FW Ch 29 - A Lack Of Faith
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Though Han didn't consider himself a student at this Academy, he still thought it might be good to visit it. There were some things he was curious about and wanted to know. He kept telling himself it wasn't due to anyone in particular. Around a month had passed since he had been inside of this location, deciding to stay within Felicitas and overseeing some projects.
As he was walking through the city, he noticed many of the nonhumans were missing from the city. When he first arrived, there was a diverse population of humans and nonhumans. Now there seemed to be only humans walking around. Looking at their expressions, he could feel a tension in the air.
Thinking it was a good idea to find out more about the drastic change, Han decided to visit a friend of his. Approaching the establishment, he noticed the double doors were closed. Though it was still daytime, the place should still have their doors opened to invite customers who were interested in getting food.
Grabbing the door handle and opening it, instead of hearing the sound of laughter and people having fun the place was a tomb. There was no longer the joyful atmosphere he had gotten used to whenever he would stop by. He saw a familiar face behind the bar. Walking over to her, he loudly placed several gold coins on top of the counter.
"We aren't serving right now. Come back later tonight." The bartender said to him, in a listless voice.
"I do not come around, and this place turns into such a sight?" Han tried to catch her attention.
The woman's head snaps up after hearing his voice, her face changing into a happy one. "Yi! By the gods, where have you been?" She ran around the bar to give him a strong hug.
Laughing at her reaction, Han says, "I am happy to see you too, Hannah!"
After pulling away, Hannah sits on top of one of the bar stools. Still smiling, Hannah asked, "Where have you been all this time? I heard you had died on some kind of adventure?"
"I could see how it would seem that way. It was a little touch and go for a while, but it was thanks to everyone's efforts we were able to return safely." Han answered, not mentioning about the monster continent and being sent to the past. Those who had returned ended up wanting to stay in Felicitas, becoming residents. The only person who knew the whole story was Ha-Yoon, who decided to return.
"Looks like something happened?" Hannah inquired after seeing Han saddened expression.
He lightly shook his head, saying, "I just saw a side of someone I was not expecting to see."
"Sounds like you're having some lady problems? What about those cute girls you bring with you?"
"I guess I am just a greedy man, not satisfied with what I have?" He chuckled.
Hannah placed a hand on his shoulder, "I see a guy having gone through something big, surrounded by people who care for him."
Looking around at the bar, Han questioned, "Is today just a slow day?"
Hannah turned towards the bar, crossing her arms on top of the bar. From her facial expression, it was evident the current situation was not typical. "This started happening several weeks ago. There was an increase in the number of nonhumans being attacked by humans and other hate crimes. It seems the religious organization from the Empire were successful at convincing the people here about nonhumans being a bane to this world."
"What about the Student Council? Did they not do anything to stop this?" Han asked, surprised the Council would allow such actions to happen in the city.
"That's what surprised everyone. They have been silent this entire time, though the Lady Knight, Valessandria, has tried her best to step in using her authority. She was successful for a time, but eventually, she was stripped of most of her forces. Now the Lady Knight is barely able to keep the students on the school grounds safe." Hannah shook her head sadly.
"So the Student Council has sided with those from the Empire?" Han tried to figure out what was happening. Even though he was gone for a short time, there was so much change.
Hannah shrugged her shoulders. "Nobody knows what the Student Council is planning. Though from whispers being said, even the Kingdom is starting to mimic the sentiment for nonhumans." She lowered her voice as if someone was going to hear them if they were too loud.
It did affect him, thinking about how someone he knew was being treated in such a manner. Though he didn't plan on it, Han decided to go see Val and make sure she was alright. Depending on what she said, it would likely be better for her to move to Felicitas instead of staying here.
Pulling a card out of his shirt, Han handed it to Hannah. "Hannah, I want you to leave Academic City. Keep this with you at all times. There will soon be a person who will come and take you to a better place, a place where everyone is free to be themselves." Pointing at the symbol on the card, Han continued, "The person will have this symbol on them. Just show them this card, and they will take care of everything else."
Hannah looked confused by what Han was saying. "How can I leave this place? What will I do in another city, where I don't even have a way to take care of myself?"
Taking Hannah's hand in both his hands, he stated, "There will be no need to worry. Where you will be going is a paradise compared to this place. My people will take good care of you, so do not worry. Just go with them."
