CHAPTER 95: ARIOS STEPPED IN

Chapter 95: Arios Stepped In

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The day began quietly, but the tension inside the academy was heavy. Rumors had already spread across several classes, and Amelia’s name continued to be dragged through them. The whispers from Class 1-D the previous day hadn’t died down; if anything, they had spread into other groups who were eager for gossip.

Amelia kept her usual expression of calm, but behind it, her patience was thin. As she walked through the corridors, several students leaned against the walls, whispering just loudly enough for her to hear.

"Isn’t that her?"

"Yeah, the instructor... they say she tried something with Regulus."

"She’s supposed to be a staff member too. Disgusting."

"Don’t get too close. Who knows what she might try?"

She continued forward without changing her pace. It wasn’t the first time she had been subject to whispers, but it was clear that the weight of them was building. The difference now was that the rumors weren’t dying off; they were gaining momentum. Chase Weaverake’s influence was behind much of that, but she had no way to confront him directly.

Amelia clutched the books she carried a little tighter as she walked, keeping her focus straight ahead. She was supposed to be on her way to prepare for an upcoming alchemy class. Yet before she could get there, a voice cut across the hallway.

"Well, well. If it isn’t our academy’s newest scandal."

Regulus stepped out from around a corner, smirking, blocking her path. He was surrounded by two of his usual followers. His tone was mocking, and his words loud enough to draw attention from students nearby.

Amelia stopped walking and looked at him with a neutral expression. "Move."

Regulus raised his eyebrows, feigning shock. "So cold. Don’t look at me like that, instructor. I might start thinking you want to put your hands on me again. Isn’t that what you do?"

A few students around the corridor chuckled nervously, not daring to get too involved but listening carefully.

Amelia’s voice was flat. "I didn’t do anything. Step aside."

Regulus moved closer instead, his smirk widening. "That’s not what people are saying. You cornered me, remember? Tried to get your hands all over me? Should I call you a desperate old slut?"

Amelia’s grip on the books tightened. Her nails almost dug into the covers, but she didn’t answer. She turned as if to step around him, but Regulus shifted his body to block her way again.

"What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? Or maybe you’re just looking for another chance to throw yourself on me?" His tone dripped with false pity. "It must be hard. Nobody wants you, so you look at students. Pathetic."

Amelia’s composure cracked slightly, her brows furrowing. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could, another voice came from down the hall.

"Regulus."

The tone was calm, but it cut sharply through the noise. The students watching turned their heads. Arios was walking toward them, he made his expression unreadable. His pace was steady, and his eyes were locked on Regulus.

Regulus’s smirk faltered, but only for a moment. He quickly recovered, scoffing. "And here comes her hero, lemme guess she allowed you to hit."

Arios kept his pace, as Regulus continued with his intimidation. "What are you going to do, Arios? Hit me? You’d love that, wouldn’t you? To play protector for the poor fallen instructor."

Arios stopped a few steps away, his hands intentionally placed in his pockets. His voice was properly calmed. "I don’t need to hit you. You’re already proving yourself a fool in front of everyone here."

Murmurs quickly spread through the crowd. Regulus’s eyes immediately narrowed, his fist clenched. "What did you just say?"

"You’re shouting insults in the middle of the hallway, trying to provoke someone who’s done nothing to you. Anyone watching can see it. Keep talking, Regulus. The more you do, the easier it is for everyone to realize how desperate you are to cling to attention."

Regulus bristled. "You think you’re clever?"

"No," Arios said plainly. "Just honest."

The surrounding students went silent, watching the exchange closely. Amelia shifted slightly, her eyes flicking toward Arios, then back at Regulus.

Regulus let out a harsh laugh. "You really think standing here and running your mouth makes you better than me? At least I’m not siding with someone who can’t keep her hands to herself."

Arios’s expression didn’t change. "Say that again, louder. Make sure the council hears it when they investigate your false accusations. You’ll be the one who looks like a liar."

Regulus’s smirk faltered again. He glanced quickly at the students gathered, realizing that Arios’s words had weight. The council investigating was not something he wanted.

"You’re not worth my time," Regulus muttered finally, stepping back with a sneer. "But don’t think this is over. Class D trash like you won’t save anyone for long." He turned and motioned to his followers, striding away down the hall.

The students watching began to disperse, whispering among themselves, their tones less certain than before. Arios stayed where he was for a moment, watching Regulus leave, before turning his attention to Amelia.

She had remained silent the whole time, holding her books tightly against her chest. Now her eyes met Arios’s. For a moment, she looked as if she wanted to say something but held it back.

"You didn’t need to interfere," she said finally, her voice low.

"If I hadn’t, he wouldn’t have stopped," Arios replied calmly.

Amelia looked away, exhaling quietly. "I could have handled it."

"You were handling it by staying silent," Arios said. "That wouldn’t have worked forever."

Her jaw tightened. She hated admitting it, but he was right. The longer she stayed quiet, the more emboldened Regulus became. Yet asking for help or accepting it wasn’t easy.

After a pause, she muttered, "...Thank you."

Arios nodded once, not making a big deal of it. "You don’t need to thank me. Just don’t let him get under your skin."

She glanced back at him, her expression conflicted. "That’s easy for you to say."

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stepped past her, giving her space to move forward. "Go prepare for your class. Don’t give them more reasons to talk."

Amelia hesitated, then gave a small nod. She adjusted the books in her arms and continued walking, though her thoughts were tangled.

She hated the rumors, hated how easily Regulus could twist the situation, and hated even more that Arios had been the one to step in. Part of her wanted to resent him for it. Another part knew that without his interference, the situation might have spiraled into something worse. Amelia with a knighthood background, always hated the idea of being saved and rescued by others, especially those who are supposed to be weaker than her.

As she reached the end of the hall, she whispered under her breath, "Why do you keep getting involved...?"

"Is your love for me that eager."

But she didn’t say it loud enough for Arios to hear.

The rest of the day went on, but the confrontation lingered in the minds of the students who had seen it. The whispers changed slightly—less confident, less unanimous. Some now doubted Regulus’s story, but others clung to it even tighter.

Amelia returned to her duties, her usual stern demeanor intact, but her mind was far from settled. Every time she recalled the way Arios had spoken, cutting through Regulus’s taunts without raising his voice, she felt a more conflicted pull inside her chest towards the young student.

And though she would never admit it openly, the quiet "thank you" she had given him weighed on her more than any insult Regulus had thrown her way.