NOVPUBThe club activity room was bustling with new faces. Among them were some genuinely interested in the relics of the Twilight Era, while others were brought in through introductions. Even though Alen rarely visited the club, he still shared it within his small circle, resulting in the arrival of two elves—a man and a woman. The man’s name was Phyllis, and the woman’s name was Iyepher.
Two mornings ago, Thilan and Annelie were discussing how to plan future club activities when they heard a knock on the door. Entering were two golden-haired elves, whose handsome and beautiful appearances were a testament to the remarkably high average attractiveness of the elven race.
“Hello, I’m Phyllis, and this is my friend,” Phyllis gestured to the girl beside him, who was unusually tall for an elf.
“Iyepher,” she replied succinctly. Her emerald eyes were framed by round, rimless glasses, giving her the air of a scholar or researcher.
“I hope to find some intriguing information about the Twilight Era here—such as secret arts. Of course, I’ll also share some valuable and interesting things in return,” Iyepher adjusted her glasses and got straight to the point.
Although Thilan didn’t dislike straightforward people, she felt this approach was a bit too blunt.
“Alright,” Thilan replied, standing up to invite them into the activity room for a brief sit-down. She then asked how they found the club.
...
“So, it was Alen who introduced you,” Thilan nodded, understanding the circle they were from.
“Alright, I’ll share some things. But don’t make it too transactional—you can think of this place as a spot to relax and socialize as well,” she said with a shake of her head before giving a brief overview of the current activities.
“Socializing is just networking, but most of it is inefficient and meaningless. The so-called ‘friends’ you make are just casual acquaintances,” the two elves analyzed nonchalantly. They seemed to think investing time in study and research was more practical than socializing.
“Uh, while I partly agree, it’s also good to relax occasionally,” Thilan thought to herself how her club members each had their own unique personalities.
“How about this? Let’s meet every Saturday afternoon and evening for gatherings, but we won’t interfere with your time otherwise. How does that sound?” she asked.
The two exchanged glances and then nodded. “That works.”
“Alright, then, fill out these forms,” Thilan said. With that, the club grew from four members to six.
Not long after the two elves left, Annelie returned with an armful of newly purchased items. Noticing two new forms on the table, she curiously inquired, “Did we get new club members?”
“Yes, like Alen, they’re also people who are passionate about knowledge and research,” Thilan sighed softly.
“They’re good people, though—no ulterior motives. I’m glad about that,” she added with a nod. She wasn’t worried about attracting members but wanted to avoid people with scheming minds who would cause trouble.
“Alright, let’s go put up some more notices,” Thilan decided.
As she hesitated about whether to put up more posters to speed up recruiting—since they were short on time—a series of loud, carefree footsteps echoed from outside the door.
“Hey, Thilan, still recruiting new members?”
Leaning casually against the doorframe was Jinzerk, wearing a plaid short-sleeved shirt, beach shorts, and sandals. Behind him stood several lackeys.
“Why is it you?” Annelie asked, bewildered.
“Miss Annelie, why so distant? We’ve met before, haven’t we? Let me think—it was two years ago at the Blue Sea and Sky Hotel. It was the wedding of the eldest son of the Blue Porcelain Peacock Group. We were both there,” Jinzerk stroked his chin, recalling.
“Quite the memory you have,” Annelie admitted. She had nearly forgotten that event, where she’d accompanied her elders and been introduced to many people, Jinzerk among them.
“Alright, no need for reminiscing today. Thilan, would you consider accepting me as a new member?”
Jinzerk plopped into a chair directly opposite Thilan, staring at the quiet black-haired girl.
She really is captivating, Jinzerk thought, curious about her origins.
Although the information he’d found suggested she came from an ordinary background, any deeper digging yielded no new details—as if someone was deliberately protecting her.
Given his family’s status and the high-level investigative firms he hired, it was rare for secrets to remain hidden.
This either meant Thilan was exceptionally unique, or the academy had taken a particular interest in her and was shielding her with invisible forces.
In the monotony of his life, encountering this beautiful black rose brought excitement to Jinzerk. As a wealthy young master, he felt no reason to pass up the opportunity. Joining a club just to admire a beautiful girl sounded worthwhile—especially since her cousin, Dolores, was likely also involved.
