**Otilia** ran through the city streets on her way to school.
Following behind her in spirit form, **Evan Walker** took the opportunity to observe the world around him in detail. Skyscrapers towered on either side, the streets pulsed with traffic, and a bustling river of pedestrians moved through crosswalks and storefronts alike.
It was vibrant. Cosmopolitan. And clearly an international city.
Evan noticed people from many different cultural backgrounds. Some wore distinct traditional clothing that he couldn't recognize, yet no one batted an eye—this kind of cultural blend was clearly the norm here.
> "A beautiful, thriving city," Evan thought.
After several minutes of sprinting, Otilia finally reached a shaded avenue lined with dense greenery. She slowed to a walk, breathing heavily.
On both sides of the road, Evan noticed students walking in uniforms. There were no cars in sight—this must have been a pedestrian-only college avenue.
As they walked, snippets of conversation drifted from the other students passing by:
> "Good morning!"
> "Morning, senpai."
> "Oh my, you're early today~"
> "Hey, did you hear? FA Country had a massive earthquake this morning—worst one in a century," said a female student.
> "No way—*that* happened today?"
> "Yeah. My dad told me just this morning."
> "Wait, isn't he a reporter?"
> "Exactly."
> "Wow… the world really has been falling apart lately. Feels like there's some kind of disaster happening every year now."
> "Just two months ago, an extinct volcano erupted in Asia. Zero warning signs."
> "Let's hope *this* place stays safe," one girl said with a sigh.
> "If anything happens here, the whole world's going to reel," a boy chimed in.
> "This place was built under special protection, you know…"
A group of students walking ahead turned their heads when they noticed Otilia approaching from behind.
> "Hey… isn't that the famous…"
> "The 'Daughter of Light and Darkness'?" one whispered.
> "Pft, that nickname is seriously cringe."
> "Shh! Keep your voice down. Her family's not someone you mess with."
> "I heard her mom's some powerful noble from the Eastern Empire."
> "This is Holy Dance Academy. Doesn't matter how rich her family is—they can't do much here."
> "Maybe, but what happens *after* graduation matters too."
> "…Hmm... good point."
> "Anyway, her dad's supposed to be—"
> "Stop talking! She's coming."
Though they kept their voices down, Otilia still caught some of it. Her expression stiffened slightly. She quickened her pace.
As she passed, the students fell silent and instinctively parted to let her through.
Otilia said nothing, eyes forward. Once she had gone far enough, the whispers quietly resumed.
> "So this *Food No. 1*—no, this little girl—seems to have some secrets," Evan thought, watching thoughtfully.
Soon, Otilia arrived at her destination.
A giant arch bearing the name **Holy Dance Academy** stood at the entrance. Behind the impressive gates stretched a vast campus filled with towering buildings in varied architectural styles—gleaming glass, traditional slate brick, and even a few magical-looking spires.
It was impressive.
But what intrigued Evan most was the diversity of the students entering through the gate.
Some were obviously middle schoolers—barely 1.4 meters tall—while others were in their late teens or older, towering above them at close to 1.8 meters. Clearly, the school accepted students across a wide range of age groups.
Several students wearing red armbands marked with symbols stood near the front gate.
> **The Disciplinary Committee,** Evan noted.
Otilia made her way to her classroom—**Class 2A**, in the junior high division.
There were about thirty students inside. When she entered, the conversation dropped for a brief second—then resumed as if nothing had happened. A few students looked her way, but no one acknowledged her directly.
Otilia didn't react. She walked to her desk, placed her bag down, and sat quietly, eyes distant as she gazed out the window.
> "Hmm… Doesn't look like she's too popular with her classmates," Evan observed silently.
> "What's the story behind that, I wonder…"
In her chair, Otilia sighed softly.
> "I wonder... will I get to go back to that world tonight...?" she murmured.
Her eyes were slightly glazed, the kind of look born from waking too soon from a dream and wanting to return.
Just then, the classroom suddenly became lively.
> "Ah! Miss Margaret is here!"
> "Good morning, Sister Margaret~"
> "She's as beautiful as ever!"
> "Sister Margaret, you're glowing today!"
A tall, elegant girl entered the room—head held high, posture flawless.
Her name was **Margaret**.
Like Otilia, she had long, striking golden hair—but unlike Otilia's twin ponytails, Margaret wore a refined half-up hairstyle that enhanced her already noble aura.
Her eyes were mesmerizing—warm and deep, capable of snaring attention with a gaze.
But more than that...
Her **figure** was impossible to ignore.
In this class full of youthful, flat-chested middle schoolers, Margaret stood out like a blazing rose among daisies.
> "Whoa," Evan murmured, unable to suppress his thoughts. "Now that's... what you'd call charisma."
> *To be continued...*