Rise of The Abandoned Husband

I watched the cloaked figure disappear from the library entrance, unease crawling up my spine. What had frightened the Man with the Mustache so badly? I needed to find out, but first, I had a more pressing matter to attend to.

Leaving the library, I headed toward the eastern wing of the academy. If I was going to survive what was coming, I needed to understand the full extent of my power—especially this Divine Dragon mark that had appeared on my forehead during intense battles.

I ducked into an empty training room and locked the door behind me. Standing in the center of the room, I closed my eyes and concentrated, drawing on the power that had been growing within me since I first obtained the jade pendant.

The familiar warmth spread through my body as my Divine Dragon Power awakened. My skin tingled as golden light began to emanate from my body, growing brighter and more intense until the entire room was bathed in its glow.

I opened my eyes and moved to the polished metal surface on one wall that served as a mirror. There it was—the mark on my forehead, glowing with ancient power. The silhouette of a dragon, coiled and ready to strike.

"So this is what scared Broderick off," I murmured, studying the symbol.

A sudden chill swept through the room. The air behind me seemed to distort, and I spun around, dropping into a defensive stance.

Broderick stood there, his human form barely containing the monstrous power within. His eyes tracked the glowing mark on my forehead, and I could see naked fear in them.

"Impossible," he hissed. "That bloodline was extinguished millennia ago."

I maintained my stance, ready to fight if necessary. "Apparently not."

Broderick's tongue flicked out, tasting the air. "The Divine Dragon bloodline. No wonder my instincts warned me against devouring you outright."

"Because you're afraid?" I taunted, though my heart hammered in my chest.

"Not afraid," he corrected, edging away. "Prudent. Even the Heaven Swallowing Python knows better than to challenge a Divine Dragon directly."

I took a step forward, testing this newfound advantage. Broderick immediately took a step back.

"It's simple bloodline suppression," he explained, clearly uncomfortable. "Just as humans instinctively fear snakes, creatures like me are programmed to avoid dragons. It doesn't mean you could defeat me."

"Want to test that theory?" I challenged.

His face contorted with rage, but he kept his distance. "Enjoy this temporary reprieve, Liam Knight. That mark offers protection only when activated, and it drains your energy rapidly. Once it fades, and it will, I'll be waiting."

Before I could respond, he dissolved into shadows and disappeared.

I released a shaky breath, letting the golden light fade. He was right about one thing—I could feel how quickly this power drained me. It wasn't sustainable.

The Dragon mark offered temporary protection, not a permanent solution. I needed to find Isabelle and grow stronger, fast.

With renewed determination, I left the training room and made my way toward the central administrative building. My sources indicated that the entrance to the Mystic Realm was somewhere within the Martial Arts Academy—specifically near the inner sanctum where only senior instructors were permitted.

Night had fallen, casting long shadows across the academy grounds. I moved silently, sticking to those shadows, extending my divine sense to detect any nearby presence.

The central courtyard was deserted, illuminated only by dim lanterns that cast an eerie glow on the stone pathways. At the far end stood an ornate gate, its surface carved with ancient symbols that seemed to shift when viewed directly.

This had to be it—the entrance to the Mystic Realm.

I approached cautiously, extending my divine sense to search for traps or guards. Nothing. Either they were confident in their security measures, or they had methods beyond my detection capabilities.

The gate itself was magnificent—carved from what appeared to be a single piece of jade so pure it seemed to glow from within. The symbols etched into its surface were unlike any language I recognized, yet somehow familiar, as if they resonated with something deep inside me.

This was where they were keeping Isabelle. I could feel it.

I placed my hand on the cool surface of the jade gate, channeling a gentle pulse of energy to test its response.

The reaction was immediate and violent.

An explosion of force sent me flying backward. I crashed into a stone column twenty feet away, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. Blood bubbled up my throat, and I coughed, spattering the ground with crimson droplets.

"Damn," I muttered, struggling to my feet. The gate hadn't just repelled me—it had actively attacked, as if sensing my intentions.

I wiped blood from my lips, reassessing the situation. Direct entry wasn't an option, at least not yet. I needed more information, perhaps another way in.

