Chapters 19-21

Chapter 19

The man strode forward with the slow, deliberate steps of a predator who knew his prey had nowhere to run. His cloak, dark and weatherworn, parted just enough to reveal the worn leather harness strapped across his chest, where an array of daggers, vials, and strange metal implements were secured in tight loops. He moved like someone accustomed to violence, his steps light despite his imposing build. The flickering lantern light shadowed his face, but as he neared, the details became clearer—strong, angular features, a jaw lightly dusted with stubble, and the kind of scars that told stories he didn’t bother to share.

Otter couldn’t tear his gaze away from the man.

The barmaid, who had been ferrying drinks to another table, took one look at the man and promptly turned heel, disappearing into the back. A few other patrons casually shifted their chairs away, but there were a few long and appraising looks falling on the man. This was, after all, a tavern for Adventurers.

The man’s eyes—sharp, colorless as river stones—swept the room again. Hunting. Then, they locked on Otter.

Otter felt the weight of that stare settle over him like a net being drawn tight.

He swallowed.

"Otter?" Erin's voice was barely more than a whisper beside him, her fingers tightening subtly around her mug. "Do you know that guy?"

"No," Otter said, too quickly. "I don't think so."

The stranger crossed the room without hesitation. Though he had to weave through tables, he made it look as though he were taking the most direct path toward where Otter sat. His steps were smooth, unhurried.

Otter forced himself to breathe. He had no idea what this man wanted, but he was here with his friends. Surely there was safety in numbers.

And then, the stranger was there. For a long moment, he simply stared. Then he pulled something from his belt—a small, metallic device—and tapped it once. A soft chime rang out and the air above the device lit up with projected text.

Officer: Varek Holloway

WARNING: ACTIVE BOUNTY DETECTED.
SUBJECT: MATCH LIKELY.
STATUS: UNCLAIMED.

Otter’s heart skipped a beat. A bounty? On him?

Milo, sitting across the table, noticed the way Otter’s face drained of color. “Uh…what was that?”

The bounty hunter’s voice was gravel and steel. “Stand up.”

Otter didn’t move. “I think you have the wrong person.”

The bounty hunter barely blinked. “My tracker doesn’t seem to think so.”

Levi’s hand drifted toward his belt, where a small dagger was sheathed. Liora didn’t move at all, but Otter felt the change in her posture—a shift in weight, a quiet readiness.

Piper swallowed hard. “This is…a misunderstanding, right?”

The bounty hunter’s gaze flicked to her, then back to Otter. His expression was unreadable, but his stance shifted—more controlled now, more prepared.

“I don’t make mistakes,” he said flatly.

Otter felt the press of a hundred eyes on him.

He forced himself to stay calm. “I don’t have a bounty.”

Varek tapped his device again. “That’s not what this says.”

Otter’s mind raced. As he read the notice again, he saw something off. The bounty wasn’t his. Not exactly. The name wasn’t fully displayed. Only the surname remained.

Bennett.

Otter’s blood turned to ice. Not him. But the bounty hunter didn’t know that.

“I’m telling you,” Otter tried again, voice steady despite the way his pulse thundered in his ears, “you’ve got the wrong person.”

“Stand up.”

Otter’s fingers tightened around the edge of the table. Fight or flight coiled in his muscles, a decision pressing against his ribs.

And then Erin moved. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping back against the wooden floor. “I think we’re done here.” She grabbed Otter’s wrist.

And hissed under her breath—“Move.”

The hunter’s eyes flicked to her. It was only a fraction of a second, but Levi was ready. With a sharp kick, he sent their table crashing over, scattering plates, mugs, and silverware across the wooden floor.

Milo’s fingers danced as he whispered an incantation, and a sudden burst of light erupted between them and the bounty hunter. A brilliant, blinding flare, white-hot and dazzling, engulfed their immediate surroundings.

Otter flinched as his vision whited out. Shouts rang through the tavern—confused, angry, alarmed. The bounty hunter let out a harsh growl, staggering back as the spell disoriented him.

“Go, go!” Erin shouted, gripping Otter’s sleeve.

They darted right, trying to slip around the stunned bounty hunter, but his reflexes were too sharp. Even half-blinded, he turned and snapped out a hand, fingers closing like a vice around Otter’s collar.

The force of the grab yanked Otter backward, nearly off his feet.

“Not so fast,” Varek snarled. His grip was iron, pulling Otter toward him.

Then Liora barreled into the man from behind.

