Chapter 86: Potions and Dreams

“I heard that junior, you really shined in martial arts class and surprised quite a few people.”

In the empty classroom of the Ancient Potions Club, Muen looked up in shock and turned to look at the senior sitting sideways on the desk:

“It spread that fast? Even you know, senior?”

“Muen Campbell is a celebrity, after all. News about celebrities always travels faster. Also, there’s this...”

Senior Anna handed over a newspaper.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

Muen took the newspaper with a puzzled expression and casually glanced at it.

Then, froze.

“Apology statement?

All previous reports by the News Club regarding Muen Campbell and Ariel Bugaard were false information. We hereby sincerely apologize to both individuals. We will...”

There were rows and rows of words printed on the newspaper.

All of them apologies for publishing false information about Muen and Ariel, stating that the News Club would reflect deeply and make serious corrections, ending with a notice that the News Club would shut down for a week for reorganization.

“Apology... false reporting...” Muen frowned.

“Oh my, looking at your expression, you really didn’t know?”

“Know what? I’ve been so busy studying lately, I haven’t had time to pay attention to the academy newspapers or anything.”

“No wonder. I was just thinking it was odd how junior didn’t even lose his temper or go fight that guy Mingot to the death after being slandered like that.”

Senior Anna handed over a few more newspapers.

Muen took them, looked through them, paused, and then his rage surged up, blood pressure soaring.

“Ex-girlfriend? Abortion? Dating thirteen girls at once? What is this?!”

“Your tabloid news, junior. Haven’t you ever wondered why your image is so bad in the eyes of other students?” Senior Anna rested her cheek on her hand and giggled.

“Junior looks pretty cute when he’s all dumbfounded like that.”

“I thought...”

Muen opened his mouth, but like a fish out of water, no sound came out.

In the end, he could only smile helplessly.

He had been too focused on his own world, thinking that as long as he worked hard, one day people would change how they saw him.

But he hadn’t realized that, compared to his own lack of progress, the malice from the outside world was an even more terrifying thing.

“But still...”

Muen looked down at the apology statement and reform notice printed on the newspaper in his hand, and couldn’t help but feel a warmth in his heart.

To be able to make something like this happen in such a short amount of time—only Celicia could do that.

“Never thought I’d end up relying on her help again.”

Muen scratched his head with a bitter smile.

“Now I don’t even know how to thank her.”

“It’s very rude to be thinking about another woman while talking to your senior, you know.”

Anna suddenly reached out with a slender finger and playfully flicked Muen on the forehead.

“Time is precious. Let’s start our first lesson, Muen.”

“Yes, Professor Anna.”

Muen instantly perked up.

No matter what, studying was the most important thing.

As for how to thank Celicia... he’d think about that later.

“First, let’s do a little quiz.”

Anna sat on the desk, her waist forming a perfect curve, her long legs crossed elegantly. The black stockings on her legs shimmered faintly under the sunlight streaming through the window.

Anna opened a textbook and, just like a real professor, spoke seriously:

“Hmm, first I need to know your level, Muen. But with how skilled you are in martial arts, I’d think you wouldn’t be too bad in this area either.”

“Heh heh...”

Muen’s eyes wandered.

“Maybe... perhaps... I might be just a little bad at it.”

“A little bad is fine. I have some confidence in my teaching skills.”

Anna smiled and gently pressed her lips together.

“Come on, don’t be nervous. Just answer a few questions for me.”

...

A few minutes later.

Even Anna couldn’t help but show a serious expression at this point.

She set down the textbook and looked at Muen, whose expression had grown awkward. Her eyebrows arched high, her tone laced with disbelief.

“Junior, don’t tell me... you seriously don’t know anything about the subject of Magic Theory Basics?”

“Th-that’s nonsense!”

Muen’s cheeks flushed slightly, but he still forced himself to sit up straight, stiffening his tone:

“Who says I don’t know anything? Don’t I know the biography of Archmage Meladomir?”