As I turned to leave, a cold voice froze me in place.

"Mr. Knight. What a surprise finding you here at this hour."

Ms. Hayward stood a few paces away, her purple robes making her nearly invisible in the night shadows. Her eyes, however, gleamed with a predatory light.

"Ms. Hayward," I acknowledged, straightening up despite the pain in my ribs. "I was exploring the grounds. The architecture here is fascinating."

"Indeed," she replied, her voice dripping with skepticism. "Particularly this section, which is expressly off-limits to students."

I maintained my composure. "My apologies. I must have missed that in the orientation."

"Curious how you managed to bypass the security formations designed to keep unauthorized personnel out," she continued, taking a step closer. Her power radiated off her in cold waves.

"Perhaps they need recalibration," I suggested, matching her calm tone while calculating my escape routes. In my current condition, I wasn't confident I could take her in a fight.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Perhaps. Or perhaps you possess skills beyond those of a typical student."

"I'm just eager to learn all the academy has to offer," I replied carefully.

"Including restricted areas? Tell me, Mr. Knight, what were you hoping to find here?"

There was no point in further denials. "You know exactly what I'm looking for."

Her expression hardened. "Isabelle Ashworth is beyond your reach. The sooner you accept that reality, the longer you might survive."

"I won't stop," I stated simply.

"Your determination is admirable, if misguided." She sighed, as if genuinely disappointed. "You should know that your continued presence here is only tolerated due to temporary political circumstances. Once those expire—and they will—no one will question your disappearance."

The threat was unmistakable. "How much time do I have?"

"More than you deserve, less than you need," she replied cryptically. "The officials from the Imperial Capital will leave in three days. After that..." She let the implication hang in the air.

Three days. My window was closing fast.

"Thank you for the warning," I said, turning to leave.

"I didn't give you permission to depart, Mr. Knight."

I paused, sensing the shift in her energy. The courtyard suddenly felt colder.

"I still have questions," she continued. "For instance, how did you learn about the Mystic Realm? Who has been feeding you information?"

"I have many talents," I said, turning back to face her. "Information gathering is one of them."

Her eyes narrowed. "The Man with the Mustache, perhaps? He's always had loose lips when pretty girls are involved."

"I work alone," I lied, not wanting to implicate him. Despite his self-serving nature, he had been useful.

"A noble sentiment," she remarked, clearly not believing me. "But unnecessary. We're well aware of your associations within the academy."

She stepped closer, her power pressing down on me like a physical weight. "What interests me more is how you survived your encounter with Broderick. By all accounts, you should be nothing more than a meal in his belly by now."

So she knew about that too. "Perhaps he found me unappetizing."

"The Heaven Swallowing Python is not known for being picky about his meals," she countered. "Something deterred him. Something about you."

I remained silent, unwilling to reveal my trump card.

"Very well, keep your secrets," she said after a moment. "They won't save you in the end."

I took a step toward the path leading away from the courtyard. "If we're done here—"

"We're done when I say we're done," she snapped. "You forget your place, Liam Knight. You are a guest in this academy—an increasingly unwelcome one."

"Then perhaps it's time I took my leave permanently," I suggested, watching her reaction carefully.

Something like satisfaction flickered across her face. "By all means, attempt to leave the academy grounds. I would be most interested to see how far you get before Broderick finds you."

So that was their game. Keep me trapped here until the officials left, then dispose of me quietly. The academy was both my prison and my temporary sanctuary.

"In that case, I'll make the most of my time here," I said, starting to walk away.

"One last thing, Mr. Knight," she called after me. "Stay away from this gate. The next time you approach it, the defensive formation won't just repel you—it will obliterate you entirely."

I nodded without turning around and continued walking, maintaining a measured pace despite the urge to run. Only when I was well out of sight did I allow myself to lean against a wall, wiping fresh blood from my lips.

Three days. That was all the time I had to find Isabelle and escape this place.

As I pushed myself off the wall to head back to my quarters, I sensed movement behind me. I turned, ready to defend myself, but I was too slow.

At that moment, Ms. Hayward suddenly reached out and grabbed my head!