Whatever...!

**Early Balhae Dynasty, South Korea**

In the early days of the Balhae Dynasty, King Chang-woo had three sons known to the world. Yet, only he and his wife were privy to the existence of a fourth son, Jae. This secret prince was groomed in the shadows, trained extensively in acupuncture, martial arts, swordsmanship, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and other family traditions. Tall, handsome, and striking with his pitch black, a sign of good fortune and felicity—Jae was a figure of compassion, trustworthiness, and patience.

One fateful night, when Jae was 20, the sky was graced by a rare blue moon, an event that occurred once every thousand years. As the moon turned crystal blue at midnight, Jae, engrossed in his paperwork, suddenly vanished into thin air.

**Present Day, May 2025**

The news buzzed with excitement.

"Breaking educational news... Three girls have been awarded scholarships from the prestigious SK University. This is unprecedented as SK University has never awarded such scholarships before…"

SK University stood as one of South Korea's most esteemed institutions, offering unparalleled educational opportunities, high living standards, and robust support for various fields, including arts, sciences, and sports. The sprawling campus boasted modern facilities, an extensive library, state-of-the-art laboratories, and exceptional teachers.

The scholarship recipients were introduced with much fanfare.

Ashley, a 19-year-old from Japan, was passionate about reading novels and manga, indulging in gaming, and relishing candy. A hyperpolyglot, she excelled in linguistics, ancient scripts, acupuncture, and herbal medicine. Ashley was secretive, stubborn yet kind-hearted, always carrying what she deemed essential.

Amara, also 19, hailed from Singapore. She loved reading, planning, and helping others. Her studies focused on planning, sociology, and geography. Amara was research-oriented, practical, and sensitive, with a touch of childishness.

Veronica, an 18-year-old from Germany, was intrigued by new technology. She was a talented hacker and software engineer. Veronica's sensitivity, hard work, and innocence made her stand out.

These three talented young women had been chosen for their unique skills and potential.

Their first day at SK University was marked by anticipation and a sense of new beginnings. Arriving at the campus, they headed straight to the director's office to discuss their study plans and accommodations.

"Hello girls, I'm Mr. Ha-eun, the director of SK University. Please have a seat!" he greeted them warmly.

"Hello sir, we're excited to study here," Amara said with a smile.

"Hello sir!" Ashley chimed in.

"Hi sir, we're thrilled to have this opportunity," Veronica added.

Ashley couldn't resist a quip, "Yeah, 'so blessed' to be 'invited' for our merits..."

The director chuckled, then asked, "Would you prefer to stay on the new campus or near the research base?"

Veronica was quick to answer, "I'd prefer to stay on campus."

Amara, ever flexible, replied, "I'm okay with either, sir."

"I'll stay near the research base," Ashley stated firmly.

The director looked at them, waiting for a consensus. After a moment of silent deliberation, Ashley took the lead.

"We'll stay near the research center," she declared.

"Okay, that's fine with me," Veronica agreed.

"Alright, we'll arrange for you to stay near the research base. There's only one safe room available there, and you'll need to work together closely," the director explained.

Ashley sighed, "Fine, but don't expect me to take care of these children..."

Veronica thought, *How rude...* but said, "Fine, I'll go with you guys." She forced a smile.

"Yeah, whatever," Amara muttered, rolling her eyes.

With their accommodations settled, the three girls prepared to embark on their new journey, unaware of the extraordinary events about to unfold in their lives.