I was a woman with everything that everyone wishes to have. Money, career, fame, perfect family and a perfect love partner. I was a woman who was about to get married in a perfect church wearing a perfect gown.

Now I'm just a woman who woke up with nothing left and no one can recognize me.

"One other thing," Sunders kept up, "you placed so much nightmare energy in this part of the section just so that you can make people fear and even respect it, am I right?"
Angor nodded rapidly.
He defined a "theme" for each section when creating the illusion, and the theme for Witch's Town was "respecting your fear", which Sunders just pointed out.
"Nice idea." Sunders approved before giving his harsh opinions, "However, YOUR fear will only work on mortals and some of the apprentices with weaker mentalities. Wizards or stronger apprentices can easily see through your trick. They might regard your work as something interesting, and that's about it. Your emotion manipulation would have worked fine, if not for this easily-deciphered illusion. This is where you failed."
After going through the Witch's Town in Angor's illusion, Greya understood Angor's intention because she wanted to. Sunders meant to point out that she chose to follow the "story" constructed in the illusion rather than being forced to.
This meant Angor's illusion wouldn't work well on other people.
Even if it was intended to enlighten Greya, it would work better if the elements in the illusion fully affected her, thus allowing her to gain heartfelt awareness.
Angor looked down as he finally understood Sunders' judgment.
The illusion of Witch's Town only appeared to be good, but it was far from achieving its original goal.
"There are two ways to mend this. One is to improve your mind-manipulation capability as well as your own resistance to it, which means 'what appears to be fearful' in your view will eventually apply to others. The other method is to further perfect your illusions, in which case even if someone discovers flaws in it, they won't be able to escape from it easily."
He then left Angor alone to think about those words and entered the lone house mentioned by Greya.
As expected, the "bus stop" was placed inside an oil painting hanging on the wall.
While sitting in Cat Bus, Angor stared at his knees to rethink the lesson he just learned, and he failed to notice that Sunders had a slight grin on his face.
Despite the lecture he gave Angor, Sunders was generally satisfied with the illusion.
It was obvious that this illusion was not designed to harm people, but to satisfy Greya's "order". As long as the illusion met the requirements, some minor flaws didn't matter too much.
He came to the illusion to check "how well Angor's studies turned out". So far, Angor did a good job. Most of the logic shown by the illusion seemed intact, and the many interesting elements had shown Angor's brilliant imagination.
Illusions needed great imagination to achieve potency. As long as no extra demands were concerned, Angor had amazingly finished the job. It was just that Sunders was not the type to praise people easily. He preferred nitpicking.
…
Cat Bus allowed them to see more of Angor's illusions.
There were different characters that represented important clues or stories in various sections. It was not so impressive as there were many books that used similar ways to tell their tales, yet Angor did a better job compared to common novelists by presenting the best part of the stories for others to see.
If the illusion was a book, Sunders would believe that it was one of the collectible ones worth reading many times.
Instead of telling stories, Angor allowed anyone who saw his illusion to become part of the stories and experience them on their own, following behind the characters they preferred.
Sunders neither disapproved nor commended such a way of telling stories, but he was glad his student made it possible.
Anyone with time to kill or was resting between burdensome jobs would enjoy such a relaxed way of "reading".
As a former gentleman from a noble clan, even if he had spent a long time on the path of truth, Sunders would occasionally enjoy a storybook on his sunlight-blessed armchair. Any book was fine. Mortal novels, wizardry fictions… They were all about entertainment that kept his nerves from straining too hard.
Sunders would admit that Angor's illusion was top-class "entertainment", and this was probably why Greya asked the boy for the illusion.
Next, Sunders began glancing over the other sections like how Greya did.
The more he looked, the more surprised he was regarding Angor's potential in illusions.
Angor might have "cheated" his level by absorbing nightmare energy, yet the proficiency in illusions was completely gained through hard effort. Even with enough effort, an apprentice Illusionist wouldn't learn to create such a refined illusion within three years.
While traveling through different sections, Sunders took a brief stop at "Monument Valley".
This area did not have the ordinary logic as the other sections. Instead, there were strangely-colored shapes and objects placed randomly around.
When Sunders entered the area, he suddenly realized that this was an extremely interesting place, not because Angor slacked off.
He was looking at a flickering shadow, which seemed to be connected with all the strange structures around him.
Together with him, a character named "Ida" also entered the valley.
After some small tests, Sunders noticed that he had to move the shadow to manipulate the valley and help Ida escape.
"So I'm in charge of Ida's fate now?" Sunders raised an eyebrow and decided to play the little game.
With each of his movements, the structures in the valley would drastically change their orientations. Following these changes, the strange girl, Ida, began climbing over them like traveling through a mountain.
At first, Sunders didn't understand what he was supposed to do. From the shadow in front of him, he could see a giant gap on Ida's path, which would discourage any mortal from proceeding.
He believed "carrying Ida over the gap by himself" was definitely not the answer. It was a puzzle, and he needed to solve it.
He turned around and saw Angor trying to hold back his laughter as if the boy was happy to see his professor getting stumped.
Truth was, Angor was troubled by the puzzle just like this when he started playing the game on his tablet. He copied the game into the illusion because he found it to be interesting enough.
It didn't take Sunders very long to figure out the answer—the broken path was, in fact, an optical illusion created by a unique isometric view. When viewed from another angle, it became whole, thus allowing Ida to walk through.
The puzzle was all about seeing things from different perspectives.
"Now… this is interesting."
After solving the first puzzle, the next ones didn't seem so hard.
Sunders never had to move. By using the shadow within his reach, he helped Ida reach the exit of the valley and leave. 
The valley suddenly disappeared and gave place to a pink castle, from which Ida showed up.
The shadow in front of Sunders also changed into a smaller castle. Apparently, another round of puzzles was waiting to be dealt with.
Sunders didn't continue and left the Monument Valley with Angor. He did like the game, but he decided to visit the Mysterious Mountain because it was almost time for it.
He wondered where Angor found so many weird yet awe-inspiring ideas.
There was a monument placed at the entrance of Monument Valley, which had a line written on it:
[Journey to forgiveness]
So there's another story about that Ida too? Sunders thought.
…
Angor was still giggling when Cat Bus took them away.
Sunders gave him a poker face. "The illusion of Monument Valley is more problematic compared to the rest. The colors and structures, none of them should exist in common sense."
The gentleman spent several minutes pointing out the "flaws" until Angor began to wonder if it was a bad decision to place the game here. 
However, Sunders suddenly changed his attitude. "Once we're back, make another Monument Valley illusion so that I can get a better look of it, and hopefully give you some instructions accordingly."
Angor almost face-palmed himself.


A young traveler who receives enlightenment from another civilization is on a mission to save his beloved mentor. In his journey to seek the ultimate truth, he travels extensively and along the way, he experiences some unpredictable encounters. Will he be able to save his mentor or will his path be derailed?

