She turned her attention to Maryam, who was gazing at her calmly, wondering why she had come there. "There is no need to worry, Madam; I am just a friend. I simply came to visit my friend."
Maryam continued to stare at her with an expression of utter disbelief and shock at what she was hearing—a silence that lasted a full three minutes—before finally speaking in a stunned tone: "Are you sure? Or is there a mistake? You are a friend of my son, Bou-Talib?"
Jiya nodded in confirmation, though she looked somewhat flustered as she shifted her gaze toward the young man entering the house.
She thought to herself, "That's him—the Great Outcast, Bou-Talib. He looks to be about sixteen. It's strange; his power level is that of an ordinary human. How can he be the Great Outcast?"
Jiya regarded him with skepticism, but then she recalled the timing of the voice recording he would make four years later. This realization made her understand that she was in the past, before his transformation into the Great Outcast had begun.
She turned her gaze back to Maryam, who was lost in thought, and spoke in a calm voice that snapped the woman out of her reverie: "It seems he's back from middle school." Jiya's words flowed effortlessly; she realized that, over time, she was acquiring the memories of "Nameless."
They were ordinary details—useless in her own world, perhaps, but valuable here in this one. ...so as not to appear to be lying.
Maryam immediately stood up, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Wait just a minute; I'll be right back with some coffee."
Jiya replied with a faint smile of her own, "Alright, as you wish, ma'am," watching as Maryam left the room instantly, without a moment's hesitation.
A girl hurried in with quick steps—clearly in a rush for something, though the reason didn't matter to her. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, massaging her forehead—a habit that had become an annoyance to her.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a kitchen, appearing as a spectral figure. She was puzzled for a moment before remembering that she was wandering through the memories of the Nameless One; naturally, she would follow him wherever he went.
She had been surprised to appear near his home rather than on the bus where he actually was, but she quickly changed her mind. A sudden teleportation onto a bus packed with male students would have been a terrible idea—embarrassing for both her and him.
She turned her attention to Boutaleb, whose mother was asking him about her—specifically how he knew her—while his sister looked on in shock.
"Wait, wait—what girl? Are you kidding me? I don't know any girl fitting that description. For heaven's sake, stop with the silly jokes; I'm serious—I don't know any girl like that." Boutaleb's tone betrayed a hint of annoyance... ...his mother's ceaseless questions.
He turned his gaze toward his sister, who was wearing a mischievous smile that made him look at her with obvious annoyance. "Come on, it's impossible for her to have gotten a photo of you like that. You don't post anything about yourself on Facebook or any other social media platform. That confirms *you* were the one who sent it to her—just admit it."
Boutaleb didn't say a word, but a nervous smile confirmed their theory that he knew her. It also revealed a few things about him to Jiya—one being that he was easily flustered.
He walked away, heading toward her while speaking in a tone laced with clear annoyance and tension. "Fine, I'll go talk to her. And I don't want any... well, you know what I mean, right?"
She watched him take a deep breath as he headed toward the guest room, muttering words to himself that she could hear: "Who is she? And how did she get a photo of me? I don't recall ever speaking to any girl—or anyone, really. I rarely use Facebook unless I want to watch short videos or need something from my friends. I certainly don't remember talking to a girl. My luck with these kinds of things is terrible."
He entered the guest room just as Jiya opened her eyes. She looked at him calmly, though with a hint of surprise; he had a completely ordinary appearance, with nothing particularly striking about him.
He had coarse, curly black hair, dark brown eyes, and burn marks on his neck and shoulder—circular in shape—along with a patch of gray hair on his left cheek, which made her... She realized he was left-handed, as he had risen quickly and placed his phone on the side corresponding to his dominant hand.
He sat down opposite her, his gaze betraying a nervousness that was obvious to her—and to anyone else looking at him. Yet, she noticed that tension gradually fading, and his body began to transform.
He shifted into a young woman of striking beauty.
There were subtle differences, however: her right eye was gray, and streaks of her hair were a stark, pure white.
She spoke in a calm tone, cracking her knuckles with a faint smile. "I am 'Nameless.' It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Jia. How are you, my little 'Shard'? It has been a long time—over 70,000 years—since you were part of the Great Outcast, belonging to the Path of the Ruler."
"But that doesn't matter. What matters is that you are free from a servitude that lasted an eternity—over 500 billion years, and countless more."
Jia didn't say a word, but the feeling that she would uncover the complete, unvarnished truth at the Summer Festival grew stronger than ever.
Glancing at a nearby teacup before turning her gaze back to Nameless, she asked, "So, you aren't the Great Outcast? Who are you, then? Queen of the 'Great Outcast' realm? Ruler of all?"
