On the podium, the Magic Theory Class professor spoke in a rhythmic voice, explaining the fusion and application of Ancient Magic Runes and Modern Tech Circuits.
Most students were writing furiously, trying to keep up with the professor’s pace.
However, Luna Florea, the sunny, pink-haired beauty sitting in the back-middle of the classroom, hadn’t focused on the blackboard or the textbook for almost the entire lesson.
Her attention was drawn almost entirely to the screen beneath her desk, which emitted a soft, white glow.
Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the virtual keyboard as her pale gold eyes focused on the constantly refreshing group chat.
A smile played on her lips from time to time due to the interesting comments or concerned greetings from her companions.
From explaining her “disappearance” yesterday to responding to everyone’s concern, then chatting about daily life and combat experiences, she had essentially “slacked off” for an entire class, immersed in the warm circle of her Goddess Angel sisters.
Not until the bell rang clearly and the professor announced the break did Luna put her phone down, still craving more.
Looking at the messages on her screen from companions all over the world—some of whom she might have never even met—all filled with care because they worried for her safety, she felt a warmth in her heart.
It was as if she were wrapped in sun-warmed cotton candy, sweet and comforting.
‘Becoming a Goddess Angel really is the best.’
She could meet so many like-minded companions fighting side by side, all holding a common belief, working hard to protect humanity and this world.
This sense of belonging and mission was a precious emotion she had rarely experienced back when she was just an ordinary student.
However, this heartwarming sentiment was quickly pulled back to reality.
Luna blinked, suddenly realizing something.
‘Oh no! I didn’t listen to a single word of the last lecture! My notes are completely blank!’
Even as a Goddess Angel, she was determined to balance her studies and daily life as a “student.”
She didn’t want her grades to drop, resulting in meetings with teachers or make-up exams, which would interfere with her “attendance” and condition as a Goddess Angel.
That would be putting the cart before the horse.
“Sorry, sorry! I was distracted last class… Can I borrow your notes? I promise I’ll finish copying them and return them to you quickly!”
Luna quickly turned around, an embarrassed yet charmingly pleading smile on her face, pressing her hands together toward a girl in the front row who kept meticulous notes.
The girl agreed readily and handed over the thick notebook.
The young girl took the notebook and prepared to dive into copying to catch up on what she missed—
*Bzzzt… Bzzzt… Bzzzt…*
Just then, her phone on the desk emitted a vibration pattern completely different from a normal message notification, carrying a specific frequency and a sense of urgency.
Luna’s movements froze instantly, and the smile on her face vanished.
This was a vibration mode she had specifically set.
It only triggered when the Goddess Angel exclusive emergency detection system detected a Crystal Husk energy reaction within the city limits that reached a certain danger level.
Without any hesitation, she immediately abandoned the notebook she had just received and the idea of copying.
Her expression became serious and focused as she quickly grabbed her phone and unlocked the screen.
Sure enough, the originally pure white “Starlight Covenant” app interface was now covered by a forced pop-up warning window with a striking red border and a flashing exclamation mark.
Inside the window was a simplified map of Eden City, with a piercing red dot flashing in a specific area.
Beside it were noted the energy level and the preliminary estimate of the number of Crystal Husks.
[Goddess Detection System: Crystal Husk reaction detected in Eden City. Immediate action required!]
Luna didn’t delay for a second.
She immediately replied in the “Starlight Covenant” emergency action channel:
“Eden East District, coordinates confirmed. Artemis is deploying now!”
Almost the moment her message was sent, another familiar avatar flashed.
It was another Goddess Angel companion stationed in Eden:
“I’m in the West District, so I’m a bit far, but I can head over to support immediately. Shall we meet at the Twin Bell Towers southeast of the target location?”
Luna swept her gaze over the map and tapped her fingers quickly:
“Okay, understood. Meet at the bell towers.”
After briefly confirming the meeting point and the initial plan, Luna closed her phone screen and gripped it tightly. She took a deep breath, the tight, serious expression on her face from seeing the alarm quickly switching to a perfectly practiced look of weakness and discomfort.
She stood up abruptly from her seat, her sudden movement catching the attention of several students nearby.
Then, she bent over slightly, clutching her lower abdomen with one hand, an apologetic and pained expression on her face as she turned to the girl in the next aisle who had just lent her the notes.
“I’m so sorry… I suddenly don’t feel well. My stomach hurts so much… I probably ate something bad. I have to go to the infirmary… Could you help me ask the teacher for a leave of absence for the next class? Just say I’m feeling unwell…”
Seeing that her face had indeed turned pale and that she was clutching her stomach, the girl immediately believed her and leaned in with concern.
“Luna, are you okay? Is it serious? Do you want me to take you to the infirmary?”
“Yeah, Luna, you don’t look good. Can you go alone?” nearby students asked, casting worried glances.
“No, it’s fine. Thank you, everyone! I can make it on my own. I probably just need some rest… You guys should go get ready for the next class. Don’t let me delay you.”
Luna was anxious, but she maintained her “frail” act.
She waved them off and forced a smile while already walking toward the back door of the classroom.
“Please, help me ask for leave!”
