Chapter 280: Lia really surprised him…. But she also shocked!!
“It’s taking a while, isn’t it, Lia?” Aether asked, his tone filled with a mix of curiosity and slight impatience.
Though he was blindfolded, his other senses were heightened. The distant murmur of people and the tantalizing aroma of street food drifted through the air, painting a vivid picture of a bustling, lively place.
It was clear they weren’t anywhere near the academy.
Lia turned to him, a playful smile dancing on her lips. Instead of answering his question directly, she asked, “Tell me something… I’m your friend, right?”
Aether’s brow furrowed in confusion at the sudden shift in the conversation, “Of course, you are, Lia,” he replied, sincerity evident in his voice, “Why would you even need to ask something like that?” His confusion deepened, and he couldn’t help but wonder what had prompted this unexpected question.
Lia’s smile softened, though a hint of seriousness crept into her expression, “Then care to explain why I had to hear about your departure from others?” she asked, her voice laced with a subtle note of hurt, “Why didn’t you tell me yourself? I thought we were closer than that.”
She took a step forward in the queue, gently pulling Aether along with her as she did so.
Caught off guard by the sudden confrontation, Aether hesitated, “I-I thought it would just be a quick trip, maybe a day or so,” he began, his voice faltering as he tried to find the right words. “My schedule was really tight, and I didn’t think… I mean, I was already being pulled in different directions by others…” He trailed off, realizing how inadequate his excuses sounded.
But in reality, he hadn’t given much thought to how his sudden departure might affect her.
Lia listened intently, her expression remaining unreadable. She maintained her smile, “I see…” she murmured, almost to herself.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that, despite his busy schedule, he could have at least left a message with Selene. Instead, she had been left in the dark, forced to hear about his departure from others.
It hurt more than she cared to admit, and the sting of it lingered.
Aether swallowed hard, ‘She seems really pissed off…’ he thought, noting her tone.
He sighed inwardly, he wondered what kind of surprise/punishment she had in store for him now.
As she placed something on his head…. a soft, cloth-like object… and began tying his hands, his curiosity mingled with a growing sense of nervousness, ‘What’s she planning? It’s not like she’s going to hurt me… right?’
“NEXT!”
The voice was authoritative… and felt familiar.
Aether frowned slightly, Lia stepped forward, her grip on his arm firm, and he followed her lead, his mind racing with possibilities.
Lia slowly removed the blindfold, her voice filled with excitement and a touch of mischief. “Surprise!”
Aether blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the sudden influx of light.
As his vision cleared, he stared in shock at something… or someone!
‘FUCK!’
Raven Noir stood nearby, looking at Lia, who was grinning broadly. Beside her, a person wearing a criminal mask, with only their blue eyes visible, stood ominously.
Seeing Aether’s surprised expression, Lia’s grin widened even more.
They had joked about the Million Zenith (1,000,000ˀ) bounty for using him, but they had never actually gone through with it. Since Aether had been clearly against it last time, she had decided to teach him a lesson by defying his wishes… and maybe make some money on the side.
Lia held up a poster, pointing towards Aether, “You’re looking for this person, right?” she asked, her tone laced with feigned innocence, “He looks just like him, so take him and give me the reward money…” she joked, intending to give Aether a scare.
Of course, she was just joking around there was no way she would do it.
However,
Aether internally screamed, ‘Fuck, fuck, fuck…!’
‘He doesn’t just look like me, it’s literally me, you idiot!!!’ He wanted to shout, but he maintained his composure, hoping to keep the situation under control.
He was 50% sure Raven wouldn’t recognize him and another 50%… Well, he could only hope, as Raven’s keen eye for detail might indeed recognize him…. since able to paint his eyes clearly.
Raven Noir stared at Aether, then looked back at the poster, and again at Aether, as if comparing the two images…. especially those eyes!
