Chapter 247 - Crossing Hearts
People tend to get comfortable when things start turning into monotonous ones. It is called comfort zone, and it is one of the traits we humans have developed over the course of evolution.
Whenever we find something or somewhere safe, we would stick to it to survive. But as the time passed, this type of evolution became something different.
It became a trait symbolizing laziness. After all, the more you get comfortable, the more you will get stagnant.
And being stagnant means being content with yourself.
And this is not something I can ever accept.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Standing in front of the training dummy, different kinds of thoughts passed through my head.
"Huff….."
Sweat was pouring from my face. It was the usual routine for me at this point. I woke up after sleeping for around three and a half hours and then started to train instantly.
"This should be enough for now."
I mumbled, reaching out the towel utilizing the formula I had been working on.
「Telekinesis」
It was the name, though the definition itself is a lot more complex. First-ranked magic spell that enables the user to control the forces by creating fields.
As I left the training room, the chill of the winter night embraced me, and the darkness loomed overhead.
The academy's corridors were quiet, the only sound echoing being the soft tap of my footsteps against the cold tiles.
"Huff…."
'It had been a while, had it?'
It was exceptionally cold this time, contrary to last year. However, it was doubtful that I could even remember it correctly. Sometimes I wondered, was my memory even right?
'Whatever.'
Then, I decided that thinking like this was pointless.
I walked briskly through the empty roads, my breath visible in the frigid air.
The dimly lit pathways and the occasional gusts of wind rattling the windows – it was a stark contrast to the bustling activity during the day.
As I ventured outside, the silence of the night was broken by distant sounds.
THUD! GIGGLE!
Intrigued, I followed the noises, my steps muffled on the snow-covered ground. As I approached, I could discern hushed voices and occasional laughter.
Peering around the corner, I saw a group of students gathered in an open area.
'Hmm?'
They seemed engrossed in a clandestine activity. Curiosity getting the better of me, I silently moved closer to eavesdrop on their conversation.
It was unusual for any students to even be awake at this hour of time. Unless people are training maniacs like me, their motives would be shady.
That was my own analysis, though, as nothing was certain.
"I didn't do anything like that….Please...Why don't you believe me?"
However, as I had concealed my presence utilizing my trait [Shadowborne], I finally crossed enough distance to be able to hear everything I needed to know.
"Sob….Please….Sob…."
"Heh, look at this little thwart."
As I witnessed the disturbing scene unfolding before me, my brain looked for any information for the people in front.
The girls, with a malicious glint in their eyes, circled around another student, their laughter echoing in the cold night air.
The victimized girl, visibly distressed, tried to defend herself with a meek voice, denying the accusations hurled at her.
'I see….'
This was a common case that happened in the world. People tend to become cruel when they hold power.
After all, we are all beings with egos inside them, and that ego is something that continuously encourages us to become something.
'It is a human's desire to become a god, but that desire is what makes them sink.'
SLAP!
As the sound of a slap echoed around the place, giggles followed.
"Shut up, bitch. Who are you to lie before me!"
SLAP!
"Hick…..I didn't do it…..I didn't do it…..I didn't do it….."
"Oh, look who's denying everything! We have proof, you little tramp! Or should I say, Mia?"
At the mention of the name 'Mia' specifically, the girl flinched.
"You thought we didn't know, right? Nobody would notice, right? Our little M….I….A….."
"Nooo...."
The girl continued to shrink while grabbing her knees with her arms. It was a common response to trauma, especially when it was something that the mind recognized as a threat to life.
The gesture of fetal position is an instinct that almost all humans have the moment they are born.
"Look at her Emma….She can't even take it…." One of the other girls came forward while looking at 'Mia' like she was a bug.
My mind, devoid of empathy or guilt, continued its dispassionate analysis.
It recognized this pattern as a common manifestation of power dynamics among humans. The desire for dominance, for asserting one's ego, often led to the degradation of others.
In times like these, I always found myself different from any general people out there, as if something inside me was always missing itself.
Like I was a person that came here as a silent observer.
The torment of the bullied girl escalated as one of the girl's leaders grabbed her by her hair, cruelly forcing her to face the damning evidence on the smartwatch.
The screen is illuminated with compromising images, capturing moments of Mia's vulnerability.
"See this, Mia? This was you, wasn't it?" The girl named Emma taunted sadistically, her voice dripping with contempt. "Look how happy you were, sitting on the laps of those boys. Selling yourself like a cheap thrill."
'Mia,' now physically restrained and emotionally battered, struggled to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Tears streamed down her face as she vehemently denied the accusations, her voice reduced to desperate sobs.
"No... It's not me... I never..." Mia's words were choked by the vice-like grip on her hair.
