council meeting

After that, they headed to the cafeteria; however, in a nearby room, an important meeting was taking place.

Two people entered the room, took their seats, and one of them questioned, "Why such an early meeting? Was there an emergency?" The red-haired man, clearly sleepy and yawning, looked at the woman sitting at the end of the table.

In response to the question, the woman said, "There was no emergency, but this meeting was supposed to have been scheduled earlier. However, you all didn't seem interested!" She was remarkably beautiful, with soft blue hair and gray eyes. She appeared quite bothered by the disinterest of the other members.

"We have more important matters to discuss! Can you explain the purpose of this meeting?" Asked a red-haired woman with red eyes, looking at the person at the end of the table, curious about the early meeting.

"Have you found out who the group was that entered the dungeon on the first day of the academy?" spoke the person at the end, turning their head to the side.

Out of the shadows came a figure, only the head visible and covered with a hood, and they said, "Not yet."

"But do we know if they are the same ones who left the message, or not?" Asked someone in the meeting.

"Not confirmed yet, but it's almost certain it's them!" The person in the shadows affirmed.

"Do you have anyone in mind?" Asked the same person who had asked before.

"I had strong suspicions about three groups, but their movements don't make sense for them to be the real culprits. Besides, I checked their families and ruled them out of my suspicions." He explained.

"Why?" Asked the woman at the end of the table.

"Because they come from the founding families of the council."

"Understood. Since they are from these important families, it wouldn't make sense for them to want to destroy the Council's system, right? That's why you ruled them out of suspicion, correct?" The woman in the center of the table spoke again.

"Exactly, ma'am." He replied.

"Continue the investigation. If I need anything else, I'll call you." As soon as he left the room, she continued, "Today the camp begins. We must be attentive to potential talents! And we have to make every effort to recruit them, understood?" She spoke with authority and firmness.

"Do you know of anyone interesting to be the famous star of the year?" Inquired one of the council members, already eager to know who will be the next star of the academy.

"We have Alice Griffons! Trained from a young age to be the next great general of the Griffon House! We also have Arthur Clark. I think I don't need to say more, right? Excellent with numbers, but not involved in combat. We have quite a few uncertainties. And then there's my biggest disappointment, Lucca Mason. As you all must know, the Masons are known for their aura art, but this fool chose the path of magic!" She spoke with a visibly irritated expression.

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. 'A Mason as a magician? Impossible!' was the thought running through everyone's minds in that room. In the midst of it all, the person at the head interrupted and said, "Discard him! And continue with the possible names to join the council!" She ordered.

Hearing this, the woman who was evaluating the newcomers to become candidates for the stars of the first year and possible new members of the council continued mentioning names. The meeting continued for some more time, meanwhile...

Lucca's group arrived at the designated meeting point as instructed by the hunting teacher during class. Upon reaching the location, they found several groups.

There were various circles of people divided by classes, and upon noticing this, Lucca's group joined the circle formed by their classmates. As they approached, they began to sense the palpable nervousness among their peers.

"Hearing people say they're nervous and worried doesn't help at all. It just makes me more anxious!" thought Lucca, as they walked in circles, attempting to distance themselves from the group to alleviate some of the tension.

"Are you nervous, Lucca?" Alice asked, wearing an expression that seemed ready to crack a joke.

"I wasn't that nervous, but hearing their conversations made me anxious!" replied Lucca, pointing to his classmates.

Suddenly, a voice known to everyone in Lucca's class announced, "Class 1K." Upon hearing this, everyone in the class raised their hands, and the voice continued to call out names of other classes. In total, five classes were summoned, and the voice instructed, "The classes I've called, follow me!"

"She's using aura in her voice; it's a common practice among aura users," explained Alice, looking puzzled.

Noticing Alice's confusion, Lucca asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Are you really Blood Hair's son?"

"Not his, but James's, yes!" Lucca said with a wry smile.

"No, seriously! Didn't your father teach you that? It's basic for anyone aspiring to be a commander!" asserted Alice, unable to fathom why Lucca's father, hailing from a renowned aura art family, wouldn't have imparted such knowledge.

"My father didn't teach me to be a commander! He only taught me to be a warrior! Don't forget, I'm a mage!" replied Lucca, still puzzled by Alice's line of inquiry.