Chapter 50 Charlotte and Hannah....?
Anos\'s mind raced. "Hey, this isn\'t my fault," he thought. "The words you used yourself imply a meaning behind what you want." He recalled Sofia\'s inviting tone earlier and wondered if he had misinterpreted.
Aloud, Anos asked cautiously, "What kind of help?" His voice betrayed his curiosity and lingering doubts.
Sofia rubbed her temples, her eyes weary with frustration. "I have a distant cousin who\'s been relentlessly pursuing me," she confessed, her voice laced with desperation. "I lied, telling him I have a boyfriend, but he probably doesn\'t believe me." She sighed, the weight of her concern evident.
Anos raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Cousin? That\'s complicated," he remarked, his tone tinged with skepticism.
Sofia waved her hand dismissively, a hint of embarrassment flickering across her face. "We\'re separated by more than three generations, so it\'s not incestuous," she clarified. "That\'s actually why he\'s interested – this type of relationship is considered challenging to resist, a thrilling conquest."
Anos\'s curiosity piqued, he leaned in, his voice low and teasing. "And what\'s in it for me if I pretend to be your boyfriend?" His eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Sofia\'s gaze locked onto his, her tone measured and calculated. "You\'re lacking spiritual weapons, aren\'t you?" She paused, her expression thoughtful, considering her next words carefully. "I happen to have a sword at home, one that might interest you. Its grade isn\'t remarkable, only eight stars of the yellow rank." Her voice trailed off, awaiting his response.
Anos\'s eyes widened in astonishment, eagerness radiating from his face. "Eight stars of the yellow rank! It\'s perfect!" He nodded vigorously, profound gratitude etched on his features, his face aglow with unbridled excitement.
An eight-star yellow rank weapon was an extraordinary find, coveted by many. Half of the advanced class didn\'t possess anything comparable. Its value was staggering - if sold, it would likely command a starting price of a million, a sum that could change one\'s fate.
Anos couldn\'t help but ponder Sofia\'s motives. Her generosity was unparalleled. Was she truly willing to part with such a valuable asset? His thoughts swirled, wondering about her background. She must hail from an influential family, where wealth and power flowed like rivers.
"Alright, then it\'s settled," Sofia said, her voice measured. "And I need one more favor from you."
Anos raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I need you to help Daniel, a student from the Advanced Class," Sofia replied.
Anos\'s curiosity piqued. "Why should I help him, Miss Sofia? And why do you care about this student?" A hint of jealousy crept into his tone.
Sofia pretended not to notice the jealousy, her expression unwavering. "As a teacher, I care about every student. Daniel is particularly vulnerable - weak, timid, and constantly bullied by Samson."
Anos\'s expression darkened. "What happened?"
"Yesterday, Samson crossed a line," Sofia\'s voice tightened. "He nearly killed Daniel. That\'s why I need your help. Protect Daniel, and teach Samson a lesson."
Ding! The system sound signaled a new mission.
_Help Daniel and his Mother_
Reward: Unknown
Punishment: Nono
Duration: 1 Month
Anos\'s brow furrowed in confusion. "Just helping a student, but why add his mother to the mission?" He wondered. He questioned the system, but silence greeted him. The system remained unresponsive, offering no explanation.
Sofia\'s concerned expression caught his attention, and Anos refocused.
"Miss Sofia, why are you so invested in Daniel\'s well-being?" Anos asked, curiosity lacing his tone.
Sofia\'s expression softened. "Daniel reminds me of my younger brother. His struggles, his fears... I see myself in him. And I want to help him find his strength."
Anos\'s gaze narrowed. "And what about Samson? What\'s his story?"
Sofia\'s voice turned cold. "Samson comes from a powerful family. They think they\'re above the law. But I won\'t tolerate bullying in my school. That\'s why I need your help."
Anos nodded. "Consider it done. But I have one condition."
Sofia raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Anos\'s eyes locked onto hers. "Tell me more about your family. You\'re not just any ordinary teacher, are you?"
Sofia\'s smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "My family is... complicated. Let\'s just say we have our share of influence."
Anos\'s eyes sparkled with intrigue. "I see. Well, Miss Sofia, you\'re full of surprises."
Sofia\'s laughter echoed through the room. "And you\'re full of questions, Anos."
Their gazes met, a silent understanding passing between them, sealing their pact.
"Alright, then it\'s settled," Sofia said, a hint of relief softening her voice. "Come straight home with me after school."
"Alright!" Anos agreed, his enthusiastic response echoing through the room, filling the space with anticipation.
...
In the serene back garden of a majestic manor, Charlotte sat poised, surrounded by nature\'s splendor. Her delicate white lace dress shimmered in the soft sunlight, complementing the lush greenery. With slender fingers, she grasped her brush, bringing her artwork to life.
As she painted, the gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, filling the air. Charlotte\'s tranquil figure blended harmoniously with the scenery, resembling a breathtaking painting.
She laid down her brush, her gaze drifting to the portrait crafted from memory. Her eyes lingered, nostalgia washing over her expression. A soft sigh escaped her lips, betraying the turmoil beneath her serene surface.
Her snow-white hair, tied with a simple yet elegant hairpin, fluttered in the breeze, framing her ivory white shoulders. The sun\'s rays danced across her crystal-like face, accentuating her exquisite features and noble charm. Her deep blue eyes, normally icy and intimidating, now shimmered with thoughts and emotions.
Elegant, noble, and cold were synonyms for Charlotte, yet in this moment, vulnerability peeked through her facade. Her gorgeous face, set off by her noble temperament, hinted at a depth beyond her captivating beauty. The usually unflappable Charlotte now seemed lost in thought, her emotions threatening to surface.