No, it wasn't because of the grip. From her eyes and the small gestures of her body, it was evident.
'She gave up.'
Her tensed body suddenly relaxed as if she had already accepted her fate.
'…..'
For some reason, it reminded me of previous Astron and his interactions with other students when he entered. Even though he was no longer here completely, he was still a part of mine.
Something….
A feeling appeared inside me.
The other girls, reveling in the spectacle, intensified their verbal assault, feeding off the power they held over Mia.
"Pathetic liar!"
SLAP!
"You thought you could fool everyone, huh?"
SLAP!
"I hate bitches like you the most! Do you know Ken dumped me because of you? He said she no longer liked me, and when I asked him if he had someone in his mind, he looked at you."
The accusations and physical blows rained down on Mia, who was trapped in a nightmarish cycle of humiliation. The girls, fueled by a toxic blend of resentment and power, reveled in their role as tormentors.
"You are always getting on my nerves. Were you seducing guys with this hair? They call this silky?" one of the girls mocked, grabbing a handful of Mia's hair with malicious intent.
People tended to ignore this fact because of the general conception of male aggressiveness. However, the reality of the female world is a lot more cruel than you would ever expect.
A woman's grudge and methods to undermine others are not just limited to physical aspects. They not only destroy their enemy in physical form but also in social form.
They destroy the target's reputation with gossip and use mental tormenting methods to torture.
And this was the perfect example of this case.
The viciousness of the assault seemed boundless, an unrestrained manifestation of the darker facets of human nature.
As the vile spectacle unfolded, Emma, the orchestrator of this twisted drama, called forth another girl into the malevolent spotlight.
'Hmm?'
The timid figure with glasses and visible bruises on her body stumbled forward, casting furtive glances at the tormentors who had summoned her. It looked like she was another victim of a
"Look who we've got here! Our dear Mia's not as innocent as she pretends," Emma declared with a triumphant smirk. "This one here," she gestured toward the bruised girl, "is the result of Mia's little outburst when they were alone. Turns out our precious Mia has a darker side."
The revelation injected a different shade of complexity into the situation. Mia, the seemingly helpless victim, had a side that contributed to the cycle of violence.
After all, there was no need to doubt that the girl named Emma was lying since she had no reason to do so.
The bruises on the timid girl testified to a narrative of reciprocal harm, blurring the lines between perpetrator and victim.
"Now, Melanie, it's time to show Mia what she deserves," Emma goaded, addressing the timid girl with the bruises. "Don't let her get away with it. Give her a taste of her own medicine."
Melanie hesitated, torn between the fear instilled by her tormentors and a glimmer of reluctance. The pressure to conform to the cycle of violence weighed heavily on her fragile shoulders.
"Come on, Melanie! Don't let her off easy. Show her we won't tolerate her crap!" Emma's encouragement, laced with cruelty, pushed Melanie to the brink. With a hesitant resolve, she raised her hand, her palm trembling.
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the desolate night, mingling with the cold wind that whispered through the empty streets.
"How does it feel?" Emma taunted, her voice dripping with sadistic satisfaction. The air seemed to thicken with tension as Melanie, caught in the web of coercion, gazed at Mia with conflicted emotions.
Melanie's initial reluctance morphed into a grim determination. The smile that spread across her face, while unsettling, mirrored the twisted satisfaction Emma and the others derived from this macabre display.
On the cold winter night, under the indifferent gaze of the stars, Melanie raised her hand once again. The second and then third slaps landed with a resounding crack, the sound reverberating through the silent darkness.
SLAP!
Mia's anguish was palpable, and the cycle of violence continued unabated. Each blow inflicted seemed to further erode any semblance of humanity in this cruel tableau.
"Keep going, Melanie! Make her pay for what she did to you," Emma goaded, reveling in the power dynamics she orchestrated. Melanie, now fully succumbing to the dark currents around her, unleashed a barrage of slaps.
The once timid girl, now consumed by the perverse satisfaction of power, delivered each blow with a disturbing sense of satisfaction.
'Bully-turned-bully behavior.'
It was a typical case and a behavior that contributed to the problem itself. The cold wind carried the sounds of violence and sadistic laughter, creating an eerie symphony under the starlit sky.
Despite my detached demeanor, a subtle urge to intervene flickered within me. It was an instinct, perhaps a trace of normality, trying to resist the apathy that usually governed my actions. However, my rational mind swiftly overruled this impulse.
'No. It is pointless.'
This was humanity's own nature, and I was no saint. Intervening offered no tangible benefits.
'But….'
However, at that moment, from the corner of my eyes, something appeared in my vision from very far away.
'I guess this is the hero's job.'
It was the perfect tailored job for our hero, after all.
