At first glance, Professor Bridgette wasn't an intimidating woman. If compared to Ethan's sister, they would be the complete opposite. She was far from young, in her mid-fifties. Her once-dark hair had almost all turned grey, which gave her an air of wisdom and experience. Additionally, her slight wrinkles only added to it.

  She dressed modestly despite her status as an academy professor. She made more than enough money to treat herself, yet her garbs were always simple, made of comfortable cloth instead of something expensive, which made her stand out among the rest.

  After all, this was a prestigious institution where the most privileged gathered. Neither the student body nor the faculty were immune to the appeal of luxury—no one but Professor Bridgette. Never in her many decades as a teacher did she ever surrender her convictions, even when she faced the progeny of the Imperium's greatest powers.

  This was one of the reasons she was feared among the students. She was like a predator, feasting on those who dared to cross her path. However, her peers respected her just as much for never bending in her values. In this way, she and Ethan's sister were quite similar.

  “Why the sudden silence?” she said. “I’m waiting for you to answer me.”

  Her voice was gentle, yet it rang sharp in Ethan's ears. He wished she wouldn't get involved, but the time for that was already over. Many in the crowd tried to sneakily walk away, yet they were restrained by those around them.

  They knew they couldn't escape her. Despite her age, her memory was flawless, and she had already imprinted all of their faces in her mind. If they were to fall, they would all fall together. She could not punish all of them—at least, that was their thought process.

  “I'm sorry you had to witness this," Howe said, breaking the heavy silence that hung over the crowd, yet his gaze remained firmly on Ethan, which prompted a shiver to travel up his spine before Howe added, "But, this shouldn't concern the faculty. I hope you will overlook this, if only for my sake. I'm sure you understand, considering the recent events."

  Some students couldn't help but gasp while others held their breaths. From the start, this had been a roller-coaster of emotions: from the short woman gripping her blade to the confrontation of words between the two men to the then arrival of those four, the audience couldn't wait to know how this would all end.

  Their gazes were now fixed on Professor Bridgette but also shifted from time to time to the two women standing behind her. As usual, Elizabeth's expression was a mask of frost, yet the most astute observers could see her glance toward Ethan. Only he knew what lay in the depths of those jewels. He saw concern for himself if ever so slight—so much so that only he realized it—yet he didn't know where such concern stemmed.

  Did she believe him so weak that he couldn't even care for himself, or did this emotion come from somewhere much deeper? Ethan couldn't hazard a guess, and at this point, he had practically given up on it having any meaning. She had already made her intentions clear.

  “Are you threatening me, young man?” Bridgette asked, her brow slightly creasing as a deep frown appeared.

  Her wrinkles gave her something akin to a demonic look, which couldn’t help but frighten some of the more faint-hearted members of the crowd. Some almost passed out at this mere sight, remembering memories they would rather forget entirely.

  From her ear dangled a deep black jewel, which shone ever so slightly with power. Its might propagated within the corridor, reaching up to the ceiling, yet passed harmlessly through the green being watching over all.

  Yet, if one looked closely, one could see a shadowy being attached to Professor Bridgette's back, resembling something akin to a tangible aura. A pair of eyes appeared in the darkness, scanning the crowd before moving upwards. Everyone felt dread rise in their hearts; even the countless materialized spirits weren't exempt, yet it faded just as soon as its gaze left them.

  The black shadowy aura and the green outline above's gazes met, resulting in a slight storm brewing near the ceiling. But before it could be unleashed, the shadowy aura closed its immaterial eyes and visibly shook, almost as if its own dread had been reflected upon it.

  Professor Bridgette's body shook as she felt her earring dim slightly. Everyone could see her frown further, yet none knew the reason for it—none but the small green bird perched on the shoulder of the young woman standing beside Elizabeth. Her gaze was now raised, and she had a slight smile on her face.

  Ethan noticed the shift, but when he looked up, he saw nothing but the beautifully carved columns rising to the vaulted ceiling where many masterful paintings adorned the mighty stones holding the weight of this structure. There only seemed to be a slight breeze blowing through these halls.

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  “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Howe said respectfully. “I wouldn’t dare threaten an esteemed professor. I only ask for your understanding of these extenuating circumstances.”

  Although her expression remained stern, it seemed to soften, if only slightly. The old woman then turned toward the armed short lady, peering straight through her with what seemed like an incendiary gaze.

  Despite it all, the young lady remained steadfast, hand wrapped around the handle of her sword and blade a few inches out of its scabbard. Throughout the ordeal, she remained on edge, prepared to unleash a strike at any moment.

  “And what do you think you are doing?” Professor Bridgette asked, yet her voice was now heavier—much more authoritative.

  Ethan almost shook his head, believing that even a professor wouldn’t be able to get a word out of her, as he hadn’t been able to. But, to his surprise, she actually responded.

  "I was tasked with protecting this man," she said, her voice calm and neutral, yet there was a barely disguised threat laced within, which Howe seemed to dismiss with an almost silent snort before the young guard added, "This task remains until it is fulfilled, or the order is rescinded."

