Chapter 199 — Student Council Room II

Elena was silent for several seconds before responding quietly.

"I’m ninety percent confident in this assessment."

Suffocating silence spread through the chamber as everyone processed her deduction.

Then the door opened.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Slow, deliberate applause echoed through the room as Damian entered, his crimson hair catching light, his Academy uniform clean, his hands emerging from his pockets to continue the sarcastic applause.

His crimson eyes fixed on Elena with something approaching respect.

"Why didn’t I ever realize there was such a smart person in the Student Council? That was an excellent deduction. You even figured out what my master would do and what I would do."

’She got most of it right,’ Damian thought.

’She only missed the part about my parents being responsible for the massacre rather than the Headmaster. But she couldn’t have known about their capabilities. If she had that information, she would have deduced everything perfectly.’

His expression shifted slightly, becoming almost regretful.

"Though I should clarify – my master doesn’t pay attention to me outside Academy grounds. He maintains his neutrality strictly. So he had no involvement in whatever slaughter you were discussing."

His smile became predatory, sweeping across the entire council.

"Oh, and it’s nice to see you all. Been a while."

"..."

He walked over to Elena and patted her shoulder, making her flinch.

"The Mafia is always open to talents. If you’re interested in joining an organization that values intelligence over birthright, you’re welcome."

Elena sat down quickly, her face pale, her earlier confidence evaporated under his direct attention.

There was something about Damian’s presence that didn’t require Aura or intent to be oppressive.

Just raw confidence. Absolute certainty in his own capabilities. The bearing of someone who knew nobody in this room could challenge him.

Damian’s gaze shifted to Rex Dalmir, who occupied a seat Damian apparently wanted.

"Could you move? I’d like to sit there."

Rex frowned, his braids shifting as he straightened.

"Don’t behave like this in the Council. This is not–"

Damian’s hand shot out, grabbing Rex’s braids, and hurled him toward the window.

CRASH

"AHHH–"

Glass exploded outward as Rex’s body went through the reinforced pane, his surprised shout fading as he fell toward the courtyard three stories below.

Damian sat in the now-vacant chair with a satisfied smile.

"..."

Silence!

Complete, shocked and horrified silence!

Adrian’s mind was racing.

’What the fuck! How strong is he now to just throw a C+ rank student through a window with no resistance?’

Micheal’s face went pale, his fists clenching under the table, memories of his own defeat still fresh despite months passing.

Elizabeth’s voice cut through the tension, calm despite everything.

"Damian, please refrain from violence in Council building."

Damian ignored the request entirely, looking at her with casual interest.

"How is Senior Elizabeth doing? I hope you’re well. It’s been too long since we spoke properly."

Elizabeth smiled helplessly despite the situation.

"I’m doing great, thank you for asking."

SLAM

Liam’s fist hit the table, his body trembling with barely controlled emotion.

He looked down for several seconds, breathing hard, then raised his eyes to meet Damian’s.

"Tell me... Where is Mara?"

The temperature in the room dropped noticeably.

Damian’s smile vanished completely. His Slaughter Intent erupted like translucent flames wrapping his entire body.

His Aura exploded outward, C+ rank power filling the chamber with suffocating pressure.

Every council member except Elizabeth went pale, their bodies instinctively recognizing the threat.

Damian’s crimson eyes fixed on Liam with empty coldness.

"You know, I have some respect for you. You healed me once when I was ambushed by Shadow Council terrorists. That action earned you consideration."

His voice dropped lower, more dangerous.

"And because of that respect, I never did anything against you when the entire Council turned against me. I endured your judgmental looks. Your condescending attitudes. Your assumption of moral superiority."

The Slaughter Intent intensified.

"I even remember your specific expression when I beat that dumb bitch who tried to have me killed. Your face showed such disappointment in my ’excessive’ response to attempted murder."

Damian leaned forward, his presence overwhelming.

"But don’t think for a second that past consideration means you can disrespect me now, you damn green vegetable."

"Pfft–"

’Green vegetable! Fuck!’

Adrian’s attempt to suppress laughter failed, the sound escaping despite the tension.

Micheal looked at him with disbelief, unable to comprehend laughing in this situation.

Liam took a deep breath, his hands clenching so hard they shook, then looked away without responding.