Before she could finish, the pink-haired girl had already pulled open the back door. Her slender figure quickly vanished, and her footsteps receded down the hallway, leaving the concerned students looking at each other.
All of this was captured by Hell, who sat in the window seat of the very last row, observing silently.
From the serious expression that flashed on Luna’s face after seeing her phone, to her rapid typing, to her sudden state switch, fake discomfort, made-up excuse, and hurried departure… The entire process was seamless. Though slightly rushed, she clearly wasn’t doing this for the first time.
‘There must have been another Crystal Husk Riot somewhere that triggered the Goddess Angel alarm system.’
Hell retracted his gaze from the empty doorway, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. However, he couldn’t immediately determine if this incident was a random occurrence of Crystal Husks through a naturally generated “rift,” or another planned operation by the Eternal Night Gospel Church.
‘If it’s the latter, could it be another trap for the Goddess Angels?’
Regardless of the situation…
Since the Annihilation Angel, Artemis, had already deployed, as the Adjudicator “V” responsible for this area—and having just received the mission to “find and eliminate Artemis”—he needed to follow and take a look.
He had to obtain first-hand intelligence and assess potential risks, such as whether other Adjudicators were involved, or perhaps, at the right time, he could do something.
Thoughts swirled in Hell’s mind, but on the surface, he maintained his sickly, indifferent appearance.
Thus, not long after Luna rushed out of the classroom, he also slowly stood up from his seat. He didn’t have any unnecessary hesitation, nor did he need to provide a detailed explanation or ask for help with a leave of absence like Luna did.
He didn’t even need a decent excuse.
Because… no one cared about him anyway.
The surrounding students didn’t even bother to look up. Even if they saw him, their eyes would only flash with indifference or disgust, thinking things like, ‘Oh, that guy is leaving again,’ or ‘Better if he doesn’t come back.’ They couldn’t wait for a “scumbag” like him to be out of the classroom so he wouldn’t pollute the air or their sight.
Hell was well aware of this, and a near-mocking sneer appeared on his face.
It seemed this terrible “character” and “reputation” could also be considered a convenient “advantage.” At least when he needed to “disappear,” it didn’t cause any unnecessary attention or trouble.
—
After leaving the teaching building and merging into the noisy, crowded campus main road during the break, Hell’s gaze quickly locked onto an exceptionally conspicuous target—long, light pink hair swaying gently with every step, and a slender back walking toward a remote corner of the Academy with a clear purpose. It was Luna Florea.
He subtly adjusted his direction and maintained a safe distance. Like an ordinary passerby—yet also like an invisible shadow—he quietly followed her. His pace seemed casual, but every step was placed in the optimal position for observation and tracking. Through the surging crowd, his eyes remained firmly locked on the pink figure ahead.
On the surface, Luna was indeed heading toward the infirmary next to the main building. However, after passing an inconspicuous corner, she immediately deviated from the main path. Her figure flashed as she turned into a shortcut leading to the old school building and warehouse area—a path students rarely took.
This place was deserted, with only mottled walls and weeds growing in the corners.
She walked in a hurry and soon crossed the hallway, arriving at a secluded clearing behind the teaching building surrounded by tall trees and abandoned flower beds. Scarcely a soul could be seen, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Luna stopped and looked around cautiously. Her pale gold eyes scanned every corner. She then closed her eyes slightly, seemingly activating some sort of sensory ability to confirm that there were indeed no other life signs or prying eyes nearby.
Then, she quickly pulled her phone from her uniform pocket and operated it with her fingertips, pressing a specific button.
In an instant, the air in front of Luna rippled and distorted slightly. Countless tiny, pink light specks, resembling flower petals, emerged out of thin air. They spun and converged rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, a pink Teleportation Magic Circle about 2 meters in diameter appeared at her feet. It was intricate and complex, emitting a soft and holy light.
The magic circle rotated slowly, and the glow at its center was like the surface of water, waiting for someone to step in. This was clearly the Goddess Angels’ “secret passage” for quickly reaching the location where Crystal Husks appeared.
Luna breathed a sigh of relief, appearing satisfied with the successful activation of the magic circle. She no longer hesitated and lifted her foot, preparing to step into the pink glow—
Just then, a thin, square, off-white sticky note, as if buoyed by an invisible current, drifted down. It spiraled through the air and landed right in front of Luna’s eyes, nearly touching the tip of her nose.
Luna was startled by the sudden object and instinctively leaned back. She reached out in confusion and caught the falling note.
The paper felt ordinary, but there seemed to be something written on it in black ink.
She looked down in confusion, her gaze falling upon the handwriting—
In the next instant, Luna froze in place.
The young girl’s face, which had been firm and serious as she prepared for battle, turned pale as the blood drained from it. Her pale gold eyes shrank suddenly, her pupils dilating from extreme shock and horror as she stared intently at the contents of the note. The fingers holding the paper trembled uncontrollably, causing the note to make a slight *rustle*.
On that ordinary sticky note, written in clear, powerful, yet chillingly sinister handwriting, was a single sentence:
“I will be watching you… forever…”
At the bottom was a single letter that seemed to carry endless coldness and pressure—
“V”
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