Chapter 165: Just do as I say for once
"Yum~ So sweet," Lirien giggled, taking a small bite from the chocolate bar that certain someone had gifted her. "Did chocolates always taste this good?"
She rolled onto her bed, her arms extended in the air as she looked at the chocolate with a curious smile.
"Oh right." She rolled onto her stomach again as she realised something. "Vlad is going to be promoted to a knight today. Shall I take a look? I am only checking to make sure the ritual goes smoothly. I’m definitely not doing it because I’m curious about him!"
She convinced herself, taking another bite from the bar as her gaze shifted to the academy below, reaching the Knighting Hall in the market.
"He is not here," she murmured, finding him nowhere in the main hall. "Could he be in the waiting room?"
She was about to peek further but stopped herself as she remembered what had happened the last time she tried to take a peek at him.
"Ahem, the knights are already at their positions," she murmured, shaking her head. "He will come out soon."
She had only finished speaking when the curtains at the entrance shifted, and Vlad entered in his knight’s armor.
"Oh dear~" Lirien gasped, her teeth digging into the chocolate bar. "Clothes really make a man."
Another soft gasp escaped her when Vlad took the oath. A soft, proud smile formed on her lips. "You need at least this much guts if you wish to befriend me," she nodded, swaying her silver hair as her legs, dangling below her knees, moved back and forth in the air from the entertainment, her heels hitting her thighs.
"A brat like you, still wet behind the ears, thinks that you can place yourself equal to the Kingdom? Every being living in these lands is a subordinate of the King. How dare you put yourself on the same level as them?" Augusta demanded, pointing at Vlad accusingly.
"Tch, what is up with this annoying woman?" Lirien muttered, her brows knitting together in annoyance. "Let me see how Vlad handles this. I will send Aldric if things go out of control."
"Is what Dame Augusta said really true?" Vlad asked, the corner of his lips rising into a smirk. "Does the Arcane Academy also belong to the empire?"
"Of course it does."
"Then, Miss Principal, Lirien Argent Sigvorn, is a subordinate of the empire?"
Lirien’s brows rose at the sudden callout of her name. "Look at him using my name to get out of the situation," she muttered, although she didn’t dislike it at all. "I will help him only this time."
She slightly raised her index finger, descending a crushing pressure upon Augusta and forcing her to her knees in an instant.
"The Academy belongs to the Argentum Kingdom?" she asked in a calm tone, her voice laced with Mana as it reached the Knighting Hall. "And I, the Primordial Dragon, am their subordinate? Did I hear that correctly?"
"I-I misspoke, Miss Principal," Augusta muttered, holding herself on all fours. "I-I w-was promoted to a knight by the Crown Prince. F-for his sake, f-forgive me this once."
"Hmph, do you think I’m scared of that snotty brat?" Lirien muttered, the pressure only increasing upon Augusta. "The reason you are still alive is because I respected the older brother of your master." She was referring to the First Prince of the Argentum Kingdom. "Get lost from my Academy."
With a flick of her finger, the reality beneath Augusta shattered, throwing her into a void. Once reality fixed itself, only the broken floor and the group of stunned people remained.
"Damn, that was really badass," Vlad gasped, having witnessed everything from the closest distance.
The first thing Vlad did after returning from the Knighting Hall was head to the Student Council office with Seraphina and Raphael. Max returned to the research facility to work on his inventions. Surprisingly, Chloe didn’t follow Vlad either, even though Seraphina’s presence beside him bugged her. She went back to the training hall to continue her training.
As for Noah, for the first time in months, he decided to hit the gym to get his body back into shape.
---
When Vlad reached the office, there were two more figures he had not met before, seated on opposite ends of the sofa.
One was a young man with short green hair and a sharp jawline. His auburn eyes lit up, and his lips formed a smile the moment the trio entered the office.
Opposite to him, a girl sat with her eyes closed, leaning against the sofa. In her hand, she held a long wand with a hand-sized golden sphere embedded at the top of it. Her curly auburn hair was tied into a thick braid that rested on her belly. Her cheeks were round and chubby.
