Chapter 106: Butterfly (10k)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 106: Butterfly (10k)

"Hiss—where am I?"

Accompanied by the lingering, sharp pain in his body, Muen gradually woke from his coma to find himself lying in an unfamiliar room.

Before he could even scan his surroundings, an old face wrinkled like a blooming chrysanthemum suddenly popped into his field of vision.

"Whoa! Who is that?" Muen nearly had a heart attack from the fright, but he quickly regained his senses. "You're... Professor Glen?"

"Ah, Student Muen, you're finally awake."

Professor Glen stared at Muen, his smile incredibly bright... and eerie.

"Congratulations. The surgery was a complete success. You are now a beautiful young lady."

"What?"

Muen froze.

His face instantly drained of color.

Could that Crown Bearer be so powerful that a single finger strike could actually flip someone's gender?

Please, anything but that!

Muen frantically whipped back the sheets... and looked down.

He let out a long sigh of relief.

Thank God... it was still there.

Wait, still there?

Muen immediately looked up and glared at Professor Glen. "Professor Glen, please don't make jokes like that, okay?"

"Eh?"

Professor Glen stroked his chin, looking puzzled. "Isn't this the kind of joke you young people love the most?"

"No way! That kind of joke is terrifying, alright?"

"It seems I'm falling behind the times," Professor Glen sighed, his expression turning meaningful. "But... terrifying? Even if it's a bad joke, it shouldn't be called 'terrifying.' Student Muen, you're so sensitive about it. Could it be... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you've actually experienced something like that?"

"Nonsense."

Muen averted his gaze subtly. "No, absolutely not. Something that ridiculous—it's impossible to even imagine it happening."

"True. Perhaps I'm overthinking it."

Professor Glen’s expression turned serious as he asked, "Let's move on. How do you feel? Is your body alright?"

"I... I feel much better."

Muen checked his condition and found that aside from some lingering soreness, his internal and external injuries were mostly healed.

But for injuries to heal this quickly...

"Wait, could it be..."

"That's right. I was the one who healed your injuries."

"Then the person who saved me before..."

"Have you forgotten? That was also me."

Professor Glen snapped his fingers. "It was a real close call back then. If I hadn't risked my life to rush over and save you, Student Muen, you would have been squashed into a meat patty with a 'splat.'"

"Is that so..."

Muen let out a soft breath. The feeling of having escaped death left him with complicated emotions. He bowed his head to Professor Glen in thanks. "Thank you, Professor Glen."

"Aw, no need to be polite. A teacher saving a student—isn't that just how it should be?"

Professor Glen patted Muen on the back, helping him sit up. "To me, it was nothing more than a trivial matter."

"It might be a small thing to you, Professor, but you did save my life. I will definitely repay this debt of gratitude."

"Really?"

Professor Glen suddenly flashed a creepy smile that screamed 'I've been waiting for you to say that.'

"That's perfect, Student Muen. I happen to have an opportunity right here for you to repay me immediately."

Huh?

That convenient?

Muen flinched. The "crisis sensors" he had evolved after being victimized so many times were screaming in his head.

This was... the scent of being set up!

"Actually, the repayment I had in mind was money," Muen said, resting his chin on his crossed hands with a serious expression. "One million? Two million? Just give me a number, Professor. The Duke's Estate will certainly satisfy you. Of course, if you don't want money, gold and jewels are fine too."

"As expected of a Duke's son—truly wealthy and overbearing. But I'm sorry, I'm not short on money right now."

"Then come find me when you are short on money. I have things to do, I'll be going now."

"Wait."

Glen grabbed Muen by the shoulder and leaned in close, his face full of feigned heartbreak. "Student Muen, your teacher risked his life to save you, and you're just going to walk away?"

"But..."

Muen's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mouth twitched. "Didn't you just say it was a trivial matter?"

"I was just being polite. How could you take it seriously, Student Muen?"

