Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 105

Chapter 105: Playing Detectives Chapter 105: Playing Detectives Lopt leaned back, still smirking as he stretched lazily.

“Hold those thoughts about Emmeranne for now,” he murmured, his eyes glinting with amusement.

“I have other matters to attend to.” Without another word, he pushed himself up from the table and strolled off, heading toward the fourth-year students without a care in the world.

Aiden, Adrian, and Sevan watched him go, each of them lost in their own thoughts.

The rest of breakfast was unnervingly quiet- at least from their side.

Because Emmeranne was watching them.

She wasn’t staring outright, but every now and then, Aiden caught her gaze flickering toward them.

Every time he turned to meet it, she had already looked away, as if nothing had happened.

Adrian noticed, too, because at some point, he muttered, “She’s been looking this way for a while.” Aiden wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or not.

The tension didn’t fade, not even when breakfast ended.

Even as they moved through their classes, Aiden felt the weight of Emmeranne’s gaze lingering on them.

It wasn’t until their Creature Care class that the situation became even more awkward.

Professor Pippa stood at the front of the class, practically bouncing on her feet as she spoke.

Her hands gestured animatedly as she held up a small, round creature with shimmering blue fur and large, curious eyes.

It let out a soft trill, its tiny paws curling into the air.

“This-” Professor Pippa beamed, “-is a Nivex.

A rather gentle creature, despite its icy appearance!

Their fur stores cold energy, so they prefer cool environments, but if properly cared for, they’ll remain by your side no matter the climate.” She turned her sharp gaze to the students, excitement evident in her expression.

“And how do we properly care for a creature?

First and foremost, you must give it a name.” She lifted the Nivex up for everyone to see.

“Naming a creature strengthens the bond between caretaker and companion.

It acknowledges them as more than just a magical being- it makes them yours, someone who trusts and depends on you.” She smiled, scratching the Nivex’s head, and it let out a contented chirp.

“This little one’s name is Lumi.” The class murmured in interest, some leaning in to get a better look.

Aiden, however, barely paid attention.

Emmeranne was still watching him.

He exhaled sharply through his nose before muttering under his breath, “You can stop looking at me.” Beside him, Emmeranne tilted her head ever so slightly.

“Is it not okay to look at your partner?” “It’s fine,” Aiden said, his jaw tightening.

“But it’s been like this since breakfast.” Emmeranne didn’t look the least bit guilty.

If anything, she seemed indifferent.

Then, without breaking eye contact, she said, “It’s not as bad as what you three are doing to me- framing me for Savion’s murder.” Aiden stiffened, his fingers curling slightly.

“You’re suspicious,” he said evenly.

At that, Emmeranne finally turned to him fully.

“Savion was a good friend,” she said, voice measured.

“I’d never hurt him.” Something about the way she said it made Aiden hesitate.

But before he could say anything else, she continued, “You don’t need to know everything.” Her tone didn’t change.

It was flat.

Matter-of-fact.

Then, with a slight shift of her shoulders, she added, “You three should stop trying to be detectives with everything happening.

It’s dangerous.” Aiden frowned.

There was no hostility in her tone.

No defensiveness.

Just a simple, quiet warning.

And for some reason, that unsettled him more than if she had gotten angry.

Aiden didn’t immediately respond.

He watched Emmeranne carefully, searching for any flicker of emotion beyond that quiet indifference.

But as always, she gave away nothing.

Around them, the classroom remained focused on Professor Pippa’s lecture.

The professor had begun pairing students with their creatures, her voice enthusiastic as she explained how to bond with them.

“Care is more than just feeding and shelter,” she said, holding Lumi up again.

“It’s about understanding.

Trust is not given- it’s earned.

And that, dear students, is what you must do today.” She clapped her hands.

“Your task is to name your creature and ensure it’s comfortable with you by the end of class.

If it refuses to approach you, that means you’ve done something terribly wrong.” The students murmured in amusement or mild concern, turning their attention to the small creatures before them.

Aiden and Emmeranne had been assigned a different Nivex, this one slightly smaller than Lumi, with fluffier fur and sharp eyes.

It sat curled up on the desk between them, staring at Aiden before flicking its gaze toward Emmeranne.

The tension between them remained.

Finally, Aiden exhaled through his nose, turning his focus to the Nivex.

“What should we call it?” Emmeranne remained silent for a beat before answering, “Frost.” Aiden glanced at her but didn’t argue.

“Alright.

Frost it is.” The Nivex, as if responding to its name, let out a quiet trill and stretched its tiny paws.

Aiden reached out carefully, and to his surprise, the creature allowed him to touch its fur, its body cool to the touch.

Emmeranne, watching, finally spoke again.

“You won’t drop this, will you?” Aiden didn’t need to ask what she meant.

“No,” he said simply.

She didn’t sigh or roll her eyes.

She didn’t argue.

Instead, she reached out, letting her fingers brush against Frost’s fur.

The Nivex didn’t recoil.

“Then you should be careful,” she said softly.

“Not for my sake.

For yours.” Aiden didn’t reply.

Emmeranne’s fingers traced the fur of the Nivex absentmindedly, her voice quiet yet firm.

“You should never trust Lopt.” Aiden’s brow furrowed.

“Why?” Emmeranne finally met his gaze.

“Because Lopt holds no loyalty to anything.” Aiden scoffed.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Emmeranne exhaled, her fingers pausing in Frost’s fur.

“Lopt does what he wants, when he wants.

He isn’t the type to take sides.

He isn’t the type to be tied down.

He isn’t the type to have allegiances.” Aiden frowned.

“You’re talking like you know him well.” “I don’t need to,” she said.

“I only need to know the type of person he is.

Lopt is unpredictable.

He’ll smile at you, act like your closest friend, but if you think that means he’s on your side, then you don’t understand him at all.” Aiden thought about that.

He thought of how easily Lopt had slipped into their conversation earlier, how he had teased them, steered the topic in whatever direction he pleased.

The way he had left without hesitation, like their concerns weren’t his to worry about.

But still, it was Lopt.

“Are you saying he’d betray us?” Aiden asked.

Emmeranne shrugged.

“Betrayal implies loyalty in the first place.

Lopt doesn’t betray.

He just does whatever benefits him at the moment.

You might be useful to him today.

Tomorrow?

Maybe not.” Aiden didn’t like that answer.

“You’re making him sound like some kind of villain,” he muttered.

“No,” Emmeranne corrected, watching him carefully.

“I’m making him sound like Lopt.” Before Aiden could reply, Professor Pippa’s voice rang out through the training hall, bright and enthusiastic.

“Wonderful progress, Aiden and Emmeranne!

Frost seems very comfortable with you two.” Aiden barely managed a nod, still turning Emmeranne’s words over in his head.

Lopt was… Lopt.

But was she right?