"Ely Von Habsburg..."
Luceris was slightly taken aback.
The girl before her had cascading black hair, luminous eyes, and a porcelain smile. Dressed in an ancient-style gown, she radiated an air of elegance, with a touch of gentle grace. The white dress, though simple, only made her snowy complexion even more striking.
Even standing there silently, she emanated a faint, sacred aura.
A different kind of perfection.
"Hello," Luceris replied, gently shaking Ely's outstretched hand.
Mr. Fang rose and introduced them, "Luceris, this is the Second Highness of our ancient Eastern realm."
Realization dawned on her.
No wonder she'd felt a divine pressure the moment she stepped close—like being subtly 'purified.' It turned out Ely had awakened the rare [Saint] class.
Ely didn't say much at first but smiled warmly and asked, "Do you have some time later? I'd love to get to know you better."
The saint's voice was gentle and soothing, like a breeze through spring blossoms.
Luceris nodded, entirely unguarded around her.
She waved to Galen Skylar and Celene Sirra, unwilling to leave them out.
The two stood rooted, dumbfounded, an uneasy flutter rising in their hearts.
What kind of absurd social circle was this?
Knights, soldiers... even ministers and a royal princess!?
They had always guessed that Luceris was someone special—but this?
Was she perhaps the heir to a hidden elite bloodline?
...
After a brief chat, Luceris realized Ely hadn't approached her with any hidden agenda. She simply wanted to meet her. And in hindsight, it made sense.
People born into status and power often lived lives devoid of novelty. When they encountered something fascinating, they naturally became curious.
The two of them chatted easily. Though it was their first meeting, the atmosphere was light and pleasant.
Ely was graceful and poised, clearly trained in royal etiquette. But when their eyes met during the conversation, she often nibbled on her lip or tongue unconsciously.
After a few times, her composed façade cracked, a blush blooming across her cheeks.
"So cute..." Luceris thought, gazing at her like admiring a fine porcelain doll.
She had to admit—Ely's charm was comparable to the most beloved characters in her favorite two-dimensional worlds.
Spending time with someone this beautiful and gentle lifted her spirits.
Before parting, they exchanged contact information and promised to team up for a dungeon raid next time.
...
After that brief encounter, Luceris noticed several university officials staring at her with blazing eyes.
If not for the presence of Mr. Fang and Leanne Vale, she suspected she might have been "devoured" alive by their enthusiasm.
With a shiver, she exchanged a quick look with Leanne and decided to flee the scene with her friends.
Watching Luceris disappear into the crowd, Robert Judge and another cantankerous elder sighed with deep regret.
Two students about to enter university...
One was royalty, the other a once-in-a-century genius.
Recruiting either of them could single-handedly elevate the school to new heights.
But with Mr. Fang looming over them, no one dared act rashly.
Though Mr. Fang wasn't particularly strong in combat, he had long held the role of "Protector" in the ancient Eastern nation.
Not just his descendants—even these senior officials had once benefited from his guidance and protective inventions.
...
The massive "wasteland reclamation" dungeon event had finally ended.
To Luceris, the entire experience was deeply fulfilling—it matched her dreams of participating in a large-scale, cooperative exploration perfectly.
Once she returned home, she reviewed the loot she'd acquired.
According to price estimates from major guild networks, the combined value of her haul reached into the tens of millions.
For most adventurers, that kind of reward from a single raid was beyond comprehension.
Even players above level 200 or 300 couldn't typically net tens of millions in one go—drop rates were too low, and high-value items exceedingly rare.
Granted, if a boss at level 200 or 300 did drop a mythical-tier item, it might be worth that much... or more. But such items usually came with overwhelming danger.
"Ahhh~" Luceris sighed, resting her chin in her palms under the sun.
"When will I reach that level…"
The girl's thoughts drifted off with the breeze.
...
After a few days of rest, it was time to return to her adventurous routine.
Although she'd gathered plenty of materials earlier, when it came to crafting and research, more was always better.
This time, the team was still led by Leanne Vale and Selene.
Partly because they were familiar with one another—something that put Luceris at ease—and partly because their current conditions made them perfect for the job.
The knights accompanying them were unusually solemn.
Many of them had witnessed the divine battle Luceris fought during the dungeon.
Her radiant figure was etched deep into their memories.
In fact, the fan organization 'Love Gate' had secretly included them among its earliest fanatics.
"Big sis!"
Luceris instantly froze.
Though she was usually laid-back, such excessive admiration made her feel awkward.
Luckily, Leanne and Selene were there to help defuse the situation.
Despite being sociable, Luceris was clearly unaccustomed to such blind devotion.
After a bit of small talk, she suddenly asked, "Why haven't we entered the dungeon yet?"
Leanne replied, "We're still waiting for one more person. Her Highness should be here soon."
"Ely Von Habsburg?" Luceris asked, nodding thoughtfully.
"It seems like you two have gotten quite close," Leanne teased with a sly grin.
Luceris rolled her eyes. "It's just a normal friendship between two beautiful girls. Don't make it weird, you fossil."
While the two bantered, a luxurious carriage pulled up in the distance—faster than any car.
From afar, Ely waved cheerfully.
"Sorry I'm late~!"
Luceris waved back, and then suddenly remembered something.
Turning to Leanne and Selene, she asked, "Are we still raiding the 'Forgotten Crystal Holy Land' today?"
The two exchanged puzzled glances.
"I unlocked a new exclusive dungeon after leveling up. Want to explore it with me?"
Leanne and Selene blinked, stunned.
Around them, the knights—who had been chatting just moments ago—fell completely silent.
A tense, electric stillness settled in the air.