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029 - Hitting Where it Hurts
🕑 Added 2025-01-11 20:47:46 +0000 UTCMany ideas spun in Ethan's mind, unravelling many thoughts as he tried to figure out how to approach the subject. He couldn't very well admit he was the one who sent him to an early grave. It would be the same as admitting he possessed powers unknown to the wider world.
"I assume you are referring to the young man who was found dead in a secluded cave, right?" Ethan said tentatively. "Forgive me for saying so, but I was told all signs point to him being mauled to death by an unknown creature."
While he hadn't been told expressly, Ethan heard many rumours flying around the student body as he walked the halls toward the Endless Library. It seemed this was all the rage at the moment; it was all they talked about.
Still, many of those rumours were conflicting. Some spoke of the mangled corpse found half eaten, while others of a mysterious figure leaving the corpse spotless. While both were undoubtedly true, many couldn't come to a consensus on how the young man had died. There was no apparent cause of death, and even divination didn't turn out anything substantial. It was almost as if he merely bled to death through his skin.
As such, many thought—and rightly so—that only magic could engineer such a situation, which couldn’t help but work in Ethan’s favour. While many thought of him as suspicious, they couldn’t bring themselves to openly accuse him, knowing his peculiar circumstances—all except for one who had a motive in doing so.
“There’s no need to play dumb,” Howe replied calmly, yet his eyes showed but a glimpse of accusation.
Still, none but Ethan and his short guard were privy to the change. Her sword slid ever so slightly more from her scabbard, making a dull grinding sound that caught the attention of Howe’s entourage. Some couldn’t help but scowl at the woman, their spirits fully on edge, yet only a few within the crowd knew how pointless this was—Howe and Ethan being one of them.
At this distance, a sword was infinitely more deadly than magic. This was the reason why Ethan's sister beat the way of the sword into him all those years ago. Even if he didn't possess mana, he would never truly feel helpless. Still, in an establishment where everyone possessed these deadly creatures, a single sword was all too pointless, which was why Ethan always opted for a concealed knife. Still, Howe showed no reaction to the obvious threat.
“We both know no wild animals did this,” Howe added. “The investigation’s result confirms he was dead long before they got to his body. As I recall, you, too, were left bloody and unconscious but also with no obvious wounds. Still, it begs the question. If your situations were so similar, how come you still live? Better yet, how come no wild animals feasted on your flesh in the two days before they found you?"
Howe let his words hang over the crowd, seeping into their minds. While he didn't overtly accuse Ethan of wrongdoing, these questions gave them much to consider. While it wasn't anything groundbreaking, as many had thought the same of those inconsistencies, none had the guts to confront Ethan to his face, especially since his sister's presence was still felt within the Academy—none but Howe.
Ethan had wondered the same but had chalked it up to his dreamlike state. From what he had seen, he had absorbed the power of the shadow spirit. Maybe it concealed his presence from the wildlife, just as absorbing the light spirit had fused some of his furniture. He remained utterly unaware of the green outline made of the wind itself that protected him for over two days.
It was everywhere, all at once, always watching over him. Even now, it could be found in these very halls, up above near the ceiling, creating a furtive breeze that none would ever feel, filled with a slight giggle that would never reach anyone's ears, not even those of the countless spirits below.
She was in a class of her own, queen of her own realm, where she reigned as an unparalleled Monarch. Freedom was what she was, unfettered by all concepts trying to keep her chained. Not even the contract stone—her physical body—could keep her contained within this realm. She was the breeze, tangible and intangible, at the same time, motion in a world in motion. She was the world itself; only one man knew her true nature.
“I don’t know,” Ethan said bluntly, shattering the tension that rose suddenly around them.
All stood around, not knowing what to think of his answer. Some of the men and women surrounding Howe were stunned; others sneered at this response, but from what Ethan could see, almost none believed him. Even his short guard gave him a glance that said a thousand words. He could only return her a wry smile.
"You expect me to believe that?" Howe replied, his tone growing sharper and his brows creasing slightly, yet Ethan scoffed.
“I owe you nothing,” he spat. “Why should I care what you all believe? The Academy will surely investigate it all. All you have to do is wait, unless you think the institution you entrusted six years of your life isn’t even worth that much?”
Ethan's words resounded into the silent hall, making much of them ponder, but Ethan wasn't done yet. He had said those words for the crowd yet now addressed Nicholas Howe and his cronies directly.
“What do you expect from me?" he said, staring straight into the man's eyes with no fear in his own. "Do you expect me to incriminate myself just so you have someone to blame for it? Does the unknown threaten you so much that you simply cannot wait for the truth to be revealed? I will not be a sacrificial lamb merely so you can make sense of the situation and absolve the person in question of any wrongdoings. Did you even ask yourself why he was in that forest in the first place?"
“I did,” Howe interjected with a slight smile. “Which also begs the question, why were you also found within that same forest, less than a mile away from where my young page is believed to have been killed? The timing is also strangely suspect, don’t you think?”