Chapter 248 - Crossing Hearts (2)
Recently, things had been going well for Ethan.
Since he had awakened, he had been working hard to make his stats better than before, and it seemed things were working.
Of course, if one knew about his talent limit and his newly awakened trait…..Then, they would surely understand how things were working for him.
'One last lap.'
And now here he was. Running around the academy for the first thing in the morning. This became a daily occurrence for him since he was training with Julia all this time. Thanks to her 'unique' way of training in the form of beating the shit out of others, he sought for some alone time.
This running time was one of those.
"….."
Ethan's breath came out in visible puffs as he navigated the familiar paths of the academy grounds. The crisp morning air filled his lungs, invigorating him as he pushed his body to its limits. Each stride carried a determination born from the desire to surpass his previous self.
The sun had yet to rise, and the weather of night was cold, casting a wind over the academy's sprawling landscape.
Ethan's blue hair fluttered with each step, a streak of color amidst the serene surroundings.
As he ran, the rhythmic thud of his footsteps echoed through the quiet campus, harmonizing with the occasional bird's song.
He couldn't help but reflect on the recent changes in his life. The awakening had brought forth new possibilities, and his dedication to improving his skills had paid off.
The limitations that once hindered him were now mere obstacles to overcome.
'New assignment….I wonder where it is?'
Of course, his mind was also on the same assignment. His group wasn't able to find the location. Well, they did find some things, but they weren't sure any of them since it felt like they were just gibberish.
'Professor Eleanor said a group of students had already found the answer correctly. They should be really talented.'
This had already become his free-thinking time while running. He would go through the current events of his life, how the academy was going, how his studies were going, and how his relationships with people were going.
Naturally, with time passing, his thoughts progressed to their current topic of conversation.
The person that he was also intrigued with.
'Lilia also mentioned him being quite talented. I guess they are seeing it now.'
After Ethan improved his rankings, his interactions with Astron became increasingly rarer since they were no longer matched in combat classes, and neither of the two initiated any talk.
Well, considering Astron had never initiated before, it was mainly on Ethan's side. But he was also busy with his own things so that he couldn't do it.
'I wonder what he is doing now.'
Both he and Julia had seen him training early in the morning before, so they knew he was also a hard worker.
'Irina and him were in the same group. Well, I guess they wouldn't do too bad.'
At the thought of groups, he was suddenly reminded of Emily. The girl, both Astron and him, had helped with her guild and dungeon exploration.
'She said her guild was doing well…..I guess our help wasn't pointless.'
After the exploration, Ethan also decided to invest in Emily's guild since he liked how she approached her members as family. Her attitude wasn't bad either, so he didn't mind recommending her guild to the butler.
'It is good….'
As Ethan continued his morning run, his thoughts meandered to the cryptic conversation he had with Carl about Astron. The words echoed in his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to Astron than met the eye.
'Carl was insistent but vague. Something about Astron not being what he seemed, giving a hidden feeling that goes beyond the looks,' Ethan pondered, his breath forming misty clouds in the chilly morning air.
'I am getting the same feeling.'
The first reason why he was interested in Astron was His intuition. Even at the start, he got a weird feeling from him. Was it something sinister or something pure?
What was it?
To this question, he could only answer with one thing.
'Detachment.'
It was as if Astron existed in a realm detached from the everyday concerns of the academy.
Ethan's contemplative mind delved into the observations he had made about Astron's behavior, forming a narrative of detachment that seemed to shroud the enigmatic figure.
He's detached from reality, living in his own world,' Ethan mused, his pace steady as he continued his morning run. 'Astron never seemed to care about the things that occupy most students – the banter, the laughter, the hobbies. Does he even have hobbies?'
The image of Astron in the combat classes resurfaced, his focus unwavering, his movements precise.
It was as if he approached every challenge with calculated precision, unaffected by the camaraderie and levity that often accompanied the students' interactions.
"Don't talk to me."
He was reminded of the time when he was rude. Regardless of the person, whether they were a teacher or a celebrity, his attitude never changed.
'He doesn't have fun, at least not in the way others do. No visible interests, no friendships that extend beyond necessity,' Ethan thought, his breath now matching the rhythm of his contemplation.
'But why?'
That one question that he could never answer, no matter how he thought. He just lacked the information.
"I won't stop until I exterminate the enemy."
Remembering his words of that time and the visible hatred he excluded.
'What enemies are you talking about?'
The notion of helping Astron, understanding the source of his intensity, and perhaps unraveling the enigma flickered in Ethan's mind. 'After all this time, it feels like we've somehow become close, even if in an unconventional way,' he acknowledged, realizing that Astron, despite his detached nature, had left an undeniable impact on him.