Tears started to come out, as Hannah clutched the card in her hand. Unable to say a word, she nodded her head and agreeing about leaving the city.
"I need to go see a friend, but I will be looking forward to seeing you again." Han hugged her and left the bar.
The card he had given to Hannah had a unique spell attached to it, which would bind to whoever Han gave the card to. Even if they were to lose it, his people would be able to find her. It would also give her a little bit of protection, in case something unexpected were to happen before she was extracted from the city.
Heading towards the Academy, Han was thinking about what he had learned. Even though on Earth, such hate was a natural thing to happen, Han never thought this world would mirror Earth so well.
Reaching the gate into the Academy, Han saw what looked like the start of a fight. He was surprised to see it was Val, with a few of her knights behind her. Arguing with her was someone he knew all too well. The Fourth Prince of the Empire, Eric, was causing some kind of commotion, with a few of his fellow nobles.
"Do you honestly think you can do anything against me?!" Eric could be heard from where he was standing.
"As long as I am the Lady Knight, I will use my power how I see fit! We have witnesses testifying you had dragged a wolf woman into an alleyway and attacked her! Though you may think you are beyond my reach, I still have control over what happens to students of this Academy and will stop these acts of violence even if I have to stand alone!" Val placed a hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to use force if necessary.
When Han looked at one of the people next to Eric, he was surprised to see it was Ha-Yoon standing by his side. Though he knew there was some type of connection between the two, he was surprised she was involved to this degree.
"Lady Knight! You need to stand down. You are overstepping your powers as given to you by the Student Council! The Prince is a foreign dignitary and must be treated with respect." Ha-Yoon defended Eric.
Hearing Ha-Yoon, Eric laughed. "You heard this whore. I will be treated with the respect I deserve as the Empire's Fourth Prince. What do you think, guys?" He looked back at the other nobles.
"I think we should listen to what the teacher says. I still need some help with several assignments and would appreciate one on one time with her instead of arguing with the Lady Knight." One of the nobles lewdly grinned at Ha-Yoon as he looked at her backside.
"I think that is a fine idea!" Eric laughed.
Han watched all this happening and noticed Ha-Yoon was just accepting what was being said about her, not seeming to find it surprising. As if it was a regular occurrence for the nobles to talk to her like that. Seeing how she wasn't shutting down those comments, he wondered about the things Ha-Yoon had said in the past. At the same time, images of Beth went through his mind. His hand tightened with the resurfacing memories.
Before Han was about to run to where they were all gathered, Eric did something he wasn't expecting.
"Let us see how the Lady tries to deal with us, especially if she is beaten and can not do anything?" Eric lunged at Val and cried out, "I call upon the power of Earth, which makes up all things to bring me power!" There was a surge of power radiating from him. When his fist struck Val's armor, she was sent flying back, with a giant dent in her armor.
"Lady Knight!" The other knights cried out, some of them rushing to her side while the others were drawing their swords.
"For someone supposed to keep this Academy safe, she is not much of a threat." Eric sneered.
Val was able to get up, though there was blood leaking from her mouth. "How... How did you get so strong?" She coughed, spraying blood onto her damaged armor.
"You make it sound as if I am the same as you people." Eric sneered at Val and the other knights. "Nobles are naturally superior to you scum, so it is only reasonable you can do nothing against us."
"This is for our Lady!" One of the knights flew towards Eric, raising his sword, preparing to kill Eric.
In a flash, there was a clang from the knight's sword being blocked. Holding a sword was Ha-Yoon. "This has gone far enough. I will end this fight. Anything further will only lead to more injured on your side." Her voice was dead and apathetic.
"It may be done for you, but I still want to have more fun with the Lady Knight!" Eric yelled, laughing as he ran towards Val, who was still on the ground unable to move.
Han quickly transported himself, so he would be able to stop Eric's attack. As Eric was chanting and releasing a devastating punch, it was stopped by Han's hand. It was as if Han was picking up an item off the ground. The fist had barely stopped, inches away from Val's face.
With her face scrunched up, bracing for an impact she was expecting to arrive, it took her a while to realize something had happened. Opening up her eyes, she saw the fist in front of her, which hadn't budged.
Looking up, Val's face revealed shock from realizing who had stopped the fist.
"Yi?! What are you doing here?!" A voice screamed out in horror.
