Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 113

Chapter 113: Join Me or Fight Me
“You really think you can just walk out after mouthing off like that? Like I’d just let you go after you embarrassed me? Where do you think you’re going?”

Sevan stopped, casting a confused glance over his shoulder. “To class? We just agreed on the duel.”

Shiloh’s grin twisted into something far less friendly. He rolled his shoulders, his fingers flexing. “Nah. I just don’t like letting disrespect slide.”

Sevan barely had time to react.

The moment Shiloh flicked his wrist, three cards shot toward Sevan like razors.

Sevan twisted his fingers, and water from the puddle he had created earlier surged up, forming a twisting barrier that deflected the cards midair. They ricocheted off the water’s surface, embedding themselves into the walls with a sharp thunk.

Sevan didn’t waste a second. He lunged forward, weaving between the next set of cards that Shiloh hurled at him. He barely grazed one with his shoulder, but he didn’t let it slow him down. With a flick of his wrist, a sharp tendril of water lashed out, aiming straight for Shiloh’s feet.

Shiloh jumped back, flipping a card in his hand and slamming it onto the ground. Instantly, a glowing barrier formed beneath him, acting as a platform that lifted him into the air just as Sevan’s water tendril snapped at the spot where he had been standing.

“Shiloh, this is stupid.” His voice was firm but not angry. “I don’t want to fight with you. I already agreed to the duel. What more do you want?”

Shiloh scoffed, flipping another card between his fingers. “That’s what makes you so pathetic, Sevan.” He pointed the card at him like a dagger. “You think you can just walk around, do whatever you want, and not pick a side? You think anyone’s gonna respect that?”

Sevan exhaled through his nose. He had no interest in whatever twisted ideology Shiloh believed in.

“I don’t care about ‘sides.’ Is there even one? This thing you’re doing spreading more hate is unnecessary. Especially tripping down Aiden? For what? To feel good about yourself? For being like a hero because you tripped a Chase who didn’t even want to be a Chase? It’s pathetic. And I definitely don’t need respect from you.”

He turned toward the door.

“We’re done here.”

Just as he took a step forward, a card whizzed past his face, so close he could feel the wind against his skin. Sevan froze.

Shiloh laughed, low and taunting. “Oh no, we’re not done.” He rolled his shoulders. “You don’t get to disrespect me and just leave, Sevan.”

Sevan clenched his fists. He was growing tired of this. “And what exactly did I do that was so offensive? Break your ego?”

Shiloh sneered. “You exist.”

He took a slow step forward. “You walk around with those two idiots like you’re not better than them. Like you’re not smarter. Like you don’t deserve more.” His voice lowered, dangerous. “It pisses me off.”

Sevan shook his head. “You need to get over yourself. You’re hit in the head.”

Shiloh’s expression darkened. “No, Sevan. I’m practical. You think sticking with Aiden and Adrian is going to do you any favors? They’re not like us. They’re reckless. Stubborn. Weak.”

That made Sevan pause for a brief moment. He turned fully to face Shiloh.

“And you think you’re strong?” he asked, voice quiet.

Shiloh grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I know I am. And I know you are too. You just need to stop playing the nice guy and-”

“I’m not playing anything,” Sevan cut in. “You act like this is some grand strategy game, but you’re just a kid throwing a tantrum because someone doesn’t want to stay in the same room as you.”

Shiloh’s grin faltered.

“Do you even hear yourself? Nillufer and Soleil are at the brink of war, and you’re here pulling this petty ‘join me or fight me’ nonsense like this is a cheap drama play.”

Shiloh’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything.

Sevan stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. “You don’t actually care about what’s coming. You just care about making sure you’re standing on top when it does.”

A flicker of something- anger, embarrassment- crossed Shiloh’s face before he snarled.

“Enough.”

In a blur, he flicked another card. This time, Sevan didn’t even raise a hand. The puddle near the entrance rippled slightly and just as the card was about to reach him, a thin stream of water flicked up like a whip, knocking it aside with a casual plop.

Sevan didn’t even blink.

“If you throw another card at me, I’ll make sure you regret it.” His voice was quiet but absolute.

Shiloh’s fingers twitched. He was clearly seething, but before he could make another move, something made him hesitate.

