Chapter 87: Potions and Dreams
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 87: Potions and Dreams
"I heard you made quite a splash in martial arts class, Junior. You surprised a lot of people."
In the empty classroom of the Ancient Potions Club, Muen looked up in surprise at the senior sitting sideways on a desk.
"Word travels that fast? Even you heard about it, Senior?"
"Muen, you're a celebrity. News about celebrities always circulates quickly. Besides, there's also this..."
Anna handed him a newspaper.
"Hmm? What’s this?"
Muen took the paper, his eyes scanning the page casually. Then, he froze.
"A public apology?
The News Club hereby acknowledges that previous reports regarding Muen Campbell and Ariel Bugard contained false information. We offer our sincerest apologies to both parties. We will..."
The article went on at length. It was a comprehensive apology for publishing false information about Muen, Ariel, and the others, stating that the News Club would undergo deep reflection and serious rectification. It concluded with a notice that the club would be suspended for a week for internal reorganization.
"An apology... false reporting..." Muen frowned.
"Oh my, looking at your face, did you really not know?"
"Know what? I've been so busy studying lately that I haven't had time to pay attention to the school paper."
"No wonder. I was thinking you had an incredibly good temper—being slandered like that and not even trying to kill that Mingotte fellow."
Anna handed him a few more back-dated newspapers.
Muen took them, and as he read, his anger flared, and his blood pressure spiked.
"Ex-girlfriend? Abortion? Juggling thirteen girls at once? What is this garbage?"
"Your 'scandalous' news, of course. Didn't you find it strange? Why your reputation among the other students was so abysmal?" Anna propped her chin on her hand, giggling. "That blank look on your face is actually quite cute."
"I thought..."
Muen opened his mouth, but like a fish out of water, no sound came out. Finally, he could only manage a helpless smile.
He had been too focused on his own world, thinking that as long as he worked hard, he would eventually change people's opinions of him. He hadn't realized that compared to his own perceived lack of ambition, the malice from the outside world was far more terrifying.
"However..."
Muen looked at the apology and the reorganization notice in the paper, and a warmth spread through his chest. Only Celicia would have the power to make something like this happen in such a short time.
"I didn't expect to end up under her care again."
Muen scratched his head with a bitter smile. "Now I really don't know how to thank her."
"It's very impolite to think about other women while talking to your senior, you know."
Anna suddenly reached out and playfully flicked Muen’s forehead with a slender finger.
"Time is precious. Let’s begin our first lesson, Student Muen."
"Yes, Teacher Anna!"
Muen snapped to attention. Regardless of everything else, learning was the priority. He would figure out how to thank Celicia later.
"First, let's do a little test."
Anna sat atop the desk, her waist curving into a perfect line at her hips. Her long, elegant legs were crossed, and her black stockings caught the sunlight from the window, reflecting a faint, crystalline shimmer.
She flipped open a textbook, looking every bit the serious instructor.
"Well, I need to gauge your level first. Though, given how impressive your martial arts are, I assume you won't be too far behind in this area."
"Heh... heh..."
Muen’s gaze drifted. "Maybe... perhaps... I'm a little bit behind."
"A little bit is fine. I have quite a bit of confidence in my teaching abilities."
Anna smiled thinly. "Come now, don't be nervous. Just answer a few questions for me."
...
A few minutes later.
Even Anna’s expression had turned grim. She put down the textbook and looked at the embarrassed Muen, her brows arched high in disbelief.
"Junior... you don't mean to tell me you know nothing about the Basic Theory of Magic?"
"That's... that's nonsense!"
Muen’s cheeks flushed, but he forced himself to sit up straight, stubbornly arguing, "Who says I know nothing? Don't I know the biography of Grand Magister Mela Domir?"
"But that's not on the exam."
"..." Muen looked away guiltily.
"I see. So this is what it feels like to be deceived by a scumbag?"
Anna touched her index finger to the corner of her eye, feigning a sob. She looked pitiful and heart-wrenching. "To think I’d be tricked by a scoundrel one day... sniff... what am I going to do? I'll never be able to get married now..."
