Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I couldn't shake the uneasiness that had settled over me since that strange interaction with Ms. Hayward. Something major had happened—something that had rattled her to her core. In all my encounters with her, I'd never seen her lose composure like that.

The Man with the Mustache and I sat in my quarters, going over what we knew.

"That phone call changed everything," I said, pacing the small room. "Did you see her face? She looked like she'd seen a ghost."

"Maybe she did." He slouched in the chair, nervously twirling the end of his mustache. "This place is full of secrets. Who knows what kind of news would scare someone like her?"

I stopped pacing and looked out the window. The Aegis Academy stretched before me, peaceful on the surface. But beneath that tranquility, I knew dangerous currents were swirling.

"We need information," I muttered. "Without knowing what's happening, we're flying blind."

"I could try to snoop around," he offered halfheartedly. "Though getting caught spying on Academy officials isn't exactly on my bucket list."

Before I could respond, there was a soft knock at the door. We exchanged glances, instantly alert.

"Were you expecting anyone?" he whispered.

I shook my head and moved cautiously to the door. "Who is it?"

"It's Emerson," came the reply. "Emerson Holmes."

Relief washed over me as I opened the door. Emerson slipped inside quickly, his normally cheerful demeanor replaced by tense urgency.

"I came as soon as I could," he said, glancing nervously around the room. "There's something happening. Something big."

"What is it?" I asked, gesturing for him to sit.

He remained standing. "A meeting was called this morning. All senior officials. Closed doors, maximum security."

The Man with the Mustache perked up. "And how would you know about a super-secret meeting?"

Emerson smiled thinly. "I have my ways. What matters is what was discussed."

"Which was?" I prompted.

"A prophecy." Emerson's voice dropped to nearly a whisper. "From the Celestial Apothecary Guild. About you, Liam."

My stomach tightened. "What about me?"

"According to their seers, you're destined to become a Martial Saint."

The room fell silent. I stared at Emerson, waiting for the punchline, but his expression remained deadly serious.

"That's impossible," I finally said. "No one has reached Martial Sainthood in centuries. The conditions don't even exist anymore."

"That's why they're terrified," Emerson replied. "If the prophecy is true, it means everything they believe about the current era is wrong. It means you represent a fundamental shift in the world order."

The Man with the Mustache let out a low whistle. "No pressure or anything, Liam."

I ran my hand through my hair, trying to process this information. "So that's why Ms. Hayward looked like she'd seen a ghost."

Emerson nodded. "The senior officials are in panic mode. A new Martial Saint would upend the entire power structure they've built. And given your... complicated relationship with the Academy, they see you as an existential threat."

"Great," I muttered. "So now instead of just Ms. Hayward wanting me dead, I've got the entire senior leadership gunning for me."

"Pretty much," Emerson agreed. "They're discussing options as we speak."

The Man with the Mustache groaned. "Can we please have one day—just one day—where some all-powerful organization isn't trying to kill us?"

I ignored him, focusing on Emerson. "What about my duel with Broderick? Has that changed anything?"

A grim smile crossed Emerson's face. "Oh, it's changed everything. That duel is now their primary focus."

* * *

In a chamber deep within The Aegis Academy, Ms. Hayward stood before the eight senior officials, her head bowed slightly in deference.

"You understand what's at stake," the eldest official said, his voice echoing in the vast room. "This prophecy cannot be allowed to come true."

"I understand perfectly," Ms. Hayward replied. "But Knight has grown remarkably strong in a short time. Even Broderick may not be able to defeat him."

The woman at the head of the table leaned forward. "Tell us about this arrangement you've made. This duel."

Ms. Hayward explained the situation—the heavenly guardian book, the oath that bound her, and the terms of the upcoming match between Liam and Broderick.

"So if Broderick loses this match, you are oath-bound to grant Knight access to the Second Secret Realm?" The woman's voice was sharp with disapproval.

"Yes," Ms. Hayward admitted. "The heavenly guardian book makes the oath unbreakable. I cannot violate it without catastrophic consequences to myself."

Murmurs rippled through the chamber. The officials conferred quietly among themselves before turning back to her.

"This presents a serious problem," the eldest said. "If Knight gains access to the Second Secret Realm, his power will grow exponentially. The prophecy's fulfillment would become almost certain."

"I'm aware," Ms. Hayward replied, a tremor in her voice. "That's why I've come to you. I need help ensuring Broderick's victory."

The woman at the head of the table studied her carefully. "Your son is already an exceptional talent. What makes you doubt his ability to defeat Knight?"

Ms. Hayward hesitated. "Knight is... different. He advances at a rate I've never witnessed before. And he possesses techniques that shouldn't be possible for someone of his age and background."

"The Chaotic Body," another official murmured. "The reports were true, then."

She nodded. "I believe so. Which means even with Broderick's superior training, the outcome is uncertain."

Silence fell over the room as the officials considered her words. Finally, the woman spoke again.

"What if we could guarantee Broderick's victory?"

Ms. Hayward looked up sharply. "How?"

