Chapter 23: A Peculiar Offer and an Unwavering Resolve

“How peculiar, how very peculiar.”

After a long while, Snow, whose divination had yielded nothing, finally dispersed the water before her. Her pair of violet eyes fixed intently on Gern.

“Little one, would you be interested in joining our Theoviga Academy?”

“What? To join Theoviga Academy, don’t I need to pass an assessment?”

Gern tilted her head, a thought she had never dreamed possible: that one day she might actually attend Theoviga Academy.

‘A suspected Heretic God Cultist attending the academy that most vehemently despises the Heretic God Cult across the continent? What a hellish joke.’

Snow cast a glance at her, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“Oh, you won’t need an assessment. To be precise, I require you as our test subject.”

“A test subject?!”

Gern’s eyes widened instantly. She instinctively snatched a nearby branch, her face etched with wariness.

“I warn you, don’t you dare harbor any untoward intentions!”

“Pfft~”

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen to you. We merely wish to study the principles behind the Kindling within you. This will greatly aid our own development of Kindling.”

“Is that so…”

Upon hearing this, Gern slowly exhaled a breath of relief. Frankly, this could even be considered a good thing, and she pondered whether to accept.

As if discerning Gern’s thoughts, Snow’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she warned,

“Little one, don’t even think about refusing. You have no right to decline. As compensation, you’ll enjoy all the student benefits of our academy, and all its facilities will be free for you to use. How does that sound?”

This was an incredibly generous offer. The reason Gern had never considered applying to Theoviga Academy before was precisely because its tuition fees were far beyond what an ordinary person like her could ever afford.

Now, the conditions Snow proposed were exceptionally enticing. By joining Theoviga Academy, she wouldn’t have to constantly worry about harassment from the Heretic God Cult.

Moreover, there was an even more crucial point: she wouldn’t have to bear any expenses at the academy. It was as if the academy would be supporting her entirely.

‘Wouldn’t that mean she could eat as many pieces of black bread as she wished from now on?’

“Alright! I accept!”

“Um, when I get to the academy, can I get black bread for free?”

Hearing this, Snow found herself amused. Black bread was the cheapest food on the continent; the academy simply didn’t stock such a thing.

With a mischievous thought, she slowly shook her head.

“Oh dear, I’m afraid black bread won’t be available.”

“Ah…”

In an instant, Gern’s entire demeanor sagged. She had thought she could finally achieve ‘black bread freedom.’ Most likely, the witch’s conditions were just empty words, a trick to deceive her.

‘Once she arrived at the academy, they’d use all sorts of expensive things to drain her wallet dry, leaving her to gnaw on grass roots and tree bark in the wilderness.’

Gern had truly experienced such days, and she absolutely refused to go through it a second time.

“Big Sister Witch, is there really no black bread?”

She blinked her large eyes, gazing at Snow with an imploring look. Snow’s shoulders shook with silent laughter, and then, with a doting gesture, she patted Gern’s head.

“Alright, what’s your name? You must use your true name.”

Gern pondered for a moment, then finally revealed her true name.

“Gern…”

“Good. I hereby swear before the God of Contracts: from this day forward, Gern’s food, clothing, housing, and travel at Theoviga Academy shall all be borne by the academy.”

As she finished speaking, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, as if in response to the newly concluded contract.

Gern, startled by the sudden thunder, quickly gathered her belongings, preparing to find shelter from the rain.

“Hey, what’s the rush? It won’t rain for another half hour or more.”

“Are you a weather forecaster? What if it rains early, and there are still so many injured people on the ground?”

“Easy. Watch this.”

With that, Snow began to chant a spell. Beneath her feet, a magic circle suddenly materialized, its intricate layers expanding to encompass all the injured people lying around them.

As Snow continued her movements, the magic circle emitted streaks of golden light. The next moment, everyone within the array vanished, leaving only Gern and Snow.

With the insight from her previous life, Gern immediately recognized the magic array before her. It belonged to the spatial magic sequence, a feat only achievable by high-ranking mages.

“Alright, I’ve teleported them back to the town. Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

“This…”

Due to her past life’s experiences, she instinctively wanted to avoid the topic. ‘Her home absolutely could not be known by outsiders, otherwise, with her identity as a Heretic God Cultist, she would have been exposed and destroyed in minutes.’

Seeing Gern’s reluctance to speak, Snow didn’t press further. She simply snapped her fingers, and the two of them instantly appeared within the town.

“Since you won’t say, I’ll drop you off here for now. Tell your parents. Remember to come to the assessment grounds tomorrow; once it’s over, we’ll be heading back.”

Gern opened her mouth, then ultimately let out a bitter laugh. Her parents were already a vague memory.

“Hmm? What is it? Your parents…”

“Oh, it’s nothing. They’re fine, no need to worry. I’ll head back first. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes, see you tomorrow.”

Gern walked a considerable distance, her small shadow stretched long by the moonlight. Watching her solitary figure, Snow felt a pang in her heart.

She wanted to understand Gern’s family situation. After all, it was highly probable that Gern wouldn’t be able to return home for a long time, and Snow felt she should offer some compensation to Gern’s parents.

****

“Who’s there?!”

The young girl, walking alone on the quiet street, spun around abruptly but found nothing.

She shook her head with a sigh. ‘Too much had happened in the past two days; she was so tired she was seeing things. It seemed she needed to go back and rest more.’

The young girl slowly made her way back to her small cottage, completely unaware of the figure standing outside.

Snow gazed at the dilapidated, desolate little yard, a silence settling over her.

‘So, Gern has been living alone all this time?’

No parents, entangled in the schemes of the Heretic God Cult, bearing Kindling and destined to become a test subject—she felt a surge of sympathy for this young girl who appeared so small.

‘Once she arrives at the academy, I must ensure she has a better life.’

****

Inside the dilapidated cottage, Gern, with her silver hair, lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The strange sensations emanating from her body kept her from sleep.

The events of the day were utterly fantastical, almost like a dream. Matia Fio, the person she had loathed most in her previous life, was dead.

The Heretic God Cult’s conspiracy had been thwarted, and she was now on the cusp of a brand new life, which gave her an overwhelming sense of unreality.

Yet, one thing she firmly believed: no matter what, she would fight the Heretic God Cult to the very end.

Whether it was to avenge her parents or because of the Kindling within her, this remained her sole and unwavering purpose.

****

Outside the town, amidst the ruins of a small hill, a hand shrouded in black mist burst forth from the earth. Shattered rocks were dislodged by the arm, revealing an extremely small, dark figure within.