Chapter 11 Reaping What They Sowed
Kane Ashworth's POV
I strode through the hallway, rage burning inside me, ready to explode!
Yes, back in the infirmary, I'd been holding it in. I didn't want Cecilia to see me lose control or leave a bad impression.
But that didn't mean I wasn't furious. I was livid—angrier than I'd ever been. I felt like I might combust!
As I walked, students scattered, none daring to pass me.
I didn't care. Speed was all that mattered. I needed to reach Cecilia's dorm—now!
Though I didn't know exactly how her necklace ended up in the Spiritual Spring, it happened in her dorm. Her roommates were definitely involved!
Besides, they'd been hostile toward Cecilia because of me. This had to be their doing!
Suppressing my fury, I rushed to Cecilia's dorm at top speed.
Before I could push the door open, voices drifted from inside.
I recognized Rowan's voice. The other two had to be Cecilia's other roommates.
"Cecilia's truly stupid. Jumping into the Spiritual Spring for a worthless necklace? Does she even know how freezing that water is?"
Rowan's tone dripped with mockery. To her, Cecilia was a joke.
Another girl laughed. "Exactly. She's an idiot—both stupid and crazy. Otherwise why would she voluntarily approach Kane?"
"Right? Kane's a Dark Mage everyone at this academy fears. She deliberately seeks him out. Just wait—soon enough, she'll end up dead!"
I didn't care what they said about me. But talking about Cecilia? That crossed the line. Unforgivable!
The next second, I kicked the door open and stormed in, my killing intent and rage impossible to contain.
Or rather, I had no intention of containing it. I came here today to get revenge for Cecilia!
Seeing me appear, all three jumped up defensively.
Though they moved quickly and outnumbered me, their bodies trembled visibly.
Perhaps this was the advantage of being a Dark Mage. People despised and discriminated against me normally, but when it mattered, no one dared provoke me!
"Wh-what are you doing here? What do you want?"
"This is the girls' dormitory! You shouldn't be here! Leave—right now!"
The three pointed at me, screaming frantically. But I said nothing, simply advancing toward them slowly.
Rowan panicked completely, shouting, "Stop! Remember where you are—this is the magic academy! You can't just do whatever you want!"
"If you dare make a move at Star Ring Academy, you'll be expelled! Leave the dorm now, and we can pretend nothing happened!"
"That's right! There's still time to back out. Later, no one can save you!"
Their threats almost made me laugh. I didn't care about expulsion at all.
Or rather, after all these years, I'd never known what I truly cared about—until Cecilia appeared.
She was like a beam of light illuminating my life, bringing warmth and brightness.
And now, she was someone I needed to protect. Compared to staying at Star Ring Academy, protecting her was far more important.
Watching me approach step by step, the three summoned their wands. "Don't push us! Push us too far, and you'll regret it!"
"That's right! Don't think we're pushovers! We won't let you bully us!"
My eyes turned cold. "But you can bully Cecilia?"
Their bodies trembled noticeably. "Bully... bully Cecilia?"
"What nonsense are you talking about? That wasn't bullying! It was just an accident!"
"Exactly! She jumped into the Spiritual Spring herself! What does that have to do with us?"
Their words enraged me completely. Perhaps talking to these people was pointless. Only action would do!
I raised my hand, gathering Dark Mage power in my palm, then unleashed it.
They reacted quickly, creating defensive barriers. But before my power, their shields were fragile as paper—instantly torn apart!
In a flash, I reached them, grabbed their collars like sandbags, and threw all three into the Spiritual Spring below the dorm!
I moved to the window, looking down at them like ants.
The three were now drenched, bodies shaking violently. But I felt no pity—they'd brought this upon themselves!
"I'm warning you—don't bother Cecilia again. Otherwise, you'll pay a heavy price for your actions!"
"If you don't believe me, feel free to test it. I guarantee I'll oblige."
With that, I turned and left, unwilling to waste more words on them.
Then I went to the cafeteria, bought Cecilia's favorite butterscotch pudding, and returned to the infirmary.
When I arrived, Cecilia's IV had finished. She looked cheerful. "Perfect timing! I can still make the afternoon Basic Magic class."
"Let's go together."
Cecilia waved at me, but I frowned. "You're not fully recovered yet. Rest a bit longer."
I didn't mention what happened at the dorm. No need. I'd only warned Rowan and the others.
As long as they behaved, Cecilia would never know, and my image in her mind wouldn't be damaged.
I didn't know why I cared so much about my image, but it was my genuine feeling. Undeniable.
Cecilia moved her arms and legs, looking relaxed. "See? I'm fine—no problems at all. I can attend class."
My frown deepened. "I should still take you back to the dorm."
Cecilia smiled. "I'm really okay. I can go to class. Basic Magic is the foundation for all magic—I can't miss a single lesson!"
"If I slack off today and it affects my future training, I'll regret it forever. You don't want me to have regrets, right?"
Cecilia blinked her beautiful eyes, trying to use the importance of Basic Magic class to make me compromise.
But to me, none of that mattered—at least not as much as letting her rest properly.
"Missing class doesn't matter. I can tutor you. I promise I won't let you fall behind."
This was the best solution I could think of—not delaying her magical training while protecting her health. Win-win.