A sudden roar erupted outside the Meteorite Hall, as if a storm of excitement had swept through the crowd.
Roman, Tobias, Golia, and Zun turned in unison toward the entrance.
"What is happening?" Roman murmured in astonishment.
"It is definitely her! It is Miss Xixi! Only she can cause such a commotion!" Zun replied with excitement.
Just outside the building, an elegant-looking girl stepped out of a limousine.
"Miss Xiaver, we have arrived," said a woman, slightly bowing her head.
With a loud hum, the girl adjusted her hair before confidently entering the Meteorite Hall.
A moment later, the hall, filled with voices and noise, froze for an instant, as if time itself had decided to stop.
Miss Xixi.
Roman observed her, thoughtful. Finally, I see the owner of my bank in person.
But as his eyes fell on her face, they widened so much they seemed ready to pop out of their sockets.
Roman had lived another life, had seen many beauties—online—and thought he was immune to women's charm.
He was wrong.
He was terribly wrong.
No wonder Miss Xixi's appearance was said to be capable of destroying kingdoms.
She was tall, at least one meter seventy, with a presence that dominated the space without even trying. The mana in the air seemed to vibrate with every step she took.
Her hair was a brilliant, vibrant blue, so long it reached her waist, with tips sparkling as if made of pure mana.
Likewise, her eyes were a vivid blue, shining like two stars and deep like two black holes.
Her skin glowed luminously, as if made of pure jade. Her face had delicate yet defined features, with high cheekbones, a slender nose, and full lips slightly upturned, hinting at a smile.
She did not seem arrogant, despite the status and power she held.
She wore a form-fitting dress, dark blue with iridescent shades, accentuating her slender figure and curves.
Golden earrings further illuminated her face, highlighting her beauty. The classic example of a Jade Beauty.
Around her, the world seemed to have lost its colors.
Roman swallowed loudly, but no one paid him any attention.
He was not the only one enchanted, after all.
"Holy crap…" Tobias murmured, his mouth slightly open. "She really is… a goddess."
"I told you!" Zun hissed, eyes wide as he frantically fixed his hair. "She is even more beautiful than they say!"
Golia, usually the calmest, merely sighed helplessly.
The crowd parted like Moses with the sea, giving her the necessary space.
Whispers mingled with exclamations of awe.
"It is her!"
"Miss Xixi!"
"Look at that hair!"
Someone tried to approach, but a man dressed in black stopped him.
Behind Miss Xixi were several bodyguards, each with a shocking amount of mana.
Zun, however, seemed undeterred.
With a cough, he stepped forward through the crowd, chest puffed out and a smile meant to seem confident.
"Miss Xixi!" he shouted nervously. "I… I love you! You are the goddess of my heart!"
An awkward silence fell over the hall, broken only by a few stifled giggles.
The girl's bodyguards turned, glaring angrily at the boy who looked like… a sewer rat?
Tobias and Golia exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing, trying to cover their mouths.
The hall came back to life, ignoring the foolishness of the younger ones.
Xixi made a slight grimace, mildly amused. "This is why I come here at night when there are fewer people… I attract too much attention," she whispered softly, before casting a light glance at the boy who had declared his love.
After the initial burst of awe, the hall returned to normal.
It was not a rare event for Xixi to appear in public.
Even before her awakening, she was already in all the newspapers for her beauty.
Moreover, no one dared say or do anything outrageous. After all, she was not just beautiful…
She was the daughter of the only Tier 8, the Mana Emperor Xiaver.
"Zun, you are such an idiot!" Tobias whispered, giving him a pat on the shoulder. "You declared your love in front of everyone!"
"But look at her, how could I not?" Zun protested, his face red as a pepper. "She is… perfect!"
"Guys—" Roman, who had not spoken until now, suddenly spoke. "Does it not seem like she is heading this way?"
The three turned sharply toward him, stunned, before looking at the girl.
"Holy cow, it is true!" Golia exclaimed, incredulous.
Tobias and Zun exchanged a shocked glance.
"Buddy, you did not actually make an impression, did you? Maybe Miss Xixi really likes sewer rats?"
"Shut up, Tobias, do you not see she is coming this way? Do not make me look bad!" Zun snapped, adjusting his clothes.
Slowly but inexorably, Xixi approached the four.
Zun, all ready and fixed up, stepped forward.
"Goddess Xixi, my name is Zun! I love you!!" Zun's voice trembled slightly, but his heart was steady as a rock in a river.
But the girl completely ignored him, passing by. Her eyes were focused elsewhere.
"You," she said, pointing a finger at Roman. "Why does your body not absorb mana?"
Xixi's voice was clear and melodious, with a touch of curiosity that made her even more captivating.
"Huh?" Roman blinked repeatedly. He did not expect the owner of his bank, to whom he owed mana, to figure it out so quickly.
"What do you mean?" He tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Of course I have mana, what are you talking about?"
Next to him, Tobias and Golia watched the exchange, bewildered, while Zun glared at Roman with resentment.
The goddess Xixi was talking to their new friend? And what was this about not having mana? Was that not impossible? Otherwise, he would be dead.
Xixi slightly furrowed her brows. "I do not like being mocked. If it is as you say, then prove it. Use a Skill."
Roman gave her an incredulous look before glancing at the surrounding crowd.
Noticing the issue, Xixi raised a hand.
One of her bodyguards reached her position.
"Go ahead, there will be no problems with him here. Use one of your Skills, whichever you want," she said, her gaze wandering between Roman's eyes and hair.
Roman hesitated.
His Title stated it clearly. His mana reserve depended on the chosen ones.
Now, there were two possibilities.
One. The maximum usable mana amount depended on the maximum mana of the so-called chosen ones, with the world itself providing the mana…
Two… the mana he used was directly provided by the chosen ones, stolen from their reserves.
The only way to find out was to use a skill right now.
But the consequences?
If Xixi found her mana reduced without using any skill, would he not be exposed?
And he did not think he would survive…
Damn, this is only my second day in this world, and I am already dead? He thought, almost resigning himself to fate.
However, it might not be the case.
It could be that the world provided the mana…
That shitty world that killed me with its stupid talent? I do not think it is my mana supplier.
Roman held back a sigh. He did not know how to act; he did not want to die.