Professor Glen let go and flashed another meaningful smile. "Of course, if you insist on leaving, I won't stop you. It's just that tomorrow's headline in the Academy News might be: 'The Infamous Muen Campbell Proves Ungrateful Again, Abandoning the Teacher Who Risked His Life for Him in the Sunset. His Heartless Departure Leaves the Teacher Wallowing in Grief, Washing His Face with Tears Every Day, Until Finally...' "

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Muen interrupted him, horrified. "What kind of ultimate gay-romance-gone-wrong-scumbag-drama is this? And what's with the 'sunset'? You can't even see the moon in this godforsaken place, let alone a sunset!"

"So..."

Professor Glen grinned. His smile was kind, but that harmless look made Muen’s skin crawl. "Student Muen, you wouldn't want your reputation to be damaged again, would you?"

"..."

The atmosphere fell into a brief silence.

Professor Glen waited patiently, enjoying the look of struggle on Muen's face.

"That's low, Professor Glen," Muen hissed through gritted teeth. "Fine. What is it?"

"It's nothing much. No need to be so tense, Student Muen. You're making me look like one of those strange creatures called a 'Minotaur.'"

Professor Glen slung an arm around Muen's shoulder like an old friend. After a moment of thought, he said, "Actually, I have a niece."

"A niece?"

"Yes, a niece. She... has a bit of a habit of oversleeping."

"Oversleeping?" Muen grew even more confused. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Everything! Because she loves to sleep in, she happens to need a bright, handsome, blonde big brother to go and wake her up."

"So..." Muen was stunned. "You went through all this trouble just to get me to wake up your niece?"

"Yes, exactly." Professor Glen nodded. "That's the gist of it. It's just that my niece has a bit of a morning temper. You don't need to worry, Student Muen."

"Saying that makes me worry even more!"

Going to such lengths to trick me into going there—there's no way it's just a 'niece.'

Could it be...

Muen stroked his chin and said solemnly, "Your niece is actually a violent, irritable mountain silverback gorilla that rips scumbags apart with her bare hands, isn't she?"

"..."

Professor Glen's face visibly twitched. "Student Muen, you certainly have a vivid imagination. However, that one is not a gorilla."

"That one? You just said 'that one,' didn't you! Who refers to their own niece as 'that one'?"

"Ahem. Anyway, time is short. Let's talk while we walk."

"Wait, I'm not even dressed! Let me find some clothes."

"Don't worry, I've already prepared them."

Professor Glen looked like he had anticipated everything. He snapped his fingers, and like a magic trick, a well-fitted formal suit appeared on Muen's body.

Seeing Professor Glen’s "everything is under control" smile, Muen felt a chill of indignation. When will we tools finally rise up?

But he was helpless. He could only allow himself to be ushered by Professor Glen toward the unknown.

*

A few minutes later, somewhere deep beneath the Academy.

Looking at the massive, imposing metal gate that made one feel insignificant just by standing before it, Muen completely lost his composure.

"Professor Glen... your niece... lives in a vault?"

"A vault?"

Professor Glen scoffed disdainfully. "This door is made of dozens of rare metals, inscribed with hundreds of magic matrices, and was crafted by countless artisans pouring their blood and sweat into it. It could withstand an invasion by an Evil God for a significant amount of time. Even the sturdiest vault in Belland couldn't compare to a single hair on its leg."

"Withstand an invasion by an Evil God..."

Muen's eyelid twitched violently.

In his memory, the only thing capable of such a feat was the Life Sacred Realm of the Life Church.

And for this door to be built so sturdily...

"Don't tell me... there's no niece in there at all. It's the Academy's secret weapon or something, isn't it?" Muen guessed.

Professor Glen froze for a second, then immediately flashed an "innocent" smile. "What secret weapon? Kid, you've read too many storybooks. The Academy is a place for students to learn in peace. How could it house something as violent as a secret weapon?"

"It definitely is! Your eyes just darted to the side!"