She slammed into his back like a cannonball, sending him lurching forward—straight into a table of unsuspecting patrons.

Chairs tumbled. Drinks spilled. A burly man with scarred knuckles and a thick beard stood so fast his chair skidded back, knocking over yet another table.

“What the hell—?”

The next moment, the entire tavern exploded into mayhem.

Someone grabbed Varek, thinking him the cause of the disturbance. A fist swung. Another chair flipped. Within seconds, a full-on brawl had ignited around them.

“Perfect,” Erin muttered, eyes darting toward the door. “Let’s—”

She stopped abruptly.

Their exit was blocked.

A small man in a dark coat stood in the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. He had an air of quiet menace, the kind that made Otter’s instincts scream danger.

“Another one?” Milo hissed under his breath.

The bounty hunter had a partner. And they were trapped.

Suddenly, a wild shove from the brawl sent Otter stumbling backward. His boots caught on something, and he crashed into a tapestry hanging from the wall.

The fabric tore from its wall anchors and instead of falling into a stone wall—he was falling into empty space.

A narrow, dusty corridor yawned open behind him, concealed behind the tapestry.

He barely had time to process what happened before Erin grabbed his arm and hauled him through.

“Come on!” she hissed.

Liora followed without hesitation, dragging Levi and Milo behind her.

They tumbled into the dark passage, the muffled sounds of the tavern brawl still raging behind them.

Piper yanked the tapestry back up and hastily fastened back into place. It wouldn't withstand much of an inspection, but it might buy them a few seconds.

Then she slipped inside, and shadow swallowed the passage.

They stumbled forward through the narrow tunnel, coughing as dust swirled around them.

Otter’s heart pounded. He didn’t know where they were going, but at least it was somewhere else.

After what felt like an eternity, the passage opened into a wide, dimly lit chamber.

They emerged into what looked like an old, forgotten cellar. Barrels and crates sat stacked in the corners, covered in cobwebs and dust. The air was thick with the scent of stale ale and damp earth.

A wooden door was set into the far wall. With a hearty shove, Liora forced it open, and they spilled into a darkened alley.

Outside, they paused.

Milo coughed, peering left and right. “Where are we?”

Otter wiped sweat from his forehead. “No idea.”

The group took a moment to catch their breath, exchanging glances.

No one spoke.

Then, after a few moments of silence, they realized something.

No footsteps. No pursuit.

Liora exhaled slowly. “I think… we lost them.”

Relief swept through them like a wave. Levi chuckled, leaning against a barrel. “That was way too close.”

Levi grinned. “Well, at least it was fun.”

“Lucky thing you found that secret exit,” Erin said.

“Yeah, lucky,” Otter murmured, wondering just how much his Luck stat had helped.

“Okay, which way back to campus? I think I’ve had enough excitement.”

Otter swiped his wrisplay, landing on the arrow that always pointed north. He quickly got his bearings and said, “Follow me. Pretty sure its this way.”

He moved down the alley at a brisk walk, the others right on his heels. This felt a lot more like home. He turned a corner and bounced off something solid. Then a hand clamped down on his shoulder.

Somehow, the bounty hunter had tracked them here.

He stood in the only exit, his presence filling the space like a storm cloud. His eyes gleamed, cold and predatory, like a wolf that had finally run its prey to ground. The easy smirk was gone. Now, he simply looked focused. “This has been fun, kid,” Varek said, voice low and measured. “But I’m done chasing you.” He took a step forward.

Otter’s fingers tightened into fists. Behind him, he felt his friends tense.

Then the cold bite of metal snapped around Otter’s wrists.

The sound sent a jolt of pure panic through his system, but his body was too rigid to react. Steel cuffs. Heavy and rune-etched. Designed to suppress magic—not that he had any to suppress.

“Finally,” Varek muttered, securing the manacles with a click. “You sure made me work for this one, kid.”

Otter’s friends were frozen, silent but seething. Liora’s fists clenched at her sides. Levi’s foot shifted ever so slightly—like he was calculating how hard he could kick the man in the ribs before he could react.

Milo was probably seconds away from casting something reckless.

“Don’t,” Otter warned, meeting Milo’s eyes. “Just… hold on.”

Milo gritted his teeth but held back.

Otter took a deep breath, forcing himself to think. His heart was hammering. Likely match. That’s what the notification had said in the tavern. Likely. Not definitive. Not confirmed.

Otter looked up at Varek sharply. “Wait. You said your tracker tagged me as a match, right?”

