The Enigma of Authority

A new day dawned, brimming once more with hope.

Iordera indulged in a luxurious sleep, finally rising from bed only as noon approached.

“Young Miss, you’re growing lazier by the day,” Nina remarked cheerfully. “It’s wonderful.”

“You’ve truly embraced our family’s way of life,” Yuna echoed, nodding in agreement.

Previously, she would rise so early, filled with boundless energy, a stark contrast to everyone else, never truly blending in or having fun with them.

Iordera rolled her eyes. “Don’t misunderstand; I’m not being lazy. I’m merely adjusting my internal clock.”

Working through the night necessitated sleeping more during the day and rising later; it was perfectly reasonable.

Having completed her morning ablutions, Iordera once again donned her signature ‘bare-legged’ (TL Note: referring to an outfit, typically a short skirt or dress, that leaves the legs exposed without stockings or tights) ensemble, dismissing any thought of adding a pair of white stockings.

She had initially considered it, but her recent boxing practice had unexpectedly granted her another level, with her Level 31 energy unlocking a new skill.

“[Elegant Strike Lv1: Raise a single leg diagonally, bend the knee to charge for 1.5 seconds, then swiftly snap it out towards the target point, dealing 3.5 times the base damage of the current level.

Note: Charging does not increase attack range.]”

The description was a bit convoluted, but as Iordera understood it: lift a leg, bend the knee, hold for 1.5 seconds, then deliver a powerful kick forward.

The damage multiplier was impressive, already so high at Level 1, and since legs were inherently longer than arms, its versatility surpassed that of Joint Hammer.

However, white stockings were definitely out of the question; they would be uncomfortably tight.

“[Elegant Strike will inflict varying effects depending on the part struck (effective upon hit, actual damage dealt is calculated separately).

Lower body: Significantly reduces movement speed, with a small chance of crippling (probability decreases as the target’s defense increases).

Upper body (below the head): Damages major internal organs at the hit location, with a small chance of causing organ failure (probability changes as above).

Head: Inflicts stun and overall slowdown, with a minuscule chance of instant kill (execution) (probability changes as above).]”

Nothing more needed to be said. The higher the point of impact, the greater the damage; headshots dealt maximum damage, which was perfectly logical.

In essence, with so many skills that, while not flashy, were highly practical, combined with her body — an alchemical creation that was incredibly durable (TL Note: Chinese slang ‘nàicǎo,’ implying extreme toughness and resilience) and impossibly tough (TL Note: Chinese slang ‘kàngzòu,’ meaning able to withstand severe beatings) — Iordera felt perfectly capable of venturing into the night market.

Small and harmless in appearance, possessing an unassuming deceptive quality, yet in reality, she was a seamless blend of offense and defense. Her attacks boasted armor penetration, critical hits, and execution capabilities, while her defense granted her nine lives, much like a cat. Who could this miraculous and wise loli be?

Indeed, it was I!

Upon arriving at the academy, Iordera ascended to the third floor, where she inquired of Mrs. Su, a veteran employee, “Is that professor from our library around?”

“Professor Luna? She left to teach a class and hasn’t returned yet,” Mrs. Su replied. “I’ll let you know once she’s back.”

“Alright, much obliged.”

Iordera hopped over to the bookshelf, lightly tapping the spine of a book. “I have permission to read here now. Mrs. Su, do you have any recommendations?”

The books on the third floor were accessible only to the highest-grade graduates. This was because the volumes primarily contained descriptions and explanations of high-level powers, the very kind Augustus, the Little Prince, had once sought to borrow.

The academy feared that if younger students read these texts, they might aim too high (TL Note: Chinese idiom ‘hàogāowùyuǎn,’ meaning to be ambitious but impractical, or to neglect fundamentals by aiming for lofty goals) and neglect their most essential basic training.

“There isn’t much worth recommending anymore,” Mrs. Su said, spreading her hands. “It used to be quite good.”

Iordera asked curiously, “Why do you say that?”

