Atlantis, Floor 40, Year 10 AD

  “Rinoa,” shouted a young girl with high pigtails. She ran and tapped the shoulder of a girl with straight, thick red hair, obscuring her scalp. When the girl turned, she revealed a slim figure that was bound to evoke both envy and admiration. While most wore corsets to accentuate their beauty, this girl, by not wearing one, showcased the graceful curves of her body effortlessly. She ought to be compared to goddesses rather than ordinary humans.

  “Ah … Ellis,” she greeted with a smile so captivating, it felt as if she had just won the lottery of smiles. In an instant, the world seemed to slow down, pausing to mark this precious moment.

  Deep blue eyes like the ocean mesmerized Ellis, her face flushed gently, filled with shyness. Occasionally, she averted her gaze, feeling unworthy to stand before such an enchanting figure. While many other women strived to beautify themselves through various means and sacrifices, Rinoa effortlessly drew attention with her unparalleled natural beauty.

  She does not need to play a musical instrument to create beautiful melodies; just by listening to her softly vibrating voice, it can make every hair stand on end and ignite a sense of wonder in the soul of those who hear it.

  This world has both cruel and beautiful sides. Your beauty can be perceived as a form of arrogance; this meaning is often associated with her. However, Rinoa consistently conveys a message to all the women she meets, filled with confidence and positive encouragement.

  “I envy you because you can confidently say, ‘Beautiful!’ to me. But sorry, I cannot say the same to you,” she said with a smile. That is how she jokes when called beautiful, but then she added, “No woman is born or created from the womb of a fairy. Women are the same regardless of where they were born. It would be a great loss if you claim that you are less beautiful, for even fairies do not understand what beauty truly is! How lowly of you if you speak such things in front of the man you love.”

  Ellis could say nothing more.

  “Lost in thought again while looking at me,” Rinoa said, stroking her cheek. Hypnotized, he continued to gaze at Rinoa's face, even imagining bathing together in a hot spring.

  Rinoa Elfranzo was the most beautiful student at Atlantis School; even the whole world recognized and admired her beauty. Her charm was undeniable—she was intelligent, stunning, and could do anything.

  “Y-yeah,” Ellis replied, unaware that Rinoa had already moved on. He stood there alone, mumbling a variety of things, while Rinoa was known for her sadistic nature.

  Meanwhile, Rinoa walked down the corridor until she stopped in front of the door marked Floor No.49. There stood a man with silver hair and a sword-shaped earring in his left ear. He leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his chest, seemingly waiting for someone. It appeared that he was waiting for Rinoa.

  “Good morning, Rinoa,” he greeted.

  “Morning, Senior Lenz,” Rinoa replied, furrowing her brows slightly.

  “It's so cold! Aren’t we both residents of the 49th floor? Why call me senior? Isn’t there a rule at this school about who’s a senior and who’s a junior?”

  “I apologize then. Coincidentally, today is one of those days when I view men as nothing more than rodents,” she said, her expression sour. “Referring to you that way signifies that our relationship is strictly that of friends; since I’m younger, I don’t see calling you senior as a problem,” she continued.

  “Such harsh words! Your tongue is sharp as well. I like women like you. How about going on a date with me tonight?” Lenz asked, winking with one eye.

  Rinoa could only laugh bitterly at Lenz's words. Suddenly, someone opened a door from within, and shortly after, a man appeared from the shadows, dressed smartly and wearing a tie like a gentleman.

  “Lenz, can you please stop bothering Rinoa? She's not in the mood for your jokes today,” Hernandez said, adjusting his glasses with a firm protective demeanor towards his friend.

  “Cih! Hernandez!” Lenz muttered.

  “How many times do I have to tell you that I … no, only I deserve to be with Rinoa?” he said, pulling a stem of rose from his jacket.

  Suddenly, Lenz jumped up and kicked the rose away. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered the rose, praying as if for someone who had passed away.

  “What are you doing, you fool?” Lenz shouted.

  “Can’t you see I’m praying?”

  “Huh … stop being so ridiculous,” Lenz retorted, lowering his voice to express his discontent at Hernandez's perceived absurdity.

  “Oh, it’s you who’s acting like a court jester,” Hernandez replied in a high-pitched tone, much like a noble observing a comical performance in the square.

  “What?!”, Lenz exclaimed as he tugged at Hernandez's collar, struggling yet determined to maintain his grip while tiptoeing.

  "Should I explain it again to you, with that shallow mind of yours?" Lenz retorted, gripping Hernandez's hand tightly in return. Suddenly, he dodged and jumped back as if evading an unexpected attack.

  "Huh!"

  "Plants, animals, and humans are living creatures that interact with one another. They breathe, reproduce, grow, eat, drink, and ultimately die. Every living being will eventually face death, and the duty of the living is to bury the dead. This is an unavoidable fact for anyone," Hernandez reiterated, emphasizing a reality of life that many often overlook.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  "Is that really true?" Lenz said, holding his hand, "Besides, I'm tired of hearing you talk about that all the time. You've yet to answer the question about the incident 10 years ago when the Rockwell family delightedly burned the corpses of the Gamma tribe," Lenz added.

  "It seems I haven't broken enough of your bones," Hernandez said, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he prepared to attack. He assumed a fighting stance, tensing his muscles, and it didn't take long before he launched a lethal strike.

  "Stop boasting. You can't break bones," Lenz replied.

  Lenz's hand, caught in Hernandez's grip, looked bruised and swollen, suddenly going numb. Ice began to form, gradually enveloping the injured hand. Before long, the ice shattered, and the swollen hand disappeared without a trace.

  “Damn Smith,” Hernandez uttered.