“But that’s not on the exam.”

“...”

Muen averted his eyes, feeling guilty.

“So this... is what it feels like to be deceived by a scumbag?”

Anna gently touched the corner of her eye with her index finger, pretending to cry, looking pitiful and wronged:

“Can’t believe I’d live to see the day I got tricked by a scumbag... sob sob... What should I do? I’ll never get married now...”

“I’ll make it up to you! Senior Anna, please, don’t...”

“Really?”

Senior Anna leaned in, tilting her head, smiling mischievously like a little devil:

“What kind of compensation will junior give me?”

“I’ll... I’ll...”

The alluring scent continuously slipped into his nose, and at such close distance, that enchanting tear mole at the corner of Anna’s eye became even harder to look away from.

“One million?” Muen asked tentatively.

“Oh? So in your eyes, I’m a woman who just likes money that much?” Senior Anna looked heartbroken.

“No, no, I just...”

“Actually, I really do like money.” Anna grinned slyly again.

“......”

“Fufufu... junior’s expression is so funny.”

Anna laughed sweetly, unable to contain her amusement.

“Senior Anna, you’re so mean...” Muen was close to tears.

What kind of high-tier seductress was this—completely beyond his ability to handle.

“Alright, joke time’s over.”

Anna wiped away the tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes, sat back down on the desk, and returned to a slightly serious demeanor.

“Let’s officially start class now, Muen.”

“Yes, Professor Anna!”

Muen straightened up and responded with his chest out, like a proper honor student.

...

The sunlight was lazy, the breeze gentle.

In a slow-flowing afternoon that seemed to stretch on forever, Muen’s “Mini Class with Professor Anna” officially began.

It had to be said—just as she claimed—Senior Anna was truly good at teaching.

The content started from the basics and gradually progressed, layer by layer. She occasionally used vivid analogies, making the dull textbook material come alive with surprising clarity. Even someone like Muen, a complete beginner in magic, could follow her rhythm and gradually delve deeper into the wondrous mystery that this world called “magic.”

Especially when, in the middle of teaching, she would sometimes let slip a trace of charm—it was really easy to fall into it without realizing.

...

...

“By the way, does junior Muen want to try it out?”

After the afternoon class ended, just as Muen was getting ready to pack up and leave, Senior Anna suddenly suggested it.

“Try what?” Muen didn’t immediately catch on.

“Of course, the activities of the Ancient Potions Club.”

Anna rolled her eyes at Muen with sultry grace.

“Forgot? Didn’t I ask you before if you wanted to join the Ancient Potions Club? I figured you’d need to experience it first before making a decision.”

“That’s true.”

Muen blinked and smiled. “Then I’ll trouble you, senior.”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

Anna tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled gently:

“If junior ends up liking what our Ancient Potions Club does, that would be even better.”

“I’ll try my best to like it.”

“Really? That’s great.”

Anna’s eyes curved into a soft smile.

Though that smile, in a moment Muen didn’t notice, carried a hint of something deeper.

...

“The so-called Ancient Potions Club is a group that researches ancient texts and attempts to recreate potions that have been lost to time.”

Anna led Muen on a tour of the club classroom. The classroom was large—where Muen had taken class earlier was just a small area sectioned off. Beyond the partition, Muen could see a whole row of bookshelves.

The bookshelves were filled with volumes that looked old just at a glance. Muen pulled one out at random and found that not only were the cover pages torn and the text hard to decipher, most of the content was also incomplete.

“We’re using these books to recreate ancient potions?”

Muen looked a bit shocked.

“Can that even succeed?”

“The probability of success is very low, and most of the time, just recreating one ancient potion takes an enormous amount of time. And the result is often far from ideal.”

Anna reached out her hand and gently caressed the ancient books, as tenderly as if she were stroking a child.

“That’s also why I’m the only one left in the Ancient Potions Club. A massive amount of effort with little to no return—the feeling of futility when your efforts bring no reward makes most people quit not long after joining.”