"Young man, don't be so suspicious. It's easy to discover your hat is the wrong color if you look too closely."

Professor Glen stepped forward and embedded a crystalline gem into a slot at the base of the door.

In the compass-like precision instrument, seventeen gems were already embedded.

"They said they didn't want to come, but they all moved pretty fast." Looking at the gems, Professor Glen raised an eyebrow.

Then, with a twist of his wrist, the gem emitted a soft glow.

A rumbling sound echoed.

The massive mechanism unfolded layer by layer. Accompanied by a vibration like falling boulders, the magnificent gate slowly swung open, revealing the profound darkness within.

Professor Glen stood at the entrance, arms crossed, looking at Muen.

"Are you going or not, kid? Give me a straight answer. Although I really want you to go, as a professor, I won't force a student to do something they're unwilling to do."

"I'll... go."

After a brief hesitation, Muen let out a long breath, as if squeezing every bit of air out of his lungs.

"Ho." Professor Glen smiled. "I thought you'd refuse again."

"I wanted to... but I suddenly remembered some things," Muen said.

Back then, because it was hard to immediately connect written descriptions with actual visuals—combined with the different entrance and the urgency of the situation—Muen hadn't thought much of it.

But after calming down, many overlooked details surfaced in his mind.

That Crown Bearer...

Muen looked up at Professor Glen and asked seriously, "Professor Glen, the Crown Bearer who attacked me earlier... she was the Purification Saintess of the Life Church, wasn't she?"

"Oh? You actually recognize her?"

Professor Glen raised an eyebrow in surprise. "That Saintess disappeared twenty years ago. I didn't think anyone among the youth would know her. What, do you have a hobby of collecting those fake Saintess photo books like Dean Pink Bear?"

"No, of course I don't know her personally..."

It's just that I know the plot of the original novel.

In the original book, the Purification Saintess, controlled by the Love God, had also invaded the Academy.

However, at that time, He seemed to have accumulated enough power, so there was no appearance of those gay cultists who served as mere sacrifices.

In the original plot, there was only the Purification Saintess. But an invasion by a Crown-level powerhouse without any warning was even more terrifying because no one could predict her actions.

And the Love God's purpose for invading the Academy was—

To hunt down Ariel.

That's right. In the original book, as the protagonist, Ariel naturally managed to provoke the Love God—the most active Evil God in the early stages—and directly wiped out more than half of His cult in Belland.

Thus, the enraged Love God directly controlled the Purification Saintess to invade the Academy and hunt Ariel down.

As the protagonist, Ariel naturally wouldn't kick the bucket so easily. With her various cheats, her own strength, and her "undying cockroach" attribute, she managed to hold out until Professor Prang arrived with the blessing of the Grand Ritual.

After that incident, Ariel turned disaster into a blessing and successfully stepped into a higher realm.

It was a very standard "protagonist power-up" event, but the only problem was...

It happened too early.

This event was supposed to happen at the end of this academic year. According to the timeline, Ariel shouldn't have had much contact with the Love God yet, let alone be marked for death by Him.

If there was to be an invasion recently, it should have been the Blood Demon incident a month from now. There was no reason for the Love God to take the stage this early.

Therefore, the cause of all this...

"Could I be the only variable?"

Muen couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

No matter how he thought about it, it was likely because Muen had provoked the Love God earlier, leading to this premature invasion.

However...

What Muen still couldn't understand was...

At that time, the Love God didn't seem to be there purely to kill him.

Attacking him was just incidental; He clearly had another objective.

Otherwise, at such close range, if a Crown Bearer went all out, no one could have saved him unless a true deity descended.

"So, just because I, this little butterfly, flapped my wings, such a massive storm was brewed?"

The Pink Bear who suddenly appeared as the Acting Dean.

The Love God's invasion, a full year ahead of schedule.

It seemed that simply because Muen—the yellow-haired villain who should have exited the stage a month ago—was still active in the story, the entire plot had spiraled out of control.

