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The blood-red miracle was no longer confined to the borders of the Royal Court; it was spreading across the entire world. That scarlet throne gradually became clear in the sky, and the white-haired statue began to loom over the heavens. Her arrogant and powerful silhouette seemed to declare the return of a deity.

Every time a new King of the Royal Court ascended, the influence of their authority would trigger various phenomena. But this time was undoubtedly unprecedented—the grandest and most terrifying in its impact. Whether they were followers of Death or not, countless people expressed their respect and reverence in their own ways.

Inside the dim hall, as magic users entered one by one, flames began to ignite. Staves were thrust into the ground, and various glows lit up the room. "Kurong," "Alchemy," "Blizzard," and "Solar Flare" representing the Academy... One by one, magic users capable of shaking the world with a mere gesture took their seats. In this small room, several individuals who together possessed half the world's combat power had gathered.

"We are gathered here to discuss the world's progress over the next few decades. That is all," spoke an old man in white robes, his gray beard reaching down to his chest. This served as the opening of the meeting. He glanced at the seat representing "Time" among the Five Staves; it was empty, with no one appearing.

"The progression of change in this world has accelerated greatly. All divergent trends are beginning to converge toward a center." Albert, whose seat was engraved with a crimson burning sun, stood up and spoke slowly. "It is as if two different forces are playing a game of chess."

He pointed one finger toward the sky and poked the ground with another, hinting at the astral realm and the secular world.

"Indeed. At our level, everyone should be able to sense the existence of 'that' in the sky," the General Principal with the gray beard said slowly. Beside him sat Merlin, who was boredly playing with his own beard. Merlin had not returned to the Academy for a long time; the phenomenon of the throne's ascension had forced even him to return to discuss the future of the world.

"Has that child who mastered 'Time' not returned yet?" Merlin tugged at his somewhat dirty purple-and-blue robes. It was unclear if he did this intentionally; otherwise, with his power, it would be impossible for him to be stained by the filth of this world.

"We cannot contact her. She is likely too close to those authorities. Surrounded by so many powerful forces, the mark of the Five Staves hasn't shown the slightest reaction."

"She is there; she must have encountered something capable of changing her life," Merlin smiled slightly. "I can feel that the previous God of Time left something for her, drawing her there with the remnants of the power of fate."

"What?"

"It is hard to say. Likely an authority—one hidden in the 'past' that even simulation cannot replicate." Merlin shrugged. "Of course, the most terrifying thing right now is likely the new master of the Royal Court."

"Does that newly ascended King look a bit familiar?" Following the topic, Albert pulled a file from under the table. It contained a photo of a red-eyed girl with an expressionless face.

"The students she taught as a substitute haven't even graduated yet... By rights, she should attend this semester's final exams as one of the proctors." Albert cracked a joke with a smile, raising an eyebrow at the General Principal. "Our guest instructor... isn't she the strongest in history?"

"I'm afraid she is unprecedented and unmatched," Severus said with a bitter smile. He had always been pessimistic regarding the Royal Court.

"A deity on the earth is about to appear. A legendary figure, an existence that dozens of gods could not withstand." Albert took a long breath.

"A deity on the earth?" A blood-red figure appeared beside the empty chair. "Gods are meant to return to the astral realm. Upon the earth, there are no gods."

The faces of everyone in the room darkened. The intense magical aura here was so heavy it nearly condensed into liquid, yet it was suppressed by a powerful surge of blood energy.

The figure within the blood mist became increasingly clear, and her face gradually appeared before everyone. Looking at these former colleagues, her eyes held only indifference.

"Everyone... for the sake of this world, let us make a trade," she said calmly, leaving no room for rebuttal. "A... fair trade."

On the calm surface of the sea, a small boat surrounded by butterflies drifted aimlessly toward the distance. The fluttering butterflies, glowing with a pale blue light, illuminated the water.

It seemed as though it was also swaying, attempting to escape.