Nameless remained silent for several seconds—though to Jia, they felt like minutes—before finally speaking as she set her cup back on the table. "In a sense, the Great Outcast is one entity, and I am another—or, to put it more accurately, our relationship is much like yours with the Shard." "The 'Great Outcast' is exclusive to the Ruler path, though you needn't worry too much about it for now. Yuto will tell you everything you need to know in due time; it might seem like a lot, but it is essential information. Afterward, you must break through to the Boundless rank to use your wings; once you do, you'll be able to evolve with almost no need for anyone else's help."
Jia let out a deep sigh as she listened, taking a sip from her glass....tea beside her, a faint smile playing on his lips.
She spoke in a calm tone, gazing at the cup she held: "I suppose that in a few days, I might act like a fool, being merely a fragment of another entity. Yet, after long, day-long reflection and endless, unresolved questions, I realized something important: I will endure life's hardships. It doesn't matter to me what my origin is; what matters is who *I* will become. I am a part of you, but I am not you."
"I can be whatever I wish. In the end, one part of the body might die sooner than the rest, while another lives longer. Life or death—I care nothing for that. What truly matters to me is how I live it."
Bila Ism gazed at her with admiration for her perseverance, determination, maturity, and her ability to bear a shocking truth—one that would reduce even the mightiest entities to a pitiful state.
She then produced a disc depicting a woman bound in chains all over her body, bearing a label inscribed with the name "Bila Ism."
She handed it to Jiya, who was puzzled—a confusion only deepened by Bila Ism's words: "Jiya, listen closely. This is the manuscript that will help you fully understand your 'Wing.' It is unique; unlike the other fourteen fragments—each of which has twenty-seven existing copies—there is only one of this kind."
Jiya stored it within her dimensional space, glancing back at Bila Ism, who was watching her with a faint, slightly flustered smile.
Yet, she sensed no danger from her; after all, had she intended to kill her... It was a simple matter to recall—something no one would stop—though it seemed terrifying. Yet, it was the reality of "Nameless," the second-most powerful entity after the Great Outcast himself—surpassing even Amun, the Twelve Narratives, and the Absolute Guardian.
Gia didn't need to research this; she felt it in the very depths of her being. The gap between her and Nameless was as vast as the distance between the seventh earth and the seventh heaven.
She sipped her coffee, finding it sweetened just the way she liked it—a preference she shared with Nameless, who also enjoyed it sweet. The same applied to Boutaleb, who had added four spoonfuls of sugar to his own.
Setting her cup down, she asked in an inquisitive tone about the diary and why she couldn't open it: "Can you tell me why I'm unable to access the diary to read it?"
Nameless remained silent, making Gia realize she wouldn't get any answers. Frustration mounted as the questions piled up without clear resolution.
Even if she did get answers regarding that specific matter, many other unresolved questions would remain. There were so many of them, prompting her to look toward Nameless once more.
Nameless sighed, placed her cup on the table, and spoke in a calm, composed tone: "I know your mind is teeming with questions right now. But every question has an answer—even if it takes hundreds of chapters to reach it. Some questions require the right moment to be answered; answering everything too quickly, before the time is truly ripe..."
"...would be trivial, or yield an unsatisfying answer. After all, questions do not exist merely to provide immediate satisfaction." "First, you simply need patience—nothing more. There are many secrets here, but even if one were revealed, it would be different from the story in *The Dragon Angel*—the fantasy world you currently inhabit—or the novels *I Am Inside My Novel* or *I Am the Great Outcast*."
"You must always remain patient. You aren't the only one seeking answers about what is happening in this world, but you are the one who will be most deeply affected by those answers—especially when they concern you personally. After all, an answer might simply change the way you view a past event."
Jia said nothing in response; her silence spoke volumes as she gazed at him. Suddenly, a notification appeared before his eyes:
She turned her gaze back to Nameless, who was watching her calmly. As the world around them shifted once more, Jia offered a faint, gentle smile.
She spoke in a calm tone as she rose from her seat, prompting Nameless to stand as well. "Thank you, Nameless. I hope we meet again."
Nameless replied with words that brought her a measure of comfort: "Don't worry, we will meet again—but next time, it will be in my capacity as the proctor for the exam to obtain your wings."
The world began to revert to its original form—a beautiful garden within her own spiritual realm. She summoned her inventory and resource menu, finding various items—though the scroll from Nameless was missing.
[25× Legendary-Rank Energy Recovery Potion]
[12× Rank-___ Refinement Pill] Legendary
10 × Legendary-rank Therapeutic Potions
13 × Rank 9 Gu Refining Scrolls
3 × Rank 9 Enslavement Gu
14 × Legendary-rank "Shun-Gong 100-Move Arts" Manual
Anonymous Phone (Rank: ????)
Nameless Wing Cultivation Manual (Rank: ???)
5 × Fantasy World Demon Gems (Rank: ???)
Stolen Robe of Empress Xiao Yi (Rank: ???) She kept her gaze fixed on two new items but decided to leave them for the time being, as she had no immediate need for either.
