Rise of The Abandoned Husband

"What the public will know is that you killed her." I pulled out my phone from my pocket, holding it up for Ms. Hayward to see. "And I have it all recorded."

Her smug expression faltered. "What?"

"Did you really think I'd walk into an obvious trap without preparation?" I pressed a button on my phone, and Ms. Hayward's voice rang out clearly in the quiet forest: *"Loose ends. She served her purpose."*

The blood drained from her face as she realized what was happening.

"You're on speaker with my friend," I said, gesturing toward my phone. "Say hello to The Man with the Mustache."

"Hello, terrifying lady who just committed murder!" His cheerful voice came through the speaker. "I've been recording this entire delightful exchange. Fascinating conversation, by the way. Very revealing."

Ms. Hayward's composure cracked. "You can't—"

"Oh, but I can," I cut her off. "You just murdered an innocent woman in cold blood. A student from your own Academy. How do you think the Elders will react to this recording?"

Her eyes hardened. "Give me that phone. Now."

"Not a chance." I took a step back. "You made a critical mistake tonight. You showed your true colors, and now I have proof."

She lunged forward, energy gathering at her fingertips. I dodged her attack easily, my own power rising to meet hers.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," I warned. "The recording is already being uploaded to a secure server. Attack me, and it goes public immediately."

She froze, calculation replacing rage in her eyes. "What do you want?"

"For you to back off. Stop the schemes, the assassination attempts, the manipulations. Leave me alone."

A bitter laugh escaped her. "You think it's that simple? This goes beyond just me. There are powers at work that you cannot comprehend."

"Then comprehend this." I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "I know about Broderick. I know what you did to elevate him. If you come after me again, I won't just expose you—I'll destroy everything you've built."

Her eyes widened slightly. "You're bluffing."

"Test me and find out." I gestured to Mira's body. "You just murdered someone to frame me. Do you really think I'll show mercy if you try again?"

The silence stretched between us, charged with tension. Finally, she spoke, her voice icy.

"This isn't over, Knight."

"You're right about that." I stared directly into her eyes. "When I become a Martial Saint, I'm going to kill you."

She laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You? A Martial Saint? Your delusions are almost entertaining."

"We'll see who's delusional." I started backing away. "Clean up your mess, Ms. Hayward. And remember—I'm watching you now."

I turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the moonlight beside the body of the woman she had murdered.

"Wow," The Man with the Mustache's voice came through my phone. "That was intense! I need a drink after that."

"Meet me back at my quarters," I told him. "And keep that recording safe."

"Already on it. Multiple backups, heavily encrypted. No one's getting their hands on this without going through me first."

I ended the call and made my way quickly through the dark forest, my mind racing. Ms. Hayward had proven herself more dangerous—and more desperate—than I'd realized. This wasn't just about Broderick's reputation anymore. She was willing to commit murder to get rid of me.

Which meant the stakes had just gotten much higher.

* * *

The next morning, The Man with the Mustache and I walked across The Aegis Academy campus, keeping our voices low.

"Do you think she'll retaliate?" he asked, nervously tugging at his mustache.

"Without question," I replied. "But she'll be more careful now. She knows we have leverage."

"That recording is our only protection. I've never seen someone kill so casually." He shuddered. "Like swatting a fly."

I nodded grimly. "That's why we need to stay vigilant. She—"

"Knight!"

The sharp voice cut through our conversation. I turned to see Ms. Hayward approaching with Broderick at her side. Her face was composed, but I could see rage simmering beneath the surface.

"Speak of the devil," The Man with the Mustache muttered, instinctively stepping behind me.

Ms. Hayward stopped a few feet away, her eyes cold. "We need to talk."

"I believe we said everything that needed saying last night," I replied calmly.

Broderick stepped forward, his expression smug. "Mother told me about your little recording. Very clever."

"Wasn't it?" I smiled thinly. "Amazing what modern technology can capture these days."

"That recording cannot be made public," Ms. Hayward said, her voice tight with barely controlled anger. "There would be... consequences."

