Dragon Pearl

Thirteen-year-old Min lives on the desolate planet of Jinju with her mother, aunties, and cousins, where she counts down the days until she turns 15 and can join the Thousand Worlds Space Forces. She is frustrated with her family’s destitution and the lifeless nature of her world, which has never been properly terraformed due to the mysterious disappearance of a terraforming device called the Dragon Pearl many years ago. In the absence of the Dragon Pearl, terraforming is carried out by dragons at a much slower pace, and only the wealthiest planets can afford to pay for terraforming. This situation causes extreme social stratification from planet to planet, for only rich worlds who can afford terraforming are able to benefit from the economic boost that such a process provides.

As fox spirits, her family members keep a low profile on Jinju because their Charm magic—the ability to convince others that lies are true—is frowned upon; their powerful ability to influence people is considered dangerous, and they don’t want to be shunned more than they already are. They also possess the ability to shape-shift into different people or objects.

One morning, an investigator from the Dragon Council brings news that Min’s brother,