Since Ray had decided to stay at the dorms in the Academy, his room at the mansion had been cleared out. Instead, I was shown to a guest room to rest in.
An hour later, after I took a shower and was getting ready for bed, someone knocked on the door. I opened the door to find a servant waiting.
“Sir Ray, Master has sent this for you.” The servant bowed and handed me a folder.
I opened the file to find documents about giving up on the Laxon Family name.
“Master told me to tell you that Lady Isabella has also received a similar document along with one from Madam Liliana.”
'Heron got the documents ready so quickly?! That's suspicious!'
As I read the contents, I could see that the documents were written down flawlessly. They weren't something that could be processed in just one hour. Still, I signed the papers and handed them back to the servant, who take back the file and turned back without so much as a bow.
'Ho! So since I am no longer a member of the Laxon Family, you won't even show me respect?'
I was once reminded how little Ray was respected in this household. I was feeling a bit guilty that I went against the original Ray's wishes and cut ties with the family, but now I was glad I got both myself and Izzy out of this toxic house.
As I lay on the bed, relief and anxiety washed over me. I was glad that things had gone according to my plan. But now I wondered what will happen after this.
Like in all fantasy novels, this world will soon go through major changes, so that the protagonist can grow and face new challenges. I had an unpleasant feeling that whoever the sponsor Nyx mentioned is, they would push me right into the middle of all the chaos.
‘I wonder if I will be able to survive in this world!’
I worried about my future plans, but soon exhaustion took over and I greeted the darkness.
‘Ding! Ding! Ding!’
I woke up to the sound of my smartwatch blowing up with notifications and missed calls.
“Who the hell is trying to call me this early in the morning?”
In my half-asleep state, I went through my chats with half-closed eyes. Most of the messages were from the professors of the Academy as well as some unknown numbers.
‘Professor Ray, we heard the news!’
‘Is the news article from the morning true?’
‘Professor Ray, are you okay?’
I couldn’t understand what news they were talking about. As I surfed the internet, my eyes shot open as I quickly got up on the bed to check the article I had just swiped.
There were already articles up about me leaving the Laxon Family when I had signed the documents only a few hours ago. But what shocked me, even more, were the articles after that.
“That bastard! No wonder he agreed to my proposal so quickly. He was aiming to pin all the blame of the rumours on me.”
This was the reason why Heron sent me the documents so quickly yesterday. He probably invited me to this anniversary party so that he could stick all the rumours on me and then cut me off.
‘I guess I should be thankful that Izzy isn’t mentioned anywhere!’
As I was reading through the various articles, a knock appeared on the door. I quickly got up to open the door. Izzy was standing on the other side.
“I see you are awake, Brother! Did you read the news?” Izzy asked me. Her face was more relaxed now. The gloominess from last night's events was nowhere in sight.
“I was just going through them.” I replied. “I am guessing you saw them as well.”
“I did! My friends have been calling me since dawn to ask if it was true. Guess Father didn't tell the reporters I left the family too!”
I was surprised that Izzy realised who was behind everything so quickly. But, I guess when you are a part of such a big organisation, politics become familiar to you.
“Oh my, oh my! Look who’s here!” A familiar voice boomed across the hallway. Edward waved at us, a wide grin plastered to his face.
“RAY, My MAN! I didn’t know you were going to give me such an amazing gift. You kicked yourself off from the family just for me?” Edward mocked me in a sweet voice. “If you had told me this last night, I won't have attacked you.”
“Why, you! I will punch you out of existence.” Izzy was ready to swing at Edward but I held her back for her safety. Edward was way stronger than both of us.
Edward just scoffed at her. “What can an Unawakened brat like you even do to me? Rather than worrying about me, worry about yourself. This brother of yours is suspicious of colluding with The Chaos League. Guess he couldn't get over his jealousy that I am better than him.”
“The Chaos League? What bullshit are you talking about?” Izzy was red from anger, but I still held her back. "Ray is far better than you will ever be, you bastard."
“Those articles are nothing but speculations, Edward. ” I interrupted her, calmly responding to his taunts. “The Hero League isn't dumb enough to convict someone of associating with the Alliance based on mere rumours. And we all know, there is only one person in the Laxon Family who is going to get caught.”
Edward narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to imply?”
I just smiled at him. “Nothing! I hope the Aurum Guild flourishes in your capable hands for a long time.”
I took Izzy’s hand. “Come, Izzy. We don’t need to associate with these people. They aren't family.”
I closed the bedroom door, as Edward still looked at me with suspicious eyes.
“Anyway, Izzy, did you get the things you needed? We will be leaving today.”
