True God In Another World (Tensura x Tbate)

Chapter 103 - Duty Calls

Lilia Helstea POV

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows through the windows of the Student Council and Disciplinary Committee common room as I pushed open the heavy oak door. The familiar scent of old books and magical artifacts filled my nostrils - a smell unique to this room where we'd spent countless hours planning events and handling student affairs.

"Am I the last one?" I asked, noting the familiar faces around the rectangular table. The polished surface reflected the magical lights floating near the ceiling, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere that felt almost too peaceful for what was to come - though I didn't know that yet.

Tess looked up from her position at the head of the table, her silver hair catching the light. "No, Stefan and Loid haven't arrived yet." Claire sat beside her, as always - the two leaders complementing each other in their roles.

I took my seat to Tess's right, smoothing my uniform skirt as I settled into the familiar chair. Curtis sat opposite me, his usual carefree expression replaced by something more thoughtful. "I wonder why the director called us," he mused, drumming his fingers lightly on the table. "Does anyone have any idea about that?"

Anna, seated next to Curtis, leaned forward slightly. "Maybe it's about the combat tournament?" Her voice carried a note of uncertainty that seemed to reflect the general mood in the room.

"Maybe," I agreed, though something about this sudden joint meeting felt different. "Though it seems unusual to call both councils together so suddenly." The tournament was still weeks away, after all, and we'd already handled most of the preliminary arrangements.

The door burst open again as Stefan and Loid rushed in, both slightly out of breath. Stefan's usually immaculate uniform was slightly rumpled, and Loid's face was flushed from running. "Sorry we're late," Stefan managed between breaths, sliding into the empty seat beside me while Loid took his place next to Anna.

The room fell into expectant silence as we waited. I could feel the tension building, like the pressure before a thunderstorm. When Master finally entered, her presence seemed to fill the room despite her gentle demeanor. Her familiar sweet smile was there, but something about it felt different today - strained around the edges in a way that made my stomach tighten with apprehension.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Master began, her voice carrying its usual warmth even as her eyes remained serious. She moved to stand at the head of the table, between Tess and Claire, her hands clasped loosely in front of her. "We have some matters to discuss regarding recent developments."

Tess straightened in her chair. "Is this about the tournament, Master?"

"Partially," Master replied, and I noticed how she seemed to choose her next words carefully. "But there are other concerns we need to address first."

The light filtering through the windows had taken on the golden quality of late afternoon, casting Master's face in sharp relief as she continued. "All of you here are the academy's finest students, graduating this year." She paused, and I felt my chest tighten at the weight in her next words. "I'm sorry to say this, but with the recent events on the continent, I want you to participate in the war."

The silence that followed was absolute. Even the magical lights seemed to dim slightly, as if responding to the sudden heaviness in the air. I felt my hands clench involuntarily in my lap, the fabric of my skirt bunching between my fingers.

Claire's voice cut through the silence, sharp with disbelief. "War?" Her usual composed expression cracked slightly. "You mean the conflict with—"

"Yes," Master cut her off with a gentle but firm nod. "The situation has escalated more quickly than we anticipated. While we've tried to keep the students isolated from these developments, we can no longer afford that luxury."