Chapter 154: End of the Dream

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A black sky.

A world where everything is inverted and shattered.

In one corner of it, a white-haired woman stood quietly in a man’s embrace.

“Sugar.”

“…”

“Sugar.”

“…”

But no matter how many times he called her name, she refused to meet his eyes. Instead, she scraped the ground with her foot, feigning indifference.

Her pale cheeks flushed pink as she lowered her head. The lingering warmth on her lips, the mingled heat of their breaths—it was still vivid.

‘So… we just kissed, right?’

A kiss.

A press of lips.

“……”

Sugar’s mouth trembled slightly.

When Riley first pressed his lips to hers, she’d thought, “This isn’t right!”—but then her resolve softened into “Just a little couldn’t hurt…” and she willingly reciprocated.

She’d looped her arms around his neck and clung to his lips, not with a fleeting peck but with a deep, lingering exchange of breath.

As if she’d wanted this for a long time.

The more she remembered, the more the sensation revived.

‘This is really, really not something friends should do.’

‘Ugh, ugh.’

Burying her face in her hands, she shook her head violently before sneaking a glance upward—only to immediately lock eyes with his blue gaze and hide her face again.

So Riley pulled her into a crushing hug.

“Haa…”

He suppressed thoughts like “She’s too damn cute—I should just pin her down and—” and let out a sigh instead.

“Sugar. We should go. We’re running out of time.”

“Mmm…”

“Hold on tight.”

Still holding her, he levitated into the air.

The view from above was surreal—not in a mocking way. Crumbling buildings, floating debris. The chilling spectacle of a world ending, yet it stirred something oddly thrilling in a corner of her heart.

“…How are we getting out?”

Sugar, who’d nearly become part of that spectacle herself, whispered the question. She still couldn’t meet his eyes properly.

“The exit to this world is structured like a trap.”

The man who’d boldly declared they’d both survive began his explanation.

A funnel. Wide entrance, narrow exit.

“When I left earlier, the exit sealed shut, but I forced my way back in.”

“So we’ll go out that way?”

“No. Two people can’t pass at once. It’s too narrow. You can enter, but not leave.”

“Then…”

“We’ll break it.”

Sugar blinked. As if that solution was something she would’ve come up with.

“Wait… can you even do that?”

“I’ve got strength to spare now. I’ll manage.”

An unnatural energy clung to Riley, its density unlike ordinary magic. No human could withstand it—his strained breathing and sweat made that clear. Though he kept a calm face, Sugar knew better.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard…”

“Pushing a little is fine.”

Flying toward the gate, he cradled Sugar with one arm and summoned the grimoire with the other, gathering power.

Sugar wrapped her arms around his neck, her expression dissatisfied. She could feel his labored heartbeat, his ragged breaths.

“Nnn…”

“Just hold on a little longer.”

Thinking her whimper was from the oppressive spiritual pressure, Riley apologized softly.

But that wasn’t the issue.

Sugar began loosening Riley’s tie with one hand.

“…? Hey, what’re you—”

Then she undid his buttons, exposing his collarbone—and buried her face against it.

“Hey, you pervert! What the hell?!”

Ignoring his scolding, she nuzzled into him, peppering his skin with wet, nibbling kisses. She bit down lightly, exhaled hot breaths, licked—

Then pulled back just enough to murmur:

“You said you’d do anything for me…”

—So act however you want in return. Do anything for me. But if you try to plan something alone “for my sake,” I’ll stop you. I’ll drag you back to my side.

Her words seemed to say all that.

Riley felt his soul briefly leave his body from sheer exasperation.

“Did I say this?! You’re just satisfying your own urges! What if you get worked up now?!”

“Th-th-that’s not it!! What kind of nonsense is that?! I’m just trying to stop you—!”

Stop him by distracting him, disrupting his focus so he couldn’t use his power.

If Riley had a third hand, he would’ve facepalmed.

“Just behave… I’ll touch you all you want once we’re out.”

“Wh-what?!”

As Sugar gaped, wondering if she’d heard right, the vacuum-like sound tearing through the air grew louder.

Any complaints she might’ve had were drowned out—or maybe he was pretending not to hear.

Biting her lip in frustration, she stiffened when Riley whispered by her ear:

“Lend me some magic.”

“…”

Grumbling, Sugar tightened her embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her chest, stomach, and legs against him, and channeled her magic into him.

“Idiot. I hate you. Pervert. Creep. The worst.”

Despite her words, the amount of magic she poured into him was staggering. Her actions betrayed just how precious he was to her—she gave without reservation.

“Who’re you calling a pervert? I’m disgusted by the likes of you.”

Mocking her back, Riley earned a sharp bite on the neck from Sugar.

“Ah!”

“I really hate you.”

Then, she gently licked the spot she had bitten.

