novelraw Chapter 68: Back to Academy
Chapter 68: Back to Academy
"Is ’sorry’ enough? He said, he’s got some nerve."
Seraphina muttered those words as she walked toward the principal’s office.
Behind her, the ice statue floated in the air, silently following her.
The academy corridors were unusually quiet, the usual chatter of students absent at this hour.
Soft light filtered through the tall windows, reflecting faintly on the polished floor, while the frozen figure trailing behind her left a thin trail of cold in the air.
Soon, she paused before the principal’s office.
Even though she wasn’t the principal, she had the authority to do as she pleased.
The doors opened as she walked in.
Seraphina stopped before the desk and placed her hand on the globe.
A pulse of mana entered it.
-THUS -THUS
With a smooth motion, the floor to the side parted, revealing a hidden passage below.
The mechanism moved silently, well-maintained and precise, as if used often.
Faint blue lines glowed along the edges of the opening, stabilizing the structure while a cool draft rose from beneath, carrying a sterile, controlled atmosphere.
Seraphina showed no surprise, as if she were long accustomed to this.
With steady steps, she walked down.
The staircase spiraled gently, each step carved from dark stone that absorbed light rather than reflected it.
The air grew colder with each step, not harsh, but controlled, like a place designed to suppress rather than destroy.
She threw the ice statue into a room and closed the door.
The frozen body slid across the floor before coming to a halt, faint cracks spreading along its surface as residual frost continued to bind it in place.
Without looking back, she moved forward.
Then Seraphina entered another room and sat in a chair.
In front of her was a large screen.
Seraphina tapped on her watch and connected a video call with the council and major guild masters.
The screen illuminated, revealing several figures seated in different locations.
Some were surrounded by ornate interiors, others by simple, functional spaces, but all carried the same weight of authority.
"How did it go?"
One of them asked directly without hesitation. The situation did not allow formality.
Seraphina answered in a casual tone,
"I killed one [Commander] wraith and captured the other, and made sure the situation is under control."
The one who asked the question nodded and said,
"Good. How should we cover this up? We can’t let civilians get affected by this news."
Another person agreed and added,
"We can’t hide this news. Seraphina, were there any talented youngsters who contributed to that battle?"
Seraphina raised an eyebrow and said,
"There is."
Hearing Seraphina’s answer, he said,
"Good, let’s use those youngsters as rising stars to divert the attention."
But another one shook his head,
"No, it won’t work. Remember how civilians questioned us during the Skyspire incident? We used the same tactic then."
"We need something major to divert the attention."
Seraphina yawned. She was truly not interested in this meeting, but she had to attend it.
One by one, they shared their ideas.
And of course, they did not forget to discuss how the wraiths entered District Neva and why they suddenly attacked the talent showcase.
The answers were obvious.
Those answers would come when the Crimson Butcher took action personally.
All they had to do was wait.
Seraphina did not realize when she stopped listening.
But she returned to her senses when the guildmaster of White Sea said,
"If I am not wrong, Everbright Academy’s special class competition will be held in five or six months, correct?"
As soon as he said those words, the room fell silent.
Seraphina glanced at him and asked,
"What does the academy have to do with anything?"
He merely smiled and said,
"How about this? A competition. A competition of youngsters under twenty."
As soon as he said those words, murmurs broke out.
The screen flickered slightly as multiple voices overlapped, some intrigued, others cautious. The idea spread quickly among them, like a spark catching dry wood.
Seraphina had a bad feeling as the White Sea guildmaster continued,
"Since Everbright Academy is already preparing for a competition, let’s make the event grander."
"We can even broadcast this competition for the civilians to see."
"With Seraphina overseeing the competition, nothing major will happen."
He chuckled and added,
"After all, who would want to fight with the Crimson Butcher?"
Seraphina’s lips twitched, but before she could respond, everyone agreed.
"Good, it’s a great idea. Let’s start preparations right away."
"Haha, my junior guild members can finally show their might."
And just like that, a normal academy competition turned into a...
World’s First Junior Talent Competition.
Seraphina sighed inwardly.
...
The next day,
The sun rose and welcomed a brand-new day.
Golden light spilled across the academy grounds, washing away the cold remnants of the previous night.
Students moved about as usual, their laughter and conversations returning, though faint traces of tension still lingered beneath the surface.
Cael walked into Seraphina’s house to meet his mother.
The house was quiet, except for the soft sounds coming from the living room. The scent of fresh tea lingered in the air, mixing with the faint hum of a broadcasting device.
But...
"I am busy; I need to complete this TV series."
"Don’t disturb me and go back."
Those words struck like arrows, leaving Cael dumbfounded.
Never in his wildest dreams did he think his mother would say those words.
"Was a TV series more important than me?"
Those words left his mouth before he realized it.
But his mother shook her head and said,
"No, it’s LIVE, you just don’t know the feeling of watching it LIVE."
"If I watch it LIVE, then I won’t get spoiled while scrolling through social media."
Hearing his mother’s reasonable explanation, Cael nodded and sighed in relief.
’It seems she didn’t know about my mission and the District Neva incident yet.’
Without disturbing her any longer, he turned to leave.
Then, suddenly, Seraphina appeared before him.
Her presence cut through the calm like a silent blade, the surrounding air cooling slightly as if reacting instinctively.
"Follow me to the training room."
_______
[A/N: End of Talent Showcase Arc.]
Next Arc: Pathway To [Gold].