"Well, I guess everyone around me is gifted," Aaryan mumbled to himself, a faint smile on his lips.
"By any chance, do you happen to know him?" Mr. Keesing asked, watching that faint smile with interest.
"What the—?! Is he reading my mind or something?!" Aaryan thought, shock flickering across his face.
He didn't answer, but Keesing's grin deepened. "So, you do know him," he said, like he'd already solved the puzzle.
"Who knows," Aaryan replied, acting mysterious.
"Eh? So somebody knows," Keesing teased, then turned his gaze toward the stage.
"Yeah," Aaryan muttered, eyes locked on the boy standing beneath the spotlight. "Didn't think the one I met earlier would turn out to be an Enlightened class."
"Ahem!" The boy on stage cleared his throat. "N-Nice to m-meet you e-everyone," he stammered, trembling like a leaf.
"Oh, boy… it must be nerve-wracking for someone giving their first speech. Don't you think so too, Aaryan?" Keesing said, tone mocking.
But Aaryan didn't reply. His eyes were sharp, fixed on the boy. "Come on, just say your damn words. What's so hard about that?!" he mumbled under his breath, irritation laced with concern.
Keesing noticed. His teasing faded, replaced by quiet realization.
The boy on stage, Arya, was pale with fear. His throat felt locked. "Why? Why am I so pathetic?" he thought. "I thought I was being punished when they called me up here… but it turns out I'm supposed to represent my class. Yet, look at me — can't even speak. People like Sir Aaryan… we may both be human, but the difference is sky-high."
When Arya glanced up, his eyes met Aaryan's — annoyed yet concerned.
"Why are you looking at me like that, sir?" Arya thought, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "I can't tell if you're angry at me or worried for me. Guess I should at least show how much your 'bad comforting' worked."
He clenched his fists. His next words came out stronger: "I am very honored to be in your presence, gentlemen and ladies." His voice was still nervous, but steadier. "I'm Arya, and I'll be representing my class this year."
His speech flowed smoothly after that. When it ended, the hall erupted into applause. Arya smiled brightly, bowing. For a brief second, his gaze flickered toward Aaryan — grateful.
"Looks like he really is an Enlightened-level," Keesing said, clapping.
"What do you mean? Did you doubt the evaluation or something?" Aaryan said, chin resting on his hand, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.
"O young man! Why are you grinning like that? You look creepy, you know."
"Shut up, old fart."
"Why are your cheeks red? Embarrassed, perhaps?" Keesing pressed on.
"Just shut up."
Before Keesing could reply, a clear voice cut through the noise. "Yes. You should — both of you."
Ms. Aureya stood up, her gaze sharp. "Especially you, Mr. Keesing. You sound like an old geezer, you know?"
Aaryan chuckled under his breath.
"Also, Aaryan," Aureya continued, "you're requested to stay here, along with the other Seat Holders."
"May I ask why?" Aaryan said, his tone already irritated.
"You'll know when the meeting starts." Aureya turned, walking toward a separate chamber.
Aaryan sighed. "Why the hell is everyone trying to act mysterious?" he thought, then exhaled deeply. "Guess I'll have to play along."
Moments later, Aureya returned. "Come along," she said. The six of them entered a large, ornate elevator.
"Hey, old man," Aaryan whispered near Keesing's ear.
"What is it, young man? Not enough space for you?" Keesing said, smirking.
The elevator was massive — almost a bedroom in size — with polished silver walls reflecting faint golden light.
"No, there's enough space. That's not the problem."
"Then use telepathy if it's something secret," Keesing suggested.
"I don't want to. Why should I waste effort?" Aaryan snapped. "Anyway, can you now tell me why we're called here?"
"Why? Isn't it obvious? We're in this elevator to go to another floor. What else?" Keesing said, barely containing his laughter.
A few people chuckled — the loudest among them, Mr. Michael.
"Yeah, Keesing's right. Why else would you be in an elevator?" Michael said, a grin spreading across his face.
"Just shut up and tell me," Aaryan shot back.
"Alright, alright," Keesing said. Then, looked at a figure in the room. "Can I tell him now, Mr. Kaiser Kai?"
A tall, silent figure leaned against the wall — his presence heavy, regal. "Do as you wish," Kai said, his voice deep and unyielding.
"Then, with the emperor's permission," Keesing said, dramatically clearing his throat.
"Just cut to the chase, you old geezer," Aaryan said, irritation clear.
Keesing's grin faded. The room's warmth vanished — replaced by a cold, heavy tension. His cheerful tone dropped flat.
"Am I just over-thinking or did the aura of the room really did changed? Well.... not that I care." Aaryan thought after feeling the sudden change in atmosphere.
"The reason you were called here…" he began, voice steady, "is to discuss the ongoing attack on the city — by unknown human-like monsters."
The air grew still.
"What the—?! You're telling me this now?" Aaryan shouted, slamming his fist against the elevator's railing. "You do realize a single Rakshas can level multiple cities with one spell!"
"We're sorry," Aureya said softly, bowing her head. "We know that if we'd informed you sooner, things wouldn't have gotten worse. But it was a collective decision — made by us, the five Seat Holders."
"'A decision made by the five Seat Holders,' huh? So what? You don't get to decide people's lives," Aaryan growled.
He rubbed his temples, glaring at the rest. Their faces were heavy with guilt. "Tell me. Why wasn't I informed?"
Aureya opened her mouth, but another voice cut in.
"We didn't tell you because we didn't feel like it. It's that simple," Kai said coldly.
"Huh?! What do you mean by that, you asshole!" Aaryan stepped forward, fury flashing in his eyes. "I can't understand why people call you the God's Chosen Emperor. Nothing about you feels like it!"
Before he could strike, the others grabbed his arm.
Aaryan shook them off, exhaling sharply. "So, do you have a plan or what?" he asked, his tone eerily calm.
"Yes, we do," a voice replied — just as the elevator stopped, and the doors slid open to reveal what awaited them next.