Sylvia quickly expined everything — the looming alliance between the War and Justice Countries, the danger threatening the Water Country, and how their nation could fall if no one intervened. Her voice grew more desperate as she spoke, nearly begging by the end. She promised rewards if they helped and won the coming battle: territory from the Water Country, vast reserves of gold, rare magic books, powerful weapons, enchanted artifacts, and even spoils taken from the War and Justice Countries themselves once victory was secured.

  Before she could finish, two chairs scraped loudly against the marble floor.

  Greed suddenly shot to her feet, drool practically forming at the corner of her mouth, eyes gleaming with excitement.

  "I think we should help," she said immediately. "We do need more gold."

  At the exact same time, Gluttony sprang up beside her — a half-eaten roasted chicken still clutched in her hand. Grease shone faintly on her fingers as she gestured wildly with it while speaking.

  "I agree!" she said through a mouthful, waving the chicken like it was making her argument for her. "But for the food."

  The two slowly turned toward each other.

  "What?" Greed asked ftly.

  "What?" Gluttony replied, taking another bite before pointing the chicken at her like an accusing finger.

  "You're prioritizing FOOD?" Greed scoffed, throwing her hands up. "Gold is infinitely more valuable. You can buy anything with it."

  Gluttony chewed loudly, swallowing before responding, her hand still moving dramatically with the chicken as she spoke. "Food is life. Without food you die. Gold doesn't fill your stomach."

  "You can do everything with gold!" Greed snapped. "You're choosing meals over wealth? That's stupid."

  "And you're choosing money over survival?" Gluttony shot back. "You greedy pig."

  Gasps echoed faintly around the chamber.

  Greed's eye twitched. "Excuse me? You're the biggest one here, you fat bitch."

  Gluttony froze mid-bite. The chicken slowly lowered as her expression cracked — hurt fshing across her face for a brief second before rage repced it entirely.

  "You did NOT just say that."

  Her grip tightened around the chicken.

  They lunged at each other instantly — but just before the csh, Gluttony hurled the half-eaten chicken aside, sending it spinning through the air.

  They lunged at each other instantly, Gluttony tossing the half-eaten chicken aside as she moved. Their fists shot forward, nearly striking each other's cheeks — but just as the blows were about to nd, Pride's furious shout rang through the chamber. "STOP!" Both froze instantly, their fists halted inches from each other's faces, the sudden stop sending a sharp shockwave across the room as curtains fluttered and dust scattered across the marble floor.

  "You are both idiots," Pride said coldly. "Gluttony — you demand expensive food yet don't even know how to hunt. And Greed — you need to eat to stay alive if you want more money, you idiot. Sit down."

  Both stared at her, stunned into silence.

  "…Yes, sister," they muttered.

  They returned to their seats, pouting slightly, embarrassment clear on their faces.

  Wrath leaned forward with a smirk. "You're both an embarrassment."

  "Shut up!" Greed and Gluttony snapped at the same time.

  Wrath only grinned wider, clearly enjoying herself.

  Nearby, Envy sat curled beneath her cover, whispering to herself without realizing everyone could hear.

  "So much power… they have so much power… we should have that power… not them…"

  Lust waved a hand zily, a glossy magazine dangling between her fingers as she flipped it absentmindedly. "Honestly, at the end of the day it isn't about gold or food. It's about who we're helping." She tilted her head with a sly smile, lowering the magazine slightly. "Now tell me — is there at least one sexy man involved or what?"

  Greed, Wrath, and Gluttony stared at her with disgust.

  Pride rubbed her forehead again.

  Sylvia nearly ughed despite herself, barely holding it in.

  "Enough," Pride said sharply. "We will vote."

  Gluttony's hand shot into the air immediately, her eyes shining with excitement.

  Greed raised hers just as quickly, practically vibrating in her seat.

  Wrath lifted her hand more slowly, her expression darkening as she spoke.

  "I just want to fight," she muttered. "And get revenge on our father."

  A heavy silence lingered for a moment before Envy's hand slowly rose from beneath her cloak. Quiet sobs escaped her as she hid her face, shoulders trembling.

  "I… I want their power…" she whispered to herself, barely audible.

  Then Sloth released an incredibly long, drawn-out sigh.

