My F-Rank Sagea is Secretly an EX-Rank Calamity

Chapter 34: Aftermath

>>>>>>BLEAKSTONE MAW<<<<<<

"My Lord, I hate to question your decision... but why did you stop Malix if he was going to end the battle right then and there? It would have been beneficial for us if those five academy elites were wiped out. We had the upper hand."

Damon, kneeling on one knee with his head bowed, questioned Morgaunt.

The other four elites did the same. Deep down, Malix and Soren seethed with rage, frustrated at their sudden forced retreat despite having the upper hand at the border wall.

Morgaunt’s eyes narrowed slightly. He tilted his head, resting his chin on his palm with his legs crossed over his skull-made throne.

"I must apologize for cutting off victory so soon. However... don’t you think a premature victory is far too boring?" Morgaunt questioned, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Vanya raised her head slightly, her brow furrowed. "Yes... My Lord, but still, I am a bit confused."

Morgaunt chuckled deeply, the sound echoing through the cold stone cavern.

"Slow and steady wins the race."

The Elite Five exchanged quick glances with one another, all of them completely confused by his true intentions.

>>>>> GRAND ASSEMBLY HALL<<<<<<

EVENING

The students gathered in their respective faction seats. Seventeen seats was completely blank - a silent, painful reminder of the lives lost so terribly during the invasion.

The hall was awfully quiet. The Order of Veil stood at the elevated podium, with Nova Vesta positioned just behind them.

Soon, Lord Malovik stepped forward to address the crowd. He cleared his throat, his voice heavy with grief.

"Attention, all students of Ravenwood Academy. We grieve the loss of our peers and hope to console their families in every way possible." He paused, taking a heavy breath.

Nova stepped forward without hesitation, cutting through the heavy gloom.

"Listen closely," Nova commanded, her voice ringing clearly across the assembly.

"Grieving the lost will not help us move forward. Be aware that we have a seven-day countdown before the enemy returns in full force. Put in the work - from the Auric faction all the way to the Umbrax faction."

Remi slowly raised her hand from her seat. "Will Asher... will he really be alright?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Nova gave a slight nod. "He is doing just fine. However, he will not be able to join classes like the rest of you for now. I have placed a protective barrier around the Academy grounds. We are far more likely to face sudden attacks from the adversary from here on out."

A student from the Aerius faction raised his hand next. "So does that mean the tournament won’t continue?"

Maverick’s jaw clenched. "The tournament will proceed. The first round was cut short, there will be a rematch. "

The students instantly began to murmur among themselves.

"But with Asher in his current state, how will he..."

Nova cut the student short before he could finish. "Asher will participate in the tournament." Her voice was razor-sharp, leaving zero room for argument.

"The tournament will commence tomorrow morning," Maverick concluded, stepping beside Nova.

"It is vital that we hasten this in order for your formal combat preparation to begin without further disruption."

Remi looked across the crowded hall, spotting Rowan sitting quietly in his seat.

’I have to talk to him after this,’ she thought to herself.

"Please also take note that you will not be permitted to leave the Academy’s inner quarters," Nova added, her golden eyes sweeping over the crowd. "If breached, I will personally hand out your punishment. Dismissed."

The students slowly stood up and made their way toward the exit, anxiously discussing the sudden tournament restart and the seven-day deadline.

>>>>> ARCANE WARD<<<<<

Asher lay motionless on a stone containment bed, surrounded by a faint magical dome barrier that hummed softly in the quiet room.

Marnie sat on a chair beside him, her eyes puffy and soaked with tears. Edgar sat directly across from her, staring down at Asher with genuine concern written all over his face.

"When is he going to wake up?" Marnie asked softly, wiping her cheek.

Both Edgar and Marnie had remained hidden inside the Arcane Ward during the chaotic invasion.

Upon hearing the news about Asher’s state and how he dragged Soren through a spatial rift, they both felt awful and suddenly drawn to him.

"This isn’t right..." Edgar trailed off, his hands clenched tightly into fists on his thighs. "I know how bad I wanted to beat you in rankings and put you beneath me... but I didn’t want it like this."

Marnie felt an equal wave of guilt wash over her. "I overreacted during your discussion with Remi," she whispered, looking down at her hands. "I even doubted you in our duel. I’m really sorry, Asher."