Although Muen really wanted to scream, 'I just want to live a happy life, what's wrong with that?'

"But in the end, it's related to me, isn't it?"

Ending his train of thought, Muen looked at Professor Glen and asked seriously, "If I go in and wake up the Academy's secret weapon, will it resolve this incident?"

"Naturally..."

At this point, Glen didn't bother playing dumb anymore. "But I advise you not to use the term 'secret weapon.' She will get angry."

So calling her your 'niece' is fine? Muen couldn't help but complain internally.

However, since he had his answer, there was no reason to hesitate further.

Muen gradually walked into the darkness of the open gate.

"Wait."

Just as he was about to step inside, Muen suddenly remembered something. He stopped and turned back, asking in confusion, "By the way, can't Professor Prang handle this incident?"

After all, in the original book, the Love God's invasion was resolved by Professor Prang using the Grand Ritual's blessing.

Muen remembered that the Saintess was actually Prang's student; their reunion was quite tragic.

But regardless, an invasion by the Love God alone shouldn't have reached the level of needing a secret weapon that even Muen didn't know about—meaning it shouldn't have appeared in the early or mid-game.

"Eh? You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"Ah, right. You were unconscious then, so you didn't see it."

"So..."

"If it were just the Purification Saintess controlled by the Love God, that old bastard Prang would be enough. But the problem is..." Professor Glen sighed. "There's another Evil God. The Moon, who holds the Authority of Night."

"I see. So the Moon is here too."

Muen nodded and continued walking forward.

But after one step, he froze.

"Wait, the Moon?"

Among the Evil Gods, the only one who could be referred to as the Moon was the Silent Moon.

As an Evil God, it was normal for Him to come out and stir the pot.

The problem was...

In all the plot points Muen knew...

The Silent Moon had never invaded the Academy!

He was an Evil God who only appeared in the mid-game, and by then, the Academy arc was long over!

Why?

Was it because of him again?

But he didn't remember having any connection with the Silent Moon.

A butterfly flapping its wings can cause a storm, but no matter how hard it flaps—even if it flaps its wings raw—it shouldn't be able to trigger a volcanic eruption that has nothing to do with it.

"Professor Glen, regarding this matter, please give me more details..."

Muen spun around, anxious to ask about what had just happened.

But as soon as he turned his head, his expression stiffened. He saw the sole of a shoe rapidly expanding in his vision.

"If you're going in, then get the hell in!"

Professor Glen kicked Muen right in the ass, roaring impatiently, "If you keep dawdling like this, that old bastard Prang is going to get beaten to death!"

*

"Ow!"

Behind that massive gate, the darkness didn't lead to level ground, but to a rather high, staggered platform.

So, after being kicked by Professor Glen, Muen unsurprisingly tumbled down, landing face-first.

Pain flared from both ends. For a moment, Muen didn't know whether to rub his butt or his face first.

Fortunately, the ground was softer than expected, so Muen wasn't worried about his handsome face being disfigured.

Damn that Professor Glen. He could have at least let me prepare.

Muen grumbled internally, but he understood that time was indeed of the essence.

No one knew how long Professor Prang could hold out under the assault of two Evil Gods.

The answers to those questions can wait. For now, focus on what's in front of me.

"This place is..."

Muen looked up, preparing to scan his surroundings.

Then, he was so stunned by the magnificent sight before him that he froze.

Flowers.

Countless flowers.

A sea of brilliant, gorgeous flowers stretched to the very edge of his vision, breathtakingly beautiful.

And above the horizon—even above the spot where Muen had fallen from—there was no longer any darkness. Instead, there was a clear, azure sky.

A breeze blew past, carrying the fragrance of flowers and warm air. Every pore in Muen's body seemed to open up; it was incredibly comfortable.

It was as if he had traveled to a world where only beauty remained.

"This is... where the Academy's secret weapon stays? It's beautiful."