Lost in thought, Ethan's body carried him through the academy grounds, each step taking him deeper into the labyrinth of his musings. The rhythmic thud of his footsteps became a steady cadence to the questions that circled in his mind.
A sudden awareness of his surroundings jolted him from his contemplation. Ethan noticed that he had been running for quite a while, and a growing thirst made itself known. With a sigh, he decided it was time to quench his thirst and rehydrate.
Reaching for the water bottle he had tucked into his training gear, Ethan took a refreshing gulp. The cool liquid washed away the dryness in his throat, and he felt invigorated. As he closed the bottle, he made a decision.
"This will be my final lap," Ethan declared to himself, his voice somehow feeling calm.
Ethan resumed his run, the rhythmic thud of his footsteps now serving as a rhythmic beat to the cadence of his clear mind. The muddled thoughts that had consumed him earlier were momentarily set aside as he focused on the physical exertion and the crisp air that filled his lungs.
"CAW!"
SWOOSH!
However, the peaceful rhythm was abruptly shattered when, out of nowhere, a black figure swooped down towards him.
"Ouch!"
Instinctively, Ethan halted in his tracks, a mix of surprise and wariness etched across his features.
"What the?"
FLAP! FLAP!
The sudden assailant revealed itself to be a crow, its wings flapping menacingly.
'A crow?'
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he took in the crow's unusual appearance. Its feathers seemed darker than any crow he had ever seen, and its eyes glowed an eerie shade of purple.
The hollow gaze of those purple eyes sent a shiver down Ethan's spine, an inexplicable feeling of unease settling over him.
"Strange crow," Ethan muttered under his breath as his gaze followed the crow.
"Hmm? What?" But rather than seeing the crow, his gaze met with nothing but emptiness as if the crow hadn't even existed before.
"Where did it go?" he wondered aloud, scanning the darkened surroundings. The sun had yet to rise, casting shadows that seemed to dance with the lingering mystery of the encounter. The crisp air now carried a subtle chill, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to the atmosphere.
Ethan's breaths, once synchronized with the rhythm of his run, now hung in the still night air. He strained his senses, searching for any sign of the strange crow.
"Was it even real?" Ethan questioned, running a hand through his blue hair. The unease from the encounter lingered, leaving him with a sense of bewilderment. He considered the possibility that the crow might have been a figment of his imagination, a trick played by his fatigued mind.
"Wait?"
At that moment, he noticed a trail. Underneath the trees that were lit by the lighting of the academy, he noticed a small stain.
Intrigued, he approached cautiously, realizing that the stain wasn't just a mark on the path; it was blood.
His eyes widened, and a wave of concern washed over him.
'This is fresh.'
The blood felt fresh, and he couldn't dismiss the thought that someone might have been injured right there. The mystery deepened as he noticed that the trail led toward the backyards of the buildings in front of him.
A sense of urgency overcame Ethan as he followed the blood trail, his instincts guiding him through the shadows. The darkness seemed to thicken as he ventured deeper into the academy grounds, the crisp air now laden with a foreboding tension.
As he neared the backyards, the subtle sounds of movement reached his ears. Hesitating for a moment, Ethan strained to identify the source of the noise.
The subtle sounds of the movement grew more pronounced, and Ethan hesitated, straining to identify the source. The air seemed charged with an eerie energy, and suddenly, he caught snippets of voices – whispers and laughter, but they held a sinister edge.
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the darkness, freezing Ethan in his tracks. A knot tightened in his stomach as the voices became clearer.
"It is so fun… So much fun…."
SLAP!
"Will you spread your legs for us too? Should I pay you for that?"
'What is this?'
A mixture of anger and concern surged within Ethan as he followed the sounds to a secluded corner of the backyard. There, illuminated by faint moonlight, he came across a disturbing scene.
'Don't tell me?'
A girl, cornered and outnumbered, was being subjected to taunts and physical intimidation by a group of others.
The atmosphere was thick with hostility, and Ethan's gaze hardened as he witnessed the distressing display of bullying.
For the first time in a while, Ethan felt his blood boil after witnessing the girl lying on the ground with her gaze shallow.
He took a step forward, his expression determined, and his voice cut through the night with a stern command.
"Stop that right now!"
Chapter 249 - Crossing Hearts (3)
The moonlight cast a cold glow on the disturbing scene as Ethan stepped forward, looking at the girl lying on the ground.
She, once caught in the web of torment, appeared vulnerable and shattered. Her disheveled hair clung to her tear-streaked face, framing eyes that betrayed a mix of fear, humiliation, and a lingering glimmer of defiance. The pallor of her skin, highlighted by the dim glow of the smartwatch's screen, accentuated the emotional turmoil etched on her features.
'She is a senior.'
