383 Caught In A Web
The Dome where the Award Ceremony was going to be held was a bit special.
A special mana restriction spell was spread all around the dome to suppress everyone's power that were above B Rank.
The greater the rank, the more pronounced the effect of the suppression.
It was implemented using an SS Rank Artifact placed at the center of this dome.
Casie, who was sitting and interacting with others, suddenly stopped talking.
"Ah, what happened, Lady Casie?" one of the women around her asked.
"Nothing, I just need a short break," Casie replied as she stood up.
Everyone was confused, but seeing Casie's smile, they didn't believe they had offended her.
Casie began walking towards the staircase leading to the floor above.
Entrance to this Dome was granted through a portal for every single individual present, including the students.
This portal transported people to the second floor of the Dome, from where the beautiful night sky was visible.
At that moment, Casie was making her way towards the second floor.
Jayden, who was seated, noticed one of the rankers returning.
"I've given the signal," the ranker informed Jayden.
Jayden nodded without further comment.
Casie had previously asked him to signal her when a particular individual arrived at the party, as she wished to converse with them.
Jayden consented to this request, given that all he needed to do was instruct one of his students to notify them using the ID Bracelet.
No guests, regardless of their status, were permitted to bring any artifacts, spatial storage items, or weapons.
Everyone, including Casie, adhered to this rule, for the one who established it was the strongest hunter in the world.
Farnus wasn't present, but everyone could feel the omnipresence of his mana.
The scant security was directly attributed to that.
Nobody, including Casie, dared to pull any stunts here.
Not even the protection of Xarax Hargrave would save her should she cross the line.
Step. Step.
The echoing footsteps drew nearer. Casie continued gazing at the night sky, the crystals adorning her dress catching and reflecting the ambient light.
As the footsteps neared, Casie flipped her hair and turned, locking eyes with a pair of crimson red ones. These eyes, however, were cold and indifferent, unlike the ones she had always been drawn to. Still, her smile only widened.
"I didn't expect to meet the renowned heir of the Greville family here," remarked Casie, gazing at Asher who stood before her.
"You might not recognize me. I am Casie Hargrave," she introduced, tilting her head slightly while appraising him.
"Why should I care?" Asher responded, his gaze unwavering.
From the information, Asher made Tom gather, he knew quite a bit about her already. After all, Casie was a variable that wasn't present in his previous life.
But he knew the reason why she appeared this time.
"Oh, you should care," Casie said, raising her eyebrows.
"I'm here to offer some advice," Casie declared, taking two steps forward.
The scent of her heady perfume wafted through the air, hinting at dark roses and mystic woods.
"I can help you root out the weeds that have sprung up in your family," she proposed.
"Isn't it revolting to have such filthy things so close,"
She played with her hair slightly, her gaze drifting back to the night sky.
"You just-,"
"Why would I want help from a Hargrave?" Asher countered.
Casie's expression changed, her smile disappearing as she fixed her stare on Asher.
She despised when things didn't progress her way.
"You're quite the fearless one," Casie noted.
"Enjoy your night," she concluded, not pushing the conversation any further.
Asher turned to leave. Casie remained in place, her eyes on the vast night sky, humming a tune.
"Five years, was it? I suppose I need to be patient," Casie pondered aloud.
Nobody could discern her motives or fathom why she approached Asher specifically.
"With his level of arrogance, he'll end up like so many others," Casie mused, recalling the countless individuals she had encountered who were ultimately devoured by their own pride.
All it took was a subtle shift in their perspective, and they'd unknowingly walk right into her traps.
Jayden was a prime example.
She knew all too well how desperately Jayden was trying to foster his own faction within the Hargrave Family to break free from her grip.
Going towards the Main Hall below,
'Calm down, Asher said as he sensed Rifir's materializing.
When Asher heard Casie say filthy things, the thought of killing her came into Asher's mind.
Rifir sensed that, and hence, the reason why he was agitated.
But knowing that Casie wouldn't be able to do anything to the twins, he left her alone without saying anything.
Right now, there were other things that took priority, something he needed to get done.
The confusion that was caused by him using the calamities wasn't going to last forever.
Likewise, the fear of Zephyr would eventually dissipate.?ov??нu?κ.coм
The sounds of music and chatter intensified as Asher entered, drawing the attention of many.