“After all, if you really want to learn potion-making, there’s a formal potion club in the academy. Why take this difficult, thankless detour?”

“That’s why I told you to think carefully before deciding whether to join. I don’t want to have a new junior run off after just a few days. That would really hurt senior’s feelings.”

At that moment, Senior Anna stood in a backlit corner. Her stunning profile looked particularly lonely.

It made something stir faintly in Muen’s heart.

His hand instinctively brushed past the unused equipment nearby. Though it hadn’t been used in a long time and had been pushed into a corner, it was still spotless and clean.

Senior... she must really love this club.

“Then what can I do?”

Muen asked:

“I don’t know how to make potions. I can’t read ancient texts. It seems like I can’t even help senior at all.”

“Indeed, junior Muen is quite a useless junior.” Anna nodded seriously.

“...You don’t have to say it out loud like that! That really stings, senior!” Muen cried out in anguish.

“Fufufu... But even such a useless junior can still help me.” Anna chuckled softly:

“The club’s activities aren’t just about recreating ancient potions.”

“Huh? How can I help?” Muen’s eyes lit up.

He’d already received so much care from senior—he had to show some sincerity in return.

As long as senior said the word, whether it was climbing mountains or walking through fire, he would—

“This.”

Anna suddenly placed a bottle of pale red potion in front of Muen.

“Drink this, junior Muen.”

“Huh? Drink it?”

Muen’s smiling face froze instantly.

He looked down at the bottle of potion whose color always reminded him of some not-so-pleasant memories and cautiously asked:

“May I ask... what exactly does this potion do?”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

Muen’s eyes widened—he nearly jumped on the spot.

“You don’t know and you’re telling me to drink it? Are you trying to kill your junior?!”

“Because this is another part of our club’s activities: potion testing.”

Anna tilted her head, gently tapped the glass container with her finger, and the pale red liquid inside rippled softly.

Her tone remained gentle and calm, as if she had long expected Muen’s reaction.

“Since these potions are recreated from ancient texts, and because the records are often incomplete, the specific effects are ambiguous. At times like this, we use potion testing to determine their exact effects.”

“But... isn’t that really dangerous?”

Muen was stunned by Senior Anna’s spirit of selfless dedication to science. “What if it turns out to be poison?”

“How could it?”

Anna rolled her eyes and flicked Muen’s forehead with her finger.

“You don’t trust your senior’s potion-making skills? Even if I don’t know the exact effect, I can still make a general analysis based on the ingredients and refining process. Testing is just to collect precise data.”

“I see.”

Muen scratched his head, blushing with shame over his ignorance.

“So this potion’s general effect is...?”

“It should be a type of transformation potion.”

“Transformation type?”

“Mm, that’s right. It temporarily turns the person who drinks it into something else—like a kitten, a puppy, or even some kind of object. Of course, it’s only a change in appearance. It doesn’t affect one’s essence at all.”

Anna rested her cheek on her palm, swaying the potion.

“In fact, I already drank this potion a while ago.”

“You did?”

“Mhm. But when I drank it, nothing happened at all, so I started wondering if maybe this type of potion has different effects depending on the person.”

“So that’s why you asked me to test it?”

“Exactly.”

Anna’s deep, enchanting pupils, as if about to pull someone in, locked onto Muen as she smiled softly.

“No matter what, I wouldn’t give my junior a harmful potion, right?”

“Haha, sorry.”

“So, junior, are you willing to drink it?”

“Uh...”

Muen was still a little hesitant.

Although senior had clearly said that this potion wouldn’t be harmful, Muen knew better than anyone how bad his luck was.

If the actual effect of the potion turned him into a pig or something, wouldn’t all the effort he’d put into building his image be completely wasted?

“Sigh, honestly, I’d rather junior turn into a cute little animal or something. That way, I could hold you in my arms and give you a good squish.”

