My name is Luna, 18 years old. I live in a residential building in Water City, unmarried.
I attend the Human Empire’s First Magic Academy, and every day I’m on my way to the 8 a.m. class.
I don’t smoke or drink. I go to bed at 11 p.m. (crossed out), and I make sure to get a full eight hours of sleep every night.
Before bed, I always drink a glass of warm milk, then spend twenty minutes either playing games or reading novels. Once I’m in bed, I fall asleep immediately. I never carry fatigue or stress into the next day.
In short, the doctors say I’m perfectly normal.
But that’s not the point!
I looked at the girl rummaging through my wardrobe.
She looks exactly like me—silver-white hair and delicate features—the only difference being that she has a pair of animal ears.
That’s right, she’s a Demon girl.
You have to understand, the Demon War has lasted over a hundred years, so we treat Demons with hostility.
But she’s different!
Recently, she suddenly appeared in my sight. At first, she claimed to be my Mother. Of course, I absolutely didn’t believe her.
I’m human, and I have a family in real life. There’s no way I’d accept her as Mother!
I’m not playing some kind of household registry puzzle!
After pressing her several times, she finally admitted that she is the other half of my body.
Hmm…
Although that explanation has its share of issues.
But what I can confirm now is that she and I share a Symbiosis.
That’s right—something like if I got blown to bits, no one would survive.
“Zai, hurry up and get dressed. We’re going to be late for class.”
She took my school uniform from the wardrobe and placed it beside the bed, smiling warmly at me. Even though I know she’s a Demon, living together all this time, I’ve never sensed any ill will from her.
That’s also why I believe she’s part of my body.
“…Thank you, Eliza.”
Her name is Eliza. That’s all I know about her.
“Also, can you please stop calling me ‘Zai’? It sounds weird.”
Although I’ve always wanted her to just call me Xiao Lu, she insists on calling me Zai.
“Ah, got it, got it, Xiao Lu. Is that better? Now hurry up and get dressed.”
But Eliza just waved me off casually, clearly unwilling to change the nickname.
Sigh… there’s nothing I can do about it since the mouth belongs to her. I can’t just tell her to shut up.
“Xiao Lu, are you up yet?”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the bedroom door—it was my sister.
“I’m up, Sister!”
I answered outside the door. Hearing my response, the girl opened the bedroom door. A black-haired girl appeared in the room.
“You actually got up without dawdling this time. That’s rare.”
She is my sister, Lusina.
She’s as beautiful as me, with exquisite features, though on closer look, I think I’m the prettier one.
“So that’s how Sister sees me. I’m going to be angry, huh? (｀∀´)Ψ!”
Although I have to admit it’s true, I still pretended to be annoyed, but Lusina’s immune to it by now.
“Cut it out. Every time I come to get you, you’re still sleeping. Don’t think I don’t know you.”
“Cough—!”
I felt as if an arrow had pierced my chest…
“Alright, since you’re awake, get ready quickly. We have to go to school.”
Saying that, Sister left the room to prepare breakfast.
“Did you hear me, Zai? Go get dressed and eat.”
Eliza had been sitting on the edge of the bed since earlier, but Sister seemed not to see her and completely ignored her presence.
That’s right—my sister really can’t see Eliza.
Or rather, only I can see Eliza. No one else can. When she suddenly appeared, I panicked and called my sister over, but the reply I got was…
“Are you feverish, little sister? I see nothing.”
After several tests, I confirmed that only I can see Eliza, and my sister even asked if I was possessed.
Ridiculous! I’d never believe in ghosts or spirits!
So that’s why I believe Eliza is part of my body. Of course, recognizing her as Mother is impossible.
Look, I already have a sister. Does this look like something I can accept?
“Sigh… fine.”
With Eliza and Sister both urging me, I finally got out of bed and stood in front of the mirror.
My eyes are different from others’. Sister has sapphire eyes, but mine are rare Yin-Yang Eyes.
One golden, one red. Though a little odd-looking, it doesn’t overshadow my delicate features.
I stood in front of the mirror, examining my figure—my upper body curves are graceful, like a clear mountain stream gently winding over smooth shoulders and flowing down to a delicate collarbone.
My skin is fair and smooth, with a faint rosy glow, like freshly blossomed petals emitting a fresh scent.
My waist is slender and flexible. A slight twist reveals an unintentional charm, like the most supple willow branches swaying softly in spring breeze, making one want to take a second look.
All that’s missing is to shout:
“Mirror, mirror, who is the fairest of them all?”
…I’m probably a little narcissistic.
After putting on the academy uniform, I looked at myself in the mirror again.
Yeah… a vibrant, beautiful girl. Oh yeah!
“Luna! Are you ready?”
My sister shouted from the dining room, her tone suggesting she might be annoyed.
Uh oh!
I was so caught up in the mirror that I forgot Sister was waiting.
“I’m coming!”
I said, turning back toward the bed, but Eliza had vanished without me noticing.
She’s always like that—appearing and disappearing mysteriously.
After a quick wash-up, my sister was already eating breakfast in the dining room while I was just starting mine.
“Hm… where are Mom and Dad?”
Usually, our whole family goes to school together, but this time I didn’t see them.
