Chapter 36: Student Council War 2

Words : 1122 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

Chapter 36: Student Council War 2 The stillness of the Obsidian Forest was oppressive, suffocating even. As the sun began its descent behind the jagged trees, casting the world in an eerie twilight, Ashen Crimson’s mind raced, strategizing, plotting. His shadow army—twenty strong—lay quietly, each member waiting to be unleashed at his command. The beasts he’d hunted, now his loyal followers, had provided the necessary strength to carry out his plan, but it was not enough yet. One more beast remained, the final piece that would secure his dominance over the forest. But for now, his attention was elsewhere. He had given his faction the tools to succeed. Layla’s doubts had been answered, the strategy simple yet effective: provoke, isolate, exhaust. The enemy would fall into his trap, and by the time they realized it, it would be too late. But there was one thing that lingered in his mind, gnawing at him—Cecilia Thorne. Her eyes had burned with fury and something else—perhaps a longing for revenge, but also a deep-seated need for closure. It was something Ashen understood all too well. He had made her a promise, one tied to his mother’s death, the reason he had sworn vengeance. But promises were fragile things, easily broken in the pursuit of greater power. And yet, as he stood in the depths of the forest, his pulse steady and controlled, he couldn’t shake the weight of those words. The forest around him seemed to grow darker, the shadows pulling in closer, as if anticipating what was to come. Volkin, his silver-furred wolf, paced nearby, sensing the growing tension. The bond between master and beast was undeniable—two predators, bound by a shared understanding of the world’s cruelty. They both knew what was at stake. A rustling sound cut through the quiet, and Ashen’s senses sharpened. He turned slowly, the shadow of a figure emerging from the gloom. The air seemed to crackle with the presence of an adversary. A smile tugged at his lips as the figure stepped forward, her ice-blue eyes glinting in the moonlight. Cecilia Thorne. The tension between them was palpable, charged with both animosity and something far more dangerous—unspoken trust. Ashen had delivered on his promise, offering the truth about her mother’s death, and now, the moment had arrived to collect on her debt. She didn’t speak at first, but Ashen could see it in her—raw need, the hunger for justice that had driven her this far. Her hand rested on the hilt of her rapier, the delicate grace of her posture betraying none of the fire that simmered beneath the surface. "You took longer than expected," Ashen said, breaking the silence, his voice cold yet laced with amusement. Cecilia’s jaw tightened imperceptibly, but she kept her composure. "Rayne is cautious. He suspects betrayal." "Smart of him," Ashen replied, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. "And yet, here you are." Her fingers twitched, not in fear, but in readiness, the muscles of her body coiling like a spring, waiting for the right moment to strike. Ashen felt a flicker of admiration for her—she was every bit the warrior her lineage promised her to be. "You promised me answers," Cecilia said, her voice laced with the bitterness of a decade of unanswered questions. "I did." Ashen’s voice softened for a moment, the façade slipping just slightly. "Your mother didn’t die in battle. She was assassinated. And the blade that killed her?" He let the silence linger for a moment, watching as Cecilia’s breath hitched. "I know who gave the order. But you have to cooperate." Cecilia’s hand was at her rapier before Ashen could blink, but it stopped short, her resolve wavering. "Prove it." Ashen stepped closer, closing the gap between them, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I swear on my mana," he said, each word carrying the weight of an ancient oath. "If I lie, let my power be stripped from me forever." The forest seemed to recoil at the vow, the shadows beneath his feet stirring as if alive. Cecilia froze, her breath catching in her throat, the seriousness of the promise resonating in the air between them. A mana oath was not a light thing to swear—not even Ashen would dare break it. "I know who did it," he repeated, his gaze unflinching. "Rayne’s battle plans, his movements, his weaknesses. I need them from you." Cecilia’s lips thinned, her eyes cold but calculating. "And if I refuse?" Ashen’s smile was slow and cruel, the kind of smile that promised nothing good. "Then you’ll never know who ordered your mother’s death." The silence that followed stretched longer than either of them wanted. Then, with a deep breath, Cecilia spoke. "Rayne plans to strike at dawn. Seraphina and Rin scout your fortress tonight. The rest will follow at first light." Ashen nodded, storing the information away, his mind already moving to the next step in the plan. "And Kali?" "His failsafe," Cecilia replied, her voice clipped. "If the assault fails, she burns the forest down with everyone in it." Ashen’s smile faded, replaced by a look of cold calculation. Of course, Rayne would have a contingency. It only made the game more interesting. When the time came, Ashen would deal with Kali. But for now, he had to play his part, keep his faction in the dark, and continue to feed Rayne’s sense of false confidence. He stepped forward, close enough that his breath whispered against her ear. "When the time comes," he said softly, "you’ll know what to do." Cecilia didn’t ask for clarification—she didn’t need to. There was no mistaking the implication. She nodded once, her eyes burning with an intensity that promised retribution. Then, without a word, she disappeared into the forest, her figure swallowed by the darkness. Ashen stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the conversation settling heavily on his shoulders. The pieces were moving. His trap was set. And soon, Rayne would walk right into it. But not yet. He turned away, his shadow army already moving to their designated spots. The hunt had been successful, but there was still one more beast to catch—the final piece to complete his plan. It would be the strongest, the most dangerous, but Ashen was ready. The forest would be his playground, and Rayne would be the prey. With Volkin by his side, Ashen knew it was only a matter of time before his strategy bore fruit. The shadows were growing stronger, the trap tightening around his enemies. Now, all that remained was blood—and the taste of victory. The war was on. And Ashen Crimson would be the one to rewrite the rules. The source of this content is fr(e)enovelhall

Chapter 36: Student Council War 2

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