Izzy nodded. “I packed everything last night.”
“Okay. Let me freshen up first, then we will leave.”
As the articles about me were spreading throughout the Human Continent, my car rolled into the Indigo Road.
“What is the meaning of this?” Executive Rock yelled at Misa, as she stood in front of the Executive Board of the Hero League. “You informed us that Ray Laxon had no ties with the Chaos Alliance, yet such articles have been up since morning.”
“I can assure you, Sir, I have fully investigated Ray Laxon, and he is, in no way, affiliated with the Alliance.” Misa calmly responded to her superior.
“Then how do you explain the articles that have been spreading.”
“Come now, Executive Rock, those articles are vague at best.” Selene interrupted them with a bright smile, placing a hand on Rock’s shoulders. “Why are you blaming Misa for them?”
Rock was the strongest Tanker on the Human Continent, his title being “The Impenetrable Shield”. Like all Tankers, who are responsible for defence, Rock had a strong and rough appearance, with his almost 7-feet height, buzz-cut hair, and various scars on his body.
But despite his large physique and having the same SS Rank, he quickly became cautious in front of the tiny Selene.
“You know as well, that in yesterday’s party, Misa was escorted by Ray Laxon. That is why, there is reason to believe that the investigation may be biased.” Rock’s voice was still loud, but he was nowhere as aggressive as before.
Selene glared at Rock. “Misa has been with the Hero League for many years. She knows how important this investigation is. Do you seriously think she will try to protect a Fallen?”
Misa spoke up. “Sir Rock! I understand where your suspicions are coming from. But I assure you, my investigation was fair.”
At the head of the table, Rufus spoke up. “Misa, do you promise to stand by your words?”
She nodded at the Head.
“Then the discussion is over.” Since the League Head decided to trust Misa’s words, none of the executives could argue. “But, it doesn’t change the fact that someone inside the Aurum Guild has joined the ranks of the Fallen. Speed up the investigation on Heron Laxon.”
With the final order given, all ten Executives, except the Head, quickly left the meeting room.
“Don’t worry, Misa. I know you wouldn’t conduct an unfair investigation.” Selene reassured her friend.
“I know. I am just a bit worried.” As Misa worried about Ray, Selene could speak nothing to reassure her.
Since Ray had decided to stay at the dorms in the Academy, his room at the mansion had been cleared out. Instead, I was shown to a guest room to rest in.
An hour later, after I took a shower and was getting ready for bed, someone knocked on the door. I opened the door to find a servant waiting.
“Sir Ray, Master has sent this for you.” The servant bowed and handed me a folder.
I opened the file to find documents about giving up on the Laxon Family name.
“Master told me to tell you that Lady Isabella has also received a similar document along with one from Madam Liliana.”
'Heron got the documents ready so quickly?! That's suspicious!'
As I read the contents, I could see that the documents were written down flawlessly. They weren't something that could be processed in just one hour. Still, I signed the papers and handed them back to the servant, who take back the file and turned back without so much as a bow.
'Ho! So since I am no longer a member of the Laxon Family, you won't even show me respect?'
I was once reminded how little Ray was respected in this household. I was feeling a bit guilty that I went against the original Ray's wishes and cut ties with the family, but now I was glad I got both myself and Izzy out of this toxic house.
As I lay on the bed, relief and anxiety washed over me. I was glad that things had gone according to my plan. But now I wondered what will happen after this.
Like in all fantasy novels, this world will soon go through major changes, so that the protagonist can grow and face new challenges. I had an unpleasant feeling that whoever the sponsor Nyx mentioned is, they would push me right into the middle of all the chaos.
‘I wonder if I will be able to survive in this world!’
I worried about my future plans, but soon exhaustion took over and I greeted the darkness.
‘Ding! Ding! Ding!’
I woke up to the sound of my smartwatch blowing up with notifications and missed calls.
“Who the hell is trying to call me this early in the morning?”
In my half-asleep state, I went through my chats with half-closed eyes. Most of the messages were from the professors of the Academy as well as some unknown numbers.
‘Professor Ray, we heard the news!’
‘Is the news article from the morning true?’
‘Professor Ray, are you okay?’
I couldn’t understand what news they were talking about. As I surfed the internet, my eyes shot open as I quickly got up on the bed to check the article I had just swiped.
There were already articles up about me leaving the Laxon Family when I had signed the documents only a few hours ago. But what shocked me, even more, were the articles after that.
“That bastard! No wonder he agreed to my proposal so quickly. He was aiming to pin all the blame of the rumours on me.”
