Chapter 58: Join my House
She wasn't dead, but her eyes were reeling from the attack. Her head was throbbing, she had a slightly dazed look on her face, and by the time she got herself under control, she felt something cold and sharp pressed against her neck.
"I win."
She stared up at Severin dumbly, her eyes glistening with anger and shame.
She couldn't pinpoint how it all went wrong. From where to where? She was winning, right? She was supposed to win. There was no situation where Severin should have won.
But he did.
Now his sword was pressed against her neck.
She shuddered. "I surrender."
Severin withdrew the sword.
The arena was deathly silent, and just like with Ethan's time, no one clapped or cheered his name. Everyone was surprised by the turn of events, even his allies.
Severin turned his head up to where a small formation that he was sure was like a camera was set in the ridges of the roof. He smiled. "This is such an easy test."
Then he turned back. He wasn't done after all. He'd done the first thing he came to, which was to make a statement. By defeating the strongest, wasn't he the strongest himself?
Although it wasn't pretty straightforward like that, the idea was already planted into everyone's mind.
The next thing to do was to add to his House members.
And he'd chosen Serena Ashford.
"Join my House."
She was kneeling clumsily on the ground, the strongest person in Class Four, defeated by a stone. She gritted her teeth. "Haven't you done enough? Leave me be!"
"What do you want? I'll give it to you if you join my House."
The reply stunned her so much that she was temporarily brought out of her misery, and she lifted her head to look at him. A sarcastic look crossed her face. "Sure, the weakest one with the trashy House thinks he can give you all you want. Who wouldn't want an opportunity like that?"
Severin's face and aura had changed back to that of a cold person. He stared back down at her. "The weakest that defeated the strongest. Don't be stupid, Serena Ashford. Use your head."
"You only defeated me because of the tricks you play. Besides... besides, if this was a fight to the death..."
"Meet me in the House of Chains building tomorrow morning. You want to lead your family and build them into something worth your imagination? Then come. I will give you what you want."
Again, she was stunned. How did he know what her dream was? She couldn't help it; her heart began to beat fast. Could... could it be why Ethan followed him? Because he gave him something he couldn't achieve on his own?
But she gritted her teeth when she remembered the view that Severin held about women. She knew she couldn't bring herself to follow such a person. "Do you really think women are like that? Do you believe in something like that...?"
Severin paused and actually smiled. "Use your head, Serena Ashford. Does it matter what you are now? With Etherion, we are simply vessels, husks that are measured by the power they hold. Men? Women? Nobody cares. Are you powerful?"
He turned to go. "Next time, don't let your emotions control you."
She gritted her teeth when she realized she'd been played. He knew what her stance was on certain issues, and he'd used it against her without thinking twice.
And she fell for it.
That was the beginning of her defeat.
The class duel had come to an end.
An unexpected end, and victory went to team leader Severin Reignhart.
And the second person who benefited the most was Julius, who suddenly realized that he won all the bets. He stood up, the only one to do so, and clapped, shouting, "House Chains!"
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"We should go out and celebrate, see all this gold we made!" Derrick shouted.
Julius adjusted his glasses and glared behind them. "All the gold that I made. Where were you when I was betting on Severin? That's right, you were busy betting against him!"
At least Derrick had the grace to look sheepish.
It was evening of the same day, and they just had the opportunity to gather now because Severin went to the training center immediately after the fight.
"This gold, I'm giving House Leader a cut, and then I'm saving the rest. I'll treat you to a warm dinner, Celia," Julius said.
Ethan coughed, but Julius appeared as if he couldn't see anyone apart from Severin and Celia.
"Congratulations, Severin. I didn't know you were that strong," Ethan said solemnly.
Severin nodded calmly, but he knew what was coming next.
"That technique you used, I've not seen anyone use something like that before. Making the sword go faster than your body? How did you even come up with something like that? Teach it to me. Please."
Severin shrugged. "Maybe. We'll see."
That's what he said, but he knew he wouldn't be teaching anything to anyone. How would he teach Stigma to someone? He only said that to stop him from asking more.
"Another win for House Chains," Celia said.
Ethan stood up. "I have to go. I still have a lot to do if I want to get perfect control of my new technique."
"That's true. I should go as well," Celia scowled as she stood from the table, groaning. "Let's put the dinner to another night, Julius. Catch you later."
Derrick stood as well without speaking any words. He'd avoided speaking to Severin since the mock battle ended.
"You will wait behind, Derrick. Julius, you can retire for the night. Don't forget our appointment tomorrow." Severin's voice was cold and flat.
Derrick froze and stiffened.
Julius adjusted his glasses. He looked from Severin to Derrick and then nodded, saying simply, "Alright."
Leaving the two of them alone.
Derrick and Severin.
Subordinate and master.
But lately, the subordinate was trying to grow his wings.
...this... this is the issue with my powers and why I can't just go to anyone strong... they would just take advantage... a shadow... a battery in the background... and the loyalty clause could still be fulfilled... even people stay loyal to dogs...
...Derrick is trying to treat me like just an artifact in a corner that's just there to give him more power...
Severin raised his eyes. "Why?"