"..."

"..."

I and John remained quiet as Professor James looked at us disapprovingly.

But why me?!

'I've done nothing,' I thought to myself, adopting the role of an innocent student who had refrained from causing harm.

[<But you did watch the fight in exquisite 8K quality while savoring your meal>]

I maintain that I'm a model student, steering clear of unnecessary conflicts.

"Could you please explain the significance of the bracelets on your wrists?" Professor James Raven interlaced his fingers and inquired. "I hope you didn't mistake them for mere decorative trinkets gifted by King Charles."

"If I may, Professor," I interjected, needing to clarify before my mother and sister beat me up. "I wasn't involved in the altercation. John is the one responsible."

John turned his head to me, his expression betraying a sense of betrayal, his usual glare returning. "You... you bastard! They instigated it!"

"Not the fight itself, though?"

"They insulted my parents! How would you react if they insulted yours?"

"I'd seek a peaceful resolution—"

"Bullshit!"

James pressed his temples, attempting to ward off an oncoming headache, to little avail.

"Enough," he muttered with a sigh, turning his attention to us. "Listen. Both of you are here on charges, and while you may have held esteemed statuses in the Kingdom of Celesta, the rules are different here in Sancta Vedelia. How do I address the parents of the boys you've beaten? If they discover that the culprits are criminals, they'd demand immediate expulsion, which is the usual course of action."

"Expulsion? I was merely defending my parents," John retorted.

"Indeed, and I'll consider that to placate them. I'm doing this for Alyssa and for you, John. Remember that."

John's mouth fell open in surprise. "You know my mother?"

James sighed, a faint smile playing on his lips. "We were classmates back in the Academy. Regardless, comport yourselves. Fortunately, your connection to Amael, whose mother is a staff member here and a Great Noble, will work in your favor."

"I'm not connected to him," I swiftly clarified.

"I'm his brother-in-law, Professor," John countered, conveniently invoking our relationship when it suited him.

"Repeat that, and I'll have it on record to send it to Alfred."

"Go to hell."

"You may depart, and I hope not to see you here again," James exhaled in a mix of frustration and resignation, signaling the end of our discussion. We were led out of his office.

...

...

"You've pretty much ruined your reputation," I stated matter-of-factly.

"I couldn't care less!" John retorted, clearly irritated.

His irritation was warranted. Back in Celesta, no one dared to provoke him as he was the heir of the Tarmias Duchy, but things had changed since coming here.

"You better start adapting quickly. Engaging in petty squabbles with those lowlifes every day won't do any good for your mental well-being."

"Coming from you, who's in that accursed class? They've been taunting me all day. Honestly, I've been quite patient so far," John grumbled with frustration.

"Tell me more," I inquired curiously.

John clicked his tongue at my inquisitive expression before launching into his explanation. "It's those lackeys of Adrian Dolphis and Alvara's lapdogs."

"Be cautious around Alvara. She's a [Major Antagonist], but we'll handle her in due time," I advised.

"I know, but if she pushes me, I won't hesitate to break the plot for the sake of my own sanity."

"Whatever. Let's refocus on the matter at hand: Amelia Dolphis," I shrugged nonchalantly, shifting back into a serious tone.

"I get that you want to intervene, but for what purpose?" John inquired.

"Listen, Amelia still believes Nora is her friend and is being manipulated by that woman."

"So what? In the Game, Victor saves her from Nora, right?"

"I'm not concerned about Victor or Amelia. My main focus is on Nora. If she gets everything she wants from Amelia, she'll gain her appearance."

"That's what triggers her Event, and Victor rescues her," John pointed out, but I shook my head, wearing a wry smile.

"What if we eliminate Nora right now?"

"What?" John's surprise was evident. "You want to kill her now? Amelia's Event comes later."

"Forget Amelia's Event. If we get rid of Nora now, we can avoid a lot of future complications. Ensuring Amelia's safety is just a bonus. You know how dangerous Nora's abilities are." I fixed John with a serious look, hoping to convey my reasoning.

