I created my own system

"Wind?" The senior mutters until the wave of air suddenly changes; tiny clouds begin to form around the accumulating air. Then, in an instant, sparks of light began to dance until they turned into energy that sent heat across the room.

"This is... lightning element..." The senior mutters though he could never guess how the wind element gathered the power of lightning.

More electricity gathers, and it slowly gathers up to his palm; then as it gathers, he abruptly crushes, causing the accumulated energy to run havoc. Although the gather power wasn't that strong it was enough to blow some stuff while the members of the council shield themselves from the small embers of electricity.

"This is amazing," someone mutters while their shield shakes a bit due to the wave of power from the crushed lightning orb.

"Whoah!" One even exclaimed surprised by the mere exhibition.

"Well, so the duel wasn't just a farce between the two brothers," some even whisper, but Apollo never cares anyway.

Soon, the wave of power dissipated, and the room was left with a few items that either flowed out of the window or fell over; in the end, everyone was satisfied.

The senior who made the challenge stood up from his seat and said, "My actions a while ago are embarrassing let me apologize, my name is Rago Manuel welcome to the council"

"Jana Deleon welcome"

"Indigo Andres welcome"

One by one, the student council members began to approach and introduce themselves, and Celestine, with her confident look, just stared at her members as if already knowing the outcome.

"It seems you expected that scenario, Celestine," the vice president just said as he calmly studied her reaction.

"Don't give that look," she snarls, not liking how the man beside her looks at her as if she is some kind of guinea pig.

"I apologize I just want to know what you are thinking"

"Ah..that what if I told you I just want to smack you right now"

"How harsh my dear president...harsh"

Celestine just rolled her eyes, not wanting to get involved with him any longer.

In the end, the day ended with Apollo being warmly welcomed by the council. He was able to know them personally and not just some letters or numbers in the data. For an entire day, he followed them around under the gist of learning and found that they really had a wide connection among the upper year. Even the newly transferred students were actively conversing with them. This level of authority is one of the things someone needs if they are up to something. Connection, influence, and authority: If Apollo sticks around more, he might be able to find out the reason why the emperor wants him to investigate the seniors.

.

.

.

The dim glow of the enchanted lamps in the common room flickered softly as Apollo stirred his tea, watching the liquid ripple. The warmth of the cup seeped into his hands its fragrance came to him, but his mind remained thinking about the people he had met the entire day.

Then, as he thought of many possibilities, he suddenly blurted, "There are many ways to investigate what transpired last school year—one of them is either asking the witnesses or the victims themselves."

Across from him, Alicia leaned back in her seat, her arms crossed as she studied him. "And how do you plan to find them? The previous lower class was disbanded. How do you even know who they are or where they went?"

Apollo smiled, tapping his fingers against the porcelain cup. "Oh, that was simple. I talked to the headmaster and got their personal data."

Alicia frowned and said. "You what? Isn't that against the headmaster's oath? Wouldn't he receive backlash from the oath, after all, information is one of the things he needs to protect"

Apollo waved a hand dismissively. "Not if I bent the rules a little. I pretended to be a family member of one of the students and told the headmaster I wanted to organize a reunion for all of his classmates."

She blinked before bursting into laughter. "And he actually bought that?"

"Of course not," Apollo said with a grin. "The headmaster obviously knew I was lying, but as long as he doesn't acknowledge it out loud, the oath won't activate."

Alicia shook her head in amusement, not knowing what tricks her friend had in store. "Only you would think of something so ridiculous… and actually get away with it."

Apollo leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "So, I joined the student council to gain knowledge about the seniors while also getting close to them. But right now, I can't get anything. Even with my spy insects monitoring them, their routines seem completely normal; I even put spies in each dorm."

Alicia's expression grew serious. "That's suspicious in itself. Are they being careful, or is there something preventing you from seeing their true movements?"

Apollo let out a slow breath. "That's what I need to find out. I've already gathered information on the council members, but it's not enough. Tell me what you think."

Alicia tapped her fingers on the table. "Elaborate on the members again, this time with their abilities."

Apollo nodded, his mind shifting into analysis mode as he listed off each member:

Celestine (President): A master strategist and the only one in the council who truly plays neutral (sometimes). Her ability, "Arbiter's Dominion," allows her to enforce temporary contracts between people, ensuring fairness but also making her a dangerous negotiator. Her main element is fire. (Note she is similar to Alicia in a way)

(Vice President): Cunning, playful, but dangerously sharp. His ability, "Twilight Influence," lets him subtly manipulate the emotions of those around him, making it easier for him to persuade or control people. Also, he had the power of God, but he is not a descendant; in theory, he should be God's chosen champion, but that God is currently unknown.

Jana Rooke (Secretary): A perfectionist with a near-photographic memory. Her ability, "Echo Recollection," lets her recall and replicate anything she has seen or heard before. Her element is the wind like me. Strangely, I can't pinpoint where, but something is wrong with her club. Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

Indigo Andres(Treasurer): The silent observer, rarely speaking unless necessary. His ability, "Veil of Obscurity," makes him almost undetectable to sensory skills, including my spy insects, but still, I can handle him.

Rago Manuel (Disciplinary Officer): A brute force fighter with "Iron Judgment," enhancing his body's durability and strength exponentially. He enforces the academy's rules through sheer dominance. He lacks the ability to think sometimes, is reckless, and easily enters a fight.

He showed that list, and Alicia couldn't help but laugh as she saw his personal opinion on each member, but then Apollo wasn't done. He began talking, and his friend just obediently listened. By the time Apollo finished discussing their abilities, the sky outside had darkened completely. The last of the sunset had vanished, replaced by the cool glow of moonlight streaming through the windows.

Alicia sighed, rubbing her temples. "This isn't going to be easy. All of them don't seem to have good abilities to lead people, and most of all, they're also incredibly cautious. If they're hiding something, it's buried deep but I also thought that it might not be them either"

"What do you mean?"

"Just think about it what if the council is just a decoy and the real thing that you need to find is just circling around escaping your detection"

Apollo drained the last of his tea, setting the cup down gently. "I will increase my surveillance around the people around them, I will get their abilities checked as well, and at the same time, I will get even more involved in the council. If they won't slip up on their own, I'll make them."

Alicia smirked. "You really do love playing dangerous games but it seems even long ones are good to you as well, right?"

Apollo stood, stretching his arms. "Of course. What's the fun in taking the easy route but don't worry I am not neglecting the orders of the emperor"

Alicia just shook her head, thinking how funny Apollo handled the situation.

"You should hasten what you are doing I fear it is urgent and that is why the emperor urges you"

"I know, but I see no traces I could use. At the same time, they provided no details to me, just the order to investigate the seniors. I don't even know what I should look into that is why I am looking at multiple possibilities"

"Hmmm....do you want me to help?"

"In what way?"

"I am not particularly certain but I know someone from the faculty I could probably ask for a favor or two"

"That is also good but be careful not to gain suspicion"

"Don't worry I could just use investigating the last year's event as a disguise to hide what I truly wanted to know"

"Alright do what you want"

As their classmates finally returned from training, the two decided to rest for the night. But Apollo's mind was already turning.

Tomorrow, he would take the next step.