The night sky fell like a dark purple velvet curtain, the forest of Luneva was immersed in a sacred silence. The full moon tonight was unusually large, full, and silvery as if washed by a fairy stream. In the heart of the mysterious forest, the endless ground was filled with countless types of sparkling luminescent flowers, the slender petals emitting a dim light, filled with purple, blue, and jade green, sparkling like stars falling to earth.
Fireflies flew in flocks, like little souls dancing and singing. The whole forest seemed to be holding its breath. The wind gently shook the leaves, rustling like the whispers of ancient fairy tales.
From the middle of the forest, a white figure gradually appeared. Her figure was slender, her long black hair hung down like water waves, reflecting the magical light from the flowers. She wore a long white dress that touched the ground, the hem of the dress embroidered with delicate silver patterns as if woven from the morning dew. In her hand was a long staff, made from ancient tree roots, woven into a circle at the tip of the stick. Inside that circle was a white light floating, beating like a heart, warm and full of power.
That was Aurora, the last heir of the Luneva forest.
As she walked, all the animals in the forest from fawns, snow foxes to birds, squirrels, moon rabbits,... all stopped, forming a straight path. Each one bowed their heads, their eyes respectfully following her figure. The grass and trees leaned back as if to welcome her. There was not a sound, only a quiet sacredness enveloping them.
She walked to a giant ancient tree trunk, where a mysterious white light was emitting. The surface of the tree trunk cracked, revealing a round halo like a water mirror. Aurora gently touched it, the light swirled and... an image appeared:
She saw her father, the king of the Luneva forest, majestic but with eyes full of love. Beside her was her mother, the queen, as sweet as the spring sunshine. And behind them were her two sisters, radiant, alive, as if never taken away by this world.
Aurora's eyes trembled.
A few months ago…
In the bright, sunny hall of the flower palace, Aurora, then a cheerful, innocent girl, was quietly bowing her head. She clenched her sleeves, her eyes filled with anxiety.
"I don't want to leave this forest," she whispered. "I... I'm afraid of the human world..."
The king stepped forward, his hand patting her shoulder, his voice warm but firm:
"Aurora. You are the last heir of Luneva. We can't hide in the forest forever. You need to learn to understand them... and protect this forest in a way that your two sisters couldn't."
Aurora trembled as she remembered her two deceased sisters, beautiful, talented princesses who had once placed their faith in humanity, but then passed away forever in pain.
"I still remember… when she was little, Rina said that the human world was as beautiful as a fairy tale…" Aurora choked, her eyes red.
"But they… they were the ones who killed my two sisters."
The Queen squeezed her hand gently:
"We cannot live in hatred, but… we need someone strong enough to prevent the tragedy from repeating itself. You are our last hope. Of this forest."
Aurora cried. But then she nodded.
Back to the present…
Before the image of her family appeared from the tree trunk, Aurora's tears fell, each drop glistening and soaking into the flowers and grass.
"I'm sorry for being weak," she whispered. "I promise… to protect this forest. I will guard Luneva with all my heart in your stead. I… will not forgive anyone who tries to destroy it."
The light in the scepter glowed brightly, as if giving her strength. Tiny fairies, with delicate wings and a bright light like stars, flew around her, whispering words of encouragement. A tiny mermaid flew through the air and hugged her cheek:
"Aurora, you are not alone."
"We will be with you," a small voice rang out from the forest.
"You are the last light of Luneva."
Aurora clenched her scepter. Her green eyes, once the clear sea, were now like the cold light of a winter night, emotionless but deep, as if hiding all the pain and determination of an entire kingdom.
"Then…," she took a breath.
"This game, it has begun."
The moonlight shone down on her figure, a queen of the forest, lonely, strong, and cold as fate.
---
The next morning, the sky was clear and cloudless. The sunlight shone through the brilliant emerald trees, covering the schoolyard in a light yellow color, as if stardust crystals were floating in the air. A gentle wind blew, carrying the scent of magnolia flowers and the chirping of birds. The school seemed to awaken, filled with new vitality.
Aurora walked into the school gate.
Her long, curly black hair swayed gently with each step, reflecting the sunlight like a mysterious night stream. The same cold face like an emotionless porcelain doll, not a single stray glance, her eyes as blue as the color of young leaves made anyone who looked at them feel their soul was stripped bare. The uniform skirt was neat, without a single unnecessary detail.
Not a single greeting. Not a single glance around. She walked straight into the classroom.
In the classroom, a sudden and unusual burst of laughter rang out. The young ladies from Shanghai today suddenly started laughing and chatting not with each other but with the F3 group.
Xiao-Yu (smiling sharply, brushing her hair):
"Those American guys are really polite, not like the rumors at all."
Jayden (half-smiling, eyes glancing down at Xiao-Yu's neck):
"Of course. We're just… enthusiastic in the right place."
Min Qian (whispering in Xiao-Yu's ear):
"These guys are really looking at Aurora with… obvious lust."
Xiao-Yu (looking towards the classroom door, smiling slightly):
"Her body is also worth the attention of those lecherous guys."
Aurora entered the classroom right when that sentence ended.
No reaction.
No change in expression.
Only one thing was different, her peaceful, forest-like blue eyes suddenly narrowed slightly.
A... feeling of unease crept into her heart.
She slowly walked to her usual seat, sat down as if she had never heard anything, but her hand tightened on the pen.
Jayden (glancing at her, whispering to his two friends):
"Look at that... such a small waist, it must be soft to hug..."
