CHAPTER 169: Lilian

"Who exactly is this secret weapon we're going to recruit?"

Charlotte walked behind Kael as they made their way through the academy corridors.

"And why would someone that powerful be hiding away in Class D? I don't remember seeing anyone that strong in Class D."

Kael continued walking without looking back.

"Well, I never said that she was strong."

Charlotte immediately stopped.

"If the person isn't strong, then how is she a secret weapon?"

Kael continued walking for a few more steps before realizing that Charlotte was no longer beside him. He turned around and found her staring at him with a confused expression.

"What?"

"You just said she's not strong."

"That's because she's not."

Charlotte stared at him.

"Then what exactly are we doing?"

Kael smiled slightly.

"You'll see."

Charlotte narrowed her eyes.

"Wait..."

Her expression suddenly changed.

"A she?"

Kael remained silent.

Charlotte's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me you're looking for a new girl."

Kael sighed.

"Here we go."

"Or are you trying to recruit Lilith?" Charlotte asked suspiciously. "We both know what she actually is. We can't bring her with us. Besides, we're members of the Disciplinary Committee."

Charlotte folded her arms.

"There is no way I'm allowing Lilith to ruin another moment between herself and Kael."

She glanced toward Kael's broad back.

A slight blush appeared on her face.

Kael continued walking with a faint smile.

"The person we're going to recruit isn't Lilith."

Charlotte's expression relaxed slightly.

"And she isn't going to add any combat abilities to our team."

Charlotte blinked.

"Then what does she add?"

"Something even more precious."

Kael smiled.

Charlotte immediately became suspicious again.

"So you really are trying to recruit another girl, aren't you?"

She pointed at him.

"How lustful are you?"

Kael immediately turned around.

"Hey! Don't try to make my reputation worse than it already is!"

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"And you didn't have my back this morning."

Kael's expression became slightly mischievous.

"I guess I should ambush you in front of your room too. Not just Felix."

Charlotte's eyes widened.

"Wait a minute."

She looked at him.

"I knew Lyra was just having fun this morning, but don't tell me you're actually planning to do it."

Kael grinned.

"And why make Felix your first target?"

Kael's smile became even more sinister.

"Because he was a witness."

He laughed.

"Now I want him to experience it for himself."

Charlotte stared at him.

"So you just want to make your reputation even worse?"

She shrugged.

"I don't plan on stopping you."

"What do you mean, worse?"

Kael looked offended.

"My reputation has already reached the point of no return. Why should I still be worried about it?"

"Whatever you say."

Charlotte walked past him.

She headed toward Class D without waiting for Kael.

Kael sighed before following her.

When they finally reached Class D, the moment the students noticed Kael, the entire classroom became silent.

The students exchanged glances.

Then the whispers began.

"What is he doing here?"

"I heard he ambushed two girls from his class."

"Is he here to find more targets to assault in the morning?"

"Yeah. I heard he even attacked his own fiancée."

"If he can mercilessly attack and defeat members of Class A, how would we even be able to resist?"

The rumors continued spreading.

Kael ignored them.

Charlotte, however, looked increasingly irritated.

Inside the classroom, Stella turned toward Kael.

"What are the members of the Disciplinary Committee here for?"

She paused.

"I doubt any of my students have committed a crime."

Her eyes moved across the classroom.

"Or am I wrong?"

Nobody dared answer.

Kael raised his hand slightly.

"No, not quite."

He stepped forward.

"There's someone I would like to recruit for the Inter-High Tournament."

A flash of curiosity appeared in Stella's eyes.

"Are you sure there's anyone in this class that would be valuable in the Inter-High Tournament?"

Kael looked around the classroom.

His eyes moved across the students.

Then he spotted her.

Lilian.

The moment Lilian noticed Kael looking at her, their eyes met.

Her eyes widened.

She immediately lowered herself slightly, trying to hide from his gaze.

Kael noticed.

"Don't tell me his next target is our class angel."

One student whispered.

"Wait, not her."

Another student shook his head.

"He's really as cruel as they said."

Kael ignored the murmuring.

He walked directly toward Lilian.

When he reached her, he gave her the nicest smile he had attempted since entering the academy.

"Hello there."

Lilian slowly looked up.

"I was wondering if we could talk."

To Kael, it was a friendly smile.

To Lilian, however, it was one of the most dangerous smiles she had ever witnessed.

Charlotte quickly followed.

"I know he might look dangerous, but he's not here with dangerous intentions."

Lilian looked between them.

She nodded meekly.

Then she followed Kael and Charlotte out of the classroom.

Stella watched the three of them leave with a calm smile.

Does he know about her unique ability?

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

And if he does, how did he find out about it?

Stella didn't bother continuing that train of thought.

Kael had always found one way or another to surprise her.

Once they were outside the classroom, Charlotte glanced toward Lilian.

"So, how exactly are you our secret weapon?"

She tilted her head.

"Do you have some kind of unique skill?"

Lilian, who had been quietly following behind them, suddenly froze.

