CHAPTER 86: TRUTH BEHIND THE VELMEIRION BLOOD AND THE HIGHER HOUSES

Miyu drew in a slow, deep breath, her chest rising gently before she exhaled, the sound trembling faintly through her lips. "Hm... well, that settles it," she murmured, though her cheeks were still painted in soft crimson. Her eyes glimmered under the dim light, locking onto Eran’s with a warmth that carried both composure and something tender beneath it.

"You haven’t been around throughout last week," Eran murmured, tilting his head slightly in curiosity. "You told me you were summoned by the High Council or did I forget?"

He arched a brow slightly as his voice dropped into a quiet murmur. "You did mention that, didn’t you ?"

But before he could say more, Miyu’s tone filled the air again, calm and warm. "Yes, Eran. I told you I’d be away through the week. My presence was needed for a family meeting within my house." Her gaze wavered for a brief moment, thoughtful. "I thought it might not take long, but perhaps it did. I wasn’t sure then... I suppose it took more time than I expected."

Eran’s expression softened. His hand moved slowly, brushing a loose strand of her hair behind her ear as his curiosity deepened. "Yes, you’re right... you told me about that," he said in a low tone. "Though, I couldn’t help but wonder... if it involved something urgent enough for them to summon you, especially knowing you had a duel approaching within days."

Miyu’s gaze softened, her breath leaving her lips in a slow exhale as if releasing a weight she’d been holding since the topic began. "Of course you’d notice more than I imagined, Eran," she murmured, her tone steady but touched with faint admiration. Her eyes glimmered with thought as she slowly raised one finger, the faint trace of a noble’s grace moving through her gestures.

"Well... firstly, it was about the outside raiders and the ongoing battles," she began. "Not just about the academy itself, but the six ranks in the hierarchy. Out of them, only two major ranks are directly connected to the outside regions of this school. Due to their immense power, they’re the ones sent to the frontlines fighting against our rivals—mostly beings unlikely to be human.

Eran’s brows furrowed faintly.

She continued, her tone shifting lower, more focused. "The city of Datreon... that’s the main flaw. It’s ruled by an S-Rank King, an ex-general from one of the top academies long ago. His rule is brutal, yet perfectly calculated. Two of the top demonic hierarchies support his dominion, giving Datreon the reach and strength to rival nearly all schools combined."

Her eyes drifted to the floor for a moment, as if picturing the blood-stained lands she described. "Our academy—our top nobles... are only permitted to engage against rival schools of similar ranking. We don’t directly interfere with Datreon or its allies. Our goal is to capture enemy cadets, extract intelligence, and uncover Datreon’s true motives. Most of what we learn comes from the borders... or from those who never return."

Eran’s gaze remained calm and unreadable, though his mind drifted beyond her words. This was the first time he’d heard anything substantial about the world outside the academy’s walls. He realized that Miyu, as a noble from a high house, likely knew vital intelligence about the school’s hierarchy and the external threats, despite her current rank.

Driven by this realization, he asked gently, "If I’m guessing correctly... there are other academies beyond this one. I recall something during the Grade-C announcements about an upcoming MIARCH DAY... a convergence event where academies display their pride, strength, and power. A grand duel event of sorts, If that’s the case, why do you mainly speak of these two rival academies?".

He tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into a half-smile "It may seem unclear to me. Perhaps it’s the first time I’ve heard about things from the outside academy."

Miyu chuckled softly under her breath, her calm smile returning as she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Well... perhaps I thought so. Only the High Houses have access to full information about the hierarchy’s dealings beyond our walls."

Her voice softened further, almost thoughtful. "I wish I could tell you more, Eran. But considering my current grade, even within my family, I’m not privy to everything. My father and brothers often discuss it behind closed doors... and I’ve only caught fragments through my mother’s passing mentions. What I do know is little... but enough to understand that what lies beyond isn’t as simple as rivalry."

She paused, her eyes flicking back up to meet his. "It’s something darker. The outside academies don’t just compete for pride or honor... they compete for survival."