When I got into my mom's car after school she saw my sweater and smiled. "You found it."
"Yeah I found it. The whole school watched me find it."
"What?" She looked over her shoulder to check the traffic, and then glanced at me. "Where was it?"
"Up a tree."
"A tree? How did it get—"
"Don't ask. The janitor got it down for me." I turned to look at her. "Everyone clapped."
I didn't get any sympathy. "Well at least you don't have to buy a new one. And I'm sure you'll be more careful with your things from now on."
I wanted to tell her that Emelyn Peters had stolen it off the back of my chair before she flung it into the tree, but I was sick of arguing with my mom and bored with the subject of my pukey sweater. I decided to let her win this one. "OK, Mom."
After escaping from the garage, I ran up the stairs to my room and climbed the spiral staircase to my office. Homework could wait until later. I'd been looking forward to working on the third clue all day. Pushing my chair back over to the desk, I sat down and turned the yellowed envelope over in my hands. I pulled out the paper and unfolded it.
The drawing looked like a cross between an algebra problem and an optical illusion or a puzzle. I flipped through my math book and looked at the symbols in the geometry chapters. None of them matched the design on the clue. After staring at the tattered paper for a few minutes, I turned on my iPad and opened my Hidden Jewelry Box notes. After I took a picture of the clue I counted the squares, and then typed in: Bottom row, 9. Next row, 6. Second row 4. Top row, 1.
The diagram looked a little like a weird stairway or something you could climb, so the next thing I did was enter the directions the squares seemed to take to get from the bottom to the top of the puzzle: 4 to the left, up 1. 1 more to the left, up 1. 3 to the left, up to the top. Now I was at the top of…what? I blew out my breath. I was usually good at puzzles and math, but this didn't make any sense at all.
What could it mean? I posted a picture of the clue on my website, then sent out a tweet asking for my agents to check in and help. I hoped agent # 010 Star Dancer or # 002 Hidden Shadow might be online to post their ideas on my site under clues.
Next, I typed just the numbers of the squares in each row: 9 6 4 1
"Nine minus six is three, and four minus one is three." Then I added the numbers up. "Twenty squares," I said, looking at the equation on the clue. "U plus arrow plus four equals twenty. Sixteen plus four equals twenty, so U plus arrow equals sixteen. But what does that mean?" I groaned in frustration. "Nothing," I answered myself.
I grabbed my head with both hands. Now what do I do? I had no idea what the third clue meant, or where to look for the next one. I stared at the frayed paper.
That's when I saw it. A curly black hair, resting innocently on my desk. Except there was nothing innocent about it. My dad's hair was light. My mom and I didn't have hairy arms or legs. Therefore this came from someone else. Someone with dark curly hair, like Sledge: the guy in the construction crew gang who was working on our rain gutters.
Crew Gang, I thought. Good name for that bunch of creeps.
I stared at the little hair and my face got hot. What was he doing in my office? No rain gutters up here, no reason for him to be in this room at all. Unless he was snooping. Searching for something, like when I'd watched him peek into the gazebo and look into the corners of our backyard. I clamped my hand over my mouth as the truth dawned on me.
Those guys are looking for the hidden jewels too.
Xandra Collins's missing jewelry box had been all over the news since her disappearance. It made perfect sense that the men working on our house would be searching for her jewelry box. And there was a whole gang of them. Only one of me.
I had to beat them to it. I was one step ahead of them, and I needed to stay that way. Picking up the hair with my tweezers, I dropped it into a small Ziploc baggie and stowed it in my detective kit. DNA evidence, in case I needed it.
The clue sat there, challenging me.
 
What did the squares stand for? Could they represent a building? And if they did, how would I find it? I didn't have a truck like Smack. No way I could search all of Santa Monica on my bike. Fortunately Alexa and a gang of secret agents were on my side. The Shirley Lock Holmes Agency could track a clue faster than anybody. Girls Secret Agency had gone dormant, but hopefully some of the members would weigh in. I was looking forward to checking my website and reading their posts on what the clue could mean.
My brain needed a break. I shut down my iPad, opened my detective kit, and took out my fingerprinting materials. After picking out the clearest print in the dust on the windowsill, I covered it with a strip of clear tape and pressed it firmly down. I didn't have to brush on fingerprinting powder. The dust had done the job. I carefully peeled off the print and pasted it onto a Case Solution card.
Using my invisible marker I labeled it, "Turret Windowsill." Then I pulled out the box I had bought to hold fingerprints and clues, slipped my first Case Solution card inside, and closed the padlock. By the time the Skylar Robbins Detective Agency had solved its first big case, no doubt the box would be full.
Suddenly I heard a loud noise in the backyard and looked out my office window. Sledge was about to install our new rain gutters and I watched him for a minute. He walked through the side yard and out to the street, grabbing long sections of metal from the back of his truck. As he came back across the lawn his head swiveled back and forth, looking around. After he dumped the new rain gutters on the lawn in a big pile, he trotted back across the grass and stuck his head inside the greenhouse. Like he was searching for something. Of course he was.
I grabbed my pink Super-Zoom binoculars, turned off the light, and crouched down by the window to watch him. My binoculars rock. They were so strong I could see the hair on the back of his fingers as he picked up a section of metal half-pipe. A skuzzy blond guy picked up the other end, and they climbed up a couple of ladders and attached the new rain gutter to the house.
The hair on Sledge's arms was dark and curly.
Busted. I bet that was his hair that I found on my desk. So what was he doing in my office? There was no reason for him to be inside the house at all, unless he was looking for Xandra's clues. And what could I do about it?
Nothing. Yet.
My parents were totally impressed with Smack and his gang. I had to admit they were doing a great job remodeling our house. My mom was raving about them, even though she complained to my dad that they smelled "ripe," and she hated their snake and skull tattoos. I hated the fact that they were trying to find Xandra's jewels before I did.
But that wasn't going to happen. I hoped.
After dinner I had too much homework to work on clues, and started the problems on my algebra worksheet.


72 = 9 x B
550 km = Xmm
4A = 64
17.5 yards = Z feet


I got a tingling feeling. In every equation, one thing stood for something else. I penciled in my answers with my brain ticking. The next section showed a bunch of different shapes, and asked whether or not they represented a polygon. I looked at each shape, circling yes or no. I finished the worksheet with my mind on something else. A similar problem, with a much more important solution: The squares on the third clue equaled—what?
My favorite detective show was about to start so I recorded it. Trying to forget about the mysterious clue, and the fact that a bunch of hostile men were right behind me in my search, I picked up my science book and read a chapter on anatomy. I put Mr. Bidden's signed permission slip into my backpack with a sinking feeling in my stomach.

A deserted mansion perches on a steep hillside, overlooking a rocky canyon. Tattered curtains hang behind broken windows, and a turret stretches toward the sky. Three years ago the wealthy owner disappeared suddenly, leaving behind a house full of secrets: A mysterious note, tantalizing clues, a hidden floor, one piece of a treasure map, and a missing fortune in diamonds.

Thirteen-year-old sleuth Skylar Robbins moves into the mansion with her parents and embarks on a new and dangerous mission. Armed with her detective kit, and with the support of her BFF Alexa and a team of secret agents, Skylar sets out to decipher the clues and find the diamonds. Can she outwit a gang of aggressive bikers and find the hidden jewels before they do? Or will the perils of middle school--like battling ruthless bully Emelyn Peters for the attention of class hottie Dustin Coles--get in her way?

Byron hoped their outing wouldn’t be too weird for Emily. He knew it was going to be weird for him.

But he tried not to be intimidated by the idea of his current fiancee and his ex girlfriend together on an outing. He wanted to see Nova again, and she seemed cool with the three of them hanging out.

Fortunately, Nova took over the conversation and handled everything with grace. Byron felt fairly dashing, walking around with a beautiful lady on each arm. Nova was showing off her figure in a flower patterned summer dress, while Emily looked cool in a white blouse and a pink skirt.

They walked along the pier, and Nova chatted about funny incidents on the set of Deadly Drollery.

”... and here I am, covered in clown makeup, trying to order a taco!” she concluded yet another story.

“Let’s go to the Science Museum!” Emily said on sighting the giant metallic globe perched on the famous futuristic-looking building. 

