Scumbag Fate System

Chapter 123: The Proposal

Reinhard stood in Headmaster Isaac’s office with the rest of the Resonance Club arranged in a semicircle before the massive desk. The evidence was spread across every available surface.

Professor Chen stood to the left with a raised brow while Victoria positioned herself to the right with a faint smile.

Isaac sat behind his desk, studying each student in turn.

"You’ve requested this meeting to convince me to approve of you guys going to Silent Peak," Isaac said calmly. "Please proceed with your presentation."

The formal tone made it clear this wasn’t a friendly discussion.

This was a judgment.

Sirin stepped forward first as club president. "Headmaster, the Silent Peak is necessary for three critical reasons." She gestured to Louis. "First, the historical context."

Louis moved to the desk and placed the massive disaster documentation tome in front of Isaac. "The Hunter Council used Silent Peak as the center point to seal the Void Sovereign. They gathered magical energy from Hunters across the entire continent to create the seal."

He opened the marked pages. "The seal was designed to contain a Sovereign, a being that governs fundamental forces. This explains why void distortions radiate from that location."

Isaac’s fingers drummed once against the desk. "I’m aware of Silent Peak’s origins. What I need to know is why students should risk their lives going there."

Isaac already knew the history. They needed to give him something he didn’t know.

Rika stepped forward next and spread out maps showing void distortion patterns across five centuries. "Based on the pattern, we can say the Void Distortion is coming from Silent Peak."

"That’s true, but what does that have to do with you guys?" Issac questioned.

"If we can reach the peak. Then it’s possible to put a stop to any Void Distortion reappearing..." Rika smiled and said. "We finally prevented that potential incident of distortions appearing around the other students. Or worse, growing too big without us noticing."

"I agree, that’s a very good reason. But it isn’t enough to justify Initiates like you guys going... Continue."

Alice moved forward with battle plans ready. "We’re not going unprepared," she said firmly. "We already have an idea of most of the dangers to expect on the mountain. Between Rika’s precognition, Professor Victoria’s spatial abilities, and Professor Chen’s combat expertise, we can handle emergencies!"

Isaac’s expression remained unreadable. Was any of this convincing him?

Sirin presented the historical accounts from the Noctyne family.

"The Mountain was originally created as a training ground for Void users." Sirin explained, her blue eyes bright with focus. "Ancient accounts say those who reached the peak would learn the method to truly master void energy. If Yor can reach it... This might allow her the chance to fully break through into the next rank and even the path she can take to... Reach Hunter Lord."

Her words made Professor Chen and Victoria pause while Issac’s eyes slightly widened in surprise and a bit of interest.

"If that really is true. Then that’s really beneficial to Miss Noctyne." Issac’s eyes shifted to Sirin. "Is that all?"

"No..." Sirin clasped her hands together. "There might be a possibility we can find those taken by the Void Distortion if we reach the top."

"Oh? Why are you so sure?"

"The First Void Sigil user had created many things for those left behind. For example, the reason we could help Yor seal her powers was that the ritual found came from the Silent Peak." When Sirin uttered these words, Issac’s eyes narrowed a bit. "So we believe the First Void user left behind ways to fully and easily navigate and locate people in the Void Distortion."

Professor Chen spoke up with a sigh. "I agree there are many reasons... But you guys are missing the biggest issue." Chen glanced through all of them. "How are you sure you will succeed? Many generations of Void Users and other Hunters have tried to make it up... But none have made it. What makes you think a bunch of Initiate Hunters will succeed where they failed?"

Chen’s opposition was expected but still dangerous. One professor could really convince the headmaster to not approve the trip.

Victoria countered immediately. "The Void Assembly wants Yor regardless of what we do. They’ve already attempted kidnapping once and will try again. Would you rather she go to Silent Peak with proper protection and preparation, or wait until the Assembly captures her and uses her for their continental distortion ritual?"

Chen lightly glared. "Or she can simply stay–"

"Here like a prisoner?" Victoria interrupted smoothly. "Don’t be silly, we can’t protect her indefinitely. You already saw we have two professors switching sides, and we have no clue where the Void Assembly is. But if Yor can–"

"None of that matters if the chances of her succeeding are less than ten percent." Chen shot back.

