Chapter 26 An Unprecedented Precedent
Kane Ashworth's POV
This was my special class—designed exclusively for me. The classroom held only one student, yet I still sat in the back row out of habit.
The instructor didn't seem to care. He simply droned through the textbook content, indifferent to my presence.
I wasn't listening. My mind was elsewhere. All I wanted was for this class to end so I could return to Cecilia's side.
I didn't understand why I cared about her so deeply, but I couldn't deny the truth—I had no control over these feelings. This so-called "special course" meant nothing to me anymore.
Suddenly, the classroom door burst open.
I recognized the student immediately—my neighbor from the next dorm. He held some prejudice against me, though not as intense as most others.
"Kane! Cecilia's in trouble! She's in the infirmary!"
My brain went blank. I desperately hoped this was some cruel joke, that he was messing with me.
But I knew better. No one would joke with a Dark Mage. No one.
I bolted from my seat and sprinted toward the infirmary at full speed.
Yes, I panicked. I crashed into countless people along the way, like a beast that had lost all restraint.
Those I knocked aside started to protest, but the moment they recognized me, they fell silent and pretended nothing had happened.
Three minutes later, I skidded to a halt outside the emergency room, pounding frantically on the door. "Open up! Let me in!"
The door swung open, and a tall woman emerged.
She had sun-kissed skin and wore medical scrubs, her expression clearly displeased.
"Who's making all this racket? Don't you know this is an emergency room?"
"Let me in!" I repeated, my voice raw.
Jenny's brow furrowed. "I'll say this one more time. This is an emergency room. Either shut your mouth and wait quietly, or leave!"
A nearby nurse leaned in, whispering urgently, "That's Kane Ashworth. The Dark Mage. You don't want to provoke him—trust me, you'll regret it."
Jenny's expression flickered briefly before hardening again. "So what if he's a Dark Mage? Does that give him the right to cause a scene here?"
"I've made myself perfectly clear. This is an emergency room. No one gets special treatment!"
My fists clenched so tightly my knuckles cracked audibly.
I could feel it—the rage inside me spiraling beyond my control.
"Your shouting could interfere with the treatment. If that girl doesn't make it because you disrupted us, you'll be held responsible!"
Her words struck me like lightning. I staggered back two steps, unable to utter another word.
The nurse gave Jenny a thumbs-up. "Impressive."
Yes, she was the first person to speak to me this way. Actually, the second—Cecilia was the first. Even most teachers avoided interacting with me, including the instructor from my special course.
That's why I'd skipped class so many times without ever appearing on any disciplinary list.
I paced outside the emergency room, occasionally peering through the window.
My fists remained clenched. I was anxious. Terrified. Helpless. I was falling apart.
I slammed my fist into the wall. It left a deep crater.
Onlookers scattered, desperate to avoid becoming collateral damage to my fury.
I spun around, my gaze locking onto a classmate from our herbology course.
In an instant, I appeared beside him, grabbing his arm. "Tell me! Why did this happen? What went down in that class?"
I couldn't believe it. I'd been gone for just one class, and Cecilia had ended up in the emergency room.
Worse, I didn't even know if she was alive or dead!
I needed answers. I needed to make someone pay for this!
But the student was paralyzed with fear, his words barely coherent. "I... I don't know! I swear I don't know anything!"
"You'd better tell me the truth, or you'll regret it." The words ground out between my teeth.
He trembled violently, unable to form a single word.
Fortunately, another student nearby spoke up. "Asking him won't help! You should ask the instructor!"
That simple statement snapped me back to focus.
Of course. I should go straight to the instructor.
Minutes later, I stood outside Jessie's office.
Knocking was out of the question. I shoved the door open and strode inside.
Jessie visibly startled at my entrance. "You... what are you doing here? Is something wrong?"
"Why was she injured? What happened in your class?" My voice was ice-cold, my fists clenched once more.
Jessie raised her hands placatingly. "Just calm down and let me explain—"
I slammed my palm down on her desk. "I can't calm down! I want the truth!"
For me, the truth mattered more than anything else.
Jessie sighed heavily. "I understand how you feel, but this isn't what you think. No one deliberately harmed her. It was an accident."
"An accident?" My eyes narrowed dangerously. "Does the Black Orchid spontaneously spray venom? Has that ever happened before?"
Jessie fell silent, clearly at a loss for words.
Because we both knew the answer. It had never happened before. This was no accident.
They were withholding the truth because they feared what I'd do—feared I'd tear the academy apart.
But I would have the truth. Nothing would stop me.
"Who was holding the Black Orchid when it happened? And who was sitting next to her?"
"You don't really need to know that. The academy will investigate thoroughly, and when—"
Before Jessie could finish, I stepped forward. A dark purple staff materialized in my hand.
Yes, I was summoning the staff unique to Dark Mages. Because only this staff would help me find the truth. Only this staff would help me avenge Cecilia.
Perhaps sensing the murderous intent radiating from me, Jessie finally relented. "Her deskmate at the time was Rowan."
"I knew it was her!"
Hearing that name, my restraint shattered completely. In a flash, I vanished from the office.
Jessie's face went pale. "Oh no. This is going to be bad."
Moments later, I materialized outside Rowan's dorm room. I was surprised they'd returned so quickly.
Yes, the three of them clearly didn't care how badly Cecilia was hurt. Didn't care if she lived or died.
Through the door, I could see a table laden with snacks—apparently they were celebrating.
But despite the spread before them, Eddie and Domi weren't eating. Their hands trembled visibly.
Rowan's expression darkened. "What's wrong with you two? Are you scared? What are you afraid of?"
Eddie's throat bobbed nervously. "I... I think we went too far. Something bad's going to happen!"