  "And who, may I ask, gave you such an order?" Bridgette asked with all the patience in the world, but there was no amusement in her eyes. "I see you wear a military uniform. Who are you affiliated with?”

  The question was rhetorical, at best, as all could see the black-and-white colours of her uniform. It didn't take much of a genius to extrapolate who she might be reporting to, yet Professor Bridgette asked regardless, as it was only proper decorum. She also wished to make the matter clear to everybody.

  Ethan knew it wasn't advisable to answer such a question, as it would question the validity of such an order. After all, from what he knew, the Academy was supposed to be free from the military's influence—an independent free state where only their own rules mattered. This had been decreed long ago by the Imperium's First Emperor and has been upheld to this day. Breaking such a covenant was unthinkable, even if the line had been walked or even crossed many times, but never so overtly. But to his surprise, the young lady did answer.

  “I serve under Major Lancaster,” she said. “These orders came directly from her, and only she can rescind them. I am aware that this goes against what the Academy stands for, but my orders take precedence. My apologies.”

  Silence reigned once again as Professor Bridgette looked upon her. Yet, unlike the anger or frustration many expected, the professor merely looked upon her with a slight interest, almost as if she had found something peculiar she wished to probe and prod.

  “How should I address you, young lady?” she asked.

  “Corporal Amelia Jenkins, serving in the Archon's Personal Guard, third squadron, Ma'am!" she announced, stiffening slightly as if to give a small salute, yet her hands didn't move from the handle of her blade.

  “Now then, Corporal Jenkins. I assume you are fully aware of the consequences, should your blade ever completely leave its scabbard?" the professor asked slowly. Yet, Amelia's response surprised her, as it was said with no hesitation whatsoever.

  “According to Article 5.a of the Academy’s Charter, Any use of a bladed weapon within the Academy’s premise can, and will, be met with deadly force, regardless of who the perpetrator is. Yes, Ma’am. I am fully aware of the Imperium’s laws.”

  “Yet, you choose to go down this path even while knowing the outcome for yourself?" Bridgette asked, brows creasing even more, yet her expression softened as soon as she heard her answer.

  “This is what it means to be a soldier, Ma’am. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  This statement was simple, yet it possessed a depth that few could even conceive. Most of the crowd only thought of her as a fool. They had been born into privilege and had no idea what devotion to a cause even was. They couldn't conceive what some might sacrifice in the pursuit of higher ideals. Even for Ethan, this wasn't something he could fully grasp. He was stunned that a young woman, not much older than him, could be so steadfast in her beliefs.

  Is my sister worth that much, or is it something more?

  This shook some of his values, making him reflect more upon himself. Yet, it was still far from enough to completely change his outlook. At his core, Ethan was much too selfish to emulate such a way of life.

  “How laudable of you," Professor Bridgette said. Her expression was now gentle. Seldom had Ethan seen such a sight, yet the atmosphere darkened slightly as she added, "It would be a shame for such a brave young woman to fall to such foolishness. Let me rectify this."

  Her contract stone shone with a dark light that spread throughout her surroundings, blanketing over all that stood in its way until nothing remained but a fog of darkness. The young guard was on edge, yet her sword had yet to emerge from its sheath.

  As for Ethan, he couldn't help but look puzzled as he looked into the dark fog, feeling something creeping within. A feeling of dread emerged within his heart at the mere sight of this fog, yet he did his best to keep the feeling tightly confined so that none of it would ever emerge, as he knew this fog was made through spirit magic. He couldn't show that he was now able to vaguely see the creature swimming within.

  As for the other students, many suddenly collapsed, having lost consciousness. Their expressions were of terror, reflecting their state of mind until the last moment when their brains shut down from overwhelming fright. As the primary recipient, even the young woman could barely stand alone. Ethan could see sweat drip down the side of her chin—cold.

  Not even the famed Howe seemed able to resist terror's hold as he deeply gazed into the abyss of this nightmare. Ethan could only somehow resist it due to the dark ring of the same element slowly swirling around his heart, mitigating most of it. But even then, it was far from enough. Sooner or later, he, too, would be taken over by fear.

  However, just as they were all about to reach their limit, a bright light emerged from the end of the corridor, piercing right through the darkness as it scattered it away. It revealed an incorporeal but grotesque creature that appeared just for a moment before being vanquished by the light. Ethan only saw its shadow as it flew straight back into the dark earring.

  What was that? It felt... like a living nightmare... How frightening!

  Ethan had heard rumours of Professor Bridgette's contracted spirit, but he never expected such a normal-looking old woman to have such a terrifying spirit. Especially since he knew this was merely a fraction of what it was capable of. Using its true power, one might be able to kill people from a distance out of mere fright.

  As for the light, it receded soon after once its opponent was gone. There was no spirit to be seen on the other side but a young, tall woman standing in her black and white military uniform. Still, Ethan didn't feel the slightest bit of relief at her sight, for the look in her eyes was filled with nothing but fury.