“I appreciate your suggestion last time, Thilan. By the way, how’s the new car? My family’s company is working on a new model, and I’d love to hear your thoughts when it’s ready,” Jinzerk said casually.
“I’ve only used the new car a few times, but it’s great. As for suggestions, I’m afraid I can’t help—I’ve never owned any other luxury cars,” Thilan replied with a small shake of her head, her calm gaze resting on Jinzerk.
While his attitude seemed playful, there wasn’t much malice. Thilan hesitated briefly before nodding. 𝚗𝚘v𝚙𝚞b.𝚌𝚘m
“Jinzerk, you can join, but you must follow the club rules—no bullying or pressuring others. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed to stay.”
“Oh—” Jinzerk was surprised to hear someone tell him outright that he might not be welcome.
The girl spoke so naturally, seemingly unaware that such words could be seen as offensive to someone of his status. Yet, strangely, he didn’t feel offended. Perhaps he was just feeling particularly tolerant toward her.
“What are the rules? Let me see.”
Annelie handed him a document detailing the club rules. There weren’t many—mostly about fostering peace, mutual care, and attending weekly gatherings.
"This isn’t much of an issue." Jinzerk turned off the projector, feeling that these matters were rather trivial. At first, he had thought they would involve some stringent rules.
"Yes, but Jinzerk, in the future, you can’t bring so many outsiders into the club activity room," Thilan said, raising her hand and gesturing toward the entourage outside, which included secretaries, bodyguards, professionals, and even people specifically responsible for running errands like buying snacks and drinks for Jinzerk.
"That’s a bit difficult for me. Without these people, what if something urgent comes up? Or what if someone tries to harm me?" Jinzerk responded, unable to accept the demand.
"Then no, you can’t join the club," the girl replied, shaking her head. Her long black hair rippled slightly with the motion.
"..." This time, it was Jinzerk’s turn to fall silent.
The other party was showing him no respect. Should he argue and escalate the situation, tearing up their relationship? But then what? That felt immature, like a childish outburst. Should he leave outright? That would be too degrading and a blow to his pride. Compromise? To agree to her terms? That felt utterly unpleasant.
Seeing Jinzerk remain silent, Thilan was unbothered. She wasn’t sure when it had started, but she no longer feared or admired the heirs of wealthy families as she once had.
Thinking about it, it was probably thanks to Dolores. Often, fear and awe stemmed from a lack of understanding. With Dolores, the young lady of the "Incense Workshop," guiding her and letting her experience these circles firsthand, the once-dazzling halos faded, and along with them went the fear and admiration.
Although these heirs came from incredibly powerful families, they couldn’t wield power recklessly. Besides, she hadn’t insulted or wronged them in any way, so why should she fear or yield?
"Not allowing me to bring my entourage makes it far too dull. What if an accident happens during club activities? The facilities here are so basic; they’re insufficient," he said, shaking his head and then signaling behind him.
"Come, scan the activity room and have the company’s security department develop a defense plan. Over the next few days, make some modifications here."
After giving some additional instructions, Jinzerk turned back to look at the girl.
"Under such conditions, I could join the club. Would Thilan agree to this?" The ball was back in her court.
"Alright." And so, the club gained a new member today, bringing the total to seven.
Two days later, "Red Heart" Ruby returned to Edess Academy. Through Dolores’ recommendation, she became the eighth member of the club. Now, with only two spots left, the mission was nearly complete.
In one corner of the Twilight Ensemble’s activity room, a groggy Thilan sat up from the sofa, rubbing her eyes. She glanced around and noticed Dolores chatting with a new girl.
Who was she?
Her attire had a distinct stage-like flair. Having gradually embraced the training for the songstress path at Swallow Garden Academy, Thilan had become much more sensitive and familiar with this style.
Many celebrities, to enhance their distinctiveness and stand apart from the crowd, deliberately adopt unique hairstyles, outfits, and other styling choices. For instance, the rising songstress "White Swan" Audney from the Flying Feather Star Region often appeared before the media in white, ballet-like dresses.
