‘How profound!’ Jeanne thought. ‘Is this magic? No, my brother said they were elements drifting throughout the world.’ ‘But what kind of elements are these?’
‘The red ones are warm, hot, even a little scalding. While their presence felt comforting, their enthusiasm was overwhelming, making me feel quite flushed.’
‘The black ones are eerie, so frightening. It feels as if they could devour me whole.’ ‘Yet paradoxically, they don’t seem terrifying at all. Instead, they feel rather intimate, almost affectionate.’
‘Then there are the white ones, which smell just like my brother. They make me feel so relaxed, my whole body at ease, as if I’m basking in bright sunlight. I feel utterly languid and comfortable.’
Jeanne sat by the fountain, diligently attempting to grasp the meditation technique Yue Wu had entrusted to her.
In the blink of an eye, however, she had mastered it automatically, completely unaware of her own accomplishment. She remained oblivious to the nature of the three distinct elements that had been drawn from afar to swirl around her. She was, quite simply, a clueless country girl.
‘There are more and more! White ones! Red ones!’
‘Oh! The black ones are being pushed out.’
‘Those poor things,’ she thought, ‘but I can’t do anything to help them.’
Jeanne watched helplessly as the black specks were gradually pushed further and further away by the encroaching red and white elements.
Eventually, she witnessed them completely enveloped by the two vibrant colors, vanishing without a trace.
Once the elements had gathered sufficiently, they would transform into magic corresponding to their respective attributes, then surge into the absorber’s body. Jeanne was now about to face this very step.
‘Such agony!’
The moment the magic surged in, Jeanne felt an excruciating pain course through her body. It began with her skin, then her flesh, her bones, and her blood—everything underwent a profound transformation by the magical energy.
While the physical torment was immense, it paled in comparison to even a fraction of the spiritual anguish.
Jeanne gritted her teeth, enduring the dual agony in both body and spirit. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and her palms were slick with perspiration.
Her brows furrowed tightly, yet Jeanne did not utter a single moan. She chose to endure, knowing that only by overcoming this pain would future challenges become easier.
She was no longer alone. She had someone who cared for her like a brother, and she was determined to stay by his side. She absolutely could not fail!
Jeanne’s willpower suddenly intensified, causing her spiritual sea of consciousness to expand severalfold in an instant. Her magic surged dramatically alongside it.
After a short while, however, the surge ceased, as if nothing had ever happened. Though Jeanne remained oblivious to what had just transpired, the numerous adventurers who had witnessed her display had seen everything with their own eyes.
****
“How is that possible!? That was three attributes just now, and among them were the rare dual attributes of light and darkness!”
“To think this newcomer could gather both light and darkness, two incompatible attributes, together.”
“Individuals with light and dark attributes are spoken of in legends. To think I would witness the birth of such a person with my own eyes – it’s truly a miracle.”
“This girl’s future achievements are bound to be extraordinary. She could potentially become an S-rank on our O Continent, or even surpass S-rank existence.”
“We must recruit her into our faction. We absolutely cannot let other forces get to her first.”
Many began to harbor careful schemes, each eager to draw Jeanne into their own influence. The O Continent was once a land teeming with countless powerhouses, a period that marked its absolute peak.
During that era, two formidable individuals possessing dual light-dark attributes emerged. They led the entire O Continent to defeat the Demon Race, successfully claiming the whole continent. These two powerhouses were capable of challenging all the supreme experts from other continents.
Unfortunately, a schism occurred between them, leading to a decisive battle on an island in the northern sea of the O Continent. The ultimate outcome was their complete disappearance from the world.
From that point onward, the O Continent began a continuous decline. This continued until the current era, which saw the re-emergence of another individual with light-dark attributes: the reigning ruler of the O Continent, Emperor Agamemnon Mycenae. He wields five attributes and is infinitely close to the peak of power.
Now, a second individual has appeared, one with the potential to become another Emperor Agamemnon, possessing light-dark attributes. Such a person would be highly sought after on the O Continent.
With three attributes, the situation was even more extraordinary. One by one, everyone waited for the gifted girl by the fountain to finish her meditation so they could recruit her.
****
“Did something incredible just happen?”
Meanwhile, Yue Wu and his companions, having ventured a little further while pursuing a quest, noticed the sudden commotion at the Mercenary Guild.
The handsome man also unexpectedly spotted the Guild Master of the branch personally appearing inside the guild. It was clear that something extraordinary must have occurred. Otherwise, it would not have alarmed the S-rank Branch Master who presided over the Mercenary Guild.
“Although I’d love to join the excitement, I still believe nothing is more important than establishing my mercenary group.”
Yue Wu had no desire to join the commotion right now. His current priorities were the quests and the establishment of his mercenary group, which needed to be resolved first.
“If you have made up your mind, we can depart now. However, before that, I have a small request.”
Seeing his chance, the handsome man decided to try and recruit Yue Wu to their school.
“Spit it out, don’t waste my time. My time is very valuable. If it’s something shady, just tell me privately, and I won’t refuse.”