Muen dithered for a moment, then instinctively walked forward.

He wasn't afraid of losing his way in the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠endless flower sea, because all the flowers were slightly bowing their petals in the same direction.

It was as if they were on a pilgrimage to a certain being, or attracted by something.

Before long, Muen reached the center of the flower sea.

There, he saw a young girl surrounded by various cute dolls and clusters of flowers.

The girl seemed to be fast asleep. But as Muen looked at her, his pupils shook—once, twice, and then repeatedly.

Because that girl...

Was a loli.

And not just any loli.

She wore a cute pink nightgown that made her skin look even fairer and rosier. Her face, cradled by blossoms, was as exquisite as a porcelain doll's, yet it had a hint of baby fat, giving her a unique sense of life and cuteness.

And even more striking than her face was her hair—a mane of pure white that stood out vividly even amidst the sea of flowers.

In short, this was a white-haired loli!

Muen suddenly felt his heart thumping.

A white-haired loli!

This wasn't just "hitting his boxes"—this was dancing on his fetishes!

What kind of macho man could refuse a sleeping white-haired loli?

"I really want to pinch her cheek..."

Looking at the girl's rosy, plump cheeks, Muen couldn't help but have that thought.

But it was quickly suppressed by his reason, which hadn't been completely blinded by the white-haired loli yet.

He remembered the purpose of his trip.

"So... the so-called Academy secret weapon... is this white-haired loli?"

Muen was shocked.

He had expected a hidden master or some kind of monster like a giant dragon.

He hadn't expected a white-haired loli.

"Wait, 'white-haired loli' and 'hidden master' aren't necessarily mutually exclusive."

Muen stroked his chin in thought.

Just like in those xianxia novels, the younger they looked, the more terrifying their cultivation might be!

"But..."

Muen looked at the cute dolls next to the girl.

"A hidden master... surely wouldn't also like pink dolls."

After all, if only the appearance was young, the mind should be mature.

"Which means..."

Muen tapped his palm, instantly inventing a tragic backstory of at least a hundred thousand words about an innocent and cute white-haired loli being transformed into a secret weapon by the wicked Academy and then imprisoned alone in this flower sea.

"No wonder Professor Glen said she doesn't like being called a secret weapon. Anyone would feel terrible remembering such a tragic experience."

Thinking of this, Muen couldn't help but grit his teeth. "I never realized the Academy was this despicable. Just wait until I get out—I'm reporting you all for child abuse!"

"However..."

Muen's eyes suddenly lit up again.

"Since she's an innocent and cute tragic girl, it should be fine if I pinch her cheek, right?"

"You can't blame me for being a pervert; she's just too cute!"

"Yeah, I'm definitely not a creepy uncle!"

Having made up his mind, Muen reached out and gently pinched the girl's baby-fat cheek.

Ah, so soft.

In that instant, Muen felt his heart melting.

I wish this moment could be frozen forever.

But he could only wish.

Because a wind blew.

The entire flower sea suddenly swayed like waves in the ocean, stacking layer upon layer.

And the girl, amidst the rustling of the waves, fluttered her eyelashes and opened her eyes.

Her red eyes first revealed the confusion of someone who had just woken up. Then, as if sensing something, her gaze shifted slightly toward the large hand resting on her cheek.

A hint of bewilderment flickered in her eyes.

"Ah, you're awake?"

Muen, whose attention had been briefly stolen by the wind and the flowers, saw the girl wake up and immediately pulled his hand back in a panic.

What do I do, what do I do? I think I pinched her for too long.

She won't think I'm some kind of perverted freak, will she?

No, I have to find a way to make it up to her.

In his panic, Muen suddenly felt a piece of candy in his pocket.

Eh? Why is there candy in my pocket?

Could it be...

"Professor Glen..."

Muen couldn't help but be a little moved. You're actually quite reliable at key moments!