He turned his head and saw Ha-Yoon grabbing her face, emotions twisting on her face.
"I wanted to stop by, to see how things were going. I must say that I am a bit surprised." Han quietly spoke.
It was likely difficult for those near him to hear his words. Looking at Ha-Yoon, he knew she had heard him. From the tears coming out and twisting of her mouth, Ha-Yoon was devastated by seeing him.
"What are you people doing?!" Eric's voice pierced the moment, as he was struggling to get out of Han's grasp. "Let go of me, FREAK!" Eric yelled at Han; anger displayed on his face.
Han looked at Eric and noticed deep inside of Eric's eyes was a touch of fear. Considering how confident Eric was of his strength, the fact Han was able to stop him, as if Eric was a child, sparked fear in him.
Han released Eric's hand, causing Eric to tumble backward and landing on his back. A couple of the nobles ran to Eric and helped him up. They threw hateful glares at Han before fleeing. The only person left was Ha-Yoon, who still looked shocked.
Turning his back on Ha-Yoon, Han placed a hand on Val's head and healed her wounds. Val's reaction was instantaneous, looking at Han. "Let us go to your office. I want to make sure you arrive safely."
Without looking back at Ha-Yoon, Han placed Val's arm around his shoulders and helped her walk. Though her body was healed, she was still traumatized by the event. It was reasonable for someone who came so close to dying.
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Han helped Val down onto a couch, allowing her to lay down and to relax. Heading back to Val's office was quiet, with neither of them desiring to talk about what happened. Once Val was laying down and looking relaxed, she placed both hands on her face trying not to become overwhelmed.
"Looks like that Prince is a lot stronger than he was previously?" Han noted to the Lady Knight.
There was silence following Han's words. After some time, Val's voice could be heard muffled through her hands, "He is not the only one. Many of the other nobles have demonstrated powers well above what they were."
Han pulled up a chair and sat near where she was laying. There appeared to be many parts moving in this city.
"With many of those who view nonhumans as objects becoming more powerful, and my authority being stripped," Her voice filled with bitterness at the way she had been treated. "The knights I have under my command are not robust enough."
"I was surprised to see how much this place had changed, especially the mentality towards nonhumans," Han remarked. "I know some sentiments were growing, but I did not think to the point where almost all the nonhumans would leave this place."
"The worst part is how the Student Council has reacted After the last time, where we were investigating the suspicious activity of the monsters," Val didn't mention how it was likely an attempt to get her killed. "Nearly all the members of the Student Council began to keep me at arm's length. I tried to find out what was happening from the Student Council President, but I am now barred from seeing him."
"It seems they were not happy we made it back from our trip?" The way he said it was as if they went to pick up some food for dinner, from the local marketplace.
"It appears you were right about how I should go to Felicitas. I am unsure what else I can do, especially now. Many of the people who are instigating the attacks against the nonhumans are stronger than me." Val sounded defeated, ashamed at failing those depending on her.
"This is not your failing, but those who are blatantly disregarding their duties for their twisted reasons." Han tried to reassure her. Though she may feel like she was betraying the city residents, it was becoming a reality regarding her lack of ability.
Han worried. If she stayed, it could lead to Han learning about Val being found in an alley. Though forcing her was never his intention, Han thought it was necessary to try and guide her to his conclusions.
"Though I may mentally understand, I feel my heart will forever remember how I left everyone behind." Val's voice was a whisper, thinking of her action as retreating from battle.
"Considering you are back, I can assume something impressive had happened during the time you were missing?" Val asked Han, changing the topic.
"Yeah. It appears the dungeon had a purpose and all of us going there may have been a part of something greater. Whether inside of this city, the Kingdom, or Empire, there appear to be people who are trying to make something..." Han was cut off as the door into the room was ripped off and blew into the room, in a ball of fire and splintered wood.
He and Val began coughing from all the dust caused by the explosion. "W-what was that?" Val tried to ask Han, continuing to cough.
"It appears we have unwanted guests." Han healed himself, clearing out all the dust and letting him breathe normally. He looked to where the door previously was located, now just a gaping hole.
"Through the power of flames, I call upon thee to ash all those who stand against me!" Several voices were heard chanting before the room blossomed with scorching flames.