His entourage looked rather smug, and the crowd also looked toward Ethan with anticipation, especially when they saw his unconcerned look. This discussion had been all the rage recently, and they couldn't wait for answers.
Ethan could feel their many stares trying to bore straight through him, hoping to uncover the truth. Yet, he had one trick up his sleeve—one he didn't want to invoke but now had no choice. Howe and him were now like oil and water, destined to stand on opposite sides from the beginning.
“You don't know?" Ethan said, looking rather shocked. Then his expression faded to a smile as he added, "Haven't you asked your fiancee?"
This was like thunder erupting through the crowd. All gazes turned his way, then towards Howe, then back to him. Even his cronies looked shocked, and Ethan could finally see a crack in Nicholas Howe's armour of indifference. The mere mention of Elizabeth made the edge of his mouth twitch, if ever so slightly. Ethan could even see a slight bulge on the side of his temple; his jaw was clenched tight, and a vein was about to explode.
Unknowingly, the crowd took a few steps back, leaving only Howe and Ethan with the short guard in the middle. Her hand was firmly around the handle of her sword, and her gaze was fixed on the jewel dangling from Howe's ear. It shone slightly brighter, yet the spirit had yet to show itself.
The tension was at its peak, so much so that one could almost cut it with a knife. Both men looked at each other, and Ethan saw himself reflected in the man's eyes for the first time. He almost couldn't restrain a smug smile from appearing on his lips. Still, he knew this was a dangerous game, yet he couldn't help himself. Appearing weak was the worst thing he could be at the moment, even if it might backfire.
“What are you trying to insinuate?" Howe finally said, his voice now much deeper than before. If one listened closely, one could almost find a growl in his tone. His eyes were like two bottomless pits of flames raging to emerge yet were barely contained. Ethan couldn't help but applaud his self-control.
“You’ve asked me why I was in that forest. It's quite simple, actually," Ethan replied with confidence. "I was meeting with Beth. You can confirm it with her; she’ll tell you the truth.”
Ethan saw the man’s eyes narrow, and if not for the short woman between them both, Ethan wouldn’t have been so emboldened to use his former fiancee in that way, especially not when knowing what a man like this Howe could do when challenged. Even now, he seemed to be debating whether or not to rid himself of Ethan; he could see it in the man’s clenched fist.
Still, Ethan had achieved what he sought. The expression of those in the crowd made it abundantly clear. They gave each other glances while many whispered to each other. The rumours of his involvement in the demise of a young student had faded considerably, replaced with something much more juicy.
After all, despite his lineage, Ethan was an obscure character barely noticeable within the Academy. But Howe and Beth were celebrities; the news of their upcoming union was widespread. But now, Ethan had put a wrench in their idyllic life. Of course, such news would spread like wildfire, maybe even erasing the news of a single young man's demise, but it wouldn't deter those convinced of his guilt.
"How dare you slander Lady Reinhardt like this! Who do you think you are? You're just a mere librarian. A Sundered like you isn't worth a single hair on her head!"
Surprisingly, this cry came from the crowd, not the group behind Howe. They remained shocked, incapable of comprehending the situation. To them, none but their master was a match for Elizabeth Reinhardt. In fact, even he fell slightly short. They couldn’t conceive that she might be attracted to any other man.
They were utterly unaware of Ethan and Beth's previous relationship. In fact, almost none of the current generation were aware of it. Both families had kept it hushed from the start, and when Ethan was found to be sundered, it was buried even deeper. Until now, Ethan had never talked about it, and neither did Beth, but of course, the Howe family had been informed when their engagement was negotiated.
As for the voice from the crowd, it was feminine in nature, yet she chose not to step forward. She remained anonymous, hidden by the crowd, yet its origin was all too certain. While most men dared not have any ideas about her, if merely not to cross her current fiancee, women had no such reservations. Many were enraptured with her, even to the point of fanaticism. Of course, they wouldn't take too kindly to Ethan, spouting things that might besmirch her reputation.
They were now at a crossroads, the situation about to fall apart. Ethan could see his short guard barely restraining herself. If let loose, she might just take Howe's head, or be struck down instead. Either way, this wouldn't bode well for Ethan. Still, he didn't regret his actions. Seeing the frustration on Howe's face had been worth it.
“What’s happening here? What do you think you’re all doing?”
The words weren't spoken with much force, yet they towered over the crowd, prompting them to silence. Many turned their heads to see its origin, yet their complexion paled almost immediately.
A short distance away stood three women and a young man slightly out of breath. He was one of those who had left early on, seeking aid to defuse this situation. This was the aid he found.
Elizabeth? Ethan thought, eyes wide open, yet he also recognized the other two.
One was almost always seen alongside Elizabeth. She was the one he had seen when they demonstrated their powers some time ago. She possessed a wind spirit—a bird—and was also Gilbert's younger sister. As for the other one, she was one of the few individuals Ethan truly dreaded—one of the few who could rival his own sister: Professor Bridgette.