The bounty hunter didn’t even look at him. “Obviously.”

“But it said likely match.”

“That’s generally as good as it gets. The client will verify.”

“And what if you’re wrong? I’m a student at the Academy. Surely there are consequences for you if you arrest the wrong person.”

The man hesitated, but only for a second. “Show me your wrisplay.”

Otter held up his arm and showed him his profile page. The man inspected it quickly.

“Yeah, it says your surname is Bennett. That’s a match.”

Otter shook his head. “I know that’s what your tracker said, but it didn’t show a given name. Why is that?”

He shrugged.

“You must have some other way to verify? What about your objective? Doesn't that provide more specific details?”

The bounty hunter narrowed his eyes, but looked to his own wrisplay and swiped through a couple of screens. After a moment, he frowned.

“Let me see your profile again.” He looked at Otter’s. “Dammit.” Then he called to the small man standing behind him. “Stand down, Sherm. He’s not the right guy.”

Otter didn't need to see the man’s display to know what it said.

Current Objective: Apprehend Elias Bennett.

His father.

The father he barely remembered. The father who disappeared over a decade ago. The father everyone assumed was dead.

Varek shook his head and pressed a rune on the cuffs. The metal bindings snapped open, releasing Otter’s wrists. He stared hard at him for a long moment, then bent down and in a softer voice said, “Do you know where he is?”

Tears formed in the corners of Otter’s eyes, but he shook his head. “I haven’t seen him since I was little.”

Varek nodded, then straightened. “Sorry about the mix-up, kid.” With that, Varek turned and walked back down the alley in the direction he’d come, Sherm following in his wake.

Otter’s brain, swirling with thoughts, finally made a connection and he blurted out, “Does this mean he’s still alive?”

Without stopping, Varek shrugged. “I hope so, kid. Finding him is the only way I get paid.”

Chapter 20

The road back to the Academy was quieter than before. The air still buzzed with tension, but no one spoke. Their steps felt heavier, weighed down by the conversation they all knew was coming.

Otter kept his hands stuffed into his pockets, fumbling with the whisper stone he’d purchased earlier. He could still hear Varek’s words ringing in his ears:

"Finding him is the only way I get paid."

Was his father truly alive? On the run? While he couldn't know for sure, he suspected that the key to finding him lay within the Restricted Section of the Library.

Otter swallowed hard and took a deep breath. It was time. "Back there," he started, voice steady despite the tightness in his chest. "With Varek—I didn’t tell you everything."

The group slowed their pace. Eyes turned to him.

Erin’s brow furrowed, concern already forming.

Milo shoved his hands into his coat pockets, silent but attentive. Levi tilted his head, curiosity clear on his face. Piper folded her arms, waiting. Liora—ever still, ever observant—said nothing.

"My father left a note for me before he disappeared," he said. "I found it…accidentally, I guess you could say."

Erin gave him a knowing look.

"What did it say?" Piper asked.

Otter took a breath and recited the words he had long ago committed to memory: "I hope you never read this. I hope I’ve returned to be the father you deserve. But if you ever find this, I’m sorry. Do whatever you can to be invited to the Adventurer’s Academy. You’ll find answers there."

Silence.

Piper leaned in, her voice hushed. “But… why here? What does the Academy have to do with your father?”

“I don’t know. I heard rumors when I was little that he was an Adventurer, but my mom never talked about it.”

“So maybe he was a student here,” said Liora. “But that would be ancient history. Do you think he was here more recently?”

Otter shrugged.

“Hang on a second,” said Erin. “You’re all assuming these answers have anything to do with his father’s disappearance. What if it has nothing to do with that?”

“What do you mean?”

She took his hand in hers. “Think about it, Otter. Sure you want to know what happened to your dad. But isn’t there something else you’re dying to know the answer to?”

He didn’t even need to think about it. “You mean why I haven’t been offered a Class.”

She nodded. “Where better to uncover the answer to that question than at the Academy?”

“Maybe. But how would he have known about that so long ago? He disappeared when I was just a toddler.”

Erin frowned as she considered that fact.

“Well, if there’s anything to find, we’ll help you,” said Milo quietly.

“I appreciate that,” said Otter. “But there’s more.” He turned his wrisplay toward them.

The glow of the screen illuminated the surrounding road, casting long, shifting shadows.

Current Objectives:

• Find Your Calling.

• Gain access to the Restricted Section of the Library.

The words seemed to pulse on the screen, as if mocking the weight they carried.

