WebNovels

Chapter 20 - Decision Of Council

The grand palace of Eldravon was shrouded in the silence of the night. Twelve towering spires rose from the center of the colossal structure, and the stone walls of the palace gleamed under the moonlight. After a long journey, Akira, finally back at the palace, could no longer hide his exhaustion. After tying his horse, he went straight to his room. Without even removing his armor, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep in an instant.

But this peace did not last long.

The door suddenly opened, and a loud voice echoed from inside:

— Akira! Wake up!

Akira half-opened his eyes and mumbled sleepily:

— Just a little longer…

Arisawa entered the middle of the room without listening to him.

— No! And why did you come so early? You said you'd stay a week!

Akira buried his head under the blanket.

— P-please, just a little longer…

Suddenly, a smack! sound rang out. Arisawa had struck Akira's back with all his strength using the wooden training sword in his hand.

— "Aahhh! What was that?!" Akira exclaimed, eyes wide as saucers.

Arisawa raised the sword again with a threatening expression:

— If you don't get up, I'll hit you even more.

Reluctantly, Akira got out of bed.

— Okay, okay! I'm up! Was it necessary to be this harsh?

Arisawa placed the sword on his shoulder and said coldly:

— Come to my room!

Akira, still yawning, protested:

— But why? Can't we talk here…

Arisawa didn't even answer and strode out of the room. Akira muttered under his breath as he was dragged along.

Soon, they arrived at Arisawa's room. Arisawa sat in the black chair in the room and began speaking seriously:

— You said you would stay a week, but you returned in less than a day. Why?

Rubbing his eyes, Akira replied, still sleepy:

— Elder… I mean Morvan, gave me some information about Chaos. He wanted me to deliver it to you and the council immediately.

Arisawa's gaze sharpened.

— I'm listening.

Akira straightened a bit and took a deep breath.

— You know about the nine Volgrath siblings, the Nine Chaos Legends…

Arisawa nodded.

— Yes, I know.

— The Elder said they're alive, and he even personally knows four of them. He knows their powers too.

Arisawa's eyes widened.

— What! Is that true?

Akira smiled.

— Yes. I even have a family photo in my possession.

At these words, Arisawa suddenly sprang to his feet and walked out of the room swiftly without saying anything.

Panicked, Akira called out:

— Master Arisawa! Where are you going?

— "Follow me," he said, nothing else.

Confused, Akira ran after him.

The two of them arrived at a massive hall in the center of the palace. The long table was empty, but the grandeur of the room was enough to awe Akira.

— "Where is this place?" Akira asked, looking around.

— "Council chamber," Arisawa said seriously.

Akira's jaw dropped.

— What!! Is this really it?

Arisawa pressed a small button on the wall. With the sound of a mechanism echoing through the hall, the magical crystals in the ceiling began to glow.

— "What are you doing?" Akira asked excitedly.

— I'm calling the council.

— Then what should I do?

— Wait outside for now. I'll call you once the council gathers.

— W-will I be part of the council too?

— Yes. You will report the information you have to them. But I will speak first because I don't think you know too much about Chaos.

Akira stood up straight instinctively.

— Understood!

Soon, the council members entered the hall one by one. Each possessed a different aura; some cold, some cheerful, some intimidating.

Once everyone had taken their seats, Daigo looked at Arisawa and spoke:

— Hoshigaki is here. Will you speak now, Arisawa?

Arisawa remained silent for a moment, then raised his voice:

— Thank you all for gathering so quickly.

Noa immediately grumbled:

— Skip the thank-you speech. We have work to do.

Daigo laughed:

— Exactly! The ice cube has to get into the ice bath haha!

Noa clenched his fist:

— Shut up, fire dog!

Taking a deep breath, Arisawa began:

— Since you insist, I'll get straight to the point. You've all heard of the Nine Volgrath siblings who started the war a hundred years ago.

Arata crossed his arms.

— Yes, we know. But what does that have to do with anything?

Arisawa leaned on the table.

— At least five of them are still alive.

A murmur broke out in the hall.

— This is nonsense!

— Impossible for them to live.

— Did you call us here for this?

Sorane asked timidly:

— A-Arisawa… do you have any proof?

Arisawa continued calmly:

— We've encountered spirits empowered by the siblings. They were very strong.

— This can't be real! — Akabane shouted.

Makise placed her hand on the table.

— Everyone calm down. Arisawa is right. I've also faced one of them.

Noa looked in shock.

— What! You too?

Arisawa's gaze hardened.

— Even if they are alive… they intend to start another war.

Daigo slammed his fist on the table.

— Then we'll beat them!

Noa immediately retorted:

— It's not that easy, idiot!