The ward fell quiet again. Only the low, silent hum of the protective barrier filled the room.

"I’m sorry..." the words escaped Edgar’s mouth again. With his head hung low, he repeated the apology several times to the unconscious boy.

>>>>> AURIC TRAINING GROUND <<<<<

Remi walked into the Auric training ground, hoping to find Rowan.

She paused in awe as she reached the center of the training grounds, staring up at the massive stone statue of the legendary Sagea masters. A sudden, heavy weight pressed against her chest as she took in the atmosphere.

"Wow... who knew the Auric Faction always practiced here," she whispered to herself. "There are so many records of S-ranked Sageas."

"Remi?" someone called out from behind her.

Remi recognized the voice immediately.

Turning sharply, she saw Fang standing tall a few paces away, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Ah! Fang!" she said, her eyes lighting up.

"Do you know where Rowan is?"

Fang scratched the back of his head, whistling low. "Of course I do. But he said he wanted to be by himself right now, so I’m just wandering around."

"I really need to speak with him."

"Sorry, girl. I can’t take you to him."

"Well, where is he at least?"

"In the Restricted Archive."

"Got it! Thanks for letting me know!" Remi said quickly, spinning on her heel to leave.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a second," Fang warned, reaching out and placing a heavy hand on her shoulder to hold her back. "You don’t even know the way there. You’re not part of the Auric faction."

Remi turned back, looking defeated. "If you know the way, please just take me to him."

"I told you I can’t do that. Now make your way back down to your quarters."

Remi paused, pouting in frustration. Then, an idea struck her.

"If you take me to him... I’ll let you in on the secret Asher told me about him."

Fang’s ears practically wiggled at the suggestion. "Why would you tell me that?" he asked half-heartedly, though his curiosity was clearly piqued.

"Well, I know someone has a crush on him, so I thought it’d be worth sharing," Remi whispered, taking a slow step backward.

"Wait!" Fang called out, realizing he didn’t want to miss out.

Remi excitedly turned around.

"Fine, I’ll take you to him," Fang groaned, crossing his arms. "But you best share that info the second we get there."

Remi nodded quickly, though her fingers were crossed tightly behind her back.

’Sorry, Fang... this is the only way I can get to him,’ she thought to herself with a small smirk.

>>>>>> VEILED SANCTUM <<<<<<

Nova sat at the head of the circular stone table alongside the Order of Veil.

The air in the chamber felt thick and suffocating as they debated their next move against the Cabal of the Sunless Eye.

"The students cannot stand alone against the Grim Prodigy," Lord Zephyr pointed out, slamming his hand flat against the table.

"They lack the raw mana pool to withstand an ancient unbinding."

"One of you needs to be on the frontline at Bleakstone Maw when the seventh day arrives," Nova stated coldly. "No matter the personal risk."

"But it’s too risky!" Lord Ignatius chimed in, pointing to the sprawling strategic map laid across the stone. "If we abandon the academy core to deploy at the Maw, the defense barrier weakens internally!"

Lord Zephyr snapped, his voice booming off the cavernous walls. "Don’t you understand?! The lives of these children are at risk! Seventeen of them were wiped out right before our very eyes! And you still think we shouldn’t risk our lives for them?!"

Lord Ignatius stood up, glaring across the table. "And do you honestly think any of us can handle the Grim Prodigy like Master Caelum and Lady Yorei did?!"

The mention of the First Legendary Masters’ names caused a heavy, sharp silence to fall over the sanctum. The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly.

"Do not throw our teachers’ legacy around so lightly, Ignatius," Lady Vespera warned softly from the shadows of her seat. "They sacrificed their entire core to place that seal in the first place."

"Which is precisely why we cannot afford to hesitate now," Lord Malovik added, leaning forward with his elbows on the table.

"If Morgaunt completes the unbinding, Caelum’s sacrifice means nothing, and Ravenwood falls."

Before the lords could break into another shouting match, Nova raised her hand. A subtle wave of golden pressure washed over the room, instantly silencing every lord present.

"Now is not the time for squabbling," Nova spoke softly, her golden eyes narrowing as she looked over the map.

"Master Caelum and Lady Yorei sealed the entity, but they left behind the foundation for us to finish the job. We have six days left to prepare these students... and tomorrow, the tournament begins."