Seeing Aether clenching his fists in distress, Lia nodded with satisfaction as if she had accomplished something significant, ‘I hope he learned his lesson and never forgets this… Hmph!’ she thought inwardly, deciding to take him and leave when,
“Good,” Raven Noir nodded approvingly, turning to Lia with a small smile, “Here’s 50% of the amount!” she said, handing Lia a large handbag.
Lia blinked in confusion as she looked down at the heavy bag filled with money, her eyes widening in disbelief….. She blinked repeatedly, stunned as if she had just stumbled into a situation far beyond her control.
Like an idiot who had achieved something they shouldn’t have!!
Ignoring Lia’s shocked expression, Raven Noir turned her attention back to Aether, her smile widening.
Ting!
“What are you doing?” Lia exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and fury as she blocked Raven’s thin sword that had nearly pierced Aether’s chest.
Raven frowned slightly, her expression one of mild annoyance, “I’ll give you the remaining amount by tomorrow morning,” she stated matter-of-factly.
Lia’s lips twitched with frustration, “It’s not about the money!! Why are you trying to kill him?!” she demanded, her voice rising with urgency.
Raven shrugged nonchalantly, “That’s none of your business. Now, leave!”
‘This bitch!!’ Lia thought, her anger flaring as she clenched her fist, gripping the red sword tightly. She was just about to lash out when,
“Yes, police officer! Catch them!!”
Everyone turned in the direction Aether was pointing, including Raven…. but then she clicked her tongue in frustration as she realized she had fallen for Aether’s trick…. Again!!
She turned back, only to see that both Aether and Lia had vanished.
She jumped slightly, scanning the area, and spotted a blurry figure running away. Her lips curled into a smirk. ‘It’s really him…’ she thought, setting off in pursuit.
Meanwhile,
Aether, carrying Lia in a princess carry style, was shocked to see a long line of people wearing criminal-like masks… all for the promise of reward money.
They even decided to become a criminal just for the money, Money really was something!!
He sighed, glancing down at Lia, who seemed stunned by his actions, “A-Aether, you’re fast— I mean, I’m sorry,” she stammered, her face clouded with guilt. She had never anticipated that Raven would try to kill Aether… It was supposed to be a lesson for Aether, a bit of fun, and yet…
“Yeah, you must be!” Aether replied, without a hint of hesitation.
Lia’s lips twitched, feeling the sting of his words. ‘He’s so mean!!’ she thought, but then she spoke, “I-I think she mistook you for someone else. If we explain, and that person isn’t you—”
“He doesn’t just look like me, it’s literally me, you idiot!!!” Aether shouted, his frustration boiling over.
Lia blinked again, her shock deepening. She was starting to feel more surprised than Aether himself.
Her eyes widened in realization, “Y-You mean…”
“Yes, the person she was searching for… it was me,” Aether said with a defeated smile, crouching down just in time to avoid a blade aimed at his neck.
Lia’s eyes widened in alarm as she glanced to the side, seeing Raven running swiftly beside Aether.
‘Shit! She’s fast!’ she screamed inwardly, “Run faster, Aether,” she shouted, hugging him tightly… instead of helping him.
[+400 AP]
Aether’s lips twitched. ‘This girl… is enjoying, isn’t she?’ he thought, just as his instincts kicked in, allowing him to twist and narrowly avoid another attack.
The situation was turning into a real-life Tom and Jerry chase!
With so many people around, Aether couldn’t use his magic or run at full speed without risking colliding with others. And most importantly…
“You’re heavy!”
Hearing that, Lia’s face turned crimson with anger as she shouted back, “It’s not me, you jerk!! It’s this money bag!!” She held up the bag, clutching it as if her life depended on it.
“….” Aether… really had no words. ‘Is she really a noble?’ he wondered, bewildered.
Meanwhile, back at the Academy,
Aqualina stood inside Aria’s room, her eyes flickering with a dangerous intensity, while Aria wore a smirk. She asked, “Ara~ Is something the matter, Ms. Princess~?” Her tone was mocking, almost mirroring her mother’s when she taunted Liora.
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