Isaac raised one hand, and both professors fell silent immediately.

He turned his gaze to Yor.

"Miss Noctyne, the main reason is for you. Do you want to attempt this climb knowing you might disappear like many others?"

Yor stood straight, her composure unshaken despite the weight of the question. "Yes, Headmaster. The Void Assembly has been monitoring my family for decades and believes I’m connected to the Void Sovereign. If going to Silent Peak helps me understand that connection and potentially prevents them from using me in their ritual, I’ll take that risk."

Isaac nodded slowly before looking at Sirin with uncomfortable intensity.

"Miss Sirin. You’re the club president. Anything that happens to your members falls on your shoulders. Can you live with the consequences if this trip goes wrong? If students die under your leadership?"

The room held its breath. This was the real test.

Sirin’s hands trembled slightly, but she still grinned at him. "Headmaster, I’m terrified. The thought of someone getting hurt because of a decision I made is something I don’t want to live with." She took a breath as her expression softened. "But not going when there’s a chance to help Yor and possibly find answers about where my sister disappeared to? That would haunt me forever. I’d rather face the danger and fail than live knowing I was too afraid to try."

Alice laughed and nodded. "I feel the same! We know it might be better to not go, but some things are worth risking everything for."

"Like helping out and believing in the ones we care about," Rika added quietly.

Louis nodded with a grin. "Or finding answers that could save countless lives if distortions keep getting worse."

Each declaration of commitment raised the stakes and showed all of them were united.

Isaac stood slowly and walked to the window overlooking the academy grounds. For a moment, he said nothing, just watched students moving between buildings far below.

Then, magical pressure filled the room.

But it wasn’t threatening compared to the ones Reinhard felt before. Instead, it felt like a hand holding his shoulder in place as something invisible gazes at him.

Everyone held their breath instinctively as they felt the weight of an Ascendant’s full attention.

"You’ve convinced me," Isaac said quietly while still facing the window. "Your evidence is solid, the reasoning was sound, and commitment is clear."

He turned to face them, and the pressure intensified. "But understand what you’re asking. To send young ones like you to a place where even experienced Hunters have disappeared."

The weight in his words made it clear this approval, but also an acknowledgement of how terrible the choice was.

"But you’re right," Isaac said finally. "The Void Assembly won’t stop. The distortions are getting worse. And Miss Noctyne deserves the chance to master what was forced upon her."

He returned to his desk and sat. "I approve the expedition with the following conditions."

Everyone leaned forward.

"One: Professors Victoria and Chen both attend. One Ascendant and a Peak Adept to protect six students. Two: You prepare extensively for the dangers that will appear during the climb up. Three: Detailed escape plans are required, with multiple plans for every stage. Four: Communication crystals that can reach me directly. If anything goes wrong, you evacuate immediately."

Isaac’s expression hardened. "You leave in one month. Use that time to prepare like your lives depend on it. Because they do."

Thirty days to prepare for a climb that had killed everyone who tried it.

Relief and excitement flooded the room.

Sirin thanked Isaac repeatedly before the others began discussing plans. Victoria and Chen immediately started planning protective measures.

"Dismissed," Isaac said. "All of you except Reinhard. I need a private word."

The celebration cut off instantly. Everyone looked at Reinhard with concern.

"It’s fine," he assured them. "I’ll catch up."

They filed out slowly, leaving Reinhard alone with the Headmaster.

Isaac studied Reinhard in silence for a long moment, and then he spoke quietly. "I know you have multiple Sigils."

Reinhard’s heart skipped, and he said. "From your spying or because you sensed the difference?"

"Oh? You aren’t going to deflect or deny it?"

"After what I saw here last time. Is there any point?" Reinhard raised a brow.

Issac laughed before saying. "I suppose not... I don’t know how you can hold more than one. And it seems neither do you."

"I figure it’s just a special thing I was born with." Reinhard said with a faint smile.

"I would say that is impossible... But the proof is in front of me."

"Glad to see you’re keeping up with the times, headmaster."