addressed her.
"Are you Miss Gwyneth?"
"Yes. And you are?"
"Master Rocco sent me to escort you."
Master Rocco? Gwen frowned. Why would he send someone for her? The question swirled in her mind, but she decided it was better to ask him directly than speculate endlessly. Without hesitation, she climbed into the carriage, letting the driver take her wherever she was needed.
She expected the journey to end at the mission tower, where Master Rocco usually resided. Instead, the carriage pulled up in front of a grand, imposing mansion. It stood tall and sturdy amidst the surrounding ruins, its pristine condition protected by a shimmering shield. Gwen immediately recognized it as an advanced magical barrier—likely crafted by an eighth-level mage or higher.
"Please, come in," the driver urged, motioning for her to follow.
Though her curiosity was piqued, Gwen was too drained to question further. The exhaustion from her recent ordeal weighed heavily on her. She had forcibly unsealed her senior brother's seal and allowed him to take control of her body, using her spatial powers to summon beasts from another realm. The toll on her mind and body was immense.
Her sixth sense, usually hyper-aware of danger, remained calm, indicating no ill will aimed at her. Reassured by this, Gwen followed the driver into the mansion without protest. Her eyelids grew heavier with each step, and the plush interior only reminded her of how desperately she craved rest. She decided to close her eyes while her feet still maintaining a steady speed, following the butler's steps.
"Oh, my. You must be very tired," came a familiar voice. Gwen turned toward the source.
Master Rocco stood before her, his expression a mixture of concern and warmth.
"Come with me. I'll show you to your room," he said.
Room? That sounded wonderful. Gwen's lips curled into a faint smile as she followed him. Recognizing his voice, she didn't bother opening her eyes again. Fatigue consumed her.
Master Rocco led her to a spacious room, its door creaking softly as it opened.
"From now on, this is your room," he announced.
"Thank you very much, Master Rocco," Gwen replied, bowing respectfully. She stepped inside, letting the inviting scent of the room envelope her. She peeked a little to see a bed, adorned with silky soft sheets. It was an irresistible sight. Without further ado, she let herself fall onto it, surrendering to the comfort.
"Don't mention it," Rocco said, his voice tinged with admiration. "You deserve it after all you've done for us. Rest well."
He closed the door quietly, leaving Gwen to her much-needed slumber.
When morning arrived, Gwen woke with a refreshed mind and a lighter heart. Stretching her arms and yawning widely, she relished the feeling of having slept on such a luxurious bed. Memories of the previous day surfaced, and she quickly recalled where she was.
Rising from the bed, Gwen wandered through the mansion until she found a hall where Master Rocco waited. He greeted her with a kind smile.
"Oh, my. Do you want to clean up first?" he asked, summoning a maid to assist her.
It wasn't until Gwen caught sight of her reflection that she realized how disheveled she looked. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her clothes were rumpled and dusty. Normally, Gwen paid little attention to her appearance, but the maid's shocked expression convinced her to freshen up.
In the bathroom, Gwen washed away the grime of the previous day. As warm water cascaded through her hair, the maid assisting her froze in awe. Gone was the scruffy, ordinary girl. Before her, stood a radiant young lady with straight green hair, mesmerizing hazel eyes, and smooth, glowing skin. Gwen's naturally plump lips and elegant features were nothing short of enchanting.
"Is this really the same person?" the maid muttered under her breath, unable to tear her eyes away.
Oblivious to the maid's reaction, Gwen dried herself off and began her usual routine. She applied a charcoal and grass mixture to her cheeks and donned her thick glasses, completing the transformation back into her unassuming disguise. She braided her hair into two neat plaits, effectively masking her beauty.
When Gwen returned to the hall, the maid's admiration turned to bewilderment.
"Miss, why do you hide your beauty?" she couldn't help but ask.
Gwen's response was matter-of-fact. "You froze just by looking at me. Imagine what would happen if a group of men saw this face."
"Oh no! Did something terrible happen?" the maid gasped, her hands trembling.
"Nothing special," Gwen replied nonchalantly. "Two men tried to drag me into a dark alley and tear my clothes off."
The maid's face paled, and she shuddered in horror. Her heart ached for the young lady before her.
"I will dedicate myself to protecting you, miss!" the maid vowed silently, unaware that the "two men" in Gwen's story had met a far grimmer fate than she let on.