From the corner of her arm, Ethan noticed the badge given to sophomore-year students. After looking at the other girls, he realized they also had the same badge on their arms.
'They are also sophomore year students.'
However, that was not the time to think of those details.
Ethan noticed the continuous slaps and hits seemed to etch lines of despair onto her countenance further, and her attempts to shield herself with folded arms mirrored a futile struggle against the overpowering tide of aggression.
'You!'
And that made his blood boil. After all, there was no way a person like him would expect such an occurrence to happen in front of his face.
"Stop that right now!" Ethan's voice reverberated through the secluded corner, disrupting the bullying scene. The bullies, caught off guard, quickly turned their attention to the source of the command.
"Who are you?" came a haughty voice, a tone that Ethan had grown accustomed to during his time at the academy.
The bully girls sneered, eyeing him with a mix of arrogance and disdain. One of them, seemingly the ringleader, stepped forward, her demeanor unapologetic. "What's it to you? This is none of your business."
Ethan's gaze remained steely, his determination unyielding. "When someone's in trouble, it becomes everyone's business. You don't get to torment someone just because you feel like it."
The leader of the bullies shot Ethan a mocking grin, her expression devoid of any remorse or guilt. It was as if what she was doing right now was something she had every right to, and the idea of rules was foreign to her.
"What's your hero complex, huh?" she sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "This girl needs to learn her place. Maybe a little roughing up will teach her."
Ethan's jaw tightened at the callousness in her words. He felt the heat of anger rising within him, fueled by the blatant lack of empathy displayed by the bully. The moonlight seemed to accentuate the cold, unapologetic gleam in her eyes.
"You're not her savior, and this is none of your business," she continued, her grin widening. "Why don't you go back to whatever hole you crawled out of and leave us alone?"
The other girls snickered in agreement, a cruel chorus that echoed through the night.
'These girls.'
Despite Ethan's steely resolve, a sense of frustration and disbelief settled within him.
'How can a human do that to another?'
The darkness that shrouded the secluded corner seemed to mirror the moral void in the bully's heart from how she looked at the girl with a wide grin, how she licked her lips, and the blood dripping from the tip of her hands.
It looked like the girl was enjoying every bit of a second of what she was doing.
"This isn't something a human would do to another," Ethan stated firmly, refusing to turn away. "Right now, you're not being yourself."
This was what he genuinely believed. Even while he was confronting other demonic humans, he always thought something pushed them to become that way. He thought that in different conditions, nobody would turn that way.
The girl's smirk widened at his words, her tone mocking. "Oh, I'm pissed now," she hissed, her eyes glinting with malice.
SMASH!
Without warning, she raised her fist and delivered a brutal blow to the victim's face.
"AH!"
The sound of impact echoed through the night, followed by a gasp of pain.
"I am not being myself? What the hell?"
The bully girl mumbled. The moonlight played upon her features, casting eerie shadows that accentuated the malicious satisfaction etched on her face. Her enjoyment was palpable, a grotesque spectacle in the secluded corner of the backyard.
"Who do you think you are to say such a thing?"
Ethan felt a surge of anger and frustration, his empathy for the victim fueling his determination to intervene.
SMASH!
Ignoring his words, the girl raised her fist once again, delivering another brutal blow to her unconscious victim. The sickening sound of bones creaking echoed through the night, a chilling testament to the unbridled cruelty that seemed to consume her.
"You think you can change anything?" she scoffed, her tone laced with a twisted amusement. "People like you are all the same. Just weak, pathetic worms."
Ethan clenched his fists, his resolve unyielding despite the escalating brutality. The darkness that had enveloped the secluded corner seemed impenetrable, a stark contrast to the empathy and compassion he desperately tried to uphold.
In a final act of sadistic triumph, the girl loomed over her victim, her smirk widening with a perverse delight. "This is what happens to those who cross me. Those who act all and mighty in front of me while still being a whore."
The girl stood and turned her body fully to Ethan, looking at her with a smirk.
"Emma, haven't you gon-"
"Shut up."
One of her followers tucked her clothes, looking worried. After all, the target of her hits was now lying unconscious, with blood dripping from her head all over.
"Nothing will happen….Worms like these are resilient. Especially those who spread their legs like her."
"….Okay…."
After lecturing her friends, the girl named Emma slowly approached Ethan.
TAP! TAP!
Her luxurious boots made a sound with each step.
Standing right in front of him, Emma looked at Ethan with a condescending gaze. The moonlight revealed a cold certainty in her eyes, an arrogance that spoke of someone accustomed to exerting control.
"I know guys like you quite well," Emma said, her voice dripping with disdain. "Justice enforcers, obsessed with honor and purity. You're all the same."