"I'll make it up to you! Senior Anna, please, don't..."
"Really?"
Anna leaned in, tilting her head with a mischievous, devilish grin. "And how exactly will you compensate me, Junior?"
"I'll... I'll..."
A captivating fragrance wafted into his nose. At such close proximity, the beauty mark at the corner of Anna’s eye was even more mesmerizing, making it hard to look away.
"A million?" Muen asked tentatively.
"Oh? In your eyes, am I the kind of woman who only cares about money?" Anna looked heartbroken.
"No, no! I just—"
"Actually, I really do love money," Anna teased again.
"..."
"Giggle... your expressions are so entertaining."
Anna laughed heartily, clearly enjoying herself.
"Senior, you're too much..." Muen felt like crying. What level of enchantress was this? He couldn't handle her at all.
"Alright, jokes aside."
Anna wiped a tear of laughter from her eye and sat back on the desk, her expression regaining a hint of seriousness.
"Let's begin the lesson properly, Student Muen."
"Yes, Teacher Anna!"
Muen puffed out his chest and responded like a model student.
...
The sunlight was lazy, and a gentle breeze blew. In the afternoon, where time seemed to flow slowly, "Teacher Anna’s Little Classroom" officially began.
It had to be said that Anna was indeed an excellent teacher, just as she had claimed. She explained concepts from the simple to the complex, building them up layer by layer. She used vivid metaphors that made the dry textbook come alive. Even a total magic novice like Muen could follow her rhythm, gradually exploring the wonders of the force known as magic.
And occasionally, the charm she exuded during her lecture made it very easy for one to inadvertently fall under her spell.
...
...
"Speaking of which, would you like to try it out, Muen?"
After the afternoon session ended, as Muen was packing his things to leave, Anna suddenly made a suggestion.
"Try what?" Muen didn't react immediately.
"The activities of the Ancient Potions Club, of course."
Anna gave him a look that was both a reprimand and a flirtation.
"Forgot already? Didn't I ask if you wanted to join? I figured you should experience it before making a decision."
"True." Muen blinked and smiled. "Then I'll trouble you, Senior."
"It's no trouble at all."
Anna tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. "It would be even better if you ended up liking what we do here."
"I'll do my best to like it."
"Is that so? Good."
Anna’s eyes crinkled as she smiled gently. However, for a split second when Muen wasn't looking, that smile turned somewhat meaningful.
...
"The Ancient Potions Club is a group dedicated to studying ancient texts and recreating potions that have been lost to time."
Anna led Muen on a tour of the clubroom. It was large; the area where Muen had been studying was just a partitioned space. Walking further in, Muen saw rows upon rows of bookshelves.
The books were clearly ancient. Muen pulled one out at random and found that not only were the covers tattered and the script difficult to decipher, but the content was mostly fragmented.
"You recreate ancient potions using these?" Muen asked, stunned. "Can you actually succeed?"
"The success rate is very low. Recreating a single ancient potion often takes a massive amount of time, and the results are frequently disappointing."
Anna reached out and stroked the ancient texts as gently as if she were touching a child.
"That’s exactly why I’m the only one left in the club. Putting in so much effort only to receive disproportionately small rewards... that sense of futility causes most people to quit shortly after joining."
"After all, if someone really wants to study potions, the Academy has a legitimate Potions Club. Why choose this difficult, thankless path?"
"That’s why I told you to think carefully before deciding. I don't want a new junior to join only to run away after a few days. That would make me very sad."
In that moment, standing in the backlit corner, Anna’s beautiful silhouette looked exceptionally lonely. Muen felt a pang in his heart.
His hand brushed against the idle equipment nearby. Even though they had been pushed into the corner because they hadn't been used in a long time, they were spotless.
She must really love this club.
"Then what can I do?" Muen asked. "I don't know how to make potions, and I can't read ancient script. It seems I can't help you at all."
"True, you are a rather useless junior," Anna nodded seriously.
"...You don't have to say it so bluntly! That hurts, Senior!" Muen cried out in mock indignation.
"Giggle... but even a useless junior can be of help to me," Anna laughed softly. "The club's activities aren't just about recreating potions."