“Okay,” Byron said, “Have you been there, Nova?”

Byron could see that Emily felt left out of the conversation and that was probably why she wanted to do something more active rather than let Nova blather on. 

Nova seemed to be trying too hard to be fun and witty. He never would have thought it before, but he almost suspected she was trying to get his attention and rekindle their romance.

“Uh... no, never been before,” she said, though she didn’t look too keen.

“We don’t have to if you’re not into it,” Emily said, “It was just an idea.”

“No, it’s fine,” Nova agreed. “It’s funny how you can grow up in this city and never see the famous sights.”

The Science Museum was a good idea since it helped distract everyone from their weird situation. There were high-tech devices and interactive exhibits. In the Illusions and Puzzles room, Emily got caught up in solving a geometric puzzle. Meanwhile, Nova beckoned Byron over to one of the optical illusions.

“It’s not what it appears when you look closer,” Nova said, “That’s a lot like what happened with those films you produced, isn’t it?”

“Is it?” Byron asked, feeling totally confused. The spiral pattern of the illusion appeared to be spinning when he stared at it long enough.

“I’m sorry I accused you of trying to sabotage the studio,” Nova said, her beautiful face suddenly close to his. She was trying to speak softly and avoid being overheard by Emily, which raised his suspicions even more. 

“It’s all right,” he said. He still felt slightly bad for taking the credit for the success of the films, when it was all her doing.

“I should never have doubted your keen business instincts,” Nova continued, her dark eyes looking earnestly into his. “I understand now, you wanted me to try a different range of roles, and you knew I would succeed. You did it all for me, hoping we would be together again.”

He had dreamed of a moment like this once, but now he no longer wanted to get back together with Nova. He still wanted her in his life, as a friend. But his conscience was seriously starting to bug him, so he had to be honest. 

“Nova, I’m sorry,” he pronounced, “You were right the first time: I chose those films because they were the worst ones I could think of. I wanted to sabotage the studio. I wanted you to fail.”

Nova uttered a small gasp. “No, you’re not serious.”

“I am. I feel bad about it now, and that’s why I’ve decided to tell you the truth. I hope you can forgive me.”

“I knew it!” Nora said, forgetting to keep her voice down.

She strode away on her long legs, and as Byron was about to call after her, she said, “Don’t follow me!”

A few people stared at her as she left. “Was that Nova Summers?” someone queried. An excited buzz of voices filled the room.

“What just happened?” Emily asked, coming closer to him.

“I’ll tell you later,” Byron said, “Let’s get out of here.”

Too many people were looking at them with curiosity, and Byron didn’t feel like being the center of attention. He wondered if Nova would never speak to him again. He would hate to lose her completely. It didn’t feel as heartbreaking as the breakup with her, but it still hurt.

“Do you think she wants you back?” Emily asked when they got out of the air-conditioned building into the sunshine.

“I don’t know,” he lied, “It’s unlikely now, anyway.”

He felt bad about lying, but he didn’t want Emily to feel threatened. There was clearly no risk of him choosing Nova over her.

“Why?” Emily asked.

“I told her about the films,” Byron said, squinting in the too-bright sun. “I couldn’t keep taking credit for boosting her career.”

“That’s why she left?”

“Yeah.”

Emily seemed relieved. Byron wanted to tell her that he was only interested in Nova as a friend, but there was probably no point, unless Nova forgave him.

Emily Danzi has been stalked by a deranged man for most of her adult life. She thought she had left him behind when she moved to the west coast of Canada, but one rainy night, he catches up with her. Emily finds a temporary solution by having a complete stranger pose as her boyfriend. 

Byron Pomeroy, the man who was about to end his own life by jumping off a bridge scares off her pursuer but brings complications when she learns how deeply troubled he is, despite his enormous wealth. Emily wants to help him in return, but she must contend with Byron’s domineering mother and a devious journalist who wants Byron for herself and will destroy the reputation of anyone who gets in her way. 

“This might not be easy,” Byron began, “considering what I can safely call our mutual attraction for each other.”

As she sat at the table across from him, Emily could not deny it. It was good that the table separated them because she was tempted to reach out and stroke the beautiful outlines of his face. She wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. Suddenly she realized Byron was saying something, while she was completely distracted by his god-like appearance.

“...so, maybe you would like to make any suggestions?” he asked.

“Suggestions?” she echoed.

“About our new arrangement.”

“Oh, of course,” she said, flustered, “No, you go first.”

“All right.” He smiled as if he knew she had been admiring his looks. “Let’s start with public displays of affection. How far are we willing to go?”

“Um...” Emily had not considered this.

He took her hand and stroked it with his thumb, a light and teasing touch.

“Would this be okay?” he asked. 

Emily nodded, wondering how she was going to be able to stand this without surrendering to his charm.

“What about hugging?” he went on.

“Hugging...” Emily cleared her throat nervously. 

“We need to proved something for the journalists to talk about,” he said, though Emily suspected it was not the only reason he wanted to get closer to her.

“Hugging would be fine.”

“I guess kissing would be out of the question?” His eye glinted mysteriously as his lips bent in a wicked smile.

“I... haven’t thought about it,” Emily said. “Kissing on the cheek might be allowed.”

“No kissing on the lips then?” he asked. His whole look seemed to say, “try it, you might like it.”

Her body melting with desire, Emily stayed firm on this point. “No kissing on the lips.”

WARNING: This novel contains depictions of suicidal depression and stalking.

Changying turned to see Wang walking toward her with the most glamorous woman she had ever seen as Romey turned with her smirking, "You snooze you lose, baby brother."

Wang grimaced and pulled Changying from her chair kissing her passionately in front of everyone, when he came up for air he murmured, "Hi, remember me?"

She smiled, "I think it's coming back to me."

Romey whistled nodding. "Guess we better move then and let them sit together."

Changying drew her eyes from Wang to Baozhai, "Hello," she smiled, "I had no idea Wang had a twin."

"Let go of the girl Wang she can hardly breathe," Baozhai nudged him. Wang released her and Baozhai immediately took his place hugging her and kissing both her cheeks, "Hello," she said finally.

The lunch rolled on with people playing musical chairs constantly, the wine flowed, and enormous bowls of a variety of pastas arrived for them to share. More cheesy bread arrived in front of both Changying and Lucy with a napkin folded into a heart on top, Changying looked up at Romey and mouthed "Thank you," across the table and he winked at her.

Wang growled in her ear, "At least wait until I leave the table before flirting with Romeo Geez." His hand squeezed her thigh tightly making her squeak and blush deeply.

The wine was getting to her and Changying excused herself asking where the bathrooms were, "I'll take you," Lucy piped up, "I haven't had the chance to talk to you yet."

Changying stood and smiled, "Thanks." 

They walked back through the restaurant, Changying repeated the same answers to the same questions again, work, family, friends and the polite chatter strangers do. Before they left the bathroom, Lucy stopped her placing a hand on her arm and whispered, "Be extremely careful of Baozhai. She can be a real bitch and is extremely protective of Wang."

Changying was stunned and gaped at her open mouthed, but before she could ask any questions Lucy pushed the door open and pulled her through walking back to the table. Jack had taken her seat, so she walked around the table, sitting next to Ben and Dante. "More wine," Ben asked. 

"Actually I would love some cool water," Changying replied hopefully. Ben grunted and got up to go to the bar.

"You seem to be handling meeting the family, or some of it, last girl I tried this on ran for the hills," he said sadly. 

"I asked Jack to take me home when we were on our way here, no such luck, and I am not much of a runner I wouldn't have got far," she grinned at him, "Short legs, quite stumpy really."

