Welcome to the Innocent World

The buzz of excitement was electric as our group gathered near the arena. I sipped on my juice can, the cool liquid a refreshing contrast to the bright sun overhead.

"Alright, team," I began, tossing the empty can into a nearby trash bin. "What do we hit up first?"

"Tug of war!" Claire suggested, her eyes lighting up. She practically bounced on her toes, already pumped for the competition.

Maya folded her arms, her expression unreadable as usual. "It's a decent start. Not too much brainpower required."

Natasha adjusted her glasses, smiling lightly. "I'm game. Zayn, what about you?" Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire

Zayn, ever the shy one, nodded quickly but didn't say much.

"Settled then," I said, clapping my hands. "Let's show them how it's done."

We strolled to the arena, where the tug-of-war matches were in full swing. The rope looked massive, coiled like a sleeping serpent, and the opposing team waiting for us looked tough.

After signing up, we watched a couple of matches while we waited for our turn. A few guys grunted and strained as they tried to overpower their opponents, some winning with brute strength and others faltering under the pressure.

When our turn was called, we took our places. I was at the back, gripping the rope firmly, while Claire and Maya took the front positions. Natasha stood confidently in the middle, and Zayn, looking nervous but determined, squeezed in beside her.

"Ready, team?" I asked, a grin tugging at the corners of my lips.

"Let's crush them!" Claire declared, digging her heels into the ground.

"Let's just win," Maya said in her usual calm tone.

The whistle blew, and the match began.

The opposing team yanked hard, nearly pulling us forward at the start. I could have easily overpowered them with my strength, but I chose not to. Where's the fun in ending it so quickly? I thought.

"Pull harder!" Claire shouted, her voice rising above the cheers of the crowd.

"Don't shout. Just focus," Maya snapped, her hands gripping the rope like a vice.

To my surprise, Maya was relentless. Her strength, despite her calm frame, was astonishing. Even Claire, stubborn and competitive as she was, seemed to be struggling to keep up with her.

"Girls are no less than beasts in my group," I muttered under my breath, sweat trickling down my temple.

Eventually, without me putting in any extra effort, we managed to drag the opposing team over the line. The whistle blew again, signaling our victory.

The crowd cheered, and Claire let out a triumphant whoop. Maya simply dusted her hands, while Natasha adjusted her glasses as if the whole thing had been a mere formality.

"Good job, Zayn," I said, clapping Zayn on the shoulder. He looked relieved, his nervous energy dissipating.

We breezed through the second and third round as well, earning a spot in the finals tomorrow.

Next, we decided to tackle the trivia quiz competition.

The quiz arena was quieter but still packed with eager participants. The vibe here was more cerebral, the air heavy with the hum of concentration.

As the questions started rolling in, it became evident that we were leagues ahead of the competition. Zayn, timid as he was, turned into a completely different person when faced with intellectual challenges. His hand shot up with every question, his answers rapid and precise.

Natasha was just as impressive, her calm demeanor masking a sharp intellect.

Claire, not one to be left behind, managed to answer a few with her usual gusto, though it was clear that academics weren't her strong suit.

As for me? I didn't need to study. In this world, everything just seemed to come naturally. The answers flowed from my lips as if I'd always known them.

By the time the quiz ended, we had a perfect 100/100 score. The other competitors stared at us in awe, their expressions a mix of envy and disbelief.

"Looks like we're the brainiest team here," I joked as we walked out.

Natasha chuckled. "It was a group effort."

"More like Zayn carried us," Claire teased, elbowing him playfully.

Zayn blushed furiously, mumbling something about it not being a big deal.

We took a break for lunch, grabbing food from one of the many festival stalls. The atmosphere was lively, with laughter and chatter filling the air.

As we sat together, the conversation took a playful turn.

"So," Claire began, smirking, "who here has a boyfriend or girlfriend?"

Natasha immediately turned red, her hands fumbling with her drink.

"Oh-ho, Natasha's blushing!" Claire teased.

"She totally has one," I added with a grin.

"Fine," Natasha admitted, her voice barely audible. "I do."

Claire leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. "Spill the details!"

Natasha shook her head, refusing to say more, much to Claire's disappointment.

"What about you, Maya?" I asked, turning the spotlight on her.

Maya raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "I do, but it's not relevant."

"Not relevant?" Claire exclaimed. "Come on, details!"

"No," Maya said simply, taking another bite of her sandwich.

The group burst into laughter, the mood light and carefree. It became clear that it was Claire, Zayn and Me who didn't had a partner right now. I don't know what to say about myself. I have seven girls which I definitely cannot consider as a relationship to be exact.

After lunch, we decided to head toward the corridor that led to our next game. The hallways were less crowded now, most students either in the main festival areas or still eating.

As we walked, a random boy brushed past me, his shoulder bumping mine.

"Hey, watch it," I said instinctively.

The boy barely glanced back, but as he walked away, something slipped from his pocket. A small, glowing stone clattered to the ground.

"Hey, you dropped something!" I called after him.

He stopped and turned back to collect it.

"Ohh sorry..thanks a lot fam!"

Curious, I bent down to pick up the stone. It was warm to the touch, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light.@@novelbin@@

The moment my fingers closed around it, a wave of energy surged through me. My black aura flared up involuntarily, swirling around me like a living thing.

My mind was bombarded with a series of random, fragmented events—flashes of a battle, a shadowy figure of a woman and a city engulfed in flames.

My knees buckled, and I let out an involuntary scream.

"Hey!" Maya's voice cut through the chaos, sharp with concern.

"Are you okay?" Natasha asked, her hand reaching out to steady me.

But I couldn't focus on their voices. My vision blurred, the fragments mixing into a single image.

A woman with striking blue hair hovered before me, her eyes cold and piercing. Her voice rang out, sharp and commanding.

"I will defeat you," she declared, her tone dripping with icy determination.

The vision faded as quickly as it had come, leaving me gasping for breath.