"Oh? How can I help?" Muen’s eyes lit up. He had received so much help from her; he had to show his resolve. If she gave the word, he would go through fire and water...
"This."
Anna suddenly placed a bottle of pale red potion in front of Muen.
"Drink it, Muen."
"Huh? Drink it?"
Muen’s smile froze. He looked down at the potion, whose color reminded him of some not-so-pleasant memories, and asked cautiously, "May I ask... what exactly does this potion do?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
Muen’s eyes widened, and he nearly jumped out of his skin. "You don't know, yet you're telling me to drink it? Are you trying to murder your junior?"
"Because this is the other activity of the club: potion testing."
Anna tilted her head, tapping the glass container with her finger, causing the pale red liquid to ripple. Her tone remained gentle and calm, as if she had expected his reaction.
"Since these are potions recreated from ancient texts, the specific effects are often ambiguous due to missing records. At times like this, we need to test them to determine their exact effects."
"But isn't that dangerous?" Muen was shocked by her selfless devotion to science. "What if it's poison?"
"How could it be?"
Anna rolled her eyes and flicked Muen’s forehead. "Do you have that little faith in my potion-making skills? While the exact effect might be unclear, I can at least analyze the ingredients and the brewing method to get a general idea. Testing is just to get precise data."
"I see." Muen scratched his head, his face turning red at his own ignorance. "So the general effect of this potion is..."
"It should be a Transformation School potion."
"Transformation?"
"Yes. It temporarily turns the drinker into something else—a cat, a dog, or even an object. Of course, it's only an external change; your essence remains the same."
Anna propped her chin on her hand, swirling the potion. "In fact, I've already drunk it myself."
"You drank it?"
"Yes, but it had absolutely no effect on me. So, I suspect this might be the type of potion that produces different results for different people."
"So that's why you want me to try it?"
"Exactly." Anna’s deep pupils, which seemed capable of pulling one in, stared at Muen. She smiled. "I wouldn't give my junior a harmful potion, would I?"
"Haha, sorry."
"So, are you willing to drink it?"
"Well..."
Muen still hesitated. Although she said it wasn't harmful, Muen knew his luck was abysmal. If the real effect turned him into a pig or something, wouldn't his hard-earned image be ruined?
"Sigh. To be honest, I was hoping you'd turn into a cute little animal. That way, I could hold you in my arms and give you a good squeeze," Anna said, gesturing with her hands in front of her impressive chest, her voice full of anticipation.
Turn into a small animal?
Held in her arms?
Squeezed?
"I'll drink it!"
Muen slammed the table, declaring righteously, "A real man stands tall between heaven and earth; how can he fear the unknown? You have been kind to me, Senior; I must do my best to repay you!"
It's definitely not because I want to be squeezed in her arms! Definitely not!
With that, Muen snatched up the potion and downed it in one go.
After finishing, Muen waited to enjoy her shocked, admiring, and moved gaze, only to find Anna looking at him with a hint of speechlessness.
"Muen."
"Yes?"
"Potions have dosages. You really didn't need to drink the whole thing."
"...Can I spit it back out?"
"No."
As she spoke, Anna suddenly burst into laughter, her body shaking with mirth.
"Giggle... you really are a character. Who drinks that much potion in one gulp? And looking at your face just now, were you expecting me to praise you?"
"I only feel like a fool." Muen wanted to find a hole to crawl into. "So, will drinking too much have any side effects?"
"There, there, it won't." Anna actually reached out and patted Muen’s head, her voice tender. "The effect will just last a bit longer."
"I see. That’s a relief." Feeling her soft palm, Muen let out a sigh of relief. As long as there were no bad side effects.
"So, next..."
"We wait," Anna smiled. "Let's see what you turn into."
...
Five minutes...
Ten minutes...
Thirty minutes...
One hour...
Until the dinner bell from the cafeteria rang outside, Muen remained completely unchanged.
"Um... Senior, this potion seems to be a bit slow to take effect."
"..."