As the silence enveloped her, Charlotte\'s thoughts swirled, revealing a complexity that few had ever witnessed. Her beauty, though captivating, was only a fraction of her enigmatic persona.
The door to the back garden swung open, and a woman clad in black strode in, her presence starkly contrasting the serene atmosphere. A colorful lollipop dangled from her mouth, its sweetness incongruous with her dark attire.
She sauntered over to Charlotte, leaning against a nearby tree with a nonchalant air. "Oh, you\'re still alive," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
Charlotte didn\'t flinch, her focus remaining on the portrait before her. Her voice was glacial, devoid of emotion. "What brings you here,?"
The woman in black grasped the lollipop, her enigmatic smile hinting at mischief. "I just came to see if you\'re dead," she said, her voice low and husky.
As the two women stood together, their contrasting personas created a captivating visual dichotomy. The woman in black rivaled Charlotte\'s breathtaking beauty, exuding an irresistible allure.
Her stunning face was a masterpiece of allure, each smile and frown weaving a spell that could enthrall any man. Her charm was innate, a natural seductiveness that few could resist. Unbridled and captivating, her presence commanded attention.
Her unkempt dark locks cascaded down her back, dancing in the breeze like wild silk. Her mesmerizing dark purple eyes gleamed with mystery, framed by luscious lashes that curled like mimosa leaves. Thin lips, slightly pursed, hinted at secrets.
Charlotte, an icy white lotus atop an iceberg, seemed almost fragile beside this sultry beauty, who embodied the essence of a thorny rose – captivating, passionate, and alluring.
Within the esteemed walls of Orchid Academy, only one person could rival the captivating duo in beauty and temperament: their enigmatic mentor, Sofia. She embodied the perfect blend of their contrasting qualities.
Sofia\'s charm was mesmerizing, her seductive allure irresistible. Yet, she could transition seamlessly into elegance, exuding nobility and refinement. Her icy reserve, however, hinted at a deeper complexity. This chameleon-like ability to adapt made her an intriguing figure.
Hannah, known affectionately as the second most beautiful woman of Orchid Flower Academy.
"I\'m not dead," Charlotte said, her voice deceptively nonchalant.
Hannah\'s gaze lingered on the faint scar above Charlotte\'s brow, her lips curling into a playful smile. "I didn\'t expect you to narrowly escape death. Was it a Flameborn Lion that nearly claimed your life?"
Charlotte nodded slightly, her expression unreadable. "Yes, a Flameborn Lion of the Spirit Core Realm, Stage-Five and above."
Hannah\'s curiosity was piqued. "That\'s peculiar. How did you manage to survive?" She stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
Charlotte remained silent.
Hannah shrugged. "No matter. Focus on your recovery. The Martial Art Assembly is imminent, and I\'m eager to best you personally." Her voice dripped with anticipation.
Charlotte\'s gaze shifted, locking onto Hannah\'s. "I won\'t be participating in the Martial Art Assembly this time," she stated, her tone resolute.
Find your next read on empire
Hannah\'s lollipop halted mid-air, her smile faltering. She hissed softly before curling her lips into a sly smile. "What? You shun men, decline pleasure, and now reject combat? Then why bother existing?"
Charlotte remained silent, her expression unreadable.
Hannah\'s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, yes! Anos – that intriguing young man. He pummeled another Advanced class student today." Her voice dripped with amusement.
As Hannah drew closer, her curiosity peaked. "Tell me, Charlotte, what ignites your passion? The gentle strum of the zither? The strategic dance of chess? The elegant brushstrokes of calligraphy? Or perhaps the vibrant colors of painting?"
Hannah\'s gaze drifted to Charlotte\'s sketch. A sly smile spread across her face as she picked up the portrait. "Yo, Charlotte, oh Charlotte. Pretending disinterest in men, yet secretly sketching your heartthrob?" She chuckled, eyeing the artwork. "Not bad, though."
Charlotte remained serene, unfazed by Hannah\'s teasing.
"I nearly died outside this time," Charlotte said, her gaze locked on the sketch.
Hannah\'s smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. "What happened?"
Charlotte\'s voice remained calm. "He saved me."
Intrigue sparkled in Hannah\'s eyes. "And swept you off your feet, I presume? The classic hero-rescues-damsel trope."
Charlotte shook her head, her expression somber. "No, he\'s dead."
Hannah\'s smile vanished, replaced by genuine curiosity. Her tone turned serious. "Hmm?"
"A Elemental Foundation Realm Stage-Five being chased by a Flameborn Lion... survival is impossible," Charlotte said, her voice laced with a hint of sorrow. She laughed softly, the sound tinged with self-deprecation. "I killed to advance my cultivation. Why should I participate in the Martial Art Assembly?"
Hannah\'s eyes narrowed, curiosity sparking within them. "Are you certain he\'s dead?" she pressed.
Charlotte nodded resolutely, her expression unwavering. "Escape was impossible. Yesterday, I returned to the scene. A massive pit marked the direction he fled in, with scorched earth and lightning burns etched into the ground. The battle\'s aftermath was starkly evident."
Hannah\'s gaze pierced Charlotte\'s, seeking answers. "Do you care that deeply?" she asked.
Charlotte\'s eyelids fluttered closed, memories flooding back. She recalled the desperation that had gripped her, the rescue that had saved her, and the fleeting connection they had shared. Her beautiful eyes reopened slowly.
"You don\'t understand," Charlotte whispered.
"I don\'t understand," Hannah echoed, crushing the lollipop in her mouth. Her voice took on a serious tone. "All I know is, if you can\'t move on, he\'ll become a haunting presence in your heart. Does he surpass every other man you\'ve ever met in importance?"
.....