Especially those at a particular table.?
Several individuals, previously engaged in conversation with Kevin, subtly distanced themselves.
Even if Kevin was a Successor Candidate, they didn't want to appear overly friendly with him, especially in front of the Greville Family heir, who was rumored to have a strained relationship with Kevin Whiteheart.action
Kevin, Elena, and Eva chose to ignore Asher. However, Raelyn, seated with Reece and other Student Council members, watched him intently.
She wasn't the only one; Leonard also directed his gaze towards Asher as he settled in beside Damian and Amelia.
"What happened?" Reece asked as he looked at Raelyn.
"Nothing much," Raelyn replied.
"Why don't you tell him the truth, Raelyn," Zoie said
She was the Head of the Management Committee of the Student Council and one of the Third Year Rankers.
"That guy ignored our messages and attempts to contact us for the past two days. Can you believe how arrogant he is?" Zoie said, looking at Reece.
Both Leonard and Raelyn wanted to know who Asher was going to vote for. Unlike Leonard, Raelyn was in a bad spot.
Because of the fight between Asher and her brother, she had already had a quarrel with him. But she knew that Asher had declined to join Blood Faction, so she wanted to know who the vote would go towards.
"Leave him if it's my fault for losing," Raelyn said, but she was feeling frustrated inside.
Reece silently observed them while the others on the Table remained silent.
The party was full of people who were interacting with each other, but there was one corner that everyone ignored.
Venessa, who was eating the sweets, could feel gazes that were coming towards her.
"You don't have to sit with me," Alyssa muttered.
Unlike others, Alyssa wasn't wearing a dress. She was in her Student Council clothes.
There was only one dress she had, and it was the one that she wore when she went with Asher to the Kalvas Gala.
"It's fine. I find it more peaceful when I don't get disturbed by annoying people," Venessa replied.
"You will only create problems for yourself," Alyssa said.
Even right now, she was wearing the mask that covered half her face, but she could feel the gazes of people looking at her like she was some disgusting thing.
Venessa didn't know what to say to Alyssa.
'Am I creating trouble for her?' Venessa asked herself.
But part of her didn't want to abandon Alyssa like this. She had already accepted Alyssa as a friend. What started as a curiosity soon grew much bigger.
'But can I really keep doing this?' Venessa thought in her head.
Although she was hiding her identity, she belonged to the Demarcus Family.
Alyssa remained silent after that as she waited for this ceremony to get over.
If not for the fact that all Rankers needed to attend this, she wouldn't have come here.
"Tch, I can't believe I need to be in the same space as her," Some of the guests muttered.
Some of them were even thinking of creating problems for her, but the problem was the fact that Venessa and Alyssa's table was just behind the one Asher was sitting at.
To approach, they have to pass by Asher and Amelia, but going without greeting them would be considered disrespectful toward the Greville Family.
And if they were seen greeting Asher, it would seem like they wanted to have friendly relations with the Greville Family.
Either way, it was unnecessary trouble that nobody really wanted.
"I must say that Professor Argas, you did a great job with managing the arrangement," Some of the Guests were speaking with the Professors.
"Oh, it's nothing really," Argas replied.
"Professor Argas, about the research plan our group submitted..."
The conversations were happening all around the hall, with people socializing with each other.
Suddenly, the lights got dim around the hall as the Main Stage that was present in front of them was lit, and Farnus appeared.
Everyone stopped their conversation as they turned their heads to look at Farnus.
"It seems that everyone was having fun, but I need your attention for a short time," Farnus said.
"This Award Ceremony is a bit special, as you know that today not only are we rewarding the Rankers, but a vote must be done that will impact the future of the World Academy," Farnus announced.
Leonard smiled while Raelyn remained calm.
"But before that, I want to congratulate all the students who have worked hard to achieve their place here," Farnus said as everyone started clapping.
"After this week, some of you will leave the World Academy, and we hope that the things that you learned here will shape a better future for us,"
"While the others will enter a new academic year, and I hope I can meet all of you again at this place the next year as well," Farnus said.
Everyone clapped as two emblems appeared behind Farnus; one belonged to the Student Council, and the other belonged to the Blood Faction.
"Before I announce the Votes, can I ask the Student Council President and Blood Faction Leader to come up here," Farnus said as Leonard and Raelyn stood up.
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