Chapter 7 – Shadows in the Council
The academy conflict was only the surface.
Beneath it…
Political forces had already begun moving.
---
The Noble Assembly
In the imperial capital, the Great Noble Council gathered inside a massive hall carved from black stone.
Representatives from powerful families sat around a circular table.
At the center stood a holographic projection of Audrey.
His recent victories.
His shattered crystal test.
His duel against Markus.
All recorded.
One noble slammed his fist onto the table.
"He is growing too fast!"
"First he destroys a sacred artifact."
"Then he defeats a duke's heir."
"Now he forms alliances with strategic nobles."
Another added coldly:
"And he attracts loyalty from female mages."
The room became silent.
A senator spoke carefully:
"His power alone is manageable."
"But his influence is dangerous."
"If he controls economic resources and military alliances…"
"He could rival the throne."
An older noble narrowed his eyes.
"Then we eliminate the problem before it matures."
---
The Assassination Plan
That night, two masked assassins infiltrated the academy grounds.
They were elite killers hired secretly by a faction inside the council.
Their mission:
Eliminate Audrey.
Silence his system before it destabilizes the empire.
They moved through shadows silently.
One whispered:
"He usually trains late at night."
"The garden area is isolated."
"That's our target."
---
The Attack
Audrey was alone in the training courtyard.
He was practicing control over his gold conversion ability.
Golden particles swirled around his hand as he concentrated.
Suddenly —
His system triggered an alert.
Threat Detection Activated
Audrey's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Enemies?"
Before he could react —
Two dark figures appeared from behind pillars.
Magic blades already aimed at his back.
Swish!
Audrey instinctively jumped forward.
The blades barely missed him.
The assassins were fast.
Professional.
One of them spoke under his mask.
"Target confirmed."
"Eliminate."
They attacked simultaneously.
One launched a shadow chain spell to restrict movement.
The other rushed forward with a poisoned dagger.
Audrey activated his system reflexively.
Gold Conversion: Defensive Barrier
Golden energy exploded around him — blocking the shadow chains.
The dagger struck the barrier and shattered.
The assassin's eyes widened.
"What is this defense?!"
---
Counterattack
Audrey didn't hesitate.
He converted 20,000 gold into temporary speed amplification.
His body moved like lightning.
He appeared behind the first assassin and delivered a precise strike to the shoulder — disabling the arm.
The second assassin attempted to retreat.
Too late.
Audrey grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the ground.
The impact cracked the stone floor.
"Who sent you?"
The assassin remained silent.
Audrey pressed harder.
Golden energy tightened around the man's throat.
"Speak."
The assassin finally whispered:
"…The Council."
That answer confirmed it.
Audrey's expression darkened.
He released the man — not out of mercy — but calculation.
Killing them would expose evidence too early.
Instead…
He knocked both unconscious and used system authority to erase trace mana signatures.
---
The Discovery
Moments later, Selene arrived after receiving an emergency alert from the system bond.
She saw the destroyed courtyard and unconscious bodies.
Her eyes widened.
"An assassination attempt?"
Audrey nodded calmly.
"They underestimated me."
Selene clenched her fists.
"This confirms it."
"Political factions inside the empire see you as a threat."
She looked at him seriously.
"They won't stop."
Audrey replied quietly:
"Good."
Selene stared at him.
"Good?"
He turned toward the dark horizon.
"If they attack openly…"
"They reveal themselves."
"And once exposed…"
"They can be removed."
Selene realized something then.
His power wasn't just physical.
He was learning political warfare.
---
Seeds of Jealousy Begin
Across the academy, rumors spread quickly.
Some students heard that assassins targeted Audrey.
Others heard that Selene rushed to his side immediately after.
And some female students who had previously admired him…
Began to feel insecurity.
"Why does she always stand closest to him?"
"Has he already chosen her?"
Jealous whispers quietly formed.
Not hostility yet.
But tension.
And tension…
Always leads to conflict.
---
Meanwhile in the shadows —
The nobles who ordered the assassination received a message.
"Target survived."
The room fell silent.
One man whispered:
"…Then next time."
"We send something stronger."
The game had escalated.
And Audrey had officially become a threat worth eliminating.
---
End of Chapter 79