Chapter 13 : The cil’s Decision

  Elian stepped into the president’s office, where two other student cil members were already waiting. The atmosphere was tense, and he could immediately tell that this was no casual meeting. But why was he here?

  The president, as always, moved with an air of calm authority, her cold gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Elian.

  “Elian,” she began, her voice as posed as ever, “while you were ninally part of this school, nor you yet be sidered a strong fighter, your tributions to our survival are undeniable. Your work in fortifying the dormitory, along with the potential I see in you, has led me to a decision.”

  She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. “I want you to join the cil.”

  Her words stunned him. Me? In the cil?

  Sure, the defenses he had been building were a huge asset, but did that really warrant a position in the cil? If anything, Cire seemed like a far better didate. She produced at least 80% of the ons in the camp, and with how quickly they were being used, her role was arguably more crucial than his. Unlike him, her focus wasn’t split between multiple tasks.

  And what did she mean by "potential"?

  …Why?” he finally asked, his voice steady but filled with uainty. “Why do you want me on the cil in the first pce?”

  “I have my reasons,” she replied ftly, no further expnation. “You have proven your usefulness. That is all. Now, we don’t have time for hesitation. Yes or no?”

  Elian could feel the weight of the other cil members' stares pressing on him, though he was especially avoiding one particur intense gaze.

  “What would ge for me if I accept?”

  The president’s expression remained unreadable, her silver eyes cold and calg.

  “You will have access to information on our discoveries. Your status within the group will be clearer. You will also receive missions from me when needed.”

  Eliaated. It sounded like a good offer. He wasn’t sure what her true motivations were, but the bes were undeniable.

  “I—”

  Before he could finish, the door suddenly burst open.

  BAM!

  A blond-haired guy, about Elian’s age, stormed in with an air ance, his expression twisted in anger.

  “Bitch,” he spat, his voice dripping with pt. “I heard someone else died yesterday because you couldn’t do your damn job!”

  The room fell into silence.

  Elian’s eyebrows shot up. Did this guy have a death wish?

  The president didn’t react immediately. Instead, she regarded the intruder with a bored, almost exasperated expression.

  “If you’re so unhappy about how things are run,” she said smoothly, “then go solve the problem yourself.”

  The boy clicked his tongue in irritation, his face torted in disgust.

  “Tsk. Have you fotten why you’re even in charge?” he sneered. “The only reason you’re sitting in that chair is because my father paid for this school. Hell, the only reason this pce still exists is because my father fu. So maybe you should remember your pd actually do your damn job.”

  Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heels and stormed out, smming the door behind him.

  Elian blihen slowly turned his gaze back to the president. What the hell was that?

  She remained silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then, with a quiet sigh, she finally spoke.

  …Some people,” she murmured, her tone colder than usual, “are having a hard time accepting this new reality. I may o take measures soon.”

  She shifted her gaze ba. “Now. Yes or no?”

  Elian straightened. He still wasn’t sure about everything, but…

  “…Yes. I’ll join.”

  A brief nod. “Good. Then, wele to the cil.”

  No ceremony. ra words. Just straight to business.

  “The wall around the dorm o be finished within the week,” she tinued. “I have other matters to handle, so you’re all dismissed.”

  As the other two members exited the room, they offered quiods or simple ‘wele iures toward Elian.

  Then, Will approached him.

  “Hey,” he said, grinning. “You haven’t been out hunting for two days, right? Let’s go. You o get some real experieh theses eiques of yours.”

  “I’ll gather some guys,” he added, already heading for the door. “Meet me at the entran fifteen minutes.”

  Elian smirked. Perfect. He had been itg to test his swordsmanship on some real targets.

  Just as he was about to leave, Lay spoke up, lookiweewo of them.

  “Wait, Will, isn’t it a bit early?” she asked, her toant. “He should train a bit more first—”

  But Will was already his way and defenitively not stopping.

  Elian sighed, gng at Lay and Will getting farther away before stretg his arms.

  “Well… guess I’ve got fifteen mio kill. Maybe I should che with Cire. It’s been a while.”

  I arrived at the fe that Cire and I had built and upgraded over the past few days. The pce had a rugged charm now, with walls darkened by soot and the glow of embers giving the air a heavy warmth. Cire was hunched over a blueprint, pletely lost in thought, her brows furrowed in deep tration. Of course, as her friend, I had to mess with her.

  Leaning in close, I whispered into her ear, "Hey, haven’t missed me too much, I hope?"

  "KYYYYAAAAA!"

  She jumped in surprise, nearly knog over the stack of papers beside her. I grinned, stepping back just in time to avoid her reflexive elbow jab.

  Yep, that’s defihe best way to greet her.

  Her wide-eyed shock quickly transformed into something far more dangerous: anger.

  "You little… How many times have I told you not to do that?!" She gred at me, fists ched, her face slightly red.

  I chuckled, raising my hands in monoce. "What do you mean? I made as little noise as possible so you wouldn’t jump like that. pletely i! If anything, it’s your fault for being so easy to scare."

  She huffed, crossing her arms before sighing dramatically. "Hmph."

  I leaned against the nearby workbench, sing the fe. Tools were scattered everywhere, blueprints pinned up like a mad stist's notes, and half-finished ons lihe tables. Cire had definitely been busy.