Erin stiffened, letting her hand drop.

Milo exhaled. “That’s… that’s an actual system objective?”

Piper shook her head, looking almost sick. “Otter, that’s—”

“The Restricted Section,” Erin finished, her voice tight.

Otter squared his shoulders. “That’s where the answer is. My father wanted me to find something.”

Erin’s jaw tightened. “No. That’s too far. The Restricted Section isn’t off-limits because they’re hoarding secrets—it’s off-limits because some knowledge is dangerous. You know that.”

Otter met her gaze. “And what if that’s the point? What if my father was onto something? Something important?”

“Or something forbidden,” Erin shot back. “There’s a reason they don’t let just anyone in.”

Levi glanced between them. “Okay, but why is the System telling him to go there? It doesn’t just throw out objectives for fun.”

“That’s exactly why I have to do this,” Otter pressed. “The System itself is pointing me there. That means the answer—the truth—is inside.”

Erin’s hands curled into fists. “And what if it’s not the answer you want?”

Otter opened his mouth, then shut it. He didn’t know.

Liora’s voice was cool, measured. “If you’re caught, they’ll expel you.”

Otter turned to her. “Not if I do it right.”

Milo swallowed. “You’re really serious about this.”

Otter nodded.

Another tense silence settled over them.

“I’ll help,” Levi said, stepping forward. “No way I’m missing out on a secret Library mission.”

Milo hesitated, then sighed. “Me too.”

Piper wrung her hands, torn. “Otter, I—”

He softened. “I get it, Piper. You don’t have to.”

She bit her lip. “...I’ll think about it.”

Otter turned to Erin. “Erin—”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I can’t do this.”

His chest tightened. “Why?”

She let out a sharp breath, stepping closer. “Because, Otter. You’re not thinking straight. This isn’t a game. You don’t even know what you’re looking for.”

He clenched his jaw. “Then I’ll find out.”

She shook her head again, frustration in her eyes. “You’re going to get yourself kicked out, and I—” She cut herself off, exhaling. “You worked so hard to get here. I won’t help you sabotage yourself.”

The words stung more than Otter expected.

Another long silence stretched between them, heavy and unresolved.

Finally, Erin turned away, walking ahead of the group without another word.

Otter watched her go, something in his chest sinking. He had always counted on Erin to stand by him. To be on his side. But this time… she wasn’t.

And that scared him more than he wanted to admit.

They continued toward the Academy in uneasy silence, the rift between them widening with every step.

Once they passed the gates, the group of friends dispersed, each heading off their own way, lost in their own thoughts.

Otter lingered in the grand square lined with towering statues of past Adventurers. He watched each of them depart. He was glad to have Levi and Milo’s support, but that couldn't overcome the heaviness he felt at Erin’s reticence. Not that he could really blame her.

He gazed up at the stony face of some hero whose name he didn't know.

He exhaled sharply, pressing his thumb against the stone, as if grounding himself. What if Erin was right? What if he was making a mistake?

“You look troubled, Mr. Bennett.”

Otter stiffened. He turned sharply, half-expecting to see Blackwood emerging from the shadows. But it wasn’t Blackwood.

It was Headmaster Voss.

The old man stood a few paces away, his hands clasped neatly behind his back. The soft lantern light from the nearby walkway flickered over his worn, brown coat, highlighting the gold-threaded embroidery along the sleeves. His gray beard caught the glow, lending him an air of quiet authority.

But his expression wasn’t stern or disapproving.

It was… curious.

Otter swallowed. “Headmaster.”

Voss studied him for a long moment, then glanced toward the statue Otter had been examining. “Auric Plavix. A great Spell Lord,” Voss murmured, more to himself than to Otter. “One who believed that knowledge was the greatest tool an Adventurer could wield.”

Otter hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Voss shifted his gaze back to him. “Something weighs on you.”

Otter’s fingers curled into a loose fist. “It’s nothing.”

The headmaster raised a bushy brow. “A curious statement for someone who looks as though Sisyphus carried but a pebble.”

Otter’s throat tightened. He should have expected this. Voss was sharp—too sharp. Still, he wasn’t about to confess everything. “I just… had a rough night,” he admitted. “Learned some things I wasn’t expecting.”

Voss hummed thoughtfully. “Knowledge can be like that.” He studied Otter’s face for a long, unreadable moment before speaking again. “Tell me, Mr. Bennett. Do you believe knowledge is always worth the price?”

