The carriage wheels kicked up roadside dust as it wove through the bustling crowds.
Inside the carriage, Li Yue listlessly cast her gaze out the window. A woman holding a child hurried home with a small bag of food; groups of young men and women, each carrying longswords, staves, or hunting bows, looked like small squads returning from outside the city, still clad in their gear. Gentlemen in top hats, black vests, and white shirts leaned on their canes as they headed toward the opera house...
Legend has it that a witch once had a dream. She dreamed of yellow sands becoming fertile soil, of hills turning into plains, and of the sunlight becoming gentle as industrious people migrated from the south. She dreamed of mountain rivers flowing through the fertile land, and then, there was Parvati.
“A warm and humid climate, endless plains, countless hardworking people, abundant resources, convenient transportation, and so on—these are what created this prosperous city.” Having just finished listening to Clo’s story, Li Yue voiced her opinion with a hint of disdain. As an atheist in her past life, she had little regard for creation myths.
“I understand that your world had no gods, so you don’t believe,” Clo said with a smile. “Once, at the academy, I knew a mage who spent his life researching spells for bringing dead wood back to life and the rejuvenation of all things. After he succeeded, he never returned to the academy; he only left his legend upon the earth.”
“He brought life back to barren, parched lands, made new buds sprout from withered trees, and filled branches with heavy fruit.”
“What happened to him later?”
“He died in an extreme natural disaster.”
“A pity. But his magic should have been passed down.”
Clo shook her head, though whether she was denying the first statement or the second was unclear. She didn’t seem to feel much sorrow, quickly flashing a smile and waving an envelope at Li Yue.
Li Yue tilted her head in confusion. After removing the silk again, her eyes were as azure as water. It seemed Clo had researched some new magic, which reminded Li Yue of colored contact lenses from Earth. However, even though the appearance of her eyes had changed, her world remained colorless. Some things still had to be perceived through the Heart’s Window.
Thus, her head tilt looked rather silly, making Clo instinctively slow down her movements as she opened the envelope.
“A letter from the Ministry of Magic, urging me to return to the academy immediately.” Clo’s lip twitched slightly.
“You’re a professor?!”
“Sorry, I’m a student for now...” Clo spread her small hands and added in a low voice, “Not that I haven’t been a professor before.”
“So, another long journey?”
“No.” Clo paused. “I’m leaving, but you’re staying here.”
“I want an opportunity for education too,” Li Yue said with a slight smile. “Let me go and promote our world’s dregs: the ‘rat race culture.’”
“As I thought, you still want to spend more time with me.” Clo’s expression was playful.
“I don’t particularly want to be with you...”
“Is it because you can’t survive without me?” Clo wore a little devil’s smile. “How cute.”
“Well, that is true.” Li Yue rolled her eyes, feeling as though the conversation was drifting toward content that wouldn’t pass censorship. However, she truly couldn’t leave Clo right now; a few days of travel weren’t enough for her to understand this world, let alone survive in this prosperous and chaotic city.
“It’s alright, I’ve applied for a clerical job for you.” Clo took another envelope from her bag and handed it to Li Yue with a mischievous grin.
Staring at the wax seal on the envelope, Li Yue felt it looked strangely familiar.
This seal... isn’t this the Demon Hunter Association, which falls under the Hunter’s Association?
Wait, the Hunter’s Association... it felt so familiar.
She seemed to vaguely see fragments of memory: a blue haired girl with a ponytail behind a counter, a blazing sea of fire, faces filled with despair, a blood red sky, and a silent, unfamiliar version of herself...
“Hey, why do you look so pale?” Clo shook Li Yue vigorously, waking her from the brief nightmare.
“Just spacing out.” Li Yue calmed her heart and opened the envelope, forcing herself not to think about those images.
The documents and certificates inside were forged with exquisite detail, complete with gold-embossed seals. The final page appeared to be a graduation certificate.
“Karl Romon Academy? Where is this? Isn’t it a bit early for me to be a graduate?”
