Tortured

Ethan's expression soured when he saw his Elder Brother's bloodied body outside the gates of the Kai Family mansion. Surrounded by healers who immediately tried to tend to him, Sander Kai looked as if... as if...

"Young Master..." Jihoon called out. "Young Master, I have already dispatched some people to check the cameras and others to create a shield to avoid media attention."

"Bring him to the infirmary." While Ethan referred to it as an infirmary, the place was more like a private hospital. It was situated beneath the mansion and equipped with advanced machines and healers capable of providing top-notch medical care.

"Yes."

Not long after, Ethan stood behind a glass wall, observing the healers attempting to save his brother, or what was left of him. With the blood cleared away, he could now see the gruesome extent of the injuries: severed limbs, and gouged eyes. Who could commit such a cruel act?

"Young Master..." Jihoon hesitated behind him.

"Speak."

"It appears that whoever did this also sabotaged the Young Master's Essentia Nexus," Jihoon revealed. "He has lost all the Essentia he cultivated over the years."

Ethan remained silent. He had anticipated as much. In fact, it would be miraculous if Sander woke up after the trauma he had endured.

"What could they possibly hope to achieve by this?" Master Wu who was standing beside him, asked. "How could they subject the Young Master to such torture?"

"Sir..." A tall young man approached Jihoon and whispered something in his ear.

"It seems others have caught wind of the situation," Jihoon explained. "Old Man Lin and Old Man Yun are on their way for the Young Master. Furthermore, the Li and He Families are sending representatives to the wake. The timing is...." Jihoon clenched his jaw.

Ethan nodded, his suspicions aroused. He wasn't naive. This timing was too suspicious. However, did someone intend for them to witness the Kai Family's current state?

"Do not disclose anything about my brother. Send additional personnel to Jeonghae to search for his body," Ethan ordered firm in his decision. "The loss of my grandfather has deeply affected me, and from now on, I choose to confine myself within the mansion. Master Wu will oversee the company, and Jihoon will manage the mansion. As for me..."

Ethan didn't want to be entangled in this matter any longer. He wished to leave this place, but he recognized his responsibility to the original owner of this body. "I will attend the Academy," he declared. Whoever was responsible for his grandfather's and brother's suffering was still at large.

The Academy provided the only opportunity for him to flourish while staying out of the Kai Consortium's scrutiny. He didn't plan to reveal his abilities to everyone, but now he had no other choice.

"Young Master, I believe you can attend the Academy without disclosing your Essentia," Master Wu suggested.

"How is that possible?" Ethan was unaware of such an option.

"You can enroll in the Academy as a student studying relics and academia," Master Wu explained.

Ethan furrowed his brow. He vaguely recalled from the original owner's memories that such a program existed, but... "I thought the Academy ceased regular classes due to lack of enrollment?"

"The world is vast, and dungeons continue to open. Two years ago, the Academy decided to offer Academic courses, including Alchemy, Runeology, and Mystical Artifacts. These subjects are considered challenging, resulting in only a handful of enrollments," Master Wu clarified. "But with young master's capability, I am quite confident that it would be easier for you to get in."

Ethan nodded. With these courses available, it would be easier to conceal his abilities while bidding his time for payback.

.....

Hanmiryeong, Yeonsin

"You were confident in securing this position," Old Man Li said as he read the news on his tablet. Beside him sat the somber-looking Odette. "I instructed you to prepare thoroughly, yet you underestimated the opposition."

"Grandfather, it was not my intention. I—"

"Master Wu and Jihoon are formidable figures in the Kai Family. Did you truly believe they would abandon that child, Ethan Kai?"

"Grandfather, it was not Elder Sister's fault this time. She didn't anticipate those two masters actually supporting Ethan Kai," another woman across from Odette interjected. She raised her beautiful amber eyes and pouted at her grandfather. "That man was naive to think he could run Kai Consortium without the Li Family."

"That man is still considered your fiancé, Olivia," her grandfather reminded her. "It would be wise to mind your words."

"What about dissolving this engagement?" Olivia Li questioned. "You promised me."

"After the funeral arrangements are settled, we will naturally dissolve the engagement," the old man assured. "How could we accept someone without an Essentia into our family?"

"Grandfather, stop spoiling Olivia," Odette argued. "Ethan Kai is set to inherit Old Man Kai's shares. It's unwise to cast him aside without considering the business implications."

"Older sister!" Olivia frowned. "Do you really expect me to marry that... individual?"

"Olivia—"

"Enough," Old Man Li said firmly. "We decided long ago to dissolve this engagement."

Odette frowned, contemplating her grandfather's words. She couldn't forget the way Ethan Kai had looked at her with disdain during the meeting. She had entered that room expecting victory, only to leave in defeat. She couldn't believe that he thought he could easily secure this position now that there was no one else capable enough to manage Kai Consortium.

The thought of it infuriated her, but what could she do now?

"Do not worry," Old Man Li lifted his eyes away from his tablet. "In the end, Kai Consortium would fall into our hands, and Ethan Kai's struggle would be in vain. For now, all you need to do is wait. Patience... is the key."

.....

Please add the novel to your library. This is my first time writing a system novel so please be more patient. Thank you.