So, Muen pulled out the candy, held it out to the girl, and flashed a "kind" smile that looked more like a kidnapper's. He said gently:

"Here, little sister, don't be mad. Big brother will give you some candy."

"..."

As soon as Muen finished speaking...

It was as if a pause button had been pressed. Everything in the world came to a standstill.

Even the wind stopped.

All the flowers bowed their heads, as if they couldn't bear to watch the scene that was about to unfold.

The girl sat ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠up.

Her ruby-like eyes looked at the candy in Muen's hand, then at Muen himself.

Her face remained expressionless, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, as if she were smiling.

"Interesting."

The moment the girl's voice—as melodious as a lark's—rang out, Muen's smile froze.

His face turned deathly pale.

That world-weary, ancient tone...

Could it be...

"I only took a short nap for a few decades, and the Academy's students have already become this bold?" the girl said, her tone devoid of emotion.

But Muen's brain instantly went into a frenzy.

A short nap for a few decades?

I'm screwed.

She's a big shot!

Glen, you bastard, you set me up!

Muen looked at himself holding out candy to a powerhouse and began to seriously consider how many tables he should book for his own funeral wake.

"Eh?"

The girl stared at Muen, her gaze sharp, as if she could see through every part of him in an instant.

She let out a soft sound of surprise. "You seem... a bit different."

"Haha, I don't know what you're talking about, Great One. I'm just an ordinary person."

Muen scratched his head and laughed sheepishly.

But before he could say anything else, he suddenly felt a chill.

"Eh?"

Muen looked down and found that in an instant, he had become completely naked.

Holy crap, the white-haired loli powerhouse suddenly stripped me?

Could she be one of those legendary nymphos?

What do I do? I've been stripped by a powerhouse nympho! And she's a white-haired loli. What's the protocol here? Should I just lie back and take it, or put up a symbolic resistance?

While Muen was habitually overthinking, the white-haired, red-eyed girl suddenly leaned in. Her finger traced Muen's skin, and her clear eyes seemed to sparkle with stars.

"The Mark of the Withered King," she whispered.

One sentence.

One instant.

It was as if his blood had frozen; Muen felt cold all over.

He looked down at the girl, whose expression still hadn't changed, and his body couldn't help but tremble.

His eyes were filled with immense terror.

Like a double agent deep within an organization who was suddenly caught by the boss.

But without much hesitation, that terror instantly transformed into the rage and determination of a cornered beast.

Muen's right hand whipped out from behind him. A dagger hidden in his storage space flashed with a cold light as it lunged toward the girl's vitals at a treacherous angle.

At the same time, crimson flames erupted from his skin, flowing toward the girl like mercury.

"You certainly have courage." Seeing this, the girl spoke words that were either mocking or admiring.

She extended a single finger and gave it a light, upward flick.

The next moment.

Muen's movements froze, and even the fire was extinguished instantly.

Because he found that his perspective had suddenly become very, very high.

Like he was on a rocket blasting off.

The flower sea and the girl became tiny in his vision.

Then, he reached the peak and began to descend.

The flower sea and the girl expanded in his eyes once more, and along with them, a headless body.

Eh?

A headless body?

Before his brain could process this incomprehensible information, he saw the girl flick her finger again.

And so.

Hands. Arms. Torso. Thighs. Feet.

Organs. Meridians. Bones.

Muen's entire body was dismantled piece by piece by the girl, like a set of building blocks.

Yet, during the dismantling process, not a single drop of blood fell, and Muen felt no pain.

It was as if he had become a toy.

"Strange?"

The girl inspected the parts one by one, then reached out and caught Muen's head.

She looked at Muen's terrified head and asked in confusion, "There is nothing missing from your body, and your soul is intact. Looking at your fate, you have a happy family and harmonious relationships. So, how did you obtain the power of the Withered King?"

At this point, the girl's expression turned a bit odd. "If anything is missing... it's only your chastity. Did you trade your chastity to an Evil God for power?"

