Powerless Boy is reborn as Lustful Elf
Chapter 101: Vaelen’s Accusation

Chapter 101: Vaelen’s Accusation

The air in the cramped living quarters was thick with tension, a heavy weight that seemed to press against the walls as Justin’s sharp words cut through the silence.

His voice, usually laced with a teasing warmth, carried a cold, unyielding edge that made Ruben flinch.

"Not in front of the boy," Justin said, his gaze flicking toward Alex, who sat hunched on a low stool at the room’s edge, his fingers nervously twisting the hem of his worn tunic.

The boy’s presence amplified the strain, his wide eyes darting between the two men like a cornered animal, unsure of where to look or what to do.

Justin stood with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his posture rigid, as if bracing for a fight.

His expression was a storm of exasperation and authority, his jaw set in a way that dared defiance. "The council certified Alex," he continued, his tone low but forceful, each word deliberate. "They deemed him safe to stay with us. Are you saying you oppose their verdict?"

Ruben’s broad frame seemed to shrink under the weight of the question, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

His face tightened, a muscle twitching in his jaw as he fought the urge to snap back.

For a moment, it looked like he might argue, his lips parting as if to unleash a retort.

But then his gaze slid to Alex, catching the boy’s wary, almost pleading expression, and something in it made him falter.

With a frustrated huff, Ruben clamped his mouth shut, his silence a grudging retreat.

The room felt heavier for it, the unspoken conflict lingering like a bruise.

****

The next day, Starhaven Academy hummed with its usual chaotic energy, a sprawling campus of towering spires and bustling courtyards that felt both majestic and overwhelming.

The cafeteria, a vast hall filled with long wooden tables and benches, thrummed with the clamor of voices and the clatter of trays.

Alex, Sylra, and Bastian had claimed their usual spot near the edge of the room, a small pocket of familiarity amidst the sea of students.

Their trays were piled with academy fare, steaming bowls of spiced grains, roasted vegetables, and a colorful protein that Sylra eyed with suspicion, prodding it with her fork.

Alex sat with his shoulders hunched, his fork pushing food around his plate without purpose, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Sylra, across from him, was a burst of energy, her quick gestures and animated expressions lighting up their corner of the table.

She was halfway through a lively story about a disastrous alchemy lesson, her hands mimicking an explosion with exaggerated flair, when Bastian leaned back in his seat, his grin wide and mischievous.

All around them, the cafeteria buzzed with gossip, snatches of conversation drifting like sparks.

The market explosion from the previous day was the sole focus, each table spinning its own wild theory about what had happened.

Words like Eclipse and attack peppered the air, spoken with a mix of fear and fascination. Students leaned over their trays, their voices hushed but urgent, trading rumors about shadowy motives and chaotic scenes.

"They say Eclipse was after some ancient relic!" one student whispered, her voice sharp with excitement.

"No, I heard it was a warning to the council!" another countered, leaning closer.

The theories grew more outlandish with each retelling, the students feeding off one another’s energy.

Alex’s grip on his fork tightened, his knuckles paling as the weight of their words pressed against him.

Sylra noticed, her story faltering as she glanced at him, her brow creasing with concern.

But before she could say anything, the scattered conversations began to merge, like streams joining a river.

It started with one voice, louder than the rest, posing a question that caught a nearby table’s attention.

Soon, others joined in, their voices weaving together until the entire cafeteria seemed locked in a single, frenzied debate about the explosion.

Bastian, never one to miss a chance for drama, saw his moment. He shoved his tray aside and clambered onto the bench, his movements bold and theatrical.

"Why are we all speculating like a bunch of clueless first-years?" he called out, his voice ringing over the din.

Heads turned, a hush rippling through the crowd as Bastian gestured grandly toward Alex and Sylra. "We’ve got the two people who were there right here! Let’s hear the real story!"

The weight of countless gazes fell on Alex and Sylra, the sudden scrutiny like a physical force. Sylra’s lips parted, a spark of excitement in her expression as she prepared to launch into a tale, no doubt laced with her signature embellishments.

Alex, though, shrank back, his fingers curling into his palms beneath the table, his heart thudding in his chest.

Whispers swirled around them, a mix of curiosity and expectation, as students leaned forward, eager for a firsthand account of the chaos.

But before either could speak, a sharp voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Vaelen, who had been lounging a few tables away, rose to his feet, his lean frame commanding instant attention.

His presence carried a cool, almost arrogant confidence, his lips curling into a faint, knowing smirk as he fixed his gaze on Alex.

"Why are we asking Alex about the event," he said, his voice slow and deliberate, each word dripping with intent, "when we should be asking him why it occurred?"

The words hit like a shockwave, silencing the cafeteria.

Students froze, their eyes darting between Vaelen and Alex, the air thick with stunned disbelief.

Bastian, still perched on the bench, frowned, his playful demeanor faltering. "What’s that supposed to mean?" he asked, his tone sharp with skepticism. "How would Alex know why Eclipse attacked?"

Vaelen’s smirk deepened, and he took a slow, deliberate step closer, his gaze never wavering from Alex. "Oh, he knows," he said, his voice low and cutting, each syllable laced with accusation. "Because Alex is part of Eclipse."

A collective gasp tore through the cafeteria, sharp and jagged, as every eye locked onto Alex. His head snapped up, his face draining of color, shock etched into every line of his expression.

"Eclipse?" a student muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief. "No way, he’s just some kid!"

"But Vaelen wouldn’t say that without a reason," another countered, leaning forward eagerly.

The accusations swirled, each voice adding to the growing chaos. Alex’s pulse raced, the weight of their stares crushing.

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