Rise of The Abandoned Husband

The morning sun bathed the grounds of The Aegis Academy in a deceptive golden light. Frederick and I stood before the imposing gates, our registration papers clutched tightly in hand. We'd made it this far without incident, but a knot of tension had settled in my gut.

"Ready?" Frederick asked, his voice steady despite the dark circles under his eyes.

I nodded. "As I'll ever be."

We passed through the entrance, joining dozens of other cultivators filing into the academy's vast courtyard. Some faces I recognized from previous tournaments or gatherings—powerful fighters and renowned alchemists from across the region. Others were completely unknown, though their confident strides and watchful eyes marked them as dangerous nonetheless.

"More competition than I expected," I muttered, scanning the crowd.

Frederick's lips thinned. "The Mystic Realm has drawn them like moths to flame."

The registration process was straightforward but tedious. We stood in line for nearly an hour before reaching the stone table where three stern-faced officials verified credentials and assigned quarters. When my turn came, the central official—a gray-haired woman with penetrating eyes—studied my papers longer than necessary.

"Liam Knight," she said, my name falling from her lips like an accusation. "Representing Jade Moon Villa."

"That's correct," I replied evenly.

Her gaze lingered on my face. "Your reputation precedes you."

I kept my expression neutral. "I'm simply here to learn, like everyone else."

A flicker of something—doubt or perhaps amusement—crossed her features before she stamped my papers. "East Wing, Room 17. Orientation begins at sundown."

As we moved away from the table, Frederick leaned close. "She recognized you."

"Of course she did," I whispered back. "This whole place is likely Guild territory."

We spent the next hour exploring the academy grounds, mapping exits and noting security positions. The sprawling complex was even larger than I'd anticipated, with multiple training fields, lecture halls, and dormitories arranged around a central administrative building.

"No obvious access points to the Serpent's Veil," Frederick observed as we circled the main courtyard for the third time.

I closed my eyes briefly, extending my spiritual senses outward. Somewhere beneath us lay the Mystic Realm—I could feel its faint, distorted energy signature. But the precise entrance remained elusive, shielded by powerful formations.

"We'll need more time," I concluded. "Clara said she'd meet us after orientation with more information about the third entrance."

Frederick nodded, though his expression remained troubled. "I just hope—"

His words cut off abruptly as a commotion erupted near the eastern gate. Students scattered as a tall figure strode through their midst, his presence alone causing people to stumble back in fear.

My blood ran cold as I recognized him immediately. Broderick. The Heaven Swallowing Python in human form.

"Trouble," I murmured to Frederick. "Big trouble."

Frederick's hand moved to his concealed weapon. "Should we withdraw?"

Before I could answer, Broderick's head swiveled in our direction, his serpentine eyes locking onto mine across the courtyard. A predatory smile spread across his face as he changed course, heading directly for us.

"Too late for that," I said grimly.

I straightened my posture and met his gaze steadily as he approached. Running would only trigger his hunting instinct—and from everything I knew about the Heaven Swallowing Python, that would be a fatal mistake.

"Well, well," Broderick drawled as he halted before us. "Liam Knight. What an unexpected pleasure."

He was even more imposing up close. Standing well over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and muscles that rippled beneath his dark green robes. His face might have been considered handsome if not for the unnatural sharpness of his features and the vertical pupils that betrayed his true nature.

"Broderick," I acknowledged with a slight nod. "I wasn't aware you had academic interests."

He laughed, the sound reminiscent of scales sliding against stone. "I have many interests. Most recently, you've become one of them."

Frederick shifted his stance subtly, positioning himself at my flank. Broderick noticed the movement and smiled wider, revealing teeth that seemed just slightly too pointed.

"And you brought a friend," he observed. "How thoughtful. I do prefer a meal with... variety."

I kept my expression neutral despite the clear threat. "We're here as students, nothing more."

"Students," Broderick repeated, tasting the word like it amused him. "Yes, I'm sure that's all you are." His gaze sharpened. "Not here seeking entrances to places you shouldn't go. Not looking for certain... golden-haired prisoners."

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced my face to remain impassive. He knew about Isabelle. Of course he did—the Guild would have enlisted all their powerful allies in guarding her.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied coolly.

Broderick stepped closer, close enough that I could smell his strange, musky scent. "You humans are such poor liars. Your hearts give you away every time."

Without warning, his hand shot out, gripping my throat with inhuman speed. I felt my feet leave the ground as he lifted me effortlessly, his fingers tightening.

"I can hear yours right now," he hissed. "Racing like a frightened rabbit's."

Frederick moved instantly, drawing his blade in a flash of steel, but Broderick simply batted him aside with his free arm. Frederick crashed into a nearby stone pillar with enough force to crack it, slumping to the ground with a pained groan.