Smart choice.

Gareth’s voice carried frustrated authority.

"That’s enough, Damian. You’re being arrogant again. Why can’t you ever discipline and proper manners?"

Damian suddenly retracted all his pressure and Slaughter Intent, laughing as he looked at Gareth.

The shift was so abrupt it was almost more disturbing than the aggression.

"Gareth... oh dear Gareth. I came here today especially for you and everyone else in this ’mannerful’ Council who has something against me."

He stood up, his posture relaxed but his words carrying absolute conviction.

"I don’t have much time to waste on a corrupt Council. Today I’m removing most of you from your positions. Elizabeth, Adrian, Naomi, and... what’s your name?"

He pointed at Elena.

"...Elena Dray."

"Right, Elena. Those four can stay. Everyone else is hereby removed from the Student Council."

"..."

The room exploded with outraged protests.

"Who are you to make that decision?!"

"You have no authority here!"

"This is outrageous!"

Damian walked toward the exit, his voice carrying over the chaos.

"You can issue formal challenges if you disagree. I’ll be waiting downstairs in front of everyone. I’ll spread the news through public forum. Let the student body see who’s actually worthy of leadership."

He paused at the door, looking back over his shoulder.

"As for why I get to decide? It’s simple. Ants like you have no right to sit in positions of authority.

I’m removing you because I feel like it. If I see any of you enter this building after today, I’ll beat the shit out of you."

His smile was cold and absolute.

"You can run to professors all you want. But they can’t do shit to me. If they try, I’ll just go to my master. You’ve all taken advantage of your family backgrounds and political connections for too long."

He opened the door.

"Now I want to play too."

The door closed behind him, leaving stunned silence in his wake.

Gareth sighed heavily and stood.

"Where are you going?"

Elizabeth’s question was gentle despite knowing the answer.

"I want to see if he has the strength to make this decision stick. If he’s going to declare himself judge of who belongs in the Council, he needs to prove it."

The other removed members stood as well, their expressions mixing anger with determination.

Only Elizabeth remained seated, rubbing her temples with a tired sigh.

’I knew something like this was bound to happen eventually. Just hope nobody gets seriously injured.’

Lily’s voice emerged from Elizabeth’s watch, audible only to her.

"You know, I think he killed Mara."

Elizabeth sighed.

"You only think he killed her. But I know he did."

"...Then why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you do anything when he was standing right there?"

"Because this time, he wasn’t at fault. And the Kestrel Family went too far in their response."

Her purple eyes showed something knowing, something that saw connections others missed.

"It’s your Council, you know. Will you just let him do as he pleases?"

Elizabeth’s smile was mysterious.

"From the start, I always wanted him in the Council. If removing old, rotten members is necessary for that to happen, then so be it. I’m done with all these guys. We need more people like Damian in the current world."

Her expression became distant.

"Peaceful times are ending soon. Very soon."

"I don’t understand you. You’re suddenly being very cold and practical. Those are your friends being removed."

Elizabeth just sighed.

"Better this than watching them die because they’re too weak or too rigid to adapt to what’s coming.

This suppression against commoners was always going to result in something violent. My family has always opposed the Noble hierarchy system. Let nature take its course. I don’t really care as long as nobody dies."

"Other Council members and even your family members might think you’re too weak to control your own organization."

Elizabeth’s smile widened slightly, showing genuine amusement.

"Well, I also want to see how strong Junior Damian has become. It’s been a long time since any student could challenge me properly. It’s very lonely at the top, you know."

"...Your mood and behavior are being heavily affected by your seer skill. You should probably tone down the usage. Previously, you used to cry all the time, feeling other’s pain.

Even during that club recruitment day, you didn’t stop Gareth from teaching Damian a lesson as you thought of Mara as your friend. But look at you now, not even caring much."

Elizabeth’s smile became helpless, acknowledging the truth she couldn’t change.

Her ability to see possible futures came with costs – Not being able to lie. Difficulty maintaining a consistent personality. The burden of knowing too much.

But it also let her see that Damian Valcor was necessary.

That what he was building, however brutal the methods, was required for what was coming.

So she would allow it. She would even facilitate it when possible.

Because her visions showed clearly: the world needed wolves more than sheep.

And Damian was the most dangerous wolf of all.