"Take him to the Mystic Realm," the woman said. "We can grant you temporary access. There, he can absorb energies that would normally take decades to accumulate."

Hope bloomed in Ms. Hayward's chest. "That would work. With that kind of power boost, Broderick could easily defeat Knight."

"Then it's decided," the elder declared. "You and Broderick will leave immediately. The duel must proceed as scheduled, and Knight must lose decisively."

Ms. Hayward bowed deeply, relief washing over her. "Thank you. I swear to you, Knight will never reach Martial Sainthood. I'll make sure of it personally."

As she straightened, the woman fixed her with a penetrating gaze. "See that you do, Mariana. For all our sakes."

* * *

Back in my quarters, I processed what Emerson had told us about the prophecy and the officials' reaction.

"So they're afraid of me because some seer had a vision?" I shook my head in disbelief. "This is absurd."

"Prophecies from the Celestial Apothecary Guild aren't taken lightly," Emerson said seriously. "Their seers have an accuracy rate that defies explanation. If they say you'll become a Martial Saint, the officials have to assume it's true."

The Man with the Mustache stretched his legs out. "Look on the bright side—at least you know you won't die in this duel with Broderick. Can't become a Martial Saint if you're dead, right?"

I shot him an irritated look. "Prophecies aren't guarantees. They're possibilities. And right now, the Academy is working to make sure this particular possibility never happens."

"Which brings us to our immediate problem," Emerson cut in. "The duel."

"What about it?" I asked.

Emerson's expression turned grim. "Ms. Hayward and Broderick have disappeared."

I sat up straight. "What do you mean, disappeared?"

"They left the Academy grounds right after the meeting with the senior officials. No one knows where they've gone."

The Man with the Mustache frowned. "That can't be good. The duel is in two days. Why would they leave now?"

"To prepare," I muttered, the pieces falling into place. "They're going to make sure Broderick wins, no matter what."

Emerson nodded grimly. "That's my guess too. And given the resources at their disposal, I'd be worried about what kind of advantage they're arranging."

I stood up and walked to the window again, my mind racing. The stakes had just gotten exponentially higher. This wasn't just about Broderick's pride anymore, or even my access to the Second Secret Realm. The entire Academy leadership saw me as a threat that needed to be eliminated.

"I need to talk to Mariana Valerius," I said suddenly. "She's the one who sent the prophecy. She might know more about what's happening."

Emerson shook his head. "The Pavilion Master is currently unreachable. She left for the Northern Provinces immediately after sending the prophecy."

"Convenient," The Man with the Mustache remarked dryly.

I turned back to face them. "Then we focus on what we can control. The duel is still happening, and I still need to win."

"Even if they're cheating?" The Man with the Mustache asked.

"Especially if they're cheating," I replied firmly. "Accessing the Second Secret Realm is my best chance of finding information about Isabelle. I'm not giving that up, no matter what tricks they pull."

Emerson stood to leave. "I'll keep my ears open, try to find out where they've gone. In the meantime, prepare as if Broderick will return stronger than before."

After he left, The Man with the Mustache looked at me with uncharacteristic seriousness. "You realize they might actually kill you, right? Prophecy or no prophecy, they're not going to risk you becoming powerful enough to threaten them."

"I know," I said quietly. "But I don't have a choice. I need to find Isabelle."

He sighed dramatically. "Well, if we're going to face certain death, I should at least get a decent meal first. Want to grab dinner?"

Despite everything, I couldn't help but smile. "Sure. But first, I need a new phone."

"A phone? Now? Why?"

"The recording of Ms. Hayward is our only leverage, but it's not enough anymore. I need to contact someone who might actually be able to help us."

* * *

An hour later, with a new phone in hand, I made the call. The line rang three times before a familiar voice answered.

"Liam? Is that you? I've been trying to reach you for days."

"Sorry about that," I replied. "Had to ditch my old phone after a... disagreement with Academy leadership."

Emerson Holmes sighed on the other end. "I figured it was something like that. Listen, there's been a development. I just found out where Ms. Hayward and Broderick went."

I tensed. "Where?"

"The Mystic Realm," he said, his voice tight with worry. "One of my sources saw them entering with special permission from the senior officials."

"The Mystic Realm?" My grip on the phone tightened. "Why would they go there right before the duel?"

"There's only one reason," Emerson replied grimly. "To gain power quickly. The Mystic Realm contains concentrated spiritual energy that can significantly boost cultivation. A day there can equal months of normal training."

I felt a cold weight settle in my stomach. "So Broderick will come back much stronger."

"Exactly. And that's not all. The senior officials have returned."

"All eight of them? Why?"

"To oversee the duel personally," Emerson explained. "They're not taking any chances with this prophecy, Liam. They want to make absolutely sure you don't win."

I stood silently for a moment, absorbing this information. The odds were stacking against me with every passing hour. Broderick would return enhanced by the Mystic Realm's energy, and the entire senior leadership would be watching to ensure my defeat.

"Liam? Are you still there?"

"Yes," I said quietly. "It seems I should prepare some countermeasures."