Chapter 181: Truth II

She looked at the three students to make sure they were listening carefully.

"Among the powers we wield, the only thing capable of matching their strange energy is the energy of Rules."

She paused briefly before adding, "And all your classmates have already learned how to use it."

Kaiser remained silent as he listened.

He had already suspected that the academy’s sudden focus on Rules was connected to something much larger. Now, he finally had an explanation.

Lady Alexa continued.

"You must have heard some rumors about Rules before today. However, most of the information available to the public is incomplete or unreliable. The truth is far more complicated than those rumors suggest."

She folded her hands on her lap.

"Rules are one of the most important powers humanity can use against the Astralians. Those who comprehend them have a much better chance of fighting these invaders and surviving on the battlefield."

"Rules can be found almost anywhere, but the army has a method that allows you to comprehend one with a one-hundred-percent success rate."

Alicia looked at her hesitantly.

"Does that mean everyone who wishes to comprehend a Rule has to join the army?"

Lady Alexa shook her head.

"No. You have a choice."

Her tone remained calm and straightforward.

"Those who join the army and fight against the Astralians will receive an opportunity to comprehend Rules with a one-hundred-percent success rate as well as many other things equal or greater than the rules."

She added after a pause " Like the rumours abot the Grand Arts and Celeestail arts you have read on web too, they are also real just like the rules"

"Alternatively, you can forget about everything I’ve told you and return to your normal lives."

All three students ignored the alternative. When given the chance to comprehend a Rule with a guaranteed success rate, who would willingly turn it down?

Alex looked at her in surprise.

"A hundred percent?"

"That’s right," Lady Alexa replied. "However, you are not obligated to join us. If you prefer to return to your ordinary lives, you are free to do so. There is no pressure on you to enlist."

She repeated her offer once again, but after seeing their expressions, she was certain that none of them would refuse.

She glanced at each of them in turn.

"Your classes make you valuable to humanity, but that doesn’t mean we can force you to fight. The decision is yours to make."

Lady Alexa looked at the three students before speaking again.

"I’ll give you an hour to think about your decision."

However, before she could say anything else, Kaiser shook his head.

"No need. I’m in."

Alex nodded immediately.

"I’m in too."

Alicia looked at the two of them before hesitating for a moment.

"I’ll join as well," she finally said.

Lady Alexa looked at her carefully.

"You don’t have to feel pressured by their decisions. Take your time and think about it properly."

Alicia nodded, Lady Alexa could tell that she had only agreed because Kaiser and Alex had already made their choices. Rather than force her to decide immediately, she decided to give her some time.

"Let’s meet again in an hour," Lady Alexa said to Kaiser and Alex.

The two nodded before leaving the room, leaving Alicia alone with Lady Alexa.

As they walked down the corridor, Alex glanced at Kaiser.

"Why do you think Alicia was hesitating? I mean, she’s braver than both of us combined."

Kaiser thought about it for a moment.

"Is she having some kind of problem in the Cosmic World?"

Alex shrugged.

"I don’t know. We should ask her about it."

"When was the last time you contacted her?" Alex asked.

Kaiser thought for a moment before replying, "Three days ago. I tried calling her, but she didn’t answer, so I left a voice message. However, I never received a response."

"Something must be going on with her," Alex said.

Kaiser nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, back in the room, Lady Alexa looked at the girl sitting in front of her.

"Now, remove your disguise. I can tell that you’re not the girl herself."

The woman sitting in Alicia’s body glanced at the principal who was looking at her coldly before smiling.

"Well, I guess my disguise wasn’t perfect after all."

As she spoke, her body began to change. Her appearance transformed into that of a beautiful woman with a body resembling a starry night sky and long, silvery hair that flowed down her back.

Lady Alexa narrowed her eyes as she studied the woman.

"What have you done to the girl?" she asked.

"What’s there to do? She’s dead," the Astralian replied with a shrug.

"I can tell if one is lying or not."

Lady Alexa’s expression remained cold as she stared at the Astralian.

"Spare me your lies and just tell me the truth or I will force it out of you."

The Astralian smiled at her reaction.

"As expected of the Witch of Deathly Waters."

Lady Alexa’s eyes narrowed slightly at the title. It was a name known throughout the human forces and Astralians, one that carried considerable weight and dread.

"You’re not afraid of me, despite knowing who I am?" Lady Alexa asked, studying the Astralian carefully.

The Astralian tilted her head and placed a finger against her lips.

"Should I be? After all, this body is nothing more than a clone."

"No wonder," Lady Alexa said, sensing no lies in the Astralian’s words.

"But who told you I couldn’t harm you?"

As she spoke, Lady Alexa raised her hand and grabbed the Astralian by the neck.

"I’ll leave a mark on your soul. No matter where you hide, I’ll find you."

Her grip tightened, and the Astralian’s body suddenly collapsed, turning into a black puddle of blood that spread across the floor.

Far away, in a hidden location, a woman sitting inside a room suddenly opened her eyes. She could feel the soul fragment she had sent to the academy being destroyed.

"Fuck! How can she destroy my soul fragment from so far away?"

The woman cursed under her breath before taking out several potions and drinking them one after another. She could feel the damage spreading through her soul, and she needed to stabilize it before things got worse.

Back in the academy, Lady Alexa stared at the black puddle on the floor.

"That bitch is hiding inside a fortress," she muttered.

After examining the remaining traces, she realized she couldn’t determine the her exact location. The Astralian was either hiding somewhere deep inside a heavily protected fortress or residing in a secret realm.