For the first time, Anna couldn't maintain her calm expression. She pulled out a tattered ancient book and began flipping through it. After a moment, she rubbed her temples and said, "Sorry, Junior. I might have made a mistake in the brewing process. The potion is a dud."
"What now?"
"Well... let's call it a day. It's dinner time. Go get something to eat."
Anna smiled again and stood up to see him out. But Muen felt like there was something hidden in her smile.
"Alright then." Muen could only nod obediently. "Goodbye, Senior."
"Yes, goodbye, Muen."
Muen left the clubroom. But at the moment of his departure, he glanced back. Anna was leaning against the window, looking out at the bustling world. She looked as if she didn't belong to this world at all—her expression cold, her figure solitary.
It made his heart ache.
...
...
At dinner, Muen happened to run into Ariel, who was in a corner struggling with a piece of free black bread from the cafeteria.
That black bread was cold and hard. It was said that for the poor, it was not only food but also a weapon; there were many cases in the Lower District of Belland where people were beaten to death with loaves of black bread.
Ariel’s struggle with the bread looked more intense than a life-and-death battle against an enemy two realms higher than her.
Muen couldn't bear to watch and wanted to offer to buy her dinner, but seeing the inexplicable murderous aura on her face, he thought better of it and chickened out. He sneaked up to the second floor to eat and then made a quick escape.
He felt like if he got close now, he’d be beaten to death with a bread stick. Life was more important.
...
...
"Life is good."
On the way back to the dormitory, feeling the peaceful and beautiful surroundings, Muen couldn't help but stretch. His academy life was finally on the right track. He had solved the problem of his magic theory teacher, and Ariel showed no signs of suddenly rushing over to kill him.
—Though Ariel had been making some terrifying faces lately.
Even the rumors and prejudices would eventually fade with the News Club’s reorganization and his own hard work.
"According to the plot of the original novel, the first major event at the Academy should happen in a month."
"The Third Layer Grand Ritual covering the Academy fails for some reason, followed by an external invasion."
"In other words, I still have a month of peace?"
Muen rubbed his chin and smiled. After everything he had been through, the thought of having a whole month of peace made him bubble with happiness.
...
...
"ACTING! DEAN!"
In the Great Clock Tower, in the Dean's office, Professor Prang slammed his hand on the desk and roared at the ridiculous pink bear reclining in the office chair. "Why did you shut down the Third Layer Grand Ritual?"
"Why?"
A thick, hairy arm holding a cigar emerged from the bear's mouth. White smoke was billowing out of the bear's eyes and ears.
"Because it's too expensive, obviously. I checked the Academy's expense ledger and found that maintaining the Third Layer Grand Ritual alone accounts for one-fifth of the entire Academy's budget. Don't you think that's a waste?" The Pink Bear's voice was lazy, like a decadent middle-aged man.
"So you took the Academy's money to smoke premium cigars and buy these illegal Saintess photobooks?"
Professor Prang threw a book featuring scantily clad beauties onto the floor. "Aren't you afraid the Life Church will find out and charge you with desecrating the Saintess?"
"Hey, hey. Even though the title says 'Saintess Photo Book,' the people inside have nothing to do with the Saintess. They just look a bit like her. Don't talk nonsense."
The Pink Bear carefully picked up the book and brushed off the dust with a pained expression. "This stuff is hard to get. It cost me a lot of money."
"The problem is that you spent the Academy's money!"
"I'm the Dean now. The Academy's money is my money."
"But I'm the one who has to submit the financial report to the higher-ups at the end of the year!" Prang roared.
"..."
The Pink Bear fell silent for a moment, then suddenly placed a smoke-scented furry hand on Prang’s shoulder. "It's been hard on you. Keep it up. I believe in you."
"I don't need your empty encouragement!"
Prang slapped the hand away, the veins on his forehead bulging. "Besides, that's a minor issue. I came here to find out the real reason you shut down the Third Layer Grand Ritual! It's a vital system for protecting the students. If you shut it down, what about their safety?"
"Don't give me that 'expensive' excuse. The maintenance costs for the Third Layer come from the annual donations of the nobility; it has nothing to do with the higher-ups!"