Liam (smirking):
"But to touch it, you must climb over an iceberg."
Marcus (licking his lips):
"Climbing is fine. I like the feeling of danger."
The F3s giggled like wild dogs that had found a tasty prey.
Aurora said nothing, but she clearly knew. Her sensitive ears picked up every word. However, she still sat still, like a goddess trapped in a proud, aloof human body, but hiding something that was about to explode.
The classroom door opened.
The F4 walked in.
Each person has a different appearance:
Blacke is cold, neat, and well-groomed like a sculpture.
Knox is scholarly and intelligent, his eyes seem to read the emotions of the whole world.
Zane smiles brightly, hands in pockets, his gaze is carefree but full of hidden meaning.
Easton is quiet, his eyes are sharp like a knife in the dark.
The students in the class are silent at the same time.
Knox (waving at Aurora):
"Auroraaa~! Remember to climb the mountain on Sunday. You promised."
Blacke (sitting down next to her, speaking in a low voice):
"We have already chosen the location. The slope is not very high, but the nature is majestic."
Easton (glanced at her, then turned away):
"Maybe you like nature? Looking at you... you seem to belong to the forest."
Aurora looked up slightly, her eyes meeting the light through the window, remembering the faces of her two sisters, the blood on their hands… then looked back at the boys.
Aurora (coldly, each word clear):
"I agree. Sunday. But… I'm not climbing for you. I'm climbing because I like it."
Zane (smiling):
"Fine. Any reason is fine, as long as you come."
Knox (leaning back, laughing):
"Give us your personal number and account. Who will we call if we get lost?"
Aurora (looking straight into his eyes):
"No need. I'm not lost."
Once again, the atmosphere froze.
But F4… laughed.
Knox (closing his eyes, shaking his head slightly):
"She's always like that."
---
The teacher entered the classroom, carrying a thick stack of books.
Teacher:
"Today we begin our philosophy class. The first question: What is the purpose of human existence?"
Zane:
"Faith."
Knox:
"Truth."
Blacke:
"Power."
Easton:
"Freedom."
The teacher nodded: "All are correct. Open-ended. But sharp answers."
Teacher:
"The second question: In a society, will love or reason win?"
Zane (quickly):
"Love. Because people are not machines."
Easton:
"Reason. Because blind love often destroys."
Blacke:
"Winning or losing is not important. What matters is who controls both."
The class was in an uproar.
Lecturer (smiling):
"F4… You guys prepared in advance?"
Knox (winking):
"No, sir. We're… the best students."
Zane:
"And Aurora is someone's 'best friend', right Blacke?"
Blacke (laughing, looking at her):
"I didn't say anything…"
Aurora didn't respond. But her hand gently rested on her chest. Her heart skipped a beat.
And then, her eyes stopped on Xiao-Yu, who was leaning close to Jayden's ear, whispering loud enough for her to hear:
Xiao-Yu:
"If F4 really likes her… then we'll have to help break the barrier."
One second.
Two seconds.
Jayden paused in his writing.
It was just a sentence, a glance, but it made his mind wander for a few beats.
He didn't say anything, but... the image of Aurora slowly walking into class yesterday appeared again.
The white shirt, buttoned up.
Her eyes weren't searching for anyone, just passing by everyone as if... no one existed.
Cold face.
Straight back posture.
Like... a wind in the early season, beautiful, calm, and elusive.
"This girl... doesn't belong to Xiao-Yu's world."
"Doesn't belong to anyone."
Jayden (finally speaking, not turning around):
"Do you think Aurora is a barrier? Touch her. You'll know who gets hurt first."
Xiao-Yu (half-smiling):
"Are you defending her?"
Jayden (calmly):
"I'm just warning you."
Xiao-Yu (smiling briefly):
"Warning for who? For me or for yourself?"
Aurora was silent.
But the corners of her lips curled slightly.
A person like Jayden, always hiding his emotions behind sharp words.
But at this moment… he couldn't hide the sudden glance when he met her.
She still sat still, her eyes looking out the window, but her mind had already begun to analyze:
"Xiao-Yu wants to provoke."
"Jayden is wavering."
"F3 is in the middle of the board, but every move can be calculated."
She gently stroked the edge of the table with her hand.
Cold.
Just like the atmosphere that was spreading in the classroom.
Jayden glanced over his shoulder one last time, then mouthed, half-seriously, half-jokingly:
Jayden:
"If you just sit still like this… they'll think you're prey."
Aurora, for the first time that day, spoke softly with her mouth.
Those eyes looked straight at him, deep and unguarded.
Aurora (softly):
"And what if I bite back?"
---
The bell rang.
The tense atmosphere was immediately broken by the noise of students packing up their books.
Xiao-Yu stood up, her high heels clicking lightly on the floor, her eyes never leaving Aurora.
Xiao-Yu (whispering, but loud enough for Aurora to hear):
"Looks like I have to invite you to the party tonight… Jayden."
Jayden did not respond.
His eyes were still… glued to the image of Aurora – the girl sitting alone at the back of the class, not smiling, not speaking, but strangely making his heart tighten unreasonably.
Aurora waited for the class to be empty.
She took out a small piece of paper from her pocket, no one knew who had left it.
There was only a bold line:
"The first trial will begin at Xiao-Yu's golden mansion. Come… if you're not afraid of fire."
She smiled.
Aurora (whispering):
"I am not afraid of fire. I was the one who threw the match first."