CHAPTER 142: 142-RISING TENSIONS AMONG THE CLANS

Then—she saw her.Selene, lying on a bed, her face pale but peaceful.Without hesitation, Sara rushed to her."Selene!" she cried, her voice trembling.Selene’s eyes flew open in shock."Mama!" she gasped.She sat up instantly and threw herself into her mother’s embrace.Sara smiled, cupping her daughter’s face, caressing her hair as tears silently rolled down her cheeks.They stayed like that—mother and daughter, holding each other tightly—as the world around them screamed and burned.After a moment, Selene gently pulled back.Sara looked into her daughter’s eyes, brushing away the damp strands of hair."Are you okay?" she asked softly.Selene nodded, her face still marked with tears.Sara smiled warmly. "You’re brave. Don’t worry about anything else. Rest for now."She gently laid Selene back down, wrapping her in clean sheets, tucking her in like when she was a child. Her hand continued to gently pat Selene’s head.And under her mother’s touch, Selene slowly drifted into sleep.Sara finally stood, her expression more relaxed now.She glanced around the large infirmary.Healers were still running, their green robes stained with blood. Patients groaned and cried in every corner.But as the sun dipped beyond the horizon, the chaos began to settle.The screams faded.Alex opened his eyes to a dimly lit white ceiling. A grimace crossed his face as a sharp pain throbbed in his head.He turned his head slowly, looking around.He was lying on a hospital bed, surrounded by white drapes hanging like curtains around him, enclosing his space in silence.With a soft groan, he shut his eyes again.Reaching inward, he connected to the core in his heart—stimulating the Wood Elemental Rings.A gentle stream of wood elemental energy coursed through his veins, bringing a warm sensation that spread across his body. The headache dulled slightly.He exhaled slowly, letting the warmth relax him.Then... he drifted back to sleep.Beside the bed, Hati, the grey and purple-furred wolf, perked up his ears. He had been lying curled beside Alex this whole time.Seeing Alex still resting peacefully, Hati gave a soft huff, circled once, and curled back up on the cold floor—

Meanwhile, in the office of the Principal of Elemental Excellence Academy, five powerful figures sat at the long desk across from him.First among them was Sara Frostreign, Matriarch of the Ice Phoenix Clan. Beside her sat the elderly yet dignified Galdan Aurelwyn, the Patriarch of the White Phoenix Clan.Next, dressed in black from head to toe, sat a man with a stern expression, dark hair, and piercing dark eyes—Russel Noctshade, Patriarch of the Shadow Panther Noctshade Clan.Beside him was another elderly man, his face wrinkled with age, violet eyes full of anxious emotion. He was Cullen Veylor, father of Riven Veylor and Patriarch of the Veylor Clan.At the end of the row sat a man with muscular arms exposed, long crimson hair, and eyes burning like embers—the Patriarch of the Fire Dragon Clan, Blaise Drakthorn.His fists were clenched tightly, and a deadly killing intent radiated from his body.The Principal looked at him with sympathetic eyes, but his voice remained firm."Mr. Drakthorn, please control your emotions."SLAM!A fist pounded against the table.Blaise stood up, nostrils flaring with smoke, fury surging from every pore.A deep, gravelly voice rumbled from his throat, like stone grinding against stone."You’re asking me to calm down? My daughter was seriously injured. And my son—Varek—his whereabouts are unknown! How do you expect me to be calm?!"Old man Galdan’s voice echoed through the office with composed authority."Calm down. We are here to solve the problem."The Fire Dragon Patriarch sat down reluctantly, though his clenched fists trembled with restrained rage.The Principal looked around at the gathered clan heads and began solemnly."Thank you all for coming. As for the others who are not present, I will convey the decisions made here to them personally."He paused, letting his eyes sweep across the room. After a small nod, he continued."I don’t know how... but it’s clear now—there are students involved with the Ashen Dawn organization. One of our most brilliant students, Darian Terravyrn, was one of them. He betrayed his comrades and attacked Tina Drakthorn. If not for a miraculous and timely intervention, she would have died."Across the table, Blaise Drakthorn’s fists clenched. His teeth gritted. The killing intent around him surged once again.As he looked at the other Patriarchs, their expressions all shifted—slightly—but noticeably.All except for Russel Noctshade and Cullen Veylor.The Principal sighed and continued."Darian Terravyrn’s current whereabouts are unknown. Additionally, several other students—mostly from lower noble families—are also missing."Sara Frostreign leaned forward slightly, her voice thoughtful."What has the Terravyrn Clan said about this?"The Principal sighed again, rubbing his temples."They said... they don’t care about Darian Terravyrn. That he’s not one of them."The room went silent.Then—Blaise Drakthorn’s thunderous voice exploded."Why would they care?! They killed and raped his lover in front of him just to control him. Fucking cowards!"A heavy silence followed, tense and suffocating.Old man Galdan Aurelwyn let out a slow breath and shook his head."Don’t mention tasteless things here."The Shadow Panther Patriarch, Russel Noctshade, spoke next—his face unreadable, his tone flat."That’s very inhumane of them."Sara turned toward him with a thin, cold smile."Look who’s talking. Your own son betrayed his sister... just to control her."Russel’s jaw clenched. His dark eyes narrowed, but he replied calmly."He’s learning his lesson. Currently."Sara gave a faint nod, her voice softer this time."I see. You love your daughter more than your sons."Her words lingered.Everyone in the room knew the truth behind them.Meika Noctshade was born shortly after her mother died. Since then, Russel had poured into her all the love he never got to give his wife.The Veylor Clan Patriarch, Cullen Veylor, didn’t speak a word.The Principal turned his gaze toward him and said with quiet gravity,"Mr. Veylor, your son made a tremendous contribution. He used the Void Sage’s legendary Galaxy Sword and cut down an S-rank humanoid monster in a single attack."Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.Cullen Veylor trembled slightly but composed himself quickly. He gave only a brief nod.After a moment of silence, the Principal continued,"It was weaker than the original, and I believe it took quite a toll on his body... but I’m sure of it—it was that sword."Before the weight of the words could fully settle, Sara Frostreign interjected, changing the topic."What is the plan? What are you doing to secure the academy?"The Principal gently placed his teacup down and looked at the gathered leaders."We are taking every measure we can. We will be sending all students on missions for the next few months. If you have suggestions, I welcome them."Sara spoke immediately."Then I’ll take my daughter with me."The Principal sighed and nodded. He knew he couldn’t stop her.Mr. Drakthorn followed."Me too."Mr. Noctshade gave a sharp nod."I’ll be doing that as well."Cullen Veylor hesitated for a moment before saying,"I’ll see if my son wants to go on a mission or return home."The Principal nodded again.Then, the old man Galdan Aurelwyn stood up and stretched slightly."I’m leaving. Things seem to have reached a conclusion for now. I must return to my clan’s city."One by one, the others also stood. They followed the old man as they stepped outside the office, the heavy silence behind them lingering like the aftermath of a storm.