READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 32: Chapter ³² The Order of the Veil
Chapter 32: The Order of the Veil
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Narration Mode Activated
"When life gives you lemons, you're supposed to make lemonade. When life gives you a summons from a shadowy organization with ominous undertones? You make plans. Specifically, plans to not die."
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The next morning, I'm standing in front of my mirror, trying to decide if I should wear something that says "approachable" or "please don't murder me."
Reina is sitting on my bed, arms crossed, watching me with a mix of exasperation and concern.
"Why are you even considering going?" she asks. "You don't know what they want."
"That's exactly why I need to go," I reply, tugging at my jacket.
"You're walking into a trap!"
"Probably," I admit. "But I've got to play their game if I want answers."
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Kira leans against the doorframe, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"She's not wrong," she says. "The Order of the Veil doesn't summon people lightly. They either see you as a threat—or a pawn."
"Comforting," I mutter.
Blobby pops out of my bag, cheerfully oblivious. "Boss, I can come with you! I'm great at negotiations!"
"No," Kira and Reina say in unison.
Blobby deflates. "Rude."
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Narration Mode Activated
"So here's the setup: I'm about to walk into a meeting with people who might want me dead, my stalker is giving me survival tips, and my best friend is one bad decision away from locking me in my room. Just another Tuesday."
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The letter specified a location just outside town, near an abandoned temple. By the time I arrive, the sun is high in the sky, casting long shadows over the crumbling structure.
Kira insisted on coming with me, though she's hanging back in the trees, ready to intervene if things go south. Reina…well, she wanted to come too, but I managed to talk her out of it. Barely.
As I approach the temple, a figure steps out from the shadows—a tall woman clad in silver and black armor, her face partially obscured by a hood.
"Akira Takahashi," she says, her voice calm and commanding.
"That's me," I reply, keeping my tone light. "And you are?"
"Call me Seryn," she says. "Welcome to the Order of the Veil."
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She gestures for me to follow her inside, and I resist the urge to glance back at Kira's hiding spot.
The interior of the temple is surprisingly intact, with high ceilings and intricate carvings depicting battles between light and shadow. A circular table sits in the center, surrounded by several robed figures.
"Dramatic setup," I mutter under my breath.
Seryn leads me to the table and motions for me to sit. I oblige, feeling the weight of a dozen pairs of eyes on me.
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The leader of the group, a man with a scar running down his cheek, speaks first.
"You've awakened the power of the dragon," he says.
"Yep," I reply, leaning back in my chair. "And before you ask, no, I don't have a user manual."
A murmur ripples through the group, and I can feel their unease.
"You think this is a joke?" the leader snaps.
"No," I say, my tone turning serious. "But I also don't appreciate being dragged into your cryptic nonsense without a proper explanation. So how about you tell me what you want?"
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Narration Mode Activated
"Pro tip: when dealing with shadowy organizations, always sound more confident than you feel. Bonus points if you can make them doubt themselves instead of you."
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The leader glares at me but doesn't respond immediately. Instead, Seryn speaks up.
"The Order exists to maintain balance," she says. "We prevent forces like yours from tipping the scales."
"Forces like mine?" I echo. "You mean dragons?"
"Yes," she says. "Your power is dangerous, Akira. If left unchecked, it could destroy everything."
"And if I told you I have no intention of destroying anything?"
"That's irrelevant," the leader cuts in. "Intentions mean nothing when power like yours runs rampant."
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Blobby, who had somehow managed to sneak into the room, decides this is the perfect time to chime in.
"Boss isn't dangerous! He's just bad at math!"
The entire room freezes, their gazes snapping to the blob.
"What is that?" one of them asks, clearly alarmed.
"My…pet," I say quickly, shooting Blobby a warning glare.
Blobby puffs up indignantly. "I'm more than a pet! I'm an indispensable ally!"
Seryn looks like she's trying very hard not to laugh.
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The leader slams his hand on the table. "Enough! This is not a game."
"I never said it was," I reply, my voice cold. "But if you want me to take you seriously, you're going to have to stop treating me like a problem to be solved and start treating me like a person."
The tension in the room thickens, but Seryn speaks up again, her tone more measured.
"What we're offering, Akira, is guidance. Control. Without it, your power will consume you."
"And what's the catch?" I ask.
"There is no catch," she says. "Only a choice."
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Narration Mode Activated
"Here's the thing about choices: they're never as simple as they seem. Especially when they're presented by people who probably have an agenda."
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Seryn steps closer, her gaze locking with mine.
"Will you accept our help?"
I hesitate, my mind racing. On one hand, they might genuinely have the means to help me control this power. On the other hand…
"Can I think about it?" I ask.
The leader looks like he wants to argue, but Seryn nods.
"Take your time," she says. "But not too long. The balance is fragile, and every moment counts."
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As I leave the temple, Kira steps out of her hiding spot, her expression grim.
"Well?" she asks.
"They want to help me control my power," I say.
"And do you believe them?"
"Nope," I reply.
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Narration Mode Activated
"Trust is a funny thing. You'd think I'd have learned to give it sparingly by now. And yet, here I am, wondering if maybe, just maybe, the Order of the Veil isn't as bad as they seem. Spoiler: they probably are."
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End of Chapter 32