Invitation

Time had already passed for three days. After Collins and Victoria laid their thoughts bare, many things naturally began to develop.

First was the purchase of magical instruments and procurement of magical materials.

With financial power Collins could not even imagine, Victoria frantically bought materials that even Collins could only look up to.

Sufficient materials, abundant funds, excellent experimental equipment, plus the assistance of Collins, the magical genius—Victoria had never seen her experimental goal so close before.

In three days, apart from adjusting the experimental equipment Victoria purchased and recording experimental data, Collins had hardly said a word to her.

The two, who in the eyes of ordinary people were both considered geniuses, immersed themselves in the colorful magical world, even ordering takeout for meals.

Everything was moving in a good direction—until noon on the third day when Victoria received a letter.

Collins finished his meal, glanced at Victoria’s conflicted expression, and a flash of curiosity passed through his mind.

He then walked to a corner of the laboratory and began his work.

Victoria took a deep breath, calmed herself, and opened the envelope.

“To our beloved graduates of Rustek:

It has been a year since graduation season.

The teachers who care about the students who have stepped out of the school are eager to meet the lovely children of the past.

Recently, Principal Douglin has invited all students of the 29th class to a gathering tomorrow at the Strafe Hotel.

Students who are interested should contact their instructors today so that the student council can make preparations in advance.

We wish you good health and great success in your careers.

Rustek University College Committee
29th Year, X Month, XX Day”

Memories from the past began to stir slowly from the depths of a black lake.

Victoria bit her lip. Her three years of study at the school had not been smooth, otherwise, she would not have given up on further studies and entered society instead.

At first, she thought that with her status as an outstanding graduate and her profound magical ability, she could support herself without relying on her father.

But reality mercilessly slapped Victoria in the face.

Her talent seemed to be overshadowed by more geniuses and socially adept people once she entered the real world.

She had joined a magical research department, but the leader assigned to her was a former senior from school—less skilled than Victoria but now sitting above her and giving orders…

That was unbearable. Moreover, this senior had many thoughts about Victoria because, from a male perspective, Victoria was very cute and beautiful.

Later, Victoria joined a new magical planning department. The minister invited her to dinner.

After a few sips of alcohol, she passed out.

The minister was quite satisfied as he began to undress, but when he saw the expensive credit card in Victoria’s wallet and a photo of her father, he suddenly realized who exactly he had gotten drunk.

His once-rising lower body immediately wilted.

And then, there were many other experiences.

Over time, Victoria’s once-proud nature slowly turned into inferiority.

It was also then that Victoria realized that sometimes professional competence is less important than social networking.

And ironically, the thing she was least good at was reading people’s hearts.

She took a deep breath, calming her mood.

With her father’s wealth, Victoria had no excessive demands on life.

She simply wanted to prove her own ability.

Especially when her ability wasn’t actually bad.

Her upper and lower jaws pressed tightly on her lips as she closed her eyes.

In fact, among the graduates of her year, she had been doing rather poorly.

The graduation group chat was full of people showing off their achievements after graduation, while only a few remained silent and reluctant to speak.

Victoria was undoubtedly among those few.

If she went to this reunion, some people she once looked down on—who now lived far better than she did—might make her feel unbearable shame.

Reunions are not about sharing what happened after graduation or reflecting on life.

They are about who is doing better and who is doing worse.

Collins recorded the new experimental data. As expected, this experiment also failed.

However, the new data was extremely useful. On the foundation of failure, tiny fragments of success gleamed with an enticing light.

In his mind, Collins connected all the data points that could lead to success.

Faintly, a path to victory seemed to reveal a tiny fragment of its true form.