Soon, the sound of footsteps reached Milli's ears. From them, she sensed there were three people. Milli herself stepped forward lightly and opened the white door. Seeing her, the woman wrapped in white immediately lowered her eyes. Milli's gaze moved to the side, where two beautiful young women stood. Their eyes were fixed on her, velvety cheeks warm with curiosity, and a hint of nervousness in their gaze.
Milli's lips parted into a faint smile on their own. The orange-haired, curly girl smiled at her. Milli looked at the nervous woman and gestured for her to leave. As soon as the woman departed, Milli noticed the nervousness in the young girls' eyes had lessened.
Just then, Milli felt a warm touch on her soft skin. The orange-haired girl hugged her tightly. Milli could feel the playfulness radiating from her, flowing through the embrace as she held her tightly. She heard the curly-haired girl's voice: "Your home is the pride of marble. Utterly regal!"
Milli was used to such words. She knew anyone who saw her home would be stunned. Everyone's reaction was the same as Tessa's just now. As she thought this,
A slightly deeper, husky voice reached her: "You exaggerate things too much, Tessa; it's not even that special."
Milli suddenly felt herself completely free and at ease. Tessa was looking at the girl with black hair, whose eyebrows were knit together. The girl's black hair was thick and long.
Milli heard Tessa's words: "You say it like you've seen even bigger places than this?" Hearing them, Milli felt a mix of surprise and awkwardness. You're saying this so rudely… that's rude!
Thinking this, Milli fixed her gaze on Tessa. The girl with black hair was staring at Millie and Tessa with cold, piercing eyes beneath furrowed brows. Milli realized that if she didn't act, a fight was 99 percent certain.
In a calm, measured voice, Milli said, "We should go inside the room. We don't stand in the hallway here."
"Really? Your rules are quite strange,"the words came from Neon, whose cold eyes were fixed only on Milli.
Milli glanced sideways at Tessa, who was about to say something, but before she could, Milli smiled lightly and said,"Yes—but rules are rules. And besides, you didn't come all this way just to stand in my hallway."She said this while looking at both of them.
Without saying anything, the two of them walked into the room.
Milli felt an unusual calm settle over the space as soon as they stepped inside. She was still absorbing that quiet when Tessa's voice rang out. Looking around the room, she said,"Why is your house white everywhere?"
Milli was about to respond when a heavy voice interrupted,"You don't even know this much—that the symbol Miss Maryland wields carries energy in white and golden hues."
Milli slowly turned her gaze to Tessa, whose face clearly showed irritation. She snapped,"When no one asks you a question, don't give unnecessary answers."
Sensing an impending argument and wanting to change the subject, Milli asked calmly,"So… how did you end up here?"
At this, the liveliness on the orange‑haired girl's face dimmed slightly. Then, with a playful smile, she said,"Neon and I didn't really want to come here, but there's an event in the city today."
Hearing this, Milli spoke before either of them could continue,"So you came to invite me?"
Tessa widened her eyes and replied with a grin,"Will you come?"Milli also knew that every year a grand event was held in the city. People came from far and wide to see it. In this event, students from the state's major institutions showcased their skills and strength.Milli had watched it many times with her mother. She nodded in agreement while looking into Tessa's eyes.