She continued her approach, the tap of her boots creating an unsettling rhythm against the backdrop of the night. As she stood before Ethan, the moonlight revealed a cold certainty in her eyes, an arrogance born from wielding power over others.
"You all like virgins, those pure girls," Emma remarked with a cruel smirk. "Others, defiled. But for people like you, being a whore is a lot worse than being uneducated or stupid. Isn't this why you can never take it when you know the girl is better than you."
The weight of her words hung in the air, a challenge to Ethan's sense of justice. Emma's cruel satisfaction seemed to intensify, relishing in the discomfort she stirred.
"What if the girl you're so desperately trying to protect was a whore?" Emma continued, her voice laced with mockery. "What if she was really spreading her legs in front of anyone paying her? Would you still play the hero for someone so impure?"
She looked so sure of her words as if she knew him well. But, never once in front of the girl, Ethan wavered.
"No. I wouldn't."
Emma scoffed, dismissing his response with a mocking laugh. "You don't believe me, do you?" With a smug expression, she opened her smartwatch, displaying a series of photos. The images showed the same girl in various explicit situations with different guys, some of them explicit enough to be censored.
"There you go," Emma taunted, holding the smartwatch out for Ethan to see. "Your precious victim isn't as innocent as you thought. So much for your hero act. You really can't trust anyone these days, can you?"
The images on the smartwatch painted a damning picture, and Emma reveled in the shock she aimed to elicit from Ethan.
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he glanced at the photos on Emma's smartwatch. Disgust and disbelief painted his features, a tumultuous mix of emotions swirling within him.
Emma, sensing a crack in Ethan's unwavering facade, took it as a sign of her victory. A triumphant smirk played on her lips as she observed his reaction, interpreting his disgust as confirmation of her claims.
"Told you," Emma's triumphant smirk deepened as she continued her assault on Ethan's ideals. "All those heroes like you, they're the same," she sneered, gesturing dismissively. "Thinking they can save the day, be the shining knight for some pure, untouched damsel in distress. It's laughable."
"Pathetic."
"Huh?"
"It is just pathetic."
Contrary to how Emma thought, Ethan wasn't actually disgusted by the explicit pictures.
"Of course-"
"The fact that you keep talking as if everyone is the same."
Instead, he felt a deep sense of disappointment in himself, a realization that his own indecisiveness was why this girl could still stand in front of him and grin.
'She doesn't deserve to be saved.'
The images didn't disgust him; it was the manipulative use of them that fueled his frustration.
"Wh-"
"The fact that you feel entitled to torment others just because of some pictures is a lot more disgusting than those mere pictures," Ethan asserted, his voice cutting through Emma's attempts at mockery. "Even breathing the same air as such a vile woman like you is making me suffocate."
These words were Ethan's honest thoughts, a declaration of his disdain for Emma's cruel actions.
"Disgusting."
For the first time in his life, he felt this angry. If not for his impressive control of his emotions that were taught in his household and the values he held, he would smash this girl's face right here.
If that were a guy speaking such words, he would probably be in hospital right now.
SPIT!
He spat to the ground and went past Emma, ignoring the girl standing.
Emma's eyes widened at his actions; her gaze fixated on the spit staining her expensive boots. The audacity of his gesture seemed to strike a nerve, and her face turned crimson with anger. The twisted satisfaction that had adorned her features now morphed into a vindictive determination.
"You think you can walk away from this?" Emma's voice quivered with restrained fury. "Let's see how brave you are when others join in."
Her decision to show Ethan his place went beyond just herself; she intended to rally the support of the other girls involved.
Emma's cruel intentions simmered beneath the surface as she prepared to escalate the confrontation, fueled by the insult Ethan had dared to deliver.
'Thank god she is fine.'
However, Ethan just ignored her and checked the pulse of the girl lying on the ground. He felt responsible because he just watched what happened instead of intervening and was angry at himself.
Emma's frustration deepened at Ethan's disregard for her threats. Seething with anger, she raised her voice, ordering the other girls to attack him.
"Just get this bastard."
At the mention of these words, Ethan just smiled, feeling a fist covered with Aura approaching him.
'This will be my retribution.'
Even if he could lessen the burden on this girl a little bit, he was fine with it.
Chapter 250 - Crossing Hearts (4)
"People get hurt all the time, Ethan. This is how the world works."
"But, father. How can I ignore others' misfortunes if I call myself a good person?"
"Good person, huh?"
Remembering the conversation he had with his father, Ethan couldn't help but smile a little at the approaching fist.
Even though he said that he wouldn't ignore other people's misfortune, just right before, he acted indecisively and let someone other hurt.
'Pathetic.'
