Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 23: Grade Eight Genius, Isabella Thorn

Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 23: Grade Eight Genius, Isabella Thorn

Isabella always wanted something more in her life. Born in a small village in a faraway corner of the Empire, she was praised for her beauty by others.

There was no doubt that she surely would live well in the future.

That was fine, and she thought it so. But, on the day her mother died, her world changed. She saw her beautiful mother lay still and pale all over. Her mother was known as the village's flower, but here she was, wilted and dead.

Beauty was an advantage, but it did not guarantee a prosperous life. She looked around and wondered if this village was where she wanted to spend her life. Did she wish to lie in some makeshift grave after death?

'I want to be more. I should be greater. I have to be better.' These thoughts hung with her for years until the day of the selection. The delight and pride she felt when Lewis discovered her vast talent were immeasurable.

She was special.

She was meant for more.

An Exalthood was perfect. She would be more than just a pretty face. Unlike her mother, she would go on to live a life worthy of her beauty and talents.

The first few days in the Blue Ocean Pavilion were slightly uncomfortable since she had never left home. But thanks to her talent, she was placed in the Inner Hall, where they helped care for her needs.

Her training was also a fresh experience for her. She never realized the enormity of her talent until she started training. Absorbing the vast amount of Ein rapidly and the supply of elixirs, Isabella soon elevated to the peak of Middle Apprentice Exalt without issues.

It was a given that she was above others. Natural for her.

She was out today instead of training because she lacked contribution points. It was irritating, but she had to undertake a mission to earn them.

"Isabella."

That voice calling for her was a surprise. She recognized Oscar's soft tone. Looking up, she saw the teen with black hair, black eye, and an unimpressionable face.

His clothes had been torn in several parts, but his face had the same small smile he always wore—her childhood friend, Oscar, who she had not seen in several months.

"Oscar," Isabella said blandly.

Oscar was happy to see Isabella again, but her dry and unenthusiastic response dampened his spirit. The awkwardness remained as Oscar was too confused by her antipathic tone to say anything.

Letting out a sigh, Isabella resumed walking. Her demeanor and attitude showed her unwillingness to talk.

"Wait!" Oscar grabbed her wrist. He wanted to catch up with her, and they were friends, so why did she respond so coldly?

Isabella's face darkened, and she snapped off Oscar's grip with a forceful tug. She looked back at him and said, "I would appreciate it if we didn't talk anymore."

Oscar was examining his hand. It was trembling from Isabella's strength. She was at a much higher level than him, even greater than Emily.

"I wanted to talk with you. Did you get any of Uncle Carlson's letters? How were you handling yourself in the Inner Hall?" Oscar ignored her detachment and launched into a series of questions.

"I ignored them. I'm doing fine." Isabella gave short and curt responses as if she did not know Oscar.

'What the hell happened?' Oscar trembled in disbelief to see his childhood friend behave this way.

"How could you not respond to your father?" Oscar was furious as he had seen Uncle Carlson care for Isabella since her mother died, yet this was how she acted towards her father.

"I have no time for that. There are far more important things to consider." Isabella looked at Oscar with her scarlet eyes. Unlike in the past, they held a hint of contempt. "You're a Grade Four. To be a powerful Exalt, you should focus more on your training than trivial matters."

"Trivial matters?" Oscar's voice shook with anger and disbelief at Isabella. How can someone regard their own family as trivial?

Oscar wiped off his tears, although his eyes were still watery.

"Thanks, Fred. You're right. But I don't want to brag in her face or anything. She chose to be left alone, and that's what I'll do." Since Isabella had chosen to cut him off, then he would oblige.

"Tch, you could parade it over her. That would give me some satisfaction." Frederick complained.

"To you, but I don't want to do such a thing to anyone." Oscar was raised to be a kind child. Although he entered the cruel world of Exalts, he wanted to maintain his sense of morality. He did not want to be like Isabella or Samuel.

"Geez, there's no convincing you to be a little more vengeful. Did you not like her?" Frederick asked.

"I always looked after her and helped her when she needed it. You can say it was closer than friends but less than lovers?" The final step before becoming lovers was something Oscar never crossed. If they never came to the Pavilion, Oscar and Isabella would probably have made that final step and gotten married. "There's nothing more now. She wants to be with Gilbert. She can live her own life as she pleases."

Although he said he was fine, he was still clearly shaken by the exchange, and his weak tone showed it. The words Oscar uttered before were mainly to console himself. Deep down, he felt somewhat responsible for her.

"Gilbert." Frederick gnashed his teeth upon hearing the name.

Oscar always felt it was strange; the irrational hatred Frederick had for Gilbert was confusing. Frederick mentioned it was because Gilbert was suspicious and gave off a bad feeling, but Oscar could tell that was not the case; there was something more personal.

'I won't force him. He can tell me when he wants to.'

The two silently made their way back to the Outer Hall. Their faces hung down with heavy expressions.

'What do I tell Uncle Carlson?' Oscar was conflicted about what to tell Isabella's father. Telling the truth would break his heart, but Uncle Carlson would be equally worried by the lack of letters. With his mind stewing over the problem, Oscar unknowingly arrived at Elder Saul's house, where, as usual, the elder rested on his reclined chair.

Elder Saul noticed the two students approaching and opened his eyes. His eyes clung to Oscar, who felt like he was being stripped naked.

"You've killed someone." The elder's words surprised the two boys. "I can tell by the look in your eye."

Oscar bowed to Elder Saul. "I was ambushed by another student and had no choice."

"No choice...." Elder Saul ruminated on the two words. "Become stronger; then you'll have more choices. But it is good you came back alive."

Elder Saul rarely gave any advice, words of praise, or concern. He was moved that Elder Saul showed him a hint of compassion. Oscar and Frederick were equally shocked that this dispassionate elder acted in this manner.

"It also seems like you're concerned about something." Elder Saul saw through Oscar once again.

"Elder. Can I ask you something?" Oscar requested.

"Hmm. Fine. Ask away."

"If telling the truth is hurtful to someone I care about, then should I not say anything? However, they'll still be hurt by not knowing the truth." Oscar looked to this elder for an answer to his issue.

Elder Saul got off his chair and came closer to Oscar. The boys tensed up like a stiff board. Everyone else thought this elder was a weak leftover, but they knew that was false.

Elder Saul stopped in front of Oscar and stared into his eyes. Oscar felt his mind floating away as if Saul's eyes were endless black holes.

"If you have a wound, is it better to burn it to seal it shut or let it fester and rot?" Before Oscar could respond, Elder Saul turned back. "The truth may hurt, but it hurts the most after a long buildup of lies. Make sure to judge whether the pain would be better had now than later."

Elder Saul went back to sleeping on his chair.

Oscar was silent and bowed to the elder.

'I know what I must do.'