The woods outside Howling Castle.
This place was a dense forest just minutes ago.
Now it looks as if it's been swept by a Capricorn typhoon, the forest collapsed like an apocalyptic wasteland.
In a corner of the forest, a white-robed mage descended from the sky, a rancid blood rain fell into this forest.
Monet barely raised his head to glance at the thin yet towering figure, his cracked lips trembled to say:
"Principal, are the children alright?"
"Thanks to you all, they've been evacuated."
"That's really good to hear?"
The white-robed mage covered the warrior's blood-stained body with his precious robe.
A healing glow flickered.
But Monet stopped his act.
Flesh and Blood Magic is not omnipotent.
"Had you been a little slower, we wouldn't have been able to hold on."
He had a blade of grass in his mouth, smiling disreputably.
Alfredo whispered, "Don't say any more, Monet, the vice-dean will be here shortly."
The elder grasped the magic staff in his hand, holding him steady, preventing a collapse.
Monet grinned and said, "The Extraordinary Origin is shattered, not even the King of Alchemy can rescue it.
Let me complete my final report for you, just like five years ago."
Back then, he had just graduated.
"Then let's begin, just like your graduation speech." The mage removed his hat and said, "Do you need me to give you one of those Odd-Flavored Beans, like back then?"
"Please, don't."
Monet slowly unclenched his hand, a blood-colored crystal embedded into his palm.
Alfredo's fingertips flickered, and the crystal fell into his hand.
"This was extracted from Baron Blood's body, I think you may need to investigate it thoroughly."
The principal carefully examined the crystal and said:
"It's a high-quality extraordinary trait crystallization, shouldn't have appeared in a low-level artificial maze."
Monet wiped the blood from his mouth corner, sneered and said,
"That Baron Blood is particularly good at manipulating blood, it must be some high-level Blood Race extraordinary trait shard.
The Crimson Church likely had some assistance, this kind of thing shouldn't be found in their possession..."
His voice grew fainter, his eyes unfocused.
"Not a high-level Blood Race, it's one of their origins, the Red Moon Maiden. Such a shame, if the Fallen Titan hadn't fled, we might have discovered the truth sooner."
The white-robed mage gently said:
"The Love and Desire Twins killed the Red Moon Maiden, sprinkling Her divine blood into the earth, this should be one of them.
But no one can truly kill the Red Moon Maiden, recorded on the North Sea Copper Pillar in the Book of the Dead:
'Only by offering the noble maiden's blood to the King of Redemption, will the protection of the shadow be with the Red Moon.'
This thing is the fragment of the Red Moon."
"The immortal true ancestor of the Blood Race... is it?"
"Yes, I will hand this over to the research institute, do you have anything else you need help with?"
"Keep the executor's information hidden. If Anderson's wife and kids ask, say we went on a mission, tell them in a few years, the Academy... has a mole."
"Alright, anything else?"
"Arrange a new teacher for my students, this time I'm going to break my promise." His voice grew weaker, "Also, Aisha... let her make good use of that talent, and not fall into... Abyss..."
The blade of grass fell from his mouth.
Monet's heart slowly stopped.
The elder mage placed his hat over the warrior's face.
"Sleep now, child."
Deep, resonant bell tolls emerged from the collapsed Howling Castle, like the cries of a fairy.
...
Dong!
The morning bell of the Ethereal Emblem rang out.
Awakening Chloe in the dormitory.
Falling off the bed, he rubbed his forehead.
What a terrible dream it was.
He dreamt of finishing the first timeline of "Simulated Hero," when his spoiler-teller roommate said:
"You've finished the first timeline? Congrats, but the second timeline is different from the first one."
"How is it different?"
"Rephya has too many and too strong allies, some need to be weakened, like..."
Before he could hear the response clearly, he was woken by the bell.
He yawned.
Today, he needed to visit the director's office.
Due to yesterday's situation, the Academy needed to conduct separate interviews with some students.
Those who killed demons were of key importance.
He stretched and adjusted his attire before heading to the office.
Upon arrival, he realized the three girls had finished their interviews.
He greeted them and went in.
...
"I understand the situation broadly, thank you, Chloe, for your cooperation."
When he exited, he saw beside Rephya, a captivating girl with a foreboding presence standing beside her, gently pinching the cheeks of the maiden hero.
As he walked over, the girl retreated a bit in panic, hiding behind Rephya.
He glanced at the girl's blushing cheeks, pretended not to know, and said:
"Rephya, is this your friend?"
"Yes! She takes good care of me," Rephya cheerfully replied.
Aisha felt herself blush fiercely but still extended a hand and said:
"Chloe, I've heard your name, I am Aisha from the Tachi specialization of the Warrior Series, Rephya's roommate."
Chloe smiled and said: "I've heard of you."
Aisha gleefully replied, "Ah, have you heard about me, Senior?"
"Yes, the distinguished daughter of the Mendeleev Family, I heard your brother's impressive and must have taught you well."
Aisha Mendeleev, a member of the military noble Mendeleev Family.
Her brother was quite a strong NPC in the first timeline, known as the Triple Thunder Blade.
Yet the atmosphere fell silent.
Aisha was momentarily stunned.
Rephya and Teresa were looking at him strangely.
Fratiss obliviously devoured a little bread.
"Senior... what are you talking about?"
Rephya hurriedly stepped forward, supporting Aisha, patting her back and saying:
"Aisha, it's okay, it's okay."
Chloe instinctively felt something was off.
Everyone's reactions were just too abnormal.
Although the plot had changed slightly due to his stirred wings, it has progressed as expected so far.
Not until Teresa hesitantly said:
"Chloe, didn't you hear about the disaster two years ago?"
"What?"
"The S-level maze [Blood Moon Forest], the Labyrinth's Lone King's berserk incident."
Chloe recalled in his mind but couldn't remember.
He tentatively said, "Did something happen then?"
"Aisha's brother never woke up after the maze conquest two years ago."
Chloe's pupils shrank suddenly.
An electric shock surged through his body.
His mouth slightly opened, his barely calmed emotions said:
"I'm sorry, I didn't know about this."
Aisha's smile was a bit forced: "No, if my brother knew you remember his grace, he would be very happy."
Chloe's smile became even more forced.
Suddenly he realized something terrifying, which is—
This isn't the first timeline of "Simulated Hero," it's the increased difficulty second timeline of "Simulated Hero."
Oh no, a major disaster is looming!