One moment, Yue Wu was deadly serious. The next, his demeanor completely shifted. He slung an arm around the handsome man’s shoulder, a lewd smile spreading across his face, and began whispering conspiratorially.
The handsome man almost spat blood. If it weren’t for the potential benefits Yue Wu’s abilities could bring to their future achievements, he might have punched him on the spot, teaching him that indecency comes with a price.
“It’s nothing major. We simply hope you would consider becoming an instructor at our school. Of course, all benefits are negotiable, and we will meet your demands.”
The handsome man adopted a serious expression and began his attempt to recruit Yue Wu.
“An instructor? And benefits? Do I get weekends off? Is there social security and housing provident fund? Is there luxurious accommodation and meals? What’s the monthly salary? Is there an annual bonus at the end of the year? Can I take paid leave? And…”
The handsome man, who had been contemplating how to persuade Yue Wu to become an instructor at their school, was suddenly startled. While he was quite pleased with Yue Wu’s overall performance, he was utterly bewildered by his questions.
Weekends off were indeed standard, and luxurious accommodation and meals were available, with salary certainly not being an issue. However, the mention of “five insurances and one fund,” annual bonuses, and paid leave left him completely baffled.
“If you are willing, the school can offer you the treatment of a top-tier instructor, and provide accommodation. You can also ask the two individuals behind me; they are also senior instructors at our school, and your treatment will be no less than theirs.”
To recruit a talent like Yue Wu, the handsome man was clearly going all out. After all, a Priest class possessing both Sage and Ritualist abilities was an absolutely rare breed.
If the school’s Sage and Ritualist departments could be merged into one, what kind of glory would that bring? Such a move would allow a completely new profession to blossom on the O Continent.
“Then it’s a deal! We have ourselves a little arrangement.”
Yue Wu, highly satisfied, grabbed the handsome man’s hand and shook it vigorously.
‘How strange,’ Yue Wu thought. ‘This effeminate man’s hand is so soft, just like a girl’s. He must be a cross-dresser.’
This was Yue Wu’s thought after shaking hands with the other man.
“Well then, welcome to our ranks.”
The handsome man was displeased by Yue Wu’s previous action, yet still genuinely happy about his addition to their group.
“Thank you, thank you. I am Yue Wu, from the A Continent.”
“I am the Head Dean of Fiore Academy, and also an instructor in the Sage Department, Lucifer Kentest.”
“I am Modley Hadas, an instructor in the Knight Department of Fiore Academy.”
“I—I am Sophia Intist, an instructor in the Summoning Department.”
The four introduced themselves in turn: Yue Wu’s playful nonchalance, Lucifer’s calm composure, Modley’s staunch fearlessness, and Sophia’s introverted shyness. This undoubtedly formed a very interesting group.
Yue Wu particularly enjoyed teasing the timid Sophia, perhaps due to their earlier skirmish over the quest. Sophia, in turn, constantly hid behind Lucifer, trying to evade Yue Wu’s playful harassment.
“Then, let us go.”
Lucifer interrupted Yue Wu and Sophia’s antics, though it was truly only Yue Wu doing the teasing, with Sophia being the innocent party.
“Wait, there’s still one more person.”
Yue Wu would never forget Jeanne. After all, promises made were meant to be kept; this was Yue Wu’s principle.
“Let’s go together.”
Lucifer wasn’t entirely comfortable letting Yue Wu search alone. It was more practical to go together.
“Dean, are you serious?”
Modley didn’t quite understand why Lucifer would recruit Yue Wu as an instructor. Given his personality, that person couldn’t possibly be competent and would only mislead students.
“Yes, this might be a new professional reform for the continent, so we absolutely cannot give up.”
Lucifer nodded seriously. He was eager to discover what changes this young man before him would bring to the O Continent.
Likewise, he was gambling on both Yue Wu and the future of the O Continent, for the continent’s prophecy was soon to be fulfilled. Thus, taking this risk was imperative.
“You’re still the same. What about the old headmaster?”
“I’ll handle matters on that end myself. Let’s go, or we’ll lose him.”
Lucifer offered Modley a reassuring smile.
****
“Huh! Why are there so many people!?”
After her meditation ended, Jeanne opened her eyes and was startled by the scene before her. The Mercenary Guild, which had previously been bustling, was now packed with a massive crowd, every single person staring at her.
Did she have something on her face? Jeanne touched her cheek but found nothing. As she scrutinized the crowd again, Jeanne suddenly felt her body tremble slightly. It was a sensation akin to facing a horde of perverted lolis.
“Young lady, if you join my Gerlt Family, we will provide top-tier resources to cultivate you into a new generation powerhouse!”
“Our Giles Family can do the same, and we can fulfill any of your requests.”
“Do you minor families truly believe you can compete with major families and factions like ours? What a joke!”
…
“Might this old man be allowed to say a few words?”
As everyone argued, a white-haired old man, supported by a pair of twin youths, walked up to Jeanne. The twins were roughly Jeanne’s age.
The old man was none other than Arken Post, the Branch Master of the Mercenary Guild.