An Extra’s POV

[The Next Day]

The hallway of the Royal Council looked exquisite as always.

Its polished floors, extravagant designs, and pristine scenery never dulled for the two months that Rey spent in his coma.

There seemed to be quite a few changes to the design of the place, and that was because the battle with Dagon had destroyed a portion of the main building. Still, rather than being a cause for degradation, the redesign worked in favor of the overall aesthetics of the palace.

As Rey and his friends strolled into the inner sanctum, he recognized that there were a lot more security officers than usual, and once he asked, his questions were answered very swiftly.

"Some influential figures are going to be present in today's meeting, so this is a culmination of their guards and ours." The one who did the honors of replying to him was Lucielle, and she did it ever so eagerly.

He smiled and thanked her, hoping she wouldn't use the opportunity to try what she did the previous day.

Thankfully, she did not.

"You're welcome. Once we get inside, I'll take my place beside the Councilors. Brutus is already waiting inside, since I offered to get you all myself."

Right now, Lucielle was leading the charge of Rey, Belle, Clark, and Justin. Ater said he was busy with other businesses, so he excused himself.

As such, the Grand Mage was the only adult in the group--at least, by Earth's standards.

"How kind of you..." Rey mumbled, his guard raised once again.

'Is she trying to get closer to me again? She must really want us to have that conversation, huh?'

"It's no problem. If it wasn't me, it would have been Brutus. I just don't like staying in that stifling place with those old nobles and so-called important men of the Alliance."

Her gaze trailed from him to the rest of the Otherworlders, and she kept on speaking. "They were once nobles of the Kingdoms before the war, and since they still hold sizable influence and wealth--plus, they make contributions to the cause--they are recognized by the Alliance."

In essence, appropriate respect was accorded to them despite them not being directly in control of the Alliance.

be selected as members of the Royal Council. Last I checked, there were three vacant seats." Rey asked, once again diverting her gaze

and shrugged. "Most of them aren't interested in the position, since they would rather live in the South, where it's safe. They're fine with the recognition

what of the ones who are

incompetent buffoons." Lucielle chuckled. "I'm sure one

and so they simply flaunted their heritage and desired more power. Unknown to them, being a member of the Royal Council often meant sacrificing all the benefits

Activities in order to attain wealth. There was hardly any legitimate means to get rich,

it doesn't really matter. They

attitude as she referred to the aristocats made Rey a little amazed. He looked at the other

you think you're being a bit... I don't know... disrespectful towards the important men of the Alliance?" He

than I need them. Plus... they couldn't touch a hair

with the confident way she spoke, made Rey's smile grow broader on

and heard of how you related to everyone as Ralyks." Her gaze narrowed on Rey, with the crimson glow

Stronger than anyone else... there's a lot

did Rey. The rest also followed suit, but they all looked at the two who kept staring at each other with complicated expressions on

agree, Rey

as he heard her call him by his full name. He disliked it

when he realized why, shrugging as he answered her

"I agree."

wasn't wrong. Being unfathomably strong had a lot of perks. They both

But…

desire? If you're strong enough, why are you satisfied being the Grand Mage of the Alliance, working for weaker people, when you could

of power. It was probably because someone of her caliber couldn't work under those less

under the Royal Council and fights

did the same, even when he was Ralyks, but he did things on his own terms. However, for Lucielle, she followed the orders of the Council and was pretty

If I'm this strong, I should at least help people

there to enforce that duty on you? If you choose not to perform it, who can really fault you or

"Me."

"Hmm?"