Chapter 363: Looming Trouble (2)

Kai narrowed his eyes, trying to see through the thick haze of snow.

He saw a figure stepping out from inside the stable and was immediately alerted.

Having thought of the worst throughout the way, he naturally expected this person to bear bad intentions toward him, but he was wrong. A few students walked out from the stable and passed the figure while bantering about the annoyingly cold weather.

Only then did he realize that the figure was not someone dangerous.

Someone who wanted to harm him would not want witnesses.

Once the bad thoughts were pushed away from his mind, he noticed that the figure was rigid while walking closer to him. Kai’s brows furrowed as he approached after signaling Feeny to stay with his hand.

It was then his eyes widened—the figure wasn’t a stranger.

It was Talitha.

Even though her face was covered by a plain ceramic mask and the snow howled around him, he could somewhat hear muffled sobbing. And as she got closer, he also noticed the wet glaze in her eyes.

"Talitha...?" Kai called out her name in surprise. "What are you doing out here?"

Right after Talitha took another step, she stumbled forward.

Kai was quick to react; his arms shot out to catch her before she could hit the frosted cloud.

And the first thing he felt the moment his arms closed around her body was the cold. It was a bone-deep chill—that radiated through her thick winter clothing. The temperature in the First Sky during a snow like this was far more extreme than the harshest climates on the surface.

Supernals could freeze to death, which was why the academy had to help the students.

As a normal human, Talitha had no chance.

She wasn’t built to withstand a snow like this.

Even the flickering warmth inside the Aerial Stable was not enough to help her body regulate its temperature. Kai immediately activated his mantle’s fire affinity. Back when he first got the mantle, he didn’t expect it would be useful outside of battle.

But he was glad that he had it, or else Talitha would be in trouble.

A bubble of invisible heat bloomed around him.

A radius of warmth that instantly pushed the snow away and chased the frost from the air.

He held her steady, letting the heat seep into her shivering frame—and then helped her stand properly. Staring into her wide, glassy eyes filled with panic, his expression turned dead stern. "What happened?"

Once her mind clicked that Kai was back, the words immediately spilled out of her.

A frantic, hiccupping ramble.

"S-She was acting strange." She said in a stammer. "I thought she was exhausted, you know, with the approaching deadline and all. But she was sweating and staring at water, but then in the bathroom, and I went to get water, and she suddn—"

"Calm down," Kai gently grasped her shoulders. "Breathe."

It was clear that Talitha was in a panic for her to talk incoherently like this.

And frankly, he already knew who was involved in this trouble from her panic alone.

Talitha sucked in a ragged breath, her chest heaving as she tried to follow his instruction. She held everything in for a second, and then let it out through her lips, blowing her panic out of her alongside it.

Slowly, her trembling body began to subside.

Once she was calmer, Kai asked again, "What happened?"

Talitha swallowed hard, and her voice finally steadied into something coherent.

She explained that Abigail had been acting strange.

For some strange reason, Abigail kept looking at water longer than she should have—as if she was a person stranded in a desert who hadn’t drunk for several days. And then—after Talitha went to get some water while Abigail showered, she returned to find the bathroom empty.

Abigail was gone.

"I thought she got a new Legacy Skill or Imprint that I’m not aware of, but then I realized she had run out of the dormitory." Talitha continued, recalling what happened exactly how it happened. "She’s not wearing anything—but her underwear. You have to find her, Master Kai. In this snow, she would freeze to death."

Kai paused for a second and contemplated what he learned.

It was indeed strange for Abigail to suddenly run out of that.

"Drawn to water...?" Kai looked down at the ground in contemplation. "She is a Supernal of Amphitrite, the Goddess and Queen of the Sea. Maybe her Patron Goddess was talking to her? It’s possible."

"No!" Talitha clasped his hand with both of hers and shook her head violently. "I’m sure it’s not that. I can feel it. She’s in trouble. You have to find her—Master Kai. Please... I’m begging you to find her."

"I will find her. You don’t have to worry."

"Yes, please. She’s in trouble."

"Did you wait for me here? Did you ask Bree or Matilda for help?" Kai asked.

Since those two should be back home, she could easily ask them for help before he returned.

It’s better than waiting around for him to return.

Had it not been for the night, Talitha would’ve waited far longer than she did.

"Yes, I asked those two and then waited for you here." Talitha nodded her head.

"Good." Kai nodded back and turned to Feeny. "Notify those two."

Croak—!

Kai brought Talitha back to the academy after Feeny soared to the sky again. His strides were long and purposeful as he half-guided and half-dragged her through the biting snow. The fiery bubble of his mantle kept the cold at bay, but his temper was running hot.

