SSS-Ranked Summoner: Only I Summon All Heroes And Heroines Of Legend-Chapter 33: A Hint Of The Svenja Complex

The outdoor pavilion was already quiet this early in the evening.

Most students had already retreated to their dorms or left campus entirely for the temporary break.

Altair arrived first, followed shortly by Finn. Ryka showed up a few minutes later, and Svenja... well, she was always late to show up.

"Guess the whole party’s here," Finn muttered.

Altair glanced around once more to make sure they were alone, then turned to face the group.

"Thanks for coming," he said. "You know I told y’all that I’ll be doing some digging, and I did."

Finn being the most curious was first to ask. "So what did you find?"

Altair took a breath.

"First, I want to admit that my conclusion on Master Oz was wrong, but my investigation led me to a whole lot of truth"

He paused for a moment, making sure he had all their attention.

"I found out a whole lot of things. About what happened to us in the plane, about the Herald, about... what’s really going on behind the scenes."

Finn leaned forward. "From where?"

"Master Oz."

The name landed like a stone.

Ryka’s eyes widened. "You went to him? Altair, and without telling us?!"

"I’m sorry about that, but it was all too sudden" Altair said. "Still, I was right to be suspicious of Oz. He did know more than he’s been letting on. But he’s not working with the Watchers. quite the contrary, he’s been researching them. Trying to find a way to stop them."

He paused, choosing his next words carefully.

"There are forces beyond our knowledge and imagination. Entities that have been operating in the shadows for centuries. The Herald we fought?. He wasn’t lying when he said he was just a scout. A messenger."

Ryka’s expression darkened. "So what does that mean for us?"

"It means we’re targets," Altair said bluntly. "The Herald found us once. There’s no telling who might find us next."

Svenja’s remaind silent.

"Master Oz offered to train us," Altair continued. "Properly,"

"All of us?" Ryka interrupted.

"If you want in," Altair said. "I already agreed, but I’m not going to force anyone. This isn’t going to be easy. And if we’re being honest..." He met each of their eyes in turn. "..The situation has surpassed our abilities."

Silence settled over the group.

Finn was the first to speak.

"I’m in."

Altair blinked. "Just like that?"

"Yeah." Finn shrugged. "You’re my roommate, my friend, and you just survived something I can only imagine. If you’re saying we need to get stronger because of what’s coming, I believe you."

A grinned tugged at his lips, though there was an edge to it now.

"Besides, I’ve been sidelined enough. I’m not sitting out while you all go off and fight gods."

Ryka looked at Finn for a long moment, then turned to Altair.

"I’m in too."

"Ryka—"

"I want this," she cut him off. "I felt it too you know. When the Herald appeared, and he pulled us out of the plane. That wasn’t normal magic. That was something different."

Her voice dropped.

"I don’t know what’s happening. But I know something bigger is going on. And if people are going to get hurt because of it..." She straightened her shoulders. "I want to be able to protect them."

Altair nodded slowly. "Alright."

Then he turned to Svenja.

She stood perfectly still, her expression as blank as ever. And for a moment,

Altair thought she might refuse.

Then she nodded.

Altair studied her for a moment, he had a lot to ask but chose silence at that time, He just nodded rigght back. "Fair enough."

He pulled out his phone and checked the calendar.

"Oz said he’d let us know when to start. Probably in the next few days. I’ll forward you all the details when I get them."

"That’s alright," Finn said.

Ryka nodded. Svenja gave her usual minimal acknowledgment.

"Okay then," Altair said. "That’s it for now, let’s all try to get some rest. We’re going to need it." He said giving the cue for them to leave but also holding eye contact with Svenja, as if asking her to wait behind.

They started to disperse.

Finn stretched and turned toward the dorms. "You coming?"

"Actually..." Altair hesitated. "I’ve got something I need to take care of first. I’ll catch up with you later."

Finn raised an eyebrow teasingly, but didn’t press the question. "Alright. Don’t stay out past curfew though."

"Don’t worry, I won’t."

Ryka left in the opposite direction, and soon it was just Altair and Svenja beneath the pavilion.

He waited until he was sure it was all clear.

Then—

He spoke.

"Svenja, I know you don’t like talking about... anything. But, time and time again, you’ve chosen to be by me out of your own volition."

"I really appreciate that, but I need to know. Why?"

"..." She was silent.

"Svenja" He called her name again, softly this time, as he slowly held her left palm in his.

Her hand jerked subtly, before settling into the warmth of his palm.

Then, she replied.

"The Hohenzollerns..."

Altair went silent immediately.

"...know things," she continued quietly. "Things they don’t tell outsiders."

Her pale eyes flicked up to meet Altair’s.

"They told me to stay away from certain things."

"But they never told me, why." Svenja said. "Only that it is law."

She paused.

"I want to know why."

It was unclear, one of the most unclear explanations Altair had ever heard. But still, it was progress, she was slowly starting to communicate.

"Is that it?" Altair asked, as if expecting more, but of course he did, she had said words. Words riddled with "things" that made it sound more like random mash-ups rather than an actual message. If anything, all they did was cast a shady light on the Hohenzollerns.

But Altair ignored that for now, he was more interested in her personally, than anything else at the moment.

And so, he pressured a bit, his aura still warm and encouraging.

She turned to look at him, and seeing the strong emotions in his eyes, a subtle flush began to grace her face. Unnoticeable, but it was there.

"That," she continued. "...and"

Altair’s interest piqued.

"You made me... ###########"

There was a brief moment, Altair couldn’t explain what it was he saw. But for half a second, it was like she GLITCHED in real time.

"Svenja, are you okay?" He drew closer to her, genuine concern written all over his face.

"Yes, it’s nothing" she said, slipping her hand out of his grip. "I have to go."

She hurriedly stood to her feet and left.

Altair watched her go, multiple questions and emotions flowed through him at the moment.

Clearly, there was a lot more to Svenja Hohenzollern.