Thilan, wearing shoes with simple butterfly bows, stood up and walked toward the two chatting individuals.
"Thilan’s awake. Did we wake you?" Dolores looked at the black-haired girl approaching and gently took her hand, pulling her down to sit beside her.
Ruby, noticing Dolores’ natural and affectionate gesture, felt slightly surprised. She then carefully observed the black-haired girl.
Although Ruby and Dolores were friends, they were essentially just acquaintances who got along well—not the kind of intimate, heart-to-heart companions. However, judging from today, Dolores seemed to treat this black-haired girl rather differently. Was it because they both had black hair? Ruby mused.
Ruby’s hair had originally been black, albeit with a slight brown hue. After becoming a film star, she dyed her hair with deep purple and pink highlights to enhance her individuality.
"I slept well." Though Thilan said so, she still looked drowsy, her eyes half-lidded. It took her a while to fully perk up after sitting on the chair.
"Hello, my name is Thilan. I’m the president of the Twilight Ensemble. Since the club was just founded, feel free to share any suggestions you might have." Her eyes grew clearer as she introduced herself.
"I’m Ruby, nicknamed ’Red Heart.’ My current profession is acting, and I hope to become a major film star in the future!" Ruby introduced herself in turn.
"Actually, because I’m often filming outside, I don’t have many genuine friends at school. Occasionally, I chat with Dolores."
"Although it was Dolores who recommended me, I’m genuinely interested in Third Epoch relics—especially the stories about ’Her Highness.’ If there’s a collection of her poetry or writings, that would be amazing."
"’Her Highness’ relics..." Thilan shook her head slightly. If anything belonging to "Her Highness" still existed—even a mere pen—it would now be an invaluable treasure.
The one who ended the chaos of the Third Epoch and ushered in the glorious Fourth Epoch: the great, unyielding Morning Star, the Eternal Wing of Cradle, and the Harbinger of Countless Starfalls. Even thousands of years after her disappearance, people continued to worship her in silence.
"The history of the past serves as guidance and inspiration for today. But ultimately, it is the past. It cannot replace the present, nor can it dictate the future. You must always steer the ship toward the stars with your own hands."
After humanity gradually emerged from darkness and chaos, returning once again to the stars, "Her Highness" left a few words of wisdom before abandoning the throne she had occupied in solitude for a millennium. She vanished into the depths of the Aijeka Sea, never to return.
From then on, the witches who had existed since the First Epoch began to fade away into the starry skies. No new witches were born thereafter. After a brief period of sorrow, human civilization began advancing rapidly.
Countless technologies from the late Twilight Era were reintroduced. The glorious legacies left by the transcendents were reclaimed and further developed. Waves of new ideologies emerged, including mechanical augmentation, AI utilization, life creation, and subspace exploration.
A tree’s branches may grow close when young, but as it matures, the gaps widen and diverge.
Old systems no longer fit. Traditional values, morals, and worldviews were all challenged. The structures of the past began to collapse, incapable of supporting the late Fourth Epoch—a prelude to darkness, a sign that beings no longer considered themselves of the same kind.
Pan-human civilization, pan-galactic civilization—these terms became more fitting.
The origins of the wars were untraceable. In that chaotic prelude, countless conflicts emerged, ultimately engulfing the starry expanse.
Thilan recalled fragments of history in her mind. Something stirred within her, and she opened her palm. The power of the Decay Sequence gathered, forming faint blue glimmers that eventually coalesced into a ghostly blue butterfly resting on her fingertip.
The butterfly was breathtakingly beautiful but fragile—seemingly ready to shatter in a gust of wind. Yet the aura of annihilation emanating from it was terrifying. Even this single butterfly could pierce thick, sturdy armor and obliterate everything inside.
"This is the inheritance of the Butterfly Witch Trinasha—refined and elevated by ’Her Highness,’ a relic preserved to this day. It represents ’Her Highness’s’ cold and stern side..."
Thilan closed her eyes lightly, then slowly opened them. Gazing at the butterfly on her fingertip, the azure in her eyes mirrored the butterfly’s hue, exuding a strange, enchanting allure that could captivate and ensnare anyone who gazed too long.