Senior gestured with both hands in front of her overwhelming chest, her voice filled with anticipation.

Turn into a little animal?

Held in her arms?

Squished?

“I’ll drink it!”

Muen suddenly slapped the desk, speaking righteously:

“A real man, born under heaven, how could he fear such a trivial unknown? Senior has shown me kindness—I must repay it with all I have!”

It’s not like he just wanted to get squished in senior’s arms as a little animal or anything!

Definitely not!

Right after saying that, Muen grabbed the potion and downed it in one gulp.

After drinking it, Muen was just about to enjoy senior’s gaze—shocked, admiring, and moved—but instead, he found a trace of speechlessness in Anna’s eyes.

“Junior Muen.”

“Hm?”

“Potions are supposed to be taken in doses. You didn’t have to drink the whole thing.”

“...Can I spit it back out?”

“Nope.”

Pfft—

Anna suddenly burst out laughing, her whole body shaking with laughter.

“Fufufu... Junior, you really are something. Who drinks an entire potion all at once like that? And judging from your expression, were you hoping I’d praise you?”

“I just feel like I’m an idiot.”

Muen looked utterly defeated, nearly in tears.

“So is there any side effect from drinking too much?”

“There, there, no.”

Senior actually reached out and patted Muen’s head gently.

“It just means the effects will last a little longer, that’s all.”

“Oh, that’s a relief then.”

Feeling the softness of senior’s palm, Muen let out a long breath.

As long as there were no adverse effects from drinking too much.

“Then next...”

“Wait.”

Anna smiled.

“Let’s see what you’ll turn into.”

...

Five minutes...

Ten minutes...

Thirty minutes...

An hour...

Until the dinner bell rang outside the window, Muen still hadn’t changed at all.

“Um... senior, this potion seems kind of slow to take effect.”

“......”

For the first time, Anna had trouble maintaining her composure. She pulled out a tattered old tome and flipped through it.

A moment later, she rubbed her temple and said:

“Sorry, junior. I might’ve messed up the brewing process. The potion failed.”

“So what now?”

“Hmm... then let’s call it a day. It’s dinner time. Go eat, junior.”

Senior Anna once again smiled and stood up to see him off.

But Muen felt like there was something behind that smile.

“I see.”

But all he could do was obediently nod.

“Then, goodbye, senior.”

“Mhm. Goodbye, junior Muen.”

Muen left the Ancient Potions Club’s classroom.

But just as he stepped out, he glanced back without thinking.

Senior Anna stood leaning by the window, gazing at the noise outside.

Yet she seemed like she didn’t belong to this world—her expression slightly cold, her figure lonely.

It made one’s heart ache.

...

...

While eating dinner, Muen happened to run into Ariel, who was locked in a desperate struggle with the free black bread in the corner of the cafeteria.

The black bread was both cold and hard. Supposedly, to the poor, it was not just food, but also a self-defense weapon. There were reportedly many cases every year in Berland’s lower district where someone was beaten to death with black bread sticks.

Ariel’s struggle with the bread looked more exhausting than a life-and-death duel against an enemy two realms stronger than her.

Muen couldn’t just sit by, and was about to offer to treat her to dinner. But seeing the inexplicable murderous aura on her face, he thought better of it—and chickened out.

He snuck up to the second floor to eat in secret, then quickly made his escape.

He had a feeling that if he got close now, he’d be beaten to death with a bread stick.

His life was precious.

...

...

“Peaceful times are the best.”

On the way back to the dorms, feeling the peaceful and pleasant surroundings, Muen couldn’t help stretching his arms.

At this point, his life at the academy had finally settled into a rhythm. He’d resolved the issue with his Magic Theory Basics teacher, and there were no signs of Ariel suddenly charging at him to beat him to death.

—Though she had been making scary faces more and more often lately.

Even the rumors and prejudice would likely fade gradually with the News Club’s restructuring and his own efforts.

“According to the original novel’s plot, the first major event in the academy happens about a month from now.”

