When Ayal stepped into the back room, he suddenly froze.
Alya was standing there.
He was surprised — not because she was there, but because she looked… different.
Her white hair shimmered softly under the light, almost glowing like moonlight itself. It was so beautiful that for a moment, Ayal forgot why he had come.
She slowly walked toward him
"Hey… are you here to learn sword magic?" she asked gently.
Ayal nodded.
"Yes. I just started learning swordsmanship."
Alya smiled faintly. "I see. That's good. You can train here."
Their conversation had just begun—
When suddenly, a cold voice cut through the air.
"Are you two here to attend class… or to have fun?"
They both turned around.
A tall man stood at the entrance. A long scar ran across one of his eyes. A sword rested at his side. His presence alone felt heavy — like someone who lived in constant anger.
He walked toward Ayal and Alya.
"So? Are you here to joke around?"
His eyes fell on Alya.
The moment he looked at her, she trembled.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
She was clearly afraid.
Seeing that Alya couldn't speak, the man narrowed his eyes.
"You want to say something? Then speak."
Other students nearby whispered among themselves.
"That guy looks terrifying…"
"It feels like something bad is about to happen…"
Ayal noticed Alya shaking.
Without hesitation, he stepped in front of her.
He faced the man calmly.
"Is there a problem?" Ayal asked. "Did we do something wrong?"
The man stared at him intensely.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Alya's face turned slightly red as she watched Ayal stand before her protectively.
Inside, Ayal was thinking—
If this turns into a fight… I can't win against him.
Suddenly, the man asked,
"What's your name?"
Ayal blinked in surprise.
But without hesitation, he replied,
"My name is Ayal."
The man's expression darkened.
"So… you're the one who said you would become the Moon God."
Ayal wasn't shocked.
After all, everyone already seemed to know.
Ever since he arrived at the Divine Academy, strange rumors had been spreading.
"Yes," Ayal answered calmly. "I will become the Moon God."
The man's face turned grim.
"I advise you not to choose that path."
"Why?"
"Because the previous Moon God… was one of the worst gods in history. He betrayed us."
Murmurs spread across the students.
"He wants to become the Moon God?"
"The traitor god?"
"Is he stupid?"
A voice from above suddenly echoed.
"This will be interesting. Let's see how you fulfill that wish, Ayal."
The person disappeared.
Whispers filled the academy.
"Maybe he has a plan to destroy the academy."
"This is the first time the academy was attacked… maybe it's because of him."
Alya grabbed Ayal's hand tightly.
"This happened because of me… right?" she said softly. "Let's leave before they bother you more."
Ayal didn't respond.
He simply looked ahead — his face emotionless.
After a few moments, he raised his voice so everyone could hear.
"I don't care what you think about me."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Seeing that smile, Alya and the other students were stunned.
Someone watching from above muttered,
"Just as I expected… you're not ordinary. There's something inside you that sets you apart."
Even the scarred man who had confronted them earlier looked slightly shaken.
A Few Moments Earlier – Faculty Room
"Do you know about that matter?" someone asked.
"About what?" Li Wei replied calmly while drinking tea.
"A student wants to become the Moon God."
CRACK.
Li Wei crushed his teacup in his hand.
His aura began leaking uncontrollably.
"What did you say?"
"Yes. A student declared he will become the Moon God."
"No one told me."
"They didn't tell you because if you knew… you would've killed him immediately."
The room fell silent.
"You had a close relationship with the former Moon God, didn't you?" the man continued.
Li Wei's eyes turned cold.
"Does he truly wish to become that god?"
"Yes."
"And no one has stopped him?"
"No."
The man hesitated before speaking again.
"There's something unusual about him."
"What do you mean?"
"His body… it contains seven mana cores."
Li Wei froze.
"Seven? That's impossible. Even a god possesses only one true mana core. How can a human have seven?"
"We checked it ourselves. At first we thought it was a mistake… but it's real."
Sweat began to form on Li Wei's forehead.
"One mana core is already difficult to unlock properly… If someone with seven mana cores unlocks them all…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But everyone in the room understood.
If that power were awakened—
It could destroy everything.