"They look pretty good to me," he chuckled as she turned toward him and lifted a leg up. 

"It's the boots. They're like an optical illusion," she laughed and took the glass of water Ben handed her. Dante chuckled louder as she thanked Ben profusely taking a large sip. 

"Not many people can make Dante laugh," Ben nodded in his direction, "he's the dark, brooding type."

I was explaining he was seeing an optical illusion made better by the wine," she explained.

Dante chuckled again nudging the man beside him, "Do boots make a woman's legs look longer?"

Emilio looked up, "Depends on the boot I guess." He could see Changying nodding and smiling over Dante's shoulder and nodded, "I would say yes if asked by the woman wearing them though," he said covering himself.

Ben burst out laughing then, and Dante turned back to eye her suspiciously as she gave him the most innocent look she could muster shrugging her shoulders. "Stumpy," she said again nodding. "So you see running wasn't an option for me."

Dante shook his head at her, "Is that how he caught you?" Dante nodded his head in Wang's direction. 

The wine had made her relax and become bolder with these people and she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Actually the first time he ever spoke to me, he yelled at me for doing my job too well," she looked at their stunned expressions, "I know right?" Her eyes had gone wide in an appeal for their sympathy.

"And you still went out with him?" Dante was aghast.

"Well," she said, "Not right then. A few weeks later he ran into me in the lunch room and spilled scalding pasta and sauce down my top," she was gesticulating and pulling faces as she condensed the story making it seem like it should have been on funniest home videos, "and after a trip to Doctor Jack and no food all day I feinted." The three brothers were laughing loudly now, "So Jack made him take me out to dinner. We came to this very restaurant. Smooth moves, huh?" She was laughing with them at this point, and Emilio almost fell off his chair.

The rest of the table was looking at them with confused grins. The laughter from their small group was highly contagious. Ben took a deep breath, "That's priceless, unquestionably the best first date story ever. Smooth, Wang, smooth." Ben called across the table.

Book promotion - 

Name - The CEO's Rented Wife
Link -  https://www.webnovel.com/book/14558290406833805/The-CEO's-Rented-Wife


She was known for reading too much. Ms. Changying had been close to the top end of her graduating class from Tsinghua University which is a major research university in Beijing, and a member of the elite C9 League of Chinese universities. An Arts History degree in hand, Changying found that, without connections, all her study counted for nothing in getting a job with the national museum in Beijing. Resigned to mediocrity, she took a job as a researcher for a publishing firm that specialized in historical biographies and fiction.

It was there that she met her boss - Mr. Wang Wei, an arrogant control freak. She researched strictly for Wang Wei who constantly quizzed her on her research methods.

As time went on she found the manuscripts crossing her desk becoming more explicit than the average romance in a historical setting. Themes of bondage or sadomasochism touched on very lightly at first became darker and more elemental to the storylines. 

Changying found her research opening her eyes wider to a whole new world she realized she knew less about than she thought she did.

--------------

Romance, Sex, Violence, Drug, Drama, Comedy. 

Story characters are full of inner demons and conflict, they are complex with there own personalities and have their own flaws that they will fight against. These personalities will shape the story as situations arise and they are forced to react and adapt. 



--------------
Yang Studio is a writers’ circle which is a support group for writers who wish to be among like-minded people. If you want to start writing and are looking for inspiration, this circle is for you. 

Books published on WebNovel are works of the respective writers from the circle. For reporting any content, readers can contact us.
--------------

"Can I see Mr. Jiang Chen? In light of the recent security situation in Los Santos, I have some security adjustments..."
"I'm sorry, he's already rested. If you have any questions, you can speak to me."
Standing at the door of the embassy, Xia Shiyu declined Lawrence's request to visit. He was in the desert of Nevada, more than dozens of kilometers away.
Lawrence frowned slightly and eyed the embassy.
"This is very important. I hope you treat it seriously."
"He gave me full power to deal with it," Xia Shiyu replied with an uncompromising tone
Since this Ms. CEO already said that, Lawrence no longer persisted. He nodded, handed the files over, and left the embassy.
Xia Shiyu scanned the documents. They detailed the recent security situation and the FBA's adjustment of Jiang Chen's travel security work.
According to the description in the documents, it seemed Jiang Chen's security level increased?
As night arrived, Nevada's desert returned to quietness. Jiang Chen, who was wearing a kinetic skeleton, had returned to the modern world. He was still behind a bush. Silence surrounded him, leaving only the wind blowing.
Lights illuminated Area 51. High-powered searchlights scanned the military base.
Today's night was no different from the day before. All soldiers remained in their positions like before. Even the most meticulous soldiers, staring at the endless desert, couldn't help but feel tired and blank out.
No one noticed that an invisible ghost was approaching...
There was a gust of wind, and a soldier leaning against the checkpoint sneezed and rubbed his nose. The soldier standing across from him yawned and adjusted the rifle on his body. At this point, no one would check the post. Their standing posture was casual, at least not as professional as if they were in front of cameras.
However, at that moment, the soldier who sneezed looked around.
"Crony, did you notice anything?"
"What? A hare?" The drowsy Crony instantly woke up.
"No, it could be an illusion."
"Sh*t, we're about to get off our shift. Don't play with me..."
Upon hearing the soldiers' conversation, Jiang Chen was relieved.
The weakness of the optical illusion was being in environments where the optical difference would be obvious. It was difficult to achieve perfect invisibility, and walking in the sand would leave footprints. In order to avoid being discovered, he chose the road and directly entered from the checkpoint.
As for the lighting problem, he could only walk against the edge of the building.
Judging by the number of patrols, this military base was indeed one of the highest security military bases in the nation. In addition to those patrols with rifles at each corner of the base and invisible snipers, Jiang Chen also noticed helicopters flying by often.
He didn't dare to turn off his optical illusion for a single moment.
Fortunately, decades-long peace and stability made people lower their guard at this base with the highest security level. Jiang Chen didn't encounter any trouble along the way. He successfully managed to just sneak past the patrols like a ghost.
At such a large base, of course, he couldn't just wander around like a headless chicken. In the photographs taken in advance, Jiang Chen marked the buildings worthy of investigation on the map. These buildings included the large radio telescope, the fighter aircraft hangar, and several houses that he couldn't identify from the outside.
At the airport, Jiang Chen quietly slipped into a hangar.
Here, he saw a few prototypes that couldn't be named. The aircraft didn't have a cockpit, but it was supposed to be one of the fabled six-generation drones.
Jiang Chen hesitated for a moment to decide whether or not to put several bombs in it and take these planes away when he leave. However, he hesitated for a moment and gave up the plan. Making too much noise wasn't good for him. If he knocked down the hornet's nest, he feared the whole state of Nevada would be locked down.
In such a large desert, he couldn't walk back under his optical illusion.
He would silently come and quietly leave. Anyway, the purpose of his trip wasn't to blow up planes.
After the hangar was the radar station.
This two-story building was in the corner of the base, just like the "Giant Bowl" to which it was connected.
Compared to the highly-guarded hangars, garages, research institutes, and other facilities, Jiang Chen clearly sensed that the patrol efforts here were lax.
Hiding behind a concrete wall, Jiang Chen carefully avoided the two patrol teams crossing the main road and quickly moved to the back of the radar station and looked through the window. At this time, the radar station was completely dark. Obviously, all the work had been completed during the day. There should be no researchers inside.
He estimated the height of the window then glanced at the lookout tower not far in the distance.
It was a blind spot, or at least the searchlight's blind spot. No light could shine there.
From the storage dimension, Jiang Chen took out an electrostatic adsorption device similar to a suction cup. Although he didn't know the principles behind this device, he could easily control the adsorption between the suction cup and the wall by simply pressing the button on the grip.
He didn't know anything about particle physics, but it didn't prevent him from using it.
Jiang Chen put it on his arm and calf then stuck his arms to the wall like a gecko. He pressed the button of the right-hand grip and deactivated the adsorption of his right arm and left leg. Jiang Chen skillfully climbed up with his right hand and moved up to the window.
Fortunately, perhaps because it was too humid that day, but the window wasn't locked.
After entering into the radar station, Jiang Chen carefully turned on the detection equipment and determined that there were no infrared sensors or cameras in the room. Then he carefully examined the room.
The room was very dark, but the night vision function on his tactical helmet solved this problem. The dark blue light prism spread out in front of his field of vision, and everything in the room was clearly displayed on Jiang Chen's retina.
It seemed to be an office. Neatly stacked documents were placed on the row of desks. Jiang Chen stepped forward and glanced through them. Although he could understand English, the more technical stuff gave him headaches.
Fortunately, he could ask for help.
His watch was connected to his kinetic skeleton and he assigned the camera control of the tactical helmet to the artificial intelligence hosted on his wristwatch.
"Jean, what are these things in these documents?"
"...astronomical observations, some drafts, and some paper reports. Do you need me to translate for you?"
"No, I wouldn't understand even if you translated for me. Can you see if there's any useful information such as aliens, extraterrestrial civilization or related information?" Jiang Chen said with a headache.
Pointing his camera at the documents, Jiang Chen quickly flipped through them. But unfortunately, Jean didn't collect any useful information. With or without use, these files were stored on his memory card.
After leaving the office, he entered the hallway.
The placard on the door was a big help. The function of each room was written in English and was easy to find. There were control rooms, conference rooms, drawing rooms and other rooms, but those weren't what Jiang Chen was looking for. He was looking for the file room. Without a doubt, all secrets would be stored there!
After all, it was only a two-story building. Jiang Chen didn't search for long before he found his target at the end of the first floor.


