Chast's mom found herself cornered and surrounded by the High Celestials and the Enigmatic Professors.
The air felt heavy, suffocating, as if she were a criminal being dragged into an interrogation. Every stare pierced her like a dagger, and every silence pressed down on her chest.
Chast clenched his jaw, blood boiling as he watched his mom bombarded with questions as though she were guilty of something.
Don't they see it? They're making my mom uncomfortable!
He'd been observing her closely... her every breath, every twitch, every flicker of her eyes—only to realize that beneath her calm expression, she was scared.
He reached for her cold hand and rubbed it gently to warm it. His mom glanced at him, and he gave her a reassuring smile—one that said, Everything's going to be okay.
"Where have you been?" Professor Sylverynth demanded, fingers tapping the table.
"How come you just appeared now... with your son?" Mr. Benguet added, massaging his temple.
"How have you been?" Professor Valkiery asked, her tone softer but still probing.
Chast let out a long sigh. That's it! They're too much!
He was about to snap when a loud bang cracked through the room.
Zayn had flipped the coffee table in front of him. The sound silenced everyone instantly.
"That's enough!" His voice boomed—loud, commanding—heavy enough to make even the High Celestials shrink into their seats.
Zayn strode forward, his eyes glowing with suppressed fury. Cold air followed him, chilling everyone to the bone as he stopped before them.
"You two can leave," Zayn ordered, looking at Chast and his mother. His tone was deep, but gentle.
"But—" Professor Sylverynth started, only to stop when Zayn cut her off with a single, furious glare.
"I'll send them off," Professor Valkiery volunteered, rising from her seat and adjusting her robe.
Chast helped his mom to her feet. "Thank you," his mom said softly, smiling as she held his hand.
Professor Valkiery stood beside them. "Let's go," she said, and with a snap of her fingers, they vanished from the room.
"Why did you let them go?" Xian Stormveil asked, leaning back in his chair. "Are you planning something?"
All eyes turned toward Zayn, waiting for an answer.
Zayn grinned—but his eyes showed no emotion.
The others cackled quietly. They knew that grin all too well. And one thing was certain...
It meant bad blood.
Meanwhile, Professor Valkiery, Chast, and his mom appeared inside his dorm, where they found Luke and Ronnie bickering with the three elves.
They froze in place, stunned. As soon as they noticed Professor Valkiery, both Luke and Ronnie stood upright, fixing their clothes in a hurry.
Chast, however, was still dizzy from the teleportation. He groaned inwardly and tried to steady himself.
I really hate this lavender haze teleportation.
"Luke, can you show me around your dorm?" Professor Valkiery asked, her eyes scanning the space.
"Yes, Auntie!" Luke replied eagerly. "I'll show you my room first!"
He gestured toward his door, already beaming with pride.
As the Valkierys left the room, Chast guided his mom to the couch. The three elves, however, stared at her in fascination, as if silently asking questions.
"Oh—my bad!" Chast said, realizing he hadn't introduced her.
"My mom, Leanne." He smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"Mom, these are our elves—Nottie, Tottie, and Wottie," he said, pointing at each of them.
Then he turned to Ronnie. "And that's Ronnie—my dorm mate."
"Yes, I know him. How have you been, Ronnie?" Leanne said warmly, walking over to hug him.
Wait... What!?
"You know each other?" Chast gawked, eyes darting between them.
"He's your uncle Edward's son!" Leanne said, grinning from ear to ear.
Edward who?
Chast snorted, completely lost for words.
He felt betrayed.
Did Ronnie know who I am? Why didn't he say anything? Or... maybe he really didn't know?
"So, you guys know each other?" Stupid, Chast! Really? Asking the obvious?
He sighed inwardly. "I mean—how did you meet?" he corrected himself.
"They used to visit us before, back home," Leanne said with a laugh. "You were always busy dating Xylene, that's why you two never met!"
Chast furrowed his brows. Okay, that's true, but still!
It's not like he was never home.
He just nodded, though something about it still felt... off. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
The three elves tilted their heads, whispering to each other, "Xylene... the Chosen?"
Their eyes sparkled like they'd discovered a secret.
"His ex-girlfriend. The one who ghosted him," Leanne said playfully, laughing.
Chast laughed too, but it was hollow inside.
He hated hearing that name again. He had moved on yet somehow, every mention still stung.
He'd moved on... until she started haunting his dreams.
And now, even his mom was bringing her up.
He moved on, yes. But deep down, the wound still lingered.
Like they say, the first cut is always the deepest.
"I'm glad you and Ronnie are dorm mates," Leanne said, smiling warmly.
Chast nodded and glanced at Ronnie, who was smiling sheepishly.
"I'm glad our parents were friends," Chast said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Look, Chast, I didn't know! I didn't know you were a Burthry," Ronnie said quickly, shrugging defensively.
Chast just nodded, lips pressed tight. I don't care if I look like I'm sulking.
Because he was.
"Oh, come on... Chast Vaughn Burthry," Leanne teased, smiling playfully. "Don't sulk like a kid."
Chast hissed inwardly. Great. Who else here is secretly connected to my family?
"Chast Vaughn Burthry?"
All heads snapped toward the voice behind them.
It was Luke—standing frozen beside Professor Valkiery, both of them wide-eyed.
"Did we hear that right?" Professor Valkiery asked, her brows furrowed in disbelief.
Chast smacked his forehead, as if caught red-handed. He froze.
Fuck! They found out my last name!
His breath caught in his throat as his father's voice echoed in his mind,
"Don't ever use Burthry as your last name."
He clenched his fists, his pulse hammering in his ears.
Well, Dad... guess it's a little late for that now.
"Wait... you lied about being a Valkiery?" Luke asked, confused.
"No, he didn't," Leanne interjected before Chast could respond.
She stood up, smiling faintly as she pointed to herself.
"I'm a Valkiery. His father... is a Burthry," she said clearly, enunciating every word.
"A Burthry!?" Professor Valkiery's voice rang through the room, sharp and astonished.
Chast looked at her, confusion flickering in his eyes. He couldn't read her expression—it wasn't just surprise. There was something else beneath it... fear, disbelief... or something deeper.
What's going on with her?
Luke frowned, watching his aunt carefully. Why is she overreacting? He thought.
"Yes!" Leanne said proudly, grinning from ear to ear, as if being a Burthry were the best thing in the world.
"Burthry... dark! Chosen... danger... Chosen!"
All heads snapped toward the three elves, who were now huddled together, their faces pale and eyes wide with terror.
"What!?" Chast frowned, confusion and unease creeping into his voice. "What are you talking about?"
The elves didn't answer. They just stared at him, trembling like they'd seen something they weren't supposed to.
Chast's stomach dropped. Am I... in danger?