“The third-layer Great Secret Seal that covers the academy fails for some reason, and external enemies invade.”

“So that means I’ve still got a whole month of peace?”

Muen rubbed his chin and smiled.

After going through so much already, just thinking about having a whole month of peaceful time made him feel like he was bubbling with joy.

...

...

“ACT! ING! DEAN!”

Clock tower. Dean’s office. Professor Prang suddenly slammed his hand down on the desk and roared at the ridiculous-looking pink bear slouched in the dean’s chair:

“Why did you shut down the third-layer Great Secret Seal?!”

“Why?”

The pink bear extended a thick, furry, sweat-matted arm from its bear mouth, a cigar tucked between its fingers. White smoke wafted from its eyes and ears.

“Because it was burning too much money. I checked the academy’s spending reports and found that just maintaining the third-layer Great Secret Seal took up a fifth of the entire budget. Don’t you think that’s wasteful?”

The pink bear’s voice was still that same lazy, degenerate middle-aged tone.

“So you took the academy’s money and spent it on luxury cigars and these illegal saintess photo books?”

Professor Prang threw down a risqué magazine with scantily clad women on the floor.

“You’re not afraid the Church of Life will charge you with blasphemy against the saintess?!”

“Whoa, whoa, don’t say that. Sure, they’re called saintess photo books, but the girls inside have nothing to do with any actual saintess. They just kind of... look similar. Don’t twist my words.”

The pink bear cautiously picked up the magazine, heartbroken, and gently dusted it off.

“This thing’s hard to get. Cost me a good chunk of ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) change.”

“That’s the problem! You spent academy funds!”

“I’m the dean now. Academy funds are my funds.”

“But I’m the one who has to submit the year-end budget to the higher-ups!” Professor Prang shouted.

“......”

The pink bear fell silent for a moment, then suddenly placed that smoky, hairy paw on Prang’s shoulder.

“You’ve worked hard. I believe in you. You got this.”

“I don’t need your motivational nonsense!”

Professor Prang slapped away the hairy paw, veins bulging on his forehead:

“Besides, that’s not even the point. I came here because I want to know the real reason you shut down the third-layer Great Secret Seal! The third layer is a key defensive mechanism protecting the students. Now that you’ve shut it down, what happens to student safety?”

“Don’t give me that ‘it costs too much’ excuse. The maintenance budget for the third layer comes from annual noble donations—it has nothing to do with upper administration!”

“Sigh, you still don’t get it, do you? Professor Prang?” The Pink Bear let out a helpless sigh.

“Don’t get what?”

“Tsk. Normally you're a sharp guy, but now you're playing dumb?”

The Pink Bear took a deep drag from his cigar, exhaled a satisfying ring of smoke, and said:

“Have you ever wondered why the upper ranks specifically sent me to act as acting dean?”

“Because—”

Professor Prang froze mid-sentence.

His burning anger was doused in cold water, extinguished halfway.

Some things are easily overlooked, but once mentioned, they haunt the mind like a ghost story told in daylight—constantly circling, impossible to shake off.

Like, for example—

Why would someone like the Pink Bear, clearly unfit to be a dean, be chosen as Saint Maria’s acting head?

And why did Headmaster Hatherway, who had always loved the Academy dearly, remain silent before her departure?

“Do you understand now?”

The Pink Bear took one last drag, then suddenly crushed the cigar into the ashtray and said coldly:

“My arrival represents the attitude of the higher-ups.

—They’ve grown tired of the Academy’s gentle, lenient education methods!”

“But... isn’t this kind of education good?” Professor Prang’s eyes showed a trace of confusion. “They’re still just children.”

“Professor Prang, have you forgotten? I was once a student at Saint Maria too.”

The Pink Bear suddenly recalled wistfully: “Back then, Saint Maria lost dozens of students every year, yet that era was called the Golden Generation. That very generation became the foundation of the Empire as it stands today. But ever since the third-layer Great Secret Seal was constructed, how long has it been since Saint Maria produced another Golden Generation? Professor Prang, do you really think that’s a talent issue?

