Chapter 374: The Beginning Of The End [XXXVI]

The sky above the academy was clearer than usual, glowing with a soft golden light that made the entire courtyard shimmer.

Every god student had gathered, thousands of them, standing in neat rows while teachers and guardians hovered at the sides.

It wasn’t an official entrance ceremony or a graduation either…

It was something far more serious.

A divine introduction.

Because today…

The Goddess of Light herself, Olivia, was visiting.

And the moment she appeared on the stage, descending in a shower of white-gold feathers, the entire courtyard erupted into gasps.

She was undeniably gorgeous.

Her hair, a cascade of pure, molten gold, fell in long, luxurious waves down to the small of her back.

Two elegant side-locks were twisted into soft spirals, framing her face with a delicate halo-like effect that made her seem almost unreal.

Her eyes matched that same brilliance.

They were a beautiful, deep gold and impossibly bright. They held a serene authority, the kind that could calm a crowd or silence an argument with a single glance, and when she focused on someone, it felt like standing directly under the sun.

Her dress matched her figure as well, as it was made out of layers of white and gold embroidery that wrapped her form in flowing, ethereal fabric that never wrinkled, never dulled.

Filigree patterns of light spread across the bodice like living sunrays, each thread glimmering softly as she breathed.

The skirt fell in graceful sheets that moved as if carried by a permanent breeze, weightless and luminous.

And if that wasn’t enough, her figure seemed to perfectly fit her dress as well.

Her narrow, elegant waist curved gently into generous, soft contours naturally accentuated by the subtle fit of her embroidered gown.

Nothing about her figure felt exaggerated; instead, it held a harmonious fullness, the kind painters spent their entire lives trying to capture.

“W-Woah…”

“She’s even more beautiful than the statues…”

“I can’t breathe, someone help me!!!”

Whispers spread instantly like wildfire.

Aestrea stood somewhere near the middle of the crowd with his hands in his pockets, wearing a seemingly calm expression.

But inside?

Inside, he was a little… sweaty.

Because while everyone else was staring at Olivia with worship or awe… Olivia’s eyes kept drifting to him.

Her gaze swept the crowd gently, passing over countless talented god students…

Then came back to Aestrea.

Again.

And again.

He felt his stomach drop lower each time.

’Fucking hell…’

Without any more hesitation, Aestrea used the 『 Scan 』on her.

[Target: Olivia, The Goddess of ✦ Light ✦]

[Race: Primordial God]

[Rank: 9✯ True God (99%)]

[Authorities: Light & God-Killing]

[Favorability: 999 (After you took the virginity of her avatar, she became increasingly obsessed with getting you as her husband because of her unnatural “sense” of purity…)]

[Loyalty: 100 (Although not official lovers, she would never betray you.)]

[Sexual Desire: 99/00 (She’s dying to fuck you, but can easily control her lust.)]

[Thoughts: Aestrea, marry me. Be my husband, be my husband. Marry me and be my husband. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. Marry me. MARRRY MEEEEEEE!]

Upon seeing her panel, Aestrea’s face dropped instantly.

’…Fucking hell. She’s even worse than Christina, and I thought that being worse than her was fucking impossible!’

“Ahem!”

The Headmaster stepped forward and cleared his throat loudly.

“Students! Please welcome Lady Olivia, the Goddess of Light and one of our most generous sponsors!”

CLAP, CLAP, CLAP!

Applause instantly exploded the moment the Headmaster said those words.

Olivia smiled that perfect, divine smile and raised a hand.

“Thank you, everyone. You may relax.”

Her voice was melodic, warm, and almost hypnotic, causing a few students to start actually drooling in place.

“As one of the academy’s primary supporters, I wished to personally visit before the end of the first semester. I hope to see how all of you have grown.”

More applause, but her eyes flicked right back to Aestrea.

“Hey… why does she keep looking over here?”

“HAH! She’s definitely looking at me!”

“You must be dreaming! It’s obvious that she was charmed by my deadly charm!”

“Fuck off, she’s definitely eyeing me!”

Aestrea’s eyebrow twitched at their words.

Olivia continued speaking, her voice pure and gentle.

“As young gods in training, you each carry a potential that could one day influence entire realms. I am truly proud to witness your development.”

The crowd’s awe rose even higher.

“She’s amazing…”

“She’s perfect…”

“She’s literally the embodiment of grace…”

“I want to join her faction!”

“I want her autograph!”

More students whispered excitedly.

Olivia raised both hands gently, signaling silence.

“It brings me great joy,” she said, “to see so many promising young divinities gathered here.”

Then she smiled faintly.

“And… I am especially pleased to see certain individuals who have caught my attention.”