"Do you realize how stupid you’re being?"

"Yes...?"

For a second, she was taken aback by Kai sudden, sharp voice.

She blinked her eyes, trying to understand why he seemed to be angry.

"No matter how nervous or panicked you are, going out into a heavy snow and endangering your own safety like this is plain stupid. If I were an hour late, if you had collapsed out here or frozen to death, things would only get worse. You can’t tell me anything if you’re dead."

"Ah—I’m sorry. Abigail disappearing... I must’ve lost my mind."

"Keeping yourself safe has to be your priority, no matter what. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

Talitha nodded her head.

It was clear that Kai was furious at her—as he even kept his face forward, unwilling to look her in the eyes. At this moment, she ought to listen and agree. There was no room for refuting him.

"Never act this recklessly again. Next time, I’ll leave you behind in the First Sky."

"Y-Yes."

Kai has his own reasons to be angry.

He didn’t know exactly what the situation in the Second Sky was like, but he was certain there were many powerful people there who could threaten him. If his own servant acted rashly at every turn, it would only become a burden to him.

Perhaps he might die because of her mistake.

In the Second Sky, he needed people he could trust unwaveringly.

Talitha fit that description, but if she couldn’t regulate her emotions and focus on the bigger picture, there was no point in bringing her along. There are other servants—who were willing to do anything to be his servant.

Any one of them could make a far better replacement.

Even though he wouldn’t be able to trust the new servant fully, at least he or she wouldn’t be a burden.

Soon enough, the duo arrived at the main gate that was guarded by more people than before winter came. And there, waiting right beyond the threshold were Matilda and Bree; their faces drawn tight with concern.

Feeny was circling the sky above the academy.

It was hard to miss her as she was akin to a giant shadow that blotted out the moon.

Naturally, the sight of her alerted Matilda and Bree that Kai had returned.

Kai waved a hand, dismissing Feeny back to the Aerial Stable. Not good for her to stay out for too long in this weather. She croaked once, and then flew away into the snowy night. Hard to believe that not too long ago, she was a wild Star Beast.

Now, she listened so well that even Kai was impressed.

"Go wait at home." Kai draped his heavy mantle on Talitha’s shoulders. "Let me handle this."

Talitha wanted to say something, but swallowed the words back down.

She nodded and then headed back.

Only then did Kai’s attention shift towards the two. "What did you find?"

"We asked the Guard Angels around," Bree said, pointing at the Guard Angels guarding the gate, with a grim voice. "They said Abigail came almost an hour ago and requested a permit. She went to the hive."

"Maybe it’s a false signal," Matilda added. "Maybe her family in the hive was sick."

It was a logical conclusion.

Since Abigail was a Supernal of Amphitrite, the Goddess and Queen of the Sea, renowned for her supportive abilities and healing, she might’ve received signs from her Patron Goddess—that her family was sick and in need of help.

On top of making sense, it would also explain Abigail’s sudden rush.

But Kai still tends to believe Talitha’s gut feeling more.

Siblings have a special connection that exists from birth, so he assumed that there was trouble.

"Fuck. Shit." Kai turned to the side and placed both hands on his hips.

"What?" Bree asked and stepped forward. "What is it?"

"I think this might be his doing."

"His doing? Who?"

"Spissos."

As soon as Bree and Matilda heard the name, their eyes widened.

Both also came to the same realization that it was most likely Spissos’ doing.

Kai clicked his tongue and spun on his heel. He marched straight toward the Guard Angels—standing like statues near the gate. His presence was a suffocating wave of authority, enough to make the Guard Angels stand straighter.

His red mask was stark against the dark backdrop.

And it looked like a real vengeful spirit was approaching them.

Kai stopped and scanned the Guard Angels with his eyes.

"Which one of you gave the permit to her?" He asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.

For a moment, none of them answered.

All of them only exchanged a look as if they didn’t know the answer to the question.

"Who the fuck gave her the permit?!" Kai shouted loudly.

His voice was filled with rage, causing the Guard Angels in front of him to flinch in fear.

"W-We tried to stop her, Red Prince." One Guard Angel to the right finally spoke. His nervous gaze darted toward his partner, a silent signal for help. "But she was... she threatened us. We can’t refute her."

Kai stared at the Guard Angel for an uncomfortable moment.

And then he approached, stopping only a few steps away.

"Threatened?" He repeated the word slowly, then tilted his head. "How about this—give me one good reason why you gave her the permit. If you can’t, I’ll cripple you right now."