Fighting the growing pressure on my windpipe, I channeled my energy into my palms and slammed them against Broderick's chest. The impact should have sent him flying—instead, it merely caused him to slide back a few inches, his grip loosening just enough for me to draw a gasping breath.

"Stronger than you look," he acknowledged, seeming more intrigued than concerned. "But still nothing compared to a true predator."

Around us, other students had formed a wary circle, keeping their distance but unwilling to miss the spectacle. None stepped forward to help—either out of fear or because they recognized a fight well beyond their abilities.

I reached for my spiritual fire, feeling it surge through my meridians in response to the danger. Golden flames licked along my arms, and Broderick's eyes widened slightly before his expression settled back into amused confidence.

"Ah, the famous Knight's Fire," he said. "I've heard about this. They say it can purify even demonic energy."

"Want to find out?" I challenged, letting the flames intensify.

Broderick's grip suddenly tightened again, cutting off my air completely. "I think I'll just crush your windpipe instead. Much simpler."

Dark spots began dancing at the edges of my vision. I had seconds at most before losing consciousness. With no other choice, I released my spiritual fire in an explosive burst directly into Broderick's face.

He roared in pain and dropped me, recoiling as golden flames scorched his skin. I fell to my knees, gasping for air, the courtyard spinning around me.

"You'll pay for that," Broderick snarled, his handsome face now partially marred by angry red burns. The injuries were already healing, however—far faster than should have been possible.

I struggled to my feet, swaying slightly as I regained my balance. Frederick had also recovered, positioning himself beside me with his weapon raised.

"Stay back," I warned him. "He's beyond both of us."

"I'm not leaving you," Frederick insisted.

Broderick's fury seemed to subside, replaced by cold calculation. "Brave but foolish. You have no idea what you're facing, little alchemist." His tongue flicked out—too long, too flexible—tasting the air. "I can smell the poison still in your friend's blood. My venom is far worse."

As he spoke, a greenish mist began to form around his hands. I recognized it immediately as his legendary toxin—said to kill even Martial Masters within moments of exposure.

"Frederick, run," I ordered, preparing to create a barrier of spiritual fire.

Before either of us could move, a new voice cut through the tension.

"What a spectacle. Is this how the academy welcomes its new students now?"

All heads turned to see Dominic Ashworth striding confidently through the crowd. He looked different from when I'd last seen him—more assured, more powerful. The changes in his aura were subtle but unmistakable. He'd been consuming Isabelle's blood.

"Dominic Ashworth," Broderick acknowledged without lowering his poisonous hands. "This doesn't concern you."

Dominic smiled thinly. "I beg to differ. Knight here is something of a family matter."

The irony wasn't lost on me. Weeks ago, Dominic had been trying to kill me himself. Now he was interrupting someone else's attempt as if it offended him personally.

"I have prior claim," Broderick argued, his voice taking on a hissing quality. "He attacked me."

Dominic laughed, the sound hollow and artificial. "After you provoked him, I'm sure." He stepped closer, seeming unconcerned by the deadly venom still wreathing Broderick's hands. "The Martial Guild has granted me authority here. Liam Knight is to remain untouched for now."

My mind raced. What game was Dominic playing? He couldn't possibly have developed protective feelings toward me. This had to be part of some larger strategy—perhaps related to his obsession with Isabelle's blood.

Broderick's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Since when does the Heaven Swallowing Python take orders from human upstarts?"

"Since this 'upstart' has the backing of forces you'd be wise not to anger," Dominic replied smoothly. He turned to address the gathered crowd. "The altercation is over. Return to your activities."

No one moved immediately, too caught in the tension between these two powerful figures. Broderick's poisonous mist began to dissipate, though his posture remained coiled and ready.

"You've changed, Ashworth," he observed coldly. "Something new in your blood. Something... familiar." His nostrils flared as if confirming a scent. "How interesting."

Dominic's expression tightened momentarily before smoothing back into practiced arrogance. "Move along, Broderick. Your quarry has been granted temporary reprieve."

"Temporary," Broderick repeated, finally lowering his hands. He turned his serpentine gaze back to me. "Remember that word, Liam Knight. Our business remains unfinished."

With that, he turned and stalked away, students scrambling to clear his path.

As the crowd began to disperse, I turned to check on Frederick, who was pressing a hand to his ribs where he'd struck the pillar.

"Anything broken?" I asked quietly.

He shook his head. "Just bruised. That thing is monstrously strong."

"Not a thing," Dominic corrected, stepping closer. "A Mystic Beast of ancient lineage. Show some respect."

I faced him squarely. "What do you want, Dominic? I doubt you intervened out of the goodness of your heart."

A smirk played across his lips. "Perhaps I simply couldn't bear to see someone else kill you before I get the chance."

