The early morning sun cast a golden glow over the ruined city, its light filtering through the drifting mist. Charvet stood on the rooftop, gazing at the distant skyline where remnants of skyscrapers loomed against the sky. His long, dark hair swayed gently in the crisp morning breeze, and his gold and red earrings glimmered as they caught the sunlight. Dressed in casual clothes, he looked relaxed, yet his sharp eyes held a quiet intensity.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
"So, you're here," a familiar voice called out. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
Charvet turned slightly, recognizing Joanne's voice. A hint of confusion flickered in his gaze.
"Are your injuries healed?" he asked. "Why are you looking for me?"
Joanne stepped closer, the soft morning light accentuating her delicate features. "I just wanted to say… thank you."
Charvet raised an eyebrow. "Thank me? For what?"
"For getting revenge for us," Joanne said softly.
A moment of silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant calls of birds and the rustling of the wind. Then, Charvet met her gaze, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. With a small, knowing smile, he said, "I did it for you."
Joanne's breath caught for a second, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. Shyly, she smiled back, the morning sun reflecting in her eyes.
Joanne shifted her gaze to the horizon, the sunlight reflecting in her deep brown eyes. After a brief silence, she suddenly changed the topic.
"I just remembered… you mentioned before that you wanted to create a guild, right?"
Charvet, still watching the ruined city below, replied casually, "Yeah. Why?"
Joanne took a deep breath, then looked at him with unwavering determination. "I want to join your guild."
Charvet turned to her, momentarily taken aback. His golden-red earrings shimmered as they swayed with his movement.
"You?" he asked, surprised. "But you're the leader of this university, right?"
Joanne nodded. "Yes, I am. But… I'm not strong enough to carry the burden of leading all these people," she admitted, her voice steady yet firm. "But you—I know you can. You're strong, super strong. And more than that... you're a good man."
Her eyes softened for a moment before her expression turned resolute.
"I've made up my mind," she continued. "I'll step down as the leader and follow you."
Charvet studied her for a long moment, the wind playing with his hair. Then, a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"You sure about this?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity. "Once you step down, there's no going back. People will question your decision."
Joanne met his gaze without hesitation. "I know," she said firmly. "But I don't care. I trust you, Charvet. And if I'm going to survive in this world, I'd rather do it alongside someone I believe in."
Charvet let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. "You're really something, Joanne."
Before she could respond, a voice called from below.
"Joanne! The meeting is about to start!"
She turned toward the staircase, exhaling deeply. "I guess it's time."
"Come with me to the meeting," Joanne said. "I've already called all the major factions of the university. I want to announce it to them properly."
Charvet raised an eyebrow, then let out a small chuckle. "So, you already thought this through, huh?" He crossed his arms, his golden-red earrings glinting in the morning sun. "Well, I accept. Being the leader of this university is definitely going to help with my ambition."
Joanne glanced at him curiously. "Your ambition?"
Charvet smirked. "You'll see soon enough. But before we go…" He turned to her, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. "Let me tell you a little secret."
Joanne tilted her head. "A secret?"
He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering just enough to make her heart skip a beat. "My player name is Stormbringer."
Joanne frowned slightly, confused at first—until her mind processed the name. Then, her breath hitched.
Stormbringer.
The current number one ranked survivor in the apocalypse.
The name that had been spreading like wildfire. The mysterious player who had risen to the top of the leaderboards faster than anyone else.
And he had been standing in front of her this entire time.
Her mouth parted slightly, struggling to form words. "Y-You… You're Stormbringer?"
Charvet grinned at her reaction, amused. "Surprised?"
"Surprised?!" Joanne almost shouted. "You're telling me that the person who has been dominating the rankings since day one—the one everyone's been trying to find—was you all along?!"
Charvet chuckled, stretching his arms casually. "Well, yeah. But keep it down, will you?"
Joanne took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. The realization hit her like a storm—she had chosen the right person to follow.
Her determination grew even stronger.
"Now," Charvet said, stepping past her toward the stairs, "let's go see how the others react to your decision."
Joanne clenched her fists, her excitement barely contained. Stormbringer… the legend himself.
And she was about to stand by his side.
"You ready?" Charvet asked, his voice low, calm, and steady. His brown eyes locked onto hers, showing a depth of trust that comforted Joanne.
She nodded, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Let's do this."
They walked together toward the meeting room, their footsteps echoing through the silent halls of the university. As they approached the door, Joanne felt her heart race. The representatives of all the factions would be inside, each one waiting for her announcement. The decision she had made would change everything.
The doors opened, and the tension in the room was immediate. All eyes turned to Joanne and Charvet as they entered. Some were curious, others skeptical, but there was a weight in the air—an expectation.
Joanne took a deep breath before stepping forward, Charvet by her side. The room fell silent as she looked around, her gaze sweeping over the gathered factions, the teachers, and others who were there. It was time to make the announcement that would solidify the future of the university.
"Everyone, thank you for gathering," Joanne began, her voice steady despite the fluttering excitement in her chest. "I've called you here today to announce something important."
