The Alchemic Rose

Jianye admitted that campus life at Dragonheart Academy was what she had once longed for.

After graduation, she went to a first-tier city to make a living.

But the halo of a small-town top student seemed so pale in the face of reality.

She became a numb corporate s*ave in the financial industry.

Her income was considerable.

But the fierce competition among colleagues and the high-intensity work left her exhausted and empty.

No friends, no hobbies, no hope.

She went to work alone, got off work alone, ate alone, was hospitalized alone, and spent New Year’s Eve alone.

Her life was only work.

One day, just as she stepped out of the building, a heavy rain began to fall.

All the convenience stores were far away, all the ride-hailing apps failed, and everyone had someone to hold an umbrella for them.

Only she was alone, unable to even go home.

She finally realized how much she had sacrificed for a so-called decent job.

She made up her mind.

She quit that soul-crushing job and planned to return to her long-lost hometown.

On the phone, her taciturn old father said happily.

“Daughter, you loved watching fireworks the most when you were a child.”

“When you come back, Dad will definitely prepare the biggest and most beautiful firework for you!”

But, in the end, she never got to see the firework her old father had promised.

It was an ordinary evening. She was dragging her suitcase.

She had her last meal at the Shaxian Snacks that she had been eating at for six years.

With a heart full of homesickness, she got into a taxi.

Then, on the way back.

A sudden car accident ended everything for her.

When she opened her eyes again, she had come to this world from the novel.

Bewildered.

She had been in this world for more than half a year.

She had met some people and, by a twist of fate, made a friend.

She had barely managed to settle down.

But many times, a strong sense of unreality followed her like a shadow.

As if she were just living in an overly realistic dream, from which she could wake up at any moment.

Jianye pinched her arm hard.

The pain made her stop her wild thoughts.

“I can’t think about this anymore.”

She said to herself.

Thinking about it further wouldn’t lead to any results; it would only drive her crazy.

She pulled the soft down quilt over herself, completely covering her head.

As if this could isolate her from everything outside, and also from the chaotic voices in her heart.

In the darkness, she forced herself to empty her mind and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, the sun was shining brightly.

Jianye, Irena, and Kristine stood before the magnificent gates of the Alchemic Rose.

To avoid causing a commotion, Kristine had even put on a pair of sunglasses.

Her soft white hair was also carefully tucked into her hood.

The Alchemic Rose, as the most high-end tavern in Servia and even the entire empire.

Was far beyond what ordinary street-side taverns could compare to.

The main building was tall and grand, decorated with exquisite reliefs and sparkling magic crystals.

It was essentially a commercial complex.

In addition to providing top-tier dining, it also included luxurious accommodations, a high-end casino, and entertainment facilities that only served the powerful and wealthy.

It could be called a perfect combination of a five-star restaurant and a five-star hotel.

This was also the favorite social venue for nobles and wealthy merchants.

Whether it was a secret meeting, a private business negotiation, or certain unspoken romantic affairs.

One could find a suitable space here.

It was truly a world of dazzling lights and debauchery.

The three of them rarely came here and were not familiar with the interior.

Looking at the splendid building before them.

Kristine adjusted her sunglasses and explained the situation in a low voice.

“According to the advisor, the three students who dropped out have been living here.”

“It’s said that they all had a falling out with their families and are currently in a state of running away from home.”

Jianye nodded and asked, “How long have they been out of school?”

“About a month.”

“I heard their parents’ persuasion was ineffective. They had no other choice but to turn to the academy for help with communication.”

“However, our mission this time is just to go through the motions, inform them, and try to persuade them.”

Irena clenched her small fists and said.

“Whether we succeed or not, as long as we complete the task given by the advisor, it’s fine!”

“In order to be exempt from our boring labor courses, let’s go!”

The three of them stepped into the Alchemic Rose.

The interior of the tavern was spacious, and the air was filled with a mixture of high-end perfume, the aroma of wine, and the scent of food.

They walked straight to the front desk.

Irena showed a cute smile and asked the pretty waitress.

“Hello, have you seen a few students wearing the same uniform as us?”

“Do you know which room they are staying in?”

Seeing the Dragonheart Academy uniforms on them, the waitress’s attitude became much more respectful.

But she shook her head and showed a professional smile.

“I’m very sorry, you three esteemed young ladies.”

“We at the Alchemic Rose have strict regulations. We are absolutely not allowed to disclose any guest’s personal information.”

‘Won’t tell?’

Hearing this, all three felt it was going to be troublesome.

If they didn’t know the specific room number, were they supposed to knock on every door one by one?

Not to mention the amount of work involved.

It wouldn’t be good if they disturbed other people.

Irena was not resigned. She clasped her hands together and blinked her large eyes.

She pleaded in an even softer tone.

“Can’t you really make an exception? Please~”

Her cute act was indeed very effective.

The waitress looked at the young woman before her and had the urge to pat her head.

But her strong professional ethics made her resist the urge.

She shook her head again.

“I’m really sorry, those are the rules.”

Just then.

Jianye’s gaze fell on the cross-shaped pendant on the waitress’s neck.

‘So she’s a believer of the Church of Creation?’

‘There’s a way.’

A thought stirred in her heart. She placed a hand on Kristine’s shoulder.

Under the latter’s puzzled gaze, she gently pushed her in front of the waitress.

Jianye looked at the waitress and said, word by word.

“Please, take a good look.”

“The one standing before you is Her Highness the Saintess. This is the Saintess’s personal request.”

“May I ask, in your heart, what is more important: your professional ethics, or your faith in the gods?”

Hearing Jianye say this, Kristine immediately understood her intention.

She took off her sunglasses, revealing her holy face.

The waitress was stunned.

Her eyes widened, and she checked several times before finally believing that the person before her was really the Saintess.

The immense shock left her speechless for a moment.

“Your Highness the Saintess! It’s really you!”

The waitress’s voice was panicked, but she was still a little hesitant.

“But the scriptures say that as a believer, one must be diligent and upright, and not be a petty person who acts against morals…”

Seeing this, Jianye leaned close to Kristine’s ear and whispered a few words.

Kristine hesitated at first.

But after Jianye gave her a solemn nod.

She nodded slightly, cleared her throat, and said gently.

“The gods say: That was then, this is now.”

“I have come here today to perform a good deed. The gods are watching from above and will forgive your necessity.”

These words, spoken in an oracular tone, seemed to carry a certain magic.

They broke through the waitress’s final psychological defense.

She nodded.

She took out the guest registration book from under the counter and handed it to Kristine.

“Thank you for your understanding.”

Kristine took the book and began to flip through it, searching for the names of the three students.

Her finger glided across the pages.

However.

On a certain page, her finger suddenly paused.

Her gaze was frozen on a familiar name.

Mona.