Otter frowned, shifting on his feet. “I don’t know.”

The headmaster nodded, as if he had expected the answer. “Few do.”

A breeze rolled through the courtyard, rustling the ivy that crept up the Academy walls.

Voss took a step back, preparing to leave. “Seek the truth,” he said, his voice quieter now. “But beware the cost.”

Otter’s stomach tightened.

Before he could say anything else, the Headmaster turned and strode away, his footsteps barely making a sound on the stone path.

Otter stood there for a long moment, his thoughts a tangled mess. Finally, slowly, he made his way back to the dorms.Voss had meant those words as general advice. Otter was sure of that.

And yet…

They felt far too relevant to ignore.

Otter barely made it halfway across the courtyard before something slammed into his side.

A hand clamped over his mouth. Another wrapped around his torso, pinning his arms to his side before he could even think to react.

Pain jolted through his shoulder as he was yanked backwards, dragged off the path and into the shadows between two buildings.

Before he could cry out, something was shoved into his mouth. A gag. A balled up sock or some other rag, by the feel of it. He thrashed, kicking out blindly, but another pair of hands grabbed his legs, lifting him clean off the ground.

“Struggle all you want, rat,” a voice sneered. “No one’s coming to save you.”

Lyle.

Otter bucked against their grip, but Torrin’s laughter rang in his ear. “Damn, he fights more than I expected. Thought he’d just roll over and take it.”

“Guess he hasn’t learned his lesson yet.” Lyle’s grip tightened. “Time we fix that.”

Otter thrashed harder, trying to get a foot on the ground, anything to shift their hold, but they were stronger. Bigger. And they’d planned this.

They hauled him across the courtyard, moving fast and silent. The Academy’s massive stone structures loomed around them, the warm glow of lanterns spilling from distant windows, but it was late. Taking liberty had bought him an extra two hours before curfew, and even that was almost up. Which meant no one was out to see the abduction.

They turned down a narrow side path, away from the dormitories.

Where are they taking me?

He pulled up the map of the Academy in his head, trying to figure out where they were headed. There were too many options to be sure.

Lyle pulled a key from his pocket and opened a small side door to a building Otter had never been in before, but it smelled musty and earthy—kind of like the heart of Redthorne. Then he opened an interior door, revealing a dimly lit room filled with shelves of supplies.

Otter barely had time to suck in a breath before they threw him inside.

He hit the ground hard, rolling onto his back just in time to see the door slam shut.

A lock clicked. Then silence.

Otter lay still, heart hammering, mind racing.

A laugh drifted from the other side. “Hope you’re comfortable, rat.”

Otter pressed his forehead against the door, inhaling sharply through his nose. “You have to be kidding me.”

“Aw, don’t sound so mad,” Torrin drawled. “We did warn you, didn’t we?”

Otter’s jaw clenched.

They were actually doing this. They were actually locking him in a damn closet.

“To teach me a lesson?” he snapped.

“Smart boy,” Lyle sneered. “You’ve been a real pain. And now you’re a liability. You heard Jasper. Guess we’ll see how much the instructors like it when you miss curfew.”

“You do know this is a closet, right?” he said, forcing his voice to stay level. “I’m pretty sure someone’s going to open it in the morning.”

Lyle chuckled. “Yeah. Morning. Which means you’ll be real late getting back to your room.”

There was more laughter, then footsteps echoed as they walked away, leaving him in the suffocating dark.

Otter exhaled sharply, pressing his back against the wall. He scanned the shelves, then searched them. Maybe there was something he could use. A pry bar? A loose hinge?

Nothing.

He tried the lock anyway. No give. He shoved his shoulder against the door. Nothing. He was trapped.

For the first time in a long time, he felt helpless.

Otter inhaled slowly through his nose, forcing himself to calm down.

This wasn’t over. Not yet.

But no matter how much he searched, he found no way out.

Minutes stretched on. Then an hour.

How long had he been in here?

He kicked one of the shelves in frustration. Above, something shifted and toppled from the top shelf. There was something metal in it and it clanged and banged as it fell, knocking into other supplies, creating a cascade of falling items.

When the dust settled, Otter coughed. Then he heard a scratching sound at the door. A key rattled in the lock and the door swung open.

Otter blinked at the unexpected sight of a stocky man wearing overalls with the Academy’s crest stitched across the front. The man squinted at him, then down at the mess on the floor.

Otter raised a hand. “Uh. Hi.”

The janitor’s expression darkened. “What are you doing in here?”