After the nuclear war, ruins stretch across the landscape in the apocalypse.
If you accidentally survived on the wasteland, then you must be ready to face the endless hunger, ceaseless dangers, the mad zombies at night, and the peculiar mutant creatures that are the aftermath of constant radiation.
But for Jiang Chen, this place is heaven.
Mansions standing tall, luxurious cars parked on the street, high tech products and gold abandoned everywhere.
What? You were the president of a game development company before the war? You were responsible for the development of the 3D virtual reality online multiplayer game? Well, that’s great, why don’t you come work for me. Your salary is two pieces of bread a day.
iPhone? Ultra thin design? Don’t you see that the phone I invented is thinner than a condom?
Aircraft carrier? Fighter jets? Oh, I have those things as well, but they are designed for space combat.
Watch the story of Jiang Chen, who possesses the ability to travel through space and time, as he witnesses the creation of an empire stretched across space and time... 


"Un?" Peng Zhen had an urge to turn her head toward Mingyue, seeing the latter's condition. She didn't understand, but she felt that Mingyue just went away. 
But similar to the last time she saw, Mingyue were above Xiao Wu, mounting and hugging the latter's soft body and warm white-fur. Even Peng Zhen herself had a tinge of envy when she saw that. 
She was hesitant to wake Mingyue up or not, but in the end, she chose the latter.
[Is it my imagination?] Peng Zhen thought there was something happened even though nothing happened. Seeing the sleeping figure of Mingyue, Peng Zhen chuckled, [Sleep again? But indeed, the outside should be dark already – time for little kid to go to sleep. No wonder. . .]
Returning her focus toward the two fight in front of her, Peng Zhen didn't pay any attention toward anything else.
"Safeee. . . ."
Xiao Wu wiped her non-existent sweat on her temple. She never expected that Peng Zhen would turn her attention soon after Mingyue left.
Of course, the sleeping Mingyue that Peng Zhen saw was an illusion created by Xiao Wu. By manipulating Elemental around, and adding with the faint illumination, Xiao Wu could create a carbon copy of Mingyue without any difficulty – as long as no one came close.
The principle of this illusion was simple. Similar to a mirage, Xiao Wu could make an optical illusion – tricking every eye. 
Optical Illusions could use colour, light and patterns to create images that could be deceptive or misleading to our brains. The information gathered by the eye was processed by the brain, creating a perception that in reality, did not match the true image. Perception referred to the interpretation of what people took in through their eyes. 
Optical illusions occur because our brain is trying to interpret what we see and make sense of the world around us. Optical illusions simply trick our brains into seeing things which may or may not be real.
And that was one of the basic of creating an illusion.
Hence, Peng Zhen didn't feel weird when she saw an illusion of sleeping Mingyue because her brain processed what she saw as the real sleeping Mingyue, not an illusion.
As long as Peng Zhen or anyone who saw the illusion never realized the illusion, they wouldn't stop believing.
And of course, this kind of illusion was much safer than what Mingyue had done back then in Grey Brick Town – toward the two guinea pigs. The Elemental didn't mess with Peng Zhen's brain, only giving a fake image toward one of the five senses.
From five senses, people would depend on the most on was the sense of seeing, their vision. People would often say that eyes were the door of the soul, but eyes also were the door of the world.
One could perceive many and various things only from their vision – people perceived up to 80% all of the impression by means of their sight.
Different from the sense of touch, one could see something far. 
Different from the sense of taste, one didn't have to expose one's vulnerability.
Different from the sense of hearing, one could receive all various information in a glance.
Different from the sense of smell, a little disturbance wouldn't disturb one's vision.
Hence, it was not weird for one's eyes could be said as the window to the world. 
But also, one's vision was the easiest to trick – because of people's dependency on it. 
Moving her gaze toward the last place she saw that small figure, Xiao Wu could only sigh. This darkness reminded her of that experience four years ago. In the underground ruins, where they met a Demonic Beast. The first time she blamed herself because of her uselessness.
No matter what, she would never let the history repeated for another time.
"Protect Yueyue properly, Xiao Jing."
"I know what to do."
Receiving the affirmation from Xiao Jing, Xiao Wu relaxed her body a little as she did her portion of work.
…
A tiny figure blitzed forward – her two long braids were dancing around along with her fluttering skirt and sleeves. Under the darkness without illumination, no one could see her capabilities. 
But in Mingyue's vision, everything was as clear as day – without any obstruction from the darkness. 
If Liao Yun realized it, she would curse Mingyue – she was fast enough to overthrow Liao Yun in her speed. But in these four years, Mingyue would pretend to be a slowpoke.
But it was not Mingyue's fault at all since her performance was all thanks to the Elemental which was infused into her legs – improving her speed and relieving the muscle ache. Of course, relieving the muscle ache would work temporarily.
"Yin Yang Fish," Mingyue called with a soft voice as a white-coloured fish and black-coloured fish appeared each in her left and right hands. Both of them moved energetically as they went into close contact with Mingyue's hands.
The two fishes were two entities, but also at the same time, both were one entity. 
Both were separatable, but also at the same time, inseparable. One was real, while the other one was unreal. Both from a different place, but both were twisted together and interweaved, making a complete existence.
"Dagger."
Along with Mingyue's voice, the Yin Yang Fish's body re-materialized and morphed into a pair of sharp daggers, a black dagger and white dagger, one each in her hand.
Swiiiish. . . .
With a flick of her fingers, a hard-to-discern light was shot from her hand toward its target – ex-Pig Head's neck. It was very fast, not letting its target realized or made any movement.
Akin to an eagle dived down to hunt a rat, the thrown dagger was stabbed toward ex-Pig Head's neck without any retaliation.
Clank. . .
But, the unexpected happened. Even though the thrown dagger should be a deadly blow, there was no any mark, no wound at all.
And soon after that, ex-Pig Head reacted, and at the same time, he dashed toward Mingyue – he was provoked. 
"Yueyue!" Xiao Jing couldn't help to scream, but there was no change in Mingyue's face.
"Calm down, Xiao Jing." The tip of her lips was curled upward while circulating the Elemental in her whole body – improving her physical strength and reaction time. "It's not like the dagger is not sharp enough, but rather earlier was only a thrown dagger, without any Elemental of course. And now. . ."
Rotating the black dagger around her finger, she was prepared to clash head-on with the incoming greatsword.