"Sigh. You still don't get it, Professor Prang?" The Pink Bear sighed helplessly.
"Get what?"
"Tsk. You're usually such a sharp man, yet you're being dense now."
The Pink Bear took a long drag of his cigar, blew out a satisfying smoke ring, and said, "Have you ever wondered why the higher-ups sent me to be the Acting Dean?"
"Because—"
Professor Prang suddenly froze. His anger vanished, replaced by a cold chill. Some things are easily overlooked, but once mentioned, they haunt you like a ghost story you can't shake.
For instance: Why would someone as utterly unsuitable as the Pink Bear be appointed Acting Dean? And why did Dean Hathaway, who loved the Academy so much, remain silent about it before she left?
"Do you understand now?"
The Pink Bear took one last puff, then crushed the cigar into the ashtray. He said coldly, "My arrival represents the attitude of the higher-ups. They are tired of the Academy's gentle approach to education!"
"But... is this way of teaching really bad?" A look of confusion appeared in Prang’s eyes. "They're just children."
"Professor Prang, have you forgotten? I was once a student at St. Maria too."
The Pink Bear suddenly reminisced wistfully. "In my time, St. Maria lost dozens of students every year, but we were called the Golden Generation. It was that generation that formed the foundation of the current Empire. But since the Third Layer Grand Ritual was built, how long has it been since a Golden Generation appeared? Do you really think it's a matter of talent? No. It's because a life of ease has corrupted those students! I don't believe you haven't noticed!"
"But... isn't this too fast?" Prang gritted his teeth. "We could start by changing the curriculum. There's no need to be so direct..."
"Because there's no time left." The Pink Bear sighed. "Originally, the plan was as you said—to train the students intensely for a month before gradually deactivating the Third Layer. But because of a sudden development, we had to move it up."
"A sudden development?"
"Want to know?" The Pink Bear chuckled and pulled out a black stone tablet, placing it before Prang. "Swear first!"
"A Silence Oath?" Looking at the black tablet, Prang’s expression turned grave. "It's that serious?"
The Pink Bear shrugged, indicating he couldn't say a word otherwise.
"Fine. I hope your answer doesn't disappoint me."
After a brief silence, Prang raised his hand and pressed it against the tablet. Instantly, intricate patterns lit up on the stone. An invisible force descended from the void, turning into golden characters that sank into Prang’s heart.
The oath was sealed. This was the power of law from a deity. If anyone violated the oath on the black tablet, their heart would instantly explode.
Prang withdrew his hand and glared coldly at the Pink Bear. "Your turn."
"Alright, alright, don't rush me."
The Pink Bear pulled out another cigar, expertly clipped it, lit it, and took a deep drag. Only after smoke began pouring out of the suit's eyes, ears, and even the top of its head—turning him from a pink bear into an angry pink bear—did he speak slowly.
"It's quite simple, really. An Evil God has started making moves again."
"Evil Gods are always making moves," Prang said coldly. "Those cultists never stop."
"That's why I said it's the Evil God, not the cultists."
"The Evil God? Personally?"
This time, even Prang couldn't remain calm. He realized the vast difference in meaning between those two similar-sounding terms. "Which one?"
"Phew—this one."
The Pink Bear pulled out a piece of white paper and a pen. He scribbled for a moment and drew a sun that looked like a child's doodle, except there was a pupil in the center of the sun.
[The Withered King] Prang thought to himself.
"And then."
The Pink Bear pulled out another piece of paper and drew a crooked moon.
[The Silent Moon] Prang thought again.
"Finally."
The Pink Bear held the paper with the sun and moved it toward the paper with the moon.
[The Withered King is gradually approaching the Silent Moon.]
"Wait—"
Understanding the meaning of the gesture, Prang fell into disbelief. "You mean... He is gradually approaching Him?"
"Exactly."
"How is that possible? Don't Evil Gods mostly stay out of each other's way?"
"Who knows?" The Pink Bear shrugged and tossed the sun drawing aside. "But given His nature, He's definitely not bringing flowers and wine for a social call. It's more like He's caught the other one in a vulnerable position and is rushing over to give Him a thrashing."
