Divided Aleya, the Reinforcing Teacher

It seemed that ever since that initial 【Holy Light Purification】, Eleya had stopped helping him altogether.

Luo Wei immediately turned his gaze toward the direction he had seen earlier, only to find Eleya hovering in the air, watching him with an indifferent expression.

"Help me out here! What are you just standing around for?" Luo Wei couldn't help but feel irritated.

Yet Eleya remained unmoved.

Luo Wei restrained some of his magical energy, no longer overexerting himself. As he spoke, he barely dodged a swift, vicious strike.

His foot landed on another building, while the spot where he had stood moments before was reduced to rubble.

"Eleya!" Luo Wei glared at her. "You were the one who insisted on dragging me to this godforsaken place! What are you doing now? We're not even in the Black Forest yet, and you're already betraying your teammate?"

High above, Eleya's cold, golden eyes remained fixed on Luo Wei.

【Eleya】

【Affection: 0】

【Corruption: 0】

Luo Wei sighed in exasperation. Of course—this wasn’t the real Eleya.

Her divine aspect probably despised him to the core. If she wasn’t actively sabotaging him, that was already a mercy...

Throughout their journey, the two had maintained a fragile peace, likely only because of the resistance from Eleya’s other self...

So Luo Wei stopped wasting his breath.

He darted swiftly across the crumbling structures of Blackwater Town, which were rapidly losing any stable footing, all while strategizing his next move.

Meanwhile, Eleya watched as Luo Wei repeatedly teetered on the edge of danger, her calm expression finally flickering with emotion.

Her pale golden eyes shimmered faintly. The scene before her felt all too familiar—it reminded her of four years ago...

Of that day in the Black Forest, when the Black Goat’s Young had surged toward her and Luo Wei like a tidal wave...

He’ll die...

If this continues, Luo Wei will die...

When she saw Luo Wei cornered at the edge of town, the encroaching darkness about to swallow him whole—

Eleya’s pupils contracted sharply, her eyes widening in alarm.

A radiant burst of holy light erupted across the sky as 【Judgment】 descended.

Once Luo Wei was safe, she exhaled a quiet sigh of relief.

【Eleya】

【Affection: 100】

【Corruption: 78↑】

"Hold on, Luo Wei! I’m coming!" Eleya swiftly flew toward him.

But halfway there, her body stiffened mid-flight, halting abruptly.

"What are you doing? Don’t interfere!"

Eleya’s lips parted as she muttered eerily to herself—her divine aspect reasserting control.

But then, she let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.

"A chosen servant of the Light, faced with corruption and the encroachment of darkness—should you really stand idly by?"

The next moment, her expression turned icy once more.

"As someone destined for godhood, you have only one goal. Temporary sacrifices are necessary. And this isn’t even a sacrifice—because he is the greatest obstacle to your ascension."

Her golden eyes flickered violently as Eleya became trapped in the relentless tug-of-war between her two selves.

"Haven’t I made myself clear?" she snarled at herself. "Don’t involve him! Don’t make things harder for me! I just want to quietly finish this final journey! That’s what you promised me!!"

"Suppress your absurd and laughable emotions," Divine Eleya replied coolly, her voice dripping with scorn.

"Every one of our failures stems from your hesitation. Without Luo Wei, the affairs at Thornspire Castle and the royal capital would have succeeded long ago. We could have amassed enough strength by now—we wouldn’t be forced to face the horrors of the Black Forest in such a weakened state. Yet you squandered every advantage we had."

"Shut up! Stop clouding my judgment!" Human Eleya roared.

"No. It’s Luo Wei who clouds your judgment," Divine Eleya countered calmly. "The man you love so deeply is our enemy."

"He is NOT an enemy!"

"He is."

"He is NOT!!"

"He is."

...

Luo Wei couldn’t help but find tonight’s battle absurd—his so-called "teammate" was utterly unreliable.

Facing the horde of monsters before him, Eleya would occasionally lend a hand, bathing him in holy light, only to suddenly withdraw, hovering above with cold detachment. Sometimes, her indifference was the least of his worries—more than once, 【Judgment】 had nearly grazed him, almost reducing him to ashes on the spot...

"Seriously..."

Luo Wei shot a bewildered glance skyward. Even stranger, Eleya was now arguing with herself...

"Sort out your debate before helping me, alright? I’d rather not get accidentally obliterated..."

Dealing with a split personality was a nightmare. If Luo Wei didn’t resolve this issue now, someday he wouldn’t even know if the food she handed him was safe—or if it was laced with poison...

But soon, his frustration was cut short. High above, Eleya seemed to sense something, and her divine aspect seized control instantly.

She stared down at Luo Wei with frigid detachment and delivered a final warning.

"Bringing you to Blackwater Town was her wish."

"And because of her, I cannot kill you."

"So do not follow me any further. Do not continue to hinder me."

"This is your last warning."

With that, she vanished into the night sky.

The holy light dissipated, plunging Blackwater Town into complete darkness.

"Damn it!" Luo Wei cursed under his breath, scanning the skies for any trace of Eleya. "You just leave me here like this?"

Now, he stood alone atop the last remaining smokestack in Blackwater Town—the only structure still intact. Below him, an endless sea of Black Goat’s Young writhed hungrily.

A cold night breeze swept past as Luo Wei stared at the forest of black, writhing tendrils. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.

"Fine! If she’s gone, then she’s gone!"