The air felt different.

Shiloh’s eyes flicked toward the entrance where Ambrose and Lochan had gone. That’s when he noticed it- the faint, almost unnoticeable glisten of water trailing along the floor.

His stomach dropped.

“You-”

Sevan’s gaze didn’t waver. “If you don’t want your friends to drown, let me go.”

Shiloh’s fists clenched, shoulders rising and falling with each sharp breath. He looked ready to snap- but then, just as quickly, he exhaled, rolling his neck like he didn’t care.

“Tch. Whatever. Playing dirty.”

“You threw your cards at me while I’m not looking. Don’t expect me to be nice just because I don’t like to fight.”

He flicked his wrist, dismissing the fight like it wasn’t worth his time. “Get out of my sight.”

Sevan gave him a slight, almost mocking smile before stepping past him without another word.

As he left, he flicked his fingers slightly- and just like that, the water trailing Ambrose and Lochan faded, leaving no trace behind.

—————————

Sevan finally arrived at the Botanical Garden, slipping through the arched entrance just as a faint shimmer of golden dust settled into the air- a telltale sign of Professor Ylang-Ylang’s magic. The garden was as lush as ever, brimming with oversized flowers, twisting vines, and glowing fungi. The scent of damp earth and sweet nectar filled the air.

Sevan took a deep breath, straightening his uniform before stepping forward. He had barely taken a step when he caught sight of Aiden and Adrian near the back, their gazes immediately locking onto him.

Adrian, who was slouching with his arms crossed, raised an eyebrow. “Wow. You actually made it.”

Aiden, more subtle in his approach, gave him a once-over. “What happened? Adrian told professor you took a dump.”

“Well, it was more convincing. Plus, you’re late for like twenty minutes already.”

Sevan waved a dismissive hand. “Yes, yes. I know. Only by twenty minutes.”

“Twenty minutes is practically half the class.”

“Not my fault,” Sevan replied, lowering his voice. “Someone decided to be an obstacle in my morning.”

Aiden frowned slightly. “What happened?”

Sevan shook his head. “Later.” He shifted his gaze back toward the front, where Professor Ylang-Ylang was busy watering a flower.

Just then, the tiny professor turned, spotting Sevan with a knowing smile. “Ah, Mr. Wasterfall! Finally joining us?”

Sevan gave a small nod. “Apologies, Professor.”

As students busied themselves watering their assigned seedlings, Sevan turned to Aiden. “Since I missed most of the class, mind filling me in? What was today’s lesson about?”

Aiden, who was carefully adjusting the moisture levels of his plant with a flicker of controlled fire, barely glanced up. “The Hiraya flower.”

Sevan tilted his head. “Hiraya? That sounds familiar. Isn’t that the one Egan used?”

Aiden nodded, finally looking at him. “Yeah. It’s known for enhancing magical abilities temporarily.”

Adrian, who had been half-listening while flicking dirt off his sleeves, snorted. “Basically, it gives you a power-up and an upgrade if you add it to your like you know, armor stuff.”

Sevan hummed in thought. “Interesting. Did Professor Ylang-Ylang mention where it grows?”

“Only in places with concentrated magic,” Aiden answered. “That’s why it’s rare. And dangerous.”

Sevan crossed his arms, deep in thought. “Did you take notes?”

“Me?” Adrian asked.

“Not you,” Sevan rolled his eyes. “Since when do you write notes? I meant Aiden.”

“Yeah, I have some here,” Aiden fished out his notebook from his bag, scanning the pages until he found his most recent entry with the Hiraya flower.

Aiden narrowed his eyes slightly. “Speaking of which, are you going to tell us what happened? You have a graze on your shoulder.”

Indeed he has. Sevan checked his shoulder that, indeed, there was a small unnoticeable graze on his right shoulder.

Leave it up to Aiden to notice the smallest details.

Sevan sighed, crossing his arms. “You won’t like it.”

Adrian scoffed. “When do we ever?”

Sevan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he busied himself with the plant in front of him, as if it suddenly required his full attention.

Aiden noticed how Sevan looked disassociated and how his fists were balled.

Something really happened.

Aiden and Adrian exchanged a glance.

“Sevan,” Aiden said, tone firm. “What happened?”