  "Anyway, looks like you finally crawled out of your room. Was it worth it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

  "You bet it was. But I don’t have much time right now. You looked like you were struggling with something—maybe I help?"

  She hesitated, clearly debating whether to pry further or focus on her work. After a moment, she sighed aured toward the blueprint in front of her.

  "It’s just… Someone requested a on I’ve never seen before. Here, look."

  I stepped closer, my eyes falling on the unusual design id out on the part. It was nothing like the straight swords I was used to seeing. Instead, the bde had a distinct forward curve, resembling a crest moon or a hooked fang. The on started straight from the hilt but soon arched outward, widening before curving bato a sharp inward hook.

  "Khopesh…?" I muttered, reading the bel scrawled on the page.

  What a strange on. Its curvature alone would ge how it was wielded entirely. The weight distribution, the forpact—everything about it felt different from a traditional sword.

  I rubbed my , analyzing the design. "That’s… definitely unique. I’m guessing you’re having trouble with the bance? I don’t know for sure, but I have a feeling the ter of gravity is closer to the tip of the bde."

  Cire’s eyes lit up in realization, her expression shifting from fusion to pure excitement.

  "This… I think you might be right! If that’s the case, the way it’s wielded o be pletely different from a straight-edged sword. I o rethink the grip—the weight might actually work in favor of cutting force!"

  She grabbed her notes and immediately started scribbling down adjustments, pletely lost in her f obsession.

  I smirked. She’s more obsessed with crafting than I am, holy...

  I turo leave, but just as I stepped toward the exit—

  "One more thing."

  I gnced back at Cire, who had suddenly turned serious. She wasn’t looking at the blueprint anymore—she was looking directly at me.

  "I saw Will earlier, gathering your usual squad. Be careful out there, Elian." Her voice was steady, but I could sehe worry behind it. "You’ve noticed, haven’t you? More and more people are getting seriously hurt. Some aren’t ing back."

  I held her gaze for a moment before fshing her a fident grin. "Nah, don’t stress. I’ve got Lay and Will with me—nothing’s gonna happen. Just focus on that Khopesh and don’t worry about me."

  She studied me for a few seds, as if debating whether to believe me. Then, finally, she sighed and turned back to her blueprint.

  "…You better."

  I chuckled. Guess I’ll have to e ba one piece, huh?

  Smiling to myself, I stepped out of the fe. It should be about time now. Let’s head to the meeting point.

  I reached the entrance, where the group I had been hunting with tely was already gathered. As expected, Lay stood there, her spear strapped firmly to her back, arms crossed in visible frustration. Will, oher hand, looked pletely rexed, having chosen t both a sword and a spear this time.

  Two other members stood beside them.

  First, there was Lary, a tank of a man with a massive shield and a standard longsword. While I didn’t know the exaature of his ability, I had seen him withstand hordes of monsters without budging, parrying even the most ferocious of attacks with seemingly supernatural endurance. Whatever his power was, it definitely had something to do with defense.

  The sed was Mike, our bow user. Though he didn’t have the most overwhelming firepower, his precision was borderline unnatural. Whether it ierg a monster’s eye from a distance or hitting oints I hadn’t even noticed, his skill was undeniable. Given his sistency, I suspected his ability enhanced his accuracy or perception in some way. Thanks to him, our hunts had been far smoother, with fewer close calls.

  Even now, it seemed like Lay and Will were still arguing about me ing along. Unsurprisingly, she was furious about the Bzing Surge teique, not wantio risk using it in actual bat until my trol improved. But holy, I felt fident. As long as I pierced or cut my target before the explosiered, the monster’s body would absorb most of the impact from the inside.

  That was the theory, at least.

  Even so, I knew I had a long way to go with this teique. There were so many ideas I wao refine once my trol over it improved.

  "Damn it, Will! Do you not care at all if he blows himself up?!" Lay snapped, her voice filled with frustration.

  Will, pletely unfazed, shrugged. "Bah, we’re talking about Elian here. The guy does nothing but train, evehere’s no hope. He’ll be fine. Plus, he heal himself. You’re not his mother, you know…"

  Mike and Lary exged awkward gnces, clearly unfortable watg this argument unfold.

  "Alright, I’m here. Let’s get going." I spoke up, trying to dissolve the tension before it escated further.

  Mike let out a dramatic sigh of relief, walking up and patting my shoulder. "Gosh, you finally showed up. I swear, if you’d been any ter, she would have thrown us all out." His voice held a mix of humor and genuine relief.

  I chuckled. "Good to see you too, Mike."

  Right, the reason Lay was arguing with Will instead of me was simple—she khat even if I refused, Will would have dragged me along anyway. Ever since he saw my teique, he had been obsessed with seeing its full potential. He wasn’t going to let it go anytime soon.

  Lary, meanwhile, merely g me with his usual disapproving expression. He had never been particurly fond of me, believing that I was simply leeg off Lay and Will’s strength, wasting everyoime. And holy? He wasirely wrong. But that was about to ge soon.

  "Oh, you’re here, Elian. Took your time, huh?" Will smirked. "Well, let’s move before it gets dark. Or before your mother here decides to kidnap you."

  Did I imagi, or did Lay actually sider that idea for a sed? No, no, I must’ve been seeing things… right?

  She frow me, her violet eyes filled with iy. "Don’t think this is over. Whe back, we’re having a discussion about this."

  I could swear there was fire in her gaze as she said it.

  …I was doomed.