Li Yue glanced at Clo, her eyes seemingly saying, You look older than me and you haven’t graduated yet. The latter responded with a roll of her eyes.
“First, I don’t look older than you. Second, graduation ages for mages are generally quite late because the specialized knowledge requires deep study and multiple exams, followed by further specialization and more study.”
“Oh, like medical students. I get it.”
“Third, Karl Romon Academy is a liberal arts college for ordinary people, mainly focused on researching ancient or modern literature. Fourth, a clerical position in a Demon Hunter Team only requires writing reports and organizing data every day. Anyone with a bit of education can do it.”
“Then why prepare so many documents?”
“Good heavens, it’s an iron rice bowl! Once you get a job like this, it’s not easy to lose. It’s safe, has promotion opportunities, and you’re paid by the government.” The look of frustration on Clo’s face suggested just how sought after this position was.
“Oh, that, I also get. But I bet there’s an entrance exam later.” Li Yue gave a helpless smile.
“I don’t really want to work. Can’t you just send me living expenses every month?” Li Yue leaned back, nesting into the carriage’s soft sofa.
“You brat, do you know how hard it was for me to save this money?” Clo showed a rare flicker of annoyance. “I was counting on you to go on a few missions and send me a cut of the commission.”
“But I felt like you’ve been spending quite lavishly these past few days.”
“That’s money saved from last semester, plus part time work, plus the reward for reporting the head of the Magic Beast Adoption Department at a Mages’ Association branch for embezzling public funds.”
“I thought you would’ve joined them in the corruption.”
“I wanted to, but they rejected me, so I reported them.”
“That’s so you...”
The carriage slowly came to a stop, and Clo got out with her suitcase. She took off her hat, held it to her chest, and bowed slightly to Li Yue as a farewell.
Then she walked toward a vehicle that looked remarkably like a train puffing white steam. Li Yue had heard Clo mention it; her mind only held the word ‘train,’ and she had completely forgotten the actual name of the transport, knowing only that it was driven by magic and firepower.
For some reason, Li Yue felt a slight pang of reluctance to see her go. She watched Clo’s receding figure; they had only just said goodbye, yet she was already outlining the letter she planned to send in her mind.
With a few crisp cracks of a whip, the horses pulling the carriage gave low neighs and huffs, and the carriage began to move again. Li Yue looked out the window once more. People who had finished their worship were emerging from a magnificent cathedral, crossing themselves with solemn expressions.
Somehow, Li Yue suddenly remembered the first time she had arrived in a big city. Rather than excitement or hope for the future, it was more a sense of unease and unfamiliarity.
The scenery outside changed quietly, shifting from solemnity to prosperity, and then back to the hustle and bustle Li Yue was used to.
The carriage slowed to a halt. Li Yue leaned out and handed the driver eight copper coins. She felt a bit of a sting; she only had two silver coins left on her person. One had to realize that a pound of fine beef only cost three copper coins, which would have been about sixty to eighty yuan in her previous life.
That girl definitely did it on purpose. Renting such a luxury carriage... she must have wanted to see the pained look on my face when I paid. What a brat.
Li Yue cursed softly in her heart.
The building before her looked like a Western-style manor. Li Yue hesitated at the door for a moment before finally deciding to push it open.
“Hello! We are the most professional domestic service organization in all of Parvati. Thank you for visiting.”
Upon entering, the first thing that caught her eye was a deer head decoration hanging on the wall. Lowering her gaze, she saw a chestnut-haired receptionist behind the counter.
The corner of Li Yue’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch. She seemed to have indeed caught a glimpse of the words ‘Domestic Services’ out of the corner of her eye before entering.
“Hello, I’m here to apply for a job.”
Li Yue handed over several documents from the envelope. A small card slowly fell out, and she picked it up to read carefully.
【Sorry I forgot to tell you, but you need a secret code to enter. The content is: When the Calamity Moon rises, it is our time to hunt. Your name will always be that one; get used to having multiple names and identities.】
【P.S. Remember to look fierce when giving the code, like rubbing your hands into little claws.】
Next to the signature on the card was a drawing of Clo sticking out her tongue, which made Li Yue feel a bit apprehensive.
