Shrouded Seascape

"Uh..." Lily smiled awkwardly, unsure about how to respond.

"Did you sneak in here?" Maya asked.

A trace of panic flitted across Lily's eyes upon hearing Maya's question.

Maya noticed that and realized that her assumption was correct.

"Don't worry, I won't report you to the guards. You're actually not the first person to do that, as there are many curious people like you. The truth is that you can just go in here and read anytime you wish as long as you won't disturb others."

Lily let out a sigh of relief and whispered, "Thank you. Actually, I came here to learn whether I'd fit in his place or not."

Their conversation attracted dissatisfied gazes from around them.

The bespectacled girl noticed that and pulled Lily outside.

Lily found herself in the middle of a round garden amidst the interconnected buildings. They sat down on a bench, and the girl introduced herself. "My name is Maya, and I'm from Skywater Island. What's your name?"

Maya glanced at Lily's round ears and knew that the latter wasn't born in the Coral Archipelago. People born in the Coral Archipelago usually had concave ears.

"Nice to meet you, Lily. So which field do you plan to study here?"

Lily chuckled awkwardly, realizing that her mother was mistaken. The people here were saying words that she couldn't quite understand. If she were to enroll here, she would struggle to make new friends.

"If you haven't made a decision yet, there's no rush. Take your time. Many people are still hesitating like you," Maya remarked.

Lily recalled her troubles and asked Maya, "Um, do you want to become a teacher here?"

Maya shook her head, and a tinge of excitement suffused her eyes as she said, "No, I want to join the Relic Research Institute. I heard that they have a lot of profound knowledge there, and they're calling for the smartest people to do some research for them. I want to become one of their researchers."

Lily nodded in understanding. Maya had to be talking about the knowledge that the Foundation had handed over to them.

Charles had entered preliminary cooperation with the Foundation to save the seascape from the rising sea levels, and the Foundation had shared its knowledge with Hope Island for the sake of that cooperation.

"It's great that you already know what to do in the future," Lily said with envy in her voice.

"Why do you say that? Could it be that you haven't thought about what you want to do in the future?" Maya asked.

Hearing that, Lily decided to tell Maya her troubles. Of course, she altered some of the details.

"In that case, I suggest you start with studying. Through studying, you will learn how to deal with people and address your problems. You will also learn how to resolve issues in a quicker and more convenient way.

"Learning makes us stronger. Humanity's current heights did not come from out of nowhere; it was the result of our ancestors' continuous learning.

"Through learning, we can assimilate the treasure trove of knowledge that our ancestors have left behind, and then we can make use of that knowledge to gain a better foothold in this boundless seascape."

Maya paused to glance at Lily before continuing, "Learning isn't just about acquiring knowledge; it will also broaden your horizons and develop your mind.

"If we don't learn, our perspective on things may be relatively one-sided, and we may draw conclusions too early when resolving issues, which may lead to us missing out on better opportunities."

Since they met, Maya could keenly feel that Lily's personality did not quite match her appearance. Lily was giving off the air of a child, and a spoiled child at that.

If Maya had no idea that the Governor had no children, she would have assumed that Lily was the Governor's daughter.

"Once you've learned enough, you'll find what you really want to do. And once you've found what you want to do, then work hard on achieving it,"

Lily finally understood what Maya had been talking about. She pondered carefully over Maya's words before nodding and saying, "Thank you. I guess I will enroll here as well."

Perhaps what she would learn from this university would help her know what she wanted to do in the future.

"It's not that easy. The entry requirements here are very demanding, and they only accept those who are born with great talents. Are you sure you can enroll here?"

"Mmhm!" Lily nodded firmly. "Daddy said that he could help me get a recommendation letter."

Envy flitted across Maya's eyes. There were truly people living on a whole new level from her, and her assumption was correct. Lily wasn't the Governor's daughter, but she was definitely the child of one of Hope Island's higher-ups.

The recommendation letter was just a letter, but it was incredibly difficult to obtain. It had to be known that there were aspiring students on the other islands as well, such as Skywater Island, Annarles Island, and the Isle of Whereto. Of course, if one was talented enough, they'd be admitted to the university.

Graduating from Hope Island University meant a guaranteed high-paying job, so the competition was extremely fierce.

"Maya, thank you for answering my questions."

Maya shook her head to indicate that it was nothing. "Since you want to enroll here, then let me show you around the campus. See those buildings painted in blue? Those buildings are laboratory buildings.

Upon learning that Lily had a significant family background, Maya decided to be as amiable as possible to Lily and befriend her.

Lily followed Maya on a tour around the campus, and they even went to the cafeteria for lunch. The two instantly became close, going from strangers to friends.

It was already afternoon when Lily finally memorized the campus' layout.

"I have to leave now, Maya. I still have to pick up my sister from school," Lily said, then she hurried toward the gate.

Just as she was about to walk out, a gorgeous woman beneath a tree caught her attention. The woman was sitting quietly on a bench, staring at a green leaf in her hand.

It was a picturesque sight, but neither the guards nor the students walking past Lily paid any attention to the gorgeous woman.

"Sparkle?" Lily muttered carefully upon seeing the woman's green eyes with cross-shaped pupils.

The woman raised her fair right hand and waved at Lily.

"You... know me? I don't think the Sparkle here knows about me…" Lily was confused.

"Don't worry; I'm the Sparkle from that plane," the woman replied.

"Really? That's great!" Lily exclaimed. The woman's voice was extremely familiar to Lily, and she was immediately reassured that she was talking to the right Sparkle. "How is everyone over there? Can you help me deliver letters to them?"

Helplessness suffused Sparkle's face as she stared at Lily.

"Are you not curious about why I'm here?"

"Why are you here? Did you come here to visit me? Do you need any help?"

"I was going to ask for your help. Mother said that you have great potential and could be of great help to us, but Father disagreed, saying that he doesn't want to get you involved in this. He has already made up his mind, so forget about it."

"Mr. Charles..." Lily muttered with a complex expression.

"Father is here, so I decided to come here as well to have some fun."

The massive island that seemed to be made out of deformed flesh and blood flashed in Lily's mind. Her heart instantly tightened as she asked, "Mr. Charles is here, too?! What is he here for?"

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