Everyone’s eyes were on Jasmine, waiting quietly and eagerly as she stood in front of the stand with the microphone.
Azriel’s gaze drifted to Caleus, who stood a few steps behind her on the right. His face was cold and emotionless, his posture rigid with his back straight and hands clasped behind him.
‘Both he and Jasmine had competed for the student council president position. He lost.
And he lost to her again for the title of Apex among the second-years.’
Azriel wondered how he must be feeling right now.
‘At least they all know how to keep up appearances in public, like nothing’s wrong.’
It reminded him of the Christmas banquet. To everyone else, it seemed like the three of them—Jasmine, Celestina, and Caleus—were close. Few knew that Caleus wasn’t on good terms with Jasmine or Celestina.
Azriel’s eyes flickered to Celestina. She didn’t even spare Caleus a glance. Her piercing gaze remained fixed on Jasmine.
‘Guess she doesn’t care much for him compared to Anastasia.’
In the end, none of it mattered to Azriel. As long as Jasmine was unharmed, he wouldn’t involve himself in their tangled relationships.
Finally, Jasmine spoke into the microphone, her clear, cold, and emotionless voice reaching everyone’s ears. It was as if she were hypnotizing them.
“First of all, I would like to thank you all for coming here during your break. For those who don’t know me, my name is Jasmine Crimson. I am the current student council president and the Apex of the second years.”
The student council president. The cadet who held the most power in the academy, second only to the instructors and the headmistress.
“Second, this meeting marks the first official monthly faction meeting. From now on, every month, anyone who is part of a faction will represent it here. We will track which faction has earned the most points from missions during the month. There will, of course, be a ranking system. Do note that all points accumulated by factions last year have been reset to zero. Everyone starts equally this time.”
Points. The currency of progress.
Cadets earned them by completing missions. While points were awarded to individuals, those in a faction also contributed their earnings to their group’s total.
For example: if one cadet earned 3 points from a mission and was in the Crimson Faction, while another earned 4 points, their faction’s total would be 7 points.
However, missions taken on as a team would divide the points among members. A solo mission worth 3 points would drop to 2 per person if two cadets undertook it. The harder the mission, the more points it rewarded. Many missions, especially higher-level ones, couldn’t be completed alone.
This year, first-years are now allowed to take on missions as well. Previously, most factions avoided recruiting first-years since they couldn’t contribute. Now, things will be different.
First-years, once sidelined, could now hold value.
But what were these points truly worth?
Points could bring fame, raising a cadet’s reputation. Earn enough, and they could be exchanged for armor or weapons—not soul armor or soul weapons, of course, but still high-quality equipment from the academy vault.
Points could also unlock access to restricted areas—enhanced gravity chambers, advanced sparring arenas, and more. High scorers even got priority when choosing missions.
“Thirdly, please remember that the rules from last year still apply. Conflict between factions is understandable and, to an extent, encouraged by the academy. However, under no circumstances are cadets allowed to engage in fights resulting in death, serious injuries—mental or physical—or anything that could damage academy property or harm innocent bystanders.”
Her tone hardened.
“If a conflict escalates beyond control, the student council will intervene and resolve it, just as we do when cadets or classes clash. Breaking these rules will result in punishment. If you have any objections, take it up with the headmistress—she is the one who established them.”
A shiver ran through the crowd at the mention of the headmistress.
No cadet was foolish enough to go against her.
A thought that united almost all of them.
…Almost all.
“Lastly, as the student council president responsible for maintaining order in the academy, I am also the head of the Crimson Faction. Caleus Nebula, the vice student council president, serves as the head of the Nebula Faction. Please know that if any conflict arises involving our factions, we will not act with bias. Instead, we will step back as faction heads and resolve the matter as members of the student council. That is all. Please enjoy the food, and for the cadets at the back, you are welcome to come forward and help yourselves to the food and drinks now being served here on the podium.”
As soon as Jasmine finished speaking, the lights flickered back on, brightening the room properly. Several cadets suddenly moved into action, carrying trays of food and drinks and arranging them neatly at the podium.
The seated cadets immediately rose to their feet, and those who were already standing broke into applause. The room filled with the sound of clapping.
Azriel blinked at the scene unfolding in front of him, then exchanged a glance with Celestina. Her expression mirrored his thoughts—whatever they were.
Azriel shook his head with a sigh and turned back to his plate, resuming his meal. He grabbed a handful of fries and stuffed them into his mouth, trying to tune out the clamor.
Jasmine and Caleus walked toward separate tables.
Azriel’s gaze followed Jasmine as she approached a table where two students he didn’t recognize were already seated. She joined them without changing her expression, her presence calm and composed.
One was a girl, the other a boy.
Both looked at Jasmine with admiring gazes.
Both annoyed Azriel.
Clicking his tongue inwardly, Azriel reached for a bottle of orange juice, pouring himself a glass before taking a sip. His eyes roamed over the tables scattered around the room, narrowing slightly as he scanned the cadets.
Mostly, he focused on the second and third years present.
‘Except for Jasmine, there are only a few advanced-ranked cadets here… and even fewer expert-ranked ones among the third years.’
His gaze sharpened as he kept observing. That’s when he noticed something odd.
‘The Dusk Faction isn’t here. Just like in the book, huh.’
What Jasmine hadn’t mentioned to the factions was that these meetings weren’t mandatory. Apparently, the Dusk Faction had taken full advantage of that, not bothering to show up for the first gathering at all.
‘Well, I guess it’s just food and socializing anyway.’
Azriel exhaled and turned toward Celestina, who sat beside him, sipping her drink with an air of detached calm. He took another sip of his own juice before asking, “So, what now, boss?”
Celestina blinked at him before crossing her arms and squinting, her expression sharp enough to cut.
“I’m not your boss. Don’t call me that—it feels weird coming from you.”
Azriel raised an eyebrow.
“But you are the head of the Frost Faction, which I happen to be in. So unless you’re planning to hand me the position, you’re technically my boss.”
Celestina looked away, taking a slow sip of her juice before replying, “Still, don’t call me boss. And for the record, I have no intention of bossing you around like some slave.”
Azriel smirked.
“Well, I’m sure there are some boys in this room who wouldn’t mind that kind of treatment… girls, too, for that matter.”
His tone hinted at the gazes some cadets failed to hide as they directed them toward the two of them.
Celestina sighed.
“…Just ignore them. It’s not like this is anything new.”
“If you say so, bo—”
“Don’t.”
Azriel snickered, leaning back in his seat.
“Fine, fine. So, are we staying for the rest of this meeting, or…?”
Celestina didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she took another sip of her juice. Then, without warning, she leaned over and plucked the last fry from Azriel’s bowl.
Azriel stared at the now-empty dish with exaggerated sadness before looking at her.
“What else?” Celestina said, finally answering his question as she leaned back in her chair.
“We’re going on a mission.”