But, he was no longer going to do that. Whether someone else's past was strained, unless the said person had committed a crime and wasn't unpunished, it was not his room to judge.
Especially if that said, the past had concerns like this.
"Sorry, handsome guy….."
SWOOSH!
As the first girl lunged at him with a fist charged with Aura, Ethan's expression shifted from a passive smile to a focused determination.
SWOOSH!
His blue eyes locked onto the approaching threat, and with swift reflexes, he sidestepped the attack. The girl's punch missed its mark, and Ethan seized the opportunity to counter.
THUD!
His movements were calculated, his spear-like precision evident as he delivered a precise strike to the girl's side.
"Burghk-"
A surge of Aura accompanied the blow, sending her staggering back. The other two girls hesitated for a moment, surprised by Ethan's agility and counterattack.
"Rhonda!"
But they soon came to their senses as they realized that her friend was lying on the ground grabbing her stomach.
"You little jerk! How dare you!" one of the girls shouted, her fists clenched in fury. The anger in her eyes mirrored that of her companions, and they closed in on Ethan with a renewed sense of aggression.
SWOOSH!
A swift kick was aimed at Ethan's midsection, but he deftly evaded it, stepping back with nimble footwork.
The calculated movements showcased his trained combat skills, leaving the girls momentarily taken aback.
"Get him, Yvonne! Don't let him think he can just walk away!" another girl yelled, encouraging her companion to join the fray.
As Yvonne lunged forward, Ethan anticipated her move. With a quick sidestep, he avoided her attack and swiftly retaliated with a counterstrike, a precise jab to her shoulder.
THUD!
The forceful blow elicited a yelp of pain, and Yvonne staggered, momentarily thrown off balance. The other girl, fueled by a mix of anger and determination, lunged at Ethan from the side.
SWOOSH!
Ethan, however, was prepared. With a swift spin, he dodged the attack, leaving the third girl stumbling forward. Seizing the opportunity, Ethan delivered a sweeping kick, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the ground.
CRASH!
The clash of bodies echoed in the secluded corner, the tension escalating as the confrontation unfolded. The girls, now more enraged than before, were relentless in their pursuit of retribution.
The three girls, now more determined than ever, exchanged glances that conveyed a mix of frustration and acknowledgment. The realization that Ethan was no ordinary opponent had dawned upon them.
Well, considering how naïve he looked and his aura, they thought he was only a handsome guy with a hero complex, but it seemed he had the talent to back it up a little.
"You're not as pathetic as I thought," the girl named Rhonda grumbled, still recovering from the blow to her side. Her tone carried a begrudging respect for a fellow Awakened that she couldn't conceal.
"He's good," Yvonne added, rubbing her shoulder where Ethan's precise strike had landed. The sting of pain was accompanied by a newfound understanding of the challenge they faced.
The third girl, who had stumbled in her attempt to attack, struggled to stand up, but her eyes remained fixated on Ethan. A mix of frustration and admiration lingered in her gaze.
Ethan, on the other hand, maintained a focused demeanor, his blue eyes unwavering. He could sense a shift in their approach as they prepared for a more coordinated assault.
'This….'
He also knew that facing seniors like that wasn't optimal. Even if they were girls, the power of stats was the thing that was detrimental when fighting.
"Enough playing around," the first girl declared, her voice now devoid of mockery. "This had already taken too long."
She threw a quick look at Emma, looking at the fight with her arms crossed.
'This bitch doesn't help either.'
She was following her because she was one of the heirs of a high-standing corporation in the field, and she was strong as a mage. But, for some reason, this guy before him also felt familiar. Even though she couldn't put the exact name, it felt like he was famous as well.
"Leave this to me."
However, she was getting sick of it. She also didn't like Mia; no, she hated her, but this circus play had become way too long for her own good. Right now, things were getting a risky turn; she could feel it.
In fact, she had been getting a weird feeling of being watched for a while, even though she couldn't pinpoint where exactly. Knowing Emma's temper, she knew things would get out of control.
"B-"
"…."
With one last glare to Yvonne, she made her quiet. And then, she instantly channeled her aura onto her legs, taking her stance.
As a sophomore-year student, she was already familiar with how to coat herself with mana to the point where it was like breathing.
SWOOSH!
Then, with an instant kick, she followed. , wi
THUD!
'What?'
The speed of the kick was insanely fast, almost incomparable to what Ethan had encountered so far in his life.
Even when he was sparring with Julia or others, he never felt such a speed.
Ethan's world blurred as the sudden speed of the kick caught him off guard.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The impact was relentless, a flurry of blows raining down on him with astonishing speed.
Each strike carried the weight of the senior's mana-coated limbs, making it nearly impossible for Ethan to predict or counter.