Makise interjected:

— What other information will you give us, Arisawa?

Arisawa narrowed his eyes.

— They don't use human energy. They use a different energy, Chaos energy.

Another murmur rose in the hall.

Finally, Arisawa called out loudly:

— Akira!

The door opened and Akira stepped in. Seeing all twelve council members at once, he nearly fainted from excitement.

Arata asked disdainfully:

— And who is this kid?

Akira took a deep breath, smiling:

— Hello! I'm Akira Valen, Arisawa's student!

Akabane furrowed his brows.

— I know this child. I saw him in the cage.

Akira nodded.

— Yes! Thank you for trying to heal me!

Noa pointed a finger.

— Hey! Isn't this the kid who destroyed the exam hall?

Daigo laughed heartily.

— Definitely! That's him!

Sorane shivered and murmured:

— S-scary…

Akira bowed nervously.

— I apologize greatly for what happened in the exam hall!

At that moment, Akabane's eyes fell on the sword at Akira's waist. He jumped up in shock:

— Th-this… the legendary sword Setsuna! Why do you have it?!

Everyone's eyes widened.

Arisawa explained:

— I was on my way to bring the sword to the palace. But during the mission, the sword chose Akira.

Akira puffed out his chest.

— Yes! The sword chose me!

A silence fell over the hall. Then Arisawa gestured with his head.

— Speak, Akira.

Akira took a deep breath. He was a little tense with everyone's eyes on him, but he began to speak:

— Not long ago, I received very valuable information from an elder living in the Misty Forest. He wanted me to convey it to you.

Noa slammed her hands on the table.

— An elder is going to teach us history?

Akira flinched slightly but continued:

— First of all, the elder personally knew four of the Nine Volgrath siblings. He even witnessed their extraordinary powers. And according to him, nearly all of the siblings are still alive.

Murmurs began among the council members.

Akabane frowned.

— Damn soul technique…

Akira nodded.

— Yes. That is what has allowed them to survive. But it's not like a normal soul technique. Because they are extraordinarily strong, the loss of power during transformation is much lower. According to the elder… one of them could enter soul form with only fifty percent power loss.

The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze.

— W-what!? — Sorane gasped.

— But that's impossible! — Natsuhara said.

Arata looked at Akabane in shock:

— Weren't you the one who said only thirty percent of one's power can be used in soul technique?

Akabane furrowed his brows and clenched his teeth.

— Yes… but even that was an exaggerated figure. If someone can really survive with only fifty percent power loss, that… that is incredible strength.

Akira nodded.

— That person's name is Kael Volgrath. He uses the Chaos of Ice.

Daigo crossed his arms, muttering:

— So he's like our ice cube Noa.

Noa's vein on her forehead throbbed as she shouted:

— Don't compare me to those idiots, you blockhead!

Arisawa raised his hand to calm the atmosphere.

— Continue, Akira.

Akira went on:

— The elder said Kael is one of the most dangerous. But even more frightening… is the Chaos of the Desert. The sibling who controls sand. I don't know his name, but according to the elder, even Kael cannot defeat him.

Makise leaned forward, her expression serious.

— So… someone who can use fifty percent of their power with soul technique cannot stand against that desert chaos?

— Yes, — Akira said clearly.

Hoshigaki raised his hands and shouted:

— Then how are we supposed to defeat him!!

Daigo slammed his fist on the table immediately.

— We will! We don't fear just because someone is stronger than us!

Noa rolled her eyes.

— Don't you have any logic at all? If this is true, none of us could withstand them alone.

Arisawa intervened with a deep, commanding voice:

— We won't face them alone. We will defeat them together. Akira, tell them about the others.

Akira nodded.

— Takeshi, Chaos of Earth. Rion, Chaos of Fire. Also… I have a photograph of them.

Akira took an old photograph from his pocket and placed it on the table. It began to circulate hand to hand. Everyone looked carefully.

When the photo reached Makise, she stayed silent for a long time.

— This photograph… is torn.

Akira replied immediately:

— Yes. Normally there should be one more person here, but the right side of the photograph is missing.

Akabane squinted.

— How? Aren't there ten siblings instead of nine?

Arisawa quietly pondered.

— That is possible.

Makise placed the photograph back on the table.

— Where is the torn piece then? Any idea?

Akira shook his head.

— No. Even the elder doesn't know.

A brief silence followed. Then Hoshigaki spoke:

— The information could be valuable… but how exactly are we going to use it? Why do we need it?

Akira replied seriously:

— Because the elder said they could declare war on Velmorya.

A short silence fell over the hall, then laughter erupted.

Daigo slammed the table.