  "Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuugh…" she groaned zily, slouching deeper into her chair. "Do we really have to…? I think we should just stay here… sit like the queens we are… Father would want us resting on our thrones, acting like true queens instead of running into pointless battles…"

  "You're just a zy bitch," Lust said casually without looking up from her magazine.

  Sloth rolled her eyes slowly. "And you're just a wannabe whore."

  Lust chuckled softly, clearly unbothered, and the two continued trading quiet, low-toned insults back and forth as if it were normal conversation.

  Wrath snorted.

  Pride exhaled deeply.

  "This is giving me a headache," she muttered, standing from her throne. The room immediately quieted.

  "We will help the Water Country," she decred. "From this day forward, the Mothernd will form an alliance with them."

  Sylvia's lips trembled.

  She tried to smile, but her expression cracked as tears filled her eyes. She bowed deeply, nearly colpsing from relief.

  "Thank you… thank you so much… you're saving an entire country…" she said, her voice shaking.

  Wrath clicked her tongue. "Ugh. People are so soft these days."

  Envy cried harder beneath her cloak.

  Pride allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.

  "No worries," she said calmly. "Now leave. We will send messages and begin preparations. Keep us updated… and tell Valeria I expect personal letters from her."

  Sylvia nodded quickly, wiping her tears.

  "Yes… thank you again…"

  She turned and hurried out of the throne room, tears falling freely as relief washed over her.

  Outside, her fox immediately began communicating with nearby animals, sending silent messages across the nd.

  Inside, Pride rose slowly, her expression shifting from irritation to cold calcution.

  "This is our chance to finally defeat the Justice Country," she said quietly. "We had no choice."

  The others lifted their gazes toward her.

  And from behind the throne, a young girl stepped forward — a glowing symbol marked over her eye.

  The number 8.

  The young girl stepped forward slowly from behind the throne, her small figure partially hidden by the long shadows cast across the chamber. The glowing symbol over her eye shimmered faintly as she looked up at Pride, uncertainty flickering across her face.

  "…Are we going to war?" she asked quietly.

  The room grew still.

  Pride's expression hardened instantly.

  "No," she answered sharply, her voice stern enough to cut through the air. "You will remain here."

  The girl flinched slightly.

  "But—"

  "That is final," Pride said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Return to your room."

  Silence followed.

  The young girl lowered her gaze slowly, her shoulders sinking as if something heavy had been pced upon them. She nodded faintly.

  "…Yes… sister."

  She turned away and began walking toward the exit, her footsteps soft against the marble floor.

  No one stopped her.

  No one spoke.

  The massive doors closed behind her with a quiet echo.

  Outside, the halls felt colder.

  She walked slowly down the long staircase, one hand trailing along the stone railing. The glow of the torches reflected in her eyes as tears began to gather, blurring her vision.

  Why…?

  Her steps became slower.

  Why do they never let me go…?

  Her lips trembled.

  It's selfish…

  They fight. They decide. They move forward…

  And I'm always left behind.

  Tears slipped down her cheeks silently.

  Her small hands clenched into fists at her sides.

  "I'm not weak…" she whispered to herself, her voice shaking. "I could help… I could do something…"

  But the empty hallway gave no answer.

  By the time she reached her room, her vision had fully blurred with tears. She pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it gently behind her as if afraid the world might hear her breaking.

  The room was quiet.

  Too quiet.

  She walked toward her bed and colpsed onto it, curling into herself. Her breathing became uneven as the weight of loneliness pressed down on her chest.

  "They never let me leave…" she whispered into the pillow. "They don't trust me… they think I'm just a child…"

  Her fingers gripped the bnket tightly.

  Hot tears soaked into the fabric as her shoulders shook.

  Eventually, exhaustion overtook her.

  Her cries softened into quiet sniffles… then slow breaths…

  Until she cried herself to sleep.

  The moment css ended, chairs scraped against the floor as students quickly stood, conversations filling the room as everyone rushed toward lunch.

  Izan stretched slightly before turning toward Daiki and Kawa.

  "Hey… wake up," he said, nudging Daiki gently.

  Daiki groaned softly, slowly lifting his head, eyes half-open and heavy with exhaustion from sparring with Drex earlier. Beside him, Kawa pushed herself upright zily, clearly not in a rush to do anything.