"You have finally arrived, Lady Seraphina," the boy exclaimed, rising to his feet. "We have been waiting here forever."
His loud words caused the girl to wake up. She looked at the trio with half-open black eyes and murmured, "Good morning."
"They are?" Vlad asked, curious.
"Let’s take a seat first," Seraphina said, moving towards the sofa. She settled beside the girl while the green-haired boy and Raphael sat on the opposite side.
Vlad had only taken a step forward when Seraphina moved towards the middle, creating a spot for him. Naturally, he noticed the gesture and sat beside her.
"He is Hugo D’Souza, a Sentinel Knight," Seraphina introduced the green-haired boy before turning her hand towards the girl. "She is Alisha Morgain, a three-Ring Healer. They are the ones who finished your other five quests."
Her voice turned proud as she continued, "And this is the current Crownbearer, and the first student in the history of Arcane Academy to become a Sentinel Knight within a month of forming his core. Vlad Lumberjack."
"It’s an honor to meet you, Rising Star, Sir Vlad," Hugo said in a respectful tone, rising to his feet.
’I saw his name at the third position in the Arena Ranking,’ Vlad murmured inwardly. ’I wonder how strong he must be.’
He put those thoughts aside, rose to his feet, and answered in a similarly respectful tone. "It’s nice to meet you too, Sir Hugo."
He turned to Alisha, who seemed more awake now. "Senior Alisha. Thanks for helping me with the quests."
Her black eyes widened instantly as she looked at the charming man standing before her. For a moment, she thought as if she were still dreaming.
"Just call me Alisha," she murmured, her fingers fidgeting with her braid.
An awkward silence fell over the room. A moment later, Hugo asked with a playful, accusing smile, "Alisha, are you hitting on a junior?"
"No, I’m not!" Alisha snapped, straightening her back defensively. "I only said it because he looks a bit older than me."
"Then why not call him Oni-chan?" He teased further. "I heard that’s what girls in your city call their elder brother."
The more they spoke, the darker Seraphina’s complexion became, her lips pressing into a thin line.
"You mindless Orc," Alisha snapped, her finger tightening around her wand. "I will heal that disgusting ugliness from your face."
"U-ugliness?" Hugo gasped, his eyebrow twitching in offense. "You are the one to talk, fattie."
"Now you have really done it," Alisha declared, the golden sphere in her staff glowing.
"Do you think I’m scared of you?" Hugo muttered, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword at his side.
The duo were about to launch at each other when Seraphina muttered in a commanding tone, "Stop embarrassing yourself. Both of you."
"Tch," Hugo muttered, settling down on the sofa.
"Hmph," Alisha retorted, giving him a sharp glare before removing her hand from the shaft.
"They are quite close with each other," Vlad chuckled, his voice only loud enough for Seraphina to hear.
"Hm, they sure are," Seraphina sighed, shaking her head. "They are also the members of our party. The five of us will be joining the S-Ranked Quest together."
She drew her phone from her pocket and uploaded the information of the party members into the quest window.
A few minutes later, they received a mail from the Vice-Principal.
---
Your party is considered eligible for the S-Ranked Quest. Meet me at 6:15 pm to receive the further details of the quest.
Venue: Sector B, The Great Wall.
The Vice-Principal,
Aldric.
---
"That was fast," Vlad mumbled as he read the screen, leaning closer to Seraphina, their shoulders touching.
"I-it is still 5:30 currently," Seraphina blurted, squirming from how close he was to her. "We should move right now to reach in time."
Vlad nodded as he moved back. Seraphina could finally breathe now.
As they left the office, Seraphina and Vlad walked at the front, with Raphael between them, while Hugo and Alisha followed behind.
Seraphina tugged at Vlad’s shirt from the front, making sure no one behind them could notice.
"What?" Vlad asked in a low tone.
"Nothing," Seraphina whispered, her cheeks puffing slightly. "I just think you should keep calling her Senior Alisha."
"Eh? Why?" Vlad asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just do what I say for once," she frowned, tightening her grip.
"Fine, as you say, Sera," Vlad sighed, tapping her hand that was tugging at his shirt.