"For you, certainly," I agreed.

She glared at me. "For everyone involved. Including your mustached friend here."

The Man with the Mustache squeaked in alarm. "Me? What did I do?"

"You're an accomplice," she hissed. "And The Aegis Academy has ways of dealing with those who threaten its reputation."

I stepped forward, placing myself between them. "Threaten him again, and the recording goes public within the hour."

Broderick cleared his throat. "We're not here to make threats. We're here to propose a solution."

"I'm listening."

"Our match," Broderick said, gesturing to the arena visible in the distance. "If I win, you destroy the recording and all copies."

I raised an eyebrow. "And if I win?"

"You keep your leverage," Ms. Hayward interjected. "But you never use it unless directly provoked."

I considered the offer. The recording was my best protection, but keeping it as leverage rather than using it immediately gave me more options.

"Agreed," I finally said. "But understand this—if anything happens to me, The Man with the Mustache, or anyone else I care about, that recording goes public instantly."

Ms. Hayward's lips thinned. "Fine."

"Wonderful!" Broderick's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I look forward to our match even more now."

Before I could respond, Ms. Hayward's phone rang. She checked the screen, her expression changing instantly.

"I have to take this," she said, stepping away and answering the call.

The three of us watched as her posture stiffened. Even from a distance, I could see her face grow pale as she listened to whoever was on the other end. After a brief exchange, she ended the call and returned to us, visibly shaken.

"I have to go," she said to Broderick. "Urgent business."

"What is it?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Nothing for you to worry about." She shot me a strange look—not hatred, but something closer to fear. "Continue your day as planned."

Without another word, she turned and hurried away, leaving Broderick looking confused.

"What was that about?" The Man with the Mustache whispered once she was out of earshot.

"I don't know," I replied, watching her retreating figure. "But whatever it was, it scared her."

Broderick glared at us. "This doesn't change anything. I'll see you in the arena, Knight. And when I win, that recording disappears forever."

He stalked off after his mother, leaving us standing alone.

"Something big is happening," I muttered. "We need to find out what."

* * *

Ms. Hayward arrived at the private conference room, her heart pounding. Eight senior officials of The Aegis Academy sat around a massive table, their faces grave. She recognized all of them—the most powerful figures in the Academy's hierarchy, people she normally saw only at the most important ceremonies.

"Mariana Hayward," the eldest of them spoke, his voice carrying despite his advanced age. "Thank you for joining us on such short notice."

"Of course," she replied, taking the only empty seat. "How may I serve the Academy?"

The room fell silent as the eight officials exchanged glances. Finally, the woman at the head of the table spoke.

"We've received a communication from the Celestial Apothecary Guild." She paused, her gaze sharp. "Specifically, from Mariana Valerius."

Ms. Hayward felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of the Guild's Pavilion Master. "What did she want?"

"To warn us." The woman slid a sealed envelope across the table. "This prophecy arrived at the Guild headquarters three days ago. After verification, they felt compelled to share it with us."

With trembling fingers, Ms. Hayward opened the envelope and read the single page inside. Her blood ran cold.

"This can't be right," she whispered, looking up at the solemn faces around her. "This is impossible."

"The Celestial Apothecary Guild has confirmed its authenticity," another official said. "Their seers are rarely wrong."

Ms. Hayward read the prophecy again, her mind refusing to accept what she was seeing. "But this means..."

"Yes," the elder nodded gravely. "Within our lifetime, a new Martial Saint will rise. The first in over two centuries."

"But who?" she asked, though deep down, she already suspected the answer.

The woman at the head of the table leaned forward. "According to the prophecy, Liam Knight will become that Martial Saint."

The words hit Ms. Hayward like a physical blow. The man she had been trying to destroy, the man she had almost framed for murder just last night, was destined to become one of the most powerful beings in existence.

"No," she whispered, her face turning deathly pale as the implications sank in. "That's not possible."

But the eight solemn faces staring back at her confirmed her worst fear. It was true. Liam Knight was destined for greatness beyond her comprehension—and she had made him her enemy.