(Paragraph comments are enabled, and the novel is complete! The new novel, Raising a Love-Struck Sword Cultivator, is out now. Check it out in the author's works if you're interested!)
1.
The fourth year after her mother went missing, Feng Ying was chosen by the pope to be the Saintess of the God of Light. When she refused the church, she became a wanted criminal.
It was also then that she finally got news of her mother: the High Sister, Ailikeli, had the same black hair and eyes as she did.
The High Sister was vital to the church and could not meet with anyone from outside it alone.
The Augusti Tournament, based around the four great academies, would begin a year later. The winner would receive an award from the High Sister herself and a chance to access the church's inner circle of power.
So sixteen-year-old Feng Ying joined the Academy of Nature alone, studying hard and focusing on winning first place in the Augusti Tournament so she could see for herself whether the High Sister was her mother.
2.
Feng Ying had a secret.
Whenever her life was in danger, a man in white robes would step in front of her and protect her.
In her heart, she believed he was her guardian deity.
But her guardian deity took the form of a silver-haired, violet-eyed boy, entered the Academy of Light, and became a peerless genius. He also became her most formidable opponent in the Augusti Tournament.
On the day of the Augusti Tournament finals, Feng Ying stood on the arena, her gaze fixed on the silver-haired boy across from her.
Those familiar eyes had brought her hope countless times when she was in the greatest danger. He was her guardian deity, and also the opponent she had to defeat.
Feng Ying took a deep breath, ready to fight him to the end.
But the boy glanced at her, stepped off the arena, and forfeited on his own.
Spectators: "!!!???"
Feng Ying: "...???"
After the tournament, Feng Ying went to find him and ask why.
The boy's voice was calm. "I got tired of coming first. It's nice to come second once in a while."
3.
After the Augusti Tournament, Feng Ying, as its first-place winner, became the center of everyone's attention. Everyone envied her bright future. One day, she would take over the High Sister's position and become the youngest High Sister in the church.
But on the day of the High Sister's appointment ceremony, the pope suddenly issued a decree, announcing that Feng Ying was Edsi, the Saintess who had fled and been wanted by the church all along.
Everyone who learned the truth: "!!!"
Who could have imagined that the first-place winner of the Augusti Tournament was the wanted Saintess on the run?
Bonus scene:
Legend says the God of Light likes to wear white and has a compassionate, holy air.
Based on this legend, Feng Ying decided her guardian deity must be the God of Light.
Until the next time he saved her from the brink of death, the god who always left once the danger had passed finally cast her a glance. "The Dark God's protection comes at a price."
Feng Ying: "...?"
The God of Light she'd always believed in was actually the God of Darkness?
-
1. Later, the heroine has a proper rematch with the hero, and she beats him!!!
2. The hero is pure in both body and heart!!!
3. There is a bit of an ensemble cast, and the heroine has close friends.
4. Lots of original worldbuilding; my take on Western fantasy.
Theme: Finding light in the darkness
Thank you to heaven, thank you to earth, thank you for your hard work~