Eran’s lips curved slowly, amusement flickering beneath his calm expression. Every little word Miyu spoke sank deep into him... confirming what his instincts had been telling him since that day. For someone like Miyu, a Velmeirion blood, she wasn’t just another noble sitting in the shadows of her house name. She carried the refinement, the insight, the subtle grace of someone born into high circles... the kind that moved the academy’s politics from behind veils and sealed doors.

Though for her rank a grade D nobles... she was privy to information about the academy’s hierarchy and governance that far exceeded what any other noble at their grade level could grasp.

Knowing these few details, Eran steered the conversation, feigning quiet curiosity. "I was quite concerned earlier," he began in a tone soft but deliberate, "about that new noble who suddenly rose into the spotlight these past few days. If I’m not wrong..." he paused, watching her closely, "you saw the crystalline-haired noble during the disciplinary committee sign-in, didn’t you?"

Miyu’s gaze sharpened, though faint

Eran continued, his tone deepening. "Firstly, during the signing week, all enforcers bowed slightly toward him when he stepped in. And as if that wasn’t strange enough — Professor Girzar himself," he let out a soft laugh, "the same man who’d rather die than bend a rule or his pride... actually lowered his head before this noble, without hesitation or concern for his public reputation.

His words carried weight... each one measured, calm, but with that same glint of underlying interest.

"In just a week," Eran went on, "everything in the star dome began revolving around that one figure. The duels, the gossip, even the council’s tone shifted subtly. A crystalline-haired noble, unknown and yet commanding silence wherever he walks. Everyone’s been watching him, trying to guess his background, but none dare speak of it too loudly."

Eran tilted his head, winking an eyebrow as if testing his words, "If I’m not mistaken, it’s been a week since this sudden figure emerged, and the other nobles were stunned. Possibly because they haven’t seen a new noble with such a silent presence commanding such authority without a word."

All words were stated carefully, revolving around this new figure.

When suddenly, Miyu’s laughter broke through... a sound calm and collected, as if she wasn’t bothered or surprised by a single word.

Without hesitation, she exclaimed, pointing a single finger up trying to suppress the laughter she couldn’t hold back.

For a long moment, Eran stared directly into her eyes, curiosity turning to realization. The amusement and unbothered nature of Miyu’s laughter gave him a significant hint. He was quite sure what he thought was right about the new noble’s presence. Not mistaken, the figure was a bloodline of Miyu’s house.

Eran exhaled softly, lowering his head in an amused smirk spreading across his face.

"So I was right after all..."

The words lingered between them, like a shared admission of his accurate deduction.

Eran leaned slightly forward, his gaze softening as Miyu’s tone shifted from light amusement to something quieter, more honest. Her fingers laced together atop her lap, her composure still noble, though her gesture wavering

Miyu quickly raised her chin, trying to suppress her sudden laughter with a wry cough. "Ahem! Ahem!" She attempted to play cool, though clear traces of amusement still lingered across her face.

"Well, you’re right, Eran." Her words settled, confirming his suspicions. "He’s my brother — one immediate senior to me. We’re four siblings from our parents: two sons, two daughters."

She flexed her palms lightly in the air as if counting invisible names, her expression gentling into something reflective. "Our family... the Velmeirion Blood... isn’t just a name for nobility. It’s a lineage carved through generations. Our aunt, uncle, cousins—everyone who carries even a fraction of our blood is born under the same crest. It’s said that our line was one of the first noble houses to stand when the Six Ranks were formed. Every generation produces someone who rises to Rank V or above, most being Grade B nobles."

Her eyes flicked back to Eran, glimmering with both pride and restraint. "That’s why they call us Velmeirion Blood... not as a title, but as an identity. The bloodline itself is almost a hierarchy within the hierarchy. Every major house in this academy has at least one member that shares ties to ours, even distantly. The professors know that, the council knows that, it’s one reason no one questions when a Velmeirion steps forward."