  The four of them walked together toward the cafeteria area, though they stepped away from the lunch line to the side.

  Daiki and Kawa walked tiredly — Daiki's shoulders slumped as if every step required effort, while Kawa dragged her feet with exaggerated ziness.

  Rin walked beside them, Izan's cat resting comfortably in her arms. She held it carefully, though every now and then her fingers moved slightly as if she wanted to py with it more.

  Suddenly—

  Sayaka appeared directly in front of them, materializing out of nowhere.

  Her expression was serious.

  "It's an important situation," she said immediately. "Valeria wanted to inform the teachers and the commanding students… and us." Her gaze shifted specifically toward Rin and Izan.

  Daiki tilted his head slightly. "What could it be?"

  Sayaka exhaled softly. "It's a big situation. A meeting will take pce after school. And you young ones are invited."

  Daiki smirked faintly.

  Kawa pced a hand dramatically over her chest. "Of course they need us," she said theatrically.

  Rin nodded quietly.

  Izan nodded as well, curiosity flickering in his eyes. Before anyone could ask anything else, Sayaka gave a small nod — and then vanished instantly, disappearing from in front of them as if she had never been there.

  "Well," Daiki said, stretching his arms slightly, "I must be going to my css. You three have fun."

  He waved casually before jogging off down the hallway.

  Izan watched him leave, a small feeling settling in his chest. For a brief moment, he wondered if Daiki felt left out.

  He shook the thought away and continued walking with Rin and Kawa toward Aurelia's cssroom.

  They stepped inside.

  Aurelia looked up immediately and smiled warmly.

  "Good afternoon. I hope you three are doing well."

  "Good afternoon," they replied together.

  Her eyes shifted toward Kawa, narrowing slightly with a stern look — clearly aware that she had skipped css on purpose.

  Kawa ignored it completely and walked toward her seat beside Rin.

  Izan stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Thank you for healing me earlier."

  Aurelia giggled softly. "No problem. I am the main nurse of this school, after all."

  Izan straightened, curiosity shining in his eyes. "How do you heal? Is it a power you got from a blessing, or… something else?"

  "Well," Aurelia said gently, "my main power is vines. They naturally carry healing properties. But healing itself doesn't always require a special power."

  She tilted her head slightly.

  "It's simir to the Force of Will — if you've heard of it."

  "Yes," Izan said quickly. "Drex expined it to me."

  "Good," she smiled. "In simple terms, healing comes from determination — the will to heal. It requires calmness, concentration, and emotional bance. The more you practice, the easier it becomes. But not everyone can do it."

  She folded her hands lightly.

  "It requires a rge amount of mana and energy. And… it depends on your soul. If your heart is truly caring toward others, your healing abilities can become extraordinary. If not… it will never fully work."

  Izan's eyes sparkled.

  "Do you have any books? I want to learn immediately."

  Aurelia ughed softly. "Yes, I have plenty. But don't forget — you must train your mana and energy as well. Healing is demanding."

  Izan nodded eagerly.

  She walked toward a shelf and began pulling out several books for him.

  Behind them, Rin and Kawa quietly pyed with Izan's cat, the tension of the earlier conversation momentarily forgotten.

  Soon, students began filling the cssroom, conversations blending together as chairs scraped across the floor and bags were dropped beside desks. The quiet buzz slowly settled as everyone took their seats, and once the room was full, the lesson began.

  The rest of the css passed quietly.

  Izan studied intensely, fully focused on learning more about healing. His eyes moved carefully across the pages Aurelia had given him while he listened closely to her expnations, absorbing every detail he could.

  Beside him, Rin listened attentively as well, occasionally gncing toward the lesson while maintaining her calm posture.

  Kawa, meanwhile, sat comfortably pying with Izan's cat, gently moving its paws and smiling faintly as the cat flicked its tail in response.

  Eventually, the lesson came to an end.

  Students began packing their belongings quickly, chairs scraping softly as everyone prepared to leave.

  Izan carefully gathered his books, making sure to keep the healing texts safe in his bag.

  Before they could stand, Aurelia approached them with a small smirk.

  "Shall we go to the meeting now?" she asked casually.