Chapter 45: A Perplexing Turn of Events (2)
Adrien found himself unable to speak. He could only watch as the Count left, heading in the direction the Countess had gone in earlier.
"What was that?" Adrien shook his head, ridding himself of some of the shock that he felt.
He looked down at the crumpled letter in his hand. Fighting the temptation to read it then and there, he decided to head back to his room.
I still can’t believe that’s how the Count really felt. But why did he decide to be honest so suddenly? Is it because I’m dating Prince Mikyle, or did the Countess have a stern talk with him?
Adrien arrived at the dormitory no closer to an answer. This visit has only piled onto my questions. Maybe I should use the information guild to look into a few things? I need to figure out if there is a connection between the Countess and the Ceciles Duchy, and if I really am the Count’s son. Ah, I should also look into Conrad to make sure he doesn’t have a wife or some secret criminal record if I want to set him up with Nadeline.
Adrien opened the door to his room and headed straight for his desk, grabbing the envelope opener as he sat down in the chair. He slid the letter out and opened it.
[Good Afternoon, Young Master Adrien,
I’m sorry it has taken me this long to send a report. The first set of paintings that you have entrusted to Mr. Noam has caught the eyes of Duke Ceciles and Baron Howard. The Baron did not purchase any paintings though he did show some interest. Duke Ceciles, however, purchased one of your works and has also extended an invitation to sponsor you; he’s the one who offered 365 shekels that I’ve told you about previously.
I told Mr. Noam that I would discuss the Duke’s proposal with you.
The Duke’s interest in you and your future work has drawn the attention of the other nobles. The works you have given your approval to be sold have been bought out. Mr. Noam has asked if you intend to sell any more of your works.
On another note, I’ve heard that you have drawn the eye of a certain prince. Master, is he as handsome as the rumors say?
With regards, Nadeline]
Adrien leaned back in his seat. It seemed he was bound to receive shocking news one right after another that day.
It’s almost too much to process. I think I need some time to think over everything that I’ve learned today, though in truth, I haven’t actually learned much of anything. He had gained more questions than answers, and it was starting to give him a headache.
It’s only been a short while since Seo-jun had woken up in the body of Adrien Mallorne. He thought he had been adjusting well, minus missing his family in his old life. But now, it felt like everything was spinning out of control with finding out that there might be some big secret behind his birth and that his boyfriend may very well have a secret identity. . .not that that last part actually bothered Adrien too much. It was just a lot to process all at once.
He looked down at the letter and decided to pin a reply later. First, he needed to clear his mind before he could put more thought into what he might decide regarding his paintings.
Adrien stood up from his seat and left the room. The best way to clear one’s mind was through exercising or meditation, and there was something he could do that met both conditions.
He left the dorm and headed down to the pond, looking for the path he took to get to his private training spot. Once he was there, he closed his eyes and took in deep, slow breaths as he turned his focus inward.
His Mana, just like always, felt like it was out of reach, as if he was just barely grazing it with his fingertips without actually touching it. And every time he tried reaching out to it, a random thought laced with anxiety would rear its ugly head making him lose what little focus he had.
. . . .
"Don’t think you’ll get away with this!" Marquis Arden groaned with a surprising fierceness.
"We already have." Mikyle leaned down, his face still covered by his hood and mask. He then touched his fingertips to the Marquis’ bloody and broken arm. A soft golden light leaked out of his fingertips and covered the Marquis and healed his wounds with a vigor that had never been seen before.
The Marquis screamed out with newfound pain as his broken bones mended themselves with a gut-wrenching snap, and fingernails quickly burst forth to cover the raw and tender skin that was the tips of his fingers. "A crime cannot be proven if there is no evidence," Mikyle stated with a cocky smirk that would irk anyone.
After the Marquis was fully healed for the final time, Mikyle stood up and left the room, quickly heading for the guild’s shower house. He didn’t have any blood on him since he hadn’t taken part of the actual torture, but he had been in the room long enough for the smell to attach itself to him. He also needed to wash out the Mana-infused dye from his hair.
He exited the shower house freshly cleaned and re-dressed in the suit he originally had on to find Henry waiting for him.
"I’ve sent someone to retrieve the documents that the Marquis provided us. Once I verify them, I’ll set up a meeting with the Crown Prince."
"Hmm." Nathaniel will certainly appreciate the lead that Dor-Shey Da’at will provide him with. Mikyle could already imagine the exuberance that Nathaniel will show when dealing with the traitors.
"We’ll also hand over the Marquis gift-wrapped."
Mikyle found himself chuckling at Henry’s proclamation, knowing full well that the man would do exactly that. "Hmm. Use the blue ribbon. I think it will go nicely with his hair."
"Blue and brown together?" Henry looked as if he did not agree with that particular color scheme.
Wrapping the traitorous captives that they dealt with for the Crown had become a sort of tradition after Mikyle had decided to try it out once. The result had been very humorous for him while degrading for the traitors. Henry must have taken a liking to it as well because he started personally wrapping up anyone they handed over to Nathaniel.
After discussing a few more things, Mikyle left the guild house from the back door. He woved his way around the alleyways until he came upon a main street located a block away from Dor-Shey Da’at. He hailed down a private taxi carriage and climbed aboard it.
He leaned back into the wooden seat. The rigidity of the seat did not help alleviate the stiffness he felt growing in his muscles. It was a common side effect from using his healing powers too much. His body would grow stiff and a small headache would form at the front of his head near his eyes.
Mikyle wanted nothing more than to be with his little kitten at that moment. He had a feeling that having Adrien in his arms would help soothe him from the exhaustion he was feeling.
Releasing a sigh, Mikyle closed his eyes and gently rubbed his scalp. He wasn’t sure why he thought being around Adrien would help cure him from his Mana exhaustion, but at this point in time, it didn’t matter, or more like he couldn’t bring himself to question it. He was too tired to give it much thought and his chest was starting to feel heavy and strange, a possible side effect from the Mana exhaustion.
Before long, the carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Academy’s gates. Being a carriage that wasn’t registered with the school, nor did it have an entry pass, it could not enter through the gate.
Tris Academy was a school in which most of Velron’s nobles sent their children. Because there were so many high profile people in attendance, the Academy couldn’t risk any harm coming to these precious, walking wallets. So, to keep everyone’s mind at ease, there was a gate that surrounded the entire grounds that the Academy was on, including the forestry inside the ground. The Royal Family and several other high-ranking nobles had invested quite a bit to help the school build this ridiculously long brick wall with several gates as access points. But the reason it had cost so much was because of all of the Mana Stones and Magical Devices that monitored any beings who possessed Mana that touched the wall or was within a four foot radius of it.
To enter into the Academy, one needed a student pass, faculty pass, or a temporary entry pass that had been approved by the Headmaster or the Board of Directors. Each pass contained a specific Mana signature that resonated with the wall, allowing for one to enter without being put in a temporary stunned status.
The only time one didn’t need a pass was during the three days they were taking new students. Those who were staying off campus needed to apply for a pass before the official school year started, and those who were staying on campus had to sign in at the dorms to receive a pass from the overseer of the dorm.
Mikyle paid the fare and hopped off from the carriage. After showing his student pass to the guards who were stationed at the gate, he entered the Academy’s grounds. As he entered, he could feel the space around him rippling, allowing him entry. The guards, which may seem unnecessary, were there to make sure none of the passes were fake or stolen, and to patrol the surrounding gate to snap any unfortunate souls out of their stunned state and to report them to the Board of Directors and the Headmaster.