The Student Council's office was located at the highest point of the academy grounds, nestled within the central tower that overlooked all of Roshar like a lord's keep. A winding staircase of marble and polished wood led to it, spiraling upward beneath stained-glass windows that filtered sunlight in vivid hues.
Zack, Silva, Matt, and Ico were on their way there now. Matt led the group, and behind him walked Zack—nervous, uneasy—not just because they were heading into an emergency council meeting, but because of who flanked him on either side.
On his right was Silva Steinert, a noble princess whose every step exuded pride. Her perfume was floral, and very distracting. And on his left—equally dangerous, though in an entirely different way—was Ico, his Par. The dragon girl walked with arms folded, clearly still annoyed from earlier.
Being sandwiched between the two of them like this? Torture, nerve-wracking torture. Why aren't we there yet...? he groaned internally.
The hallways were eerily quiet—class was still in session, and thanks to an ongoing staff meeting, most classrooms had been converted into homerooms. Still, laughter echoed faintly from some of the open doors, the carefree chatter of students oblivious to the chaos brewing just a few floors above.
"By the way," Zack asked while ascending another flight of stairs, his voice breaking the silence. "Aren't there still two council members we haven't met yet?"
Matt turned slightly, still walking. "Ah... the Vice-President and the Secretary, right? They won't be attending this meeting."
Silva's eyes narrowed.
"I can't stay silent on this," she said, her voice rising with indignation. "Being part of the Student Council is a responsibility that must be fulfilled with diligence and pride! That's one of the core values of the Steinert family! What kind of attitude is that?! Are they even aware of what it means to serve the student body?!"
"Plea—Please allow thy humble servant to offer an explanation... Ahem!"
Matt cleared his throat, having lapsed awkwardly into formal speech. Clearly, being near a royal like Silva made him nervous. His attempt at refinement came off stilted and theatrical, but he forged on.
"The Vice-President is... well, let's say they're infamous for being a bit of a slacker. But make no mistake—they're undeniably skilled. A top-tier Dragonborn. The kind whose reputation earns them leeway. That's why President Roderika overlooks their behavior."
"Hmph... How disgraceful," Silva muttered, clearly unimpressed. "To think someone talented would waste that gift on idleness."
Zack stepped in, trying to calm her. "I get where you're coming from, but... if the President tolerates it, complaining to Matt won't help. Right?"
Even so, he couldn't help but agree with Silva deep down. Authority came with duty. It didn't sit well to hear of a Student Council member shirking theirs.
"And the Secretary?" Zack asked, shifting the conversation. "What kind of person are they?"
Matt hesitated, his tone lowering a bit. "The Secretary is... let's just say they're no pushover. You'll see what I mean soon enough."
.˳·˖✶𓆩𓁺𓆪✶˖·˳.༄
"Let us begin." The Student Council meeting began with Roderika's voice.
Zack tensed instinctively, casting a nervous glance at Ico, who had come uninvited. He'd half-expected Roderika to raise an eyebrow, maybe even lecture them for the breach of protocol. But she said nothing, simply continuing as if Ico belonged. Perhaps she did.
Matt's prediction had been right: both the Vice-President and the Secretary's seats were empty. In their absence, Matt took over the secretary duties, flipping open a notebook with mechanical precision.
Despite Zack's curiosity about the elusive members of the council, he wisely chose to keep quiet. Whatever was going on, it was serious—classes had been suspended for extended homeroom, and something important was undoubtedly brewing.
Roderika folded her hands on the desk. Her crimson eyes held the kind of intensity that could peel paint.
"I believe you have all heard the rumors."
The room grew still.
"The SKFC—based out of the girls' dormitories—has become highly active in the shadows."
"Excuse me?" Zack blurted, nearly tipping out of his chair. That wasn't the sort of "emergency" he had anticipated.
Silva and Ico blinked in surprise. Only Matt remained unfazed.
"Problem?" Roderika asked, brow raised.
Zack straightened his posture instantly. "I just… expected something worse."