No—it’s because the comfort and ease of life has corrupted the students!

Professor Prang, don’t tell me you haven’t noticed this.”

“But... isn’t this all a bit too fast?”

Professor Prang gritted his teeth and said: “We could’ve started by changing the curriculum. There’s no need to be this direct...”

“Because there’s no time left.”

The Pink Bear sighed:

“The original plan from above was exactly as you said—to toughen up the students for a while, then gradually phase out the third layer in a month. But due to an unexpected situation, it had to be moved up.”

“An unexpected situation?”

“Wanna know?”

The Pink Bear chuckled and pulled out a black stone tablet, placing it before Professor Prang:

“Swear first.”

“The Oath of Silence?”

Staring at the black tablet, Professor Prang’s expression grew serious:

“That bad?”

The Pink Bear shrugged, indicating he couldn’t say anything otherwise.

“All right. I just hope your answer doesn’t disappoint me.”

After a brief silence, Professor Prang raised his hand and pressed his palm against the tablet.

In an instant, complex patterns lit up across the stone. A formless power descended from somewhere beyond, transforming into golden script and piercing into Professor Prang’s heart.

The oath was complete.

It was divine law—if anyone violated the black tablet’s oath, their heart would immediately explode and they would die.

Professor Prang pulled his hand back and looked coldly at the Pink Bear.

“Your turn to talk.”

“All right, all right, don’t rush me.”

The Pink Bear pulled out another cigar, clipped it, lit it, and took a long drag.

Smoke flowed from the costume’s eyes, ears, and even the top of its head. The Pink Bear turned into an Angry Pink Bear.

Then, finally, he said slowly:

“The situation is actually pretty simple. The Evil Gods are stirring again.”

“The Evil Gods are always stirring.”

Professor Prang spoke 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 Professor Prang couldn’t stay calm, because he realized that those two seemingly similar terms had a massive difference in meaning.

“Which one?”

“Fwooo—this one.”

The Pink Bear took out a white sheet of paper, then a pen, and started scribbling. In the end, he drew something that looked like a child’s crayon drawing of a sun—except the center of the sun was an eyeball.

The Withering King.

Professor Prang read silently.

“And then—”

The Pink Bear pulled out another piece of paper and continued sketching, this time drawing a crooked crescent moon.

The Silent Moon.

Professor Prang read again in his mind.

“Lastly—”

The Pink Bear took the sun paper in one hand and slowly moved it toward the moon paper.

The Withering King is approaching the Silent Moon.

“Wait—”

Realizing the implication of the Pink Bear’s movements, Professor Prang fell into disbelief.

“You’re saying that He... is approaching Him?”

“Exactly.”

“How’s that possible? Don’t Evil Gods usually ignore each other for eternity?”

“Who knows?”

The Pink Bear shrugged and casually tossed aside the paper with the sun drawing.

“But with His personality, if He’s making the first move, He’s definitely not bringing wine and flowers for a friendly visit. It’s more like He grabbed some dirt on the other one and is rushing over to beat Him senseless.”

“What kind of nonsense is this?”

Professor Prang couldn’t help but cover his face: “If those two start fighting...”

“Exactly.”

The Pink Bear picked up: “That’s a godwar.”

“......”

“Hehehe, so? Regret learning the truth now?” Seeing the look of utter despair on Professor Prang’s face, the Pink Bear said in a mockingly sympathetic tone:

“Wouldn’t it be better to stay ignorant? Honestly, what I want most right now is to go back in time and slap my curious self. Why couldn’t I just stay on the beach and enjoy watching pretty girls? No, I had to go snooping. And now look—I’ve gotten myself caught up in this damned mess.”

“...I think I finally understand the higher-ups’ reasoning.” Professor Prang wiped his face. “But shutting down the third-layer Great Secret Seal so suddenly... it’s probably not just about preparing the students before the chaos hits, right?”

