How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game-Chapter 323: Gathering Lights

It was night.

Deep within the dense forests located on the academy’s grounds, three figures stood beneath the moonlit canopy.

The air was thick, oppressive, laced with an unsettling aura that clung to the trees like an invisible curse.

"This place is oozing with corruption…."

A voice broke the silence, soft yet edged with unease.

The day had passed like any other at the academy—morning lectures, routine tests, the mundane rhythm of student life.

The weekend had arrived, and for Uriel, it was meant to be just another ordinary day.

Train. Eat. Study. Sleep. Repeat.

That was her life. A structured cycle of discipline, efficiency, and zero distractions.

At least, that was the plan—until she was dragged into this mess.

"I’m sorry for suddenly getting you involved, Miss—?"

A young woman in front of her hesitated, her tone carrying an apologetic edge.

"Uriel," she answered flatly. "And it’s fine."

Uriel barely concealed the slight irritation flickering in her green eyes.

After all, she had been minding her own business, trying to enjoy a rare moment of leisure—a fleeting break in her rigid schedule—when this girl had suddenly grabbed her and dragged her out into the dead of night.

Still, annoyance was a minor issue compared to what she now faced.

Sprawled around them were the remains of demons they had just slaughtered.

The air was thick with lingering dark mana, the remnants of unholy energy twisting in the air like whispers of the damned.

Whispers that Uriel did not want to hear.

As the lingering traces of dark mana dissipated into the night, Uriel’s expression remained firm.

The whispers in the air, the twisted remnants of corruption, they did not sway her.

She came from a family of paladins, a bloodline that once stood as the holy warriors of the realm before they ascended into the ranks of nobility.

They were shield-bearers of the light, trained to resist the dark arts from the moment they could walk.

She understood how darkness worked.

She had studied the records of corrupted zealots who twisted divine scriptures to justify their use of chaos and forbidden magic.

She had learned of the dangers that lurked beyond the boundaries of human comprehension.

But never—

Not once in her life—

Had she seen a real, physical demon with her own eyes.

Her grip tightened slightly as she turned to the young woman beside her.

"To think demons really existed… and they’re inside the academy at that."

Her voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of disbelief she couldn’t quite suppress. She narrowed her green eyes, studying the girl before her.

"How long have you known about this, Saintess?"

The young woman’s eyes widened in surprise.

"You realized?"

Uriel let out a short breath, crossing her arms.

"It wasn’t hard to guess."

After all, it wasn’t every day that you saw a fellow student casually flicking her hand to disintegrate demons with a divine radiance that could outshine even the most devout holy knights.

Even among the highest ranks of the Church of Light—the bishops, the cardinals—none possessed this level of purity in divine power.

Uriel was no fool.

Not even her father, an Honorary Paladin of the Church, could do what this girl had just done.

She had once met the Pope himself as a child, had felt the presence of his sacred aura, had seen firsthand the revered power that had guided the faith for centuries.

And yet…

Uriel’s emerald gaze sharpened, gleaming in the dark as she looked at the girl before her.

Even he had never radiated such unshakable holiness.

"Enna… are we done here?"

"Ah, yes…"

A voice cut through the cold night air, and approaching them was the other mysterious figure who helped in dragging her along this unexpected turn of events, draped in flowing black silk.

Her movements were silent, yet the aura surrounding her carried an unmistakable weight.

In her gloved hands, she casually wrapped the severed head of a demon inside a glowing green vine of thorns, the enchanted flora pulsating softly in the dim light.

Uriel immediately recognized her.

Even beneath the shadows of her hood, there was no mistaking it.

Vanessa, the Flower Mage.

One of the top 10 students of the academy of their respective year.

A powerful mage known for her mastery over nature-based magic.

And, more importantly… someone Uriel never expected to be involved in something like this.

Uriel’s brows furrowed slightly as she observed the unlikely trio now gathered in the darkness.

"What is this?"

The more she thought about it, the stranger it became.

Vanessa and the saintess… were connected? She had seen vanessa interact with other famous individuals in the academy like Princess Stacia, and the rising star genius within the magic department Flamme, even with some other famous genius seniors like Seo and Rose as well….

But….

She had never once seen them interact before, not in class, not in the dorms, not even in passing.

Though part of the last cause was probably just because she hardly ever walks out of her dorms… but even still.

It was an unexpected pairing—one that raised far more questions than it answered.

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Noticing the wavering doubts beginning to form in Uriel’s gaze, Enna stepped forward, a slight bow accompanying her words.

"Once again, I sincerely apologize for dragging you into this, Miss Uriel."

Her voice was steady but carried an undertone of relief.

"My name is Enna… no, rather, Emilia. Since there’s no longer any point in hiding my identity, I ask that you kindly keep this secret."

Uriel’s expression remained unreadable for a moment.

"You won’t have to worry about that."

Though curiosity burned in her mind—why was the Saintess hiding her name? What exactly was she doing here?—she was not foolish enough to pry recklessly.

There was a reason why Emilia concealed her identity.

And if she was asking for secrecy, then this was something far more delicate than Uriel could have imagined.

A small sigh of relief escaped Emilia’s lips.

"Thank you…"

She had met many people who claimed to be trustworthy, yet she could sense something rare in Uriel—a truthfulness untainted by greed or deceit.

"So, mind explaining to me what’s going on right now?"

Uriel’s voice carried a sharp edge, her patience already worn thin from being dragged into this situation. She stood with arms crossed, waiting for a reasonable explanation.

For a brief moment, Emilia turned her gaze toward Vanessa. A silent exchange passed between them, one that needed no words. After receiving a small nod from Vanessa, Emilia finally spoke.

"To be honest… I’m trying to form a party, Miss Uriel."

Uriel raised an eyebrow.

"A party?"

"Yes… a party to defeat the looming Evil within the academy."

A cold breeze rustled through the trees, making the silence between them feel even heavier.

"Soon, demons will rise within the academy… and a great Evil, so powerful that even I cannot yet grasp its full scope, will awaken."

There was something about the way Emilia spoke—not fear, not hesitation, but certainty.

"I don’t know its reason, nor the shape or form it will take, but the goddess has warned me of its presence and the dread it will bring. That’s why I need all the help I can get… I need the brightest lights within the academy, those who have the strength to stand against the darkness."

Emilia’s Blue eyes locked onto Uriel’s, unwavering.

"And you, Miss Uriel… are one of those lights."

Uriel exhaled through her nose, forcing herself to remain calm.

Demons, Evil, a Goddess, and Light…

It was such a simple explanation, yet the absurdity of it all made her head throb.

And somehow, instead of giving her clarity, it only left her with more questions.

Emilia extended her hand, waiting patiently.

Her Blue eyes gleamed under the pale moonlight, expectant yet unwavering.

Uriel hesitated.

She had come to the academy for one reason only—to hone her skills, to become the best version of herself, to make her family proud and prove herself worthy of inheriting her father’s legacy.

Not once had she ever thought of getting involved in anything beyond that goal.

Yet, despite the sea of doubts and lingering questions swirling in her mind, something deep inside her already knew the answer.

She had to join Emilia in this battle.

It wasn’t just the logic of the situation that led her to this decision.

It was the spear inside her heart.

That unshakable force, the very foundation of her being—a legacy born from a family of powerful Paladins who had long sworn their lives to uphold the goddess’s will.

That duty was not just taught to her, it was ingrained in her body and soul.

Her fingers twitched as if moved by instinct.

Before she even realized it, her hand reached forward, grasping Emilia’s in a firm yet steady shake.

The young woman before her was the closest person to the goddess in this mortal world.

Uriel still had countless questions that needed answering.

But for now—those could wait.