The Sacrifice of the Goddess of War was a group of fanatics who saw war as salvation — a bunch of lunatics and psychopaths, honestly — and just like them, so was their goddess, who adored watching wars unfold before her eyes as if she were watching an action story with excitement for what would happen next.
'Is this goddess the voice that's always in my mind?'
Enrico had left a secret message on a piece of paper in her room. It contained several keywords connected to stories about gods, and by combining the main words from those tales, she discovered the name and title of the being inside her.
'Eris, the Goddess of War… if this book is telling the truth, then she's a bitch.'
Seraphina was reading a book in the library. Enrico hadn't mentioned what Eris was like, maybe because he was in too much of a hurry to save them, so she had to find out for herself what the goddess's personality was.
'How cruel.'
'Are you like this?'
'Just a little.'
'Then I have nothing to say to you. Disappear. I don't want Enrico to see me as anything remotely similar to you.'
Ever since that day she discovered and spoke to her, Seraphina had managed to block Eris's communication. So this was the first time in a year she had heard the Goddess of War again.
"So you didn't know? Please. From what I recall in those books, you can see future wars that will happen."
Suddenly, Eris seemed surprised and burst into laughter, amused by how certain Seraphina was that she had known what was going to happen to Enrico back then.
"Hahaha, you researched me quite a bit while we weren't communicating… but you don't know everything about me, Seraphina."
Resting her chin on her palm, her playful expression remained on her face.
"I see future wars, not an attempt to kill students. Besides, watching wars that will happen makes things boring for me."
Eris was someone who wanted to participate, not just watch. At most, she looked to see who would be the most interesting pieces in future wars.
"So tell me—"
"And you know one of the most entertaining things I saw in the future? Enrico."
Seraphina narrowed her eyes as Eris's smile darkened, making her instantly irritated.
"If you touch him, I'll kill you."
"But of course — if you manage to do it before I take over this body."
The two glared at each other seriously. Closing her eyes, Seraphina turned away and began to fade from that mental space while Eris seemed to grow bored.
"It's because of this attitude that I think you should just let me take over your body. It would be more fun for him to have a goddess like me by his side."
"Shut up. You don't even deserve to stand beside him."
Even with those harsh words, Eris's confident smile never left her face until Seraphina disappeared.
'My heart really hurt, Seraphina.'
She felt her heart burning with anger, especially because she had fused so deeply with Seraphina that her feelings for Enrico had passed entirely to her.
"I could erase these feelings from myself, but honestly… I don't want to."
She cupped her cheeks with both hands, imagining him beside her as a loyal follower and worshipper.
'It's been so many years since I've felt something so intense, and honestly, I'm in the mood to kill those fanatics.'
With her hands still on her cheeks, her expression darkened. Their actions could have killed someone whose story she was enjoying watching unfold.
'Well, I'll deal with this when I see the one responsible.'
Seraphina opened her eyes to see Zenaria still talking about the Cult of the Goddess of War. Most of it she already knew, so she didn't care much.
"She sees these wars as entertainment — just another amusing story for her."
"She sounds like a bitch."
Hearing Serenya speak, Seraphina nodded, agreeing completely with someone she didn't even like that much, even though they were comrades.
'Disrespectful brats.'
'Damn it, this woman can communicate with me again.'
Apparently, she could no longer block Eris's voice in her mind — maybe because the goddess had anchored herself more strongly somehow.
'Or maybe I just didn't want to talk to you. Seraphina, you're not that special.'
'…At least I'm special to Enrico.'
'…Okay, that hurt.'
Among the many things their teacher said, she noticed that many students were paying close attention. Without a doubt, several of them wanted to erase that cult from existence just as much as she did.
"Now that you know who they are, I'd like to tell you about their next plan to eliminate Class S."
Catching all the students off guard, Zenaria revealed a map with a drawing of a deer marked on it.
"A week ago, we found their location. So the king sent a spy who discovered their next attack, which will happen in a few weeks."
"Teacher."
Raising her head, she looked at Elowyn, who had lifted her hand with a serious expression.
"Why didn't my father send a Circle Nine to wipe them out right away?"
"That's because their meeting place wasn't their real hideout. Their true base is in a hidden dimension, so Hao needs time to locate it."
"But wh—"
"If you're talking about Victor, know that he's fully focused on the barrier and, honestly, he doesn't care."
Elowyn huffed and crossed her arms. She needed to become a Circle Ten so she could solve her kingdom's problems herself instead of relying on someone who didn't even care.
"What will happen is that we'll set a trap when they arrive, and we'll eliminate them all."
"Wait, that means—"
"That's right, Kai. This will be your first high-rank mission since the real dungeon."
Some students like Kai, Danyana, and Grakka grinned with excitement. Without a doubt, they would have a good fight, and even better — they would strike back at the ones who trapped Enrico.
"You are already mages, so I expect you not to disappoint me. Make both me and the other two professors proud."
"Yes, ma'am."
They were official mages now, especially those who had reached Circle Five — and now it was time to strike back at the bastards who had tried to kill them.