— Hahaha! They think nine people, just because they're strong, can defeat all of Velmorya?

Noa laughed, adding:

— Absolutely ridiculous!

But Arisawa did not smile.

— Whatever happens, I've faced those spirits. They were truly strong. Especially, it is essential that our soldiers train. Otherwise, we will suffer heavy losses.

Arata nodded thoughtfully.

— Makes sense… at least we should strengthen our teams.

Akabane crossed his arms.

— Do whatever you want. But don't exaggerate this information.

Natsuhara spoke:

— I agree.

Makise shrugged.

— Doesn't matter to me.

Arisawa stood up, his voice resonating strongly:

— Then it's decided. Our teams' training programs will change. Everyone will be trained at the highest level.

Everyone in the council fell silent. The magical crystals in the room shone even brighter. The decision was official.

Arisawa walked heavily toward the door, nodding at Akira.

— Gather your team immediately. We will train in the garden.

Akira said excitedly:

— Understood, sir!

And so, while the shadow of the Nine Volgrath siblings loomed over the palace, the Velmorya Council had made its first major decision.

Akira quickly descended the palace's massive stone stairs. When he reached the garden, Arisawa was waiting for him, arms crossed, right in the center of the large courtyard. The water in the garden fountain glimmered, and the wind rustled the leaves of the trees.

Soon, Yui and Raiga also arrived.

Yui approached Akira with concern.

— Akira, you just arrived… I think you shouldn't push yourself.

Akira smiled faintly, his eyes shining with determination.

— Thank you for caring, Yui. But this time I need to train much harder. Our enemy is very strong.

Yui raised an eyebrow.

— Enemy?

Arisawa interjected, his voice deep and authoritative:

— Explain it to them, Akira.

Akira stepped forward and took a deep breath.

— We will fight against enemies far stronger than the spirits we faced before.

Raiga immediately clenched his fists with a huge grin.

— So basically, more spirits to beat, huh!!

Yui squinted, her voice worried.

— By stronger spirits… you mean the Volgraths?

Akira nodded.

— Yes. For now, we only have information about four of the Volgrath siblings.

Yui stepped back in surprise.

— Wh-what… new information?

Akira continued seriously.

— The four we know are: Kael, Chaos of Ice. Rion, Chaos of Fire. Chaos of the Desert… and Takeshi, Chaos of Earth.

Raiga's face twisted with anger at the last name, his teeth clenched. He raised his fist into the air.

— I'll definitely kill that bastard!!

Akira looked him in the eyes and said with determination:

— Exactly. We will defeat them all.

At that moment, unexpectedly, Yui suddenly burst out laughing.

Akira and Raiga looked at her in surprise.

Raiga frowned and shouted:

— What's so funny, idiot?!

Akira spoke more calmly, concerned:

— Yui… are you okay?

Yui nodded after a short laugh.

— I'm fine… I just wondered how you think you'll defeat them while doing such a brutal hour of training.

Akira's face fell briefly but immediately his eyes filled with determination again.

— You're right… I need more training.

At that moment, Arisawa stepped forward heavily, staring sharply at the trio.

— From today onward, unlike before, you will enter a much more intense training program.

Akira raised his hands and smiled slightly as he protested:

— But… last time you already seriously beat us.

Arisawa spread his arms and stomped firmly in the center of the courtyard.

— This time I expect more from you. You will have no rest.

Yui shouted in shock:

— What! No rest!?

Arisawa nodded, expressionless.

— Yes. Now…

He suddenly raised his hand, then pointed his finger at the three of them.

— …all of you attack at the same time!

The wind in the courtyard intensified instantly. Akira, Yui, and Raiga exchanged glances. In their eyes were different emotions: determination, anger, and doubt. But one goal united them: attacking Arisawa.

And the training officially began.

Raiga took the first step, clenching his fist as he lunged forward.

— Then I'll make the first move!!

With his massive body, he charged at Arisawa like a bull. The stones on the ground cracked under the pressure. Raiga's fist sliced through the air like a giant boulder.

But Arisawa didn't move. He kept his arms behind his back, eyes icy calm, watching Raiga. Just as Raiga's fist was about to hit Arisawa's face, Arisawa's body shifted slightly to the side. Only a single step.

The massive punch missed.

Arisawa grabbed Raiga's arm at wrist level and lightly twisted his shoulder. Moments later, Raiga's huge body lifted off the ground.

— Wha—?!

Raiga hit the ground on his back. Dust rose from the stone floor.

Yui shouted in shock:

— Raiga!!

But Arisawa didn't even look at her. His eyes were still calmly fixed on Akira.

— Next.

Without hesitation, Akira drew his sword. He gripped it tightly with his right hand, his eyes blazing.

