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

Chapter 9: Lord Malovik and Seraphina

>>>>>>HIGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS<<<<<

The silence stretched between the lords, as they all gazed down at Seraphina.

"Grandfather, you called me here," Seraphina stated meticulously.

All the council members nodded in unison at Malovik.

Silence.

Malovik began speaking. "Do you know why you are here?" he asked.

Seraphina frowned slightly, annoyed by the question.

"You called me here, of course not!"

In a moment, a holographic screen appeared, hovering mid-air, recapping the recent events that had happened between Asher, his friends, and the conflict between them and Edgar.

Seraphina’s jaw clenched, unsettled. "I see. Well, this Asher, he’s quite the news."

"Yes, he is," Lady Vespera acknowledged with a straight face, which made Seraphina even more disturbed.

The tension gradually peaked.

With an exasperated sigh, Seraphina turned to Malovik. "I don’t think this is fair to Edgar, as he is being falsely accused in this situation."

"Grandfather, we all know that the hierarchy is something that holds everything in place, nothing else bothers us. Asher belongs to the Umbrax group, and it is a shame to possess a Sagea at this age, not to mention—a squirrel."

"Asher was simply served right. Edgar is elite and is entitled to make the poorer students know their place."

The Lords whispered amongst themselves, whilst Malovik locked his gaze with Seraphina.

The screen shattered into dust of glitters.

Silence.

Then a voice cut through, echoing in the room.

"Seraphina, what you are saying is, you would do the same to Asher if you were in Edgar’s place, is that correct?" Lady Kaelen asked with a subtle smile.

Seraphina prepared to answer, but she was cut off even before she could speak.

Lady Kaelen continued. "And mind you, Asher has no ill will against you. Personally, that is."

[DO YOU WISH TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION?]

A voice in Seraphina’s head echoed.

’Yes.’

"We only called you here to hear your perspective. You are dismissed," Lord Ignatius said in a commanding tone, leaving no room for argument.

"I refuse!" Seraphina yelled back.

The tension peaked.

Malovik slowly stood up from his seat. "Seraphina—"

"Grandfather, please! Just who is he anyway? Just some lowly coward who manifested a bit of fire and you all are already viewing him as worthy?!" She snapped.

"And those followers he calls friends?! This is Ravenhurst Academy, not some look-after-the-lower-tier club! Fine! Since you all wish to help this new kid, I’ll challenge him myself!"

A sudden roar filled the room. "You will not go against the Order of Veil, young one! You are quite aware of the consequence that follows—"

Lord Zephyr was immediately disrupted by Malovik.

Silence.

Seraphina held her gaze with her grandfather, not backing down.

"Seraphina, I make this verdict, not as your grandfather, but as the Head of this council and the school. Although your perspective regarding this matter is weightless and unreasonable, you’re slacking behind!" Malovik declared.

Then came a sudden thud.

A magical circle appeared underneath Seraphina’s figure. Her eyes grew wide, having realized the verdict that was about to be finalized.

A golden, blank paper forged itself from nothing, hovering mid-air with golden strings. One end attached to the bottom of the paper, the other leading back to the glowing circle beneath her.

"Lord Malovik!" Lady Vespera exclaimed, but she was silenced as none was able to redirect the verdict that had already begun.

"Seriously, grandfather?! You adore this boy just that much?" Seraphina asked, slightly trembling.

Malovik remained with a straight, stern face.

"Seraphina, I give you two choices. Give up now and return, or I’ll give you the chance to do as you please with the boy and the rest of his team. Thus, if you fail, you will be banned from Ravenhurst Academy and your title will be stripped."

The rest of the Lords whispered, feeling pity, but they had no say in this.

Seraphina wore a grin, although her fear of failing was evident.

[DO YOU ACCEPT OR GIVE UP?]

Her system asked.

’There’s no way I can back down! Not now. I’ll show them just what I can do to that unworthy dirtbag who’s trying to steal my place!’

"I accept," she confirmed without hesitation. Ego winning over.

The golden paper, which was blank, suddenly had her name and all her information imprinted on it. It sank back into the circle and disappeared completely.

"You may leave," Malovik commanded.

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

Rowan stopped in his tracks, the book still in his hand.

’What the hell am I doing?’

He played it cool, walking into the ward.

"Hey, sorry for running off like that," he said as he quietly pulled a chair, sitting at a respectful distance from Fang, who looked slightly troubled.

"It’s no problem," Fang replied, almost too quietly.

There was an awkward silence.

Suddenly, Asher’s eyes fluttered open.

He sprang up in an instant, sitting up straight and clutching his chest as if just awaking from a nightmare.

"AH!" he exclaimed, breathing heavily.

Rowan bolted to his side. "Hey, chill! I’m here!!" he said in a slightly panicked tone, placing both of his hands on Asher’s shoulders.

Fang remained alert but quiet, allowing them to have some family time.

Asher gradually calmed down.

"I’m fine..." Asher said, although he felt a bit drained.

Rowan reluctantly let go of him. "You’ve been out for almost a day," he said with concern.

Asher lifted up his head, turning to Fang.

Fang immediately straightened up. "Hey, I’m Fang. Rowan already told me about you, I’m sorry that you—"

"Stop!" Asher snapped at the fact that he was being pitied.

Fang held back his words, understanding crossing his face.

Rowan attempted to speak but was cut off too.

"I said I don’t need it! I don’t need pity from anyone! This is frustrating enough."

Suddenly, Seraphina walked in, anger evident on her face, each stride packed with power. She glanced at Rowan for a moment, then back at Asher.

"Then I challenge you to survival of the fittest!" she declared.

Their eyes widened.

Asher sat there confused, while Rowan stood up abruptly.

"What do you mean by that? He’s only just woken up!" Rowan countered.

[DO YOU WISH TO MAKE A CONTRACT WITH ASHER FLYNN?]

"Yes," Seraphina confirmed.

"Hey, I don’t get what this is, but you need to back off!" Rowan struggled to maintain his anger despite the confusion.

Suddenly, a ringing, high-pitched sound pierced Asher’s ears, making him scream as his hands clutched his head.

[VESTA! NOW ACTIVATED]

A voice spoke inside of Asher’s head.

"Huh?! What’s this?!" Asher yelled, bewildered.

[SERAPHINA WISHES TO ESTABLISH A CONTRACT WITH YOU]

"Sera..." Asher trailed off, turning to Seraphina.

"Seraphina! Back off!" Rowan warned.

[WARNING! YOU MUST NOT DECLINE!]

Asher clutched his head tightly.

’What the fuck?! What did I do now?! Why me?! Why?!’