Chapter 113: Something To Do With It

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Something To Do With It

Keen golden eyes, short blond hair, and a stature just as large as Xavier’s—the man sitting on Milfias’s left gave off an exotic, charming presence. A faint, refined cologne drifted from him. From his confident demeanor alone, one might have thought he was the one in charge of the meeting, if not for Milfias’s attendance

"It’s been quite some time since we last met. I’m glad to see you here, Xavier."

"It’s good to see you as healthy as ever, Prince Samuel Evander." Ninth child of the emperor, sixth prince of the Evander Empire, and rank 1 of the fifth years sat next to Milfias as a member of the Frostborn faction.

"It’s great to see you join the fight against the dark forces." Samuel turned toward Milfias. "But isn’t it too soon for him? Even if he’s outstanding among the first years, he’s still just a freshman."

"Do you doubt the decision of Her Eminence?" Professor Adrian snapped, his voice edged with irritation.

"No. It’s just that things are not as calm as they used to be. I don’t want Xavier putting himself in a position he might not be prepared for."

"If you think he isn’t capable of handling himself, then even you aren’t qualified to sit here," Adrian shot back.

"You mean—"

"Yes. Even though he might just be a freshman, I can feel it. He is just as strong as you, if not stronger."

Xavier sat there watching the prince and the professor argue, the air in the room felt heavier with the rising tension. He wasn’t here to prove anything to anyone, and he certainly hadn’t expected to see Prince Samuel. They were acquainted from the royal events Xavier had attended alongside his father at the imperial palace.

Xavier knew for a fact that all the princes he had met were wary of him. The Drakenfell family had gained enormous influence in the empire over the past few centuries, climbing their way to the top, and he was the current heir to the dukedom. Unlike the emperor, the princes feared the authority in the Drakenfell hands and saw them as a threat to their own position rather than a friend.

Samuel’s sweet words and show of concern were not enough to fool Xavier into believing the prince felt any differently about him.

"Enough!"

Milfias’s sharp voice echoed through the spacious room, sending a chill down everyone’s spine. The sudden command cut the air clean. She had noticed the annoyed look on Xavier’s face and decided it was time to end the bickering.

Both Prince Samuel and Professor Adrian fell silent at once.

"We are not here to discuss the qualifications of our members. We need talented individuals in our faction, no matter their year, strength, or mana-control level. We are here to fight against the demonic forces—not among ourselves."

Even in front of a prince, Milfias’s authority was absolute. Samuel did not dare question her. A quiet tension still lingered around the table.

"Now, before we proceed..."

At her words everyone began displaying their snowflake marks—on hands, shoulders, arms. Xavier watched Nerissa elegantly flick her hair back and reveal the mark on her collarbone. The pale skin there looked smooth under the dim light.

At last Xavier raised his left hand and, with a trickle of mana, showed his own marking for a second before it vanished. A brief cool tingle spread across his skin. After confirming every mark, Milfias continued the meeting.

"Does anyone have anything to report before we get into today’s topic?" she asked.

"The number of students sneaking out of the dorms has significantly increased in the last month," Charles said.

"Our faction is not that large and mostly consists of professors, with only a few students as exceptions. So they are either members of the Church faction or the Caldris faction," Viktor added.

"Yes, you are right, Viktor, we don’t have many students in our faction," Milfias confirmed.

"Does that mean the Church faction is actively holding gatherings?" Samuel asked.

"I don’t think that’s the case," Nerissa said. "From what I know, the cathedral has been having problems with a few students. They’ve found these students observing the cathedral and its members at night, hiding in the shadows—but they clearly aren’t doing a very good job at the hiding part."

"I just can’t believe why anyone would willingly join the Caldris faction. They must be deceiving these poor students." Prince Samuel smashed his fist on the table, anger clear in his voice. The heavy impact sent a short, sharp vibration through the wood.

"What’s even odder is that they are openly spying on the Church faction. What motive could they possibly have?" Professor Adrian added.

Xavier listened calmly and assessed the situation and when the discussion went a quiet he shared his words.

"There has been an unusually high number of requests for books on Goddess Anora, Goddess Ovaliss, and the origin and foundation of the Church in the empire at the academy library. They are not only spying on the Church—they are investigating it as well. It’s clear they are targeting the Church faction, or more specifically the cathedral on campus."

Xavier had asked Clara to inform him of any unusual activity she came across; that was how he had learned of the sudden surge in Church-related requests.

"Isn’t Goddess Anora the goddess of death? The academy’s cathedral mainly focuses on worshipping Goddess Ovaliss. If they are targeting the cathedral, what’s the connection with Goddess Anora?" Charles asked.

"I see..." Milfias murmured to herself. Her voice was soft, almost thoughtful.

The discussion fell completely silent. Everyone quietly and patiently looked at her, waiting to hear whether she had discovered something.

"As we all know, the demons were trying to send a letter about the Harvester’s Signet. If we assume that letter was indeed meant for Caldris, then that is what he must be after. They were delayed because Xavier interrupted them, but I believe Caldris has finally received the message from other sources and is now actively pursuing the Harvester’s Signet." Said Milfias.

"And they think the cathedral has something to do with it?" Adrian asked.

"If the Harvester’s Signet is one of the rumored hidden treasures, then it must also be one of the sacred artifacts bestowed by the goddesses upon the heroes. There might be clues about its whereabouts inside the cathedral. That could be why the Caldris faction is targeting them," Xavier answered in a confident tone.