On Natasha's side, she was bound to the bed, wrists tied, her perspective too limited to realize that the world outside was already unraveling.
She twisted desperately against the stockings knotted around her hands until, with one final pull, she tore free. Gasping, she yanked the gag from her mouth, then stumbled off the bed. Panic and fury surged through her—never in her life did she imagine one of her most quiet, well-behaved students would cross such a line.
Her only thought was to call the police, to see Elric punished by the law.
But she hadn't taken two steps before a figure suddenly appeared.
It was Elric.
Natasha froze, her face pale but strikingly beautiful even in disarray. At that moment, the voice of the system echoed inside Elric's mind, and a glowing screen flickered before his eyes.
Name: Natasha
Age: 31
Appearance: 92 points
Figure: 90 points
Quality: 100 (rich theoretical knowledge, no practical experience)
System Score: 91 points
Deep Communication Reward Unlocks: 20 (Monthly Slots)
Evaluation: Meets the standards. Accept the survivor to nurture the Devil Fruit tree's growth.
Elric's heart quickened. The system had confirmed it—this goddess-like teacher, admired on campus despite her age, met the conditions perfectly. By taking her in, he would not only strengthen the Devil Fruit tree but also unlock twenty future rewards.
There was no way he could let Natasha walk away.
He stepped in front of the door, blocking her path.
"Natasha… where do you think you're going?"
Seeing him appear so suddenly, Natasha's legs trembled, and she instinctively backed away. Ten years older than him, she wasn't a woman easily cowed. After all, she'd survived long enough in the real world to think quickly under pressure.
Her voice shook, but she forced calm into her words:
"Elric, don't be rash. If I've wronged you somehow, I'll apologize. But this—this is a crime. You'll ruin your life if you go any further. The school has cameras everywhere. You won't escape, and you'll throw away your future."
"Oh? My future?"
Elric's lips curled into a faint smirk. Clearly, this renowned beauty still didn't understand.
"Natasha, maybe you should first look at the world outside before you talk about the future."
He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the balcony.
"Look."
Her eyes followed his finger downward—and instantly widened in shock.
The campus was in ruins. Cracks split the ground like an earthquake had ripped it apart. A strange, colorful fog rolled through the air. The sound of tortured wails echoed from every direction.
This wasn't the same campus as minutes ago.
"What… what is this?" Natasha whispered, her voice breaking.
Elric leaned close, his tone low and steady.
"The world has ended. Order is collapsing. From here on, survival depends on the choices we make. You have two paths: become prey to be devoured by this chaos, or stand with me—and live a life of stability, food, and safety."
Natasha's breath quickened. His words pressed against her dazed mind, but suspicion sparked. She steadied herself, eyes narrowing.
"What are you really after?"
Elric's smile sharpened. "Since you asked… I want you to be my woman. At my side, you'll never starve, never fear. That's the deal."
Her face went crimson, both with anger and disbelief.
"Your woman? Are you insane?" she snapped. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Natasha, who had grown up beautiful and admired, had always been pursued with reverence. Students and colleagues alike treated her like an untouchable goddess. But never—not once—had anyone dared to speak with such arrogance, much less one of her students.
And this was Elric—ten years younger, impressive in appearance, or no family background. A bottom-ranked student. Yet here he was, demanding she belong to him, as though he were the protagonist of some twisted novel.
Her anger blazed, but so did her pride.
"Impossible! I'm eight years older than you, I'm still your teacher!"