"..."

Muen's mouth twitched. Great One, you're quite the comedian.

"No, the power in you doesn't seem like a simple gift."

As if discovering something else, the girl's thin, pale eyebrows rose slightly.

"Crimson flames with a source, the manifestation of partial rules... this is... a Divine Blessing."

"Eh?"

Hearing this, even Muen was stunned.

Divine Blessing?

Me?

From which god?

The Withered King?

But wasn't the fire on my body exchanged from the Black Book?

And hasn't this fire stayed with me only as a means for the Withered King to tempt me into corruption?

"It seems you aren't clear about this power yourself."

The girl's lips curled slightly, as if she had found something new and interesting.

She stared into Muen's eyes, as if trying to see into his deepest depths.

"However, for an Evil God to actually favor a mortal... this is the first time I've seen it. Young man, you must have other secrets."

"How could that be? Didn't I say? I'm just an ordinary person."

Muen forced a smile.

If there was a secret...

The Black Book.

But this time, no matter how Muen called out in his heart, the Black Book didn't make a sound.

It was as if it had vanished.

"Forget it. I have no hobby of prying into others' secrets. Besides..."

The girl looked up at the sky.

"It seems time is running out."

She took the candy from Muen's hand, tore off the wrapper, and popped it into her mouth. She couldn't help but flash a satisfied smile. "So sweet."

Then.

She stepped over Muen and walked toward the edge of the flower sea.

"Eh?"

Now it was Muen's turn to be bewildered.

"You... you're just letting me go? You're not going to kill me?"

"Kill you?" The girl looked back. "Why would I kill you?"

"Because... I have a connection with an Evil God, and I even possess an Evil God's power?"

As far as Muen knew, the powerhouses of this world almost universally loathed and hated Evil Gods. If they found even a hint of a connection, they would directly snuff it out at any cost.

That was why Muen had been so decisive earlier; he thought the girl would kill him instantly.

"I see."

The girl nodded, then asked, "Have you used the Evil God's power to kill people?"

Muen froze, then shook his head.

"Do you think you're a bad person?"

Muen shook his head.

"When you sleep at night, do you hear strange voices whispering in your ear, telling you to destroy the world?"

Muen shook his head again.

"Then that's that."

The girl's red eyes sparkled, and her features softened. For the first time, she showed a clear smile. "You're a good person and haven't done anything wrong. Why would I kill you?"

"But the Evil God's power..."

"Only cowards fear pure power."

The girl turned away, leaving behind a faint, ethereal sigh. "Unfortunately, there are too many cowards in this world."

"Only cowards... fear pure power..."

Involuntarily repeating the girl's words, Muen suddenly felt that her petite back had become towering.

I'm in love. Is this the aura of a true powerhouse?

That was cool as hell.

Wait, hold on.

Looking at the girl's departing back, Muen suddenly remembered he was still in "spare parts" mode. He shouted in terror:

"In that case, Great One, put me back together before you go!"

"You're interesting. I'll remember you."

The girl looked back again, her tone turning slightly cold. "But my face isn't that easy to pinch."

"..."

Damn, even a big shot holds a grudge?

It was just a pinch! Is this necessary? There's definitely some other resentment mixed in there!

"However..."

Muen flashed a smile and whispered to himself, "I feel like this kind of domineering, cool, red-eyed, white-haired loli also hits my boxes."

Just as he finished the words he thought only he could hear, Muen felt his perspective shifting again.

Rising higher...

Then falling.

This time, it was fast!

Like being on a drop tower!

"Crap!"

And so, before his wail could escape, Muen only had time to leave behind that one-word epitaph.

...

The girl did not go far. She reached out and made a light horizontal stroke in the air before her.

A doorway swung open.

Outside, more than a dozen elderly professors, including Professor Glen, stood in silence along both sides of the path. Upon seeing the girl emerge, these professors—usually so haughty and full of themselves—bowed their heads in unison.