Otter opened his mouth to respond, but the janitor didn't give him a chance. “Nevermind, you’re coming with me.” He grabbed Otter by the arm and steered him out of the closet.

They hastened the short distance to the nearest dorm, where a resident advisor on duty sat behind a desk, half-asleep over a pile of paperwork. The janitor cleared his throat, and the RA—an older student with a stern face—looked up, his eyes sharpening.

“Caught this one breaking curfew. Found him rummaging around in the groundskeepers' building,” the janitor said.

Otter’s heart sank. “I wasn’t—”

“Save it,” the RA snapped, already reaching for his ledger. He scribbled something down, then looked up, eyes cold. “Name?”

“Dwayne Bennett,” Otter muttered.

The RA nodded, making another note. “Breaking curfew, unauthorized presence in a restricted area. You’ll be written up. An administrator will meet with you in the morning to determine consequences. Understood?”

Otter gritted his teeth, nodding stiffly. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now, let’s get you back to your room.”

The RA led Otter back to his own dorm. When they reached Otter’s door, the RA gave him a hard look.

“Stay out of trouble.”

Otter nodded again, waiting until the RA turned and walked away before slipping inside.

Otter shut the door to his room behind him, the latch clicking into place with a finality that sent a shiver down his spine.

He exhaled, rubbing his hands over his face before sinking onto the edge of his bed. His mind churned, replaying every moment of the evening.

His birthday was supposed to be a happy occasion. Tonight had been anything but. Lyle and Torrin’s ambush had taken him completely by surprise. He’d been utterly helpless, unable to defend himself. Was this how he would always be? Outmatched, overpowered, and alone?

Anger flared, but it quickly melted into something colder.

No. Lyle and Torrin were bullies and cowards. He wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing him give up. He’d come here to find answers about his father, to make something of himself. He wouldn’t let those two drive him away.

And then there was Varek. He hadn't yet come to terms with that encounter. The more he thought about it, the more questions he had. Why was the bounty hunter looking for his father? Who had hired him in the first place? There had to be some way to find those answers. They might not tell him where his father was now, but it would be a place to begin.

The revelation ignited something in his chest—something urgent, something unrelenting. He had always known there was more to his father’s story, but now, the weight of that knowledge pressed down on him like an iron chain. The System had set him on this path, but it hadn’t warned him what it would cost.

The Restricted Section held answers. That much he was sure of. And he would find a way in, no matter what. Even if it meant sneaking past wards designed to keep people like him out. Even if it meant risking his standing at the Academy. Even if it meant keeping secrets from Erin.

Erin. He clenched his jaw. She had been his anchor since the day he arrived, a tether to the life he had left behind. She would understand, wouldn’t she? No—she would try to stop him. She would tell him that he was getting reckless, that the System had its own rules for a reason, that he was playing with forces he didn’t understand. And she would be right.

But he couldn’t stop now.

Otter leaned forward, pressing his forehead against his clasped hands. Was it worth it? If he went too far, if he got caught, if Erin turned away from him because she couldn’t watch him destroy himself in pursuit of a ghost… would he regret it?

A cold breeze rattled the windowpane, and he looked up, staring at the night sky beyond the glass. His father had disappeared into the unknown. And Otter had spent his whole life wondering if he’d been abandoned or if something darker had taken his father. That question had gnawed at him for years, a wound that had never quite healed.

He needed to know.

Even if it cost him everything.

Chapter 21

Otter stood before Administrator Vex’s office. He’d heard the man was strict, unforgiving. The heavy oak door loomed before him, its brass handle cold under his palm. He took a steadying breath before pushing it open.

Vex sat behind a sleek gray desk. Aside from a neat stack of folders, an inkwell, and a ticking timepiece, it was bare. There were no richly colored tapestries or bookshelves of dark wood in the room. It was plain, functional—unforgiving. Just like the man himself.

The Administrator didn’t look up immediately. His eyes skimmed a document from behind a pair of spectacles before setting it aside with deliberate precision. Finally, he met Otter’s gaze. “Mr. Bennett.”

Otter swallowed hard and stepped forward. “Sir.”

Vex gestured to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit.”

Otter obeyed, gripping the worn wooden arms of the chair to steady himself.

“You’ve been written up for breaking curfew and unauthorized presence in a restricted storage building,” Vex said, folding his hands. “Would you care to explain?”

Otter straightened, forcing himself to sound calm. “I wasn’t there by choice. Lyle Ainsworth and Torrin Hale ambushed me outside my dorm and locked me in that closet.”

