Student Council II

"We're thinking of having you model for some promotional posters and social media posts," Luna explained. "Your image would really help us attract a larger audience."

I hesitated. "I'm not really a model," I said, feeling a wave of self-consciousness wash over me. "I'm not sure I'd be good at it."

Luna smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry, Xian Ying," she said. "We have a professional photographer who will guide you through the process. And Lenna here will be in charge of the design, so you'll be in good hands."

I glanced at Lenna, who looked up from her work and gave me a shy smile. Seeing her familiar face, even in this unfamiliar setting, eased my nerves somewhat.

"Okay," I finally agreed, taking a deep breath. "I'll give it a try."

Luna beamed. "That's great news!" she exclaimed. "We're so happy to have you on board. We'll schedule a photoshoot for next week. In the meantime, Lenna will be in touch to discuss the design concept."

I nodded, a sense of anticipation building within me. Despite my initial reservations, I was starting to see the potential benefits of this opportunity. It could be a way to connect with my classmates, to showcase a different side of myself, and perhaps even to distract myself from the unsettling events that had been plaguing me.

As the meeting wrapped up, I made my way over to Lenna's desk. She looked up, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

"So," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "we're going to be working together, huh?"

She nodded, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Yes," she replied. "I'm looking forward to it."

I returned her smile, a silent understanding passing between us.

I leaned closer to Lenna, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Actually," I corrected, "it's not 'Seer', it's 'Unveiled'."

"Unveiled..." she repeated, her brow furrowing in thought.

I nodded, watching her reaction closely.

"Wait a minute..." she said, her voice barely audible. "That's the opposite of what my family says..."

Opposite? Confusion washed over me. What did she mean?

"What do you mean?" I asked, leaning closer.

"My family... they say our ancestors were Seers who fought against the Unveiled," she whispered, her eyes wide with surprise.

What?! My mind reeled. If her family's stories were true, then her ancestors were the ones who had tried to seal and possibly even kill my own family members.

I could only nod, unable to process this new revelation. I didn't want to upset her further, so I decided to keep my knowledge to myself for now.

Taking a seat beside her, I gestured towards the computer screen. "So, what are you drawing?" I asked, trying to steer the conversation in a less contentious direction.

"Oh, this?" She relaxed slightly, her voice returning to its normal volume. "I'm just sketching out some ideas for the festival posters."

"Why is the background red?" I asked, studying the digital sketch on Lenna's screen.

"Oh, I was just experimenting with colors," she explained. "I think red would look cool behind your photo, you know? It symbolizes strength and power."

I chuckled. "Right..."

"Oh, and Senior..." she said, looking at me with a curious glint in her eye.

"Yes?"

"I can't see your guardian anywhere," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Where is it?"

Huh, she can't see it? I wondered, glancing around the room. I couldn't see the Harbinger either.

"I'm not sure," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Maybe it's just wandering around."

"Oh..." she murmured, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Meanwhile, atop the school rooftop, Xian Ying's Harbinger stood gazing at the sky.

"Hmm... this is a good day," it murmured, a hint of satisfaction in its voice.

Suddenly, a voice slithered through the air behind it. "Well, well, look who it is. A lowly, unevolved Guardian?"

Xian Ying's Harbinger turned to face the newcomer, its shadowy form flickering in the sunlight. "Hmm, and you are...?"

"My name is Murk~" The voice belonged to a figure clad in shimmering blue robes, a stark contrast to the Harbinger's dark attire. It had a masculine presence, exuding an aura of arrogance and malice. "What a pathetic, unevolved Guardian you are," Murk sneered.

"And for your information, I am a Harbinger," Xian Ying's guardian retorted, its voice dripping with disdain.

"Hmm, a Harbinger? I can't believe it's this weak..." Murk scoffed, circling Xian Ying's guardian with an air of disdain.

"Who is your master?" Xian Ying's Harbinger demanded, its voice echoing across the rooftop.

"Heh, he's far from here..." Murk replied cryptically.

"Far? How can you be here if your master is so distant?"

"Heh, that's why you're so weak," Murk taunted. "You don't even know who I am. I'm a long-range Guardian, capable of protecting my master from afar. A weakling like you—"

Crack! Murk's words were cut short as Xian Ying's Harbinger's hand suddenly phased through his chest.

"Agh!" Murk cried out, but there was no blood, only a gaping hole in his shimmering robes. "You bastard... how can you touch me without evolving...?" His form flickered, then dissolved into dust.

Gone...? No, he merely retreated, Xian Ying's Harbinger muttered, its gaze fixed on the horizon.

***

Back in the student council room, I sat beside Lenna, the hum of computers and the low murmur of conversation filling the air.

"Huh?" I muttered, a strange sensation tingling through my fingertips. It felt like I was touching something, even though my hands rested idly on my lap.

"What's wrong, Senior?" Lenna asked, glancing at me with concern.

"Oh, nothing," I replied, trying to shake off the odd feeling. "Just a weird sensation."

Lenna looked up at me, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Oh, by the way, you can go now, We just called you here to confirm you were interested in the modeling project."

"I'm just going to stay here," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "I don't really want to hear anything about the lesson today..."

< Chapter 015 > Fin.