Chapter 22: Troublesome people keep coming one after another

After returning, Lila naturally reported the appearance of the earth dragon to the teachers.

A monster of that level was something most ordinary students could never defeat. Combined with the fact that such an incident had never occurred in previous years, the teachers immediately became alert upon hearing the report.

The academy quickly mobilized all instructors to enter the Twilight Forest and retrieve every student undergoing training, while issuing a strict ban on entering the forest.

Fortunately, no students died. However, several were severely injured after being attacked by mid-level monsters and were sent to priests for emergency treatment. For now, their lives were not in danger.

After handling everything, the academy arranged for all students to be teleported back. This was how humanity’s highest institution operated, no matter the immense cost in manpower and resources, Kasel Academy prioritized student safety above all else.

Lila once again stood upon the teleportation array, watching as magical runes flowed like streaking meteors. Lines extended from a single point, gradually forming a complete circle.

Within it, layers of circles intertwined, overlapped, and connected, constructing the pathways for magical energy.

Darkness stretched endlessly before her. Lila knew that when she opened her eyes again, she should see the academy’s iconic giant spherical library.

But she was wrong.

A blinding light flooded her vision.

She instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes, tilting her head away from the glare.

‘Which idiot kid is shining a flashlight in someone’s face?’

Just as irritation rose within her, she heard a composed female voice.

“Ahem… seems I set it a bit too bright.”

As the voice faded, the dazzling light dimmed, revealing the figure standing within it.

“…Oh come on! It’s you again, you ridiculous goddess!”

Lila clenched her fists.

The blue-haired goddess before her, dressed in radiant, flowing garments and exuding holiness, was in truth a troublemaker who thrived on mischief.

Just thinking about the curse this goddess had placed on her made Lila grind her teeth in frustration.

“Little Lila is still so energetic,” the goddess chuckled softly, glancing at her.

“What do you want this time?” Lila asked coldly.

The goddess sighed, putting on a nostalgic expression. “Last time we met, you threw yourself into my arms, crying and begging, ‘I want to live another life.’”

Lila’s face flushed instantly. She hadn’t expected to meet someone even worse than Yuli right after getting away from her.

“That was before I knew you were… this awful!”

“Hehe.”

Even after such harsh words, the goddess simply smiled shamelessly, spreading her arms toward Lila, silently urging her.

“…What now?” Lila said irritably.

But the goddess only kept staring at her.

In the end, Lila gave in.

“Ugh, I seriously can’t deal with you.”

She grumbled as she stepped forward, only to be pulled into the goddess’s embrace.

It was just as overwhelming as Yuli’s. Lila could barely breathe.

“Why are you so obsessed with hugging me?” she asked, exasperated.

“Because we’re family,” the goddess replied gently.

“…What are you talking about? I’m not-”

“Since you were reincarnated using my power, that makes you my daughter.”

Lila decided not to argue with such absurd logic.

“Then can you treat your ‘daughter’ a little better and remove that ridiculous curse?”

The goddess shook her head.

“You can’t?”

“I don’t want to.”

…Of course.

Lila suppressed the faint warmth she had almost felt.

“So why did you call me here this time?” she asked warily.

“To give you something. In your previous world, you’d call it a ‘cheat,’ I think.”

“Will it make me invincible?” Lila asked eagerly.

“No.”

“Unlimited growth?”

“No.”

“Extend my lifespan?”

“No.”

“Then… appraisal ability?”

“No.”

…This woman was unbelievable.

“So what is it then?!”

“It’s this.”

The goddess cupped her hands together, forming a sphere of warm golden light. At her will, the glowing orb floated toward Lila.

In the next instant, it shot straight into her body.

A brief surge of heat coursed through her, then everything returned to normal.

“That’s the gift.”

“What does it do?”

“It enhances your holy light. Your healing speed will improve significantly, and you can even shape it into blades. The strength depends on how much power you put into it.”

It wasn’t bad, but it still wasn’t what she needed most.

“What about my lifespan?” Lila asked.

“Earn it yourself.”

Before she could complain, the goddess waved her hand.

Darkness swallowed everything again.

‘…She really just enjoys watching me struggle, doesn’t she?’

Lila sighed in the void.

And then…

The massive spherical library of the academy appeared before her once more.

She had returned.