As the year drew to a close, exams at Edess Academy were gradually coming to an end, and students began to relax. Many were discussing where to go for their holidays. The Twilight Ensemble's clubroom also became lively.
The air conditioner hummed, cooling the room despite the scorching summer outside. Inside, it was refreshingly comfortable. Small groups of students were scattered throughout the clubroom—some engaged in card battle games, others discussing their recent studies, while a few lounged on the sofas watching the latest hit dramas, munching on snacks.
"So, this many people just showed up, huh?"
In one corner of the room, Thilan pressed her fingers to her forehead, realizing that things had not unfolded as she had expected.
She had initially assumed that at a prestigious academy like Edess, students would be devoted to their studies, have refined hobbies, or specialize in particular fields. But in reality, they were just like everyone else—fond of eating, drinking, and having fun.
Maybe she had set her expectations too high and idealized things too much. With that thought, she stepped out of her usual small room.
Yes, she had her own private office—one of the few places where her authority as the club president was evident. However, the office’s main purpose was now serving as her personal nap room. Thanks to advancements in materials and technology, the soundproofing was excellent; no matter how noisy it was outside, the inside remained undisturbed.
"Thilan, President."
Two boys playing card games immediately stood up as the black-haired girl passed by.
Thilan wasn’t sure how to respond. A direct acknowledgment? That felt a bit arrogant and ostentatious. Denying it outright? That would seem too humble and weak. So, she simply responded with a glance and a nod before continuing forward.
Similar greetings followed several times. Even Alen—the "seasoned veteran" in Thilan's eyes—stood up as she approached.
"Good afternoon, President Thilan."
"You too?" The girl sighed, slightly exasperated. She knew this elf wasn’t someone who blindly idolized others. Most likely, he was just playing along for fun, trying to tease her.
"Haha, I simply have heartfelt respect for our esteemed President Thilan. Please, don’t overthink it."
With impeccable grace, the handsome blond youth placed one hand over his chest, the other behind his back, and bowed deeply.
Thilan could only respond with another helpless nod before shifting her gaze past him, toward the three girls chatting in a corner—Ruby, Dolores, and Evony.
Not long after their training ground battle, the others who had trained alongside them also joined the Twilight Ensemble. They claimed to admire Thilan’s talent, but she didn’t buy that excuse. She had personally overheard Alen "preaching" to them—telling them that by joining, they could receive guidance from a beautiful and adorable black-haired president, as well as learn rare and powerful secret arts. Before long, the group had been swayed. Since there was nothing to lose, they all signed up.
As for Alen’s true motives, it was likely a mix of amusement and self-preservation—bringing in more people so that he wouldn’t stand out as the odd one in the club, allowing him to slack off more easily.
"...It's so frustrating! They're always like this. If you get mad, they just enjoy it more and say you've exposed yourself."
Ruby, sipping her drink through a straw, complained about some troublesome coworkers.
"Actors, especially actresses, easily get jealous of each other. If you become famous, you take away their opportunities—lead roles in dramas, high-end brand deals, even the attention of certain men."
"They act all friendly on the surface, but behind the scenes, who knows what they're really thinking? Dealing with those people is exhausting."
She twirled a strand of her violet-dyed hair between her fingers. Noticing Thilan approaching, she raised a hand in greeting.
"President Thilan, over here~"
The black-haired girl had already been heading their way. Dolores turned toward her as well, giving her a gentle smile and a nod. Their familiarity needed no extra words. Evony, on the other hand, seemed a bit awkward—she looked like she wanted to greet Thilan but couldn’t do it naturally. In the end, she simply nodded in silence.
Evony had always been the center of attention, used to carrying herself with a slightly aloof and cold demeanor. But now that she was in the club, where everyone had comparable status and abilities, she was struggling to adjust. She was no longer the focal point. Previously, she passively received greetings from others; now, she had to initiate them, which felt uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
Fortunately, Thilan was an empathetic person. With her songstress talent, she easily picked up on Evony’s mood and didn’t take offense. She just smiled, letting Evony know there was no need to feel pressured.
Half a year ago, I was probably just like her—always sitting in a corner, timid and self-conscious.