The circulated Elemental in her body rotated even faster and shrouded the black dagger in her hand at the exact time of the clash.
CLANK!
The clash was at the standoff, but Mingyue felt a faint numbness in her grip. But she had no time to think about it as ex-Pig Head prepared for another slash.
Swiish, swish swish. . .
This time, Mingyue avoided every of the slash while she leapt backwards.
"Tsk. Even though I have circulated the Elemental, my strength is around Peak Grade Battle Warrior, eh? A little off from my expectation." 
This was Mingyue's main weakness. Her body was weak, making her unable to unleash more power. No, it might be suitable to say that her physique limited her own potential.
Mingyue's Elemental manipulation was very precise – she never found anyone with better Elemental manipulation so far. Even the tribe's leader of the Wind Chasing Tribe, Liao An fared lower than Mingyue.
Indeed, her experience as a cultivator in her previous life was the main reason for it.
Thus, she should have been able to unleash her maximum physical prowess. Unfortunately, circulating more Elemental in her own body would do the opposite.
When Mingyue was in deep contemplation, ex-Pig Head made a wide horizontal swing, making it harder for Mingyue to evade. But unfortunately, it was still not enough.
Arching her body into the shape of 'n' backwards, Mingyue narrowly evaded that one.
(Author's Note: Bridge up from gymnastic's movement, something like that.)
"You can't do it, Yueyue! Don't be hard-head and let me pack this doll!" Xiao Jing's voice was full of impatience as she appeared behind Mingyue. 
Xiao Jing's body was akin to the drawn and nocked arrow – only needed one order to unleash the arrow.
Opposite of Xiao Jing's mood, Mingyue was still giggling. "Not yet. I want to try a few more tricks."
Xiao Jing, ". . ."
Understood of Xiao Jing's scepticism, Mingyue explained, "This puppet has the capability to reduce the circulated Elemental when it comes into contact. For example, the earlier clash."
After arching her body, Mingyue somersaulted backwards to create some distance from ex-Pig Head. If it was a direct clash with only using a dagger was indeed hard, not to mention that there was one or two levels difference between their strength.
"If I have to sum it up, this puppet has two basic abilities. The first is reducing the circulated Elemental with each clash, which is a little problematic. If I have to make the comparison, it is similar to punch at cotton – the cotton would absorb and lessen the received impact. But there is no need to worry about me, it is only a minuscule amount for me, but I don't know about other people."
[But at the same time, this fight must not be prolonged too much. Or else, I will be on disadvantage. With each of clash, the condensed Elemental in the Yin Yang Daggers was scrapped little by little.] Mingyue added in her mind. 
Considering her delicate body, she would be KO'ed if she couldn't circulate the Elemental at all. But of course, she had a lot of tricks under her sleeve which wouldn't let the worst case of scenario happened.
"The second is their physique's improvement, and a massive one. Both this thing and that big-bodied puppet that wear the same ash-coloured armour have the same big improvement. But at the same time, there is no trace of Elemental from their body, which is the weird part."
[There is a possibility to improve one's physique by circulating Elemental in one's body. But for this puppet, there is a huge improvement in its physique even though there is no circulated Elemental. Why is it? Is it because the puppet cannot manipulate Elemental, or is it because the puppet is controlling a corpse, not a living human?] It was the most interesting part, also the part that she couldn't get the answer any time soon.
And the clash previously had made sure of Mingyue's previous conjecture. This ex-Pig Head and ex-Fatty Pig had a huge jump in their strength. Mingyue didn't know their original level, but their current strength sure was above Peak Grade Battle Warrior.
But the two puppets which were fighting Fu Tao sure were weaker if compared with ex-Pig Head and ex-Fatty Pig. At the very least, Middle Grade Battle Warrior.
Mingyue was sure that both ex-Pig Head and ex-Fatty Pig was at the very least at the first stage of Elemental Warrior.
Elemental Warrior, the stage above Battle Warrior. But the grading of Elemental Warrior was still a mystery, not even Miss Chen, the Mercenary Guild's receptionist knew about it. But, there was one thing Mingyue heard from Miss Chen.
A different grading – there was nothing about Grade 1 – 10 like Battle Fighter and Battle Warrior.
And what kind of grading? It was still a mystery for Mingyue since no one reached this level with the exception the leader of Red Rage Bear Mercenary, the Lin Family, and the City Governor themselves.
Mingyue made a small gesture, and the fallen white dagger made an arch toward Mingyue's hand.
Ex-Pig Head lunged forward to make another swing.
Clank! Clank clank clank!
With the pair of daggers, Mingyue could hold on her ground with ease, but she was still not letting down her vigilance. Without any offence, she could only stall the fight.
"Let's speed up the game," Mingyue smirked up and lunged forward. 
…

Arriving at the new world, an ex-cultivator vowed to never cultivate anymore

A naive little girl lived in a world full of deceit, she is faced with choices.

Treading along a new world with a lot of secrets. Who could she trust?

Will she fall? Or she will triumph over the mortal?

Follow the journey of Xia Mingyue, a mighty cultivator that was trapped in a weak body in the new world, new place, without cultivator.

*Warning, a slow-paced story until around chapter 80.

Announcement;
+Release 7-9 chapter a week, depending on my RL
+For each 50k views, there will be 3 bonus chapter that week.
+I will be posting this story on RoyalRoadl.com under the same nick, FrosDream193
But don't worry, I am mainly active in webnovel :D

*This is my first story, so I will appreciate various suggestions and critics.
*Story by FrostDream193
*Edited by FrostDream193

"Whoa, Mom, aren't you jealous that Dad is working with a woman like Rupert?" Alt-nii tried to tease Mom.

"...hmmm, so you're suggesting that Cyan has something with Rupert?"

Mom's answer was totally unexpected. Her voice is very, very calm.

I thought that at some point, Mom would hold some kind of jealousy against Rupert.

 

 

"Well, the three of them seemed close and all... Ah, maybe Rupert is with Gale, instead?" Alt-nii asked.

"Eh, no, I'm not into something like—," Gale quickly retorted.

"Uh, Rupert, I mean...," Dad was stuttering.

"No problem. I'm used to it already. Instead, I am happy that I can captivate the others without using any trick," Rupert's wry smile remained.

"...Huh?"

Alt-nii and I are looking at each other with confusion.

 

 

"Fufu, it would be funny if your dad is indeed smitten with Rupert. Okay, I shall encourage him to that path instead~," Mom chuckled.

...wait...

This reaction...

...now that I can take a closer look at Rupert... could it be that Rupert... is a man?!

A beautifully handsome man?

...Her body built is slender and slim so I can't really tell—her skin is beautiful, too—no way...

 

 

"Could it be that Rupert...," I started to speak.

