God's Gift.
A divine relic that allows any mage or knight to amplify their stage by fifty percent. Among the world's most ancient and coveted treasures, discovered by Frederick Anaxagoras, Acheron's great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.
If Alackster gained access to the relic, he would breakthrough into a divine stage and be recorded as the world's strongest mage for his age.
The expression on every student's face was the same.
Absolute shock.
Even Alackster was shocked. "Please do not joke with something like that, Lady Anaxagoras..."
"I do not joke with my family's honor." Acheron interrupted him. "Do you accept the terms or not?"
The options laid down on a platter like fish waiting to be sold. On one hand, he could get God's Gift and boost his stage by a huge margin. On the other hand, he could lose both his pride and the honor of choosing students for the dungeon expedition.
Alackster thought for a while. The odds weighed heavily, overwhelmingly in his favor. They were far weaker than him, so he decided to take his chances.
"I accept." Conviction dripped from every syllable, edging toward arrogance.
"Tomorrow at noon, I'll be waiting..."
With that, Alackster left the destroyed classroom. The students began having frantic conversations, still unable to believe their ears.
"She's betting God's Gift? Crazy..."
"The duke may even kill her before Senior Alackster does."
"It's Alackster dude."
"Alaricstarer?"
"No! A...lack...ster!"
"Alacgay?"
"The f*ck! How did it even end up as that?"
Aurelia raised her hand, the ice dispersing quickly. "Everyone out!" She commanded. "This class is off limits until repairs are completed."
She gestured to her student council members who had arrived with her, and they began efficiently herding the remaining students from the ruined classroom.
She then turned towards Acheron, watching her assist her siblings as they smiled together. She had witnessed many things during her time as student council president but this was at the top of the food chain.
Two Ascendant sun mages and a Descendant sun mage against a mage who had almost transcended into the Mythic realm.
The winner was obvious but somehow, the way Acheron talked and behaved. The confidence she had even when wagering one of the treasures that made their family famous was... unnatural.
"Lady Acheron," Aurelia said in a low tone. "I hope you understand what you are getting into."
"Yes I do, Lady Aurelia." Acheron replied calmly.
Aurelia sighed, turning towards the door. "I hope you know what you are doing."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of whispers and speculation. Acheron and Jamie took Arthur to the healer's dormitory for treatment. He had broken over five different bones in his body just from using ❰Mirror Guardian❱
He still did not remember everything that happened then, it was like his mind was in a state of trance when the ability took over, he couldn't quite understand it but he could worry about that later.
After the healing session, Jamie helped Arthur limp towards the teleportation circle. His body still ached like crazy despite receiving magical treatment.
As they passed through the halls, other students avoiding them, maintaining their distance while staring.
William and Nyerere were already waiting, having caught light of the news going about the duel happening the next day.
"Is it true?" Nyerere asked, her face filled with concern. "Did Big sister Acheron really bet God's Gift?"
Jamie assisted Arthur to sit on a nearby bench as they waited for Acheron. "Yes... she did." Jamie replied.
The two of them started talking with each other. William walked over to Arthur, looking at him from head to toe.
"That bastard Alackster got you pretty good..." William said, clearly trying not to laugh at the purple bruises mottling his brother's throat.
"Yeah... a sneak attack... ouch!" Arthur attempted to raise his hand, feeling pain in the motion.
"But if you were at full power, would you lose?" William squinted his eyes.
"Nah, i'd win."
The two brothers felt the sudden urge to dap each other up and their hands met in the middle with a sharp clap.
Clap...!
"I believe you would have..." William smiled. Arthur returned the gesture.
Acheron arrived moments later with the teleportation stone already in hand. "Are we all ready?"
"About time..." William assisted Arthur to his feet. Jamie and Nyerere paused their conversations, joining the family circle.
Blue light began to glow at their feet.
"Hold on!"
The light grew brighter and brighter until...
Shiinkkk...!
...
Anaxagoras mansion.
The Anaxagoras private chamber gleamed with light that quickly faded as they appeared, the polished floors mirroring their reflections. As their vision cleared, they saw someone standing before them.
A beastkin girl with orange hair and wolf ears stood in the doorway. Her tail swishing nervously.
"Hi!" Araxie said with a cheerful smile.
William, Jamie, and Nyerere were confused by Araxie's appearance, but they did not discriminate. Their mother had been a lover of beastkin and other species, her training engrained in their memory.
"Who is she?" Jamie asked.
Acheron stepped forward, wearing a genuine smile. She walked behind Araxie and hugged her.
"Guys... meet our new sibling. This is Araxie Anaxagoras. Father adopted her this morning."
There was a long silence.
Arthur had already processed the information quickly, he was already familiar with her, but he never expected his father, who always looked so serious, to adopt anyone.
William and Jamie thought about their father, still not believing he could do such a thing.
Nyerere, on the other hand, accepted almost immediately. She launched herself forward, landing in Araxie's arms. "Hi! My name is Nyerere! I'm glad I have a new sister." Nyerere smiled happily as she squirmed down to Araxie's back.
"Can I touch your tail?"
Unsure, Araxie stammered. "Y-yes..."
Jamie and William, seeing how Araxie was, accepted her as well.
"My name is William... but you can call me Will!" William flashed his shiny teeth as a sign of approval. He immediately crashed on the nearby sofa to sleep afterward.
"I'm Jamie. Nice to meet you, Araxie." Jamie hugged her.
Araxie felt love surrounding her. Although Nyerere was still playing with her tail, she didn't feel nervous or afraid anymore. This was the nicest anyone had ever been to her. She was going to treasure her siblings forever.
She began to cry without realizing it, unable to handle the emotions.
Arthur joined Acheron, Nyerere, and Jamie as they gave her a group hug, comforting her.
"Welcome to the family," Acheron whispered in her ear.
"T-thank... sniff... you!" Araxie released another wave of tears.
...
That evening, Acheron stayed in her room for two hours, conjuring the potion she needed the alluring flower for.
[New Item Acquired: Temporal Love Potion!]