Faith

On the performance stage, several musicians famous from a young age used their most practiced instruments to play a soul-cleansing melody in unison. It was said to be a song written by a Great Mage-level performer in memory of the deity who guided souls.

No matter how unwilling, indignant, or fearful a soul might be, upon hearing this melody, they would quiet down and begin to look forward to a beautiful tomorrow or future.

The weather was clear today. The sun cast its light past the clock tower of Lobilance Academy, shining all the way onto this open-air performance area.

Most of the trainees were performing here. If it were night, one could hear the joint performances of professors and students in the inner courts, or watch an opera at Qiyue Hall.

However, Li Yue had always lacked interest in these things. In fact, she felt a vague sense of loathing. This irritable feeling inexplicably stirred a desire for slaughter within her. Fortunately, her resilient soul was currently trapped in this frail body. As time passed, the act of slaughtering at will became increasingly difficult—not to mention that Clo was accompanying her.

“Quite nice music. It is a pity my tier is too high; these musical magics cannot produce a cleansing effect on my soul.” Clo sighed softly. Since it was useless for her, it certainly had no effect on Li Yue either.

“Is it?” Li Yue sat in the wheelchair Clo was pushing. Her gaze remained fixed on the distant tower. She watched the slowly changing time, gradually pulling her thoughts back to the past.

Blood demons... Why do they exist? Li Yue questioned herself repeatedly. Her head throbbed in waves of pain, yet that segment of memory remained elusive.

“Tch...” Li Yue slowly opened her blood-colored eyes, a hint of irritation within them. “Let’s go... I don’t want to listen to this anymore.”

“Eh... Alright.” Clo slowly pushed Li Yue away. The wheelchair wheels rolled over the grass, leaving a fairly distinct trail. “What’s wrong? Why are you unhappy again?”

“It is nothing. These songs... are merely praising a hypocritical deity...” Li Yue coughed softly. Her arrival and departure were quite conspicuous. It wasn't because she had caused any commotion, but rather her appearance, which involuntarily made everyone associate her with the Royal Court’s royalty—perhaps even pure-blooded royals.

“Young lady... why do you say that? That is clearly a deity of supreme goodness.” A lady wearing a black evening gown spoke softly. Her voice was exceptionally pleasant, as if she were singing the moment she spoke.

“Supreme goodness? If you believe He is, that is enough.” Li Yue did not look at her, her eyes drifting casually toward the sky. She did not care to engage in further conversation.

“Miss Movella, Miss Avel’s stage is this way. Please come with us.” A waiter approached slowly and spoke softly to the lady in the black gown. The woman called Movella merely nodded slightly without moving in the direction indicated. She looked at Li Yue’s profile, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Young lady, please allow me to introduce myself.” Movella walked to Li Yue’s side. “I am the current Acting Principal of Lobilance, responsible for all matters within the academy, large and small.”

“Hello.” Clo slightly lifted her long dress, which was nearly dragging on the lawn, and performed a salute. “We are two travelers who came here by reputation.”

“Acting?” Li Yue voiced her doubt slightly.

“The previous principal, Lord Vickers, has peacefully reached the end of the river of life and was guided to the blessed shore by the Divine Lord.” Movella smiled gently, speaking in a measured tone. Her words seemed to carry a certain magic, making it hard not to believe what she said.

“Why was someone who believes in the ‘Specter’ chosen to act in such an important position?” Li Yue asked. She finally knew where that inexplicable sense of loathing came from. It turned out to be another believer...

“The matter of faith is no longer important now. Our nation also needs some diversity of faith.” Movella smiled faintly.

“A kingdom built on the foundation of faith, yet in the end, it must betray its own beliefs?”

Li Yue’s gaze was cold. For some reason, she felt an urge to kill the person in front of her...

“Then, young lady, would you do us the honor of attending the musical performance this evening?”