"...Eh?!" Alt-nii seemed to notice it, as well, as he kept observing Rupert.

"Yes. Rupert here, is a man," Dad clarified for us.

 

 

"S-sorry, Rupert!" Alt-nii and I both bowed our heads to apologize.

"No problem."

"But, but, you look so alluring and beautiful that I—uhh, I mean, as a man, you're also good-looking! But your aura..."

Alt-nii is babbling. He's trying to hide his embarrassment.

"No worries there," Rupert gently smiled.

 

 

 

***

 

 

"Then, let's proceed to discuss our plan!" Dad clapped his hands together.

"I will be going with Meredea on a separate carriage," Mom's voice slightly hinted her sadness, looking at both me and Altaire bitterly.

"Meredea will arrive using a carriage from Capicastle. So, we'll be going ahead of you."

"We have devised a disguise plan, so listen carefully," Dad said.

"We will be going under the disguise of traveling merchants. I will be taking the role of the father—let's say, I will name my disguise Marvel Rashad," Dad then proceeded to use his illusion skills.

 

 

Dad then turned into a shorter and fatter man with a beard. His black hair is really in contrast with his real appearance. His eyes are now brown.

I don't think we have to really think about our disguise's names, but perhaps it's there to make sure we don't call one another with our real names in public?

 

 

"Next, I will be the mother figure," Rupert stood up and chanted.

[Gliderung, sâwolhord wendan] (Illusion, body alter)

Then, he turned into a beautiful woman. His formerly ashen grey hair turns into beautiful silky silver hair—as long as his waist, but his right bang still covers his right face.

His lips turned into seductive red, the same as his eyes—but his skin is still brown.

"The name's Ruby."

After that, he called off his disguise and returned to his true self.

 

 

"Eh?"

He isn't going to keep his disguise?

"Lyra, using illusion magic to disguise themselves cost lots of mana. Therefore, they won't be in disguise when it's just us."

Dad patted my head—wait what, no, not with that appearance, Dad.

 

 

Rupert smiled at me.

"That's right. Both Gale and I use additional magical tools to regenerate our mana and to make our disguise perfect."

"I, is that so?" I asked.

 

 

"Anyway, let me pose as the eldest son of you two."

It's time for Gale to take on the spotlight.

[Scinna, scîene wandrian] (Illusion, light alteration)

Huh, different spell?

He then took on the form of a teenage boy, with brown skin, silver hair and matte brown eyes.

"Voila, that's it, the name's Robert, the first son! What about you kids?" He then asked me and Altaire.

"Well, Altaire and Lyra should just be the second and third children, then. And to keep it easier, don't change into your opposite gender. Just try to think about your desired appearances," Dad encouraged us.

 

 

"Oh, I got an idea!"

Altaire-nii stood up and quickly transformed—nah, used his illusion magic to disguise himself in front of us.

His navy blue hair turned black, and his eyes turned both red. He also added some freckles to his face. He's become the cute younger brother!

"The second son of Rashad family, Rye~"

...which leaves me.

 

 

"Uhm, then I will be the third so—wait, third child and the only daughter... uhm..."

I stood up and focused myself to alter my appearance by illusion magic—let see, use my mana to cover my body and...

I turned my hair into the same long silver and silky hair that Rupert chose—and my eyes would turn both red. No changes to my skin.

"What about this?" I asked.

"Lyra is still cute, no matter how she's turned to!" Dad's remark. As usual.

"Good!"

"Well, you will certainly look like my daughter that way," Rupert added.

It felt kinda wrong, but okay.

 

 

"T, then call me... Murphy?"

"That's cute!" Gale said.

"Murph, Murph... That's nice! Hi, Murph, oh, just call me Rye or Nii-chan~!" Alt-nii took my hands and shook it up and down.

He must have taken a liking to the name that I chose.

 

 

"Eh, come to think about it. Gale used a different spell than Rupert?" I asked before I forgot.

"Ah, yup. Gale's affinity is light, so he's manipulating the light to create an optical illusion to disguise himself," Dad explained.

"Yes, Lyra! The three elements known to be able to show illusion are [Neutral], [Light], and [Dark]~!"

 

 

Neutral... well, the same mechanism as for how our Hartmann secret arts could act—manipulating mana to control our appearance, but it is limited so that it wouldn't be able to transform ourselves to such extent.

Light... As Dad explained, by manipulating the light, it's possible to generate optical illusion.

...What about dark?

 

 

"Uhm... Neutral... Light... I know how, but Dark...?"

"Dark magic can manipulate the light by absorbing them into darkness, or by using illusive suggestion to the target's minds," Rupert explained.

"Oh, I see... So, those are the only three elements that can use variations of illusion magic?"

"Exactly. Mine was a [Neutral] magic."

"I see... That's awesome..."

 

 

I was really in awe. The fact that the two of them can skillfully change their appearances is the undeniable proof that they are powerful in terms of magical power.

"Do all members of the Royal Spies have such powerful magical power?" I asked.

"Hmmm, well... No, there are people who rely on magical devices, potions, or other disguising tools. We all have different specialties and roles," Rupert kindly explained it to me.

"Well, if proficiency and excellency at magical power is an absolute requirement to be a spy, then there would be lots of Royal Magicians who are doing double-job as Royal Spies as well, right?" Alt-nii deducted.

"True. But being excellent in magic such as illusion magic alone is not enough for the magicians to be spies," Mom replied.

"Of course! You're gonna need lots of guts, and nice acting skills!" Gale said it with pride.

 

 

Oh my... I am really looking forward to seeing how they operate!

And no wonder Alt-nii and I are instructed to just disguise ourselves as the children—since basically, it's the same as our role right now. It will be easier for us—who are untrained in terms of underground activities—to disguise ourselves.

 

 

 

 

"Excuse me."

The front door is being knocked three times and a familiar voice could be heard.

A duke’s daughter wanted nothing in her life but the sweet nothingness of death, as she felt like her life served no purpose. Her wish was granted when she was killed in an unfortunate accident, yet in a sudden turn of events, she was forced to reincarnate.

As fate has it, she was reborn in her original world, but not directly after her death. As she is living her new life, she tries to forget the pain of her old life. But, what exactly is behind her reincarnation? Will she be able to live her new life to the fullest?

This is a slow-paced life journey of a reincarnated girl who's trying to find the meaning behind her past life and reincarnation.

--------------------------------------------
***Note*** :

- This story isn't a premium novel here, but if you'd like to support me even further (and gain advanced chapter access + help increasing the novel's update rate), here is my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/ConvallariasLibrary
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Kordelia yawned, boredom creeping over her as she reached her arms behind her torso in a warped stretch. She and the others had disbanded shortly after Alekai had left the mess hall, leaving her to follow Wolfe down to his dungeon. Dungeon might not be the proper description. It was a laboratory. Most base dwellers had never even entered its tresses. Only Major General's like Kore, Commander's like Alekai, or even Jac himself could gain access. Wolfe's lair was one of a kind, and it was a dying breed.

Shortly after Egraria had taken over Eden, technology came in short supply. The Automaton's had retrieved almost every scientist and all of their equipment within a couple of years, forcing labs like this underground. Wolfe was proud of his work. He loved his job within the base, and focused most of his attention trying to improve on every weapon used on the battlefield. He was respected and loved by most, girls drooling after his charms and wit. He was a smart kid.

"So. I created a pin-needle port that theoretically, once inserted, should be able to connect directly to the mainframe of your optical. Its connected to my database, and I will be able to decode its core structure, dismantle it, and rebuild it better than before. It will give your specs a faster firing time, giving you optimal time to calculate your opponents foreseeable moves. Therefore, you should be aware of what they are going to do, before they do it." Wolfe stated proudly, dragging forward an intimidating looking machine.