“Oh? Finally acting clever.”

The Pink Bear sneered:

“Of course it’s not that simple. No one knows what impact a godwar might have on this world. But to quote someone else—this world’s fate is already like a chaotic stew. And now they’ve gone and thrown in some cosmic horror spice, like ‘gazing at the stars’ type ingredients. No one knows what’ll come out of the pot in the end.

So compared to the safety of Saint Maria’s students, the higher-ups are obviously more concerned about the thing sealed beneath the Academy. Reallocating the power from the third layer to reinforce the first and second layers of the Great Secret Seal—it’s only natural.”

“I see.”

Professor Prang let out a long sigh, as if he aged ten years in an instant.

“They say it’s for the students, but in the end, it’s still about protecting their interests. No—wait, as they’d say it, ‘for the greater good.’”

“As long as you understand.”

The Pink Bear patted Professor Prang’s shoulder, gloating slightly as he comforted him:

“Cheer up. It’s just shutting down the third-layer Secret Seal. It’s not like someone’s going to invade the Academy immediately. What are you so worried about?”

...

...

In a secret place, dozens of massive bonfires were blazing.

At the very center of the place, a pyre about to be lit had already been stacked. A naked man was tied to it, struggling in agony.

And around the massive pyre, dozens of muscular men wearing nothing but thongs held torches high and shouted fiercely:

“Burn him! Burn him!”

“Burn the heretic!”

“Die, die, die!”

“Everyone—quiet!”

With a voice full of breath and authority, all the musclemen fell silent and turned their burning gazes toward the highest platform at the base of the pyre, where the strongest among them stood.

The strongest muscleman held up a thick book over his head and shouted:

“Today, under the witness of the Holy Code, we shall judge this damned traitor, this hateful degenerate, this despicable polluter of doctrine!”

“I didn’t! I didn’t!”

The man tied to the pyre shouted in desperation: “High Priest, spare me! I didn’t betray the doctrine!”

“Nonsense!”

The High Priest barked coldly, then swept his gaze over the crowd and pointed at a scar-faced muscleman.

“You there—the new recruit. Tell us: what is the First Doctrine of our faith?”

“Yes, sir!”

The scar-faced muscleman stepped forward and shouted with great spirit:

“The First Doctrine of the Cult of True Love—same-gender love is true love, all heterosexuality is heresy!”

“Correct!”

The High Priest cried out in satisfaction: “Same-gender love is true love, heterosexuality is heresy. But then—”

The High Priest turned to look at the naked man:

“Why, then, was I informed that you were having intimate contact with a woman at home?”

“That’s my cow! I was milking my cow! High Priest, please! I was only milking, I swear I didn’t do anything else!”

“Absurd!”

The High Priest roared: “Only milking, huh? Can’t you milk a bull? Are you discriminating against bulls now? With that behavior, and you still say your heart is clean? Who would believe that you ‘did nothing’?”

“High Priest, I—”

The man tried to explain further, but with just a single gesture from the High Priest, his mouth moved in vain—no sound came out.

The High Priest opened the holy code and solemnly declared:

“By the guidance of the Great Doctrine, the sinful betrayer shall be executed by fire!”

“By fire!”

“By fire!”

Dozens of musclemen below raised their hands together and shouted fanatically:

“By fire!”

Thus, the fire-serpents climbed up, and the naked man was slowly swallowed by flames. He couldn’t even scream. The stench of burning flesh filled the air, and the people around him wore expressions of rapture, as if they were inhaling the fragrance of fine wine.

“Today, aside from punishing a betrayer, there is one more thing I must announce to you all.”

The High Priest raised both hands, gazing at the crowd, his face solemn and his eyes crazed:

“Not long ago, the Great God of Love bestowed upon us a divine revelation!”

“He said—Holy War has begun.”

The High Priest raised his hand and pointed toward a certain direction in the darkness.