Vex arched a single dark brow. “You have evidence of this?”

Otter clenched his jaw. “No, sir. But I—”

“Then what you have is an accusation, not a defense,” Vex interrupted smoothly. “And without proof, I cannot act on your claim.”

Frustration boiled under Otter’s skin. “But they told me themselves that they wanted me gone. They’ve been after me for weeks—"

“Do you have witnesses?”

“No, but—”

“Mr. Bennett.” Vex sighed, sitting back in his chair. “I do not doubt that some students hold resentment toward you. However, I cannot hand down punishment based on suspicion alone. You must understand that justice requires evidence.”

Otter bit his tongue to stop himself from snapping. Justice? Was that what this was?

“However,” Vex continued, tone as even as before, “I am aware that Mr. Ainsworth was assigned a work detail in the particular building where you were discovered.”

Otter watched as Vex’s eyes darted back and forth behind his lenses. Was he reading something?

“And there are records establishing a certain pattern of behavior. Which means there is likely some truth to your story.”

Otter dared to hope.

“However, policy dictates you must face consequences. While I could dock you credits or assign you latrine duty, I am inclined to be more lenient. I think the best option is to revoke your liberty privileges for a month.”

Otter’s stomach dropped. “What?”

Vex regarded him coolly. “The rules apply to everyone, Mr. Bennett. You were found outside after your already extended curfew in an unauthorized location. Furthermore, according to the custodian, you had made quite the mess. The consequence is firm and non-negotiable.”

Otter’s hands clenched into fists beneath the desk.

Without liberty privileges, he couldn't leave campus. Not that he had, other than last night. But he was hoping to make some inquiries about Varek and his father at the Adventurer’s Guild in the city. Now that would be impossible.

“Understood,” he muttered, barely keeping his anger in check.

Vex studied him for a long moment, as if gauging his reaction. Then, with a sharp nod, he said, “Dismissed.”

Otter rose stiffly and left the office, shoulders taut.

The Academy grounds bustled with students heading to and from their course sessions. But as Otter walked, he noticed the hushed murmurs. The sideways glances. He didn't know what it was about, but it seemed people were talking about him. Which couldn't be good.

Otter grit his teeth and quickened his pace.

He found his friends in the courtyard beneath the sprawling willow tree, their usual meeting spot. Levi was sprawled across a bench, Milo sat cross-legged in the grass, and Liora leaned against the trunk, arms crossed. Erin stood a few paces away, watching something in the distance.

At his approach, they all turned to him expectantly.

“You look awful,” Levi observed.

Otter let out a humorless laugh. “Thanks, Levi.” He dropped onto the bench beside him, exhaling sharply. “I got written up.”

“What?” Erin’s brows knit together in concern.

“For what?” Milo asked.

“For breaking curfew.” Otter’s voice was laced with bitterness.

Erin crossed back to the group.“But we got back last night with time to spare. What happened?” She suddenly looked very suspicious.

Otter hesitated. Then, with a sigh, he said, “Lyle and Torrin jumped me last night and locked me in a supply closet.”

Erin’s expression shifted from suspicion to outrage. “Are you serious?”

“They did what?” Liora’s voice was ice cold.

Levi sat up straighter, eyes wide. “Hold on. They kidnapped you?”

Otter shrugged. “That’s a little dramatic, but—”

“No, it’s not,” Milo said quietly, his usual calm demeanor darkened by something colder.

Liora folded her arms. “They left you locked up on purpose? Just to get you in trouble?”

“Pretty much.”

Silence.

Then Liora pushed off the tree and cracked her knuckles. “I’m going to kill them.”

Otter groaned. “Liora—”

“No, I’m serious.” Her violet eyes burned with barely restrained fury. “They jumped you. They locked you up so you’d break curfew, and now you’re the one getting punished? That’s actual bullshit.”

“Believe me, I tried telling Vex,” Otter said. “But since I don’t have any proof, he can’t do anything.”

Liora’s lip curled. “So he just decided to screw you over instead?”

Otter sighed. “I don’t think he wanted to. He said without evidence, he can’t make a ruling against them.”

“That’s convenient,” Milo muttered.

Erin crossed her arms, her jaw tight. “I’ll talk to Vex.”

Otter blinked. “Erin—”

“No, this isn’t okay, Otter.” Her voice was firm, unwavering. “People already treat you like you don’t belong here. If you just take this, it’ll only get worse.”