That thought flickered through Thilan's mind as she took a seat.
Ruby first summarized what they had been discussing before steering the conversation toward Thilan.
"President Thilan, do you like watching dramas? Do you have any favorite characters?"
"I watch occasionally with friends. I wouldn’t say I have a particular favorite, but I do think some actors are very talented."
She had spent most of her past worrying about getting into a good high school and making ends meet, leaving no room for idolizing celebrities. The only time she had watched movies was when Lina and the others dragged her along.
"What about songstresses? Do you have any favorite songstresses?"
"As for songstresses, I've listened to quite a few songs by 'Fiery Sugar' Princoco. From other star systems, I know a little about 'White Swan' Audney."
Speaking of which, she still had some private photos of Audney. That gentleman, Feng Jianxue, had even sent her invitations a few times after their last meeting, but she had politely declined them all.
"Princoco is only at the Starlight Grade, yet she's currently our Four-Leaf Crystal's only recognized songstress. The previous ones either retired or are no longer around."
Ruby reminisced. She recalled that the Four-Leaf Crystal Star Region had produced several renowned songstresses in the past, but thinking about it now, they were all from decades or even centuries ago.
"A songstress is usually the most famous figure within their own star region. To gain recognition beyond their home system, however, they need solid strength. Since people from other regions rarely get to experience their presence firsthand, they can't be affected by their aura and charm in person. Their influence can only spread through recorded videos, which are nowhere near as impactful as a live performance."
Ruby shook her head slightly as she explained.
"Songstresses at the Starlight Grade don't have that kind of overwhelming presence yet. It probably takes someone at the Full Moon Grade to imbue recordings with even a fraction of their live charisma. So, generally speaking, a songstress needs to reach the Full Moon Grade or higher to expand their influence across multiple star regions."
"I wish our Four-Leaf Crystal Star Region could produce a Full Moon Grade Songstress. That way, our reputation would grow, not only boosting publicity and recruitment in the economic sector but also potentially expanding a tourism industry. Moreover, it could attract the attention of the Federation Central Council, prompting them to allocate more funds to environmental management." Ruby finished her drink, then lay on the table, both complaining and making a wish.
Among the three people sitting nearby, Evony seemed lost in thought, not listening at all. Thilan remained silent, as if the topic of songstresses had nothing to do with her. Dolores, however, thought for a moment and then glanced at Thilan.
"Ruby, have you ever tested whether you have the talent of a Songstress?" Dolores asked.
"Of course, I have!" Ruby suddenly perked up, lifting her head, her eyes shining like stars.
"Anyone who dreams of being an idol would want to have such a talent. Not just me—many actors and singers I know get tested regularly, hoping that good luck will finally come their way."
"Isn't that something you're born with? Why would you need to test it so often?" Dolores asked curiously.
"Not exactly. Songstress talents are quite special. Some people awaken them at a very young age, while others might not awaken theirs until adulthood—or even years after that. That's why people keep testing, holding onto a sliver of hope."
"I see."
Their conversation gradually shifted toward discussing talents. Ruby mentioned that her own talent had some charm-related effects, but its power was relatively weak.
"People at Sequence 2 and above can pretty much resist it, so it's not very useful. It just makes me look more attractive, with some visual effects in my eyes."
"What about you, Evony? I remember your talent is quite strong, isn't it?" Ruby suddenly brought it up, snapping Evony out of her thoughts.
"My talent… well, it’s nothing special." She avoided saying too much, looking away.
Seeing the usually proud "Goldfish Princess" dodge the question, Dolores stepped in to change the subject.
"What are your holiday plans? Do you want to come to my family’s beach for a few days?"
"Yes! I've wanted to go for a long time. There aren't many beautiful coastal spots with crystal-clear waters in the Verdant Veil." Ruby was the first to agree.
"What about you, Thilan and Evony?"
"I have other matters to handle, so I probably can’t make it." Thilan shook her head. She had to deal with some affairs at Swallow Garden Academy and also planned to visit her uncle’s house since he had extended an invitation last time.
