Atlantis, Floor 40, Year 10 AD
"Rinoa," shouted a young girl with high pigtails as she ran, tapping the shoulder of a girl with straight, thick red hair until her scalp was not visible. When the girl turned around, she revealed a slender body that inevitably evoked both envy and admiration. While most women wore corsets to showcase their figures, this girl, without one, displayed her curves clearly. She was more akin to a fairy than an ordinary human.
"Ah … Ellis," she greeted with a captivating smile, as though she had just won the lottery of smiles. In an instant, the world seemed to spin slowly, capturing this precious moment.
His deep blue eyes, reminiscent of the ocean, mesmerized Ellis, who felt a soft blush rise on his cheeks in shyness. Occasionally, he lowered his gaze, feeling unworthy in front of such an enchanting figure. While many women sought to beautify themselves through various means and sacrifices, Rinoa commanded attention with her unmatched natural beauty.
She didn't need to play a musical instrument to create beautiful melodies; just by listening to her softly vibrating voice, it was enough to make every hair stand on end, igniting a sense of wonder in the soul of anyone who heard it.
This world has a cruel yet beautiful side. Your beauty can be perceived as a form of arrogance, a stigma often associated with her. Nonetheless, Rinoa always conveyed her message of confidence and positive encouragement to every woman she met.
"I'm jealous of you because you can confidently say, 'Beautiful!' to me. But, I'm sorry; I can't say the same to you," she joked when complimented on her beauty, then added, "No woman is born of a fairy. We're all the same, regardless of our origins. It's unfortunate if you consider yourself less beautiful, for even fairies do not truly grasp what beauty is! How lowly it is to speak such words in front of the man you love."
Ellis could say nothing more.
"Daydreaming again while looking at me," said Rinoa while caressing her cheek. As if enchanted, he continued to gaze at Rinoa's face until he imagined bathing together in a hot spring.
Rinoa Elfranzo was the most beautiful student at Atlantis school; the world recognized and celebrated her beauty. Her allure was undeniable—intelligent, radiant, and capable.
"Uh … okay," said Ellis, who was unconsciously left behind by Rinoa. He stood alone, mumbling various things, while Rinoa was known for her sadistic nature.
Meanwhile, Rinoa walked down the hallway until she reached a door labeled Floor No. 49. There stood a man with silver hair and a sword-shaped earring in his left ear, leaning against the door with arms crossed, seemingly waiting for someone. Apparently, that someone was Rinoa.
"Good morning, Rinoa," he greeted.
"Morning, Senior Lenz," Rinoa replied, slightly furrowing her brow.
"It's so cold! Aren't we both residents of floor 49? Why call me senior? Isn't there no rule in this school about who is senior or junior?"
"I apologize then. Coincidentally, today I consider all men to be nothing but vermin," she said with a sour expression. "Calling you senior implies a friendship based on age; as I am younger, I find no issue in that."
"How cruel! Your mouth is sharp too. I like women like you. Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?" Lenz said, winking with his left eye.
Rinoa could only laugh bitterly at Lenz's words. Suddenly, someone opened the door from inside. Not long after, a man appeared from the darkness, dressed neatly and wearing a tie like a nobleman.
"Lenz, can you not disturb Rinoa? Today she doesn't want to be teased by you," he said while adjusting his glasses, showing a protective attitude towards his friend firmly.
"Ugh! Hernandez!" Lenz grumbled.
"How many times must I tell you that I … only I am worthy to accompany Rinoa?" he asserted, pulling a rose from his jacket.
Instantly, Lenz jumped and kicked the rose. A single tear fell from his cheek, then he took a handkerchief from his pocket and covered the rose, then prayed as if for someone who had died.
"What are you doing, fool?" Lenz shouted.
"Can't you see I'm praying?"
"Huh … stop doing such silly things," Lenz shouted, lowering his voice to show dissatisfaction with Hernandez's behavior, which he considered excessive.
"Oh, it's you who's acting like a court jester," said Hernandez in a high tone like a nobleman watching a funny show in the square.
"What?!," Lenz said, grabbing Hernandez's collar, although he seemed to struggle to do so, Lenz still tried to maintain his grip while tiptoeing.
"Shall I explain again for your shallow brain?" asked Lenz, tightening his grip on Hernandez's hand, then suddenly dodged back, as if avoiding an unexpected attack.
"Huh!"
"Plants, animals, and humans are living beings that interact with one another. They breathe, reproduce, grow, eat, drink, and inevitably die. Ultimately, all living beings will perish, and the living must bury the dead. This is an unavoidable truth."
"Is that so?" said Lenz, holding his hand, "Besides, I'm bored of hearing you talk about that all the time. You also have never answered the question about the events 10 years ago, when the Rockwell family was busy burning the corpses of the Gamma race," Lenz continued.
"It seems I haven't broken enough of your bones," said Hernandez, with a dangerous glint in his eyes, ready to attack. He took a stance, tensed his muscles, and it didn't take long to launch a deadly attack.
"Stop boasting. You can't break bones," said Lenz.
Lenz's hand, which was caught in Hernandez's grip, which looked bruised and swollen, suddenly froze. Ice flowers gradually wrapped around the injured hand. And not long after, the ice shattered, and the swollen hand disappeared without a trace.
"Damn Smith," said Hernandez.
The Smith family were sorcerers skilled in ice magic, residing in the Zamorozheny plains near the North Pole. They possessed extraordinary healing abilities, capable of mending severe wounds, countering poison, and even reattaching body parts—except for the head. During the war ten years prior, they played a crucial role in the victory of the Gaia and Earth nations against Gamma, demonstrating remarkable dedication and strategic brilliance.
