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Chapter: The Council’s Decision
Day: One Week Before the School Year Begins8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdF0PgPaGUA
Time: Late Morning8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX5JaBRqu7
Location: Hero Academy — Council Chamber
The late-morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the Hero Academy Council Chamber, casting long beams of gold across the polished floor. It should have felt warm. Safe. Heroic.
But Aria felt cold.
Solaris walked beside her, guiding her into the room with a gentle hand on her back. The chamber was quiet except for the soft rustle of robes as the Hero Council sat waiting at a long table. Their expressions were serious—too serious for a girl who had not even started school yet.
And at the far end of the room, already standing in the shadows, was Nocturne.
Her father.
He did not sit. He did not greet Solaris. He did not even move. He just watched Aria with that sharp, unreadable stare that made her feel both protected and exposed.
Aria took the seat placed directly between her parents.
Of course they put her in the middle.
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Headmaster Aurelius folded his hands.
“Thank you for coming. We are here to discuss the situation regarding Aria Nightingale. As of this morning, both Hero Academy and Villain Academy have issued acceptance letters.”
Aria’s stomach twisted.
A councilwoman leaned forward.
“This has never happened before. We must determine where she will be enrolled before the school year begins.”
Aria stared at her hands.
She wished she could disappear.
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Solaris rose first, her voice steady but emotional.
“Aria belongs at Hero Academy. She needs guidance, structure, and a safe environment. She needs—”
“She needs Villain Academy,” Nocturne interrupted, stepping forward. “She needs discipline. Strategy. Strength. She needs to understand the world as it truly is.”
Solaris glared.
“She needs support, Damien.”
“And she will have it,” Nocturne replied. “With me.”
Solaris took a step toward him.
“You want to turn her into a weapon.”
“And you want to turn her into a symbol.”
Aria’s heart pounded.
Her throat tightened.
Finally, she whispered,
“Can you both stop? You’re talking about me like I’m not even here.”
Both parents froze—just for a second.
But then the argument resumed.
“She's not meant for your academy,” Solaris said.
“She is not meant for yours,” Nocturne shot back.
“She needs safety.”
“She needs power.”
Aria clenched her fists.
“I didn’t ask for any of this...”
Her voice was small, but it cut through the tension.
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SLAM.
A councilman’s hand hit the table.
“Enough.”
The room fell silent.
He stood, his eyes sharp.
“If we force her to choose one academy, the other will see it as an attack.”
A councilwoman nodded.
“The public will panic. Rumors will spread. The academies will clash.”
Another added,
“This could escalate into a conflict between heroes and villains. We cannot allow that.”
Aria swallowed hard.
“I never wanted to cause trouble...”
Solaris and Nocturne both looked at her—really looked at her—for the first time since the meeting began.
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Headmaster Aurelius rose from his seat.
“There is only one solution that prevents disaster.”
He looked directly at Aria.
“Aria Nightingale will attend both academies.”
Aria’s breath caught.
“Both...? You mean... I have to go to both?”
Solaris inhaled sharply.
Nocturne’s expression flickered—surprise, calculation, something else.
A councilwoman wrote the words into the official record.
“For the first time in history, a student will be dual-enrolled.
Hero Academy on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Villain Academy on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
Aria’s voice trembled.
“I... I don’t know if I can do that.”
Solaris reached for her hand.
Nocturne’s eyes softened—barely. “Aria, it’s ok.” He looks at the council. “See. She’s doubting herself. Let’s not overwhelm the child and just have her attend villain academy.”
“Damien.” Solaris started with a sharp tone. “Did you not hear a word they said about her attending one academy over the other?”
“Yes. And guess what, I don't care. Aria just said that she doesn’t know if she could do this. And she doesn’t have to. Aria, you're coming with me.” Nocturne loses his patience as he reaches her his daughter.
Solaris puts her arm around Aria protectively. “Don’t touch her.”
“Nocturne” Headmaster Aurelius spoke. “I think it's time for you to go.”
“Headmaster, I’m just trying to help her.”
Headmaster Aurelius shook his head. “No. You're just making things more complicated. We are the council, so we make the rules around here.
“But—"
Headmaster Aurelius cut him off. "The decision is final. Aria will attend both academies until she graduates. If you don’t like it, then that's on you. Now get out here. Or I’ll call the guards.”
“Fine. I’m done wasting my time.” Nocturne teleported out of the room, purple and black smoke surrounding his body.
Aria spoke up again. “He scares me.”
Solaris’s grip on her tightened. “He scares everybody. But he is still your father. And whatever he is — that will never change."
Headmaster Aurelius stepped toward them, his voice warm but firm.
"Aria. I know today was a lot. But the decision has been made and we will make sure you have everything you need before the school year begins. Uniform, supplies, accommodations. All of it will be ready."
Aria nodded slowly.
"Thank you sir."
The chamber doors closed behind them with a soft heavy click.
The hallway outside was quiet. Empty. Nothing like the room they had just left.
“Are you okay?” Solaris looked at Aria.
Aria nodded, despite her unease. “Yeah. I just wish my dad wasn't evil.”
Solaris' heart ached for her daughter as she pulled the girl into a hug.
“I know it hurts honey and I wish something can be done. But unfortunately, we have to accept reality.”
As she pulled back, Solaris locked eyes with Aria. “Look, your father loves you. But in his own twisted way. What he did in there, trying to kidnap you, is a perfect example of that. However, he still chose the other side. And that's a choice he has to live with.”
“But mom. You said it yourself that he’s still my father.” Aria stated. “So maybe we can try to-
Solaris cut her off. “What? Talk him out of it? Try to change his mind? No. I’m sorry Aria. He’s too far gone. There’s nothing left of him to save. Now come on, let’s go.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWiaHp3Hmu
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