Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Hidden Schemes
Chapter 56: Hidden Schemes
Zara stood still, surprised by Noah’s bold words.
But the fact that Neko will stay with her made a small smile tug at her lips—barely noticeable, but there nonetheless.
She gave a slight nod. "Thank you... for Neko." She turned away, not giving Noah another glance.
As the Controller of Emotions, Zara could hide anything she felt. And right now, she chose to bury the strange warmth rising within her.
Alice stared at Noah.
’He’s dangerous... but in a different way,’ she thought. Her curiosity piqued.
Zara handed Noah a set of documents. "Take it."
"These are the papers needed to make your faction official. Do you have a name?"
Noah thought for a moment. They dared to call themselves the Fated Rulers.
Fine.
"Fate Breaker."
Zara and Alice both raised an eyebrow. They instantly caught the meaning behind that name. A subtle jab at Elijah’s faction itself—but they said nothing. It wasn’t their concern.
"It’s done," Zara said. "You are now the leader of the faction Fate Breaker, Noah Weaverheart."
Noah smiled.
Finally.
...
Meanwhile, in a hidden meeting room within the academy—
Isac, Albert, and another man with red hair and piercing green eyes—his features bearing a strong resemblance to Emily’s—sat across from Elijah, who wore a faint scowl.
"Why did you tell me not to let Leona in?" Elijah asked, his voice cold, laced with irritation. "Are you doubting her?"
Isac sighed. "You know we can’t trust anyone. This is too important. Please understand, Blessed One."
Elijah paused for a moment, eyes narrowed. Then he nodded slowly. "Fine. Let’s discuss today’s topic. Is everything ready?"
Luke Campbell—member of Emily’s family—grinned wickedly. "Yes. We’re just waiting for him to make a move."
"He won’t see it coming."
The three exchanged knowing smiles.
Then Albert added, "Blessed One, we’ve noticed how you’ve been neglecting the Future Saintess these past weeks... Are you sure that’s wise?"
Elijah tilted his head. "I’m not ignoring her. I’ve just been busy with Leona. But yes, I’ll speak with Elizabeth after this meeting."
Albert exhaled in relief.
They had all seen Elizabeth’s increasingly unstable behavior—and they needed her. Her eyes were essential. If she could see into the future and guide their plans accordingly, they’d have an undeniable advantage.
But Elizabeth had always refused, claiming she wasn’t feeling well. Sometimes when they insisted, they’d wake up hours later with no memory of what happened.
The girl was unhinged.
They were convinced Elijah’s neglect was the cause.
Thankfully, he agreed to talk to her.
"Please do," Isac said solemnly. "We need her powers. We can’t afford to waste an advantage like that. Noah is dangerous—extremely."
Luke smirked. "Then why not let me teach him a lesson? It’ll be quick."
Elijah looked at him with pure disdain.
"Can you beat me?" he asked.
"I am not talking about the present me but me a month ago. Can you beat they version of me?"
"...No," Luke admitted reluctantly.
"Then shut up."
Elijah’s voice cut like a blade. "If you think his danger level is 10, multiply that by 100. I’m the only one who can go against him. So sit down, plan all you want—I’ll handle him."
The temperature in the room spiked. Suddenly, it felt like a blade hovered against their throats.
"Yes," they replied in unison, their voices slightly trembling.
Elijah rose and turned toward the door. "Continue your meeting. I’m done here."
He vanished.
Albert clenched his teeth. Luke scowled.
"Are we really going to support this?" Albert hissed.
"He is treating us like we are his fucking lackey."
Isac sighed. "Do we have a choice? He’s the only one who can fight Noah. And don’t forget—that bitch has Noah on her side."
He paused, then added quietly, "And he’s not wrong. Noah is a monster. Only another monster can fight him."
"But us?" he continued, his voice low. "We’re simply geniuses. Compared to those two... we’re just almost ordinary."
Luke growled. "Just like that mute Alice."
"Yes. Exactly like her," Isac said bitterly. "But we don’t need to be monsters to win. They have strength? Fine. Let’s show them that strength isn’t everything in this world."
His eyes hardened. "We’ll show them that scheming exists too."
Their faces set with newfound resolve.
They would rise.
Not Noah. Not Elijah. Not Alice.
Them.
...
Outside, Elijah walked with a sour expression.
"I wonder who dared to put my beloved Chosen One in a bad mood?"
A sweet voice cut through the air.
Leona.
Elijah’s scowl melted the moment he saw her.
For the past month, she had been with him every day. Inseparable. Where there was Elijah, there was Leona. Most students believed they were a couple—and they hadn’t denied it.
"Just some annoying issues," Elijah said, pulling her into a soft embrace. "But now that you’re here... I feel better."
Leona smiled sweetly, resting her head against him—completely affectionate on the outside.
But inside?
’How long do I have to keep this act up?’ she thought with irritation. ’It’s exhausting keeping that damn psycho Saintess away from him.’
She’d lost count of how many times Elizabeth had tried to kill her. Each time, she failed—only to scream Noah’s name as if possessed.
Sometimes Noah would show up to watch the show with mild amusement.
But for Leona?
It was terrifying.
The gaze of Elizabeth terrified her to death.
Fuck.
’I’ve been cursing nonstop since that night,’ she thought bitterly.
Then Elijah pulled back slightly.
"Leona... I have something to tell you."
She tensed instantly, face adopting a meek, vulnerable expression.
"Yes?"
Her acting was flawless.
"I like you," Elijah said seriously.
Leona sighed in her mind. ’I knew it.’
"You’ve always been there for me. You even helped me get with other girls—even though I could see you liked me too."
’Yes. Of course I like you. I totally love being around psychopaths,’ she thought sarcastically.
"I want to make it official," he continued. "I want everyone to know you’re mine. I don’t want to lose you too."
Leona’s brows lifted, but she immediately controlled her expression.
’Too? So he really considered Sophie and Yuki as his. This guy’s mental.’
She forced tears to brim in her eyes, her voice trembling. "E-Elijah..."
"I love you too. I’ve always loved you. I’d give everything for you. But..."
She looked down, struggling, then continued.
"I don’t think I’m worthy of you. You’re the Chosen One. And I’m just... someone with SS-rank affinity. There are many like me here."
Elijah’s expression softened. "I don’t care about that. I just want you. I’ll protect you."
What a easy guy.
"But you can’t always protect me," she said softly. "Let me reach S-rank first. Then... then I’ll be with you without fear."
Her brown eyes locked into his golden ones, her hands tightening around his.
"Please... can you wait for me?"
Elijah stood silent for a moment.
He then smiled warmly. "Yes. I can."
They smiled at each other.
One, thinking about how irritating this whole situation was.
The other, thinking how lucky he was to have such a woman.
But then—
Elijah’s thoughts drifted.
To Sophie.
To Yuki.
To Alice and Zara. How he was struck by their beauty.
’I will have them all’ he thought darkly.
’I will kill Noah and take them all.’
Truly,
Such an ambitious man.
—End of Chapter 56—