Angel slipped through the living room quietly and darted into her parents' bedroom.

The room was slightly larger than Angel's, with a big wardrobe, a large window, a desk, and a dressing table. There was one major difference compared to Angel's room—it was tidy, very tidy. In contrast, Angel's room was practically a garbage dump.

Tiptoeing to the dressing table, Angel carefully took hold of the pull-ring on the storage box on the tabletop. Suddenly, the entire box moved. Angel froze in shock.

The box wasn't locked or anything—it was just small, lightweight, and the drawers lacked lubrication.

"What are you waiting for? Open it!" The devil appeared silently by Angel's ear and urged her nervously, "If you don't hurry up, your mother could come back any minute. And your father too. Want to taste their combined wrath?"

"I don't want that," Angel replied dumbly, her eyes widening.

"Then stop dawdling!" The devil was losing his patience.

Angel quickly pressed one hand on the top of the box, trembling slightly as she pulled the drawer open with her other hand. Frantically rummaging inside, she finally fished out a small seal and turned to leave.

"Wait!" The devil stopped Angel.

Angel froze mid-step, her foot hanging in the air, and turned back to look at the devil.

Gesturing toward the box with his eyes, the devil whispered, "Money—aren't you going to take the money? You'll need it to register."

"How much?"

"How should I know? Taking extra never hurts."

"But… I can return the seal after using it, but if I spend the money, it's gone. They'll notice it's missing."

"You're worried about that now? Think about your future! For the sake of your future, even if you get punished, it's worth it. Anyway, it wouldn't be the first time, right?"

Angel thought for a moment, then silently nodded. She reached back into the box and fished out a few small white shells, stuffing them into her pocket.

"Alright, you've completed the first step. Now, let's hurry to the Magic Academy to sign up!"

"Right now?"

"Of course! What are you waiting for? Go now, come back quickly, and nobody will ever know you used the seal. As for the money, well, it's just a little short—it should be fine. Maybe your parents won't even remember how much was in there."

Angel stared wide-eyed at the devil, then nodded heavily and stepped forward.

Leaving now? Of course. As Angel stepped out of the room, she suddenly realized she'd forgotten to put on shoes. Embarrassed, she shuffled back to her room to get them, hesitated a moment, and then slung her longbow and quiver over her back.

"What are you doing?" the devil asked.

Angel whispered, "If my mother comes home before me, I can tell her I went to the training ground."

"Smart!" The devil gave Angel a thumbs-up. "You've successfully taken the second step, and honestly, I'm impressed. You made the right choice without my guidance! I'm proud of you!"

...

Inside the "Drop," everyone else was resting. Jones was still sitting on the balcony, gazing off into the distance, occasionally blinking.

...

With the longbow and quiver on her back, Angel tiptoed out the door, gently closed it, and then took off at a dead sprint. Yes, she ran like she was flying—almost airborne—racing across the suspension bridge, past the neighbors' doors. The little red devil flapped his wings as he followed closely behind her.

Jones quietly watched from the balcony, gazing at her from afar. In his view, the devil was nowhere to be seen.

As Angel dashed off the suspension bridge, she ran straight into someone—Sino!

Sino, the brilliant prodigy!

Angel froze instantly.

"Are you… are you headed to the training ground?" Sino stammered, her face glowing red, as bright as an apple.

Delicate and charming features, obsidian-like eyes, a high ponytail, fiery red leather armor, and a slender figure—truly, even among the Blood Elves, this level of beauty was exceptionally rare.

"Uh… yes, of course, I'm heading to the training ground," Angel replied nervously, glancing at the bow on her shoulder. "Where else would I go with the entrance exams just around the corner?"

"I… I was planning to go to the training ground too. How about we go together?"

"Together? No, I prefer going to the training ground alone." Flustered, Angel quickly brushed past her.

Sino watched Angel's departing figure with a furrowed brow, pouting and stomping her foot in frustration. Her face flushed even brighter than before.

Jones silently observed the two as they passed each other.

...

"I think she has a crush on you, and you obviously like her too. Maybe you should turn back—this could be your chance," the devil whispered in Angel's ear.

"That's impossible," Angel said, her brow tightly furrowed, quickening her pace.

"Why impossible?" The devil chased after her persistently.

"Because even I don't like myself. Nobody would. Nobody. And besides… don't you think going to the training ground with an archery idiot is a terrible idea? Maybe she just wants to make fun of me."

"What makes you think she's out to mock you?"

"Because that's what she does. After the exams in a few days, she'll lose the chance. Maybe she wants to mock me all at once while she still can."

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