"Charming as ever," I replied dryly, though my mind was racing. There was definitely something different about him—Broderick had sensed it too. The power he'd gained from Isabelle's blood was changing him, perhaps in ways even he didn't fully understand.

"My dear cousin's blood is quite remarkable," Dominic said, as if reading my thoughts. "It's shown me things... possibilities I never imagined."

A chill ran down my spine. "What have you done to her?"

"Nothing she won't recover from," he answered dismissively. "Though I can't speak for what others have planned."

Frederick tensed beside me. "If you've hurt her—"

"Save your threats," Dominic interrupted. "I'm not your enemy today. In fact, I've just saved your lives, however temporarily."

"Why?" I demanded.

His expression turned calculating. "Let's call it... professional curiosity. I want to see how far you'll get before they crush you." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "The Serpent's Veil has many guardians, Knight. Broderick is merely the least of them."

With that cryptic warning, he turned to leave. "Enjoy your academic pursuits," he called over his shoulder. "They'll be brief."

As he walked away, Frederick gripped my arm. "We need to reconsider this approach. That creature nearly killed you, and Dominic clearly knows what we're planning."

I shook my head, rubbing my bruised throat. "We proceed as arranged. Clara's information about the third entrance is still our best chance."

"And if Broderick comes back?"

"He will," I said grimly. "That's not in question. But next time, I'll be prepared."

As the courtyard cleared, I closed my eyes again, reaching out with my senses. This time, I wasn't searching for the Mystic Realm but for something else—the unique energy signature I'd come to associate with Isabelle. Somewhere beneath this academy, beyond layers of protection and powerful guardians, she waited.

And nothing—not Broderick, not Dominic, not the entire Veridia City Martial Guild—would stop me from reaching her.

"She's close," I whispered. "I can feel it."

Frederick looked at me with concern. "Liam—"

Whatever he intended to say was cut short as a familiar, toxic mist began to seep into the courtyard from all directions. Students cried out in alarm, scrambling toward the exits only to find them suddenly blocked by the same greenish vapor.

"He's back," Frederick said, drawing his weapon once more.

I summoned my spiritual fire, creating a protective barrier around us as Broderick's laughter echoed across the courtyard.

"Did you think I would obey a human's commands?" his voice called out, seeming to come from everywhere at once. "The Heaven Swallowing Python bows to no one."

Through the swirling mist, I could make out his tall figure approaching. But something was different—he was partially transformed, his human appearance giving way to his true serpentine nature. Scales gleamed along his neck and arms, and his jaw had elongated grotesquely.

"Move, Frederick," I ordered. "Get to the east exit. Find Clara."

"I'm not leaving you," he insisted again.

"You have to," I countered. "Someone needs to meet her. She may have our only way out of this."

Before he could argue further, Broderick's partially transformed figure lunged through the mist with supernatural speed. I pushed Frederick aside and met the attack head-on, my spiritual fire clashing against Broderick's venomous aura in a spectacular collision of gold and green energies.

The force sent me skidding backward, my boots leaving furrows in the stone courtyard. Broderick pressed his advantage, moving with fluid grace that belied his massive size. Each strike carried enough force to shatter bone, and it took everything I had just to deflect them.

"Run!" I shouted to Frederick, who finally nodded and dashed toward the eastern exit, using the distraction of our battle to slip away.

"No one will escape," Broderick hissed, his voice now distorted and inhuman. "This entire academy is my hunting ground now."

I channeled more power into my spiritual fire, forcing Broderick back momentarily. "You're violating Guild territory," I pointed out. "Even you can't ignore those consequences."

He laughed, the sound chilling in its alienness. "The Guild and I have an arrangement. They overlook certain... appetites... in exchange for my services."

"And Dominic?" I asked, trying to buy time as I gathered my strength.

"A minor irritation," Broderick dismissed. "His new power makes him overconfident."

As we circled each other, I noticed Dominic had reappeared at the edge of the courtyard. He stood watching us with cold calculation, making no move to intervene this time.

Broderick followed my gaze and smirked. "See? He knows better than to interfere again."

To my surprise, Dominic strode forward once more, his face a mask of arrogance. "Actually," he called out, "I was simply observing your poor form. For a legendary beast, your attacks lack precision."

Broderick's head snapped toward him, eyes blazing with fury. "You dare—"

"I dare many things," Dominic interrupted. "Including ordering you, once again, to cease this attack."

"And if I refuse?" Broderick snarled.

Dominic's smile was cold. "Then I'll demonstrate what Isabelle Ashworth's blood has truly granted me."

The mention of Isabelle's name sent a spike of anger through me. Dominic was using her, exploiting her power for his own advancement. Yet right now, his intervention might be the only thing keeping me alive.

Broderick seemed to hesitate, his serpentine eyes flickering between Dominic and me. "You overestimate yourself, human."

"Test me," Dominic invited calmly. "I welcome the opportunity."

The tension