Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"Woah, did she say last night?"

"D-Did the two of them sleep together?"

"Y-Yeah, she said he promised to take responsibility, didn't you hear? There's no other meaning than 'that'..."

"Urgh... That's gross..."

"So, he was a scumbag after all..."

"And a cheater. Heh, now his true colors are now revealed."

"..."

"..."

The classroom was buzzing with renewed gossip, the malicious whispers growing louder as the students exchanged glances filled with disgust and disbelief. Adrian could feel the weight of their judgments pressing down on him, their assumptions taking root due to Eluna's words and actions.

"What is he going to do now?"

"Yeah, let's hear how he tries to defend himself."

"Hey, Adrian isn't like that-!" Ardel and Kieran were about to speak up in Adrian's defense, but before they could end their words, Adrian cut in, his voice cold and emotionless.

"So what if I won't take responsibility?" he said, his words cutting through the air like a knife. "It was your mistake for agreeing to it. You begged me to do it, you ungrateful b**ch. Are you doing this just because you are desperate to save your face? Get lost before I spill all your secrets."

"..."

The entire classroom fell silent, shocked by Adrian's harsh words. They couldn't believe he was acknowledging his involvement with Eluna, let alone dismissing her so callously. And what was that about begging, being desperate, and the secrets? They were now more curious than ever.

Ardel and Kieran looked at Adrian, their faces a mixture of confusion and shock. They had never expected Adrian to act like this or say these things since it was completely out of character for him. Or... Were they wrong about him?

Just as the weight of Adrian's words settled in, a new voice cut through the tension.

"What did you just say?"

Everyone turned to see Aria standing at the entrance of the classroom, her eyes blazing with coldness. Since everyone was busy with Eluna and Adrian, nobody had noticed her arrival until now.

"I asked what did you say right now."

Adrian turned to face Aria, his expression a mix of surprise and distress.

"So, that's why you wanted to take Lady Aria and your brother-?"

"Professor, why are you silen-?"

Just as tension reached its peak, the classroom door swung open once again. This time, it was the Instructor who entered, his expression confused as he surveyed the scene before him. Following closely behind him was a grey-haired, handsome young man—their second-year senior, Rowan Ironheart.

Rowan's calm gaze swept over the classroom, taking in the atmosphere with keen observation. His eyes locked with Adrian's, and for a moment, there was a silent exchange between them, a silent communication that conveyed more than words ever could.

"Did we come at the wrong time?" Rowan's voice broke the silence, his tone calm but authoritative.

Adrian's eyes remained fixed on Rowan for a moment longer before he finally spoke, his voice carrying a chillness one could feel even from a distance. "Yes, you did."

The words hung in the air, causing another uproar among the crowd. Whispers and murmurs filled the room once again, as the students exchanged confused glances and tried to make sense of Adrian's cryptic response.

The instructor stepped forward, his expression stern as he addressed the class. "That's enough," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the noise. "What's happening here? Tell me."

"..."

____ __ _

A few moments earlier.

"What is he going to do now?"

"Yeah, let's hear how he tries to defend himself."

Adrian looked at Eluna, ready to deny her accusations. However, as just he was about to speak, a voice spoke in his mind.

(Tell her so what if I won't take responsibility? Tell her she was the one who begged you. Call her ungrateful b**ch...)

The owner of the voice, Dream Stalker instructed him what to say.

'Damn it, so it was really YOU-!' Adrian kept his silent demeanor while cursing in his mind. 'Is this the test you prepared you basta*d... Haha, you really are psycho...'

'But... If I don't do as he says now... all of my efforts till now, all the struggle I went through, the plans I prepared will become meaningless... This could be the tipping point where everything falls apart. No... I can't let that happen.

I have to play along... At least for now.'

'I can fix it all when it all ends... Yeah... This is the best way...'

After reassuring himself, he started acting as the Dream Stalker instructed.

"What did you say?"

However, what he didn't expect was Aria to arrive now, of all times...

"I asked what did you say right now," Aria asked her eyes peering into his, as if asking him to clarify what he said. Say he wasn't speaking the truth...

'Aria...' Aria's mind went blank for a moment. Then realization struck him.

'W-When did she get here? Did she hear it all? Argh... Damn you, Dream Stalker-!' He instantly regretted playing along with the Dream Stalker.

However, it seemed his misfortune hadn't ended yet.

As the tension in the classroom reached its zenith, the door swung open once more, heralding the entrance of the instructor, followed closely by Rowan Ironheart, their second-year senior.

"Did we come at the wrong time?" Adrian's gaze landed on Rowan's.

(Hahaha...)

The Dream Stalker chuckled sarcastically in Adrian's mind, a sense of satisfaction seeping through the mental connection as if relishing in the chaos it had incited.

(Tell yes, you did. Haha...) It ordered Adrian, its voice cold and commanding.

'You really came at the wrong time...' Adrian complied, his demeanor cold and distant as he addressed Rowan, his eyes locking onto his with a mixture of defiance and resignation. 'You pyscho...'

"Yes, you did," Then he repeated, his voice devoid of emotion.

The words hung heavily in the air, their implications reverberating throughout the classroom. The instructor's brow furrowed in confusion, while Rowan's gaze narrowed slightly, a flicker of intrigue dancing in his eyes.

(Hahaha, good, good...)

The Dream Stalker's laughter echoed in Adrian's mind, a chilling reminder of the control it held over him. Adrian remained silent, though his mind was seething with frustration and anger at being manipulated so easily. 'You will pay for this... Just you wait...'