Ethereal Love: Hidden in the Stars || FreenBecky [Completed]

Chapter 19: Shadows of Doubt

"In a scheme only two things can fail, either the schemer or the scheme." - Roman Kamau

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Filled with frustration, I found myself drawn back to the training field, where I spotted Seng engrossed in his own training regimen. As I entered, his brows furrowed, and he shot me a curious look before retreating to a corner with a sulky expression. I sank down, hugging my knees tightly, and released a heavy sigh of exasperation.

"What happened? Did someone bully you again?" Seng chuckled, provoking an eye roll from me. He settled beside me and offered a friendly smile. "Tell me about it. I'm here to listen."

I shot him a piercing glare and turned away. "It's frustrating to realize that even with the ability to see the future, I'm powerless to change it."

Seng laughed, shaking his head, which tempted me to punch him, though he didn't even flinch.

"Nobody can alter the future, Becky. Who do you think you are? God? Buddha?" Seng continued to laugh, fueling my growing frustration.

"Laugh all you want, but I could bury you six feet underground," I retorted, rolling my eyes. "By the way, how did you find out that I'm an Ophiuchus?" I inquired.

Seng pondered for a moment, tilting his head. "When you awakened that serpent," he responded. "They say Sagittarius are exceptional archers, yet when I saw you struggling to aim at the target, my instincts told me you weren't a Sagittarius. So, I persuaded Irin to give you that necklace."

Upon his admission, I couldn't resist slapping the back of Seng's head.

"Ouch! What was that for?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"You manipulated my friend just to prove your instincts right? You fool!" I grabbed a handful of his hair, causing him to groan in pain.

Seng darted away from me, but my frustration demanded an outlet, and I pursued him until we were both nearly breathless. We collapsed onto the grass, gasping for air, as our chase came to an end.

"Thanks for that," I muttered, feeling slightly relieved. "I'm fine now."

A question flickered in Seng's eyes as he turned to me. "Aren't you curious about why I wanted to awaken that serpent?" he asked.

Curiosity piqued, I turned my head towards him. I had completely forgotten to inquire about his motivations, so consumed was I by the prophecy I had witnessed.

"Tell me," I urged, rolling over to face him while still lying on the grass.

"I wanted to destroy the school. I intended to use the serpent to dismantle this absurd institution," Seng confessed, his gaze fixated on the illuminated field. "But that was before."

"What made you change your mind?" I probed.

"I saw you," he replied. "I realized I wanted a place in this school, even as a Cetus. I yearned for recognition, to be like any other student. However, when I saw you, I came to the realization that my envy was baseless."

"What do you mean?"

"I may be a Cetus without a rank, but at least I am free. Unlike you, an Ophiuchus. Once they discover your true nature, you'll be in grave danger," Seng chuckled, flicking my forehead.

Why were they always targeting my forehead?

"One final question," I interjected. "Are you planning to divulge this information to your mother?"

Seng chuckled again, settling himself. "Do you think I'm foolish? Of course not. I don't trust her."

Confusion furrowed my eyebrows. "Why don't you trust her?" I inquired.

"I still wonder why she possesses the ring that once belonged to the former headmistress. She's still harboring hopes of gaining the power it holds," Seng sighed. "I don't know what she's plotting. If only I could read minds."

After our conversation, I returned to my dorm room and sank onto my bed, my mind swirling with thoughts of the prophecy I had witnessed and the schemes I believed the headmistress was concocting. Confusion engulfed me, and I felt adrift, uncertain of the next steps to take. The weight of responsibility bore down upon me, leaving me feeling unsure and lost.

Gazing out of my window, the moon cast an eerie glow across my room. I couldn't help but contemplate the enormity of the task that lay ahead. The prophecy painted a bleak picture, one that threatened the safety and well-being of those dear to me. Merely imagining myself standing idly by, allowing events to unfold without resistance, sent shivers down my spine. The potential consequences of failure were too grave to bear.

Yet, how could I, a mere student, dare to challenge the headmistress and her intricate web of plans? She was cunning, always one step ahead, and it seemed as though she held all the power. Doubts crept insidiously into my mind, taunting me with the idea that my efforts would be in vain.

I needed to think swiftly, to devise a strategy. I had to ascertain whether the headmistress had any connection to the impending tragedy.