Han rushed to Val's side and willed a shield around the two of them. The flames were vicious, incinerating the room. If Val was by herself, Han doubted she would have made it out. The question was whether he was a target or a bystander.
When the flames died down, Han removed his protection at the same time several heavily armed nobles charged in. He mentally sneered at how they didn't even attempt to hide their house sigils displayed on their armor. Looking at them closely, he noticed one of them being a noble that was outside of the school gate when he dealt with Eric.
"It seems as though we have someone with talent," The leader of the group yelled as he targeted Han. "I call upon lighting to smite my foe!" He chanted, pointing at Han. A thick bolt of lighting laced with bloodlust streaked towards Han.
Even with how quickly the man chanted, Han put up a hand in time to deflect the lightning bolt. Charred remains of a bookcase burst apart. Han curled his nose, the attack leaving behind the acrid smell of ozone.
Though Han was able to deflect the bolt, this did not stop another noble from slipping around Han and attempted to surprise him. The sword sliced through the air towards Han's back.
Turning slightly and raising a hand, the attack was smoothly deflected using the wrist. Han used his free hand and placed it on the nobles stomach. As if time stood still, the noble stared back at Han with shock on his face.
"This is how you attack someone," Han grinned, a burst of flames tearing through the man.
Like a sack of potatoes, the noble crumpled on the floor. The blood oozed out of his gaping wound, leaving a smell of iron in the air mixing with the ozone.
"John!" A female noble cried out, likely the girlfriend of the man. She glared at Han and raised her hands above her head. "Flash!" The woman screamed and the room flooding with blinding light.
Curses could be heard from the nobles who failed to look away.
"Damn it, Kate!" A noble growled at the woman.
Though Han was blinded for an instant, his abilities quickly removed the debuff. He pretended to be affected, tricking two nobles to rush him. One was carrying a dagger in each hand, while the other had a short sword. Thinking Han wouldn't be able to react, they were confident about attacking him.
"YI!" Val cried out, not knowing what was happening.
Just as the two nobles were near him, Han mimicked a gun with both hands. Each gun aimed at one of the nobles. "Bang!" Han stated, two beads of water shooting out as if being fired from a gun.
Though each water bubbles were tiny, they tore through the skull of each noble. Sounds of bones cracking and noise of the brain being forced out the back heard.
"What did he do?!" A noble in the back screamed after a chunk of brain matter landed on his face.
"Shut up, Evanith!" The leader of the group yelled, right before he pulled out a dagger and threw it at Han. Hoping it would distract him, the noble then quickly launched a fireball.
Twisting his body to avoid the dagger, he then proceeded to grab the fireball and darted towards the leader. Winding his arm back, Han thrust the fireball forward as soon as he was in front of the leader. "I think you left something behind..." Han pushed the fireball into the face of the leader.
"AAAAHHHH!" The leader screamed as the fireball incinerated his face.
"Someone call the burn unit, cause he just got burned," Han said, chuckling at a phrase no one would use, even on Earth for how not funny it was.
"He never mentioned how strong this guy was!" The noblewoman named Kate screamed.
"I did not sign up to be killed!" Another one yelled as he stumbled on some debris laying on the ground. Tripping, he fell on his backside, scrambling to get away.
Seeing one of the nobles trying to flee, the others rethought their attack on Han and Val. Taking a glance back at him, they all escaped out of Val's office.
Once everyone was gone, Han walked over to Val. "Are you okay?" This was the second time she was close to dying, so he was worried about her mental state.
"Yes. Thank you for saving me, though I never thanked you for the first." Val attempted to smile, but he could see she was recovering from the unprovoked act of violence aimed at her.
"Are you going to be okay here? I am going to follow those nobles and see if they will lead me to someplace." Han placed a hand on her shoulder.
Val nodded her head, looking like talking wasn't something she wanted to do at the moment.
Turning towards the former entrance into the room, Han silently pulled out a card and after crumpling it, he tossed it towards the floor beneath where Val was resting.
----
Leaving the building that Val's office was currently placed, outside the central tower where it was, Han looked around to see if he could still spot the fleeing nobles.
Picturing the ones running away in his mind, lines slowly phased into sight, leading to where the nobles were. Chasing after them, Han felt the air rush past his face as he jumped on top of a nearby store. Leaping from roof to roof, he kept an eye out for the nobles.
