In the afternoon, Hexia sat in a corner of the hall, flipping through a book. She had learned much that wasn''t taught in ss, and regarding her future advancement, she already had many ideas.
She definitely wanted to choose a profession with a certain level ofbat ability, as the past few idents had caused her quite a bit of suffering.
Additionally, she aimed for a Transcendent Profession with higher evaluations.
Unfortunately, among the Transcendent Professions publicly released by the Federation, there weren''t many that suited her fancy, with only Withering Sequence 3· Phantom de Swordsman (Superior Level) barely fitting the bill.
Most of the Withering Sequence professions were rted to medical and research fields. As forbat-rted professions, those were mostly within the military and not made public unless Hexia considered applying to a military academy.
Joining the military was something she had never considered. Hexia didn''t quite like the serious atmosphere of the military; she was somewhat indolent. If life hadn''t pushed her, she might have been content to seclude herself in some countryside, an attitudepletely opposite to that of her ambitious elder sister.
Ding-a-ling-ling—
"I''m going to help Sister Botis now," Hexia stood up.
Minutester, following Botis to the base of Topstar Tower, the two took a Hover Car to a vast, empty za.
"This ce... it''s thergest bathhouse in the city center, right? Are they going to hold a concert here?" Hexia got out of the car, looking around in astonishment.
"Yes, although there are theaters in the city, they''re too old and small. It''s better to rent out the vast za in front of the bathhouse, especially since they''re closed for renovations," Botis exined.
"That may be true, but it''s still quite surprising."
"Don''t worry, there will be more surprisester, Hexia," Botis said, shaking her finger.
"Come with me."
Soon, Hexia understood why Botis said there would be more surprises. The teeming crowd before her fully demonstrated what enthusiasm was.
"The ticket price is 1200 Federation Coins, please make your payment."
"That''s really expensive for a concert."
"Hush, there are lots of people waiting behind."
"I didn''t expect so many people toe to a concert announced on such short notice."
"What are you guys talking about? Who is the big star?"
"Uh, you queued up without knowing?"
"Of course, when I saw so many people, I assumed something good was happening, so I came over."
"Well, it''s the Legendary Songstress ''Prin Coco''..."
-------------
South First District, Swarm''s Reign Academy.
This Academy, sporting the emblem of a queen bee, is the second-ranked high school on Jade Skirt, second only to Saint Ingo Academy. Unlike the coeducational Saint Ingo Academy, this school admits only female students, truly a girls'' school.
The bell for the end of ss rang, and one after another, well-dressed youngdies left the educational hall, chatting andughing as they walked along the elegant, tree-lined paths.
Then there was a girl unlike the others, skating on rollerdes at high speed across the ground, creating a breeze, followed by three others dressed the same, on skateboards and rollerdes, carrying backpacks.
"Wait for us, Prin~"
"Hurry up and catch up. I have a performance scheduled with my senior," Prin called back.
"Even if we get left behind, you can''t perform the concert alone."
"That''s why I''m telling you to catch up~~"
The other students within the Academy watched them speed past, already ustomed to such sights. In such a strict Academy, those who lived so freely were certainly not ordinary students.
"Prin is at it again."
"It can''t be helped, everyone likes her since she''s a Songstress."
"If Prin weren''t busy, I could ask her for an autograph; many of my little sisters are her fans."
"Ah, now that you mention it, I''dpletely forgotten," a girl suddenly remembered.
Outside the Academy, at the coffee shop, a figure familiar to Hexia waited anxiously.
"Why hasn''t my seniore out yet? I''ve been waiting to get Prin Coco''s autograph for you. It''s not easy to visit South First District during a break just for this," rained, her table covered with several empty drink containers.
Although her dream was to be an idol, it didn''t stop her from being a fan. Her current target was the hot new Songstress of Jade Skirt, ''Prin Coco,'' who had already attained ''Starshine Level.''
While she was at the Starshine Level for now, professional institutions in the Federation predicted she still had room for improvement, with a bright future ahead. Thus, she also received significant attention and care from the Star Domain government.
"Well then, let''s get started."
Outside the Academy, Prin and herpanions leaped into the shuttle in front of them. Shortly after, the shuttle soared into the skies, while a massive grey shadow in the sky headed northward.
...
Three hourster.
Countless raindropsshed against the iron-grey surface as tightly-sealed Flight Armor met the onught of the corrosive toxic rain, rushing through the grim, dark mists at high speed.
With wings spanning hundreds of meters, a hefty body, and engines roaring ceaselessly as they spun rapidly, it roared through the skies like a beast, breaking through the barriers of nature in the pitch-ck adversity.
In the dark skies outside Payin City, a tiny star rapidly expanded, the ensuing screech shattering the night''s tranquility.