The room grew even quieter, the tension thickening as everyone waited for her words.
"I have decided to step down as the leader of this university. I'm no longer the right person to lead us." Joanne's voice carried through the room, firm but calm.
A few gasps echoed from the representatives. The faction leaders exchanged glances, some shocked, some skeptical. But Joanne continued.
"I'm handing over leadership to someone who I believe can truly guide us through this world," she said, her eyes locking with Charvet's for a brief moment. "Charvet Storm. He is the new leader of this university."
There was a brief pause as everyone absorbed the words. Some were confused, others had been expecting it, but the room was still.
Charvet remained silent, allowing Joanne to speak. His expression was unreadable, but there was a quiet confidence in his stance.
A murmur ran through the representatives, many of them whispering to one another. Some seemed to question Joanne's decision, while others looked on with curiosity, unsure of what was about to happen. The room was thick with tension as everyone waited for the next words to come.
It was Mr. Lim, an ambitious teacher with a sharp gaze and an overinflated sense of self-importance, who broke the silence. He was known for his calculating nature and had long held a desire for power, his eyes always scanning the room for weakness to exploit. His voice cut through the murmurs, steady and laced with authority.
"Forgive me, Joanne," he began, his tone polite but condescending. "But are you absolutely certain about this decision? Charvet Storm is a powerful warrior, yes. No one doubts that. But leadership isn't something you can simply grant based on someone's strength."
His eyes flicked briefly to Charvet, before focusing back on Joanne. "Charvet may be a symbol of strength, but strength alone does not make a leader. We need someone who understands strategy, diplomacy, and, above all, the ability to govern effectively. Charvet has none of that. He's a fighter, not a ruler."
The room grew tense as his words resonated with some of the other representatives. A few nodded, their faces unsure, while others exchanged cautious glances. Mr. Lim continued, taking advantage of the growing unease.
"I'm sure you all understand," he said, turning to the other faction representatives, his voice gaining momentum. "Leadership is about more than just wielding a sword. It's about building alliances, managing resources, and making decisions that affect the future of everyone in this room. We need someone capable of handling these complexities, someone who understands the weight of leadership. Charvet has no experience in this."
He paused, allowing the words to sink in. Some of the representatives seemed to consider his argument, their brows furrowed as they glanced from one another to Charvet.
"I propose," Mr. Lim added with a slight sneer, "that we take a step back and look at this more logically. There are those of us who have been here since the beginning, who have managed the people, the resources. We are the ones who understand how to lead in this new world. Charvet is not the right choice."
His eyes were now scanning the room, gauging reactions. He was working hard to sway the others, his calculated moves slowly building pressure. The room was alive with murmurs, some of the faction leaders seeming to waver in their support of Charvet.
Then, one of Charvet's supporters, a tall man with short-cropped hair and a piercing gaze, spoke up. "Mr. Lim," he began, his voice steady but forceful, "your concerns are noted. But you're missing the point. Leadership isn't just about managing people or resources—it's about ensuring the survival of everyone here. That's the kind of leader we need."
Despite this counterpoint, Mr. Lim was relentless. "Yes, you can argue his strength and his ability to make decisions in a crisis, but leading an entire university isn't about individual survival. His story is built on strength. But strength isn't a sustainable foundation for leadership, especially when you're responsible for the lives of thousands. Charvet may have handled himself well in the past, but leadership demands more than that."
His voice began to rise, becoming sharper, more forceful as he saw his grip slipping. "I'm telling you, this is a mistake. You'll regret it. Charvet will fail in this role because he lacks the qualities that truly define a leader. A real leader must be capable of managing all the intricacies of governance—something Charvet simply doesn't have the experience to do."
The room seemed to divide, with a few of the more vocal representatives starting to nod along with Mr. Lim, still unsure about Charvet's ability to lead. His argument was beginning to take hold, and it seemed as though the tension in the room could snap at any moment.
Joanne, standing beside Charvet, clenched her fists, her jaw set in determination. She had listened to Mr. Lim's argument, but it was clear that his words were not going to shake her resolve.
"Enough," she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. Her tone was sharp, filled with the authority of someone who had made up her mind. The room fell silent as all eyes turned to her.
"You've had your say, Mr. Lim, but the decision has been made," Joanne said firmly, her eyes locked onto his. "Charvet will be our leader, and there is no room for second-guessing. If you cannot accept that, perhaps you should leave."
Mr. Lim's eyes narrowed, his face flushed with frustration. The sheer audacity of being opposed so directly by Joanne was something he hadn't expected.
The room was deathly quiet. Mr. Lim stood motionless for a moment, his jaw clenched as he stared at Joanne, but he said nothing
Charvet, who had been silent through the exchange, finally spoke, his voice low but filled with quiet authority. "Any other objections?" His gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of each representative and teacher, his presence commanding respect.
Mr. Lim didn't answer, but his glare was enough to signal that he had no intention of backing down without a fight. However, the others—those who were aligned with Charvet—remained resolute. The room had spoken, and it was clear where the support lay.