So chuunibyou, so stupid. Are people in other worlds all like this? Damn it, it’s so embarrassing. But since I’ve come this far, it wouldn’t make sense not to do anything.
“Your resume is very impressive, but why apply to join our domes—”
“Ahem.” Li Yue cleared her throat. “When the Calamity Moon rises, it is our time to hunt. Rawr... awooo.”
Li Yue opened her mouth slightly, revealing her somewhat sharp little canine teeth. The chestnut-haired receptionist froze for a moment, the corners of her mouth curling upward.
“Um, the code is ‘Calamity Moon’ and ‘hunt.’ Hello, welcome to the Seventh Branch of the Demon Hunter Team.”
“What about the fierce movements?”
“Not necessary, Miss Nolan.”
Li Yue’s face turned slightly red. On the surface, she was a shy young lady, but in her heart, she had already drafted a family tree for Clo and was violently cursing every member on it.
“Hello, my name is Kelly. I’m the receptionist here, in charge of handling the demon hunters’ missions.”
Kelly looked at Li Yue’s profile, recalling her clawing and growling, and couldn’t help but let out a fond, motherly smile.
“Hello, I’m Li...” Li Yue stalled. What did she just call me?
“Li... Li, a poor student who left her hometown.”
She’s actually blushing. What a cute girl, I haven’t seen one like this in a long time.
Kelly’s smile grew even more radiant.
Strange, this person is so enthusiastic. Is she really someone who has dealt with life and death? Or do I just have a stereotype? Li Yue couldn’t help but complain in her heart.
“It says here you want to join our clerical staff. I’ve looked at your resume; it’s very good, Miss Nolan.” Kelly stared into Li Yue’s azure eyes, making the latter feel a wave of guilt.
Nolan? The new name Clo gave me? This one sounds so normal. Why didn’t she use this when she was naming me back then? Damn it, that brat, I...
And with this level of secrecy, how could many people possibly apply? Most people definitely wouldn’t know.
“However, to officially join the staff, there are still some assessments. I’ll go call our captain.” Kelly jogged away, leaving Li Yue standing there in a daze, mentally greeting every member of the family tree she had just constructed for Clo.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp aura. Her Heart’s Window traced a thin figure behind the wall, wearing two longswords crossed at his waist.
Though his black hair was a bit messy, there wasn't a hint of laziness about him. The man’s grey-black eyes held a piercing sharpness. Even though the weather wasn’t cool, he wore a black trench coat, with loosely fitting trousers wrapped in straps of unknown purpose.
Huh? Why does it feel like he’s also from another world? Is the difference in clothing between the various associations in this world really this large?
“Kelly explained the situation to me. I’ll be taking you to a few places now. If you can accept them, you can join. Calling it an assessment isn’t quite right; it’s more of an adaptation test.” The man rubbed the corners of his eyes. Though his gaze was sharp, his voice was very gentle.
“I forgot to introduce myself. I am Roland, the captain of this branch. To come here and seek a job, you must have been recommended by a mage or a colleague.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t mean I suspect you. Your written diploma is very well made. The issuing institution used a special treatment; it’s a code that only we can understand internally.”
Roland spoke as he walked. He didn’t speak fast, but his pace wasn’t slow at all.
Gradually, Li Yue could smell a faint scent of blood. The scent grew progressively stronger. She roughly understood; the so-called adaptation test was to see if she could handle the stimulation of bloody scenes.
She didn’t recall seeing such things in her memory, but this scent of blood was constantly tugging at her nerves. Her body trembled slightly, and a powerful bloodlust surged from the depths of her heart.
She couldn't stop herself from panting heavily, her face flushed with a sickly feverish red, and a crimson light seemed to flicker in the depths of her eyes.
“Ah... ah... ha. What’s... happening to me?”
Rate on N.U.
