My System Just Exploded, And You Ask Me to Become a God?-Chapter 23 --Ancient Ruins

Behind Ilan Royal Academy,

there was a mist-covered zone—this was the location of the ancient ruins belonging to the academy.

Joad led Ivy through layers of thick fog and finally arrived at a stone gate.

"Ivy, this is the entrance to the ancient ruins."

"The magical energy inside is incredibly dense... but also dangerous."

"After taking the potion, start meditating here to enhance your physical strength. I'll keep watch for you."

Ivy nodded, took the potion from Joad without hesitation, and swallowed it.

A wave of warmth rushed through her entire body, making her feel as though she were being scorched by flames.

She found a sealed chamber, sat cross-legged, closed her eyes, and entered a meditative state.

Joad stood nearby, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Although this was a designated training ground of Ilan Royal Academy,

spellbeasts were sealed deep within the ruins.

And at times, those seals would weaken—allowing the beasts to break free.

At that moment, two figures appeared at the edge of the ancient ruins.

One of them was Edward, the Pyrothian Kingdom youth who had clashed with Joad in Pugisburg.

The other was a student of Ilan Royal Academy.

"Edward, are you planning to meditate in the ancient ruins?"

"Our headmaster said guests from the Pyrothian Kingdom are welcome to enter."

A glint of icy malice flashed briefly in Edward's eyes, but he maintained a polite smile.

"Does Leit also come here often?"

The Ilan student was momentarily surprised but still nodded.

"Yes, Leit trains here frequently."

New novel 𝓬hapters are published on ƒreewebɳovel.com.

A vicious gleam flickered in Edward's eyes.

This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for.

Joad exited the ruins at that moment—his gaze met Edward's.

"Well well, if it isn't our friend from the Pyrothian Kingdom. What a coincidence."

"What's the matter? You already got the crimson witchgrass. Here to taunt me again?"

At the mention of "crimson witchgrass," Edward's anger flared.

Because of that incident, he'd been slapped multiple times by the Grand Scholar—utterly humiliated.

"Don't get cocky, Joad! I'm here to settle the score!"

Sensing the rising tension, the Ilan student tried to defuse the situation.

"Edward, let's go. We shouldn't disturb Joad's training."

"Leave? Why would I leave?"

Edward sneered as magical energy surged around him.

"I've waited two days for this. No way I'm letting it go!"

Seeing the situation escalate, the Ilan student immediately turned and fled.

This was no joke—if this led to a spellbeast riot, many could die!

He had to alert the headmaster immediately.

Joad frowned and looked at Edward.

"Are you seriously planning to make a move here?"

"This is Ilan Royal Academy territory."

"Make a move? No, I'm going to kill you!"

A glint of madness shone in Edward's eyes.

"This is the ancient ruins—its barrier blocks all external perception."

"All I have to do is summon a spellbeast from the depths with this magic scroll and claim it was just a beast riot. You'll both die here..."

"Ilan Principality won't go to war with the Pyrothian Kingdom over two nobodies like you!"

Joad scoffed inwardly. He had already sensed someone stalking him from the shadows.

But he hadn't expected Edward to be this reckless—daring to act on academy grounds!

With a twisted grin, Edward pulled a scroll from his robes and hurled it into the air.

"Come forth—Tri-Hellhound!"

But just as he released the scroll, his body froze.

His mana began draining uncontrollably into the scroll.

"W-What's going on?!"

Edward's face twisted in terror.

He tried to seize back control of the scroll—but failed.

Joad merely lifted a hand, and the scroll flew directly into his palm.

"W-Who... what are you?!"

Edward's voice trembled as he stared at Joad in disbelief.

"You're... an elite array master?! By the Goddess of Magic—that's impossible!"

Only an elite array master could so effortlessly take over someone else's scroll.

Joad didn't answer. He simply waved his hand.

"Go, my pet."

The scroll unfolded.

A massive, three-headed demonic wolf appeared before Edward.

"No!!"

Edward let out a desperate scream—but it was too late.

The Tri-Hellhound lunged at him and ripped him to shreds.

Despite being an elite student of the Pyrothian Kingdom, Edward didn't even have a chance to resist.

The Tri-Hellhound's appearance caused tremors deep within the ruins.

A crack had formed in the ancient seals.

Joad felt it immediately—but he wasn't concerned.

As long as he was around, no spellbeast could harm any of Ilan Academy's students.

He stepped forward and picked up Edward's storage pouch.

Inside, along with some mana stones, was the crimson witchgrass.

"As expected. What's mine will always come back to me."

Joad smiled and returned to Ivy's side.

At that moment, the entire ancient ruins began to quake violently.

Countless spellbeasts surged forth from its depths, unleashing deafening roars.

"What's happening?!"

Headmaster Simar and the Pyrothian Kingdom's Grand Scholar both felt the terrifying presence from afar.

Shock filled their faces.

Why were the spellbeasts of the ancient ruins suddenly rioting?

"Grand Scholar, what is the meaning of this?"

Simar turned toward the old mage, confusion in his eyes.

But the Grand Scholar looked equally bewildered.

He didn't know what had happened either.

But deep inside, a chilling sense of dread took root.

The spellbeasts' awakening released horrifying power.

Violent magic energy spread throughout the rear mountains of the academy.

The Ilan student who had accompanied Edward was now collapsed in terror, unable to move.

When he'd sensed danger earlier, he'd turned and run—hoping to inform the headmaster.

But time had run out.

He had barely escaped the ancient ruins when a massive collapse occurred behind him.

"H-How could this happen..."

Headmaster Simar appeared suddenly, his heart pounding as he looked at the ruins.

Even with his strength, had he been inside when this happened—he might not have made it out alive.

The Grand Scholar from the Pyrothian Kingdom arrived moments later—and was just as stunned.

The ancient ruins had been discovered by Ilan Royal Academy's first headmaster—the original Grand Duke Ilan.

Over the years, while it had occasionally experienced small disturbances,

nothing like this had ever happened.

Grand Scholars from various second-tier academies soon rushed to the scene as well.

Thick smoke and dust clouded the air outside the ruins.

Only after Grand Scholar Geoffrey used wind magic to disperse the dust could everyone clearly see the collapsed ruins.

Then they spotted the Ilan student who had escaped.

"Page, what happened here?"

Geoffrey asked urgently.

Page opened his mouth, his expression still dazed.

"Looks like Page was badly shaken..."

One professor sighed, his eyes filled with pity.

Someone else spoke up:

"Wasn't he assigned to accompany Edward?

Why is he here, outside the ruins?"

"Page, don't be afraid—you're safe now.

Tell us, what happened?"

Gradually, Page's mind began to recover.

"Edward wanted to explore the ruins, so I went with him. But then he... he..."

"What about him?!"

Headmaster Simar's face turned grave.

Page bit his lip—then suddenly declared:

"Edward tried to kill Joad!"

"What?!"

At that moment, all the surrounding mages' expressions shifted to ones of grim seriousness.

"Edward is from the Pyrothian Kingdom.

Why would he suddenly try to murder Joad?"

"Exactly—and why would Joad be in the ancient ruins in the first place?"