A slap and a caress in one.

Riley held Sugar tightly as he unleashed his power—so tightly it nearly stole her breath. Sugar let out a soft “Haaah…” as the embrace tightened.

Then, light flooded their vision. A brilliance bright enough to pierce the dark sky.

“Hold on tight.”

They were already pressed flush together, so close not even air could slip between them.

The light erupted, followed by a deafening explosion that sent prickling shocks through their bodies. Sugar shut her eyes tightly and surrendered herself to Riley.

A sensation of floating. They were moving—somewhere. Had they succeeded in escaping the dream?

When the blinding light faded, Sugar dared to open her eyes.

What she saw was a world of illusions—shattering, fragmenting, scattering.

Each fragment held a different scene.

Sugar standing on a desolate wasteland. Sugar in a fluttering dress. Sugar holding a grimoire.

A place where past and future intertwined.

Where countless possibilities collided.

A sky of stars and dreams.

And there, Sugar saw her.

A woman, pale as faded light, smiling.

With that final vision, the dream ended.

***************

“…!”

Her eyes snapped open.

The world was loud and blurry, her senses scrambled.

“…gar! She’s awake… Sugar!”

She could tell someone was calling her name. Blinking several times, her vision gradually cleared.

“…Ian?”

“Ahh…! Thank goodness. You’re back with us? You collapsed out of nowhere—you scared me!”

Sugar grimaced as she pushed herself up.

“Riley… where’s Riley?”

“He collapsed too. Over there—ah! He’s waking up too!”

Sugar immediately wriggled out of Ian’s arms and scrambled toward Riley.

“Riley. Riley. Riley. Riley.”

“…I could hear you just fine the first time.”

“Huu…”

She clung to him, trembling.

But his condition was far from good. His face was pale—and then, without warning, he coughed.

Splat. Blood spilled from his lips. The price of wielding power beyond his limits.

Sugar and Ian screamed.

“I’m fine… expected this much… cough…!”

“…”

With shaking hands, Sugar pulled a wand from her pocket.

“Ian… how long were we out?”

“Ah… uh… about ten minutes?”

“Ten minutes…”

Like a fleeting dream.

“There was this… shadowy figure by the window. The moment I heard its voice, my mind went blank… When I came to, you two were collapsed, and right after, Sir Cedric showed up and dragged it downstairs… They’re probably fighting now.”

Ian, sharp as ever, managed a shaky debrief between deep breaths.

Sugar stood.

“…Take care of Riley.”

“Wait, you—!”

Outside, an explosion-like roar shook the building. Sugar ignored it—no, she welcomed it—and strode to the window.

“Leon! Stop Sugar!”

Ian, busy using her power to stabilize Riley, called to Leon—but even he seemed off.

His eyes were wide, darting around the air as if searching for something unseen.

“What’s wrong with everyone?!”

Ian’s voice cracked with frustration.

Ignoring the outcry, Sugar leaped through the window. Magic surged through her, fluid and responsive.

She launched herself at the shadowy figure locked in combat with a bear-like man.

The saintess had arrived—in a fury.

The apostle tilted its head at the sight of her.

“Why… this step… was not in the trial…”

Its muttering was barely audible. Clearly, it had acted on divine orders—yet things had spiraled beyond its understanding.

But Sugar had no patience for its confusion. She raised her wand.

“Just what… are you harboring…? A vessel… meant only to serve Him…”

“Shut up and die.”

The wages of sin is death. She unleashed her magic. Even after sharing her power with Riley in the dream, enough remained—fueled by rage—to viciously consume the apostle.

Cedric, watching nearby, stroked his beard in awe.

Just as it seemed the shadow would scatter under the force of Sugar’s light—

“Ahh…”

It grew darker, thicker and more polluted.

“A message… descends…”

Regardless, the saintess had survived her trial and emerged. Now, the next phase of the revelation began.

Ding-dong-ding—

A bell-like voice echoed through the space.

An energy she wished she didn’t recognize spread—the Evil God. Fragments of him were descending.

The god’s power, which devoured all light and returned it to the void, was approaching.

Cedric immediately shoved Sugar aside.

“Old man! Move! I’m the only one who can withstand this!”

But her shouts didn’t reach him. Even if they had, he wouldn’t have budged. He was a guardian. His massive frame became a shield as he stood firm against the dark energy, reinforcing his body with magic to protect the others.

Sugar gritted her teeth and pressed herself beside him.

No one else gets hurt. This started because of me—I’ll end it. She forced the Evil God’s power into herself.

“Brat, fall back!”

“This is my trial!”

It was easier to bear than before. The nausea and cold sweat were the same, but her tolerance had clearly improved—proof of her growth.

But if the problem was that the Evil God’s affection had grown even stronger…

Well.

