"The answer is fairly simple." Cecilia said, resuming her walk. "To stop history from repeating itself."
Noah followed after her, intent on hearing the rest of the story.
"Cillian didn’t want another Cecil, who thought they were entitled to the throne, doing something stupid for it. And so, he looked around, and realized all his father’s offspring by his concubines were dead. Killed in Cecil’s invasion."
"All except me." Cecilia said simply.
"Cillian couldn’t just kill me. Not without just cause. And certainly not without the nobles watching his every move."
"At this point, the nobles were dissatisfied with the rule of the royal family. After all, the second son had raised an army of demons. But they couldn’t rebel. Not after the end of a devastating war, and with more demons gathering just over the horizon."
"And even if they wanted to rebel, they needed a figurehead. Someone whom nobody would have an issue with sitting on the throne, and had royal blood."
"You?" Noah asked.
"Me." Cecilia nodded. "Cillian knew this. He knew I could become the thorn in his side, but he couldn’t just kill the little kid. Not without causing the rebellion he was trying to prevent. The nobles just needed an excuse, and my death would give them that."
"And so, Cillian was stuck in a predicament. He couldn’t kill me, but he also couldn’t walk freely. So, he stuck me in here. A place where I would not be involved in the politics of the kingdom. A place where my companions would be students, not politicians."
"And in doing so, he achieved harmony." She sighed. "With me out of the way, he could focus on calming the people and building the army to face his brother."
"The nobles quickly forgot about me, but not entirely," she said. "Everyone now knows in the back of their mind, that I am an option."
"It is also the reason why me leaving the academy grounds would be taken as more than just me going on a stroll."
"King Cillian and the nobles only have one message in their head if I step out of the academy." She said, in a bitter tone of voice. "That I’m ready to lead a rebellion."
Silence filled the air, the distant sounds of crickets chirping the only thing to be heard in the night.
"Oh." Noah finally broke the silence. "That’s..."
"A lesson." Cecilia looked at him. "A lesson that whoever supports you, be wary of them, Noah. Whether nobles or the king himself. Their support will benefit them, but the same cannot be said for you."
Noah’s eyes widened at the sight of Cecilia’s eyes glowing. She leaned in closer, her voice dropping.
"Do you think Cillian doesn’t see you as a threat?" She asked. "Even as you ascend today, he has already mapped out the aftermath of everything that comes after."
"So, ask yourself, Noah. What happens to the hero after the demons have been destroyed? Does he remain a hero? Or does he become a threat?"
Noah’s eyes narrowed. "Are you saying that—"
"We’re here." Cecilia interrupted him, clearing her throat. All traces of the serious Cecilia that had just given him a warning was gone as she smiled at him. "You can go on in, and enjoy your night."
Noah looked at the first year Gold-tier dorm building before them, then glanced back at Cecilia. He could see it in her eyes. She didn’t want to talk about this again. And would probably prefer it if he never mentioned it.
"Alright." He nodded, giving her a smile of his own. "Goodnight, professor."
With a nod, she turned away, making her way across campus, towards her office.
Noah watched her go for a few seconds before turning away. He entered the building, taking the lift up to his floor, and unlocked his room, entering.
Locking the door behind him, he slumped backwards onto his bed.
He stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying the story Cecilia had just told him.
It had all begun and ended with the nobles. The nobles had been the one that had influenced Cecil, that had both saved and put Cecilia in danger and had forced Cillian’s hand in the first place.
He couldn’t help but wonder how much influence the nobles had in the summoning of him and his classmates.
But there was one thing stuck in his mind.
Cecil had used a contract ritual on the demons. And Cecilia had implied there were different kinds of summoning rituals. So, what kind of rituals had been used on him and his classmates?
He couldn’t help but remember the day they had been summoned. He’d found it weird. How they’d all been accepting.
He’d expected that there would be at least one of them that would be devastated at the prospect of never going home. But they’d all been okay with it.
In fact, they’d all been eager to become heroes and throw their lives away in a demon war that was none of their business to begin with.
Did that have something to do with the contract? Or was he just being paranoid?
He had no idea, but he knew it wasn’t normal. None of it was. And one day, he’d find the truth for himself.
With a sigh, he dragged himself off the bed, changed his clothes, and dived back in.
Pulling the covers over himself, he drifted off to sleep.
Hours later, though it felt like minutes, Noah woke up.
The sky was lightning with the light of dawn, and Noah frowned at it.
It was just too early. But was this a consequence of his advancement? Needing less sleep? Well, he’d take it as a positive.
Getting out of bed, he took his bath and dressed. Making sure everything he needed was in his satchel, he left his dorm.
Dew was still coating the grass as he made his way towards the cafeteria. Most of the students were still in their rooms, but the few awake were also heading to the cafeteria.
He smiled as he arrived at the building. As he opened the door of the cafeteria, he glanced to the side, seeing Arlo in the distance, also making his way to the cafeteria.
And that was when he bumped into someone.
He blinked, turning to the person. It was a young woman in the golden trim of the first year Gold-tier uniform, but Noah’s eyes glazed over her face.
With a mumbled "excuse me" and a nod, he turned to walk into the cafeteria.
"Hold it!" A voice snapped from behind the woman, inside the cafeteria.
It was a tall young man, the same height as Noah. He was also in Noah’s class, just like the woman, but Noah also didn’t recognize him.
All he found striking was the man’s glowing purple eyes.
"Do you know who you just bumped into?" The man said, eyes narrowed in what looked like anger.
Noah raised a brow in question. "Should I?"