"Behemoth won't take kindly to that."lightsnovel

[Behemoth] was a criminal organization. Just as Ante-Eden was the chief villain organization in the First Game, Behemoth held the same role in the Second Game.

"To hell with Behemoth," I snorted. "Besides, they'll be the ones in trouble. Without Nora's abilities, they'll struggle to secure the third 'Horn'."

"..." John fell into contemplative silence, mulling over my proposition.

"...she's a Commander in Behemoth, you do realize that, right? It won't be easy to take her down," John pointed out, meeting my gaze.

"Enough with the defeatist attitude," I waved my hand dismissively. "We won't know until we try, and besides, she's still within reach unlike some of the other anomalies."

"Alright..."

I grinned at his response and gave his shoulder a friendly tap. "Good, then be ready. Let's rendezvous near Amelia's classroom; their class should be ending soon."

"Yeah." John nodded, and we went our separate ways.

With some time to spare, I thought about strolling out to the garden.

[<You mean you're going to take a nap, right?>]

Oh, hush.

***

After separating from Edward, John roamed around aimlessly, searching for an isolated spot where he could ensure his safety. He held no trust for the students of this Academy, fearing that they might use his status as a Half as an excuse to harm him.

Eventually, he found a suitable corner in an empty corridor. He sat down and closed his eyes, feeling a slight tingling sensation. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dark, eerie place where shadowy smoke wafted through the air. He couldn't discern the ground beneath him, but the surroundings were strangely familiar, so he paid it no mind.

"It's John," he called out, but received no response; just an unsettling silence.

Unperturbed, John ventured further into the darkness.

"What do we have here?" A woman's voice finally broke the silence, though it was impossible to discern its source. "My dear John, who has avoided me for three years, suddenly decides to return?"

"Can you show yourself now?" John demanded, his irritation mounting, largely due to the fact that he wasn't holding true to his own intentions.

A melodious chuckle echoed through the darkness before the swirling smoke began to coalesce in front of John, forming the image of an exquisitely beautiful woman with dark hair.

"Hecate."

"Jonathan," Hecate replied, her red, irisless eyes gleaming as she studied John's face. "You've changed a bit."

"I'm here for—"

"I know why you're here, John," Hecate cut him off, her eyes still fixed on him. "But if memory serves, you vehemently rejected my proposition three years ago."historical

"I did, but I've reconsidered," John said.

"Oh, does this mean you're ready to accept my offer?" Hecate inquired with an expectant smile.

John clicked his tongue impatiently. "Awaken my bloodline, and I'll kill Clytius for you."

"Perfect!"

"You're just a bastard. You didn't ask anything for my sister, and you're spoiling her while you don't give a damn about me," John cursed at Hecate.

"That's because Layla is my precious daughter, and you are... her brother."

"How's she?" John ignored her last words and asked about his sister.

Hecate smiled. "Layla is doing very well. Just like you she reached the peak of the fifth Ascension. She's taking care along your father of the Tarmi's Duchy while you are picking useless fight-"

"Give me that damn awakening. I don't want to see your face anymore," John spat, his annoyance evident, earning a chuckle from Hecate.

"Of course, but what brought about this sudden change of heart? Fulfilling my request might very well lead to your death," Hecate inquired, curiosity evident in her tone.

"I... I just need to be stronger. I need more power, that's all," John replied, his voice tinged with determination.

"Hmm, interesting," Hecate nodded with a smile. "For the first time, it seems like this isn't solely for your sister's sake."

"It's indirectly for her, so just give me your power already and stop talking," John snapped.

Hecate brushed off his rudeness and approached John. "Are you still seeing traces of Shayna in Layla?"

"..."

"If that's the case, I regret to inform you that Layla is from this world and not a reincarnation," Hecate explained.

"I know that, but... Layla is still my sister," John retorted.

"Your blood sister, unlike Shayna, who was adopted—"

"Enough. Give me your power so I can take down Clytius, the one who scares the shit of you so much," John interrupted, with a provocation.

"That's quite impolite, but best of luck finding and successfully killing him," Hecate replied with a wry smile.

"Tell me at least where he's, useless Goddess," John asked.

Hecate's smile deepened. "In the Underworld."