That would be a problem.

***************

Leon stared blankly at the unfolding scene, his eyes wide as they fixed on the sky above.

And he wasn’t the only one.

Everyone present witnessed it—the legendary staff, descending with noble grace just as it had during the entrance ceremony.

In the midst of a crisis brought upon his friends by heresy, it had answered the call.

Despite being shoved into a drawer, despite its new master’s indifferent treatment, it had come anyway—kindly, even.

Choose.

Would he take hold of it, or would he not?

That was the only question it asked.

Leon took a deep breath.

The surroundings were chaotic, countless eyes boring into him, weighing on his shoulders, stealing his breath.

The heavy burden.

The divine mission.

The Saint’s choice.

The heir to a legend.

But Leon cast it all aside—threw away the world’s trivial concerns—and let only one thought fill his mind:

“Someday, just help me. Help us. Help them.”

This time, he didn’t reach out on impulse.

He didn’t avert his gaze.

He moved of his own will, following his heart’s desire.

He believed, without a doubt, that this was the moment.

And in his eyes, a violet light flickered to life.

“Riley! Where do you think you’re going?! Stay down!”

“Move.”

With blood staining his lips, the blond youth rose. Amidst the commotion of the Saint’s staff in one corner, this scene unfolded in stark silence.

Riley stood as if nothing were wrong and walked toward the window.

His body was a wreck—he could collapse at any moment—but the girl he cherished was fighting below. The creeping tide of the Evil God’s power was visible to the naked eye. He couldn’t just lie still.

Even as Ian grabbed him from behind, he pressed forward without a word.

“If you die, Sugar will kill me!”

Ian, overwhelmed by the unprecedented crisis, her friend’s coughing blood, and the apostle’s power, was at her wit’s end.

The statement was so plausible that Riley almost laughed.

“I won’t die.”

And with that, he jumped.

Because he had resolved to reclaim her and keep her by his side.

At the same time, he began an incantation. The professors had already surrounded the school building—thankfully.

Riley cast protective barriers over Cedric and Sugar. That would buy them some breathing room.

Sugar, baffled by the sudden barrier, glanced back—and froze.

Why is he here?! He looks like he could drop dead any second! She wanted to strangle him. Cedric, meanwhile, watched with amused interest.

Riley gripped his wand and resumed chanting.

This was the crux. A spell he could cast alone, though it was incredibly difficult. But to succeed, he had to get close to the target.

‘Can I do it?’

‘No—I have to.’

The incantation crescendoed, harmonizing with the caster’s emotions like a song.

What the hell is he trying to pull?! Sugar stomped her foot in frustration, a stark contrast to Riley’s calm recitation.

“Riley! Don’t do anything reckless!”

Says you.

He swallowed the retort and continued chanting.

The closer he got to the rampaging apostle, the more the black energy seeping from it resisted. Even with two barriers, Riley’s condition was dire. The grimoire’s defiance, the spiritual pressure far beyond his physical limits—the cost was too great.

But he couldn’t stop.

“…”

His legs refused to move.

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself forward.

Again, his body resisted.

Again, he pushed through.

Staggering, he felt as if his body wasn’t his own. Like he was still walking through a dream.

What nonsense.

The moment he chastised himself, warmth bloomed at his back.

Just when he thought his legs would give out—just when he thought he’d collapse—

A golden surge of magic shot past him, so radiant his eyes flew open.

A power unlike anything he’d ever seen. It smothered the black energy, calming and suppressing it, its influence visibly waned.

Following its source, Riley’s gaze landed on the black-haired youth in the upstairs classroom—his eyes glowing violet, a pure white staff in hand, striking downward like a figure from legend.

Hah.

Riley exhaled something between a laugh and a sigh and stepped toward the shadow.

This was his chance.

The guardian, the Evil God’s saintess, and the Saint’s staff’s master all watched intently.

Riley simply laid a hand on the shadow.

Swallowing the metallic tang of blood, he uttered the trigger word:

“Teleportation.”

Long-distance spatial translocation.

His heart spasmed as magic drained from him at a brutal rate. This was a spell meant for multiple casters.

Gasping, he kept his eyes locked ahead.

The shadow vanished in an instant.

The spell had worked.

Somewhere far away, in the open plains, it would rage alone until it faded.

All that remained was the lingering echo of dark energy.

It struck the saintess’s eardrums like a command:

—Pierce the wall—

But Sugar, who had no room in her mind for anything but Riley, hurled herself at him.

“You idiot!” she shrieked, crashing into him.

The relief that flooded his chest at the sight of her made his eyes close on their own.

It had been such a long dream.

Or perhaps a fleeting reality.

Somewhere, the story of the dream would begin anew—each time with slight variations, leading to different outcomes.

What form would their ending take in this world connected to the starry sky?