CHAPTER 139: THE COUNCIL MEETING

Tirel followed up immediately, flames licking across the forest floor, forcing the attacker to retreat further. She moved with elegance and deadly precision, her red hair catching the firelight, her eyes sharp and unyielding.

Jae felt a thrill watching her, her confidence and daring matched the danger perfectly. He could almost feel the heat radiating from her bursts, not just from the flames but from the sheer intensity of her presence.

Byun attempted to trap the assailant with shadows again, twisting them into tendrils designed to ensnare and immobilize.

The figure twisted with uncanny speed, slipping past the binding shadows with a sharp, practiced grace. Jae’s stomach sank slightly; even with their combined effort, the primary attacker remained elusive.

The figure finally broke through the last coordinated attempt, disappearing into the dense forest.

Leaves shook loose from branches as if marking the retreat, the muffled sound of footsteps swallowed by undergrowth.

Jae’s chest rose with rapid breaths as he lowered his Dragonfire Blade, fingers trembling slightly from exertion. He had been forced to evade, block, and react constantly. Despite being the strongest among his classmates, he had been overwhelmed.

"Are you alright?" Elise’s voice was soft, worried, but there was pride in her tone. She stepped closer, brushing a hand along her braid, her chest still rising with the effort of mana manipulation. Jae nodded, managing a small smirk.

"You did well," he said, voice low but steady, eyes flicking to her. He watched the small, proud smile tug at her lips, the blush spreading faintly across her cheeks.

His gaze shifted to Tirel, who exhaled a low hiss, flames dissipating as she glanced at him, eyebrows raised in a mix of triumph and challenge.

Jae let himself take a moment, scanning the scene. Branches were broken, leaves scattered, roots upturned, and the air still carried a faint scent of scorched earth.

He felt every muscle screaming with fatigue, every joint protesting the acrobatics of the fight. His mind ran numbers, calculating how his Dragonfire Blade output compared to what the attackers had displayed, tallying potential vulnerabilities.

Stronger enemies exist outside these walls, he thought, chest tightening slightly at the realization. If this was them... what else waits?

He clenched his fists, determination flaring alongside the lingering burn in his muscles. Jae’s mind sharpened, combing strategy with ambition.

He noted Elise’s proficiency, Tirel’s firepower, Byun’s protective shadows, and even Sun’s disciplined techniques, all were allies to be leveraged, yet none could fight every battle for him. His current strength, though formidable, had limits.

I can’t let that happen again, he mused, rubbing a hand through his sweat-damp hair. I need to be better, faster, stronger. And I’ll take every advantage I can find.

The thought carried a sharper edge than it had moments before. His eyes flicked to the girls nearby, Elise adjusting her braid, cheeks still tinged with pride and exertion, Tirel’s fiery gaze surveying the trees.

He made a mental note: keep them close. Outside the academy, their proximity could save him, and his pride couldn’t afford to be endangered again.

A sly smirk curved his lips. And if some... extracurricular measures help speed up my growth, I won’t hesitate.

He pushed the thought aside only slightly; the mix of ambition, desire, and protection coiled together neatly in his mind, each impulse sharpening the next.

The forest settled around them. Dust and leaves drifted down from broken branches, and sunlight filtered through the canopy, highlighting the scarred undergrowth. Jae exhaled, taking in the aftermath.

Despite exhaustion, despite the sting of being overpowered, there was clarity. The ambush had revealed more than the attackers’ skill, it had exposed gaps in his own abilities, and a world outside the academy far more dangerous than he had allowed himself to imagine.

xxxx

The council chamber was quiet but tense, the air heavy with the mingled scents of polished wood and candle wax. Long, carved oak tables ran the length of the hall, stacked with ledgers, parchments, and maps that depicted the far reaches of the kingdom.

Shadows flickered across the stone walls as the candles along the perimeter danced in their holders, casting the council members’ faces in an alternating pattern of light and dark.

At the head of the main table sat the King, tall and imposing, his silver hair catching the soft candlelight as his stern gaze swept across the room.

Beside him, the Queen sat upright, her posture flawless, hands folded neatly atop the fabric of her deep crimson gown.

Her sharp eyes scanned the members of the council, betraying both concern and curiosity, as though she was willing each of them to see what she had already observed.

To the left of the throne, the Duke of, sat, his expression a mixture of impatience and measured authority.

The royal advisor, Shane, leaned forward, fingertips steepled as he reviewed his notes, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Councilman Dio’s presence was quieter but no less commanding; his gaze was analytical, observing the discussions as though weighing every word before forming a considered judgment.

At the far end, Principal Kine, the Academy’s headmaster, sat stiff-backed and formal, his robes impeccable, hands resting on the table with a controlled poise, ready to interject but waiting for the proper moment.

The assembly was a mixture of tension, protocol, and unspoken agendas, every member aware that the topic at hand was delicate.

The Queen was the first to break the silence. "These attacks," she began, her voice steady but carrying a pointed edge, "only started after Jae’s admission to the academy. We cannot ignore the elephant in the room. How is it that a non-noble could possess such formidable power at such a young age? The timing... it is too significant to overlook."

Murmurs spread around the chamber. Shane, ever the careful mediator, straightened slightly, raising a hand to temper the Queen’s assertion. "Your Majesty, there is no concrete proof that the attacks are connected directly to Jae’s presence at the academy. While the timing is notable, these incidents may have occurred regardless. Correlation does not imply causation."

The Queen’s gaze sharpened, her fingers tapping lightly on the table. "And yet, advisor, it cannot be dismissed so lightly. How does a young man, devoid of noble blood, command such skill, such strength? We are dealing with forces that exceed even many seasoned students at the academy. There are only two possibilities: either his power stems from external influence, manipulation by those seeking the throne, or he is entirely innocent, yet his abilities draw enemies like a flame draws moths. Either scenario presents dangers we cannot ignore."