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“… A relic?”

At my question, the Blood Witch nodded.

“A relic slumbering within the academy. The cult leader calls it a relic, but from my perspective, it’s something far greater. Otherwise, there’s no reason for the cult leader to be so obsessed with it.”

“The cult leader was fixated on the academy?”

“You’d be surprised if you knew how much effort was put into it. Even I visited frequently under the pretense of seeing you.”

I studied the Blood Witch’s expression.

She didn’t seem to be lying.

In fact, just the thought of doubting her proved how shocked I was. The Blood Witch might pounce on me, but lying wasn’t in her nature.

“So, the frequent incidents related to the Bloodstone Cult at the academy weren’t just coincidences.”

I had assumed they were just another villainous group causing trouble here and there.

‘That was a mistake.’

I let their infamy as a villainous organization cloud my judgment.

If I had realized that the cult leader was so invested in the academy, I would have taken more precautions to protect it.

‘Then again, is that just hindsight?’

Without knowing exactly what was buried in the academy, making an informed decision would have been difficult.

Which meant…

What kind of item would make even the final boss obsess over it?

If we’re talking about the most valuable items in Fantasy X Academy, it would have to be the Numbers.

But would there be a Number with an effect strong enough for someone of the Bloodstone Cult leader’s caliber to fixate on it?

‘The cult leader is already overwhelmingly powerful.’

They had long since surpassed the point of needing items to boost their strength. Sure, some Numbers had meaningful abilities, but most of them were stored within the Imperial Palace.

Hmm.

My thoughts were getting tangled.

But there was one possibility.

‘Transcendental grade.’

A concept that had only been jokingly speculated by veteran players—items so powerful that they couldn’t even be assigned a number.

No, calling them ‘items’ wasn’t even accurate.

They weren’t just weapons or accessories.

They could be buildings, landscapes, or even something beyond human comprehension.

Because their effects defied logic itself.

Reversing time.

Traveling between dimensions.

Some players had speculated that something capable of the impossible might exist.

But this was only a theory.

— Press.

I snapped out of my thoughts as I felt fingers pressing against my temple.

Had my expression been that ridiculous?

The Blood Witch was smirking at me.

“What’s troubling you so much?”

“I’m wondering what exactly the cult leader is obsessed with.”

“Don’t think too hard about it.”

Whoosh.

She gently ran her fingers through my hair before continuing.

“For you, I can tell you everything. One by one.”

A whisper dripping with mischief.

A touch laced with dangerous affection.

Her love was the kind that nurtured and controlled—just like tending to livestock.

Even knowing that it was a form of submission, I still asked her.

“What is it that the cult leader is looking for?”

“It’s not an item.”

She shook her head.

Her silk-like black hair swayed and settled again.

Not an item.

That meant the Transcendental-grade possibility was still on the table.

But had there ever been anything of that level in the academy?

The academy was the stage for all players.

If something of that magnitude had been hidden there, someone would have noticed.

But no one had.

It wasn’t arrogance—I had scoured every inch of the academy myself.

“Then what is it?”

At my question, the Blood Witch’s lips curled into a smile.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you so desperate.”

Her lips moved subtly, whispering words meant to tease.

She exhaled playfully near my ear.

She was trying to mess with me.

“There’s no time for games. We need to—”

“Then kiss me.”

“What?”

“Kiss me, and I’ll tell you. Like you said, there’s no time to waste.”

Her smile deepened.

“If you’re really in such a hurry, you’d better hurry up and do it.”

She closed her eyes as if she had already won.

Her long eyelashes curled slightly, teasingly.

And then—

Her soft, crimson lips parted just slightly.

It was obvious what she wanted.

In the blink of an eye, she had seized control of the situation.

I had made a clear mistake.

But at this point, backing out wasn’t an option.

“…”

I hesitated for a moment. Then, I took the Blood Witch’s hand.

— Flinch.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, as if caught off guard.

She quickly regained her composure, but the brief moment of surprise had been unmistakable.

I gently raised her soft hand to my chest.

And then, I pressed my lips to her fingertips.

“…What are you doing?”

The Blood Witch blinked, eyes wide with confusion.

I shrugged.

“You never said where I had to kiss.”

“Aha…”

She let out an amused chuckle, shaking her head as if exasperated.

But deep within her gaze, I could see satisfaction.

Of course.

To her, the sight of me lowering my head while holding her hand must have looked like an act of submission.

A compromise where both of us could claim victory.

“…Well, fine. Just this once, I’ll let it slide.”

She looked down at me with an air of superiority.

“What an honor.”

“Hmm. You can be sly sometimes.”

A satisfied hum escaped her lips.

Then, without further teasing, she got straight to the point.

“Lichten Academy is an altar.”

“…An altar? As in, one used for religious rituals?”