"I also need some time to reflect, so I probably won't be going either," Evony added, shaking her head. She had been feeling anxious and sensitive lately and didn’t want to be in a crowded place.
"Alright then." Dolores noticed that Evony seemed troubled and didn’t push further. However, she was slightly disappointed that Thilan wouldn't be coming—it seemed she wouldn’t see her again until next semester.
On the other side of the clubroom, Jinzerk reclined on a sofa with his legs crossed, watching a video on the projection screen while munching on snacks, feeling somewhat bored. He didn’t quite understand why Thilan had suddenly become so respected. Even when he joked around, the atmosphere felt restrained.
He figured it must have started with Alen. With that thought, he glanced at the elf across from him, who was engrossed in discussing some kind of secret art with his companions, his expression displeased.
Though Jinzerk didn’t like Alen, he had to admit that Alen’s parents were well-known botanists in the Federation’s academic circles. Bullying him outright might have negative consequences, so he decided to let it go.
His gaze wandered, eventually landing on a corner of the room where Valk was deeply focused on his studies. Jinzerk’s expression shifted slightly.
He had heard about Valk’s background—how he had been working hard to make up for gaps in his education. However, Jinzerk hadn’t expected him to be able to study even in such a noisy environment.
Speaking of which, Valk was from Northern 9th District. Jinzerk had never been there… Suddenly, an idea struck him. Tossing his snacks aside, he walked over and patted Valk’s broad shoulder.
"Hey, big guy. Still studying?"
"Hello." Valk put down his study materials and looked at the young master who had approached him.
"The holidays are coming up. Are you heading back home?" Jinzerk asked.
"Yes," Valk answered honestly. There was no reason to hide it.
"I want to go check it out and have some fun there. Of course, I'll cover all the travel expenses, and I’ll even donate some supplies to your hometown. What do you think?"
"Thank you. That would be fine."
"Great, it's settled then. Oh, by the way, I’ve always been curious—why did you join this club? As far as I know, you didn’t know Thilan before, and you don’t seem like someone interested in the Twilight Era."
"Thilan is very strong. I respect her and want to learn from her, so I joined." Valk answered honestly once again.
"Strong? Well, advancing to Sequence 4 in first year is rare, but you’ve done the same, haven’t you?" Jinzerk didn’t quite understand.
Valk shook his head and replied, "It’s different. She’s incredible. She can even see my weaknesses. I can’t beat her."
"You can’t beat her?" Jinzerk looked at Valk’s iron-like muscles and towering figure, then at the petite black-haired girl across the room who spoke in soft tones. He found it hard to believe.
"You must’ve been tricked by Alen again. That guy is quick-witted, and it’s easy to fall for his words. Sigh." Jinzerk patted Valk’s shoulder with a tinge of regret.
"Anyway, let’s not talk about that. Since we’re all in the same club, we should help each other out, right? I happen to have money, and you happen to need some. So, I feel it’s my duty to help a friend."
"Thank you, Jinzerk." Valk expressed his gratitude. The children at the orphanage would likely have a better life because of this. Father Berys would probably be happy too.
"Haha, it’s nothing. I just want to explore the area. Oh, by the way, I heard that the security there isn’t great, and fights happen often. Is that true?"
"In the outer regions, security is indeed poor. But because the area is vast and sparsely populated, fights don’t happen too frequently. However, in a place like Black Cesium, where many unemployed people remain due to past mining booms, conflicts are more common," Valk explained seriously.
"That’s fine. I actually find that interesting. Life needs some excitement, don’t you think?"
The capital of Verdant Veil, Southern 1st District, had always been well-policed. Even when special incidents occurred, they were usually gunfights—nothing particularly thrilling. This left Jinzerk feeling rather bored.
As for Valk, he had trained in martial arts through countless street brawls. In the impoverished Northern 9th District, firearms were rare. Moreover, people there were too poor to afford lawyers if they got arrested for illegal gun possession, so they relied on fists and melee weapons. That way, even if they got caught, the punishment wasn’t too severe, and they could be released after a while.
The clubroom remained lively. In the scorching heat of summer, everyone was making plans for their vacations, looking forward to the future.