Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 359: Tainted fate

Chapter 359: Tainted fate

Alex found himself lost in thought as he pondered the situation extensively, knowing fully well that a single mess-up would lead to an unsavory end.

One thing he wished to avoid more than anything else was putting innocent lives at risk just for his cause.

Just as he was about to delve deeper, Roland snapped him out of his reverie.

"It would seem we have arrived at your destination."

Alex glanced out the window, noting the familiar building that housed his office as well as the hall he used to lecture the Finalists.

Compared to yesterday or the day before, it was mostly empty with a few non-teaching staff busying themselves with tidying the area.

"It would seem I have," Alex muttered before disembarking from the carriage. "Thank you for the ride, Headmaster."

"No problem at all and yes, Mr. Fitzgerald, I would advise that you do not push yourself too much. I doubt overdoing it would lead to satisfactory results."

Understanding that the headmaster was referring to his thesis work, Alex nodded. "I’ll keep that in mind."

"Then have a nice day."

With that, Roland closed the carriage door and with a casual knock, signaled for it to continue on its way which it did.

Noting how much Roland had warmed up to him, Alex grew curious about the possibility of roping in a scholar to join his cause though it was but a thought which was soon brushed away by a rather audible rumble.

Alex raised a brow as he quickly realized that the sound was from his stomach, a result of not having eaten since yesterday morning.

As he wasn’t one to slack off on meals, Alex decided to head to the canteen to have a meal and another to be packed for later.

Seated in the modest restaurant which had a unique smell, different from the cheap scents he’d been assailed by over the few weeks away from Arthur’s manor in BoneHaven.

Touched by nostalgia, Alex was quickly approached by a waiter who promptly took his order.

Not too long after, He was served a healthy portion of salad and spiced meat with a plate of rice and a unique chicken sauce which seemed to be a specialty of the establishment.

Alex dug in, savoring the meal while curbing the hunger within.

It didn’t take long before he was done after which he called the waiter over and asked for another meal to be packaged for him which the waiter obliged.

Once he had his meal, Alex paid and tipped a little more before hurrying back to his office to begin work on the thesis, of course, not forgetting the assignment he was to hand over to the Finalists.

It would seem he would be having yet another busy day today.

***

"I hope you have good news for me." A man wearing a white mask and covered in a crimson red hooded cloak remarked as he stood in a grand hall where white pillars abounded, holding up the grand domed roof above.

Across from him, standing a few meters away was the Mouthpiece who donned a black hooded cloak with a veil covering her face.

"I apologize but the situation is rather complicated. Aragon has turned their backs on us and refuses to fulfill the thousand-year agreement."

"... Why?"

"A mysterious organization calling itself the Shadowless. We aren’t sure what they want but..."

"They are getting in the way." The man completed before clicking his tongue. "If something is not done soon, we might all find ourselves banished to the Afterlife. Including you."

He made a point to glance around the hall, seemingly referring to an unseen force lurking in the shadows.

However, his expression seemed to grow sullen as he noticed an incongruity.

"Something is wrong."

The Mouthpiece inquired. "What do you mean?"

"Your fate... it is tainted, something bad will happen soon. I advise you to move quickly to deal with it lest you be led by the nose to an unfortunate end."

"Can’t you deal with it?"

"What is the point of the Order if you can’t handle this?... Get it done. I’m leaving."

With that, the man turned and walked towards one of the alabaster pillars, easily passing through before vanishing.

"What do we do?" The Mouthpiece inquired.

There was no response, after all, none was present, yet she soon remarked like she’d gotten an answer.

"It is for the best. We will convene the meeting sooner. If Aragon decides to remain stubborn, we’d have to consider drastic measures."

Her voice, tinged with deadly aggression, echoed throughout the grand hall before she began to walk in a certain direction, each step filled with purpose.

***

Alex got to his feet after hours of writing, feeling quite sore from sitting for so long.

Deciding to take a walk to stretch his muscles, he stepped out of the office, making his way out of the building and into the grounds outside where very little was being done.

As he studied the surroundings with a curious gaze, he happened upon gardeners spraying what looked to be fertilizer on the patches of grasses spread out across the school, using a specialized sprayer.

Alex couldn’t figure out why but the sight felt off for some reason.

Regardless, he didn’t pay much mind to it as for the first time in a long while, his life was in the hands of another.

Whatever happened, it would depend on the whims of fate.

With that, he turned and walked a lap around the building which happened to be quite large.

Having exercised a bit, Alex returned to his office to continue with his work only to find a letter on his desk, similar to the last one that was left there.

He picked it up and tore it open only to find that the meeting that was meant to happen in a fortnight had been shifted.

It will be happening tonight which caused Alex to ponder on the sudden change.

Had they discovered something?... If they had, would it benefit him or not?

A sense of worry and excitement inundated his thoughts as he let out a sigh, setting the letter back on the table before returning his attention to the parchments laid out orderly on his desk.

It would seem he would be heading home early today.