Chapter 358 Chilly Night
The dimly lit room buzzed with anticipation as Aliya engaged in heated discussions with her fellow commoners.
Each of the student clubs had their own projects, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement and ambition.
Some were immersed in the intricacies of magic engineering, while others delved into the mysteries of alchemy.
One thing was certain. All of them were commoners Aliya had reached on her own. She selected them as promising people with good features. Countless hours of observing, taking notes, and moving her personnel inside the academy led her to here.
'Now, this is the last point.'
Aliya's voice, filled with conviction, rose above the chatter. "We will show them that unity can topple the oppressors."
The commoners nodded with enthusiasm, their faces reflecting a mix of determination and eagerness. In the past years, they were subjected to discrimination, but this was the first time they had been suppressed this much.
And in front of the common threat, humans tended to stick together.
Conversations flowed, deals were struck, and alliances solidified as they prepared for the upcoming event. Each club presented their projects, discussing their ambitions and goals.
A voice from the corner chimed in, "But resources are scarce for some of our projects. We need funding and equipment to make them a reality."
Aliya smiled, her charisma evident as she addressed their concerns.
"Verdant Ventures, my family's company, is prepared to sponsor your projects. We have the resources and expertise to help you succeed. However, there will be contracts to ensure we all benefit from this partnership."
'All of them were for this point.' She was having a really hard time hiding her smirk.
<nulli>'You really predicted everything….From the moment Declan was defeated…..' She couldn't help but revere his foresight.
Another student spoke up, "What about our strategies? How do we plan to challenge the elites? Most of our stalls have been destroyed, and they did it in a clearly legal way; we couldn't even resist."
Aliya's smile widened, for this was the moment she had anticipated. She leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper, "Someone I trust has been working behind the scenes for our seniors; you needn't worry about that." She pointed to a board they had prepared.
"As I mentioned before, what you need now are resources, and we will provide them. Tomorrow, the elite won't be the only ones with problems to contend with."
"What do you mean?" a voice inquired, curiosity piqued.
"You'll see," Aliya replied cryptically. "I want each of you to focus on your club activities. Not everything should be revealed just yet."
Indeed, her fellow commoners had valid concerns, but Aliya had a plan. She continued, "Some of our projects are still salvageable. With the materials I'll provide, I want each one of you to have your project ready by the final day of the Festival. Can you do it?"
"We can," they replied in unison, a renewed sense of purpose and hope coursing through their veins. The journey to challenge the academy's oppressive status quo had begun, and they were armed with unity, resources, and unwavering determination.
"Then, we shall end today's meeting with that."
With their goals aligned and their resolve strengthened, Aliya concluded the meeting, leaving her fellow commoners with newfound determination and hope.
The dimly lit room, once filled with fervent discussions, began to empty as everyone departed, ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead.
As Aliya made her way through the corridors of the academy, her thoughts swirled with the weight of the responsibility she had shouldered.
"This is incredible…." However, rather than getting crushed by that responsibility, she had a smile on her face.
'So this is how being in charge feels like…..' During her whole life, Aliya made countless deals. She saved people and recruited them.
However, never once did she feel the power of her money this much. The fact that all those people who were proud and smart were seeking her power and her help brought her an immense amount of satisfaction.
She walked alone, her mind racing with plans and contingencies, unaware of the danger that lurked in the shadows.
<nulli>CREAK
"Haha….Today was really tiring….."
Reaching her dormitory, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, her fatigue from the day's activities beginning to wash over her.
"Now, these times, I am really thankful that we are having basic physical training…."
The room was dimly lit, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as she closed the door behind her.
<nulli>CREAK
It was a moment of solitude, something she enjoyed from time to time.
In the stillness of her room, Aliya began to unwind, removing her outer garments and setting them aside.
'Should I do it like this?'
In front of the mirror, she was undressing herself in a way that would leave many males with their mouths wide open.
'Sister Salma said to seduce a man, you first need to master the art of being a woman.' ((N1))
She moved her fingers seductively, trying to copy the movements Salma gestured. First, it was her shirt, and then it was her skirt.
"Sigh….I really want to meet him again…."
With only her underwear and inner garment, she moved into her room.
<nulli>FLINCH
However, as she moved further into her room, a subtle shift in the air caught her attention.
It was a feeling of unease, a prickling at the back of her neck that sent a shiver down her spine. She turned, her eyes widening in alarm just as the curtains billowed outward.
<nulli>SWOOSH
Two figures dressed as maids emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by masks. In their gloved hands, they held glinting daggers, the menace in their eyes unmistakable.
<nulli>SHIVER
And her body shivered once again, feeling the danger coming into her body. Panic gripped Aliya; however, in that sheer second, she forced herself to calm down.
'Aliya, remember all those times you trained with him!'
She instinctively reached for the dagger she had been hiding in her spatial ring.
She stood, partially dressed, her heart racing, clutching the dagger she had concealed within her spatial ring. Her fingers trembled, but a resolve born from years of training and determination steadied her hand.
With the masked assailants closing in, she knew that she was not a skilled combatant, but she refused to be a helpless victim. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, and raised the dagger, prepared to confront the looming threat.
"Who are you, and what do you want?" Aliya demanded, her voice quivering with a mixture of fear and defiance.
The two maids, their faces still hidden behind their masks, exchanged a brief glance before one of them spoke in a cold, unyielding tone. "You have meddled in matters that do not concern you, and for that, you must pay the price."
Aliya's brow furrowed with confusion. "Meddled? I don't understand. What have I done?"
The second maid, her dagger still poised, stepped forward. "Your involvement in certain affairs has not gone unnoticed. You have overstepped your bounds, and now you must face the consequences."
With those words, Aliya was certain who had sent those assassins.
"….."
However, Aliya's demand for answers hung in the air. The maids exchanged one final, chilling glance, and then, without another word, they lunged at her with lethal intent.
<nulli>SWOOSH SWOOSH
Aliya, with her hand clutching her dagger, immediately readied herself. Even though she was not a combatant, she was someone who was able to be accepted to Ark Academy.
<nulli>CLANK
Therefore, her combat prowess didn't lag behind compared to the people from outside. She deflected the first attack with her dagger.
<nulli>THUD
And counterattacked the main using her knee. The maids were selectively chosen. Therefore, their rank was rather low. They both were 3-star, and Aliya's physical strength was sufficient for those.
<nulli>THUD However, the maids in front of her were trained assassins for countless situations. They had their own techniques, and one of them was…..
'Poison.'
<nulli>SWOOSH CUT
She realized it the moment she could no longer move her body as she wanted.
<nulli>CLANK SWOOSH
With every passing moment, Aliya's hope of fending off her attackers dwindled. She dodged and blocked as best she could, but it was a futile effort.
The masked assailants, their faces hidden, fought with ruthless efficiency, disarming her with ease and rendering her defenseless.
"Hufff…..Hufffff….."
As she lay on the floor, gasping for breath, her clothing disheveled, Aliya realized the gravity of her situation.
"Goodbye, Aliya Norris."
Those were the last words as the blade approached her face….
--------------------A/N----------------------
N1: Salma Clayton was the adventurer who traveled together with Aliya when Callius first joined her party. She is the one that told her life story about seeing a 'monkey'.
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