Chapter 265: Strings Attached
"Baroness Voss? How could I forget about her? She’s also an apprentice, right, Teacher?" Ethan asks.
He has heard of Baroness Maristella Voss long before stepping into the world of magic.
Ethan once lived briefly in the Kingdom of Valestria, the Baroness’s holand. Her na carries weight there. She is not rely a noble. She is admired. Revered. Discussed constantly in high society and common streets alike.
When he later discovered that she was also an apprentice under the Custodian order, he had been genuinely surprised.
"Oh, that’s right. You lived in Valestria before," Isabelle replies. "Of course you would know her. Or at least know of her. Yes. That Baroness."
Her lips thin slightly.
"Then you also know her personality is... peculiar."
Isabelle is not particularly fond of Baroness Voss.
Not for political reasons.
Not even for magical reasons.
It is far more superficial than that.
Maristella Voss’s physical appearance does not match her declared age.
She claims to be in her late forties.
She looks as if she is in her early forties.
Rumors suggest she may be even older.
And yet her skin remains unblemished. Smooth. Flawless.
Isabelle Crowley is in her mid-forties.
She has platinum blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and sharp, striking features. She carries herself with natural confidence. She has always been proud of her beauty.
Except for one thing.
Her skin.
Fine lines have begun to settle around her eyes. Subtle wrinkles at the corners of her mouth. Perfectly normal signs for a woman her age.
But when she compares herself to Baroness Voss, whose face appears untouched by ti, jealousy coils quietly inside her.
Isabelle often allows that jealousy, and her small pettiness, to cloud her judgnt.
And when she does, it blindsides her.
Isabelle wears heavy makeup to conceal the fine lines around her eyes and mouth. She layers it carefully, blending foundation thick enough to blur the wrinkles she refuses to accept. Her perfu is equally heavy, expensive, and lingering. She tries very hard to present herself as graceful, elegant, and unquestionably affluent.
And right now, she is ecstatic.
Ethan has brought her enough heartstones to support her lavish lifestyle for at least the next twelve months.
"Teacher, if the Baroness can truly help us grow stronger, I do not mind learning from her," Ethan says calmly. "I will make sure my n are willing as well."
He looks at Isabelle with a carefully crafted expression. A mixture of respect. Admiration. Just enough vulnerability.
"Can you help , Teacher?"
Ethan knows from experience that Isabelle struggles to refuse him when he uses that look.
The softened eyes.
The faint upward tilt of his brows.
The subtle plea without desperation.
And as expected, Isabelle lts imdiately.
"Oh, alright," she says, waving a hand dismissively, though she is clearly pleased. "I will speak to Lucien. He knows the Baroness far better than I do."
She inhales slowly, then hesitates.
"But, Ethan... they have been feeling a little cross with you. Since... well, you know. The heartstones issue." She speaks the last part sheepishly.
Ethan smiles gently, reassuring.
"I understand perfectly, Teacher. That is actually another reason I am here."
He leans back slightly in his chair, posture relaxed and confident.
"I would like to inform you that the Hunters are willing to send heartstones to Arcanus to assist with the monthly expenses."
He pauses deliberately.
"It is only fair. We learn from you. And we earn heartstones because of the skills Arcanus has taught us."
Isabelle visibly brightens.
"Oh, that is wonderful news, Ethan! Thank you!"
Her tone shifts instantly from cautious to delighted.
"I will inform the rest of Arcanus imdiately. And I will speak to Lucien about the Baroness."
She beams at him, admiration undisguised.
"Teacher," Ethan continues smoothly, "please do not hesitate when discussing the amount. Consider it tuition. I can provide one kilogram of heartstone monthly."
Isabelle nearly glows.
One kilogram of heartstone, even of lower quality, can easily sell for up to one million dollars.
More than enough to sustain Arcanus comfortably for a month.
More than enough to sustain her.
Ethan adds calmly, "That is for Arcanus, Teacher. For you, it is a different matter."
Isabelle gasps softly.
Does that an he will give
heartstones personally?
Her smile widens instantly, almost radiant.
"Thank you very much for your generosity, my dear apprentice."
Ethan rises from his seat with unhurried grace. He steps closer, takes Isabelle’s hand gently, and presses a polite kiss to the back of her palm.
"It is the least I can do for you, Teacher."
They smile at each other.
Neither smile reaches their eyes.
Ethan releases her hand and straightens.
"Unfortunately, I must take my leave. I still have matters to attend to."
He turns toward the exit without rushing.
"I will be waiting for good news."
Isabelle nods eagerly. "You can count on . Do be careful out there."
Ethan offers a small bow of respect before stepping out.
Isabelle watches him until he disappears from view.
The mont he is gone, her pleasant expression fades into calculation.
She pulls out her phone.
And calls Lucien.
------------------------------
"? Teaching the Hunters?" Baroness Maristella Voss repeats, her voice low and smooth. "Tell , Lucien. What benefit would I gain from doing that?"
Lucien is on the other end of the line, having just called her to propose the idea.
He laughs softly.
"Stella, this is part of our long-term plan. It may not benefit you personally, but it will benefit Arcanus."
The Baroness walks slowly across her private study as she listens. Sunlight filters through tall windows, catching the subtle sheen of her flawless skin.
"Ethan went to Isabelle a few hours ago," Lucien continues. "He asked how he could beco stronger."
The Baroness interrupts gently.
"Why the sudden urgency? I was under the impression he already believed himself to be the strongest. And that he required no one."
Lucien scoffs.
"He read an article about Jonathan’s apprentice team. As a matter of fact, that team is currently in Solarys."
He pauses.
"The sa city you are in."
The Baroness lifts her perfectly shaped eyebrows.
"You an Rhaenas?"
"Yes. That one."
Lucien exhales audibly.
"The article claims they cleared a mutated level eight dungeon with just five mbers in less than five days. You did not hear about this? They are not significant over there?"
The Baroness smiles faintly.
"Oh, they are significant here. Very significant, Lucien. At the mont, wherever you turn, there is news about Rhaenas."
She walks toward a window and gazes at the skyline of Solarys.
"But if I may speak honestly," she continues, her tone asured, "I do not know how much of what is being reported is entirely accurate."
Lucien sounds genuinely surprised.
"They are that prominent there?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)