A figure jumped onto the roof he was running on. Looking, he saw Ha-Yoon moving alongside him. Han was surprised, considering he hadn't expected Ha-Yoon.
"What are you doing here?" Han asked, keeping his eyes forward as the two of them landed on the next roof.
Ha-Yoon was silent keeping pace.
"I do not have time for you right now, so let us put whatever you want on hold and be on your way." A part of him was annoyed by the current situation and what he dealt with earlier, hearing how Ha-Yoon seemed to have some kind of deal with Eric.
"I heard the explosion and had a feeling Eric may have tried something against you," Ha-Yoon said, sounding as if she was trying to hold back her emotions. "After the other nobles helped him, he was raving about you and talked about ending you."
"Considering how you know about my abilities, I would think you knew Eric is not a threat to me," Han growled.
Ha-Yoon became silent after he snapped at her. As Han jumped back down onto the street when they reached the city's entrance, they rushed past a lone guard who jumped out of their way.
"You probably have a lot of questions about why I was there," Ha-Yoon spoke up. Seeing him remain silent, she said, "There is so much I want to tell you, but I know there are some things I can never clear myself of. I wanted to help you this one last time before I leave you alone." Ha-Yoon sounded pained, likely guilty over what Han had inferred with her relationship with the Prince.
"What are you able to help with?" Han asked, knowing she likely didn't know he was able to track them down himself without help.
"I can take you to where Eric is hiding right now. There are things going on in the background, but Eric needs to be taken care of before people are harmed." Ha-Yoon explained.
"Are you not working with Eric?" Letting her know he had put together some aspects of her, while also questioning why she would betray him.
"I do not want to talk about how I am connected with Eric. Please, Yi, do not ask me to explain. I do not want to poison anymore of what is left between us, though I know it will soon be gone." She pleaded, hoping he would let things lay down.
Han stopped in the middle of a field and looked at Ha-Yoon. "You can still run from this. Come to Felicitas, where you no longer will have to tie yourself to Eric!" He urged her, knowing her likelihood of refusing.
She shook her head, refusing him for the last time. "No. I am sorry, but like I said there are things you do not know about. I know you are strong, but this is something not even you with all your powers will be able to fight against. If I were to leave with you, then you will be connected to it." She turned away from him.
"Can you just think of me as the way I was before when we were walking down that street heading to that restaurant? I know I do not deserve it, but..." Ha-Yoon couldn't even finish her thought. Sniffling and rubbing her face with her forearm, she looked back at Han and said, "Follow me, and I will take you to where Eric is."
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Ha-Yoon's emotions were all mixed up, as she led Yi towards where that man was located. She heard Hans breathing as he walked silently behind her. It was the sound of his voice and face she wanted to burn into her mind.
As she walked through the woods, guiding him, Ha-Yoon understood how betrayed he must feel. Though there was nothing official, she was sure he felt the same about her as she did about him. Tears dripped down her face, as she tried to focus on what was ahead of them.
When they were close enough, a mansion with open grounds could be seen between the trees. This was where Eric preferred to stay when going through his learning sessions, as he liked to call them. All those images rushed through her mind, as she relived them. A dribble of blood ran down her chin as she bit her lip.
Not wanting to look back at his face, she stated, "We are here. Eric is by himself. The other nobles are off doing his bidding. This is the best chance we will have."
"Where in this mansion is here? I do not believe you intended us to search through every room?" Han asked, his voice hiding something.
"He will be in his study, going over his various plans." She didn't elaborate.
"I see."
As they carefully crept over the grounds, her heart pounded harder with each step. Reaching the side of the mansion, she suggested, "We should probably go through different entrances in case he is suspicious of me being gone."
Han nodded his head, likely not wanting to risk being exposed.
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Han moved in the direction Ha-Yoon suggested, though, by the way, she was acting, he knew something was up. Making sure to stay close to the wall, he snuck up to one of the windows. Looking through the window, he could see various expensive pieces of furniture and decorations. Typical of someone from royalty.
As he got ready to head towards the back door seed through the window, he felt a slight prick on his neck. Spinning around, he saw Ha-Yoon standing there with a metal nail on her finger. Her expression was sad.
Feeling a chill coursing through his body, his legs felt week. Dropping to one knee, the world slowly faded to black.
The last thing he heard was, "I am sorry, Yi. I had no choice."