“Yes. An altar that can elevate a mere human to godhood.”

At first, I struggled to grasp what she meant.

“Are you saying there’s an altar hidden within the academy?”

“No.”

The Blood Witch smiled.

“The Academy itself is the altar. The layout of the land, the positioning of the rivers, the surrounding mountains—everything combined.”

“…”

“Lichten Academy is the only place where a human can become a god.”

I fell silent.

This was invaluable information.

Far more shocking than the price I had paid for it.

Suddenly, an old scene from the game flashed through my mind—

Ian Blackangers, or rather Pongpong, randomly destroying the academy in the storyline.

“Wait… Does that mean some of the buildings have to be destroyed to fully activate the altar?”

“Some, yes. They’re in the way.”

A chill ran down my spine.

It all made sense now.

The cult leader’s goal.

Why someone with such an objective would be so obsessed with the academy.

“The cult leader wants to ascend to godhood.”

The Blood Witch spoke calmly.

A human ascending to divinity.

An absurd, yet terrifyingly plausible notion.

After all, the cult leader was already the closest thing to a god among mortals.

At the same time, another question arose.

Why did the altar have to be the academy itself?

Why did it have to be that large?

Every ritual demands a price.

And surely, for a mere human to become a god, the cost must be enormous.

“…Don’t tell me. The cult leader plans to fill the academy with people and sacrifice them?”

“That’s right. And Lichten Academy has plenty of fine specimens. The students and professors—aren’t they all perfect offerings?”

The conclusion was simple.

I had to protect Lichten Academy.

“…”

I turned my gaze toward the Blood Witch.

She blinked a few times before flashing a playful smile.

“What? Have you finally fallen for me?”

“No.”

“Then what is it? That intense look in your eyes.”

“Why are you telling me all this?”

“Ahaha—!”

She burst into laughter, thoroughly entertained.

Wiping away an imaginary tear with a long, slender finger, she smirked.

“Why? Do you think I’m cheating on the cult leader?”

“Something like that.”

“Ufufu. You’re not entirely wrong.”

“…What?”

“That’s right. I’ve grown tired of him. Instead, I’m more interested in…”

“?”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you become a Demon God, Ian.”

I must have looked at the Blood Witch with utter disbelief.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do I seem like the kind of woman who changes her mind so easily?”

“…”

“I only ever fix my gaze on one thing. It’s just that sometimes, someone else happens to be in my line of sight.”

Whoosh.

She lightly brushed her fingers against my cheek before continuing.

“Right now, that someone is you.”

What an honor.

An overwhelming, suffocating passion.

I changed the subject.

“Aren’t you supposed to be out on the battlefield?”

“Are you trying to get away from me?”

For a brief moment, anger flickered in her eyes.

“I was just asking. The castle looks a little empty.”

“Ah—.”

The playfulness returned to her expression as she giggled.

“Actually, about half of our forces have already been deployed. Two will be heading out soon. Or maybe he already has.”

I stood up from my seat.

“Where are you going?”

The Blood Witch looked up at me, curiosity in her gaze.

“I’m breaking the barrier. My ally left behind a trail.”

◆

Lichten Academy.

— BOOOOM!

The academy, once a place of peace, was now in chaos.

Explosions echoed in every direction.

Magic clashed violently, screams filled the air.

Most of the professors had already been dispatched to other regions.

“Vice President! The eastern defense line is collapsing!”

“The south is struggling too! We need more people!”

At some point, Iris, the Student Council Vice President, had become the de facto leader of the academy’s defense.

Reports and cries for help poured into the student council office.

“We don’t have many resources left. Hold out as long as possible and retreat in small increments.”

“Understood…!”

“The south… weren’t the Lichten public officials supposed to provide reinforcements?”

“I’m sorry! We’re still trying to confirm their status…!”

Iris was barely managing to put out fires, but in truth, she was overwhelmed.

She was skilled in administration, not in leading a war—

Especially not in defending against a siege like this.

The defense lines were visibly crumbling.

She maintained her calm demeanor, issuing orders with precision.

But inside, she desperately prayed for salvation.

For someone—anyone—to take command.

For someone to lead her through this catastrophe.

That’s when it happened.

A cold, composed voice rang through the chaos.

“Deploy barricades at the east gate. I checked on the way here—the enemies there are mostly low-intelligence dangerous species. Delay them and eliminate them with wide-area magic.”

“Ah…!”

“You don’t need to reinforce the south too much. Reinforcements from Constantine will be arriving soon.”

“Reinforcements?”

“The Saint, Aria.”

In the depths of despair, a figure of light emerged.

Iris blinked in astonishment.

“…Lady Silvia?”

Silvia Laurent smiled at her.

That smile was like a beacon of hope.

“It’s been a while, Iris.”