Chapter 51: Reservations and Rivals

Chapter 51: Reservations and Rivals The hallway was quiet. For once, no chaos. No magic surges. No explosions. Just the muffled footsteps of students trickling back to class after lunch break, their voices low and distant. I walked alone, hands in pockets, letting the breeze from the tall corridor windows drift through my hair. And then, a familiar chime echoed in my mind. [System Alert: Quest Completed – "Claim the Throne"] Objective Completed: Win the Student Council succession battleReward Applied:• Strength: C → B• Speed: C → BPenalty Removed: No downgrade applied A second screen followed. [Status Screen] Name: Ashen Crimson Title: Shadowborne Heir Affiliation: Zerawell Academy – Student Council Mana Core: Grade C (Mid-Tier) Shadow Authority: Advanced (66%) Strength: B Speed: B Perception: B Endurance: C Charisma: SS Shadow Links Active: 13/20 Known Contracts: Volkyn , Phenoix Weapon: Shadowblade [Evolving] System Buffs: Adaptive Combat, False Presence I exhaled. The boost was subtle, but I could feel it in my bones. The way my footsteps landed lighter, the way my muscles responded faster, more precisely. My shadows shifted with greater agility now—more responsive, more natural. Strength and speed, finally worthy of my ambition. No more penalties. No more losses. Not like last time. Just as I swiped the interface away, a hand grabbed my sleeve. I paused and turned. "Sasha?" She stood behind me, slightly out of breath, fingers still clutching the edge of my coat. Her uniform blazer was half-unbuttoned, her hair messily tucked behind her ear, like she’d rushed just to catch up. I raised a brow. "What happened? Did Eren mess with you again?" She shook her head quickly. "No. Not that." Her tone lowered. "I... I followed you during recess." I blinked. "Why?" She looked at the floor for a moment, then up at me again, her voice more hesitant now. "I overheard your conversation... with the President." Layla. Ah. "Are you really going on a... date with her?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly. I sighed. "You’re really stupid sometimes." She flinched. "I told her to her face I wasn’t going for romantic things," I said flatly. "I have business there. That’s it." Her eyes softened a little. "Then... why her?" I crossed my arms. "Because I need what she has. Her status, for one. That auction is going to attract a lot of attention. Nobles, collectors, black-market watchers. If I show up alone, people will get suspicious. If I show up with her, I become background noise." "And the second thing?" she asked quietly. "Money," I said. "Not Academy tokens. Real gold. I need to secure something—something that’ll shift the balance between me and Rin. I can’t let him keep rising while I stay stagnant." Sasha’s shoulders relaxed. "So... it really isn’t a date?" I blinked. "No." There was a pause. She suddenly stepped closer. "Then why didn’t you ask me instead?" "I could have," I admitted. "You’d be the better option, honestly. More loyal. Less dramatic. Definitely more predictable." Her cheeks turned red. "But," I added, "you don’t bring the same noble impact. Layla’s name draws attention away from me. I’m not looking for companionship. I’m looking for efficiency." Sasha nodded slowly, visibly relieved. Then she glanced sideways, and her expression twisted into something odd—frustration mixed with a strange spark. "Well," she said, "just... don’t fall for her. Girls like that? They’ll take advantage of someone like you." I raised an eyebrow. "Someone like me?" "You’re strong. But stupid when it comes to people." I gave a dry laugh. "Huh?" Her face turned beet red. "Forget what I said!" She grabbed my wrist this time and tugged. "Let’s go back to class before the teacher fries us. I’m not ready to be roasted alive twice in one week." I didn’t resist. As we walked side by side back into the lecture wing, her hand stayed close to mine—not quite holding it, but not letting go either. I didn’t comment. But something shifted. Not in me. In her. And I noticed. The final bell of the day rang like the echo of a battle horn, signaling the end of lectures and the start of chaos. I slung my satchel over my shoulder and stepped out of the classroom with Sasha at my side, her usual spring in her step dampened by fatigue—or maybe anticipation. Either way, she stuck close, half-watching the halls, half-glancing at me as we made our way toward the southern stairwell. Then came the interruption. "Well, well," Aurelia’s voice chimed from behind. "Ashen Crimson walking with a girl. What a scandal." I didn’t turn. "Hello to you too, troublemaker." She caught up, flipping her hair dramatically as she slid between me and Sasha. "So, Ashen, what are you signing up for in the fest?" Sasha rolled her eyes. I glanced ahead. "Nothing." Aurelia blinked. "Wait, what?" "I’m not participating in any of these... events," I said, waving a dismissive hand. "Dancing, acting, performing for nobles? No thanks. I’ve got better things to do." Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "But it affects your overall merit ranking. Are you sure about that?" I shrugged. "I don’t care about rankings." In truth, I was being cautious. Rin would participate. Of course he would. This kind of event was made for him—glory, praise, spectacle. And if I joined the combat showcase, it would come down to a one-on-one. I couldn’t beat him in a straight fight right now. Not without shadows. And those were strictly forbidden under Academy dueling regulations. So, it wasn’t worth the risk. If I did lose, would that push the narrative of the world again? Would that be enough to twist Rin from ’protagonist’ to ’chosen by the cult’? Or... maybe by not fighting him, I was protecting him from becoming the villain? I let out a small laugh. "Maybe I’m doing the world a favor," I muttered. "By not joining, I’m saving Rin’s soul. Heh." Sasha looked at me sideways. "I also have student council responsibilities," I added, shifting back to a more serious tone. "I’ve been assigned to manage fest discipline. That includes settling disputes between students, punishing any racial altercations, and putting out fires—literal and metaphorical." Aurelia groaned. "That sounds like a terrible job. Who put you in charge of that?" "Layla. And technically the Headmaster." She pouted. "You really shouldn’t. It’ll start a war with the elven factions. You discipline the wrong brat, and their family sends a declaration to the Academy." "Then let them." I shrugged. "Better than letting pests crawl around unchecked." Aurelia sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But I’m warning you. Anyway—" She clapped her hands together. "You’re my partner for Day 1 of the fest." I stopped walking. "What?" "No rejections," she said, pointing a well-manicured finger at my chest. "We’ve already spent one war standing together. I think it’s only fair we show up to the next battlefield dressed for glory." Sasha’s tone turned ice cold. "How dare you force a boy like that? That’s disgusting. You’re really pathetic, you know." Aurelia smirked. "Oh dear. Did I ruffle the little snowflake?" Sasha stepped forward. "You don’t even ask? You just declare it like he’s your accessory?" I sighed and raised a hand. "Enough, Sasha. She’s not serious—she’s just being herself. Mischievous as always." Aurelia pressed a hand to her chest. "See? He knows me. It’s not like I’m kidnapping him. I just claim what’s obviously mine." Sasha’s jaw clenched. "Fine," Aurelia said sweetly. "You can have him on Day 2. I’m generous like that." "I’m not jealous!" Sasha snapped, face turning scarlet. "I-I’m just worried he’ll get dragged into trouble!" "Of course," Aurelia said, smirking. "For his safety, right?" Sasha turned to me with pleading eyes. "For your own good... I’ll go with you on Day 2. Just to make sure no one takes advantage of you. Is that okay?" She looked up at me, trying not to appear desperate. I stared between them—the proud noble troublemaker and the flustered, fierce guardian. "...Fine," I said. "If that’s what you both want." They both beamed. Gods, what did I just sign up for? I bid them farewell shortly after, managing to dodge another argument by claiming paperwork duty. They waved me off—Aurelia grinning triumphantly and Sasha mumbling something about tea parties and traps. As I turned the corner toward the dorms, a voice called out. "Hey, Lady Magnet." I froze. Only one person called me that with that much amusement. I turned around, and sure enough, there she was. Seraphina. She stood leaning against a marble column like a painting come to life—silver braid over her shoulder, eyes twinkling like dusk-colored stars. I gave a small bow. "How have you been, princess?" "Just fine," she said, walking toward me. "I came to let you know something important." "Oh?" "I’ve booked you." "...Booked me?" "For Day 3 of the fest," she said smoothly. "I know I’m late. Those two hyenas beat me to it, but you know what they say—save the best for last." She winked. I opened my mouth to respond—but she vanished before I could get a word out, leaving only the faint scent of frost lilies behind. I stood there for a full five seconds. Then I dragged a hand down my face. Three days. Three girls. Three claims. And I thought war was complicated.