"Don't pretend to be pure-hearted, Rockwell. I know all your filth."
"The only way to make you stop talking is to separate your head from your body."
Meanwhile, Rinoa could only sigh, wishing for an end to the conflict between the Smith and Rockwell families. The animosity between these two families was palpable, particularly following the embarrassing incident during the promotion ceremony on the 49th floor, where both competed for Rinoa's affection. Firmly, she had rejected their proposals, maintaining her integrity and dignity even under considerable pressure from the two most formidable families.
At that event, only two students managed to pass. Three out of 200 people on the 48th floor were able to occupy the 49th floor, where they approached hidden secrets unknown to anyone on this planet.
"Stop."
An old man with glasses on his left eye sat on a crystal ball, wearing a dark blue robe. He observed the three students attentively. The light emitted by the crystal ball created their silhouettes, while his face reflected wisdom and humor, indicating that he might hold more knowledge than what appeared at first glance.
"As usual, you always make a racket like an orchestra without a conductor. Should I turn you into frogs? Maybe while jumping, you could produce a more harmonious sound," said the man with a hearty laugh, as if he had just told the best joke in history. Simultaneously, Lenz and Hernandez stopped, but continued to glare at each other, as if they were participating in a very serious stare-off competition.
"Good morning, headmaster," Rinoa greeted respectfully, lifting her long skirt slightly, as if she were a princess saluting her king. At Atlantis school, every female student wore elegant long skirts and was taught to behave with the grace of nobility, enhancing their poise and highlighting their social standing.
"Rinoa, could you please lift your skirt a little?" the man asked, his gaze sharp yet warm, as if it could penetrate her attire. Rinoa felt a weight on her chest, realizing she was not the revered object she seemed before him; behind his squinting eyes lay lessons on appreciating women. Lenz and Hernandez felt a profound sadness, watching this deeply awkward situation unfold, as if witnessing a rare spectacle—an old man captivated by a young girl, lost in an endless daydream.
"Headmaster Elbert," Rinoa muttered in a melancholic tone, as if her heart was filled with a mix of disappointment and unbearable anger.
Rinoa could no longer contain her anger, as if she had just discovered a shocking secret: broccoli was considered tastier than chocolate!
Blagh! … Blagh! … Blagh!
A strong gust of wind, seemingly conjured from the very forces of nature, suddenly hit the three of them. The wind swirled at a staggering speed, producing a whistling sound that filled the area around them. In an instant, with an unexpected force, they were knocked to the ground, nearly losing their balance from its powerful impact. Like a mini tornado sweeping everything away, the presence of wind magic elicited a mix of fear and awe within each of them.
Rinoa Alfrenzo, hailing from the Alfrenzo family in Northwind, was not a direct descendant of the Alfrenzo family, who were masters of wind magic. She was adopted ten years ago during the World War by Hector Alfrenzo, one of the five Sanctuary Warriors who currently wield the highest power of wind magic. Although not a direct descendant, she could perform wind magic more powerfully than the original descendants of the Alfrenzo family. This extraordinary talent was greatly admired by the high-ranking members of the Alfrenzo family, but on the other hand, she was shunned by their wives and children, creating tension within the family bond.
"Hahahaha … sorry about that; I'm old," said Elbert with a heavy yet humorous tone, stroking his wrinkled face, exuding warmth and wisdom from a lifetime of experience. "But Rinoa, you should also avoid using your powers carelessly. Isn't that dangerous?" he warned. "Why not mediate between the two of them?" he suggested, stroking his long, speckled beard before he slowly ambled toward the classroom, his left hand placed behind him to ease the discomfort of his aching back, each careful step reflecting the cautious nature of one who has witnessed many battles in life.
"Headmaster Elbert, it's not a big deal. Besides, no one would dare disturb Ellis. Isn't he one of the sorcerers with the strongest defenses in the world? Even in an unconscious state, his magic can activate by itself if in danger. Maybe he will rise and say, 'Wait, I want to be with you forever!'" Rinoa said, following him with a joking tone.
"I will also follow you forever," Lenz and Hernandez replied simultaneously, as if they had just won the "Best Follower" competition in a magic reality show.
"Please stop," Rinoa said in an annoyed tone, her eyes sparkling with burning anger. Quickly, she doubled her magical aura, creating a wave of energy that shook the air around her. Dry and living leaves scattered in all directions, floating like confetti blown by the wind. Dust swirled around Rinoa, forming a magnificent vortex, like a small storm that captivated and left everyone present in awe of her magical power.
Rinoa recited the spell.
O thou wind cast on earth
Give bless and anger on unforsaken land
Destroy all evil spirit
Free the freedom of justice
"Call the wind, O thou wind cast on earth,"
Rinoa continued with the spell.
"SAND STORM!!!"
The gust of wind mixed with dust was so great that the three of them were swept away by the vortex, spinning as if it lasted for centuries. Rinoa controlled the power of the wind to enter the room. As a result of the tremendous force, doors, chairs, tables, and everything in the room were also swept into the vortex.
After a time, Rinoa ceased her magic, and with a foreboding rumble, all the lifted objects crashed back down, creating a chaotic sight. Dust filled the air, chairs were overturned, and tables lay scattered across the floor, as if the room had just endured a violent storm.
"Everything is done, nothing is left, even the ghosts have said goodbye," Rinoa said with a wide smile and clapped her hands, as if to chase away all the chaos with a single clap. "Time for school!"