“Expositions on high-level powers, you see. There aren’t many capable of writing such books, and even fewer willing to. It’s usually those two,” Mrs. Su confided, lowering her voice. “Those two above Level 90.”

Sheila and Hecate, then.

“This section used to be filled mostly with Hecate’s works. Though her books were profound, they described powers that actually existed, and even her theories possessed sufficiently persuasive logic,” Mrs. Su sighed. “But more than half a year ago, after she was declared a witch, those books were removed and replaced with Sheila’s.”

Iordera asked tentatively, “Are Sheila’s books not good? She is The Guardian, after all.”

“I know, but The Guardian… perhaps her intellectual realm is too lofty. Her books are utterly incomprehensible. They speak of powers ordinary people would never encounter in their lifetime, some of which she herself doesn’t even possess. Pure fantasy.”

Mrs. Su pulled out a book from the shelf and handed it to Iordera. “Like this one.”

Iordera opened the book, and after only a few pages, she felt her spirits lift.

“[I have always believed that energy intensity and the manipulation of elements are not the entirety of power. Above our skills exists a form of power that utterly transcends all others.]”

“[I call it—Authority (TL Note: a term often used in web novels for a divine or supreme power/authority).]

“[First Hypothesis, Authority: Natural Order.]”

At these words, Iordera’s little heart thumped rapidly.

“[In our world, on a continent that had undergone several evolutions, life had traversed hundreds of millions of years. Before the emergence of intelligent races, there were dominant overlords.

Titans, Primeval Leviathans, Progenitor Elves, and so on. They reached the apex of biological evolution, sweeping aside all other creatures in one fell swoop and occupying nearly all ecological niches on the continent at that time.

The biological strength of Titans and Primeval Leviathans, according to paleontologists’ predictions, approached Level 90, and the Progenitor Elves were masters of the elements. Yet, powerful as they were, they ultimately vanished into the river of history, for nature always finds a way to extinguish such unbalanced existences.

Extreme heat, extreme cold, pluvial events, hyper-oxygenation, tectonic shifts, concentrated volcanic eruptions, atmospheric sulfurization, and even extraterrestrial meteorites…

Therefore, if Natural Order manifests in a tangible form, it must be expressed in the annihilation of life. Disregarding the defenses and vitality of life, executing them in the most absolute manner.]”

Natural Order! It matched her own skill!

It was currently only half activated, and its effect indeed ignored defenses. She wondered if there were other effects once it was fully active.

Iordera eagerly turned to the next page, only to find a single line of text:

“[Authority: Celestial Order. Insufficient theoretical basis; no concrete hypothesis yet.]”

“You don’t understand it, do you?” Mrs. Su said with a chuckle. “No one in the world understands Sheila’s ‘Hypothesis on Authority.'”

“That’s why everyone says The Guardian’s books are just for amusement (TL Note: Chinese idiom ‘yějiù tú yī lè,’ meaning something is only for fun or entertainment, not serious learning); to truly learn, one must consult the witch’s writings.”

“Is that so? Hahaha.”

Iordera chuckled along, but a sudden thought struck her: she might just be the first person in the world to actually understand it.

Not only did she understand it, but she could even write an annotation for it—Fundamentally Correct!

“You just take your time and enjoy it,” Mrs. Su said, walking out with a broom. “I’m off to sweep the floors. I’ll let you know when the professor returns.”

“Alright, Mrs. Su, thank you very much.”

Iordera closed the book, her mood inexplicably complex.

From the various abilities she possessed and Sheila’s descriptions in the book, it was clear her existence was exceedingly unique. Hecate had also stated she was an anomaly among alchemical creations.

But with such a remarkable origin, why had she been reduced to being a mere doll?

Iordera attempted to find answers in other books, but unfortunately, they were all Sheila’s various expositions on high-level powers, written in a flowery and exaggerated style (TL Note: Chinese idiom ‘tiānhuāluànzhuì,’ meaning flowery and extravagant language, often to the point of being confusing or insincere), which made her dizzy and still utterly incomprehensible.

Just then, a gentle voice sounded in her ear:

“My dear, reading, are we?”