Chapter 29
Distrust
Ellie could sense the magic aura around her, including the blank eyes of those outside the barrier, making it seem as if there was no one inside. However, they were all from the Setter family and surely knew what kind of magic device their lord was using. Thus, they didn’t express any doubts; they were just careful to ensure no one else was around.
Inside the barrier created by the magic device, only Ellie, Steven, and Koross, a senior student from Ellie’s institution, were present. She understood that he must be the one who had informed the head of the Setter family about her, and he likely knew quite a bit.
"Lady Ellie, first of all, I must apologize for interfering in your matters." When Lord of the Setter family started with this statement, Ellie, who was 16-year-old girl not a 5-year-old kid, immediately understood why she received such politeness.
Ellie pressed her lips together slightly, looking at Koross whom she had never met before. But since the head of the Setter family spoke about this matter in his presence, he must be aware of it too. Though she didn’t want to speak or reveal anything, it was too late already, right?
Besides, it might be better if someone could protect her discreetly in this matter, especially if it was the Setter family...With their power, they would definitely keep her safe. Their authority was clearly high, which even the director had to respect, along with their wealth and long history, they owned many fascinating magic devices.
"That’s alright, but about the mission you’ve entrusted to me..." Ellie narrowed her eyes. If he was asking her to deliver the Tezetrons flowers, she wouldn’t be able to accept the mission.
The head of the Setter family understood her concerns and quickly clarified, as if afraid Ellie might misunderstand,
"It’s a regular mission, of course. Actually, Koross accidentally discovered that your plant in bond have the ability to decompose things. Originally, we were going to assign you a mission to clear the remains of beasts. However, now that you’ve revealed your ability to track enemies to the institution, perhaps when the mission is complete and the institution awards points, it should properly reflect points for tracking targets..."
Ellie’s eyebrows knitted together. Deserving of someone from the Setter family indeed! But how did he know so much?
"Keep everything confidential, and only discuss the matter of the tracking ability, please," Ellie said seriously, to which the head of the Setter family nodded.
"That would be better for you as well. Generally, botanic powers that are useful are rare, especially when you possess 2 such rare powers. It would be better if everyone knew you only had one power—it wouldn’t attract as much trouble," Steven suggested, aligning with Ellie’s thoughts. They looked at each other in mutual understanding while Koross quietly awaited further instructions.
"Thank you for understanding, but how did you come to know...?" Ellie asked after feeling they could be trusted. Steven chuckled lightly as he pondered his thoughts.
"I didn’t know it myself, but my son, Owen, did."
"Owen?" Ellie raised her eyebrows slightly. This Owen was actually the pitiful, less significant patient in the story, whom the Setter family wanted to keep alive as long as possible. Initially, she didn’t understand why, but thinking about his current wisdom, Ellie figured there was no reason why the Setter family would want him to die.
A resource more precious than "Aman," the hero of the story!
It was a pity he wasn’t made the hero from the start; thus, disaster followed him more closely than a rocket! Once he recovered from his illness, he was killed by a monster from the arena. The plot was quite strange. How could someone as capable as Owen be killed so easily by a monster from the arena? It showed how careless the author was!
"My eldest son, Owen, has been a genius since his youth. It’s unfortunate that his life has been filled with suffering. The only good thing is that he has met you," Steven said, his gaze filled with gratitude as he looked at Ellie.
"Since you’ve helped me to this extent, I will try harder with the Tezetrons plants," Ellie said, and a spark of hope ignited in the head of the Setter family.
"Do you mean there’s a chance to make the Tezetrons plants bloom for real?"
"Mmm...but it will take some time," Ellie pressed her lips together after thinking.
She planned to enhance her magic power using a permanent magic-enhancing crystal she already had. Combined with the magic restorative potions, she might be able to accelerate the Tezetrons plants’ flowering in just 3 days. However, Ellie didn’t want to use all her power to speed up the Tezetrons plants. She still had to spend time tending her herbs and accumulate points to pass her year, so her powers should be used as broadly as possible.
"That’s good enough, thank you very much. And here at this institution, if you ever encounter any trouble, look for someone from the Setter family, especially Koross. He has always been strictly working for Owen and the family, and the secrets he knows will also remain undisclosed."