Aestrea’s heart stopped.

The whispers exploded like thunder.

“Caught her attention??”

“Who? WHO?!”

“She means us, right?”

“No way, maybe she means me!”

“Your divine power is weaker than a carrot. Sit down!”

Aestrea slowly, very slowly, took a step back into the crowd.

It didn’t help at all, because Olivia continued, her gaze softening even more.

“There are students here who have shown… remarkable potential. Exceptional talent. And extraordinary courage.”

Her eyes found him again.

Locked onto him and didn’t move at all until her next words came out.

“Especially that fellow over there that seems to be called Aestrea.”

The courtyard fell silent.

Thousands of eyes turned to Aestrea.

His soul left his body.

He wanted to evaporate on the spot.

“He’s dead.”

“He’s definitely dead.”

“Pray for him.”

“I’ll prepare a coffin.”

Aestrea forced a smile, but to make things worse, Olivia wasn’t done yet.

“I will personally be observing a few students today,” she continued gently, “and I hope those I have chosen… will not disappoint me.”

She smiled.

A bright, divine, absolutely terrifying smile.

And Aestrea knew that he was thoroughly, irreversibly, undeniably fucked.

She almost chuckled at his dead expression.

Then, Olivia lifted her hand, her fingers glowing softly with golden light as she continued speaking with that wonderful, gentle, absolutely dangerous smile.

“And so,” she added calmly, “I have decided that today… I will personally meet with every single student present.”

A wave of gasps rippled through the courtyard.

“E-Every single one?!”

“No way, she’s going to meet us individually?”

“Is this real life? Am I dreaming?”

“Someone slap me to see if I’m dreaming!”

SLAAAAP!

“WAIT, NOT THAT HARD, BITCH!”

She nodded with serene certainty.

“Yes. Each of you will receive a one-to-one session with me today.”

Aestrea froze.

’…Fucking hell, this woman…’

“I ask that everyone remain on academy grounds until the sessions are concluded.”

The crowd murmured in shock.

Taking the chance, Aestrea slowly, quietly, very casually tried to take one step backward.

Just one.

Just to get a bit farther from the center.

Just to blend in… and maybe get the fuck out of there.

“By the way…”

His soul collapsed inside him as he heard Olivia’s words.

Olivia’s smile became a little sharper.

Too subtle for the others to notice, but crystal clear to him.

“No one,” she warned, her voice still warm, still angelic, but unmistakably directed at him, “is allowed to leave.”

Aestrea froze mid-step.

“Uh… why did she say that so suddenly?”

“Yeah, did someone try sneaking out?”

“I didn’t see anyone move.”

“Weird… maybe it’s just a precaution?”

“Or maybe she sensed something!”

Aestrea’s eye twitched so hard it nearly spasmed out of his skull.

Olivia let her hand fall slowly, the light drifting off her fingers like tiny golden sparks.

“All of you will remain,” she continued.

“This is not a request, but an important part of your education. There is much I wish to understand… and much I wish to teach.”

The Headmaster stepped forward immediately and bowed deeply.

“Of course, Lady Olivia. As you command. Students, please listen carefully: all classes for today have been canceled. The academy will be fully dedicated to the Goddess of Light’s guidance for the remainder of the day.”

More whispers erupted instantly.

“T-This is insane…”

“We’re getting personal guidance from a Goddess?!”

“I’m sweating, what do I even SAY to her?”

“What if she judges my divine affinity level? Oh gods oh gods oh gods!!!”

“I’m not prepared! I didn’t even comb my hair this morning!”

“Wait… what if she scolds us?”

“What if she praises us?!”

“What if she blesses us?!”

The entire courtyard vibrated with excitement, nerves, panic, hopes, and pure chaos.

Except for Aestrea.

He was silent.

’…Whatever,’ he sighed.

’This was bound to happen one day or another. I guess it’s simply better to face it early, heh?’ he shook his head slighly.

Clap!

Olivia clasped her hands together gently, interrupting Aestrea’s thoughts.

“We will begin shortly,” she said.

“Please remain where you are until instructions are given.”

Then, with the grace only a Goddess possessed, she descended the steps of the stage, slowly, beautifully, every eye set on her…

Except hers.

Because her eyes remained fixed on the one person who most desperately wished to disappear.

Aestrea.

Now… instead of that dead expression, he seemed much calmer as he finally finished his thoughts before nodding slighly to himself.

’Besides… if she’s this obsessed with me, I can simply use the power of her faction to my benefit and destroy the others.’

After all, one detail that Aestrea would not forget was that Olivia was the creator of the three strongest factions of the Divine Realm.

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