Chapter 222 - 222: Meeting of the captains!

Words : 1134 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Weeks had passed since the catastrophic assault led by Jack, the necromancer tied to the clandestine group known as the Eclipse Pact. The devastation left in the wake of their attack on Goltas Village was harrowing—nearly half the village lay in smoldering ruins, a blackened memory of what once stood. Thankfully, casualties were minimal. Most of the villagers managed to flee before the undead swarm consumed the settlement. In the aftermath, Lunaria Academy spared several units to assist in reconstructing the shattered infrastructure, offering both manpower and magical resources. Yet, the implications of the attack rippled far beyond Goltas. The bold strike against one of the Four Great Academies demanded immediate attention. And so, a high-level meeting was convened—one that brought together the four captains of the empire's elite institutions. However, the meeting would not unfold in some plain chamber. It took place at the heart of the empire—the royal capital—within a monumental edifice known only as the Obsidian Hall. The structure loomed like a titan of black stone, its walls absorbing sunlight like a bottomless void. Golden inscriptions etched into its surface pulsed faintly with runic magic—ancient wards of secrecy and protection that whispered a single truth: what is said within, stays within. The enchanted steel double doors bore the sigil of the empire—a cryptic crest recognizable only to captains, generals, and the emperor's most trusted few. Inside, the temperature dropped instantly, a cold that wasn't natural but born from the weight of age-old decisions, power plays, and wars planned in silence. The vast chamber was centered around a round table of polished obsidian, its surface etched with arcane glyphs that flared to life during discussions of great consequence. High-backed thrones encircled the table, each uniquely carved to reflect the soul and legacy of its occupant. The light overhead came from a massive chandelier composed of levitating crystals—each fragment glowing softly, connected to the empire's magical ley lines and pulsing in tandem with its heartbeat. Narrow windows offered a haunting view of the capital below, though no one dared to be distracted. This place was not for idle admiration. It was for shaping destiny. Four captains now sat in those seats of power: Captain Ryan, stern and composed as always; Captain Alex, ever-arrogant, a blade of words and ego; Captain Sophia, fierce and proud; and Captain Amir, calm but unpredictable—the one whose academy had suffered most from the recent attack. Ryan, as the senior among them, took the lead, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "So you're all telling me we have nothing? Not a single trace of this new group?" Amir leaned back, his tone even but heavy. "Not a shred. It's like they emerged from the shadows, declared war, and vanished again. Ghosts with a vendetta." Alex sneered. "Interesting, considering one of your former students is among their ranks. He attacked your academy, did he not?" Amir's eyebrow lifted in challenge. "And your point?" "My point," Alex said, lips curling, "is that your squad is clearly incompetent. If it were my students, Jack would be in chains, begging for mercy." "Tsk." Sophia rolled her eyes. "Who gave this narcissist a stage to perform? If I recall, your squad is the weakest among us." Alex's eyes flared with contempt. "Didn't I warn you not to interrupt me when I'm speaking?!" A wave of pressure burst from him, dense and suffocating. Sophia rose slowly, her power flaring as the ground quaked beneath her feet. "Who do you think you are trying to threaten? Me?! Just because you are a man, doesn't mean you are stronger than us." "Enough!" Ryan's voice boomed, laced with command. Instantly, the pressure in the hall dissipated. "We're not here to stroke egos. We're here because an unknown force dared attack one of us. Focus." S~eaʀᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A tense silence followed. Sophia spoke again, her eyes narrowing at Amir. "Tell me, how did your academy survive, Amir? We heard Sol and Viktor arrived, but even they have their limits. The undead forces were relentless." Alex leaned forward. "Exactly. The only plausible explanation is that he descended. Your most prized student. The one they call the Demon." Amir chuckled darkly. "You think he's my only trump card? You're all so blind, it's almost amusing. I have more. Many more. You just never noticed." Ryan's brow arched. "Careful, Amir. Sounds like you're throwing shade at the rest of us. Remember that Wysteria academy is still better than you lot. We can boast of the strongest and best students there is. The only academy that could give us a run for our money is Lunaria. And that is if he descends." "Whatever," Amir muttered. "Can we return to the reason we're here?" Alex shrugged. "Sure. But we still have nothing. No leads. No location. Unless they attack again, we're groping in the dark." "Then we make them come to us." Amir's eyes lit up as an idea struck him. He snapped his fingers. "A beacon." Sophia tilted her head. "Explain." "During the interrogation, my students revealed Jack was recruiting—no, hunting—for the strongest. He wanted to kill and possess powerful bodies for his army. So, we set a trap. We use strong students as bait… place them in visible positions across key zones. If Jack is truly gathering forces, he won't resist." "And then?" Ryan asked, voice even. "We strike," Amir said with a wicked smirk. "We follow. We find their base. We burn it to the ground." Alex scoffed. "Sounds both dumd and brilliant. A dangerous combination." "I didn't expect a dumbass like you to grasp it fully," Amir replied with a dismissive wave. Alex bristled but said nothing. Ryan rubbed his temples. "We'll shelve this for now. Let's return with updates and evidence. This is giving me a headache." "Fine by me," Sophia said, rising. "My girls and I have business anyway." "Meeting adjourned," Ryan declared, and one by one, the captains began filing out. Just as Amir turned to leave, a voice pierced his mind—sharp, shrill, and undeniably not his own. "Why didn't you tell them?" Amir's steps slowed. His eyes narrowed, but his expression remained unreadable. Because it wasn't necessary, he replied silently. "I won't speak of Grey's condition until I know for sure. If what I suspect is true… then they may have truly descended. But… I pray I'm wrong." He stepped through the hall's great doors and vanished into the gathering dusk, his thoughts darker than the obsidian walls behind him.

Chapter 222 - 222: Meeting of the captains!

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