"Are you joking?" Prang covered his face. "If those two start fighting..."
"Exactly," the Pink Bear finished. "A Divine War!"
"..."
"Hehe, how about it? Regret knowing the truth?" Seeing Prang’s pained expression, the Pink Bear said sarcastically, "Wouldn't it be better to be an ignorant baby? Honestly, the thing I want to do most right now is go back and slap my curious self. Why couldn't I just stay on the beach looking at beauties? Why did I have to be curious? Now look at me, stuck in this mess."
"...I think I understand the higher-ups' intent now," Prang said, wiping his face. "But shutting down the Third Layer so urgently... I suspect it's not just about training students before the chaos arrives."
"Oh? You've finally wised up." The Pink Bear sneered. "Of course it's not that simple. The impact of a Divine War on this world is still unknown. But to quote someone: the fate of this world is like adding 'Stargazy Pie' to a soup that was already a mess. No one knows what the final result will be. So, compared to the students of St. Maria, those people are definitely prioritizing the protection of the thing locked beneath the Academy. Diverting the power of the Third Layer to reinforce the First and Second Layers is only logical."
"I see." Prang let out a long sigh, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant. "They talk about the students, but in the end, it's about profit. Oh, wait—in their words, it's for the 'Greater Good.'"
"As long as you understand." The Pink Bear patted Prang’s shoulder, offering some schadenfreude-filled comfort. "Look on the bright side. It's just shutting down the Third Layer. It doesn't mean someone is going to invade the Academy immediately. Why worry so much?"
...
...
In a secret location, dozens of massive bonfires were burning. In the very center, a pyre was being built. A naked man was tied to it, struggling in agony.
Around the pyre, dozens of muscular men wearing nothing but thongs held torches high, shouting fiercely:
"Burn him! Burn him!"
"Burn the heretic!"
"Die, die, die!"
"Everyone—SILENCE!"
At the sound of a powerful voice, all the muscular men fell silent. They looked with fervent eyes toward the strongest man standing on a high platform at the base of the pyre.
The High Priest held a thick book above his head and shouted, "Today, witnessed by the Holy Scripture, we shall pass judgment upon this wretched traitor, this hateful fallen one, this despicable wretch who has defiled our doctrine!"
"I didn't! I didn't!" the man on the pyre screamed, struggling. "High Priest, have mercy! I did not betray the doctrine!"
"Nonsense!" the High Priest barked. He scanned the crowd and pointed to a muscular man with a scar on his face. "You, the new recruit! Tell me, what is the first doctrine of our faith?"
"Yes!" The scarred man stepped forward and roared with spirit, "The first doctrine of the True Love Cult: Same-sex is true love; the opposite sex is heresy!"
"Exactly!" the High Priest shouted with satisfaction. "Same-sex is true love; the opposite sex is heresy! BUT—"
The High Priest looked at the naked man. "Why did someone report to me that you were having intimate contact with the opposite sex at home?"
"That was my cow! I was milking my cow! High Priest, have mercy! I was just milking her, I swear I didn't do anything else!"
"Absurd!" the High Priest roared. "Just milking? Is a bull not good enough? Do you discriminate against bulls? With such actions, how can you say your heart is pure? You say you did nothing, but who would believe you?"
"High Priest, I—"
The man tried to explain further, but with a point of the High Priest's finger, his mouth moved fruitlessly; no sound came out.
The High Priest opened the scripture and read solemnly, "According to the guidance of the Great Scripture, the wicked betrayer shall be sentenced to death by fire!"
"Fire!"
"Fire!"
The dozens of men below raised their hands, shouting fanatically, "Death by fire!"
And so, tongues of flame climbed upward. The naked man was gradually consumed by the fire, unable to even scream. The stench of charred flesh filled the air, but the men present looked entranced, as if they were smelling the aroma of fine wine.
"Today, besides punishing the betrayer, I have another announcement."
The High Priest raised his hands and looked at the crowd, his face solemn and his eyes wild. "Not long ago, the Great Love God bestowed a divine oracle upon us!"
"He said—the Holy War has begun."
