NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: Almost got Framed...
Ethan was like the other two as he offered Gareth a polite, shallow bow — a gesture that Gareth returned with a faint, almost imperceptible smirk of approval — before stepping down quietly.
There was no doubt in anyone's mind.
Ethan Drakethorne was different.
With the prize-giving concluded, the atmosphere shifted.
The students had barely begun to process what had happened when a new voice called out.
Stepping onto the stage with a casual swagger was a handsome young man with dark hair and sharp blue eyes — Darius, his elder brother, working as a Lieutenant under their father...
Ethan's eyes flickered with surprise for the briefest moment upon seeing him.
'Darius is here… which means Mia and the others might be around too.' He quickly masked his thoughts.
Darius spoke with easy confidence, addressing the crowd, "As part of the Labyrinth Overlord's initiative, we'll now be extending offers to join the Drakethorne Guild. If you hear your name called, step forward."
There was a heavy pause. The crowd waited, breath held.
Darius smiled slightly and read out the list:
"Ryker Bladewind.
Ilya Moreau.
Liora Veylan.
Samuel Ashworth.
Troy Seran."
Shock rippled through the plaza.
Ryker looked like someone had slapped him in the face. Then his grin nearly split his head in two. He accepted immediately, bowing awkwardly but sincerely.
Ilya Moreau and Liora Veylan shared a brief, stunned glance before hastily stepping forward, eager acceptance written all over their faces.
As for Samuel Ashworth and Troy Seran, they were practically trembling with excitement, having never dreamed they would receive an offer.
While the formal rules allowed them to delay their answer or even refuse, no one dared to entertain such thoughts.
To join the Drakethorne Guild under the direct patronage of the Labyrinth Overlord himself was an opportunity of a lifetime. None were foolish enough to hesitate.
Meanwhile, other prominent students like Selene Evernight, David Fangblade, and Vaelion Crest were conspicuously passed over.
Not because they lacked talent — far from it.
But because they were already bound to powerful families with their own guilds and alliances. Recruiting them would be a waste of effort. As for Ethan he's a special case, he's already part of the guild as Gareth's son, so no need for recruitment.
Once Darius finished his recruitment, the floodgates opened.
Representatives from other guilds surged forward, each trying to woo the remaining promising talents with promises of wealth, resources, and training.
The Awakening Ceremony had officially ended...
For the students, while the Awakening Ceremony had ended, the real life and challenges of it are what they'll experience next.
The air was thick with joy.
Laughter and cheers echoed across the academy grounds as the newly graduated students celebrated their success. They had passed one of the major thresholds of their young lives, and for many, the future now seemed full of dazzling possibilities.
It wasn't long before the structured ceremony gave way to chaos.
With Gareth Drakethorne, Headmaster Vance, the instructors, and the various esteemed visitors having already departed, the grounds were left to the jubilant students.
Noise filled the space like a rising tide—shouts, laughter, the clamor of excited conversations. It was a messy, lively scene.
But even amidst the chaos, Selene Evernight hadn't forgotten her goal.
Her sharp eyes quickly locked onto her target.
Ethan Drakethorne.
With her heart hammering in her chest, she began making her way through the crowd, determined.
Meanwhile, Ethan sighed inwardly as he caught sight of her.
'It seems the "cat-and-mouse" method won't work anymore...'
He clicked his tongue mentally.
He had tried to keep things distant, to evade, to discourage — without being too harsh.
But clearly, she was growing more persistent by the day.
'The roundabout approach isn't enough anymore. The only way for her to stop is for me to be direct about this, that's the only way to make her give up...'
'It's time to cut to the chase.'
Dragging things out would only make her cling harder. He needed to be direct. Brutal if necessary.
Only that way would she finally let go.
Selene, meanwhile, had prepared herself thoroughly.
After countless internal rehearsals, she had a plan — words carefully crafted to prevent him from slipping away before she could speak.
As she approached, she called out, her voice deceptively soft but laced with resolve:
"Before you ignore me, I have something to say to you."
It was a clever tactic.
Psychologically, it pinned him down — forced him to stay and listen, if only out of courtesy.
Ethan paused, his expression unreadable, giving her a brief nod to continue.
Selene inhaled deeply, gathering all her courage.
"I want to tell you that I lo—"
She couldn't finish the sentence as Ethan wasted no time interrupting her.
"Selene."
Ethan's voice cut through the noise like a cold blade. Low. Cold. Unmistakable.
Selene froze. Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs as he locked eyes with her.
For a moment, hope flickered — because while his voice was cold, his gaze was strangely soft.
But then came the words that shattered her completely:
"Just give up already."
His voice was emotionless.
Flat.
Final.
"You're smart. You should know by now that your efforts are for nothing. It's futile. Those little plans of yours..." He shook his head slowly, almost pityingly. "—They will never work."
Selene's world crumbled in an instant.
'He knew. He had known everything all along.'
'All the schemes.
The manipulations.'
'He had been playing along... indulging with me... only to crush me like this.'
But even with her heart broken and bleeding, Selene was not the type to give up easily.
Desperation surged within her. Her mind raced for any foothold.
'There's still one move left...'
'The victim card.'
If she played it well enough, maybe — just maybe — she could salvage something.
"But still..." she murmured, taking a quick step forward.
Then another...
Suddenly, she lunged toward him — fast.
But Ethan was extremely cautious...
He quickly moved away...
His face was expressionless, but inwardly he was greatly shocked... He knew those movements.
Being a playboy in his past life had taught him many things...
'She was about to frame me...!'