CHAPTER 63: ELLIE’S DESCENT (2)

"Husband, why do you look so handsome this evening?"

Arthur took a cautious step back, and raised two fingers. "Hey Ellie, how many fingers am I holding up?"

Ellie tilted her head, almost dreamily. "What fingers, Husband? I can only see your face... your scent."

She trembled slightly, as if overwhelmed. "It all feels so good."

Ellie smiled coyly, her gaze lowered. "Should I tell you something, Husband?"

In a blink, she closed the distance and cupped his cheeks. "I love you."

Arthur gave her a sheepish smile. "I love you too, okay?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes, I love you! I love you! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU SO, SO, SO, SO MUCH!"

The mana around her surged as she formed a ring of ice, then took his hand. "Let’s get married now and leave together forever, okay?"

Arthur inhaled shallowly. "Ellie, your body’s burning up," he said, checking her temperature.

Her eyes widened for a second as he gripped the hand holding the ring.

Then, without warning, he struck her neck gently, causing her body to collapse into his arms.

He let out a long breath. "This really brings back memories."

It was just like the time he sought Janet’s approval, only to be kidnapped by Nathira.

"Amy, it seems all yanderes have a problem with you."

Arthur stared down at the unconscious Ellie, who was still whispering his name softly. ’One yandere was already too much.’

He smiled faintly. ’Well, even if you girls are insane and have a few bodies buried somewhere...’

He tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. ’I’ll still love you.’

He carefully lifted her from the floor, entered the cabin, and laid her on the bed.

"Let’s message Ravian first."

Ravian was the one person he could count on to receive his message. Plus, his team had already planned to regroup with them.

If Karma’s team and Ravian’s team joined his wives, then he was confident nothing would happen to them. Even if something did—

’They still have that monster...’

The one Arthur wasn’t sure he could beat.

A man who could lose to a child without a weapon, but slay a god with a pen.

The most expensive character in Magic Academy’s Genius Scholars:

Overgeared, Naza El Salvador.

Arthur bent down and kissed each of his wives on the forehead. "Stay safe."

He turned to the door. The warmth in his gaze slowly faded, replaced with a cold glint. ’The hunt begins.’

---

(Meanwhile, inside the dungeon’s boss room)

"Agrat, what exactly are you doing here?" Ha-joon asked with a firm expression.

Agrat smiled, stepped closer, and kissed him on the lips. "Don’t be like that, darling."

Ha-joon didn’t flinch, nor did his expression change. "I know you’re using me, Agrat. So spit it out. What’s your goal?"

The cave was dim, only faint light from the entrance softly illuminating the space.

Agrat stepped back and extended her hand. "I want to kill the goddess, Ha-joon."

Ha-joon’s expression darkened. "You know I’m the Chosen One, right? What makes you think I won’t kill you right here?"

"That’s because..." Agrat purred, her voice smooth and sultry. "You hate the goddess too."

She turned toward the dungeon as if to walk away. "She abandoned you. She let Arthur Arcain, your enemy, live." She suddenly faced him. "Doesn’t that make you wonder? Maybe he was the true Chosen One all along, and you were just a pawn."

Ha-joon exhaled sharply. "I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of this." He turned and glared. "Just stay away from me."

Agrat gave a sly smile. "There’s a way."

"What?" Ha-joon asked, turning his head slightly.

Agrat stepped forward and hugged him from behind. "There’s a way for you to become king, no, to become a god," she whispered. "If that happens, not only can you kill Arthur Arcain, but his wives will be yours too."

Ha-joon shoved her hand away. "And what makes you think—"

His words froze as he turned to find Agrat completely naked.

She smiled and said, "Why don’t we finish this conversation after we’re done?"

Ha-joon swallowed hard.

------

(Around twenty minutes later)

Agrat covered herself with a bedsheet pulled from an unknown dimensional ring. "So, have you thought it through?"

Ha-joon stared blankly into space as if reading a system window, then turned to her. "What exactly do you want?"

Agrat smiled and leaned against his arm. "We want the downfall of Goddess Sylvia, and the return of the true goddess Tessia and the other forgotten gods."

Ha-joon’s eyes widened as he grabbed her with both hands. "What did you just say?" he asked, staring into her eyes.

Agrat turned away shyly. "Well, since it’s you, I’ll tell you everything."

Agrat began to explain it all. With every word, Ha-joon’s disbelief grew.

But one phrase echoed in his mind:

The Goddess Tessia and the other gods aren’t dead. Sylvia is just a pawn too.

Ha-joon gripped his head and let out a low sigh. "What the hell...?"

Agrat hugged him from the side. "Don’t get upset, okay?" She smiled venomously, though he couldn’t see it. "None of this is your fault."

Ha-joon suddenly grinned and let out a wild laugh. "So I wasn’t even chosen by Sylvia, but by the great goddess Tessia? And your group was created just for my ascension?"

Agrat smiled, nuzzling his neck. "Yes, darling. All of this is for you. Sylvia only wanted to waste your potential."

Ha-joon laughed again. "I knew it. Arthur Arcain always seemed suspicious... But to think the goddess was empowering him this whole time."

Agrat’s smile faltered. ’Idiot. Arthur Arcain’s the real deal.’ She nearly scoffed. ’If he weren’t so loyal, you think I’d settle for you?’

Unknown to most, Agrat had once tried to seduce Arthur.

It didn’t go well.

She touched her neck and shuddered. ’That bastard almost cut my beautiful head off.’

Yes, back during the ancient ruins class, she had approached Arthur in the forest, pretending to make conversation.

But he summoned his sword in an instant and nearly decapitated her. The only reason she survived was because a teacher intervened mid-swing.

Agrat smiled again as Ha-joon looked her way. ’Whatever. This fool will do...’

She grinned internally. ’All to revive the goddess Sylvia and her lover, the great Demon God.’

Ha-joon stood from the bed. "So what do I have to do?" A small smile appeared on his face. "...So I can finally get the goddess’s blessing and catch up to Arthur Arcain."

Agrat nodded. ’This fool actually thinks Arthur is blessed by Sylvia. Still, having an SSS-rank as our puppet isn’t a bad outcome.’

After a pause, she said, "You’ll absorb the mid-boss and dungeon boss, and eliminate most of the students."

Ha-joon considered it. "But won’t that get me expelled or arrested? And isn’t there meant to be a final boss too?"

Agrat’s eyes widened, surprised that Ha-joon could still think clearly after sleeping with her. ’Guess he’s not completely brain-dead.’

She nodded. "We don’t need to use the academy as cover anymore. As for the final boss..."

Agrat ran a hand through her hair. "It was supposed to be a girl in our group, but her feelings for Arthur Arcain made her run away. Still, it doesn’t change much."

Ha-joon raised an eyebrow. "A girl...?"

Agrat nodded slowly. "Yes..." Then added, "...Anna."

─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───