Chapter 107: Finding Adrian

"Y-you, who are you?" asked Siena with a slightly perplexed voice. I looked at her, slightly confused, thinking, 'Seriously, why is she making that face? She's not even bothered by the aura I'm currently releasing right now'

"Father! What is that magnificent form you've taken? You look so marvelous and handsome, hehe," giggled Elaniel, her grip on Mila tightening, causing the already unconscious Mila to cough up blood.

"Release her, Elaniel," I commanded with authority. The urgency of the situation left no room for unnecessary complications.

The form I currently possessed was temporary; I could feel my mana and aura reserves depleting rapidly. While the form granted me some excess energy, it would only last for one more minute. I couldn't afford to provoke Siena at this moment.

Elaniel, displaying her dissatisfaction, relinquished her hold on Mila, causing her to descend to the ground. The air was fraught with tension as Elaniel leisurely approached me. Siena, fortunately, appeared oblivious to Elaniel's actions, maintaining her unwavering focus on me, a detail that might be attributed to our uncanny physical resemblance.

"Adrian Vulter Tellus," I declared, breaking the palpable silence. Siena's gaze momentarily quivered, followed by a subtle smile. However, her attention quickly shifted to Elaniel, who continued her gradual advance towards me. Siena's eyes bore a subtle undercurrent of bloodlust as she glared at Elaniel, yet after a few moments, she dismissed her and turned her attention to the fallen Mila.

"Haha... so you're the hero, huh? That's quite unexpected," Elaniel remarked with a playful yet slightly surprised tone. She offered a subtle smile, a mix of amusement and genuine concern coloring her expression.

As she spoke, a dense white aura, accented with hints of blue, began to surround her form. With a sudden explosion of energy, she gracefully disappeared from sight.

I couldn't help but look upward, my gaze following the parting clouds. Did she fly through the air, or was it an extraordinary leap that took her away? The mystery of her departure lingered briefly in my thoughts.

In any case, she was undeniably Adrian's master. The descriptions from the novels seemed inadequate compared to witnessing her true presence.

Her beauty exceeded any preconceived notions, perhaps even surpassing the famed Tristan, as the author had hinted. It left an indelible impression, a visual spectacle that transcended the limitations of mere words.

I cast a gaze at Elaniel, who was gracefully circling around me with an inquisitive expression etched on her face.

"Father?" she inquired, curiosity dancing in her eyes. The effects of Hero's Will began to fade, and my body returned to its usual state. I felt a noticeable drain on my strength, and with a final glance, I locked eyes with her, uttering, "Take care of my body."

"F-fathe—"

Her concerned calls echoed in my ears as the surroundings blurred into a cascade of indistinct shapes, and I succumbed to the unconscious embrace that awaited me long enough.

.....

"He's still not back," Louise remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

"I'll check it out young ladies"

Feeling a sense of curiosity and perhaps a bit of excitement, Annalise volunteered to investigate the source of the mysterious knock. A playful smile adorned her face as she found amusement in the reactions of the two girls.

As Annalise opened the door, a polite inquiry escaped her lips. However, her eyes widened with a mix of recognition and surprise when she beheld the figure standing before her. In an instant, she instinctively lowered her head in a respectful bow, an almost reflexive response to the presence of the distinguished guest.

With a voice that exuded both grace and curiosity, Lilliana addressed Annalise. "It's been a long time, Analise. You look as lovely as ever."

A hint of nervousness laced Analise's voice as she replied "Yes, I'm doing fine, all thanks to your grace, young lady Lilliana." The unexpected visit caught not only Analise off guard but also the two girls behind her, their expressions betraying a subtle sense of discomfort.

Curiosity sparkled in Lilliana's eyes as she continued "By the way, Analise, why are you not letting me enter yet?" Her gaze was directed toward the collection of women's shoes and slippers neatly arranged at the corner, a silent inquiry demanding an explanation.

Caught in a moment of uncertainty, Analise gulped, unsure of how to navigate this unexpected turn of events.

.....

As Victoria idly twirled the potion that Euphemia had handed her a few days ago, a sigh escaped her lips, carrying the weight of concern for Adrian. "He's still not back... Haah, seriously, where is that kid?" The worry in her voice was evident as she contemplated the current situation.

The potion in her hand seemed to beckon her attention, a potential solution to the mystery of Adrian's whereabouts. Euphemia had assured her of its efficacy, claiming a one hundred percent success rate. The temptation to use it now crossed Victoria's mind.

"Should I use this now?" she pondered aloud, her eyes fixed on the small vial. Reflecting on her recent attempt to provoke Euphemia into creating the seemingly impossible concoction, Victoria couldn't help but marvel at the alchemist's skill.

Another sigh escaped her as she sank into her chair, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on her shoulders. Her gaze shifted to the stacks of paperwork strewn across her desk, a constant reminder of the myriad issues demanding her attention.

The atmosphere within the school had undergone significant shifts following the recent incident. While things were gradually calming down, the ripples of the event had reached international borders, becoming a topic of discussion across various countries. The news had spread far and wide, bringing the academy's name into the global spotlight.

Victoria, being at the helm of the academy, found herself in the midst of the storm. The repercussions of the incident had even reached the emperor himself, who expressed his displeasure with a terse message:

"Clean up your mess." The golden parchment carrying those words arrived just two days ago, and every time Victoria revisited the message, a shiver ran down her spine.

It became apparent that other nations were using the incident to mock and ridicule the empire. Despite the academy's status as a neutral entity, independent of any particular nation, it was a known fact that the empire basically owns the academy.

"Agh! Fuck it... I'll find him myself" said Victoria as she drank the potion.