The Ten Seats

“Waiting for someone?”

“……”
Feiyu said nothing.

But Zhou Xi, ever sharp-minded, could make a guess—it likely had something to do with Luo Zining’s bizarre guardian.

That person had rattled her too.

An utterly inexplicable individual.

They didn’t seem like a bad person, but something about their personality just felt off.

If that person were to ever become a magical girl, Zhou Xi genuinely couldn’t imagine what kind of chaotic force they’d become.

“Hey there.”

Before they realized it, a warm fragrance like winter sunshine enveloped them, and firm arms wrapped over both their shoulders.

The next moment, Zhou Xi and Feiyu found themselves pulled into a casual embrace.

The one hugging them appeared to be a woman in her early twenties.

Her height was average, but the golden hair flowing from her head blazed with a dazzling, sunlit radiance, hovering in the air like shimmering silk.

Her snowy face was framed by a pair of golden irises shaped like overlapping crosses, branding everything before them into her gaze.

Feiyu straightened her posture and greeted respectfully.

“Senior Jinwang, good to see you.”

“Yoo~ Nice to see you too! And this one as well!”

“Hello, senior!”

Zhou Xi quickly stood upright.

This was none other than the 7th Seat of the Magical Alliance’s Ten-Seat Council: Jinwang, also known by her other title—Gold.

“Have you seen Lady Xingyue yet, Senior Jinwang?” asked Feiyu.

“Not yet. I plan to catch up with her later,” Jinwang said, smiling.

“After all, it’s been seven years. I’m curious just how much she’s changed.”

Contrary to her gentle, big-sister-like appearance, Jinwang was known among magical girls for her extremely aggressive personality.

Though Xingyue was cloaked in legend, Jinwang’s record was equally remarkable.

She had been a Ten Seat for eight years now, and her most iconic accomplishment was her repeated forays into the Sea of Realms during her time as a border guardian—leaving the safety of her post to take the fight directly to the enemy.

“Before they attack us, we rush in and destroy them at the source!”

That was her infamous battle cry.

A fierce magical girl—both brave and powerful.

“But she looks like such a soft, kind big sister…” Zhou Xi couldn’t help but mutter.

“Zhou Xi.”

“Yes!”

Jinwang chuckled with a playful hum.

“No need to be so nervous. I know that day was… difficult for you to talk about. But don’t worry, everyone here is part of the Ten Seats. Just tell us everything exactly as it happened.”

“Got it.”

Zhou Xi had mentally prepared herself.

Why else would she be summoned to the Ten-Seat Council?

If not for the matter of Herrera, nothing else about her warranted being in this room.

“No more chatter. Proceed!”

A deep, commanding voice rang out from above—a voice rich in magnetism and unmistakable authority.

The call came from Manjusaka, the Second Seat.

With that cue, the other Ten Seats stopped lingering and entered the grand hall—Sidheheim, the sacred venue reserved for the Alliance’s highest authority.

Ever since Xingyue’s disappearance, Manjusaka had carried the highest prestige among the Ten.

Some even said she was nearing Xingyue’s level.

“Let’s go too.”

If Jinwang hadn’t been leading them, Feiyu and Zhou Xi likely wouldn’t have dared to step foot inside this sacred place.

Today’s Sidheheim felt different—almost…otherworldly.

The meeting space itself was modest.

A square, elongated table took center stage, flanked by grand, luxurious chairs.

Against one wall sat two simpler seats—clearly meant for outsiders.

At the moment, six of the Ten had taken their seats.

Only the 4th and 6th Seats were absent due to prior obligations.

Currently, the Ten-Seat Council had only eight members.

Four years ago, during the Lightsever Suppression Battle, four Ten Seats had perished.

Even now, two of those seats remained unfilled.

Despite the time that had passed, only two new members had been added.

After all, becoming a Ten Seat wasn’t something just anyone could do.

At the head of the table sat Xingyue.

Beside her to the left sat Manjusaka.

The two of them radiated a presence so distinct it felt like they existed on a separate plane.

Their very auras stood apart from the rest of the council.

[Manjusaka-sama feels a little different today…]

Feiyu lowered her eyes slightly.

Her sharp intuition told her this change must have something to do with Xingyue’s return.

“Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin.”

Xingyue brought her hands together in a light clap.

Her ethereal voice swept away the mist, and the mysterious tension that had filled the room instantly dissipated.

Only then could everyone truly see her.

It was already known that magical girls far exceeded average standards of beauty.

But Xingyue…

She shattered even those expectations.

The ends of her hair shimmered like stars.

Traces of starlight lined the corners of her eyes, and no matter the expression she wore, her gaze always held a gentle smile—aloof, yet never condescending.

“Xingyue, before we get into the main topic, you should greet everyone properly,” Manjusaka reminded her gently.

“Not everyone here has met you before.”

Manjusaka wore a nun’s robe embroidered with black floral patterns.

In contrast to Xingyue, her presence was like water—calm, refined, and endlessly serene.

Her long golden hair spilled from beneath her hood, haloed by a shaft of moonlight from an unseen source.

She had not opened her eyes once since entering.

It made others wonder—if she were to open them, would they see something beyond mortal understanding?

If anyone could, it would be her.

“You’re right.”

Xingyue’s gaze drifted to the end of the table—to the newest Ten Seat, the 8th: Nightingale.

She had been appointed just last year.

“I-I’ve already met Lady Xingyue once before at the Canglan Ruins!

S-So… um… it’s an honor to see you again!”

Nightingale wasn’t usually timid, but in Xingyue’s presence, she shrank like a nervous underclassman.

Her shoulder-length green hair framed darting eyes, and after her awkward greeting, she looked around helplessly for support—finally turning to the woman beside her: the 5th Seat, Broken-Winged Butterfly.

“Ara~ That was rather ungraceful, wasn’t it?

Looks like you’ll need a refresher in etiquette when we get back.”

The smile in Broken-Winged Butterfly’s half-lidded eyes carried a chilling undertone.

She was Nightingale’s mentor in the world of magical girls—almost like a domineering older sister.

One strand of her gray-blue hair reached out, curling playfully around Nightingale’s finger.

She looked every bit the dangerous woman with a dark sense of humor—and frankly, she was.

Nightingale’s tearful eyes suggested she had just recalled a not-so-pleasant memory.

“Such a delightful newcomer,” Xingyue said with a soft chuckle.

Then her eyes turned to the two outsiders seated at the edge of the room.

Under her gaze, Feiyu and Zhou Xi stiffened like boards.

Neither dared to breathe.

“No need to be so tense,” Xingyue said gently.

“I reviewed both of your files before the meeting. There’s no need to be nervous.”

Feiyu relaxed slightly.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Xingyue.”

Zhou Xi didn’t speak much—just offered a cool “Hello,” then fell silent.

Xingyue gave her a look, filled with subtle meaning, before continuing.

“Now then, let’s begin.

Today’s agenda contains only one item—the Aurora Witch, Herrera.”

Boom—!

As though waiting for this very name, the entire chamber erupted in an overwhelming surge of magical energy.

Waves of seething resentment rippled from the Ten Seats, their grudge against one person taking near-physical form.

“W-What’s going on!?”

“Waaaaah—!”

Feiyu and Nightingale trembled, overwhelmed by the terrifying pressure.

And Zhou Xi, inwardly screaming, thought:

“Has that woman seriously messed with every single Ten Seat in this room!?“*