  The Smith family were sorcerers with ice magic, residing in the frozen plains of Zamorozheny at the North Pole. They possessed extraordinary abilities to heal severe injuries, including those inflicted by swords, poison, and even reattaching body parts—except for the head. In the war ten years ago, the Smith family played a crucial role in the victory of the Gaia and Earth nations against Gamma, thanks to their dedication and brilliant strategy.

  “Don’t pretend to be holier-than-thou, Rockwell. I know all your dirty secrets.”

  “The only way to make you stop talking is to separate your head from your body.”

  Meanwhile, Rinoa could only sigh, hoping that the conflict between the Smith family and Rockwell would come to an end soon. Indeed, these two families were not on good terms at all, especially after the embarrassing incident during the promotion ceremony on the 49th floor, when both families competed for Rinoa's affection. However, with firm resolve, Rinoa rejected their proposals outright, maintaining her integrity and dignity despite the immense pressure from these two powerful families.

  During that event, only two students managed to pass. Three out of 200 people on the 48th floor were able to elevate to the 49th floor, where they approached a secret hidden from everyone on this planet.

  “Stop it.”

  An old man with glasses on his left eye sat atop a crystal ball, wearing a deep blue robe. He watched the three students intently. The light emitted by the crystal ball cast their silhouettes, while his face reflected wisdom and humor, indicating that he likely held more knowledge than what was apparent at first glance.

  “As usual, you all create a racket like an orchestra without a conductor. Should I turn you into frogs? Perhaps while jumping, you could produce a more harmonious sound,” the man said with a hearty laugh, as if he had just shared the best joke in history. At that moment, Lenz and Hernandez halted their banter, yet their intense stare-down continued, resembling a serious stare-off competition.

  “Good morning, esteemed teacher,” Rinoa said respectfully, lifting her long skirt slightly as if she were a princess greeting her king. At Atlantis school, every female student is required to wear an elegant long skirt and is taught to behave with the poise of nobility, adding an air of grace to each step and emphasizing their social status.

  "Rinoa, could you lift your skirt a little?" the man asked, his gaze sharp yet warm, as if it could burn through the fabric she wore. Rinoa felt a heavy pressure in her chest, realizing that she was not the object of adoration that was apparent before him, but perhaps behind his squinted eyes lay a lesson or two about how to respect women. Lenz and Hernandez also felt a deep sadness, looking on with concern at this incredibly awkward situation, as if they were witnessing a rare scene: an old man obsessed with a young girl, trapped in an endless daydream.

  "Master Elbert," Rinoa muttered in a melancholic tone, as if her heart were filled with a mix of disappointment and unbearable anger.

  Rinoa could no longer contain her fury, as if she had just discovered a secret note declaring that broccoli was more delicious than chocolate!

  Buagh! … Buagh! … Buagh!

  A powerful gust of wind, as if conjured by the very forces of nature, suddenly hit the three of them. The wind swirled at a breathtaking speed, producing a whistling sound that filled the area around them. In an instant, with unexpected force, they stumbled and nearly lost their balance due to the sudden impact on their bodies. Like a mini tornado sweeping everything away, the presence of the wind magic stirred 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 lineage known for their mastery of wind magic. She had been adopted ten years ago during the Great War by Hector Alfrenzo, one of the five Sanctuary Warriors who currently wield the highest power of wind magic. Although not a biological descendant, she could perform wind magic more impressively than the original heirs of the Alfrenzo family. This extraordinary talent garnered admiration from the family’s leaders; however, on the flip side, she was shunned by their wives and children, creating tension within the family bond.

  “Hahahaha ... sorry about that, blame it on old age,” said Elbert in a heavy voice yet filled with humor, stroking his wrinkled face that reflected the warmth and wisdom of a long life. “But Rinoa, you shouldn’t just hypnotize anyone. Isn’t that dangerous?” he warned, his tone serious. “Why don’t you break up those two?” he continued, gently stroking his long, white-streaked beard before slowly walking toward the classroom, his left hand resting behind him to ease the pain in his back that had started to ache, each step embodying the cautious demeanor of someone who had witnessed numerous battles in life.

  “Professor Elbert, it’s not that big of a deal. Besides, no one would dare to disturb Ellis. Isn’t he one of the strongest defensive wizards in the world? Even when unconscious, his magic can activate on its own if he’s in danger. He might just wake up and say, ‘Wait, I want to be with you forever!’” Rinoa replied, playfully following him in tone.

  "I will also follow you forever," replied Lenz and Hernandez in unison, as if they had just won the "Best Follower" competition in a magic reality show.

  “Please, stop,” Rinoa said with an annoyed tone, her eyes sparkling with blazing anger. Quickly, she doubled her magical aura, creating a wave of energy that vibrated the surrounding air. Dry and live leaves scattered in all directions, swirling like confetti blown by the wind. Dust whirled around Rinoa, forming a magnificent vortex, resembling a small storm that captivated everyone present with the power of her magic.

  Rinoa began to chant her 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 her incantation.

  “SAND STORM!!!”

  The gust of wind mixed with dust was so powerful that all three were swept away by the vortex, spinning as if it had lasted for centuries. Rinoa controlled the force of the wind to enter the room. As a result of the tremendous power, the doors, chairs, tables, and everything inside the room were also caught up in the whirlwind.

  After a moment, Rinoa halted her magic, and with a terrifying rumble, everything that had been lifted crashed down in disarray, creating a devastating scene. Dust swirled, chairs lay overturned, and tables were scattered across the floor, as if the room had just endured a raging storm.

  “All done, nothing left behind, even the ghosts have taken their leave,” Rinoa said with a broad smile, clapping her hands as if to banish all the chaos with a single clap. “Time for school!”