Kai smirked. That was a terrible joke. But his amusement had nothing to do with humor.
He had spent a lot of time chasing rumors about how God's Eyes worked and found nothing but dead ends. Yet, if Alexandria was right, he finally had a way to counter it.
"With all that information in his head, I'm surprised his brain hasn't fried," Aurora muttered.
"No one should be able to handle that much strain," she continued. "If he's still functioning, then he's either much stronger than we thought or—"
"Or his mind shattered long ago," Alexandria finished.
A heavy silence fell.
Alexandria broke it with a firm tone. "The reason I mentioned Isaiah's Gift is simple. I'm forming a strike team to take him out."
Fex raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Isaiah isn't reckless," she continued. "He's already the highest-ranked student. He doesn't need to prove himself, so he'll let Vanguard handle the heavy fighting."
Her gaze swept across the room.
"While they fight for glory, we'll go for the king."
Fex's smirk widened. "So you're planning to use the chaos of battle as cover?"
"Exactly. A handpicked team will slip through and take Isaiah out before he even sees it coming."
A murmur of understanding spread through the room.
Alexandria let the moment settle before speaking again.
"Any questions?"
Hands shot up immediately. She pointed to a girl near the back.
"You."
"Who's on the strike team?"
A small, knowing smile played on Alexandria's lips. "Their identities will be revealed at the end of the meeting."
Another boy spoke up. "And what about the rest of us? Are we just bait?"
"Not bait," Alexandria corrected. "Your job is to keep Vanguard's attention on the main fight. The longer they're distracted, the more time the strike team has to reach Isaiah."
A voice from the crowd spoke up hesitantly. "And if they catch on?"
Alexandria's expression darkened. "Then we move fast and hit hard. By the time they realize what's happening, it'll be over."
The room buzzed with anticipation. Some faces were eager. Others held doubt.
Aurora crossed her arms. "And if this plan fails? What's the backup?"
For the first time, Alexandria hesitated.
"If the strike team fails and we can't win in a direct fight, then..."
She stopped. The words didn't come easily.
Fex narrowed his eyes. "Then what?"
Alexandria let out a slow breath. "Then I'll have to use my Curse."
Kai's eyes widened slightly. So she's finally talking about it.
Everyone at school knew Alexandria had a Curse, but no one was close enough to ask her about it.
And the reason it was such a big deal? It wasn't just about having a Curse.
It was about what it meant.
Her father possessed one of the most powerful Gifts in existence, yet here she stood, wearing the dark red uniform of a Curse User.
Gifts and Curses were hereditary. If two ability users had a child, the stronger power was usually passed down—like dominant genes.
Which led to an unsettling question.
What kind of ability did Alexandria's mother have, for it to completely override her father's Gift?
"Your Curse?" Fex echoed. "If it's anything like your father's, I feel bad for Vanguard already."
Alexandria shook her head. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead.
"No. My father summons fire."
She lifted her gaze.
"I summon the things that burn in it."
Another heavy silence. Then—
"Do... do you just mean demons?" Aurora's voice cracked slightly.
"Things that live where the flames never die," Alexandria explained. "They'll attack everyone... except me."
"They hate our world's air. They'll rage until their time runs out—five minutes. After that, they collapse."
Fex studied her, then gave a lopsided grin. "You are one terrifying chick. Are you seeing anyone right now?"
Alexandria ignored him. "This isn't a move I want to make. But if all else fails... I will. Even if it means the death of all of you."
No one asked any more questions.
Alexandria turned toward Fex.
"Fex Caster, please rise."
Fex, ever confident, stood with the slow grace of a predator. His silver earrings caught the dim light as he gave a playful salute.
"You will lead Rebellion into battle," Alexandria declared.
For the first time, Fex looked genuinely surprised. "Oh? Then you must think highly of me, Your Majesty."
"Of course," she said. "Who else would I trust to handle Damian?"
The smirk on Fex's face twitched.
At the mention of that name, the room's energy shifted.
"Isaiah may hold back, but Damian?" Alexandria said, her tone unwavering. "He'll come at us with everything he's got. And you're one of the few people I trust to handle him… hopefully."
A few chuckles echoed through the room. Fex noticed every single one.
He didn't show it, but he hated being laughed at.
His smirk sharpened into something colder.
"Consider Damian a dead man."
"Good."
Alexandria's gaze swept the room.
"And now... the strike team."
The moment she spoke, five figures rose from the crowd, stepping onto the stage.
First, a tall, orange-haired boy with a lean, athletic build. Hands stuffed lazily in his pockets, but his stance told everyone he was dangerous.
Beside him, a girl with raven-black hair tied in a high ponytail. Her brown eyes gleamed with quiet calculation.
The third was a hulking figure clad in dark blue, his sheer size making the others seem smaller.
Next, a boy with auburn hair, his expression unreadable behind dark-tinted glasses.
And finally, a petite girl wrapped in a long white cloak, hood pulled low over her face.
Kai watched them with interest. So these are the ones chosen to take down Isaiah.
Silence filled the room.
Then Alexandria's voice rang out, firm and absolute.
"The King Slayers."
---
Meanwhile, in the West Auditorium…
Vanguard's meeting was wrapping up. Their strategy was simple: meet the enemy head-on and overpower them.
Each student was assigned a position that maximized their abilities.
Isaiah chose to oversee the entire operation from his designated castle. As a King, he had the ability to observe and communicate with his team but only while seated on the throne.
Rather than rushing into battle, he decided to remain on his throne at the start, watching and analyzing the enemy's tactics before making his move.
Isaiah's voice cut through the discussion.
"Rebecca, Michael… mind if I ask you both a quick question?"
Michael blinked. "Huh?"
Rebecca frowned. She already knew where this was going.
Isaiah's gaze sharpened.
"Where do your loyalties lie?"
Michael stiffened. "What the hell do you mean by that?"
Isaiah leaned forward slightly.
"If Rebellion loses tomorrow, Kai is gone."
Silence.
"Michael, he's your best friend. And Rebecca… well, from what I've heard, he's more than just a friend to you."
His tone remained calm but firm.
"So tell me....are you both really willing to sit back and watch him get expelled?"
A pause. Then, almost casually...
"And just so we're clear… you don't want to be on the wrong side of this."
Rebecca sighed, unfazed. "This is unnecessary. Kai and I already talked about it. Nothing will change between us. I'll fight just as hard as I always have."
Isaiah studied her, then nodded.
Then his eyes turned to Michael.
"Michael?"
The room fell silent. Every eye on him.
He hesitated.
Then finally, with a humorless smile
"It wouldn't change anything."
He exhaled.
"We're still gonna lose tomorrow."