"This is merely the opening act," she replied with a faint smirk. "The SKFC is only one part of the agenda."
Zack exhaled.
Silvia raised her hand. "President, if I may... When you made Chaterine leave earlier so easily... What exactly did you say to her?"
"Yeah, I'd like to know that too," Zack added.
Roderika chuckled softly. "She and I go way back. Childhood friends, really. She's always seen me as a rival. Hates losing."
"But isn't her family noble? The Peggaus?" Zack asked, recalling what Rayleigh had told him.
"That's the rumor," Roderika said, smirking. "But the truth? Her family has served the Randall line as maids for generations."
Zack's jaw nearly dropped. The elegant, prideful Chaterine—a maid?
"I simply reminded her," Roderika went on, "that if she continued causing trouble, I could make that information public."
Silva looked puzzled. "But why pretend to be noble?"
"She believes it," Roderika said. "With every fiber of her being. Think of it as... adolescent delusion."
Zack tried to imagine Chaterine in a maid outfit. The haughty way she moved, now bent to serve... His mind betrayed him with vivid detail. A sharp smack across the cheek broke his fantasy.
"What are you thinking about?" Ico demanded, glaring.
"N-Nothing!" Zack stammered, his face burning.
"It better not be that maid outfit you're picturing," Silva muttered, crossing her arms.
"Eighty percent chance he is," Roderika added cheekily.
Zack turned pale. "How did you—?"
"Woman's intuition."
"Unforgivable," Ico hissed. "I am your partner, your Par! And you're daydreaming about her?"
"Shameless," Silva added.
Before he could explain, Ico's small but powerful foot connected with his shin, and Silva's punch collided with his shoulder. Zack slumped.
The meeting resumed as if nothing had happened.
"President," Silva asked again, composing herself, "you said Chaterine sees you as a rival. Is she really that skilled?"
"She's persistent," Roderika admitted. "Not always effective, but she tries."
It was faint praise, but praise nonetheless.
"The issue," Roderika continued, "is that the SKFC isn't just looking to unmask the 'Silver Knight.' They want to harvest his sperm."
Silva's face went crimson. She began stammering.
"Do they eat it or something?" Ico asked innocently.
Zack buried his face in his hands. "No. Don't ask."
"Why not? I'm your partner. I deserve to know!"
"I-It's not important!"
"I'll just check the Dragweiss," she said, eyes glowing.
Moments later, she blushed deeper than ever before.
"W-What the hell is wrong with humans?!" she shrieked. "Trying to steal his—his—essence?! That's disgusting! Obscene!"
"Stupid, ignorant, and obscene!" Silva agreed.
"Stop saying that!" Zack cried. "I won't apologize for all mankind!"
"Then beg forgiveness, and I might drop 'obscene' from the list!"
Before the argument could escalate further, Roderika cleared her throat. Even Ico's fierce expression softened. She sat down reluctantly.
"Back to the point. We must prevent the SKFC from uncovering the 'Silver Knight's' identity. Thankfully, they believe he's an Ark Dragonborn, thanks to Ico's armor. Since Zack isn't officially one yet, he might stay under their radar."
"Hmph. Of course it was thanks to me," Ico huffed, puffing her chest.
"Still," Roderika said, tone sharpening, "Chaterine won't give up easily. Be vigilant. And do not expose her family's secret. She would never recover from that shame."
She paused, her posture shifting. Her fingers folded together in front of her chin.
"Now to the main topic."
The room stilled.
"I received word today. Princess Vivian Steinert will be arriving in Roshar for a week-long inspection."
Everyone fell silent.
Then came the cry: "Noooooooo!"
Silva collapsed beneath the table, trembling.
"What's wrong, Silva?" Roderika asked.
Silva peeked up, eyes wide.
"S-Sis... she's a tyrant." Her voice cracked with fear. Her whole body trembled. "She's really coming here...?"
Silva looked as though the apocalypse had been announced. Huddled under the table, arms over her head, she shivered like a child.
Zack gulped.
He remembered the stories.
The Ironblood Valkyrie was coming.