“She’s right,” Milo said quietly. “If we don’t push back, they’ll keep testing how far they can go.”

Otter ran a hand through his hair, frustration mounting. “What do you guys want me to do? I can’t prove anything. And Vex isn’t going to just take my word for it.”

Erin let out a slow breath, her fists still clenched. “There has to be an appeal process. I’m sure someone saw something.”

“I doubt it. Even if there was something, I don’t think Vex would back down. Maybe those two jerks would get a worse punishment, but I think I’m stuck with mine.”

“Either way,” Liora seethed. “They won’t get away with this.”

Otter had a sinking feeling he wouldn’t like whatever she was planning.

“Speaking of things getting worse,” Levi interjected, glancing around conspiratorially, “have you guys heard the new rumor?”

Otter groaned. “There’s a new one?”

“Oh, it’s a good one,” Levi said with an exaggerated grin. “Apparently, word’s spread that Varek was after you.”

Otter stiffened.

Levi continued, his tone a mix of amusement and warning. “Some people are saying you’ve got a criminal past.”

Otter dragged a hand down his face. “Great. Just great.”

“Who’s saying this?” Erin demanded.

Levi shrugged. “The ones who were there last night, mostly. But, you know, people love a good story.”

Erin turned on her heel. “I’ll handle it.”

Otter blinked in surprise.

Levi whistled. “Guess we’re all in the mood to ‘handle’ things today.”

Erin ignored him, still fuming. “You don’t deserve this, Otter.”

Otter’s throat tightened. After everything—after the strain between them—he hadn’t expected her to jump to his defense so quickly.

“Thanks, Erin,” he said quietly.

She nodded, her expression fierce. “Of course.”

Otter went to the rest of his sessions and pretended that losing his liberty privileges didn’t bother him. But as the day dragged on, frustration clawed at him. His confinement meant he couldn’t investigate Varek’s contract or look for information about his father in the city.

He had trouble concentrating on the lectures and listened in on other people’s conversations to see if they were talking about him.

Later that evening, he found himself in one of the few places where he could clear his head: The Library. Unlike the rest of the Academy, where his presence felt scrutinized, here he was just another body moving among the towering shelves, another pair of hands re-shelving books and fetching scrolls. Normally, he found comfort in the quiet routine, but tonight, the weight of the day pressed heavy on his shoulders.

His liberty privileges were revoked. Erin was out fighting his battles for him. And the rumors about the bounty hunter had spiraled into something far worse than he expected.

“I heard you got written up. Again.”

Otter turned to see Piper standing beside the checkout desk, arms crossed, an unimpressed look on her face. Her ink-stained fingers drummed against her sleeve. ““Unfortunately.”

Piper gave him a flat look. “Congratulations, then. You’re officially more trouble than the third-years, and they drink in the dorms.”

Otter sighed, leaning against the desk. “If it makes you feel any better, it wasn't my fault.”

“That’s not better,” she deadpanned. “That’s worse.”

Otter huffed a laugh despite himself. “Yeah, well, try telling that to Vex.”

Piper shook her head. “Unbelievable.” Then, after a moment, she added, “You okay?”

The genuine concern in her voice caught him off guard. He hesitated before answering. “I don’t know. I felt like I was finally getting somewhere, proving myself, but now…”

She nodded and was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry about your dad.”

Otter shrugged. “Thanks. I was really hoping to learn more about him. I don’t know if I’ll find anything here.” He gestured to the Library at large. “I doubt he came here before he disappeared. But Varek…that felt like a lead I could follow. Maybe.”

“They might have a record of the bounty at the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t leave campus. So that’s a no go.”

Piper tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Then let me handle it.”

Otter blinked. “What?”

“I’ll go to the Guild for you,” she said simply. “I’ll ask around, see what I can dig up.”

Otter stared at her. “You’d do that?”

Piper rolled her eyes but lowered her voice to the barest whisper. “I already agreed to help you break into the Restricted Section. A few questions at the Guild is hardly a step up.”

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Fair point.”

“One caveat,” she said.

“I’m listening.”

“If I’m chasing down this lead for you. You need to pick up the slack on the Emrys Gale research.”

“I can do that. Midterms are coming up, and I need to make sure I’m prepared for those, but yeah, I can put in a few more hours here.”

“Good.” She turned to leave, then added, “And don’t get locked in any more closets.”

Otter laughed and Piper left to finish her duties. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Friends were a wondrous thing.