There were only three days left before Gwen's birthday, and coincidentally, today marked the beginning of a new term for all academies. Despite her reluctance, Gwen boarded her father's opulent horse-drawn carriage and headed to school. Her emerald green hair framed her face, and though her features were unremarkable at first glance, her piercing hazel eyes were hidden behind thick glasses that obscured their beauty.
As the carriage rattled along the cobblestone streets, Gwen opened her palm, revealing two small, radiant crystal stones of different hues. These were flying pig heart crystal stones, infused with elemental spirit power. One glowed with a fiery red, symbolizing fire, while the other shimmered a metallic gold, representing the gold spirit. Both elements were chosen for their strong offensive and defensive capabilities. Gwen had painstakingly infused her spirit power into them over the last few days, preparing for the academy's upcoming activities.
She reflected on the day she acquired the crystals. Her father, Rocco Hall, had slyly granted her permission to go on a hunting expedition but had attached conditions she hadn't anticipated. Five guards accompanied her to the smallest demonic city, ostensibly for her protection but ultimately robbing her of the chance to engage in battle. The guards swiftly dispatched the flying pigs, extracting their crystal hearts with ease.
The disappointment was palpable. Gwen's efforts to assert her independence were thwarted once again by her father's overbearing protectiveness. To add to her frustration, only two flying pigs were found in the city, and both were merely at level five. Their crystal stones were weak, capable of holding only a limited amount of spirit power before cracking.
"Even though it's only level five, I think that's enough," Gwen had muttered to herself, masking her dissatisfaction. Her father's cunning schemes to keep her out of harm's way taught her a valuable lesson: never accept a tempting offer without fully understanding its consequences. It proved by how he ordered Molly to follow her anywhere, anytime to the point she couldn't sneak out in the middle of the night.
The bustling academy grounds were alive with chatter as students exchanged enthusiastic greetings. Most of the conversations revolved around the Realm Knight, a hero revered for their bravery, and the enigmatic Space Master, whose colossal shadow had once loomed over the land. Girls whispered in awe about the Space Master, imagining him to be an invincible and dependable figure. Some even dared to dream of capturing his attention, unaware that the mysterious figure was none other than Gwen herself, a young girl who would turn seventeen in just three days.
The lively atmosphere shifted abruptly when a horse-drawn carriage adorned with gold and platinum entered the school grounds. Its arrival was heralded by the majestic sight of two Star Unicorns pulling the chariot. These eighth-level beasts, with their gleaming white coats and iridescent wings, were creatures of legend, rarely seen in the Nether Plane. Their unique talents were defense and providing support for anyone who mounted them. Thus, all knights craved to have Star Unicorn mounts. If only they could choose it as their mount, the knights would undoubtedly choose Star Unicorn. Alas, it was the mount who chose them to be their rider, not the other way around.
Now, the two Star Unicorns appeared in front of them sparked hushed whispers among the students.
"Who could be inside?" they wondered, craning their necks to catch a glimpse.
When the carriage door swung open, a young lady stepped out. She wore pristine black shoes and a finely tailored school uniform that hugged her figure perfectly. For a fleeting moment, the men couldn't take their eyes off her graceful silhouette. But their admiration evaporated as soon as they recognized her face.
Gwen's appearance was as unassuming as ever. Her green hair remained in its signature braided pigtails, her thick glasses obscured her eyes, and the black spots on her cheeks detracted from her otherwise smooth skin. The stark contrast between her regal entrance and her unremarkable visage left the crowd puzzled.
"Glek! Isn't that the infamous freak ugly girl?!" someone muttered, voicing the collective disbelief.
Undeterred by the whispers, Gwen walked through the school gates with her head held high, exuding a confidence that belied her unconventional appearance. She moved with the poise of a queen, her every step deliberate and assured. Spotting a familiar figure among the crowd, Gwen recalled her father's instructions. Though reluctant, she approached.
"This is an invitation for you," she said, handing over a gilded envelope. Her tone was curt. "I hope you don't come."
Why would she give an invitation if she didn't expect them to come?
The recipient, a girl with sharp features and an inquisitive gaze opened the envelope and scanned its contents. "Your birthday? You're celebrating it at the Master Hall's residence?! What is your relationship with the Master? He's the only telekinesis wizard to reach peak level eight!"
Gwen's lips curled into a sly smile. "He's my father." Her response elicited audible gasps. Seeing the shocked expressions, Gwen added, "Don't come. Really, I hope none of you come."
With a flick of her braid, she walked away, leaving a trail of bewildered students in her wake. Her contradictory behavior—handing out invitations while discouraging attendance—left everyone frozen in confusion.
Gwen's father had insisted on inviting not just her friends on her friend log book but the entire school. "Even if no one likes you, I'm certain they won't pass up the chance to visit this house," he had said. And he was right. Even those who disliked Gwen couldn't resist the opportunity to meet Rocco Hall, the telekinesis wizard who had defeated the twenty-fifth pillar demon king—a feat that cemented his legendary status.
In the classroom, Kai, a cheerful boy with messy blond hair, waved an invitation in the air. "Wow! Take a look at this. We all got invitations." He glanced at his best friend, Clayton, who was dozing at his desk. "Hey, Clay. Are you coming?"
As usual, Clay yawned widely as he groggily looked at the invitation cards in his deskmate's hands. "What is that?"
"An invitation to our junior's birthday. Everyone seems excited."