"Mentor Mela Domir," the professors said respectfully.

"Mm."

The white-haired, red-eyed girl gave a slight nod as she looked over the crowd.

"It’s been decades. You’ve all grown so old. Dudley, the last time I saw you, you could still stand up straight, couldn't you?"

"To be able to see you one more time in this life is my greatest honor." The oldest professor among them actually wiped away tears, looking as moved as a child.

"Don't say such depressing things during a reunion," the girl said softly. "However, being awakened this time was indeed outside my expectations. According to my previous deductions, I wasn't supposed to wake for another five years."

"It is our incompetence. We failed to protect the Academy." Shame washed over the faces of every professor present.

"It has nothing to do with you. I only just realized it myself..." The girl looked up, a trace of gravity appearing in her tone. "Fate has shifted significantly without anyone noticing. The Moon, which was never meant to intersect with the Academy’s trajectory, has crashed headlong into us."

"We don't know the details of that matter either," said the usually flippant Glen, his expression now solemn in the girl's presence. "Prang seems to know something, but due to the Covenant of Silence, he cannot speak of it freely."

"No matter." The girl waved a hand. "I’ll know the specifics once I go see Him. You all should get back to your business, or go get some rest. Don't let your health go to ruin at your age."

"Yes."

The professors bowed respectfully, not daring to offer the slightest hint of disobedience, looking for all the world like children being lectured by a parent.

Just as they were preparing to leave, Glen suddenly peeked through the doorway. He saw Muen, who was still disassembled into floating chunks, his head bobbing rapidly up and down in mid-air. Glen immediately broke into a gloating smile.

It was a good thing he’d had the foresight to behave; otherwise, he might have been the one in that state right now.

But just as he was about to pull his head back, he heard Muen let out a wail from inside, followed by a furious, snitching roar:

"Great One! Professor Glen called you his niece earlier!"

"..."

Professor Glen turned back with a stiff, awkward smile, only to find the girl staring at him silently.

Her expression was profoundly meaningful—exactly like the one he had given Muen moments before.

*

Under the eerie blue moonlight, Professor Prang’s face was deathly pale.

The wound on his chest was still seeping blood, but that injury was no longer important. What mattered was that he was on the verge of total collapse.

This exhaustion wasn't a lack of mana—with the Grand Ritual supplying him, his mana was nearly infinite. However, the mental strain of controlling the Grand Ritual while simultaneously casting high-level magic had brought his mind to the breaking point. His brain throbbed with a piercing, rhythmic pain.

At his feet, the ghost shadows that had emerged from the Dead Silence Cemetery under the moonlight surged like a tide. They tore at the magical structures layer by layer, eroding their way toward the heart of the Academy.

"I can't let this continue," Professor Prang gritted his teeth. "I must protect the Academy, even if it costs me this old life."

Just as Professor Prang was prepared to stake everything on a final stand, a sigh drifted through the air.

"Prang, you’re as rigid as ever."

"Mentor Mela Domir?"

Professor Prang looked at the petite figure that had appeared before him out of nowhere. Confusion flickered in his eyes before he suddenly realized the truth. "Did those bastards actually disturb your rest?"

"If they hadn't woken me, you'd be dead."

The girl took the pink star wand from Professor Prang’s hand.

The wand, which had looked utterly ridiculous in Prang’s grip, felt perfectly natural in the girl’s hand—as if it had always belonged to her.

"Go rest," the girl said. "Leave this to me."

"Yes," Prang replied respectfully.

Stiff and formal as he was, he did not doubt the order for a second.

"Ah, right." The girl tilted her head and added, "That girl over there, the one corrupted by the Love God... I managed to preserve the last spark of her soul. It should be enough for her to say a few words. Treasure them."

"What..." Professor Prang froze. Then, his eyes reddening, he bowed deeply. "Thank you, Mentor."

"Don't thank me," the girl said softly. "It was no trouble at all."