— Don't underestimate me!! I won't give up this time!

Akira dashed forward swiftly. His steps were fast. He made several feints with his sword, then swung a strong horizontal slash from the right.

But Arisawa caught the sword with his bare hand. The wooden sword snapped. Akira's eyes widened.

— N-no!!

While holding the sword with one hand, Arisawa lightly pressed on Akira's chest with the other. For Akira, it felt as if a huge boulder had fallen on him.

Akira fell to the ground, his sword flying several meters away.

Yui felt fear for a moment but quickly clenched her fists.

— Then it's my turn!!

She gathered her energy. Raising her hands, yellow lights began to swirl around her. Arisawa squinted slightly.

— Hmmm… finally seeing some seriousness.

Yui thrust her hands forward.

— Sand Chains!!

The ground instantly turned to sand. Chains of sand rose from the ground, binding Arisawa's feet tightly. Yui shouted, out of breath:

— Got you now!!

But Arisawa did not move. He looked at the sand chains, then murmured quietly.

— Not bad. But too slow.

Suddenly, the chains cracked.

And then they shattered completely. Yui's eyes went wide.

— N-no… impossible!!

Arisawa disappeared in an instant. Yui saw only a shadow. Then he appeared behind her and lightly touched her shoulder.

Yui fell to her knees, still conscious.

Arisawa clasped his hands behind his back again. His voice echoed through the garden:

— Is this your power? At this rate, you won't be able to defeat even the weakest spirit they send, let alone a Volgrath.

Raiga hit the ground in frustration, trying to stand up.

— Damn it!!

Akira, panting, stood up. His eyes still burned with determination.

— No… I won't give up!

Arisawa gave a cold smile.

— That's what I wanted to hear. Stand up and attack again. Until you break your limits!

The three assumed their battle stances again. The silence over the garden was broken only by the sound of their pounding hearts.

Arisawa's voice echoed like thunder:

— Attack! Again!

Akira, Yui, and Raiga charged forward once more. Their breaths were heavy, sweat dripping onto the garden stones. This time, all three attacked in sync: Raiga pressed forward with a huge fiery punch, Yui restricted the area with sand chains from behind, and Akira sought an opening with his sword.

Arisawa watched their movements carefully. A few coordinated moves had even briefly pressured him. Yet there was not the slightest trace of worry in his eyes.

— Not bad… but still slow!

Suddenly, he emerged from the shadow on the ground, appearing in the exact center of the trio. He spread his arms and lightly pushed with his palms. An invisible shockwave threw all three students backward.

All three slammed onto their backs. Akira's sword flew to the edge of the garden.

Akira groaned as he struggled to stand:

— Again… we failed again…

Yui's breath was cut off, but she still tried to rise.

— Arisawa-sensei… the more you beat us like this… the more I hate you…

Arisawa clasped his hands behind his back, cold eyes on his students.

— Hate? Good. That hatred contains strength. But the real issue… is that this hatred doesn't blind you. Because that's exactly what Chaos does.

At that moment, the large garden gate swung open forcefully.

A tall, shadowy man stepped inside, illuminated by sunlight. Arms crossed, his usual arrogant smile shining on his face.

— Enough training. No need to thrash the kids any further, Arisawa.

Arisawa slightly turned his head toward the gate.

— Daigo…

Daigo stepped into the garden heavily. He stood before Arisawa and spoke loudly:

— Most of my team is still in the hospital. Besides my son, no one is with me. But a new mission has come—urgent. I cannot handle it alone.

Yui's eyes widened, Raiga clenched his teeth, and Akira straightened in shock.

Daigo smiled, eyes fixed on Arisawa:

— In short, I want your team, Arisawa. I think the kids deserve a real mission now. Of course… if you allow it.

Akira shouted in surprise:

— What?! A mission?

Yui hesitated:

— But we're not ready yet…

Raiga clenched his fist:

— Even if we're not ready, if we have to fight, we will!

Silence fell over the garden. The wind rustled the leaves. Arisawa looked at each student. They were all tired, wounded, but their eyes shone with the same thing: determination.

Arisawa took a deep breath and slowly nodded.

— I agree.

Akira froze for a moment.

— R-really?!

Arisawa spoke coldly:

— From now on, you will train not only in the garden but in real battles as well.

Daigo let out a loud laugh:

— That's it! Welcome, my new team. I hope you can keep up because this mission will be far harder than you think.

Akira jumped up with excitement, eyes sparkling.

— No matter what, I'll do it! This time, no retreat!

Yui took a deep breath, Raiga clenched his fist. Arisawa spoke only briefly:

— Prepare yourselves. The mission begins.

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