Chapter 355: The Beginning Of The End [XVII]

The room that was deep under one of Divine Academy’s secondary buildings, hidden behind a fake wall that only opened after touching a specific rune pattern.

It smelled like old stone, cold metal, and incense made from relic dust.

Dim blue torches burned along the walls, releasing a faint mist that kept sound from escaping.

A long, dark table made from divine steel sat in the center, marked with shield symbols and wing-like carvings.

This was the Valkyric Faction’s private war room.

Six people were seated around the table, each wearing a long white mantle with silver feathers on the shoulders.

Every one of them had a different rank displayed on their mantle through small glowing runes, showing their hierarchy.

At the head of the table sat Ardeon Val Kyris, a tall and sharp-eyed man with silver hair tied behind his back.

His eyes were cold like frozen metal, and his voice always sounded like he was giving a verdict instead of speaking.

To his right sat Seris Velra, their official strategist, known for her fast calculations and her ability to predict student behavior.

She wore thin glasses that were engraved with tiny runes to scan divine energy patterns.

Across from her sat Thalon Myrr, their weapon specialist and artificer, the one who created most of their divine equipment.

His hands were covered with runic tattoos, and small sparks of energy flicked from his fingertips as he fidgeted out of habit.

To Ardeon’s left sat Ysera Halvine, the faction’s public representative and face.

Her white hair and gentle expression fooled many into thinking she was soft or polite. In truth, she was sharp, ambitious, and willing to sacrifice almost anyone if it helped their goals.

Beside her sat Gareth Rion, a quiet but extremely talented relic handler who rarely spoke unless necessary.

And finally, at the far end sat Eveleen Cyr, a young girl with cold purple eyes, the faction’s trump card for divine control techniques.

The room was silent until Ardeon placed two documents on the table.

“Everything is prepared,” he said slowly.

“The professors approved the relic synchronization test, and the Student Council accepted the safety reports without noticing anything.”

Seris adjusted her glasses at his words with a small smile.

“And they even helped calculate it themselves. Our biggest obstacle was wiped by their own hands.”

“Pfft…” Thalon let out a low laugh.

“They really think it’s just an extreme test. They didn’t even consider what would happen if synchronization levels exceed natural threshold without warning.”

Ysera tapped her fingers on the steel table with a cold smile.

“So it will activate even if they try to shut it down?”

Gareth nodded quietly.

“Yes. The moment all students enter the relic range, the synchronization pressure will begin automatically, and the core will activate on its own. The council or professors cannot cancel it without shattering the main array stone.”

“And nobody knows where that is placed,” Seris added.

“There’s one more thing, though,” Ardeon said, standing up as his mantle dropped silently behind him.

“The barrier to detect the Fallen God student will be installed on the same day. So not only will they be under extreme relic pressure, but their identity will also be revealed the moment they cannot suppress their divine core.”

Eveleen finally spoke in a strange, almost gagging tone.

“A-and when the n-n-notification appears… everyone will p-panic and blame each o-o-other. It will b-be the perfect m-moment to t-t-t-rack the real t-target.”

Ardeon nodded.

“Our plan is simple,” he continued.

“We expose the Fallen God and force them into two choices: surrender to the Valkyric Faction, or die.”

“And if they refuse?” Thalon asked curiously

Ardeon’s eyes sharpened like a blade.

“Then we take their core and make it our own. A Fallen God’s essence in loyal hands is worth more than three True God generals.”

A short silence followed.

Flap…

Seris opened another document.

“We also managed to convince three instructors to observe instead of interfering. They believe it will be a learning moment, not a dangerous event.”

“Good. Fear becomes easier to control when authority stands and watches it grow.” Ysera smirked softly.

“All relic shards have been placed underground in thirty hidden points across the forest and academy border. When the test activates, the entire area will become a giant synchronization cage,” Thalon nodded with pride in his eyes.

Eveleen lowered her head slightly.

“I h-h-have trained for this… if s-someone tries to e-e-escape with teleportation or s-space movement, I can l-l-lock them d-down.”

Ardeon looked at her with approval.

“You are essential to this mission, so your protection is also one of our priorities.”

He then placed his palm over the blue torch behind him. The flame turned white, signaling secrecy level three.

“No one here will share a single word of this outside this room. If someone tries,” he raised his hand, “your divine heart will shatter from the pact you signed.”

Everyone nodded without fear.

They knew what they wanted, and they believed their plan would succeed.

Seris turned the page again, reading the schedule.

“The relic synchronization will be the final test of the midterms. Students will already be tired, mentally unstable, and desperate to win. Their reactions will be more accurate for measurement.”

