SYSTEM ASCENSION

Black empire didn’t feel the same to the students after the execution.

It was a day ago.

After they had returned, no one could eat, or sleep. Going out was a no too, because the remaining pieces of Joran were hanged on the street for gryphons to pry on.

Ume barely survived, because Lady Hinger followed the beast that was pulling her, and got her out of it.

She was reluctantly treated beneath the fortress.

”Another bright morning!” Kael opened the curtains and chuckled softly.

They all glared at him, but he wasn’t fazed.

He ate his breakfast with the rest of the student council and then went on for a tour of the area he had never seen.

With his wings, he covered a large area, without a problem.

***

Claude, on the other hand, went training in the temple with Lady Sienna. This time, Fayera and Davon followed to watch.

They watched how Lady Sienna beat the crap out of him, because he couldn’t focus on his judge ability.

***

Tiana went to find Jordan but ended up spending the day with his maidens since he was so busy.

”So, why do you wear veils?” She asked.

”Because we want to.” They shrugged.

”Did Jordan choose you seven, to be his maidens?”

One of them chuckled. ”I held him first when he was born. We pretty much raised him.”

***

Rolarza and Mimi went gryphon riding with a few peaceful ones. Up there, Mimi voiced out about how she felt a sudden similarity between her and Fayera, but she couldn’t put her hand on it.

Rolarza just stared at her like she had hit her head.

***

The leading family had a meeting, where they asked Tyler about his father approving Joran’s execution in black empire.

The prince confirmed it.

Zeal had indeed once submitted a report like that.

***

The students stayed in, to complain about the disturbing scenes, the sealing stone reveal, and how the royal family didn’t react to anything.

Minutes tucked away and turned into hours. Hours into days, and a week went by.

It was after a week of the execution that the bell rang again. This time, it was a cheer.

People filed out of their homes, smiling and laughing.

The students had no idea what was going on, but they allowed themselves to follow the crowd and cheer.

Sienna later came to them.

”There you guys are. How is your visit going?”

”When are we going home?” A student raised his hand.

Sienna grinned. ”Are you still terrified? How dull.”

He lowered his head.

”Come with me!” She ushered and began to walk away.

”Why are people yelling?” Claude asked her.

”A boy was born to the extended royal family of the northern district.”

”A boy?” They chorused.

She turned. ”You should understand what I’m saying right?”

The question was directed to Carlel.

”The inheritor of the mark.” she replied. ”Born a day ago.”

They went to the northern district, along with the people bearing gifts and baby clothes. The house was as big as the palace, with various people outside.

They were able to get in because of Sienna.

Inside was more quiet. A noise cancellation barrier was installed. Maidens were silent as they worked.

The students naturally kept quiet too.

They finally arrived at the main room. Sienna walked in and they followed behind.

The room was parked with gifts, and the mother laid on the bed, smiling at them.

”Congratulations.” Sienna waved.

”Congratulations ma’am.” They all chorused.

”Thank you so much.” She replied with a wide smile. ”I appreciate you all taking your time to visit me.”

Coco was already looking around. There was baby stuff, and a bed, but no child.

”Where is the baby?”

”Oh,” she pointed to another room. ”His highness has him.”

”His highness?” Sienna raised a brow.

”The first prince.”

”Elias?” They all chorused.

Sienna took the lead and pry the door open.

They met Elias standing there holding the child up and staring at him like a bad test result. The child also returned the stare with a neutral experience. The mark of the sealing stone was beneath the boy’s left eye, sitting on his cheek.

”Elias!” Rolarza ran forward. She carefully collected the child from him.

”The child is only a day old, and you’re holding him like a plastic bag!”

Elias’s gaze followed her hand. He continued to stare at the child as she rocked him.

”This is odd. He’s not even crying.” Tiana mumbled.

”All inheritors of the mark are high degree oddities. I won’t be surprised if he starts talking in four months.” Carlel shrugged.

”Four months?” Bora scoffed. ”The child is a freak—”

All eyes turned to her. She saw the irritation and immediately clamped her hand over her mouth.

”I like him.” Rolarza rocks the child slowly. ”See? He likes me too.”

Elias rolled his eyes. ”He’s just staring at your double chin.”

She gasped. ”I DON’T HAVE DOUBLE CHIN!”

Her voice echoed the room, and the child burst into startled tears.

”Seriously?” They all chorused.

”I’m sorry. I’m sorry...” she rocked him back and forth, but the tears didn’t stop.

”He’s still crying.” Her eyes watered.

Sienna reached out and took the child.

They had thought he would keep quiet, but the crying increased.

”Oh dear.” She paced around.

”Maybe, you should give him to his mother?” Claude suggested.

They carried him to his mother, but the woman was gone. The room was empty.

”Where is she?” Mimi looked around.

”She must have gone for treatment in the pond.” Sienna frowned.

”What’s that?” Fayera asked.

”A day after giving birth. The woman would soak in the pond where medicine would be mixed for her.”

”So, we are stuck with a crying child?”

They continued to rock him. Whisper words. Tried different style. Nothing worked.

After a whole long thirty minutes of panic, Elias casually stepped forward and caught the child by the collar, pulling him out of their arms.

”Huh?”

The tears subsided, in soft whimpers.

”He...stopped?”

Elias walked out of the room and they followed behind. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

Outside, where some familiar faces. The leading family, dressed in black empire attires, chewing on the snacks they brought. They were really enjoying their stay.

”Hey, Rowen.” Elias called.

The man turned around and raised a brow.

Elias’ hold on the child was absurd.

”Are you trying to kill him?”

Elias walked past them, slapping the child against Rowen’s chest. The man immediately held the child in confusion.

”What if he cries again?!” Sienna yelled.

But to their astonishment, the child began to giggle slightly. He raised his folded arms to Rowen’s face, murmuring inaudible words.

They all looked at themselves in surprise.

”I guess...he’s not crying?” Sienna raised a brow.

Rowen slowly smiled. ”What do you say? I am good with children.”