Afterwards

The academy’s training field was in chaos.

The magical projection had failed, the terrifying sandstorm in the Secret Realm had blindsided everyone, and the sudden return of teleported candidates turned the orderly exam into a mess.

Shocked or trembling, the candidates stood frozen, while spectators in the stands demanded answers about the realm’s events.

Students struggled to maintain order, directing medics to treat the injured.

The sandstorm had killed all surveillance eagles, blacking out the magical projection.

The situation inside the Secret Realm was now a mystery, sparking heated debates over the unprecedented academy incident.

Alongside exam proctors, the student council’s security department deployed members to assist.

Anna, in her academy uniform, calmly orchestrated the evacuation.

In the principal’s office, Hecate paced anxiously beside Melianne, who sat with eyes closed.

The emergency measures had teleported most candidates back, but Melianne sensed two remained in the realm—Selina among them.

An elven princess trapped in a life-or-death situation could escalate into a diplomatic crisis.

Tianqi Academy wasn’t just a school; it was a neutral nation in the eyes of major powers.

Failure to rescue Selina could enrage Queen Karina, and Hecate dreaded explaining to Felicia, Selina’s sister, given the elves’ deep value of kinship, especially for their rare royal bloodline.

As Hecate’s worry peaked, Melianne opened her eyes. “How’s the situation?” Hecate asked, rushing forward.

“It’s under control. The root of the chaos is resolved,” Melianne said, rubbing her tired brow.

“I’ve contained Safiros’s remnants, but his soul power exceeded my expectations.”

“Don’t tell me he’s still alive. We can’t handle the consequences,” Hecate said, her face darkening.

“He’s dead, completely. But before dissipating, his soul sealed the realm’s gate. It’s isolated—no one can enter or exit,” Melianne replied, lifting her gaze. “His scattered soul power was absorbed by the Mad Sand Kings, who are now wreaking havoc inside.”

“And Selina?” Hecate pressed.

“She’s alive, but it’s tricky. The Mad Sand Kings, empowered by Safiros’s soul, are fighting to devour each other. Selina’s surrounded.”

“Can’t you control Safiros’s soul power to kill them?” Hecate asked, puzzled.

“I can manipulate his remnants, but they’re fused with the Mad Sand Kings. I can only trap them, not destroy them. His soul power was beyond my calculations,” Melianne explained.

“So Selina’s in grave danger?” Hecate’s tone sharpened.

“You’re making it sound easy, but it’s not,” Hecate snapped.

“I’ve sent my soul projection to help,” Melianne said.

“A soul projection? Can it really save her?” Hecate doubted.

“It’s not ordinary—it’s infused with my true consciousness. It can contain Safiros’s remnants and rescue Selina. But my soul power is limited, and I’m still recovering,” Melianne admitted.

“So I need to send more students to assist?” Hecate asked, annoyed.

“Yes. My power’s stretched thin. If I’m overwhelmed by the Mad Sand Kings, we’re in trouble,” Melianne confirmed.

“Fine, I’ll arrange it,” Hecate said. “But aren’t you curious about that evil force in the realm? It feels like Safiros’s soul power but has its own consciousness, sealed somehow.”

“Evil force?” Hecate frowned.

“I can’t say for sure, but it’s not good,” Melianne replied. “Focus on sending help first. We can’t let Selina die.”

“I’ll arrange it and inform the dean. This happened at Tianqi; we owe them an explanation,” Hecate said.

“Do it. And be careful in there,” Melianne warned.

“I’m not dying yet,” she replied wearily.

As Hecate left, Melianne murmured, “Not my doing.” Hecate had almost praised her, but Melianne cut her off. “Safiros didn’t collapse on his own. Even a remnant soul touches divine tiers—beyond mortal reach.”

“We underestimated this. Three divine factions infiltrated the exam. We owe thanks to those two girls for resolving it,” Melianne said.

She’d entered the realm mentally to stop the divine conflict’s aftermath, only to find Hestia’s light and Selina’s holy hymn dispelling the storm.

The elven princess, carrying Hestia, and Leia, Nerepose’s apostle, had turned the tide.

Leia’s involvement, though, raised concerns—Nerepose’s reach into Tianqi warranted scrutiny.

“Two divine apostles in one exam. Like finding needles in a haystack,” Melianne mused.

In the Secret Realm

A white-skirted girl stood on newborn grass, a gentle breeze lifting her hair and skirt. Her emerald eyes gazed at the revitalized land, radiating peace. The holy hymn had saved countless souls and soothed her own heart, its purity lingering.

A purple-haired figure approached, katana in hand, hair swaying. “Did we succeed?” Selina asked, her voice clear as a songbird.

“Yes,” Leia replied, holding a dark purple orb in her palm. “This is Seth’s divine source, the origin of a god’s power.”

She met Selina’s flawless emerald eyes. “My mission was to retrieve this. I thought Seth’s millennia of sealing had drained him, but he retained so much power. I owe you thanks.”

Selina didn’t respond, gazing at the green sprouts rising from the sand. “No need for thanks. I did what I had to.”

Experiencing Hestia’s power firsthand, Selina understood why she was Seliris’s mightiest goddess.

Her path was vast, her deeds sacred. Could anyone reject the sun’s light if it stood before them? No wonder her mentor revered Hestia, and Themis allowed her hidden faith. Perhaps all was orchestrated for her role as Hestia’s last believer.

Saving trapped souls and easing their pain filled her with fulfillment.

“Will you stay at Tianqi after the exam?” Selina asked, impressed by Leia’s pivotal role.

Leia paused. “I await my goddess’s oracle. We apostles act on divine will.”

After a brief silence, she asked, “Don’t you want to know what I need this source for?”

Selina’s pure gaze made Leia feel concealing anything would betray her conscience. “So, what’s it for?” Selina asked, her laugh bright.

“Seth, god of desert, war, and death, overlaps with Nerepose, goddess of darkness, chaos, and death. Consuming another’s divine source strengthens one’s own,” Leia explained.

“No wonder Hestia wasn’t interested,” Selina realized. Unlike Leia, she cared little for divine secrets, surprising Leia, who’d seen her sing the holy hymn.

“Our promise, then?” Selina said, squinting playfully.

Leia nodded, her expression turning serious.

She drew her katana, ready for their duel.

Selina gripped her daggers, poised for combat.

On the newborn grass, their figures blurred into motion—but no clash of blades came.

Leia froze, stunned, as Selina’s face hovered close, her warm breath brushing Leia’s cheek.

A warm trickle flowed between them.

“You…” Leia stammered.

“Sorry, a little trick. I’m out of strength, but for some selfish reasons, I’ll let you take first place,” Selina said weakly, revealing a conjured identity token. Her emerald eyes glinted with mischief. The token shattered, and she vanished in a flash of light.

Leia stared at the fading glow, speechless, her mind reeling.