CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 290. EVERLONG’S PERCEPTION OF KAILEN

Kailen picked up on the malicious intention directed his way.

A ruthless smile tugged at the edge of his lips as his gaze snapped sharply towards Bryce, before he completely turned away, leaving with Lian Yu and the society members as though he had never turned to look at the fellow.

"So he’s now a Vimodial Contractor, huh. When I get rid of him, I’ll turn him into a shadow creature and extract his memories concerning the Vimodial contractors on campus "

Kailen mused inwardly to himself, having been informed that Bryce was now a Vimodial Contractor by the Time Dilation Artifact, leaving the arena with the leaders of the society.

*****

The death of Farrell Reaverson at the hands of the last survivor of the Sword Tribunal Catastrophe spread far and wide, peering through every nook and cranny of the academy. In fact, the news spread outwards towards various regions of the empire—even to Atlantis, the Sea Realm.

A testament of this was the call Ethan Reaverson, relaxing with a beauty currently cooking a meal in the kitchen for them both—after having a good time—had just received from his father. He was currently having an emotional headache after the conversation he had just had with his father.

The reason he was feeling annoyed and distressed was not because of his younger brother’s death. Candidly, his brother’s death was not really an issue to him.

After all, with the bastard gone, he wouldn’t have to share the family fortune with someone who couldn’t keep his zip closed—and instead loitered about spreading the legs of various women with his background all the time, leaving all the responsibilities to him.

Had he even done his debaucherous deeds with a veiled identity, Ethan wouldn’t have cared. Yet the stupid shit literally went ahead and used his background as leverage every time he went on with it, drowning the reputation of the clan every time.

The useless piece of shit even went to the extent of harassing several women sexually. However, their stupid old man always doted on him and found ways to cover his spoilt little brother’s tracks, leaving most of the work and expectations of the clan to him, the elder brother.

Had he been told that he would be the only one to inherit the clan fortune, he wouldn’t have harbored any resentment towards his father’s actions, and his brother’s nonsense. He would have actually ignored the fellow since he wouldn’t be worried about a useless, irresponsible fellow who didn’t even give a damn about the clan’s progress sharing the benefits.

But their reckless old man had announced at a clan dinner in the past that Ethan and Farrell would be managing and sharing the clan fortune in half when he is ready to retire. Since then, Ethan had done his best to advise Farrell to refrain from unscrupulous behavior, having the clan’s progress in mind, but as always Farrell had told him to piss off.

Since then, he had left the fellow to himself—severing any brotherly ties to Farrell in his heart, making a choice to not look out ever for this lost cause.

So yeah, the bastard’s death didn’t shake him one bit. It had only lessened his troubles, and relieved him of his brother—a time ticking bomb that would have become detrimental to the Reaverson clan in the future, if not any time soon.

But the call with his father...

"My god," he sighed at this point in his musings.

"This old man really expects me to find a way to hamper the rise of the Sword Tribunal Society and get rid of Lian Yu, the killer of my stupid brother? Is Kailen Darkhaven not better left alone than seen as an enemy? Also with that guy Zarek willing to have his back, is it really worth it? But do I have a choice here?"

Ethan sighed helplessly, his back reclining into the sofa, his gaze distant.

At this point, he didn’t know what to do. Whether to boycott his father’s command and not act in the end, lose his father’s trust, good standing and everything he had worked tirelessly for—or just go ahead and do what the old man wants and risk offending someone his instincts gnawed at him to not offend?

One thing was certain though, he had to make a decision and he needed to make it now!

****

"So you’re not gonna tell me how you managed to infiltrate an arena that can even detect and trigger rune attacks against even a Galactic-level lifeform?"

Lian Yu was currently seated in one of the training halls of the society, after a spar.

"Well you still failed to defeat me so a deal is a deal."

Kailen smirked, tapping Lian Yu’s back with a playful sigh, an attempted mockery.

The former sighed, giving up. "Forget it. There’s no use in trying to judge you with common sense."

He stood up, about to leave. "I have to embark on a mission with Anaya, will be back in a few days."

"Take care," Kailen nodded, watching him turn into a streak of light and bolt off.

Just as he was about to stand up and leave, the shadow of an individual was cast on him.

"Care for one?" A voice followed, a feminine one.

He lifted his head, only to see Everlong Atrexia standing before him, trying to hand over some sort of chilled bottled drink to him.

Kailen didn’t ignore the good gesture.

"Thanks." He took the drink, opened it and took a drink.

Everlong sat beside him.

Silence reigned for a while, until she spoke. "You are different from the rumors."

She was direct. Knowing she was gonna say more, Kailen squinted his eyes slightly.

The voice of the Time Dilation Artifact rung in his ear.

"Ho! Someone’s a Casanova. An elf having a crush on a human is a rare thing. This will be much more fun than the dramas I’ve been watching!"

Kailen shook his head inwardly at the Time Dilation Artifact’s antics, not taking her words seriously.

Everlong continued. "They say you are cold, inhuman and brutal. I mean, that’s what I also thought. Everyone would think that way after seeing how you treat your enemies. I watched that satellite video of your home planet where you tortured that Arkon Xandros. Honestly, that was intense, hehe. There was also the instance of how you handled the issue with the Harkers—letting their daughter commit suicide before their helpless eyes. That was some brutal stuff.

We all killed people during the entrance exams, but when I watched the videos of your methods, I couldn’t help but feel the creeps."

Kailen listened, impassive. She didn’t mind, she continued.

"You’re very ruthless, not only to yourself but to those who cross you. I think you are also the kind of person who’d do anything to protect the people he cares about, even if it means going against the whole universe. However, if any of those same people turn against you, you won’t hesitate to end them.

Lex Talionis, huh—the ancient code that says an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. It’s your principle, right?"

She finally ended.

Kailen remained quiet for a while then sighed.

"Are all Atrexians this terrifying when it comes to judging character?" Kailen asked, honestly surprised. Everything she had said about him was on point.

The lady smiled. "Heh, can’t help it. Why do you think we are at the top of the commerce food chain in the empire?" She added, after a relaxed sigh.

"Business is people, and being a good judge of character means good business. You could even call it our innate trait for all I care."

Kailen nodded. Her brother had said something similar. They were all like this. This was terrifying, but also a useful ability.

"You should probably study military tactics. Could really help the empire with your terrifying ability to judge character after enrolling in the military after school," Kailen honestly advised.

"Will take that into consideration."

Everlong chuckled, then stood up, about to leave.

Kailen asked one last question, curious.

"You just approached me to tell me about your opinion of me?"

"Yeah," she shrugged.

"Why?" he asked.

"I don’t even know honestly, but I guess I just wanted you to know not everyone thinks you are a cold-blooded person."

"But I am, and I accept it," Kailen replied, nonchalantly.

"Only to those who mess with you," she added.

"Nevermind, I have a Wind Affinity class."

With that, she bolted off.

Kailen shook his head, with a light chuckle, and a sigh.

"Women, huh. How complex. Even with all the wisdom of the universe, perhaps a man will never understand them."