Ysera stood up slowly, brushing her white hair behind her ear.

“And even if we catch the wrong person first, they will break, panic, or reveal something useful. We win no matter what.”

Then, Ardeon finally concluded the meeting:

“In a few hours… the Valkyric Faction will rise above every faction in the Divine Academy. Prepare yourselves, as there will be no second chance.”

They stood up from their seats, exchanged silent nods filled with pride and confidence, then activated their personal teleport runes.

In less than a second, the room became empty.

The air stayed still, as if time itself held its breath.

“…Such a predictable and childish plan.”

Then, a calm, mechanical female voice echoed from a dark corner of the chamber.

From the shadow, a tall woman stepped forward, silver hair flowing like steel threads, violet eyes glowing faintly, and a cold expression carved into her face like a statue.

It was none other than Lunara, the Student Council President.

She walked across the table with slow, precise steps and picked up one of the remaining documents. A silver sigil shone on its surface, engraved with layered runes meant to destroy the contents if touched by an outsider.

Lunara didn’t hesitate.

The moment her finger touched the sigil, it disintegrated silently like dust caught in the wind.

“Even their secrecy level is sloppy,” she muttered, eyes emotionless. “They truly believe they are playing politics.”

She skimmed the contents without blinking.

Records of the relic synchronization trap, a hidden array map beneath the academy grounds.

Names of instructors who secretly approved.

And finally… the signature of Vice Headmaster Aegion.

“So the proposal did not originate from him… he signed it under their request.” Her voice dropped even colder.

“That means bribery, blackmail, or loyalty. All three are punishable.”

She gently folded the document in half, not with care, but with quiet disgust, and then crushed it completely with her bare hand.

The divine paper cracked like thin ice.

“I expected corruption among students,” she said, “but I did not expect an academy pillar to behave like a street thief.”

Her gaze sharpened like a blade.

“It appears that I will be removing several people from their positions. Permanently.”

She lifted her right hand, and a transparent screen of light formed in front of her, showing the Divine Forest test in real time.

The vision displayed many students running, fighting, and pushing forward, but her eyes locked onto one person immediately.

Standing calmly above the forest, watching everything with a quiet, unreadable expression.

Aestrea.

Lunara’s pupils narrowed slightly, the closest thing she had to an emotional reaction.

“…Every clue points toward you,” she whispered. “Power, growth speed, irregular energy patterns, corruption traces, mysterious background.”

She leaned one hand against the table with an emotionless expression.

“Aestrea… if you truly are the Fallen God, I will not forgive you.”

A short pause…

“…But if you are not…”

Her voice lowered to a whisper, cold, strict, yet strangely gentle underneath:

“…then I hope you survive what is coming.”

Her body turned into thin silver light, and she disappeared without a sound.

…

BANG!

A loud body hit the ground with a dull echo.

Five long hours passed, and Aestrea had already caught more than fifty-two students trying to cheat.

Some tried to climb trees and look ahead, others tried to use flying magic, and one even tried to open a hidden portal behind a rock.

Aestrea did not care about their excuses. He struck fast, grabbed them by the neck or leg, and dropped them back near the professor without mercy.

What shocked him the most were the students who were actually close to passing the test. They had almost reached the other side, but they still tried to peek ahead just to be safe.

For Aestrea, cheating was still cheating, and he moved like a sword whenever he saw it.

Elijah whistled when the last one fell.

“Damn, junior. You really have the talent to be an enforcer,” Elijah said with a crooked smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

Aestrea gave a small smile back if he had not spent hours hunting people down.

“It was simple,” he replied. “If the rule says no cheating, then anyone who cheats gets punished. I don’t see any problem.”

“Yeah, but most people would hesitate a little. You didn’t even blink.” Elijah laughed lightly.

“They made their choice.”

Elijah leaned closer and lowered his voice.

“Be honest. Did you enjoy it a little?”

Aestrea looked straight at him with a small smile.

“Of course… ahem,”

Elijah blinked twice and let out a short laugh.

“Pftt… you really understand me.”

Aestrea simply chuckled at his words. He then looked back at the forest, eyes dark but steady, like he was waiting for the next threat.

A minute later, the professor clapped loudly.

His voice echoed across the woods.

“The test is now finished! All remaining students have reached the other side of the forest. Anyone who is here at this moment, step to the front!”

“Finally… I swear, you worked harder than all the traps in this damn forest.” Elijah stretched his arms with a tired groan.

“Nah… I enjoyed beating up these guys.”

“Damn, Junior! You must be a sadist or something!”

“…Mayhaps.”

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