The Goddess’s Oracle

Moving into the same dormitory officially established their roommate relationship.

The dormitory featured three bedrooms, with beds and desks arranged separately. A laundry room, bathroom, and kitchen were all fully equipped, truly befitting the opulent Twilight Academy of Magic.

Stella had hoped separate rooms would offer some privacy, but then she watched Mylian place her luggage in Stella’s room, showing no intention of leaving.

“Sister… this appears to be a single room. Your room is next door.”

“Oh, I forgot.”

Mylian replied with a breezy tone, then carried her luggage to the adjacent room. Yet, she lingered at the doorway, casting a long, lingering glance back at Stella, as if to say, I’ll have you, sooner or later.

I should quickly test the soundproofing, Stella thought. Just in case she invades my room in the middle of the night, I can still call out to Eveming next door.

Stella pressed her ear against the wall, listening intently. However, the sound insulation was remarkably effective; not even the faintest noise could be heard.

With such nearly perfect soundproofing, if her sister were to invade, wouldn’t this room become the ideal prison? Stella shivered, rubbing her arms in dread.

If Eveming weren’t in the adjacent room, acting as a moral deterrent, this place might well become a paradise for her sister to imprison her, where no one would ever know what ‘games’ they played.

Knock, knock.

“Stella, are you in there?”

“Oh, Eveming, please come in.”

Stella sat on her bed as Eveming poked half her body through the doorway. Only after confirming Mylian’s absence did she confidently step inside.

“Please, have a seat. Anywhere is fine.”

“I’ll stand and talk to you. It’s just that…”

Eveming clasped her hands behind her back, her toes slightly raised, and her mouth half-open as if struggling to speak.

“Go on,” Stella urged. “Sister is next door tidying up, and she won’t hear us. The soundproofing in this room is excellent.”

Stella was curious about Eveming’s reticence. Was there something she needed to ask?

“Then, may I close the door before I speak?”

“Of course.”

With Stella’s permission, Eveming quickly turned and shut the door. She then sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at Stella, her golden eyes revealing a hint of awe.

“Is there something on my face? Just tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Um, Stella, do you possess a magical artifact with prophetic properties?” Eveming asked in a soft, tentative voice, wary of displeasing Stella.

“Such a magical artifact doesn’t exist, does it?” Stella shrugged, shaking her head.

“It truly doesn’t exist? After I returned, I conveyed the message to the diviners. They stated that the prophecies deviated from their expectations, and the entire Sochi Holy Kingdom has begun extensively recruiting talents from various nations for war preparations.”

“Well, that’s good then. It means my guess was quite accurate.”

Stella’s expression remained calm, as if the matter held no personal relevance to her.

“Stella!” Eveming suddenly grasped Stella’s hand, a gesture that slightly startled Stella.

“What is it now?”

“Your casual guess… it changed the Sochi Holy Kingdom’s strategic preparations against the demonic invasion!”

Eveming’s expression was earnest, her desire to uncover the secret clearly visible on her face.

Tsk… Stella rubbed her neck. She couldn’t possibly reveal spoilers; who knew what might happen to the future if she did?

“Please tell me. I represent the Sochi Holy Kingdom in inviting you to become a Saintly Master! We need you to overcome the calamity of the demonic invasion.”

Eveming tightened her grip, utterly unwilling to let go. Her face moved closer, a gesture that felt somewhat overstepping.

Strange, Stella thought. Why isn’t Eveming getting close to my sister, but instead approaching me first?

Stella had no memory of being particularly kind to Eveming. She merely offered basic assistance to others, excluding her sister, and hadn’t expected such a ‘reward.’

Never mind, she decided. I’ll just come up with an excuse to send her away. Stella made up her mind, clearing her throat with a feigned solemnity.

“Ahem, if you move a little further away, I’ll tell you.”

“Alright, alright, please tell me quickly.”

Eveming released her hand and moved back an arm’s length. Only then did Stella speak, feigning a grave tone.

“Everything I do is revealed to me in dreams by the Goddess herself.”

“The… the Goddess!” Eveming’s eyes widened in astonishment, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, looking utterly convinced. She was far too easy to fool.

Indeed, Stella mused. When dealing with the clergy of the Sochi Holy Kingdom, invoking the Goddess always works.

Stella pressed her advantage, continuing to spin her tale with a serious tone.

“The content of these dreams is divine oracle, and I cannot reveal too much, or the world will face utter destruction. Remember, do not pry into my affairs.”

Stella had essentially said nothing, and Eveming, recovering her senses, felt something was amiss. Half-believing, she questioned again.

“How can you prove it’s a dream from the Goddess?”

“Isn’t one accurate prophecy enough?”

“The Sochi Holy Kingdom requires more.”

“Alright, then, how about I tell you something about your own fate, Eveming?” Stella felt this would be endless otherwise, so she decided to bring up something related to Eveming’s own destiny, which would effectively silence her.

Sure enough, upon hearing it concerned her, Eveming’s expression instantly tensed.

“W-will I… be sacrificed as an offering?”

“At most, you’ll become delicious fodder for a monster’s maw. You’re not even worthy of being a sacrifice.” Stella waved her hand, dropping the act entirely. This was a deliberate signal to Eveming that she truly knew things.

“I’ll be eaten? But I’m so young! I don’t want to die!” Eveming clutched Stella’s arm again, clinging to her like a drowning person grasping a lifeline.

“Let go, let go! Listen to me, and you won’t die. You doubted me earlier, but now you completely believe me?”

“Because… because you don’t seem like you’re lying. I finally believe it.” Eveming pressed her lips together, her pitiful eyes conveying complete trust.

So the Saintess is this naive, Stella thought, a hint of emotion stirring within her. No wonder she’s inherently kind.

Stella knew it would be easy to help Eveming escape her predicament. All she had to do was avert the demonic invasion, preventing the Saintess and the Sochi Holy Kingdom from being annihilated.

“Very well, I agree to help you avert this disaster, but there will be a price.” Stella intended to set her conditions; the crucial figure of the Saintess needed to aid her self-preservation plan.

“Whether it’s the Kingdom’s scriptures or sacred incantations, I’ll give them all to you.” Eveming offered what she believed were the most generous terms. These two items were the highest secrets accessible to a Saintess, and while not as profound as the hidden texts held by the Pope, they were still incredibly valuable knowledge.

“I don’t need things that only clergy can chant during baptism. You just need to help me with a few things here at the academy.”

“Ah… what things?” Eveming was taken aback, realizing Stella knew the limitations of the Kingdom’s scriptures and sacred incantations. Stella, however, seemed like a teacher reminding her, proving her formidable insight.

“Try to build a good relationship with my sister. Do your best, but don’t force it.”

“Me and Mylian?” Mylian’s face involuntarily flashed in Eveming’s mind, her sister pressing down on Stella as if she wouldn’t allow anyone else to snatch her away.

This seemed like a formidable task. Eveming pondered for a moment, but her life was more important. She nodded in agreement.

“You agree? That’s wonderful! Come on, let’s go get along with my sister.”

“Ah? Now?”

Stella pulled Eveming out of the room, heading straight for the door next door.