Powerless Boy is reborn as Lustful Elf
Chapter 14: The council’s decision (2)

Chapter 14: The council’s decision (2)

Alex snapped his head toward the council, his sharp gaze locking onto the assembled figures with a mix of urgency and determination.

His pulse quickened, but he steadied himself, forcing his breath to remain even.

The room seemed to shrink around him as the weight of the moment pressed down on his shoulders.

"We have reached a decision concerning you," Draven repeated, his voice calm yet weighted with authority. "But it was not unanimous."

As he spoke, his sharp, silver eyes flickered toward Lucan, who sat rigid in his chair, arms crossed over his chest.

A deep scowl darkened Lucan’s otherwise striking features, his emerald-green eyes burning with barely restrained discontent.

"But we have agreed on one thing," Draven continued, his gaze steady as it met Alex’s. "You are... different. Special, even. There is something about you that intrigues us."

"We do not yet understand how you arrived in our world," Draven went on, his voice thoughtful. "Your presence here is an anomaly, a mystery that remains unsolved. But despite this, we have found no indication that you pose a significant threat to our people."

A few of the council members nodded in silent agreement, though Lucan remained rigid, his scowl deepening as if the very words tasted bitter on his tongue.

The elder cleared his throat, the sound breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the chamber.

"So, we have decided, you may stay."

Alex felt the air rush from his lungs, his chest loosening from the unbearable tension he hadn’t realized he was holding.

A murmur passed through the council, some members offering small nods of approval while others remained unreadable.

Lucan, however, looked as though he had just swallowed something sour. His scowl deepened, his fingers drumming against the polished wood of the table in silent protest.

"Yes!" Sylra exclaimed, her voice ringing through the chamber like a bell.

She jumped in excitement and turned to Alex with a beaming smile.

Her joy was unmistakable, a stark contrast to the lingering tension in the room.

She stepped closer to Alex, her excitement undeterred. "You did it," she whispered, her eyes shining. "You’re staying."

Alex smiled, the relief finally sinking in. "Thank you so much," he said, his voice filled with quiet gratitude.

The elder elf gave a small nod, but before he could respond, another council member, a stern-looking elf with deep blue robes and sharp, calculating eyes, spoke up.

"Of course," the elf, Vralit, his voice smooth but authoritative. "Now that you are permitted to stay, there are formalities to address. You will need to be assigned an official home, and you must be enrolled in school."

Vralith folded his hands neatly in front of him, his expression as composed as ever. "However," he continued, "we will need time to make the necessary arrangements. Your housing assignment and school enrollment are matters that require careful consideration."

"No problem, Counselor," Thalorin said, his deep voice steady yet calm. A small smile touched his lips, a rare show of ease from the usually composed elf.

With that, the counselors rose from their seats, their robes flowing gracefully as they prepared to take their leave.

Thalorin stepped forward, offering a polite nod to Alex before turning to escort the council members out.

As they walked, they quickly shifted their discussion to other pressing matters—topics of governance, magical disturbances, and whispers of unrest at the borders.

As soon as the last of the council members disappeared beyond the grand doors, Sylra and Lyriel wasted no time.

They rushed toward Alex, their excitement radiating off them like warmth from a fire.

Without hesitation, they threw their arms around him, enveloping him in a tight embrace. Alex stiffened for a brief moment, unaccustomed to such a sudden display of affection, but then he relaxed into it, feeling the genuine relief in their touch.

"I’m so glad you’re staying," Sylra murmured, her voice filled with emotion. She pressed herself against him, holding him as if afraid he might disappear if she let go. Her golden hair tickled his cheek, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers.

Lyriel gave Alex only a brief hug before straightening.

She cleared her throat, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her pointed ear as if to regain her usual poise.

"After that test, I’m sure you’re hungry," she said, her voice smooth but knowing.

"I know I am!" Sylra exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she stepped back from Alex. "All that waiting and worrying? I think I could eat an entire feast!"

Alex chuckled, the tension from earlier finally starting to fade.

Now that she mentioned it, he realized just how empty his stomach felt.

The stress of the council’s judgment had pushed aside any thoughts of food, but now, with the weight of uncertainty lifted, hunger came rushing back.

"Good," Lyriel said with a chuckle, her usual composure softening just a little. "Let’s go eat. I have something special in mind."

Before Alex or Sylra could ask what she meant, Lyriel turned on her heel and disappeared through the doorway.

Sylra peeked around the doorway to make sure Lyriel was out of sight before turning back to Alex. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him again, holding him close.

But this time, she didn’t stop there.

Before Alex could fully process the warmth of her embrace, she tilted her head up and pressed a soft kiss against his lips.

It was quick—gentle—but it sent a rush of heat through him all the same.

When she pulled back, a dreamy sigh escaped her lips. "Hopefully, you’ll be assigned to our family," she murmured, her fingers lingering against his back.

Alex, still caught in the moment, let his hand rest on her waist.

The idea of staying with Sylra and Lyriel—having a real home in this world—was something he hadn’t dared to hope for. But now, the thought of it felt... right.

"That would be amazing," he said, his voice low but certain.

Sylra smiled, but then her eyes widened slightly, and she quickly stepped back. "We have to go before she comes back," she whispered, though there was a playful glint in her gaze.

Alex chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, let’s go."

With that, the two of them hurried down the grand staircase, their footsteps light but their hearts undeniably full.