This was the reason why Heron sent me the documents so quickly yesterday. He probably invited me to this anniversary party so that he could stick all the rumours on me and then cut me off.
‘I guess I should be thankful that Izzy isn’t mentioned anywhere!’
As I was reading through the various articles, a knock appeared on the door. I quickly got up to open the door. Izzy was standing on the other side.
“I see you are awake, Brother! Did you read the news?” Izzy asked me. Her face was more relaxed now. The gloominess from last night's events was nowhere in sight.
“I was just going through them.” I replied. “I am guessing you saw them as well.”
“I did! My friends have been calling me since dawn to ask if it was true. Guess Father didn't tell the reporters I left the family too!”
I was surprised that Izzy realised who was behind everything so quickly. But, I guess when you are a part of such a big organisation, politics become familiar to you.
“Oh my, oh my! Look who’s here!” A familiar voice boomed across the hallway. Edward waved at us, a wide grin plastered to his face.
“RAY, My MAN! I didn’t know you were going to give me such an amazing gift. You kicked yourself off from the family just for me?” Edward mocked me in a sweet voice. “If you had told me this last night, I won't have attacked you.”
“Why, you! I will punch you out of existence.” Izzy was ready to swing at Edward but I held her back for her safety. Edward was way stronger than both of us.
Edward just scoffed at her. “What can an Unawakened brat like you even do to me? Rather than worrying about me, worry about yourself. This brother of yours is suspicious of colluding with The Chaos League. Guess he couldn't get over his jealousy that I am better than him.”
“The Chaos League? What bullshit are you talking about?” Izzy was red from anger, but I still held her back. "Ray is far better than you will ever be, you bastard."
“Those articles are nothing but speculations, Edward. ” I interrupted her, calmly responding to his taunts. “The Hero League isn't dumb enough to convict someone of associating with the Alliance based on mere rumours. And we all know, there is only one person in the Laxon Family who is going to get caught.”
Edward narrowed his eyes. “What are you trying to imply?”
I just smiled at him. “Nothing! I hope the Aurum Guild flourishes in your capable hands for a long time.”
I took Izzy’s hand. “Come, Izzy. We don’t need to associate with these people. They aren't family.”
I closed the bedroom door, as Edward still looked at me with suspicious eyes.
“Anyway, Izzy, did you get the things you needed? We will be leaving today.”
Izzy nodded. “I packed everything last night.”
“Okay. Let me freshen up first, then we will leave.”
As the articles about me were spreading throughout the Human Continent, my car rolled into the Indigo Road.
“What is the meaning of this?” Executive Rock yelled at Misa, as she stood in front of the Executive Board of the Hero League. “You informed us that Ray Laxon had no ties with the Chaos Alliance, yet such articles have been up since morning.”
“I can assure you, Sir, I have fully investigated Ray Laxon, and he is, in no way, affiliated with the Alliance.” Misa calmly responded to her superior.
“Then how do you explain the articles that have been spreading.”
“Come now, Executive Rock, those articles are vague at best.” Selene interrupted them with a bright smile, placing a hand on Rock’s shoulders. “Why are you blaming Misa for them?”
Rock was the strongest Tanker on the Human Continent, his title being “The Impenetrable Shield”. Like all Tankers, who are responsible for defence, Rock had a strong and rough appearance, with his almost 7-feet height, buzz-cut hair, and various scars on his body.
But despite his large physique and having the same SS Rank, he quickly became cautious in front of the tiny Selene.
“You know as well, that in yesterday’s party, Misa was escorted by Ray Laxon. That is why, there is reason to believe that the investigation may be biased.” Rock’s voice was still loud, but he was nowhere as aggressive as before.
Selene glared at Rock. “Misa has been with the Hero League for many years. She knows how important this investigation is. Do you seriously think she will try to protect a Fallen?”
Misa spoke up. “Sir Rock! I understand where your suspicions are coming from. But I assure you, my investigation was fair.”
At the head of the table, Rufus spoke up. “Misa, do you promise to stand by your words?”
She nodded at the Head.
“Then the discussion is over.” Since the League Head decided to trust Misa’s words, none of the executives could argue. “But, it doesn’t change the fact that someone inside the Aurum Guild has joined the ranks of the Fallen. Speed up the investigation on Heron Laxon.”
With the final order given, all ten Executives, except the Head, quickly left the meeting room.
“Don’t worry, Misa. I know you wouldn’t conduct an unfair investigation.” Selene reassured her friend.
“I know. I am just a bit worried.” As Misa worried about Ray, Selene could speak nothing to reassure her.