"Secret weapon?"

She looked confused.

"What do you mean by that?"

Charlotte blinked.

Lilian's words began coming faster.

"How can I be a secret weapon to people who don't even know my name?"

She suddenly realized what she had said.

Her mouth closed.

Kael and Charlotte stopped walking.

Both of them stared at her.

Lilian immediately became nervous.

Kael's expression changed into a smile.

"Lilian."

She looked at him.

"Wow."

He smiled.

"I didn't know you had it in you."

Lilian's eyes widened.

"Wait."

She stared at him.

"You actually know my name?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she covered it.

"Wait, did you actually hear what I said?"

Her eyes widened further.

"Don't tell me I was actually speaking out loud."

She immediately covered her mouth again.

Then she bowed.

"Sorry. I apologize for speaking out of turn."

Both Kael and Charlotte were stunned.

Charlotte turned toward Kael.

"I didn't know she talked this much."

Kael nodded slowly.

"Neither did I."

Charlotte looked at Lilian.

"Wait. You actually know her?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Charlotte shrugged.

"We were both in Class D, so obviously I know her."

She looked toward Lilian.

"But she rarely spoke back then. I actually wondered what happened."

Charlotte turned toward Kael.

"Are you sure you're not the one who influenced her?"

Kael immediately frowned.

"Don't try to ruin my reputation any more than it already is."

He turned toward Lilian.

"Besides, it's good that you have an attitude."

Kael smiled.

"If everyone was like Auriella, the world would be boring."

Lilian looked slightly surprised.

Kael continued.

"And besides, we're in the same class. You don't have to bother being polite with me."

Lilian nodded.

"If that's the case..."

She hesitated.

"Why did you say I was your secret weapon for the upcoming Inter-High Tournament?"

Kael's expression became serious.

"Oh, about that."

He turned toward her.

"How far along has your healing ability come?"

Lilian froze.

"How do you know about that?"

Her expression became suspicious.

Kael smiled as he watched her reaction.

"You're not doing a very good job of hiding it."

He paused.

"But I'm curious."

Lilian lowered her gaze.

"I don't really know."

She fidgeted slightly.

"I haven't had the time to properly test it on people."

Charlotte immediately looked confused.

"So she has a healing ability?"

She looked toward Kael.

"How would that help us in the Inter-High Tournament?"

Kael nodded.

"I can see why you'd think that."

He turned toward Charlotte.

"But our academy values combat power above almost everything else."

He continued walking as he explained.

"Our system was built around combat ability. The strongest students are the ones who normally get recognized."

Charlotte listened carefully.

"But surviving the tournament isn't only about raw combat power."

Kael looked toward Lilian.

"We need someone with a support ability."

He paused.

"More specifically, someone with a healing ability."

Charlotte's expression changed.

Kael continued.

"That kind of ability is extremely rare in our academy. Even most of the elves here don't possess genuine healing abilities."

Lilian listened quietly.

"And healing potions aren't allowed in the tournament."

Charlotte nodded slowly.

Kael smiled.

"That's why Lilian is our secret weapon."

Both Charlotte and Lilian nodded with understanding.

Charlotte suddenly smiled.

"Wow."

She looked at Kael.

"I didn't know you were this intelligent."

Kael immediately looked proud.

"What do you mean by that?"

He placed a hand against his chest.

"I was first position in our theory exams last semester."

Charlotte stared at him.

"I'm one hundred percent sure that was either a fluke or you cheated."

Kael's smile disappeared.

"Why do you always have to ruin my achievements?"

Lilian couldn't help but look slightly amused.

After a moment, she became serious again.

"So how exactly would I participate in the tournament?"

She looked down at herself.

"I heard that you need to be in the top fifty to participate."

She shook her head.

"I don't have the combat ability to reach the top fifty."

"That's why I'm putting in a request with the Student Council."

Kael replied calmly.

"That way, you can participate."

He paused.

"Although you might need to prove your worth."

Lilian looked at him.

"Meaning?"

"You'll probably need to train your ability more."

Lilian nodded slowly.

Charlotte looked toward Kael.

"So that's where we're heading now?"

"The Student Council?"

"Yeah."

Kael nodded.

"Although I'm wondering whether I should head to the Disciplinary Committee first or just go straight to the Student Council."

He frowned.

"Provided Auriella isn't there."

Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"I think it would be better if you just went straight to the Student Council."

She continued walking.

"And stop wasting our time."

Kael followed.

"You just took Lilian out of her class, and with your bad reputation, I'm sure another rumor about you is bound to start."

Kael knew she was right.

He sighed.

"You're probably right."

He looked ahead.

"Let's just get this over with."

With that, Kael headed toward the Student Council building.

Charlotte followed beside him.

Lilian walked quietly behind them, still trying to process everything that had happened.

None of them knew how much trouble their decision would eventually bring.

For now, however, Kael had only one goal.

Get Lilian into the Inter-High Tournament.

And turn the academy's seemingly harmless healer into their greatest support during the tournament.