Grumbling in frustration, he leapt from the towering chimney.

Thanks to his 【Formless Body】 ability, his leg muscles swelled at the perfect moment, propelling him forward with explosive force—soaring far beyond the encircling monsters.

Luo Wei sprinted desperately toward the outskirts of Blackwater Town, leaving behind a crimson afterimage in his wake.

He wasn’t exceptional in many areas, but speed was his forte. Right now, he was the spiritual successor to Sheriff Mike.

Using his night vision, Luo Wei quickly assessed the terrain. Retreating to Demon Valley was the safest option—Blackwater Town’s open landscape was too exposed. The Black Goat’s Young were no slouches either, with their three hooves carrying them swiftly across the plains. Trying to outrun them here would be suicide...

To conserve stamina, he fought a measured retreat.

After fleeing roughly a kilometer, he crested a hill and suddenly saw a breathtaking sight—a sea of blazing torches illuminating the wasteland.

Cavalry?

Luo Wei stared in shock at the massive cavalry force charging toward him, their banners fluttering in the wind.

Were they from the Kingdom of Velun? Or... the Veynar Imperial Army?

Wait, neither...

As the riders drew closer, Luo Wei recognized the sigil emblazoned on their flags—

A crimson thorned rose.

The Northern Thornspire House.

Evelyn’s people.

"Luo Wei!!"

A frantic voice echoed across the desolate wilderness.

Upon hearing that familiar call, Luo Wei's heart churned with a storm of emotions.

"Luo Wei! I'm here to save you!"

At the head of the cavalry was Evelyn, cloaked in dark attire. The moment she spotted Luo Wei, she didn’t even bother dismounting properly—instead, she descended in a flash of crimson, landing right before him.

"Teacher..." Luo Wei stared at Evelyn, her face dusted from the hurried journey, unsure of what to say.

"What’s wrong? Has it been so long that you don’t recognize me anymore? Why are you just standing there like a fool?" Evelyn tapped Luo Wei’s forehead lightly. Seeing his dazed expression, she sighed and pulled him protectively behind her.

Amidst the whinnying of horses, the cavalry tightened their reins and dismounted.

Luo Wei recognized some familiar faces among them—Monica, Joe, and even Mike, Evelyn’s estranged brother.

The approaching horde of monsters sent the horses into a panic, though it was clear these Thornbloom steeds weren’t bred for charging into battle. They were meant for long-distance travel, as the true combatants were the vampires riding them.

"Teacher, who are these...?" Aside from the familiar faces, most of the vampires were strangers to Luo Wei, ones he hadn’t seen before in Thornbloom Keep.

"They’re the private forces of House Thornbloom, mostly drawn from branch families," Evelyn explained. "Have you forgotten? With the Winter Kingdom invading our borders, the Northern Duke has the authority to muster private troops during wartime."

"I see..." Luo Wei nodded, though concern still lingered in his voice. "Those creatures are called Black Goat Spawn—children of an eldritch god. Not only are they individually powerful, but they also carry a severe mental corruption. Fighting them in groups is even more dangerous..."

To his surprise, Joe, who had walked over, chuckled. "Luo Wei, you’re underestimating us."

Luo Wei frowned as he watched some of the vampires engage the monsters. Though swift, the vampires weren’t gaining much ground.

Evelyn, noticing Luo Wei’s worry, smirked. "Luo Wei, do you not remember what happened back at Thornbloom Keep?"

"Huh?"

Evelyn strode forward, the vampires parting ways for her.

Under the watchful eyes of the gathered forces, a seething, scarlet aura—like burning blood—suddenly erupted from her body.

Bathed in that crimson glow, Evelyn turned back to Luo Wei with a grin.

"Remember! The night belongs to the vampires!"

Luo Wei looked up and saw a radiant full moon hanging in the sky.

Then, the scent of blood thickened in the air, and the world seemed draped in an eerie red haze.

As Luo Wei watched, the pristine moon at the heart of the night darkened, transforming into a blood-red orb, as if drenched in gore.

"Blood Moon Domain..." Luo Wei murmured.

"This is a vampiric domain that can only be activated under the leadership of a Vampire Prince," Joe said, gazing at the blood moon with a hint of pride. "Evelyn’s grown quite strong, hasn’t she?"

"Teacher has become so powerful..." Luo Wei marveled. He recalled the first time he’d witnessed this domain—it had taken multiple elder vampires working together to manifest it. Yet now, Evelyn had done it alone.

He glanced around and saw the battling vampires flicker in and out of existence, merging seamlessly with the bloody mist.

They struck from impossible angles, their movements ghostly and unpredictable. The wilderness echoed with the wails of the monsters, like mournful cries of the damned.

Luo Wei knew the Blood Moon Domain was a massive buff for vampires, complete with the coveted "invincibility frames."

He almost felt useless in this fight...

Just as he moved to assist Monica in taking down a Black Goat Spawn, Evelyn materialized before him, disapproval written all over her face.

"I heard you were badly injured in the capital. You should rest—leave the fighting to us."

"Teacher, I’ve already recovered..." Luo Wei protested weakly.

"No, you haven’t." Evelyn shut him down firmly.

"But I—"

"But nothing!" Evelyn draped her cloak over his shoulders, her expression stern yet affectionate. "Just sit tight and behave, alright?"

"...Fine." Luo Wei surrendered with a sigh.