Closing the system interface, she continued wandering through her spiritual realm, pondering her current and future course of action. She had five full months to grow stronger; however, she was certain she wouldn't break through to the "Boundless" rank during the academy break, having only recently ascended to the "Master Ruler" rank.
She needed to stabilize her chaotic energy—a necessity that applied equally to her utterly exhausted body. Her energy required time to settle, and her mind needed the same; while physical fatigue could be remedied by rest or sleep, the mind required tranquility and an end to overthinking.
She decided to use this period for self-improvement by reflecting on the events of the past months and preparing for what lay ahead. The Heavenly Eternal Academy would be a world unlike any she had known, governed by entirely different laws; she needed to prepare mentally and psychologically, not just physically.
She would have to face whatever came her way—good or bad. The most important principle to live by was to always look ahead, weigh the potential gains and losses, and know exactly when to fight and when to retreat.
A true warrior is not one who fights constantly, but one who knows when to begin a battle and when...avoiding it.
"The weather is absolutely beautiful today—perfect for a stroll. I feel such immense happiness and comfort that I want to stay here for a long time. I don't know if I've become lazy, but it's wonderful; laziness becomes a treasure for those who work ceaselessly."
"Work had become excessive; it was draining me without helping me grow. I need to balance training, combat, and my daily life—to actually enjoy living. Peace is fleeting, no matter how long it lasts, and war is long, no matter how brief its events may seem. Yet, the two need each other; there is no peace without war, and no war without the peace that preceded it." Jia's voice was calm as she gazed at the sky while lying on the green grass.
She then sat up and checked the time on her phone—11:45 PM. She realized there were only two days left until the start of the Summer Festival, and three days until the main event began.
She didn't dwell on it for long; the countdown wouldn't change anything—it would only cause unnecessary stress and exhaustion. Instead, she opened a portal directly to her room to get some rest.
She entered her room with a faint smile and climbed into bed, an expression of relief still lingering on her face. She remained unaware of the serene gaze of Barakat Samaa Izlabith, who had been watching her quietly all along.
The figure approached her with a gentle smile, kissed her forehead softly, and placed a message in her resource inventory before vanishing instantly—as if she had never been there at all.
Leaving Jia immersed in... She fell into a deep, exhaustion-induced sleep after activating the "Memories of the World Queen" ability and the "Nameless Palace" (Level 1) on the very day she acquired them—so quickly, in fact, that she hadn't even checked her synchronization rate.
Life holds both beauty and ugliness. Jiya found herself compelled to exist—as any entity that is or will be must—and to accept the absurdity of existence: a world containing both happiness and misery, places where everyone is joyful and resources abound, and places defined by poverty, hunger, and scarcity.
Yet, out of the 365 days and 12 months that made up her world's calendar, this was the day she felt the greatest happiness and inner peace. She came to truly accept the world and herself, rather than trying to change things—for not all change is good.
Jia spent the night in deep comfort, a warm smile upon her face that radiated happiness to all who saw her.
As time flowed on and the threads of destiny intertwined, the week drew to a close. It was Sunday, July 19th, year 675—the day before the festival was set to begin.
Jia woke up at 5:00 AM, as was her custom, full of energy and joy, and proceeded to do her morning exercises. Yet, she didn't stop there.
She decided to spend the two days leading up to the Summer Festival wandering through the city of Brahis. Her servants were surprised by this sudden change in behavior, but she paid no heed to their questioning glances.
She was determined to enjoy herself to the fullest before the festival began and before the secrets—of which she was currently unaware—were revealed on the festival's third day.
As for meditation, she had not neglected it; she maintained a strict routine: two hours in the morning, five hours in the afternoon (from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM), and an hour in the evening (from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM). This was her schedule for the 19th and 20th.
Finally, the moment she had been awaiting arrived. Only a few hours remained before the Summer Festival began. Despite the presence of unexpected guests—the esteemed Lotus Flower Jihao Yuxuan, the revered Star-Hunter Zendaya, the honored Go-Board Master Ping Tao Xin, the Heavenly Sword Emperor Yuchira Escanora, and the Black Scorpion—she remained completely unperturbed. She wouldn't have cared even if she had known; after all, they would be enemies—and if enemies were among them, fighting them would only be logical.
She turned her gaze toward the crimson moon, which was gradually reverting to its natural gray hue—a change resulting from the seal of Higurashi, the Supreme Ruler of Destruction, having been broken days ago.
Speaking in a calm tone filled with anticipation while gazing at the moon—which mirrored the color of her own light-crimson eyes—she mused, "The truth is on the verge of being revealed; I need only wait for the impending event. Two days of waiting is not long—it will serve as a period of mental preparation for what truly lies ahead for me."
She drew the curtains and headed to her bed to rest, bracing herself for whatever tomorrow might bring—be it something beautiful or something ugly.