"They were originally ordinary people?" Vera whipped her head up, her brown eyes wide with shock. She immediately fell into deep thought, her tone laced with uncertainty. "Is this place a magic academy instead of an inn? But the way those people fought... it felt different from the magic I know. Shera, have you ever seen magic like that?"
"..."
Shera lowered her head slightly, her brown hair cascading down to obscure most of her face, leaving only the curve of her small chin visible. Hearing Vera's question, she slowly shook her head. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz—timid, yet carrying a trace of professional earnestness.
"Only the first one... it should have been water magic... but... there seemed to be no incantation. Everything after that... I've never seen anything like it. But without exception... none of them used chants. Um, there was one line at the end... but it was so short, I don't know if it counts as a real incantation..."
As she spoke, Shera's cheeks flushed a soft pink. She instinctively looked up, stealing a quick glance at Su Mu like a startled fawn, only to immediately bury her face back into her robes. Her fingers gripped the fabric of her sleeve tightly, her entire being radiating an aura of shy unease.
As a mage with respectable talent, she understood the vital importance of incantations for releasing magic. Chantless magic was a thing of legends—a pinnacle of ability that every mage dreamed of achieving.
Could this Goddess Apartment really teach the art of chantless magic?
Once the thought took root, it began to grow wildly in Shera's mind. It caused even her timid heart to stir with an irrepressible sense of longing and excitement. After all, for any mage, skipping the chanting phase didn't just mean a massive increase in casting speed—it meant their combat effectiveness would skyrocket. It was a lethally attractive prospect.
She bit her lower lip, a flicker of expectation hidden beneath her anxiety. Would such a miraculous place really accept people like us—people with nothing, who are being hunted by the Kingdom?
"Primarily, this is indeed an inn, but it's no ordinary inn." Su Mu observed the varying expressions on their faces, a faint, mysterious smile playing on his lips. "You'll understand the specifics once you move in. So, whether you want to stay or not is for you to decide."
With that, Su Mu stopped explaining. With a light flick of his fingers, three translucent panels materialized out of thin air before the three girls. The panels clearly displayed the residency invitation and the associated rules.
The sudden appearance of the screens caused the girls to tense up instinctively. Their bodies shifted into a defensive stance, and they simultaneously reached for their weapons—Vera for the shortsword at her waist, Doris for the dagger in her sleeve, and Shera for the magic wand hidden in her robes.
However, as they processed the text on the panels, their taut muscles slowly relaxed. The wariness in their eyes was gradually replaced by astonishment, and their faces mirrored a sense of utter disbelief.
It really is miraculous... to be able to conjure something like this out of thin air.
The three of them exchanged glances, seeing the same shock and hesitation reflected in each other's eyes.
A moment later, Vera was the first to reach a decision. They had no path of retreat left. Rather than continuing a life of displacement and constant peril, it was better to take a gamble. Perhaps this place really did offer hope; perhaps it provided the opportunity to grow strong enough for revenge.
She took a deep breath and tapped the 'Accept' button on the panel. Her movement was crisp and decisive, devoid of any further hesitation.
The moment she accepted the invitation, a flood of information regarding the Goddess Apartment's functions poured into Vera's mind—Absolute Safety, Absolute Comfort, Absolute Health... Each feature made her eyes widen. Her bright brown eyes sparkled with an increasingly radiant light, and the exhaustion and unease on her face were swept away by a wave of intense excitement and anticipation.
"Quick, Doris, Shera, accept it now!" Vera turned around urgently, her voice trembling slightly with excitement as she nudged her companions. "With these features, we'll definitely become strong. It won't be long before we can achieve our goals and avenge everyone by our own hands!"
Hearing Vera's spirited words and seeing the light in her eyes, Doris's own doubts began to dissolve. She knew Vera was right; they had reached the end of their rope. This place might be their only chance.
Yet, just as she was about to tap the screen, a thought flashed through her mind, causing her hand to pause.
She instinctively looked up. Her gaze first landed on Sylphie—the girl was dressed in a simple white dress, her face still pale from the earlier fright, but her eyes were filled with sincere hope as she watched Doris.
Then, Doris's gaze swept over Vera and Shera, noting Vera's thrill and Shera's bashful longing. She looked at the other women nearby—each with a unique, extraordinary aura. Finally, her eyes settled on Su Mu. He was the only male present; he was refined and gentle, yet he possessed an indescribable weight of authority, as if everything was unfolding exactly according to his design.
A bold and suggestive suspicion began to take root in Doris's heart.
Perhaps the miraculous functions of this Goddess Apartment weren't provided for free. Perhaps the price for staying here wasn't gold at all, but... themselves.
But even if that's the case, what does it matter?
Doris closed her eyes briefly. Images of her family's tragic deaths, the cold, mocking smiles of the Kingdom's soldiers, and the sheer humiliation and terror of their flight flashed through her mind.
Compared to the fire of revenge—compared to ensuring a stable future for Vera and Shera—what did such a price matter? If she could complete her vengeance, if she could ensure her friends never had to suffer as fugitives again, she was more than willing to pay that price!
With that thought, Doris opened her eyes. The hesitation and guilt were gone, replaced by a cold, sharp resolve. She took a deep breath and tapped the 'Accept' button with a steady hand.
A second later, the functional breakdown of the Goddess Apartment flooded her mind. Witnessing those miraculous features and feeling a sense of security unlike anything she had ever known, she finally understood why Vera was so excited.
This Goddess Apartment was truly incredible. Everything it offered far exceeded her expectations, and it fanned the flames of revenge in her heart until they burned hotter than ever before.
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Crossover World: Why Are All My Clones Beautiful Girls?
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