Kore squirmed in her seat, tensing as the machine lined up directly with her optical. A too-thin needle protruded from its arm, thick cords lined the entire back that retreated to the floor and escaped to the darker corners of the lab. Computer screens were lined against every wall with various messages and programs running simultaneously. The whir of motors and machines filled the air. As much time as she had spent with Wolfe here, helping him derive weapons from old blueprints, this particular visit had her on edge.

"Wolfe..." She whispered, the sound small and breathy.

"Whoa. Whoa. Calm down, Kore." He gently patted her arm, then giving it a warm squeeze. "I wouldn't try this if I didn't think it would absolutely work. You shouldn't feel a thing." He looked down at the floor a moment. "But I will have to use a speculum to keep your eye open. It might be slightly uncomfortable, but that's all, I swear."

She responded with a curt nod, her toes twisting in her boots as she gripped the arms of the chair a little bit tighter. Wolfe abandoned her arm for the table beside him, bringing the speculum forward.

"Okay. Here's the hard part. I just need you to relax and breathe. Think about something else, anything else. And do not flinch." He instructed. 

Kore could do that easily enough. As soon as her human eye glazed over, Wolfe let out the breath he had been holding. She was gone, and he knew it. The militia still trained the General's in disassociating to avoid giving away military secrets in case they were captured and tortured. In this case, it would help Kore get through this. 

Wolfe began to hum while he worked, gently pulling her top eyelid forward and inserting the clasp, followed by the bottom. He squeezed the instrument, causing her eye to safely stay open, whilst the other casually blinked. Slowly he pushed forward his creation, and pressed a button along the keyboard. The needle began to move forward slowly, and Kore's optical began to focus on the incoming intrusion, circling slowly but gaining momentum as the needle gained more ground. 

And then like that, it was secured. The needle directly pierced the middle of the optical, and Wolfe glanced at Kore's vitals on a screen across from them. Her heart rate and blood pressure were reading completely normal, maybe a little lower, almost the same signs as one who might have been asleep.

Wolfe retreated to his main computer, confident that Kore was stable, and booted his software programs directly connected to her. His eyes widened when the program finally listed the results of her mainframe's design, and he coughed to clear his throat and set to work.

***

Kordelia blinked once, twice. Her vision was blurred around the edges, but slowly it came back into focus...to a worried Wolfe. Disassociating always left her exhausted afterwards, but the look on Wolfe's face spiked adrenaline throughout her body, instantly throwing her senses into defensive mode. 

"Wolfe. What's wrong?" Kore instantly went for the hunting knife sheathed at her side, gripping its hilt tightly.

"Kore...." The worried expression never left his face. "I know who did this to you."

Her eye narrowed, not quite understanding his meaning. She relaxed her position and ran her fingers through her ruby curls. "What are you talking about, Wolfe? Who did what to me?" Her thoughts were clouded, finding it hard to string together full sentences, a dull headache forming at the back of her skull.

"The extraction of data was complete. You have been completely updated and encrypted. But the old algorithm...it had a stamp of ownership just like any other code, Kore."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, finding it hard to focus again, so she simply closed her eyes and sighed. "And?"

Wolfe began to wring his lab coat in front of him, nervous. "And it's come to my attention..."

"Spit it out, pup." She growled with annoyance.

"It's was stamped by L.Y.R.A., Kordelia." He finished quietly.

***

"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Kore grumbled, her vision and focus having came back in full force. She had taken to pacing the lab.

"It's not as bad as it seems, Kore. I decoded everything they programmed and completely reset it, while upgrading. There's no trace left of L.Y.R.A. in your optical." Wolfe tried to calm her, ever the optimist.

"It is that bad, Jeremiah." She stopped pacing long enough to shoot daggers in his general direction, then started up again. "L.Y.R.A. is the organization behind the Automaton Army, if you don't recall. They did this to me, pup." She gestured harshly to her optical. "Who knows what else has been inside my programming all this time. Why did they do this to me? They cut me open, implanted this-this THING inside me, scarred me, and took away my memories. Why?"

"I...I don't have those answers, Kordelia." Wolfe looked defeated. "But we won't be able to find answers tonight. So please, just calm down. I won't stop until we do find them, but can we just worry about your updates and make sure your optical is running properly?"

Kore shook with anger, but forced herself to take deep breaths. Subjecting Wolfe to her anger was the last thing she wanted to do. It wasn't his fault. He has only ever tried to help her. He held out his hand to her, with a bare smile, and when she took it, he led her to the room just adjacent to the lab, where they tested all of his weapons.

"Alright, now we have to test it's effectiveness, but we're going to have to hurry. It's just past 18:00 and I don't need the Commander coming down here to knock all my stuff around." Wolfe huffed. "So, I'm suggesting throwing knives. Is that alright with you?"

Kore grunted. "Lay it on me."

Wolfe approached the shelf at the corner, arming himself with dozens of daggers, as Kordelia adjusted her wrist cuffs, slinging them outwards so that each one released their own set of hidden daggers, about four inches longer than those of Wolfe's.

"Testing in three...two..." Suddenly a knife darted across the room with blinding speed, Kore glancing up just as it reached her, and slapping it out of midair. 

The onslaught that followed gave her no reprieve, her optical focusing and refocusing on every incoming threat, Wolfe's program sending specs across her vision. The height, the distance away, the incoming speed, the angle, the order the knives were coming; he had planned for it all. With inhuman speed, Kore's optical gave her the ability to knock every single knife from her path, slicing them down with ease. She focused on the five daggers headed in her direction, but studied on Wolfe's movement for only a second. The program gave her the upper hand, sliding her left hand down to grab her hunting knife and throwing it directly at Wolfe, simultaneously knocking the five daggers to the ground. Wolfe gasped, looking upward where the arm he was about to throw his last dagger with, was pierced to the wall with Kore's knife.

"It worked!" Wolfe almost gushed with pride. Kore let out a laugh as she caught her breath. 

"Alekai will be in shock tonight." Kore laughed again, sheathing her weapons back into her wrist-lets. "Let's get going before we're later than we should be."

Kore gathered herself, adjusting her fatigues, heading for the door, before the sound of Wolfe clearing his throat stopped her.

"Ahem. Kore? Could you get me down first?" Wolfed grinned, motioning towards his pinned arm.

Kore let loose another laugh before trotting over to his side and yanked her knife from the wall, releasing his entrapment. "You did good, pup." She complimented, ruffling her hand through his hair. "Now let's go."

Over five hundred years ago, the world as we knew it collapsed. Eden had been a peaceful country, where all forms of life could gather and thrive, side by side; safe from the judgement of the crumbling outside world. Technology had reached a new peak for humankind; humanoid automatons breathing life and living among humans in harmony.

The peace only lasted so long. 

The leaders of Egraria, the center of all technological advances, became greedy with the urge to control all five united sovereigns. The wars that consumed the country divided the sovereigns into six respective countries of their own, pitting humankind against the automatons and the humans that swayed jurisdiction over them. Eden no longer existed as a whole, the royal family staking claim to a small section of land, rightfully named The Sanctuary. Those who remained neutral could still find solace there, far from the strife that had knocked on their doors.  

Yet, hundreds of years later, there still remained hope, even as the Automaton Army wiped half of the human population off the face of Eden. The Resistance, known as the Hominid Army, had obtained a secret weapon, finally prepped for the right time to strike. 

 This is her story.

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