The High Priest pointed toward a certain direction in the darkness.
"Over there, in that filth-ridden St. Maria Academy. The ultimate heretic, the shameful blasphemer... he is there. Tonight, the barrier that has long blocked us will vanish. And we shall follow the guidance of the Great Love God, cross many trials, and go there. And then—"
The High Priest's voice was as cold as a hammer striking iron.
"We shall kill that hateful man who desecrated the Divine. Muen Campbell!"
...
...
In the deep darkness, ethereal voices seemed to whisper.
"Is it really okay to bring in this bunch of lunatics?"
"Hehe. Among those who worship that Corrupted Love God, who has a functioning brain? But that's exactly why they are professionals when it comes to muddying the waters."
"Fine. I hope everything goes smoothly."
...
...
The rain fell in torrents.
The world seemed drowned in the deluge, yet high above the heavens, a brilliant blue moon hung suspended.
Hiss—
Hiss—
An eerie sound crawled into his ears, threatening to strip away his very sanity.
A terrifying sense of suffocation made it hard to breathe as a heavy shadow gradually loomed over him.
The thick, metallic scent of blood stung his nostrils.
Then.
Like a demon’s whisper, a voice echoed beside his ear.
She said:
—"I’m going to devour your heart."
A sharp, agonizing pain shot through his chest.
An alluring shadow stood there, cradling a pulsing, burning heart in her hands.
Under the moonlight, she let out a soft, gentle laugh.
...
...
"Holy crap—!"
Muen jolted awake from the nightmare, drenched in sweat.
However, after a brief moment of disorientation, he realized something was wrong.
That wasn't a normal dream. The sensations had been far too vivid, far too real to be a mere trick of the mind.
Which meant...
"Is it that damn prophetic dream again?"
Muen froze for a split second, then whipped out the Black Book and began flipping through it rapidly.
The Black Book showed nothing unusual. His records from the past few days were also perfectly normal.
As always, the prophetic dream had appeared without the slightest warning.
But its appearance meant only one thing...
Muen slapped his thigh and shouted, "That hack author is finally pushing the main plot!"
"Wait, no. Why would I have such a weird thought?"
Muen shook his head, tossing the nonsensical idea out of his mind. His gaze instantly sharpened.
He grabbed the Black Book and shook it violently.
"You bastard book! If you're going to give me another one of these cryptic prophetic dreams, couldn't you at least provide some details?"
"Last time it was death by a thousand cuts, and this time it's heart-ripping? Are you not going to be satisfied until you've put me through every legendary torture in history?"
The prophetic dream was still terrifying.
Muen could clearly remember the torrential rain, the blue moon, the blood, and that seductive shadow that had plucked out his heart.
But—
Just like last time, there wasn't a single useful clue.
The voice and the shadow both felt like they had been put through some kind of distortion filter; he couldn't identify a single characteristic.
It felt like the Black Book wasn't giving him these dreams to tell him what to do.
It was a warning.
Fate is coming to screw you over again. Better start struggling.
"But if you want me to struggle, you have to tell me how! What's the point of throwing a weird-ass dream at me? I'd rather just have a good night's sleep!"
Muen roared at the Black Book.
Naturally, there was no response.
The Black Book had only shown the slightest hint of having its own consciousness during the last incident. Since then, no matter how Muen called out to it, it remained completely unresponsive.
"Whatever. I'm used to it."
Other people's cheats were eloquent and talented; some could even turn into beautiful girls to comfort you when you were lonely.
His cheat? Heh. It was a block of wood.
Well, a block of wood was better than nothing.
Having been startled awake by the dream, Muen found himself unable to go back to sleep. He decided to head to the bathroom to wash his face and start his studies early.
"Strange. Why do my shoulders feel so heavy after waking up?"
Muen rubbed his shoulders as he walked into the bathroom.
He splashed water on his face.
He looked up, wiping the droplets away with a towel.
Then he froze.
He blinked.
He rubbed his eyes again.
After confirming he wasn't seeing things and wasn't still dreaming, Muen stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.
"Who is this busty, blonde-haired beauty with the wavy curls in the mirror?"