“They left earlier than us. Apparently, they have some important business. So it’s just us taking a taxi.”
“Eh…”
Speaking of which, my parents are quite impressive people. Dad is the Director of Research at the Empire’s Research Institute, and Mom works there too, though her position is a bit lower.
Basically, they’re very busy. Unless we have something to ask them, we rarely see them except on weekends.
“Hurry up and eat, Luna. The taxi should be here soon.”
“Mm—mm, got it.”
After quickly finishing a few bites of sandwich and tidying up the dining area, we set off for school.
***
[Human Empire’s First Magic Academy]
Just the name sounds impressive. It’s located in Water City, a city surrounded by water on all sides.
The First Magic Academy sits on a large island in the center of Water City, nurturing a new generation of Psions for the Human Empire while also handling research and development.
Here, Psions are those who can wield magic, like my sister and me. Psions are ranked by level, from the lowest C-rank up to Master Rank.
You ask if there’s anything above Master Rank?
Of course, but they’ve become extinct. At the beginning of the Demon War—called the Apocalypse War—almost all Psions above Master Rank were killed or disappeared without a trace. So now, Master Rank is considered the highest.
You want to know how I know this?
That’s history class knowledge—of course, I know!
Anyway, that’s the role of the Magic Academy. Besides the First Magic Academy, there are several other similar academies throughout the Human Empire. Their goal is to train new Psions to prepare for future wars.
Soon, the car crossed a bridge and was about to arrive at the front gate of the First Magic Academy.
“Sigh… midterm tests. I really don’t want to take exams…”
By the way, today is the first midterm since my sister and I started at the academy. The exam is divided into a morning magic theory written test and an afternoon combat test. The two results are combined for the final score.
“Come on, little sister, aren’t you good at theory?”
Sister encouraged me.
“Mm…” Although what she said was true, I really don’t study theory as hard as others. I glance through the books once and it goes straight in.
Even when I get caught sleeping in class and have to answer questions, I can recite everything backward perfectly.
It’s like I was born knowing all this!
But what I’m really afraid of is…
“The combat test in the afternoon. I have no practical experience.”
That’s what scares me. Though we have skill training classes every afternoon, the thought of real combat terrifies me.
Usually, I practice on wooden dummies, but the combat test means real fights against Monsters. It’s impossible not to be scared.
“It’s okay, little sister. Maybe the test content will be simple.”
Sister comforted me. She didn’t know the exact content either, but she guessed they wouldn’t be too harsh.
Soon the car reached the gate. After getting off, we had to take a school bus for over ten minutes to get to the classroom.
No choice, the school is huge.
There are several snack streets, countless teaching buildings, faculty apartments, dormitories, and more.
Fortunately, our dorm is not far from the teaching building, so we walk to class every day.
Yes, although we have a house outside, we still live in the dorms.
It’s school policy that students must stay on campus except on weekends. We can go out but must be back by midnight.
Neither Sister nor I have any complaints. The dorms are quite nice, and we’re comfortable living there.
The school bus soon arrived at the teaching building entrance. The two of us walked up and entered our classroom.
The classroom was already full of students. Some were reviewing at their seats, but most were chatting about where they went during the weekend.
We sat in our seats. Sister began reviewing theory points, while I…
Had nothing to do but scroll on my phone.
[Being invincible is so lonely~ so lonely~]
What can I do?
I understand the theory better than they do.
“Luna, aren’t you going to study?”
Just as I was engrossed in my phone, a female voice spoke beside me. I turned to see a girl with long cyan hair standing in front of me.
I’m very familiar with her.
“What’s there to study? You know me, Xiao Qing, I don’t need to review.”
This girl is Qingyan, one of our few friends and also one of our roommates.
“I’m so jealous of you. Unlike us who still have to study. Hey, can I copy from you later?”
Though it sounded like a joke, I saw a pleading look in Qingyan’s eyes!
“Cut it out. You better study hard, Xiao Qing.”
“Mm…”
Rejected, Qingyan looked a bit frustrated, but soon another voice drew her attention.
“You, instead of chatting here with Xiao Lu, why not go back to your seat and study?”
This time, another girl came over. She’s slightly shorter than Qingyan, about 1.5 meters tall.
As for her chest… probably heavily armored.
Her brown hair was loose as she casually sat on Luna’s desk, completely ignoring the surrounding stares.
Her name is Su Luoluo, another roommate and friend.
“Sigh… you haven’t studied either, Xiao Luo, and yet you’re lecturing me.”
“I’m not as worried as you are. Whatever happens, happens. Besides, I already studied over the weekend.”
“Hey! How can you say that? Didn’t we agree not to study over the weekend!?”
Hehe, the overachiever’s here!
“You say you didn’t study, but you really did. No way.”
“Cough—!” Qingyan felt a twinge of betrayal.
“So, instead of chatting here, shouldn’t you get to studying, right Xiao Lu?”
“Exactly, Qingyan. It’ll be troublesome if you fail.”
“But it’s almost exam time. Where’s the time to study now?!”
Qingyan was feeling overwhelmed. Everyone else seemed prepared except her!
Just then, the class bell rang, signaling the start of the midterm exams.
“Nooo…!”