Sartah squinted at Oapa, her gray eyes narrowing slightly as if probing his words for a hidden meaning. It was clear she suspected there was more to his statement, but she chose not to press him further. Instead, she shifted her gaze to Lirin, who spoke up with a smirk.

“I’ll make sure he tries to make time,” Lirin said, crossing her arms and giving Oapa a pointed look.

Oapa sighed softly, shaking his head with a faint smile, but said nothing in response.

Quorge cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention back to the central discussion. “As Oapa has now fully adjusted to the academy, observing how the fae students and faculty have reacted to the presence of a higher sprit in their educational system, we can confirm the program’s potential.” He folded his hands in front of him, his expression calm but resolute. “Both King Morey and the three rulers of the sprit kingdom have agreed to expand this initiative further. We will begin integrating more of our young higher sprit students into the fae academies.”

Sartah nodded in agreement, her gentle tone adding weight to Quorge’s words. “It’s an important step forward—not only for our people but for the strengthening of our alliance. The more we understand each other, the better equipped we’ll be to face the challenges that lie ahead.”

Mai’s eyes widened at the announcement, her expression a mixture of surprise and awe. “You mean... more higher sprits will be at the academies?” she asked, her voice tinged with excitement.

“Indeed,” Sartah confirmed, her calm voice carrying a note of pride. “The hope is that this exchange will foster greater understanding and collaboration between our people.”

"Mom and Dad almost never tell me anything, even when I pester them," Mai thought with a frown. "But I guess it's best for the safety of our family and Yohen."

Oapa’s gaze drifted to the sprit children still playing with Ha-Yoon’s bonds, their laughter echoing through the grand hall. A rare, genuine grin spread across his face. “I’m glad I could pave the way for them,” he said softly.

As the conversation progressed, Si-Woo couldn’t help but notice Isah’s silence. The pitch-black sprit sat still, his golden eyes piercing and contemplative, but he offered no comments or opinions. His presence was off-putting, exuding an air of controlled intensity that felt almost predatory. Si-Woo wondered if Isah disapproved of the decisions being made or if his silence was a calculated choice.

Quorge spoke up again, drawing everyone’s attention back. “There is also the matter of combining efforts between the sprit adventurers and the fae Rankers Family,” he said, his tone deliberate. “Such an alliance would strengthen both our capabilities in exploring anomalies and regulating their dangers.”

Mira, one of the elders, nodded in agreement. “It would be a step toward ensuring the safety of both our realms,” she said.

Rehan, however, frowned slightly, his skepticism evident. “Collaboration is a noble idea, but it must be done carefully. The Rankers Family is not without its politics, and we cannot allow our people to be treated as tools.”

“I agree,” Sartah said. “Which is why any such alliance must be built on mutual respect and equality.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Mai glanced at Si-Woo, her excitement tempered by the weight of the discussion. “This is huge,” she whispered to him. “If this works, it could change everything for both fae and sprits.”

Si-Woo nodded, his thoughts racing. The idea of sprits and fae working together seemed both promising and daunting, and he couldn’t help but wonder what role he and Ha-Yoon might play in such a future.

Oapa, meanwhile, nodded solemnly at the rulers' words, his expression thoughtful. “If such an alliance is formed,” he said, “it will be up to the next generation—students like us—to uphold its principles.”

The weight of his statement hung in the air, a reminder of the responsibility that loomed over them all.

Quorge’s steady gaze swept across the room before he raised a hand, signaling one of the guards stationed near the grand door. The guard, dressed in the black and gold uniform with the claw insignia, stepped forward immediately and bowed.

“Escort everyone else to the recreation quarters,” Quorge commanded, his voice calm yet firm. “We would like to speak with Oapa separately.”

Mai glanced at Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon with a mix of curiosity and unease, while Lirin’s brows furrowed slightly as if she were weighing whether to object.

Oapa, however, gave a small nod of acknowledgment to Quorge and turned to his companions. “Go ahead,” he said softly. “I’ll catch up with you all soon.”

Ha-Yoon hesitated, her eyes darting to Si-Woo, who gave her a reassuring look. “Come on,” he said, gently nudging her shoulder. “We’ll see Oapa later.”

The group followed the guard as he led them out of the grand study. As they passed through the towering double doors, Ha-Yoon glanced back at Oapa, who remained standing before the rulers, his posture steady and resolute.

Once the heavy doors shut behind them, the guard motioned for them to follow. “This way,” he said, his voice low but authoritative.

Lirin muttered under her breath, “I wonder what they want to talk to him about.”

Mai shrugged slightly, though her curiosity was evident. “It’s probably something important if they’re excluding us.”

Si-Woo, however, remained quiet, his mind still lingering on Isah’s silence earlier and the intense air surrounding the room. Whatever the rulers wanted to discuss with Oapa, it was clearly something significant.

As they moved down the corridor, Si-Woo suddenly winced, pressing a hand to his temple. A sharp, pounding headache had crept up on him, sending jolts of discomfort through his head.

Mai, noticing his pained expression, touched his arm gently. “Si-Woo, are you okay?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Si-Woo forced a faint smile, though his discomfort was evident. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to use the restroom,” he replied, waving her off lightly.

The lead guard, observing the exchange, turned to one of his subordinates. “Escort him to the nearest restroom,” he instructed.

The appointed guard nodded briskly and motioned for Si-Woo to follow. “This way,” he said.

Ha-Yoon squinted at him, suspicion flickering in her gaze. “Don’t get lost,”

she teased, though there was an edge of genuine worry in her tone.

As Si-Woo peeled off from the group, Mai glanced after him, her expression thoughtful. “I hope he’s really okay,” she murmured.

“He’ll be fine,” Lirin said, though she too cast a lingering glance in the direction Si-Woo had gone before continuing on with the rest of the group.

The remaining guard led Si-Woo through another set of corridors, the earthy ambiance of the mansion blending with the faint hum of magical energy in the air. The headache persisted, throbbing as if something were trying to pull his focus elsewhere. Si-Woo clenched his fists, determined to shake it off as he followed the guard deeper into the maze-like structure.

Back in the grand study hall, the atmosphere grew heavy the moment the grand doors shut behind the departing group. Quorge’s previously calm demeanor shifted, a grave intensity settling over his features.

He leaned forward slightly in his ornate seat, his piercing gaze fixed on Oapa. “Now that they’re gone,” Quorge began, his voice low and measured, “we need to inform you of something critical.”

The other rulers, Sartah and Isah, exchanged glances, their expressions mirroring the tension in the room. Even the elders, who had been observing quietly, now leaned in with rapt attention.

Quorge continued, his voice unyielding. “Sprits are showing up dead.”