Chapter 225: Shadows in the Council Hall.
Far to the north, beyond snow-swept plains and frozen rivers, stood the Office of the Council of Clan.
Two groups arrived together that day, their breath forming clouds in the cold northern air.
From Arcadia Academy, the delegation was led by beast warrior Myra. Beside her walked Professor Kaito.
From Bighall Academy, the visitors were tense and grim, carrying the weight of loss. They had come to demand answers—and perhaps vengeance.
At the massive silver doors of the Council Hall, armored guards in black-and-red uniforms lowered their spears.
Guard Captain: "State your business."
Bighall Principal Elric stepped forward "We represent Bighall and Arcadia Academies. We seek an audience with the Council regarding the Blackstone Incident and the deaths of two of our students."
The guards exchanged glances but finally opened the gates.
The sound of heavy iron echoed as the doors swung inward.
Inside the chamber, a half-circle of Council Elders sat behind a long table.
The air smelled faintly of burning incense, but it did little to soften the cold atmosphere.
At the center sat High Elder Morvain.
Before the visitors could even bow, Morvain raised his hand.
Morvain: "You were warned not to come."
Myra narrowed her eyes, but Principal Elric took a step forward, refusing to be intimidated.
Elric: "High Elder, with respect, two of our cadets were killed during the recent demon attack at Rotfang Farmstead. We cannot remain silent. We demand to know who bears responsibility."
A murmur of agreement came from the staff behind.
Myra stepped forward next.
Myra: "The attackers were prisoners who escaped during the demon raid, were they not?
Those prisoners were under your jurisdiction. Shouldn’t the Council accept responsibility for this disaster?"
Several elders exchanged uneasy looks, their expressions carefully blank.
Morvain: "You speak boldly for someone so young.
But you misunderstand the situation. The prisoners were not released by us.
The demons themselves unleashed them during the chaos."
He said the truth, but Myra refused to back down.
Myra: "And yet they were your prisoners. Your responsibility.
How convenient, to blame demons for every failure."
Professor Kaito gently placed a hand on her shoulder, a silent plea for restraint.
But his own eyes were sharp, watching every flicker of expression across the council table.
Council Member Selvar, leaned forward.
Selvar: "You must understand, the demon attacks are spreading faster than we can contain them.
The escape was orchestrated not by negligence, but by powerful demon agents.
Even our strongest wards were compromised.
Our immediate priority is to eliminate these demons before more lives are lost."
Morvain gestured to a stack of sealed scrolls.
Morvain: "We have already sent messages to the academies to clear the rising demon infestations.
Your anger is understandable, but justice will not stop the demons from multiplying."
Professor Kaito entered the conversation.
Kaito: "If your messages are already sent, then you must have identified the danger zones.
Where are the demons gathering?"
Selvar exchanged a brief glance with Morvain before replying.
Selvar: "The main outbreaks are concentrated in the following locations:
– The Crystal Hollows.
– Silverroot Glade.
– Ashveil Library.
There are... other locations as well, near the borders of other academies."
Professor Kaito slightly changed his expression.
Myra folded her arms.
Myra: "How convenient that demons attack near academies but never here in your fortified hall.
Tell me, High Elder, are these outbreaks truly random? Or is someone within the council manipulating the chaos?"
A few council members stiffened.
Morvain’s eyes turned icy.
Morvain: "Watch your words, child.
You tread dangerously close to slander."
Kaito stepped forward smoothly.
Kaito: "Myra raises a fair point.
If the demons were capable of breaching your prisoner wards, what prevents them from breaching this very council hall?
Should we assume the north is somehow immune?"
Morvain leaned back in his chair.
Morvain: "The Council of Clan stands prepared.
That is all you need to know."
A sharp clang echoed through the chamber as Morvain struck the table with a silver gavel.
Morvain: "This meeting is over.
Your concerns have been noted.
Now leave—and return to your academies.
Hunt demons, not excuses."
Guards immediately stepped forward, forming a wall of armored bodies between the visitors and the council table.
Myra clenched her fists, her beastlike instincts screaming to fight, but Kaito gave her a subtle shake of the head.
He could feel the dangerous energy in the room—the faint hum of defensive magic woven into the very walls.
The delegation turned to leave, but not before Myra shot a final glare at Morvain.
Myra: "If more students die because of your secrets, their blood will stain these halls. Remember that."
Morvain’s cold smile did not falter.
Outside, the icy wind cut through their coats as they stepped onto the snow-covered plaza.
The gray sky stretched endlessly above, heavy with impending storms.
Myra finally exhaled, frustration burning in her voice.
Myra: "They’re hiding something. I can sense it.
The demons... the prisoners... none of this adds up."
Kaito nodded slightly, his gaze distant.
Kaito: "I agree. Their words were too polished.
But we can’t confront them without proof. For now, we focus on the missions they gave us.
The truth will reveal itself... in time."
Myra’s fists tightened.
Myra: "Let’s keep our eyes open then.
Because I swear, if they’re playing with their lives, I’ll tear down their masks myself."
As the two delegations left the icy courtyard of the Council Hall, the cold wind swept around them.
The Bighall group walked slightly.
Principal Elric Dunholde kept glancing at Myra, the young Arcadia representative who had faced the council with unshakable boldness.
During the meeting she had spoken without fear—challenging elders, questioning decisions,
and never flinching even when High Elder Morvain tried to silence her.
Finally, Elric slowed his steps to walk beside her.
Elric: "Miss Myra, your courage back there was remarkable. Few adults, let alone students, would dare to speak to the Council like that."
He gave a small, approving smile.
"Arcadia is fortunate to have someone like you. Have you ever considered transferring to Bighall Academy? With your talent and confidence, you’d rise faster in our ranks than anywhere else."
Myra looked at him.
Myra: "I appreciate the offer, Principal Sir. But my path belongs to Arcadia. My duty is to my academy, and to the people I protect."
Elric chuckled softly, both disappointed and impressed.
As they continued, Myra’s keen senses pricked.
Beside her, Professor Kaito walked in silence.
There was something in the way he carried himself—a hidden tension, a faint aura of restrained power—that made her instincts stir.
She couldn’t name it, but the feeling lingered like a quiet warning.
(What are you hiding, Professor...?) she thought, but said nothing.