His instincts screamed at him to defend, but the onslaught was too overwhelming. The calculated precision that had served him well in previous exchanges was rendered useless against the relentless assault.
'It hurts.'
It hurt, but Ethan didn't mind. He had already taken into account that it would hurt before acting.
'It is fine.'
Again, he wasn't delusional enough to think that he could beat three seniors alone while he was without his weapon, where he could show the difference between lineages.
But then again, he at least thought he could put up some sort of fight and could at least stall for some time.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The blows connected with merciless precision, each kick calculated to disarm and disable. In a matter of seconds, Ethan found himself disoriented and defenseless, unable to counter the onslaught.
THUD!
"Burghk!"
The final kick struck with devastating force, and Ethan spurted blood from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground. The world spun around him, his senses overwhelmed by the sudden and ruthless assault.
As he lay on the ground, battered and bloodied, Emma approached with a triumphant smirk. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on her face as she reveled in the moment.
"Looks like your shining knight act didn't last long," Emma taunted, her voice dripping with condescension. "Maybe next time, think twice before interfering in someone else's business."
'It is fine.'
However, he thought it was fine since he at least didn't ignore someone else's misfortune. This was the basics of being a human being in his mind.
However, his thoughts changed as Emma stepped on Ethan with her expensive boots, looking down at him with a triumphant glint in her eyes, and Ethan's face underwent a subtle transformation.
'What is this feeling?'
While he believed in the honor of looking out for others, he would not tolerate having his pride trampled upon, especially considering his status as a Hartley.
'I am on the right, but I am still being trampled upon.'
"Little Nephew. If the world worked in the right person's favor every time, then we wouldn't need the word 'justice' in our world."
He felt something was missing.
"Even the Justice always favors 'strong.' So be strong, Ethan. Be strong for your justice."
Remembering the words that had left the most impact in his mind, Ethan's face changed. He looked at the girl lying on the ground right beside him. Now, he was no longer in a different state.
He was also bruised and tattered.
'I couldn't change anything, huh?'
At that moment, Emma's victory was met with a sudden shift in Ethan's expression. His blue eyes, once clouded with pain and defeat, now bore a fiery determination.
'That's right. I need to be strong.'
The smirk that had adorned Emma's face began to fade as she sensed a change in the atmosphere.
TUCK!
Ethan's hand shot out, gripping the edge of Emma's boot with a firm grasp. The unexpected resistance caught her off guard, and her triumphant expression wavered for the first time.
Ethan smirked, his teeth stained with his own blood, a defiant glint in his eyes. "At the end of the day, you'll never win. Because next time, I'll be stronger."
Emma, for some inexplicable reason, flinched at his words. A sudden wave of discomfort washed over her, a feeling she couldn't quite comprehend.
There was a weird feeling…A weird aura covering Ethan. As if he was shining, not because he was a knight shining in armor but because he was someone who was a star.
'This….'
She couldn't put the feeling, but it made her bothered so much. She felt like insects were crawling upon her skin.
The smirk on her face faltered as an unsettling sensation gnawed at her confidence.
THUD!
Reacting instinctively, Emma kicked Ethan in the face one last time, the force of the blow causing him to lose consciousness. As he lay on the ground, the moonlight cast a pallor over his battered form, and Emma regained her composure.
"Learn your place, dog." She muttered, her voice laced with a mix of irritation and lingering unease. The other girls, still recovering from their encounter with Ethan, were observed in silence.
As Ethan lay unconscious on the ground, Emma, determined to erase any traces of their encounter, ordered the other girls to beat him further. The moonlight cast shadows that danced around the cold backyard as the girls hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances.
"Emma, isn't this too much?" Rhonda voiced her concern, eyeing Ethan's battered form. Yvonne and the third girl nodded in agreement, their unease mirroring Emma's own.
Emma, however, remained resolute, her irritation transforming into a steely resolve. "He needs to learn his place. Do it."
Reluctantly, the girls followed Emma's orders.
'Sorry….'
Even though it was not honorable to hit someone when they fell down, they had abandoned that 'honor' way long ago in their minds anyway. Though even they felt some sort of remorse for what they were about to do.
CREAK!
The sudden sound of creaking and approaching footsteps shattered the uneasy silence in the secluded backyard.
"Wait, someone is coming."
The girls, in the midst of carrying out Emma's ruthless order, froze as the reality of their situation sank in.
From the corner of the wall, they noticed who was coming.
"Guards."
Realizing the identity of the approaching guards, they immediately signaled Emma.
SWOOSH!
After the girls exchanged furtive glances, a collective realization that they had crossed a line and that consequences were imminent.
Without a word, they fled the scene, disappearing into the night like shadows seeking refuge from the approaching light.