Chapter 41 Elara Is Isolated

Chapter 41 Elara Is Isolated

I said in surprise, "Who?"

"Director Royce Castillo."

Luke's voice dropped even lower. "I heard the Sullivan family has kept him under their thumb for years. He locks himself in his research chamber all day, and they still come after him. Now that the Sullivans are in trouble, Royce is out for blood."

Before Luke finished, we all exchanged uneasy glances.

Royce was walking straight toward us, his face cold, his eyes sweeping over the five of us one by one.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his spine rigid, and snorted. "You students certainly enjoy gossiping behind people's backs. If I hear this kind of talk again, don't expect leniency."

Luke went rigid and quickly lowered his head. "Y-yes, Mr. Castillo."

Royce's gaze swept over him, cold and dismissive. He turned and strode away, his back perfectly straight, as if he'd just claimed something that belonged to him.

Luke covered his face with one hand. "We're dead. Royce is famous for being vindictive. He'll target us for sure."

"Huh? We don't usually have much to do with him. It can't be that bad, right?" Would a director really hold a grudge against a bunch of students?

Luke looked miserable. "Vanessa, you don't know. After we get back from this trial, we're starting magic potion class. The professor who was supposed to teach us had connections to the Sullivan family, so they replaced him."

I suddenly realized something. "So our new magic potion professor is..."

Luke nodded hopelessly. "That's right. Royce."

Chloe and Rena didn't look happy either.

Chloe sighed. "We're so unlucky. Gossiping about someone and getting caught in the act by the man himself."

Rena nodded hard. "Life's going to be tough from now on."

I thought for a moment and tried to comfort everyone. "It's okay. As long as we stay sharp, we should be fine."

"I guess that's all we can do."

On the day of the celebration, I changed into my dress and came out of my room. Darius was already waiting for me in the common area, wearing a suit.

Seeing me come out, he naturally took the neck ribbon and helped me tie it.

Then suddenly there was a hand in front of me.

Darius turned his wrist, revealing an exquisitely crafted butterfly brooch in his palm. The gems on the butterfly's wings shimmered brilliantly under the light, looking incredibly lifelike.

"What a beautiful brooch," I couldn't help saying.

"Yes, it's for you," Darius nodded. "Perfect to go with your dress."

I happily took it and carefully pinned it to my chest. The butterfly wings trembled slightly with my breathing, as if they might flutter away at any moment.

I conjured a hand mirror to float in front of me, looking at myself again and again with delight. So beautiful.

The corners of Darius's mouth lifted slightly as he stood quietly beside me, watching.

It wasn't until the celebration was about to start that my Grimoire beeped, and Chloe's urging voice rang out. "Vanessa, when are you and Darius coming? The celebration's about to start."

Only then did I snap back to reality. "Coming, coming."

I grabbed Darius's hand and immediately headed to the academy hall.

This was my first time wearing a dress and heels. Even dressed so elegantly, standing in the crowded hall, I still felt uncomfortable all over. Especially the heels—they made every step difficult.

Darius took my hand and placed it on his arm. "Lean on me a bit. It'll be less tiring that way."

I smiled sweetly. "Okay."

Compared to the sweetness between us, the atmosphere around us was a bit strange.

Many students were sneaking curious, scrutinizing glances at us.

They still looked at Darius with fear, as if looking at a monster.

I frowned slightly and tightened my grip on Darius's hand.

Darius wasn't a monster. I would always stand by Darius's side. One day we'd prove to everyone that being Voidborn was just an identity. Even dark magic wasn't all bad.

Apart from us, the atmosphere in a corner not far away was also off.

Elara wore a white dress, her smooth hair flowing down her back.

If it were before, many classmates would have gathered around her.

But now, the spot where Elara stood seemed to have some kind of force field of silence on it. Everyone ignored her.

Even when people looked at her, their eyes showed disgust and disdain.

Elara's face was ashen, her head lowered. Her hands unconsciously clenched her skirt, and her back, which used to be proudly straight, now hunched over.

"Hey, Elara." A student strode toward Elara, followed by three people with unfriendly expressions. "Weren't you pretty arrogant before? What's wrong? Now that the Sullivan family's being investigated, you're suffering too? What a pathetic stray you are."

"I'm not..." Elara's face went pale, her lips moved, her voice trembling.

"Hmph, news has spread all across the academy. The Thorne family has always been nothing but lapdogs to the Sullivans. Without your masters, what trouble could you possibly stir up now?"

The student crossed his arms, his tone arrogant. "I won't make things too hard for you. Today, as long as you grovel at my feet and become my follower from now on, I'll let you off."

I stared at his back for a long time, feeling like I'd seen him somewhere. I pulled Darius aside a couple of steps, and only then could I see his profile clearly.

It was Angus.

Luke had worked with me to circle back, but Angus had really run away. Now he was actually bullying Elara.

Elara pressed her lips tight, her voice strained. "Angus, don't go too far."

Angus acted like he'd heard the biggest joke and sneered. "Too far? Even if I bully you now, I'm doing the right thing."

His expression showed a twisted pleasure. "I've been annoyed with you people for a while. Acting all high and mighty at the academy just because you have a good family. Now let's see what you can do."

The Qiu family had always been suppressed by the Sullivan family, and Angus at Aethergate College of Magic had been suppressed by Kael too.

Now that the Sullivan family had fallen and Kael had been taken away for investigation, with no powerful figures in charge, Angus began to lord it over others and deliberately pick on Elara.

Elara's eyes filled with tears. She instinctively looked around for help, but now no one was willing to help her. Angus's words became more and more excessive, but there were only onlookers around.

I sighed, let go of Darius, and walked toward Elara.

"Angus, since when does the academy allow forming cliques to bully classmates?"

Angus frowned at me. "Mind your own business."

"The way you're acting so arrogant, I almost forgot you were the one who ran away back then," I sneered.

Angus's face changed. "I'm helping the academy deal with trash. Stop interfering."

Whispers rose around us, all targeting Elara. Elara's face was ashen, her body swaying.

I said calmly, "The fact that Elara can be here today means she's innocent. What you're doing now is simply bullying a classmate."

"Angus, do you want me to tell everyone here exactly how you acted like a coward back then?"

"You... you just wait." Angus glared at me viciously, then turned and left.

Elara's eyes reddened as she walked up to me. "Vanessa, thank you for helping me out."

She shifted slightly to the side, blocking the view of those around us, and slipped a card into my hand, its surface chill against my palm. "I found this at the Bloodthorn Grass factory. It might be useful to you."

She said nothing more, gave me a deep look, and left directly.

My eyes flickered. I discreetly put away the card, and Darius and I found a corner with no one around before I took it out to look.

Darius looked surprised. "This is... a library card for the Spectral Library."