“Over there. That place full of filth—Saint Maria Academy.

The source of all evil. The shameful blasphemer. He is there.

Tonight, the barrier that has long stood in our way will disappear.

And we, following the command of the Great God of Love, will pass every trial and go to that place.

Then—”

The High Priest’s voice turned as cold and sharp as a hammer blow:

“We will destroy that wretched blasphemer of the divine.

—Muen Campbell!”

...

...

In the deep darkness, faint whispers seemed to echo.

“You sure it’s okay to use this group of lunatics?”

“Heh. Anyone who worships the God of Corruption is already broken in the head. But that’s exactly why they’re pros at stirring up the waters.”

“Well, let’s hope it all goes smoothly.”

...

...

A torrential downpour.

It was as if the whole world was being swallowed by the massive rainfall, and yet up high in the sky, a blue moon still hung brightly.

Hiss—

Hiss—

An eerie sound curled around the ears, as if it could strip away one’s sanity.

A suffocating sense of terror made it hard to breathe. A heavy shadow pressed down, closer and closer.

The thick scent of blood assaulted the nose.

At that moment.

A demonic whisper echoed beside the ear.

She said—

“I’m going to eat your heart.”

And then a sharp pain stabbed through the chest.

A seductive silhouette cradled a burning, beating heart in her hands.

Beneath the moonlight, she smiled faintly.

...

...

“Shit—!”

Muen jolted awake from the nightmare, drenched in sweat.

But after a brief daze, he quickly realized something was off.

That wasn’t just a normal dream—the sensations were far too vivid, too realistic to be just a dream.

Which meant...

“Another one of those damned prophetic dreams?”

Muen froze for a moment, then pulled out the Black Book and began flipping through it rapidly.

No anomalies. The recent records were also completely normal.

As always, the prophetic dreams came with no warning.

But whenever they did appear, it meant one thing...

Muen slapped his thigh and shouted, “That damn author’s finally starting the main plotline!”

“Wait, no—why the hell would I think something that weird?!”

Muen shook his head violently, trying to throw those absurd thoughts away, and his gaze instantly sharpened.

He grabbed the Black Book and shook it furiously:

“You bastard Black Book, giving me another vague and weird prophetic dream—can’t you give some clear details for once?!”

“Last time it was a thousand cuts, this time it’s getting my heart ripped out—are you planning to go through the Ten Tortures of Qing China one by one to satisfy yourself?!”

Prophetic dreams were still terrifying.

Muen could clearly remember the rain, the blue moon, the blood, and the seductive figure who tore out his heart.

But—

Just like last time, there wasn’t a single useful clue.

The voice and figure seemed distorted, processed, impossible to identify.

The Black Book giving him prophetic dreams didn’t seem to be offering guidance.

It was more like a warning.

Fate is coming to screw you again—start struggling now.

“But if you want me to struggle, at least let me know how! Just dropping creepy dreams like this is useless—I’d rather not have them and sleep peacefully!”

Muen roared at the Black Book.

Of course, it was pointless.

The Black Book had only shown the slightest trace of independent will during the last incident. Ever since then, no matter how he called, it gave no response at all.

“Forget it. I’m used to it.”

Other people’s cheats could talk sweetly, were super talented, and might even turn into cute girls to keep them company in lonely times.

My cheat? Heh. It’s a brick.

A brick is a brick. Still better than nothing.

After being startled awake by the prophetic dream, Muen had no intention of sleeping again. He got up, planning to wash his face and start studying early.

“Huh, why do my shoulders feel so heavy after waking up?”

Muen rubbed his shoulder while walking into the bathroom.

He washed his face.

Lifted his head, grabbed a towel, wiped away the water from his face—

And then froze.

Blink blink.

Rub rub.

After confirming that he wasn’t seeing things or still dreaming, Muen rubbed his chin and fell into deep thought.

“...Who is this busty beauty in the mirror with the long, wavy golden hair?”