Twenty-Four

"Now that the meeting is over, I would like to know why you weren't your usual self, Jade," Maria inquired gently.

Jade hesitated for a moment before responding, her voice tinged with emotion, "Don't you remember, during the mission, when we asked for your help, you told us to do it on our own."

Maria sighed, realizing the impact her words had on Jade. "I thought Eloise would be strong enough to handle it. I didn't mean to hurt anyone," she explained softly.

Jade's eyes softened, but her concern remained evident, "You really don't have a heart, Maria. But thank God Eloise is okay."

Maria's internal thoughts, however, took a darker turn, the demon within her yearning for Eloise's demise. "Oh, she's fine. So that's the main thing. Now leave me alone," Maria's demon self muttered, harboring wicked intentions.

As Maria turned to leave, a voice broke through the silence. "Jade, this girl is really strange. There's something off about her," a voice echoed, seemingly coming from the sword she carried.

Startled, Jade looked around and noticed Eiji, the sword demon that Alana had entrusted to her. "Why is that, Eiji?" Jade inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Eiji's voice carried a warning tone, "She seems to be full of resentment, and there's a dark aura surrounding her. Be careful, Jade. She might be seeking revenge against someone or something."

Before Jade could process this revelation, Naoka suddenly appeared, interrupting their conversation. Jade quickly gathered her thoughts, trying to appear composed.

"Jade, you're still here?" Naoka asked, her voice carrying a hint of surprise.

Jade nodded, a slight tremor in her voice, "Yes, I'm still here. I'll be heading home shortly."

Naoka's gaze lingered for a moment, suspicion flickering across her eyes. "Wait a moment, Jade," she said, her tone demanding an explanation.

Caught off guard, Jade struggled to find the right words. She looked at Eiji, seeking guidance. Sensing her unease, Eiji reassured her, "Don't worry, Jade. She can't see me. Only demons have that ability."

With newfound confidence, Jade responded to Naoka, her voice steady, "Don't worry about it, Naoka. It's nothing important."

Satisfied with Jade's response, Naoka relented, "Very well then. Go home and take care. See you later."

Jade hurriedly left the room, feeling a mixture of relief and apprehension. Her mind raced with thoughts about Maria's unsettling behavior and the hidden demon residing within her. As she made her way home, Jade pondered how best to protect herself and those she cared about from Maria's dark intentions.

Two months passed, and the council of ten had successfully completed their project, while Jade continued her training with Eiji and Eloise honed her skills under the guidance of Amber and Alana. Eloise and Amber had grown closer, their friendship blossoming amidst the training sessions. However, unbeknownst to them, Maria had been devising a plan to eliminate Eloise.

Inside the classroom, the students eagerly awaited the arrival of a council member who would explain the upcoming changes. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation as Naoka, the highest-ranking council member, entered the room.

Naoka commanded attention as she addressed the class, "Well, I'm the first in the council, and I'm in the second year. Starting from tomorrow, things will change."

One curious student couldn't contain their excitement, "How will it change?"

Naoka's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she began to explain, "From now on, there will be a star system in place. Each of you will receive stars, and the goal is to collect more by defeating others. Of course, no one can refuse a challenge. We have installed cameras to observe the matches and ensure fair play."

Another student raised their hand, seeking clarification, "What happens if we want to challenge someone from the council?"

Naoka smiled, appreciating the eagerness, "Challenging a council member is not as simple. You'll need a specific number of stars. I'll let Jade explain the details."

Jade stepped forward, her voice clear and confident, "To challenge a council member, you'll need a certain number of stars. For the tenth-ranked member, you'll need ten stars. The requirements increase progressively for each rank."

The students nodded, their excitement growing with each passing moment.

Naoka spoke up once more, her tone assertive, "Thank you, Jade, for the explanation. Ah, all students will start with a total of four stars."

Eloise couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation as she absorbed the information. Strategically planning her path to challenge Jade and claim her position on the council became her primary focus. She knew she had to accumulate enough stars through defeating others to reach her goal.

Amidst the buzz in the classroom, Eloise voiced her question, her voice filled with determination, "What happens when you run out of stars?"

Naoka's eyes gleamed with intensity as she answered, "When you run out of stars, you have a chance to receive one from another person. But remember, this can only happen once. If you find yourself without stars for the second time, you'll have to face someone in the same situation. The loser of that match will be expelled from the school."

Eloise's mind whirled with possibilities, realizing the gravity of the situation. She understood that strategy and careful planning were crucial to her success. But the pressure and challenge ahead only fueled her determination to face the council.

Naoka stood at the front of the classroom, addressing the students with a stern yet determined expression. "We will now distribute the stars, so you can begin challenging others tomorrow. But let me make one thing clear: any form of cheating will not be tolerated and will be severely punished," she declared firmly, her voice carrying a sense of authority.

With the star distribution announced, the students eagerly awaited their turn to receive their initial set of stars. Excitement and anticipation filled the air as the stars were distributed, each student carefully receiving their share.