"Thank you very much, but...isn’t there another strong person in the Setter family?" Ellie thought of another key character in the story who hadn’t been mentioned by the family head.
"You mean...?"
"Isn’t there someone named “Aman” with you?" Hearing Ellie mentioned another son of his, Steven raised his eyebrows slightly before smiling.
Aman was a strong-willed person with a good-looking face among the Setters, along with outstanding abilities that exceed others. It wouldn’t be strange if girls of his age might be interested in him.
Of course, that was what Steven thought to himself. If it weren’t for the next sentences from the girl in front of him, he might have considered arranging a match for his good son.
"How much does he know about me now?"
"Not much yet, but we will inform him after this. Would it be good for him to come and support Lady Ellie from now on?" the family head proposed with a conciliatory smile. However, Ellie quickly refused.
"That’s good. There’s no need for him to know about me. Please keep this a secret and try not to let him get too involved with me."
"Hmm? Lady Ellie, why...?"
"He tends to like my best friend. No! My former best friend who bothered me before. With his straightforward nature, he won’t change his mind and help me. Perhaps he might even share my secrets with those who mean me harm."
"That! You mean that Aman is fond of scholarship student Nara?"
"It’s possible, but I don’t know for sure. Nevertheless, I don’t trust him," Hearing this, Steven’s brows furrowed instantly.
He could keep Aman unaware of Ellie’s secrets for now. However, if he wanted to lead the family in the future, he should know things like this, especially when the connection with the mage like Ellie could benefit him. If he chose student Nara to be his partner now, it meant he was immediately setting himself against the Mage Ellie!
"I won’t tell him yet, but I’ll keep an eye on whether that kid is associating with student Nara or not." And he was intent on seriously thwarting that silly romance!
If Aman chose to associate with student Nara, then the position of the family head might need to be reassigned!
Who would have thought that a minor plot change, just Ellie needing a significant amount of money for lunch at the institution, would eventually trigger the butterfly effect!
Lord of the Setter family left the institution shortly thereafter as they didn’t have much to discuss. Ellie went straight back to the Botanical Building to tend to her 3 types of herbs.
Meanwhile, at the Light Element Building, Lucien told his direct disciple to follow him to his private room with a stern face.
Nara followed with a heavy heart, but she understood that Lucien was on her side. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to help her, until the office door closed behind them...
"Tell me the truth."
"Yes?" Nara paused, looking at Lucien’s face which was red with anger and embarrassment.
Since he had been at this institution, Lucien had never allowed himself to be dishonored like this. It was the first time he had lied and had to act brazenly against someone else. He had become someone he did not recognize. Above all...because this incident had occurred, he now owed a favor to those church people! How could he not be angry?
"Speak the whole truth now!"
"P-Professor,
“If you do not speak, I will force you to do so," Lucien’s fingers showed the golden glow of his light magic, apparently ready to use his powers to make Nara speak. The girl, terrified, trembled and was unsure what to say.
If she told the whole truth, that would make her a villain, wouldn’t it? But if she didn’t, and Lucien used his magic power, then she would be in even more trouble!
"Won’t you speak?"
"P-Professor, I..." Nara couldn’t decide. She was terrified and dared not say anything. Lucien, seeing the usually bright girl before him, had to rethink. Originally, he thought he had found an honest person worth protecting. He did not want her to change after coming to such a competitive institution, but he never expected that before anyone else could change her, this girl had already deceived him!
Was Lucien a fool? If he were truly foolish, he would have followed that holy church by now. Clearly, he would benefit from gaining both power and prestige, but Lucien preferred to use his wisdom and feed on his own ideals. Even if he had to starve, he would choose to follow his own path.
Therefore, he was able to see through the truth of the matter. After Nara raised the issue of stealing money, or the “secret” of student Ellie, it became clear that her eyes were focused only on money, not to mention how she looked at the priest with shining eyes. Lucien decisively decided that he would no longer teach anything more to the student before him!"I gave you a chance. Therefore...from now on, you are no longer a student under my care. Hand over your student ID card to me."
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter