NTR School: S Rank Student

The two queens stared at Raphael, their minds racing with questions. But they didn't need to ask—Raphael told them everything.

He recounted every detail of his journey, sparing nothing. From his battle at the Three Divine Academies to his escape from the palace… even the moment when he had fingered the Emperor's daughter.

That particular detail made Maria shift uncomfortably in her seat, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.

By the time he finished, he expected them to be furious. After all, he had just killed a student of one of the most powerful schools in the empire, practically ensuring that the Five Schools had gained an enemy.

But what the queens said next surprised him.

"He attacked you first," Maria said sincerely, her voice calm. "And you said you gained a new power from it? Then it was worth it."

Harmony nodded in agreement. "She's right. This new power could be crucial when the Emperor retaliates. The bigger question is… if the Emperor attacks only the Rose School, who will stand with us?"

Maria turned to Harmony, her expression firm. "It goes without saying that the Phoenix School will stand by your side."

Harmony smiled. The two queens had grown much closer in recent times.

"However," Maria continued, "I can't speak for the other schools."

At the mention of the others, a thought ran through Raphael's mind.

"The Sword Queen will aid us," he said. "I haven't visited her since returning, but once I do, she should help our cause."

Despite his confident words, he had doubts.

Cecilia Evergarden was not an easy woman. He had seen firsthand how cold she could be. But she had given him a task—to kill Christopher Reynolds. And he had done exactly that.

She will have to acknowledge me now.

The queens exchanged glances before Harmony's curiosity got the better of her.

"You've managed to conquer Cecilia?" she asked, her tone raised in disbelief.

Her admiration for Raphael seemed to grow with every passing feat.

Raphael scratched his chin, a small smirk forming.

"We'll see."

---

Raphael had no idea when the Emperor would strike.

But he knew it was coming.

There was no time to waste.

After finishing his conversation with the queens, he made his way directly to the Sword School.

His nerves were unusual. He wasn't afraid of Cecilia Evergarden, yet there was something about her that set his blood on fire. Her beauty. Her coldness. The way she made men feel like they could look, but they would never have a chance to touch.

It had been a long time since he had this much desire to conquer a woman.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in."

A soft, muffled voice came from behind the door.

Raphael pushed it open and stepped inside.

The office of the Sword Queen was vastly different from the others. It didn't resemble a formal study or an office of power—it was a lounge.

At the centre were four blue sofas, arranged around a table. The space was inviting, but its owner was anything but.

Cecilia Evergarden lay on her back across one of the sofas, completely at ease.

She wore a tight-fitting pair of black pants, perfectly outlining the curves of her legs, and a blue fur-lined jacket that barely hid the shape of her body.

Her long blonde hair was spread out beneath her, her sharp eyes closed, as if she were resting.

Even in this state, she radiated control.

Raphael's gaze trailed along her body. Her curves were plentiful, her posture lazy, yet there was an untouchable air about her.

She knew she was beautiful. She knew that men looked at her.

And she didn't care.

Raphael cleared his throat.

No response.

He stepped further inside, waiting for her to acknowledge him.

Finally, she spoke.

"Is he dead?"

She didn't open her eyes. She didn't need to elaborate—Raphael knew exactly who she meant.

"Yes," he answered, taking a seat beside her. The sofa was soft, sinking beneath him. "Christopher Reynolds died to my flames in the Three Academies."

Silence.

Then, Cecilia opened her eyes.

She slowly sat up, her posture effortless, finally meeting his gaze.

Her eyes were sharp. Piercing. Testing.

Raphael didn't look away.

"Was it difficult?" she asked.

"Hardly," Raphael replied, voice steady. "He carried a power that I needed for my progression, but something tells me you already knew that—yet you didn't mention it."

The accusation didn't bother her.

She simply tilted her head slightly. "The flames? Yes. I knew there were similarities to your abilities. But I did not know they would benefit you."

Raphael almost grinned.

For some reason, he wanted to explain his power to her.

"Not only have I taken his power," he said, voice filled with pride, "but I have stolen his birthright. It now belongs to a more worthy candidate."

For the first time, Cecilia's expression changed.

Her golden eyes flickered with genuine surprise.

She studied him closely, as if trying to gauge whether he was lying.

The ability to steal another's birthright? Cecilia thought, not knowing the entire truth about the dragons. Interesting.

"Now," Raphael continued, leaning forward slightly, "are you going to tell me why you wanted Christopher dead? I know he was a bad man, but what exactly did he do?"

Cecilia exhaled through her nose, as if debating whether or not to answer.

Then, she spoke.

"The sins of the father are to be laid upon the children."

Raphael frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Christopher wasn't from here," Cecilia continued. "His father was a member of the Dunkelwacht—a group residing on an island far from this land."

Raphael's confusion only grew.

"The Dunkelwacht? Who are they?"

"It doesn't matter." Cecilia's voice was sharp, yet calm. "That isn't why you came here, is it?"

Raphael went silent.

She read my intentions that quickly…

She crossed one long leg over the other, watching him carefully.

"You want the Sword School's aid when Emperor Joshua strikes, don't you?"

Raphael nodded.

Cecilia leaned back slightly. "I'll help you. Don't worry. The Sword School would never turn down a battle."

That's it?

Raphael kept his composure, but inwardly, he grinned.

He hadn't conquered the Sword Queen, but he had taken a step closer.

He just needed to find a way to get through to her. To get closer...

"You have our thanks," Raphael said, dipping his head slightly.

But before he could rise, Cecilia raised a hand, stopping him.

"Don't think that because I've agreed to help you, I will be like Harmony," she said bluntly. "I know what you and her have… done. Not every woman is unfaithful to their husband. As long as you understand that, we will have no quarrels."

Raphael froze.

Shit. How does she know about that? Do the Queen's gossip about their lovers?

But his mind fixated on something else.

She had just mentioned that she had a partner.

The thought only excited him further.

His confidence returned. His nerves vanished.

"Well," Raphael smirked, his tone playful. "The offer is always there. I must be doing something right if both Harmony and Maria want me to themselves. But I understand."

Without another word, he left the room.

---

Cecilia slowly lay back down, closing her eyes.

Her thoughts drifted. Something the student said had intrigued her.

Maria? The boy is involved with the Phoenix Queen as well?

…

What could possibly be so good about him?