Hover Cars on the ground also stopped at the notification''s sound, waiting in ce. Countless people inside looked up at the night sky, anticipating the thunderous grey beast above to pass.
The normally bustling Skylight of Payin City was exceptionally quiet at this moment. The crimson steel walls of the Skylight unfoldedyer byyer, the numerous restrictive ropes had been released, with green indicator lights flickering on the inner walls, and screens disyed, [ess Granted].
The "gray behemoth" in the sky plunged down, bringing with it a howling gale and rain showers, while at the same time, a massive cylindrical canister also slowly descended straight into the Skylight.
In the midst of the wind and rain, the hatch opened, and a figure leaped into the pitch-ck curtain of night and rain.
"Prin!" Herpanions called after her toote and had no choice but to jump down as well.
d in a jacket reminiscent of mes, the caramel-haired girl wore sneakers, one hand gripping a guitar, the other sping the railing of the canister. She then stepped on the canister as numerous raindrops pelted it, hurtling straight toward Payin City''s pitch-ck abyss.
The wind tousled her clothes and the rain dampened her cheeks, herughter was endless, swirling in the air with her twin-tail hair in the raging storm; so wild and unrestrained, so free and exhrating, this fervor and mood seemed poised to ignite the curtain of rain.
The colossal canister, carrying the four of them, passed through the lengthy underground tunnel, with four white ''Messenger'' ss fighters nking it in escort, apanying them through the 7-kilometer stretch beneath the earth.
Finally, darkness was abruptly torn asunder, and the brightly lit Payin City district appeared before their eyes.
Ahead of the canister, searing air streams began to spout, slowing itself down, while the intense wind pressure deformed the streams into a hemisphere shape, the heatwave it stirred buffeted them, drying the girl''s originally drenched hair as it fluttered in the wind.
Then it automatically shut off, the canisternding askew in the bathhouse square of Payin City, and at that moment, countless light pirs suddenly activated, converging on the four on top of the canister.
"Oh—"
A cry that resembled the roar of the sea reverberated across the cityscape.
"Prin Coco!"
"Prin Coco!"
"Prin Coco!"
Hexia stood amidst the tidal wave of people, looking up at the gigantic canister that had captured everyone''s attention, the tiny figure atop it blossomed like me, scorching and indomitable.
The rhythmic sound of a guitar began to rise, and suddenly the entire venue fell quiet.
Apanied by the guitar, the kick drum sounded, and from the intro, the song continuously ascended, boisterous yet passionate. (BGM: Faster)
"I can''t sleep, for there''s a me burning in my heart"
"Like being on fire, the fierce ze rolls and surges"
"No longer fearful, as I steadily approach"
"Though somewhat surreal, I still cherish it"
"I''m moving faster and faster"
"Faster and faster"
The melody kept spiraling and repeating, and the emotions within built up more deeply, eventually erupting almost like a roar, dazzling and stunning.
"I can''t live in a fairy tale of sham and lies—"
A brief pause and a deep breath, then the song resonated again amidst the constant drumbeats and guitar.
"I can feel you captivating my heart"
"I can''t escape this right sensation"
...
The song continued unabated, and the bass joined the guitar in unison, along with the steady beating of the drums, the song once more set the rain aze, and white vapors billowed.
"To survive I''m moving faster and faster"
"Faster and faster"
"I won''t give in, for I am proud of all my scars"
"I know I''ve wasted too much time"
...
The crowd waved their glow sticks, and amidst the fiery red sea, Hexia felt like a tiny boat bobbing in this erupting sea of mes.
"I can''t live in a fairy tale of lies"
"You''ve captivated my heart"
"I can''t escape this feeling that''s so right"
"I can''t live in a fairy tale of lies"
"Fairy tale of lies..."
Is this the power of a Songstress... Hexia slowly ced her hand over her chest, where a torrent of emotions surged, so intensely fiery.
In her life thus far, countless people had conveyed to her various principles: principles of life, social norms, thews of survival. She had tried ceaselessly to understand this perplexinglyplex world, a world dazzling to the eyes yet unsettling to the spirit.
But every time she learned more, a new mountain would rise before her. The rules and dictums of the world were so numerous, people went their separate ways, leading her step by step into the quagmire from which she couldn''t escape.
Gradually, her heart became shackled by various chains: the manacles of rtionships, of the atmosphere, of public consensus, of unspoken rules...
The inner turmoil was like dark clouds trapped in a box, constantly churning but nowhere to vent or share.
Life should not be like this, it should be vibrant and colorful.
Like a candle me igniting, burning through all chains.
Like a clear breeze sweeping over the hills, colorful leaves rustling under the sunshine.